Image forming apparatus

Abstract

An image forming apparatus is disclosed. The image forming apparatus is for forming an image on a recording medium, the image forming apparatus comprising a discharge tray for supporting the recording medium, an internal unit disposed inside a main body of the apparatus, and a door being opened and closed as a part of outer surface members of the main body of the apparatus to expose and cover an inside of the main body of the apparatus, wherein, by opening the door, a fixing member for fixing the discharge tray to the main body of the apparatus is exposed outside, and removing the fixing member from the main body of the apparatus enables the discharge tray to be detached from the main body of the apparatus without removing the outer surface members other than the door, and wherein, detaching the discharge tray from the main body of the apparatus enables the internal unit to be operated.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an image forming apparatus in which the operability of an internal unit included in a main body of the image forming apparatus is improved. BACKGROUND

[0002] In using a conventional image forming apparatus such as a printer, when an internal unit such as a scanner unit provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus malfunctions or reaches the end of its service life, the internal unit is replaced by a service engineer. The service engineer removes a plurality of outer surface members including a main body top cover before replacing the internal unit. In the case where an extension unit such as an original reading device is provided on the top of the printer, the service engineer needs to perform complicated work to remove the extension unit before removing the main body top cover of the printer.

[0003] In the image forming apparatus discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-106238, a circuit board is provided inside the main body of the image forming apparatus at a position below a discharge tray which serves as a part of a top cover of the apparatus main body. An opening and closing member is provided on the discharge tray at a position corresponding to the circuit board, for use in the case where a new board is attached to the circuit board to extend the function. This configuration enables a user to quickly operate the circuit board inside the main body of the image forming apparatus from the opening of the opening and closing member.

[0004] However, in the configuration discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-106238, in the case where a new board having an increased size is attached, the size of the opening and closing member needs to be increased. Therefore, a larger space needs to be provided for the opening and closing of the opening and closing member, and in addition, in the case where an extension unit such as an original reading device is provided on the upper surface of the printer, the opening and closing member and the extension unit can interfere with each other.

[0005] In the configuration discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-106238, the position provided with the opening and closing member is embedded from the surface of the discharge tray for stacking recording media. Therefore, the edge of the recording media discharged onto the discharge tray can be caught by the embedded position, which can cause the recording media to curl. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application aims to provide an image forming apparatus in which the operability of an internal unit is improved without providing an opening and closing member on a discharge tray.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present application, an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium includes a discharge tray configured to support a recording medium on which an image is formed and which is discharged to an outside of an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus, an internal unit provided inside the apparatus main body and configured to operate in an image forming operation or a conveying operation of the recording medium, and a door as a part of an outer surface member of the apparatus main body and configured to be opened and closed to expose and cover an inside of the apparatus main body, wherein a fixing member for fixing the discharge tray to the apparatus main body is exposed to the outside by opening the door, and removing the fixing member from the apparatus main body enables the discharge tray to be detached from the apparatus main body without removing the outer surface member other than the door, and wherein detaching the discharge tray from the apparatus main body enables the internal unit to be operated.

[0008] Other features of the present application will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus.

[0010] Figure 2A and Figure 2B are configuration diagrams of an outer surface member of each of the exemplary image forming apparatuses.

[0011] Figures 3A-3D is a configuration diagram of a discharge tray unit.

[0012] Figure 4A and Figure 4B are sectional views illustrating a configuration of each of the exemplary discharge tray units.

[0013] Figure 5A and Figure 5B are step diagrams illustrating a procedure for detaching a process cartridge from an image forming apparatus.

[0014] Figure 6A and Figure 6B are step diagrams illustrating a procedure for detaching a discharge tray according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0015] Figure 7A and Figure 7B are step diagrams illustrating a procedure for detaching an exposure device according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0016] Figure 8 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment.

[0017] Figure 9A andFigure 9B is a step diagram illustrating a procedure for dismounting the discharge tray according to the second exemplary embodiment.

[0018] Figure 10 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to the third exemplary embodiment.

[0019] Figure 11A and Figure 11B is a step diagram illustrating a procedure for dismounting the discharge tray according to the third exemplary embodiment.

[0020] Figures 12A-12C is a step diagram illustrating a procedure for dismounting the discharge unit according to the fourth exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The preferred exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below. However, the size, material, shape, and related configuration of components according to the following exemplary embodiments are modified as needed for the configuration of the apparatus according to the present disclosure and other various conditions. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the following exemplary embodiments unless specifically stated.

[0022] (Overall configuration of image forming apparatus)

[0023] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image forming apparatus 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment is a monochrome laser beam printer employing an electrophotographic method. The image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on a recording medium such as a recording sheet, an OHP sheet, or the like, based on a signal transmitted from an external apparatus such as a computer connected to and in communication with the image forming apparatus 1.

