Image forming apparatus

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes: an apparatus body; a sheet storage portion configured to be attached to a lower portion of the apparatus main body in a first direction; an upper unit provided at the top of the apparatus main body, the upper unit configured to pivot about an axis intersecting the first direction and to move between a closed position and an open position; and a cover member configured to move between a first position and a second position. The edge portion of the cover member in the first direction with the cover member in the second position is positioned in the second direction with respect to a most protruding position to which the edge portion of the upper unit in the first direction protrudes to a maximum extent in the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-109622 describes a configuration in which, when a sheet cassette capable of expansion and retraction is inserted into a printer housing in an expanded state, the front end of the sheet cassette in the insertion direction protrudes on the rear side of the housing and the protruding portion of the sheet cassette is covered by a cassette cover.

[0003] However, in the configuration described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-109622, if the printer is installed so that the side surface of the rear side of the housing in the insertion direction of the sheet box faces the wall, the printer may be installed in an inappropriate position. That is, since the protruding portion and the box cover of the sheet box are positioned at the rear side of the housing and at the bottom of the housing when viewed from the pull-out direction of the sheet box, it is difficult for the user to visually identify the protruding portion and the box cover. In this way, the printer may be installed in an inappropriate position, and at this position, when the user inserts the sheet box under the state where the sheet box is extended, the box cover may interfere with the wall. If the printer is installed in an inappropriate position, the sheet box may be inserted abnormally, or the box cover or the sheet box may be damaged. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention provides an imaging device that is less likely to be installed in an inappropriate position.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, an imaging device includes: an apparatus main body, the apparatus main body is configured to accommodate an imaging part, the imaging part is configured to form an image on a sheet, the apparatus main body includes a side surface with an opening in a first direction; a sheet storage part, the sheet storage part is configured to store sheets to be fed to the imaging part, the sheet storage part is configured to be attached to the lower part of the apparatus main body toward the first direction and to be pulled out from the apparatus main body toward a second direction opposite to the first direction; an upper unit, the upper unit is arranged on the top of the apparatus main body, the upper unit is configured to pivot around an axis intersecting the first direction and to move between a closed position and an open position, the closed position being a position in which the bottom surface of the upper unit faces the top surface of the apparatus main body, The open position is a position above the closed position; and a cover member, which is configured to move between a first position and a second position, the first position being a position in which the cover member covers at least a portion of the opening, and the second position being a position in which the cover member is retracted from the opening toward the first direction so that the cover member allows a portion of the sheet storage portion to protrude from the side surface of the device body through the opening along the first direction, wherein the edge portion of the cover member in the first direction is positioned in the second direction relative