[0024] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum 8) as an image bearing member. The photosensitive drum 8 includes a cylindrical drum base made of aluminum or nickel, which is coated with a photosensitive agent such as an organic photoconductor (OPC), amorphous selenium, and amorphous silicon. The photosensitive drum 8 is rotatably supported by a main frame (not shown) and is driven at a predetermined speed by a driving source. The photosensitive drum 8 is surrounded in the rotation direction by a charging member 80, a developing member 81, and a transfer roller 9 as a transfer member in this order. An exposure device 7 is provided above the photosensitive drum 8. The photosensitive drum 8, the charging member 80, and the developing member 81 are included in a process cartridge 6, which can be integrally mounted to and dismounted from an apparatus main body 100. The process cartridge 6 can be mounted to and dismounted from the apparatus main body 100 from an opening of a front door 13 on the front side of the image forming apparatus 1. The apparatus main body 100 is formed of an apparatus main frame and an outer surface member.

[0025] As another configuration, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a sheet cassette 2 for stacking recording media S, a feeding roller 3, a pair of conveyance rollers 4, a pair of alignment rollers 5, a fixing device 10, a discharge roller 11, and a discharge tray 12 along a conveyance path of the recording media S. These components will be described in detail below.

[0026] (Operation of image forming apparatus)

[0027] The operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described below. The photosensitive drum 8, which is rotated by a driving source, is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity and a predetermined potential by a charging member 80. The surface of the charged photosensitive drum 8 is subjected to image exposure based on image information by the exposure device 7. The charge of the exposed portion is removed to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing member 81 to be visualized as a toner image. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 8 is transferred to the recording medium S by the transfer roller 9. The transfer roller 9 is biased to the photosensitive drum 8 to form a transfer nip between the transfer roller 9 and the photosensitive drum 8. The transfer roller 9 performs a transfer operation to transfer the toner image on the photosensitive drum 8 (image bearing member) to the recording medium S at the transfer nip.

[0028] The recording medium S is fed from the sheet cassette 2 to the conveyance path by the feeding roller 3. The recording medium S is conveyed to the transfer nip via the pair of conveyance rollers 4 and the pair of alignment rollers 5. The toner image transferred from the photosensitive drum 8 to the recording medium S at the transfer nip is heated and fixed by the fixing device 10. The recording medium S by the fixing device 10 is discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body 100 by the discharge roller 11. The recording medium S discharged by the discharge roller 11 is held by the discharge tray 12.

[0029] (Configuration of outer surface member)

[0030] An outer surface member for covering the outside of the apparatus main body 100 will be described below with reference to Figure 2A and Figure 2B In the apparatus main body 100 shown in Figure 2A and Figure 2B , the front side is the positive side in the X-axis direction, the rear side is the negative side in the X-axis direction, the right-hand side is the positive side in the Y-axis direction, the left-hand side is the negative side in the Y-axis direction, the upper side is the positive side in the Z-axis direction, and the lower side is the negative side in the Z-axis direction. Preferably, the XY plane is parallel to the horizontal plane, and the Z direction is parallel to the vertical direction. Figure 2A is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1 as viewed from the right upper side of the front side. Figure 2B is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1 as viewed from the left upper side of the rear side.

[0031] As Figure 2A and Figure 2BAs shown, the front side of the device main body 100 includes a rotatable front door 13 and a cassette cover 20 for covering the front face of the sheet cassette 2 which can be drawn out from the front side of the device main body 100. The front door 13 covering the front face also extends toward the top face of the device main body 100. A portion on the top face of the front door 13 is referred to as a top face portion 13a. The top face of the device main body 100 is provided with a discharge tray unit 21 for supporting the discharged recording medium S and a top cover 22. The top cover 22 is provided at a different portion from the top face portion 13a, and also at a different portion from the portion where the discharge tray unit 21 covers the device main body 100. The right-hand side, left-hand side and back of the device main body 100 are provided with a right cover 23, a left cover 24 and a back cover 25, respectively.

[0032] The outer surface members of the device main body 100 include the front door 13, the cassette cover 20, the discharge tray unit 21, the top cover 22, the right cover 23, the left cover 24 and the back cover 25. Among the outer surface members of the device main body 100, the front door 13 is provided at a downstream portion in the direction in which the recording medium S is discharged onto the discharge tray unit 21.

[0033] (Configuration of discharge tray unit)

[0034] The discharge tray unit 21 will be described below with reference to Figures 3A-3C , Figure 4A and Figure 4B . As shown in Figure 3A , the discharge tray unit 21 includes three different portions, namely a discharge tray 12, a left-hand side wall 31 and a right-hand side wall 32. The discharge tray 12 has a stacking face 29 for stacking the discharged recording medium S and a stacking wall 28 on the upstream side in the direction of discharge of the recording medium S, which abuts against the edge of the recording medium S.

[0035] The stacking surface 29 having a shape inclined with respect to the horizontal plane guides the discharged recording medium S toward the stacking wall 28. The stacking wall 28 regulates the position of the upstream edge of the recording medium S in the direction of discharge of the recording medium S stacked on the stacking surface 29. The left-hand side wall 31 and the right-hand side wall 32 regulate the positions of the two edges of the recording medium S in the lateral direction perpendicular to the direction of discharge of the recording medium S stacked on the stacking surface 29.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3A , the discharge tray 12, the left-hand side wall 31 and the right-hand side wall 32 are assembled into the discharge tray unit 21. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3B , the discharge tray unit 21 can be disassembled into three portions.

[0037] Figure 3C is an illustration of a perspective view of the discharge tray 12 and the right-hand side wall 32 when viewed from the back side. As shown in Figure 3CAs shown, two bosses 33, an engaging portion 34, and a fixing portion 35 are provided on both left and right sides of the discharge tray 12. Figure 3C The right-hand side wall 32 shown has a hole 36 into which the boss 33 of the discharge tray 12 is inserted, an engaged portion 37 with which the engaging portion 34 engages, and a fixed portion 38 which is fixed by the fixing portion 35. Although not shown in the left-hand side wall 31, Figure 3C but like the right-hand side wall 32, the left-hand side wall 31 also has the hole 36, the engaged portion 37, and the fixed portion 38. The fixing portion 35 of the discharge tray 12 and the fixed portion 38 on the left-hand side wall 31 and the right-hand side wall 32 are fixed to each other by inserting a fixing member 39 such as a screw.

[0038] Figure 3D is an enlarged view of the engaging portion 34 of the discharge tray 12 and the engaged portion 37 of the right-hand side wall 32. The engaging portion 34 of the discharge tray 12 is hook-shaped, and the engaged portion 37 of the right-hand side wall 32 is rib-shaped. The discharge tray 12 and the right-hand side wall 32 are engaged by the engagement of the hook-shaped engaging portion 34 on the discharge tray 12 and the rib-shaped engaged portion 37 on the right-hand side wall 32. The discharge tray 12 is engaged with the left-hand side wall 31 in a similar manner. By inserting the bosses 33 on both left and right sides of the discharge tray 12 into the holes 36 on the right-hand side wall 32 and the left-hand side wall 31, respectively, each engaging portion 34 and a corresponding engaged portion 37 are engaged with each other, and then the fixing portion 35 and the fixed portion 38 are fixed by the fixing member 39. Thus, the discharge tray unit 21 is formed.

[0039] Figure 4A is a cross-sectional view showing the discharge tray unit 21 according to the present exemplary embodiment. As shown, Figure 4A the angle of the discharge tray 12 with the left-hand side wall 31 and the angle of the discharge tray 12 with the right-hand side wall 32 are each represented by an angle a having a substantially right angle. In this configuration, the distance between the left-hand side wall 31 and the right-hand side wall 32 is represented by a distance A. Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a discharge tray unit 82 having an integrated configuration according to a comparative example. Unlike the present exemplary embodiment, according to the comparative example, since the portions corresponding to the discharge tray 12, the left-hand side wall 31, and the right-hand side wall 32 are integrally formed, the discharge tray unit 82 cannot be disassembled into parts. Similarly, the angle formed by the portions corresponding to the discharge tray 12 and the left-hand side wall 31 and the angle formed by the portions corresponding to the discharge tray 12 and the right-hand side wall 32 are each represented by an angle β. The distance between the portions corresponding to the left-hand side wall 31 and the right-hand side wall 32 is represented by a distance B.

[0040] The angle β is larger than the angle a for the following reasons. The discharge tray unit 21 is a resin member made by injection molding. In the configuration of the present exemplary embodiment, the members of the discharge tray 12, the left-hand side wall 31, and the right-hand side wall 32 can be manufactured separately. However, in the configuration of the comparative example, these members need to be integrally molded using one mold. In the configuration of the comparative example, in order to prevent scratches when the member is taken out of the mold, the angle β is made larger than the angle a to provide a predetermined draft on the inclination of the left-hand side wall 31 and the right-hand side wall 32. Therefore, the distance B becomes longer than the distance A.

[0041] According to the present exemplary embodiment, the discharge tray 12, the left-hand side wall 31, and the right-hand side wall 32 can be configured in a manner in which the angle a becomes approximately a right angle. Therefore, it is possible to make the distance A shorter than the distance B according to the comparative example. This makes it possible to reduce the lateral dimension of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0042] (Detaching the process cartridge)

[0043] The steps for detaching the process cartridge 6 will be described below with reference to Figure 5A and Figure 5B The side surface of the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a release button (not shown) for releasing the closed state of the front door 13. When the user operates the release button, the engaged state of the front door 13 with the apparatus main body 100 is released, and the front door 13 rotates as shown in Figure 5A By the rotation of the front door 13, the process cartridge 6 installed inside the apparatus main body 100 is partially exposed to the outside. When the user pulls out the exposed process cartridge 6 toward the front side, the process cartridge is detached from the apparatus main body 100 as shown in Figure 5B

[0044] (Detaching the discharge tray)

[0045] The steps for detaching the discharge tray 12 will be described below with reference to Figure 6A and Figure 6B As shown in Figure 6A , by the rotation of the front door 13, the portion corresponding to the top surface portion 13a of the front door 13 is also exposed to the outside. Therefore, the fixing portion 35 and the fixing member 39 for fixing the discharge tray 12 to the apparatus main body 100 are exposed to the outside. The fixing portion 35 is fixed to the apparatus main body 100 together with the fixed portion 38 on the left-hand side wall 31 and the right-hand side wall 32 via the fixing member 39 such as a screw. When detaching the discharge tray 12 from the apparatus main body 100, the user removes the fixing member 39 and then pulls up the discharge tray 12 as shown in Figure 6B . Therefore, the engaged portion 34 on the discharge tray 12 is bent to release the engagement with the engaged portion 37 as shown in Figure 3C . When the user pulls up the discharge tray 12 to release the engagement with the engaged portion 37, the engaged portion 34 on the discharge tray 12 is bent to release the engagement with the engaged portion 37 as shown in Figure 3C ​When the protrusion 33 on the discharge tray 12 is pulled out (as shown in FIG. 6), the discharge tray 12 is detached from the device main body 100. In this state, the left-hand side wall 31 and the right-hand side wall 32 remain in the device main body 100.

[0046] (Detaching the internal unit)

[0047] The steps for detaching the internal unit arranged below the discharge tray 12 (inside the device main body 100) will be described below with reference to Figure 7A and Figure 7B According to the present exemplary embodiment, the internal unit is the exposure device 7.

[0048] Figure 7A is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the exposure device 7 after the discharge tray 12 is detached, as viewed from above the device main body 100. Figure 7A Extraction of the opening 200 exposed to the outside after the discharge tray 12 is detached is shown. The exposure device 7 is fixed to the top frame 40 on the device main body 100 by four fixed members 39 at different positions. In the state where the discharge tray 12 is detached, the exposure device 7 and the four fixed members 39 are exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1. Since the size of the exposure device 7 is smaller than the opening 200, the user can handle the exposure device 7. As Figure 7B When the four fixed members 39 at different positions are removed, the fixing state of the exposure device 7 and the device main body 100 is released, so the user can detach the exposure device 7 from the device main body 100.

[0049] (Effects of the present exemplary embodiment)

[0050] According to the configuration of the present exemplary embodiment, after the discharge tray 12 is detached, the user can attach or detach the exposure device 7 to or from the position below the discharge tray 12. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the user can detach the discharge tray 12 alone after the front door 13 is opened, so the user can more easily attach or detach the exposure device 7 to or from the position below the discharge tray 12.

[0051] According to the configuration of the present exemplary embodiment, the user can also detach the discharge tray 12 from the device main body 100 without removing the external surface members (the cassette cover 20, the top cover 22, the right cover 23, the left cover 24, and the rear cover 25) other than the front door 13 from the device main body 100. With this configuration, the user can more easily handle the exposure device 7 than in the case of the conventional configuration.

[0052] Furthermore, even after the discharge tray 12 is detached from the apparatus main body 100, the left-hand side wall 31 and the right-hand side wall 32 remain on the apparatus main body 100, whereby the user can replace the exposure device 7 without touching unnecessary parts other than the exposure device 7. This can reduce the possibility that the user may touch other parts while operating the exposure device 7 and cause damage or malfunction of the other parts.

[0053] The following will refer to Figure 8 The configuration of the image forming apparatus 300 according to the second exemplary embodiment is described. The configuration of the present exemplary embodiment (described below) is similar to that according to the first exemplary embodiment except for the characteristic configuration, and thus will not be described again.

[0054] (Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus)

[0055] like Figure 8 As shown, the image forming apparatus 300 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment and a document reading device 50. A support unit 51 for supporting the document reading device 50 is provided on the top surface of the apparatus main body 100. The support unit 51 is provided at a portion of the top surface of the apparatus main body 100 that is different from the top surface portion 13a of the front door 13 and the discharge tray unit 21.

[0056] The document reading device 50 includes a reading sensor for automatically conveying document sheets stacked on a tray 52 to read the text and images printed on each document sheet. The read image data can be sent to a computer connected to the image forming device 300, or image formation on a recording medium S can be initiated based on the read image data to reproduce information described on the document. The document reading device 50 can be attached to and detached from the main body 100 as an optional device, or can be integrally formed with the main body 100.

[0057] In the configuration of this exemplary embodiment, a space is provided between the discharge tray unit 21 and the document reading device 50 so that a user can remove the recording medium S discharged onto the discharge tray 12. Similar to the configuration of the first exemplary embodiment, the front door 13 is configured to rotate to facilitate attachment and detachment of the process cartridge 6 from the apparatus main body 100.

[0058] (Removing the Ejection Tray and Internal Unit)

[0059] The following will refer to Figure 9A and Figure 9B A procedure for disassembling the internal unit arranged below the discharge tray 12 (inside the apparatus main body 100 ) will be described. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the internal unit is the exposure device 7 .

[0060] When the current door 13 is Figure 9AWhen the rotation is shown, a portion corresponding to the top surface portion 13a of the front door 13 is also exposed to the outside. Therefore, the fixing portion 35 and the fixing member 39 that fix the discharge tray 12 to the device main body 100 are exposed to the outside. The fixing portion 35 is fixed to the device main body 100 with the fixing member 39 such as a screw and the fixed portion 38 on the left-hand side wall 31 and the right-hand side wall 32. When the discharge tray 12 is detached from the device main body 100, as shown in FIG. 6, the user removes the fixing member 39 and then pulls up the discharge tray 12. Therefore, the engaging portion 34 on the discharge tray 12 is bent to release the engagement with the engaged portion 37 as shown in FIG. 7. When the user pulls up the discharge tray 12 to pull out the boss 33 on the discharge tray 12 from the hole 36 as shown in FIG. 8, the discharge tray 12 is detached from the device main body 100. When the discharge tray 12 is detached, the exposure device 7 disposed below the discharge tray 12 is exposed to the outside, so that the user can operate the exposure device 7. The detachment step of the exposure device 7 is similar to that according to the first exemplary embodiment, and thus will not be described again. Figure 9B When the rotation is shown, a portion corresponding to the top surface portion 13a of the front door 13 is also exposed to the outside. Therefore, the fixing portion 35 and the fixing member 39 that fix the discharge tray 12 to the device main body 100 are exposed to the outside. The fixing portion 35 is fixed to the device main body 100 with the fixing member 39 such as a screw and the fixed portion 38 on the left-hand side wall 31 and the right-hand side wall 32. When the discharge tray 12 is detached from the device main body 100, as shown in FIG. 6, the user removes the fixing member 39 and then pulls up the discharge tray 12. Therefore, the engaging portion 34 on the discharge tray 12 is bent to release the engagement with the engaged portion 37 as shown in FIG. 7. When the user pulls up the discharge tray 12 to pull out the boss 33 on the discharge tray 12 from the hole 36 as shown in FIG. 8, the discharge tray 12 is detached from the device main body 100. When the discharge tray 12 is detached, the exposure device 7 disposed below the discharge tray 12 is exposed to the outside, so that the user can operate the exposure device 7. The detachment step of the exposure device 7 is similar to that according to the first exemplary embodiment, and thus will not be described again. Figure 3C When the rotation is shown, a portion corresponding to the top surface portion 13a of the front door 13 is also exposed to the outside. Therefore, the fixing portion 35 and the fixing member 39 that fix the discharge tray 12 to the device main body 100 are exposed to the outside. The fixing portion 35 is fixed to the device main body 100 with the fixing member 39 such as a screw and the fixed portion 38 on the left-hand side wall 31 and the right-hand side wall 32. When the discharge tray 12 is detached from the device main body 100, as shown in FIG. 6, the user removes the fixing member 39 and then pulls up the discharge tray 12. Therefore, the engaging portion 34 on the discharge tray 12 is bent to release the engagement with the engaged portion 37 as shown in FIG. 7. When the user pulls up the discharge tray 12 to pull out the boss 33 on the discharge tray 12 from the hole 36 as shown in FIG. 8, the discharge tray 12 is detached from the device main body 100. When the discharge tray 12 is detached, the exposure device 7 disposed below the discharge tray 12 is exposed to the outside, so that the user can operate the exposure device 7. The detachment step of the exposure device 7 is similar to that according to the first exemplary embodiment, and thus will not be described again. Figure 3C When the rotation is shown, a portion corresponding to the top surface portion 13a of the front door 13 is also exposed to the outside. Therefore, the fixing portion 35 and the fixing member 39 that fix the discharge tray 12 to the device main body 100 are exposed to the outside. The fixing portion 35 is fixed to the device main body 100 with the fixing member 39 such as a screw and the fixed portion 38 on the left-hand side wall 31 and the right-hand side wall 32. When the discharge tray 12 is detached from the device main body 100, as shown in FIG. 6, the user removes the fixing member 39 and then pulls up the discharge tray 12. Therefore, the engaging portion 34 on the discharge tray 12 is bent to release the engagement with the engaged portion 37 as shown in FIG. 7. When the user pulls up the discharge tray 12 to pull out the boss 33 on the discharge tray 12 from the hole 36 as shown in FIG. 8, the discharge tray 12 is detached from the device main body 100. When the discharge tray 12 is detached, the exposure device 7 disposed below the discharge tray 12 is exposed to the outside, so that the user can operate the exposure device 7. The detachment step of the exposure device 7 is similar to that according to the first exemplary embodiment, and thus will not be described again.

[0061] In the configuration of the present exemplary embodiment, in the case where the document reading device 50 is disposed in the upper region of the device main body 100, the user can install and detach the discharge tray 12 and the exposure device 7 through the space for taking out the recording medium S stacked on the discharge tray 12.

[0062] (Effects of the Present Exemplary Embodiment)

[0063] Even in the case where the document reading device 50 is disposed in the upper region of the device main body 100, the configuration of the present exemplary embodiment enables the user to detach the discharge tray 12 alone, so that the user can easily install and detach the exposure device 7 disposed below the discharge tray 12.

[0064] Although the present exemplary embodiment has been described above using the example in which the document reading device 50 is disposed in the upper region of the device main body 100, the present application is not limited thereto. A post-processing device such as a sorting unit for sorting the recording medium S on which an image has been formed into a plurality of stacks can be disposed in the upper region of the device main body 100.

[0065] The configuration of the image forming apparatus 400 according to the third exemplary embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 10 , Figure 11A and Figure 11B . The configuration of the present exemplary embodiment described below is similar to that according to the first exemplary embodiment except for the feature configuration, and thus will not be described again.

[0066] (Overall Configuration of the Image Forming Apparatus)

[0067] According to the present exemplary embodiment, the recording media S stacked on the sheet cassette 2 are transported from the left-hand side to the right-hand side when viewed from the front side of the device main body 100. Then, the recording media S on which the images have been formed are discharged from the right-hand side to the left-hand side by the discharge roller 11, and then stacked on the discharge tray 12. More specifically, the recording media S are transported laterally with respect to the device main body 100. In other words, according to the configuration of the present exemplary embodiment, the mounting and dismounting direction of the sheet cassette 2 intersects perpendicularly with the discharge direction of the recording media S onto the discharge tray 12.

[0068] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 400 that transports the recording media S laterally. In the image forming apparatus 400, with reference to Figure 10 , the front side is the positive side in the Y-axis direction, the back side is the negative side in the Y-axis direction, the left-hand side is the positive side in the X-axis direction, the right-hand side is the negative side in the X-axis direction, the upper side is the positive side in the Z-axis direction, and the lower side is the negative side in the Z-axis direction. Preferably, the XY plane is parallel to the horizontal plane, and the Z direction is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0069] As shown in Figure 10 , the sheet cassette 2 can be pulled out from the front side of the device main body 100, and the cassette cover 61 is provided on the front side of the sheet cassette 2. The front cover 60 fixed to the device main body 100 is provided above the cassette cover 61. The door for mounting and dismounting the process cartridge 6 is provided on the left side of the device main body 100 and rotates as the left door 62. The left door 62 covering the left side also extends to the top surface of the device main body 100. A portion on the top surface of the left door 62 is referred to as a top surface region 62a. The left cover 63 fixed to the device main body 100 is provided below the left door 62. The top surface of the device main body 100 is provided with the discharge tray unit 21 for supporting the discharged recording media S and the top cover 64. The top cover 64 is provided at a portion different from the portion of the device main body 100 covered by the top surface region 62a and the discharge tray unit 21. The right-hand side and the back side of the device main body 100 are provided with a right cover and a back cover (not shown), respectively.

[0070] The configuration of the discharge tray unit 21 is the same as that according to the first exemplary embodiment. More specifically, the discharge tray unit 21 includes the discharge tray 12, the left-hand side wall 31, and the right-hand side wall 32. However, according to the present exemplary embodiment, as shown in Figure 10 , the front-back direction and the lateral direction are interchanged. Thereby, according to the present exemplary embodiment, the left-hand side wall 31 is referred to as the back side wall, and the right-hand side wall 32 is referred to as the front side wall.

[0071] (Dismounting the discharge tray and the internal unit)

[0072] Figure 11A and Figure 11BIllustrated is a procedure of removing the discharge tray 12 from the image forming apparatus 400 that laterally conveys the recording medium S. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the internal unit is the exposure device 7 .

[0073] When Figure 11A When the left door 62 is rotated as shown, the portion corresponding to the top surface area 62a of the left door 62 is also exposed to the outside. Therefore, the fixing portion 35 and the fixing member 39 that fix the discharge tray 12 to the main body 100 are exposed to the outside. The fixing portion 35 is fixed to the main body 100 together with the fixed portions 38 on the front and rear side walls by fixing members 39 such as screws. When the discharge tray 12 is removed from the main body 100, as shown in FIG. Figure 11B As shown, the user removes the fixing member 39 and then pulls up the discharge tray 12. As a result, the engaging portion 34 on the discharge tray 12 bends to release the engagement with the engaged portion 37 ( Figure 3C When the user pulls up the discharge tray 12 to remove the ejection tray from the hole 36 (as shown in FIG. Figure 3C When the boss 33 on the discharge tray 12 is pulled out (as shown in FIG. 1 ), the discharge tray 12 is removed from the apparatus main body 100. When the discharge tray 12 is removed, the exposure device 7 disposed below the discharge tray 12 is exposed to the outside, so that the user can operate the exposure device 7. The procedure for removing the exposure device 7 is similar to that according to the first exemplary embodiment and will not be described in detail.

[0074] (Effects of the present exemplary embodiment)

[0075] According to the configuration of the present exemplary embodiment, even in the image forming apparatus 400 that laterally conveys the recording medium S, removing the discharge tray 12 enables the user to operate the exposure device 7 arranged below the discharge tray 12 to attach and detach the exposure device 7 .

[0076] The configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment is the same as that according to the first exemplary embodiment. This exemplary embodiment differs from the first exemplary embodiment in that the internal unit to be attached and detached is not the exposure device 7 but the discharge unit 70. Except for the characteristic configuration, the configuration of this exemplary embodiment (described below) is similar to that according to the first exemplary embodiment, and therefore, will not be described in detail.

[0077] (Removing the Ejection Tray and Internal Unit)

[0078] Figure 12AAn ejecting unit 70 as an internal unit according to the present exemplary embodiment is shown as viewed from the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium S. The ejecting unit 70 includes an ejecting roller 11 for ejecting the recording medium S that has passed through the fixing device 10 onto the ejecting tray 12, and an ejecting frame 71 for supporting the ejecting roller 11. The ejecting frame 71 is provided with a fixing portion 72 and is fixed to the device main body 100 by a fixing member 39 such as a screw. At the rear side of the ejecting unit 70, the device main body 100 is provided with a frame 74 (as shown in Figure 12C the fixing member 39 passes through the ejecting unit 70 to fix the ejecting unit 70 to the frame 74.

[0079] Reference Figure 12A The portion 73 drawn with a dotted line is a portion corresponding to the stacking wall 28 (shown in Figure 3A ) included in the ejecting tray unit 21. Specifically, in a state where the ejecting tray 12 is mounted to the device main body 100, the portion of the ejecting unit 70 including the fixing portion 72 is covered by the stacking wall 28.

[0080] The user can detach the ejecting tray 12 from the device main body 100 by a step similar to that according to the first exemplary embodiment. As Figure 12B shown, when the ejecting tray 12 is detached from the device main body 100, the fixing portion 72 of the ejecting unit 70 covered by the stacking wall 28 is exposed to the outside. As Figure 12C shown, removal of the fixing member 39 enables the user to detach the ejecting unit 70 from the device main body 100.

[0081] (Effects of the Present Exemplary Embodiment)

[0082] According to the configuration of the present exemplary embodiment, detachment of the ejecting tray 12 enables mounting and detaching of the ejecting unit 70 arranged on the back surface of the ejecting tray 12.

[0083] Although the present exemplary embodiment has been described above with a focus on a configuration capable of operating the ejecting unit 70 based on the configuration of the first exemplary embodiment, the present application is not limited thereto. The configurations of the second and third exemplary embodiments are also applicable.

[0084] (Variants)

[0085] The first to fourth exemplary embodiments described above focus on a configuration in which the front door 13 and the left door 62 are opened to remove the discharge tray 12 from the main apparatus 100. The front door 13 and the left door 62 have been described above as doors for replacing the process cartridge 6. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Opening the front door 13 and the left door 62 can allow replacement of a waste toner box for collecting waste toner generated during image formation. Alternatively, opening the front door 13 and the left door 62 can move a guide member forming a conveying path for the recording medium S to open the conveying path. In this configuration, in the event of a paper jam, the user can remove the recording medium S from the main apparatus 100.

[0086] According to the first to third exemplary embodiments described above, the discharge tray unit 21 comprises three distinct parts: the discharge tray 12 including the stacking surface 29 and the stacking wall 28, the left-hand side wall 31, and the right-hand side wall 32. This allows the discharge tray 12 to be removed individually. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Similar effects can be achieved by separating the stacking surface 29 and the stacking wall 28 of the discharge tray 12, installing the stacking wall 28 in the main unit 100, and installing and removing the discharge tray 12 having the stacking surface 29.

[0087] In the first to third exemplary embodiments described above, the internal unit is the exposure device 7. In the fourth exemplary embodiment described above, the internal unit is the discharge unit 70. However, the internal unit is not limited thereto.

[0088] For example, the internal unit may be a wire harness or a circuit board extending on the left-hand side wall 31 and the right-hand side wall 32. In this case, the left-hand side wall 31 and the right-hand side wall 32 may be configured to be removed simultaneously with the discharge tray 12.

[0089] In the first to fourth exemplary embodiments described above, the operability to the internal unit is defined based on, for example, three different viewpoints. One viewpoint is that the opening 200 ( Figure 7B The ejection tray 12 is shown in FIG. 1 , and is larger in size (outer shape) than the internal unit. Another point of view is that when the ejection tray 12 is removed from the apparatus main body 100, the fixing member 39 that fixes the internal unit to the apparatus main body 100 is exposed to the outside. Another point of view is that when the ejection tray 12 is removed from the apparatus main body 100, the entire internal unit is exposed to the outside.

[0090] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, the image forming apparatus comprising: an ejection tray configured to support a recording medium on which an image is formed and ejected to the outside of an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus; an internal unit provided inside the apparatus main body and configured to operate in an image forming operation or a conveying operation of a recording medium; as well as a door as a part of the outer surface member of the device main body and configured to be opened and closed to expose the interior of the device main body to the outside and to cover the interior of the device main body, wherein, by opening the door, a fixing member for fixing the discharge tray to the apparatus main body is exposed to the outside, and removing the fixing member from the apparatus main body enables the discharge tray to be detached from the apparatus main body without removing outer surface members other than the door, wherein the discharge tray is detached from the apparatus main body to enable access to the internal unit, The door includes a top surface portion, which is a portion of the top surface of the device main body. wherein, by opening the door, a portion corresponding to the top surface portion is exposed to the outside, and Wherein, the portion corresponding to the top surface portion includes the fixing member, The first side wall and the second side wall are respectively provided on different edges of the two edges of the discharge tray in a transverse direction of the recording medium perpendicular to the discharge direction of the recording medium discharged onto the discharge tray, and the first side wall and the second side wall are configured to regulate the transverse position of the recording medium supported by the discharge tray. In a state where the first side wall and the second side wall are attached to the apparatus main body, the discharge tray is separated from the first side wall and the second side wall and removed from the apparatus main body.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: a cartridge configured to be mounted on and removed from the device main body, wherein opening of the door enables the cartridge to be mounted on and removed from the device main body, Wherein, the box includes a photosensitive drum.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: a guide member configured to form a conveying path for the recording medium, Here, by opening the door, the guide member moves to open the conveying path.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: a waste toner box configured to be mounted on and removed from the apparatus main body, The door is opened so that the waste toner box can be mounted on and removed from the main body of the apparatus.

5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in, The internal unit is disposed below the discharge tray in the vertical direction, and When viewed from the upper side toward the lower side in the vertical direction, a size of an opening formed by removing the discharge tray from the apparatus main body is larger than a size of the internal unit.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein The internal unit is a scanner unit configured to irradiate an image bearing member with light.

7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in, The discharge tray includes a stacking surface for stacking discharged recording media, and a stacking wall for regulating the position of an upstream end of the recording media discharged onto the stacking surface in a discharge direction of the recording media, and The internal unit is provided on an upstream side of the stacking wall in the discharge direction, and a portion of the internal unit covered by the stacking wall is exposed to the outside by removing the discharge tray.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: The internal unit is a discharge unit configured to discharge the recording medium on which an image is formed onto the discharge tray. 9 . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a document reading device disposed above the discharge tray in a vertical direction and configured to read a document.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The gate is provided on a downstream side in a discharge direction of the recording medium discharged onto the discharge tray.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: a sheet cassette configured to be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body and configured to support the recording medium, The sheet cassette is mounted and removed in a direction parallel to a direction in which the recording medium is discharged onto the discharge tray.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a sheet cassette configured to be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body and configured to support the recording medium, The loading and unloading direction of the sheet cassette is perpendicular to the discharge direction of the recording medium discharged onto the discharge tray.

Images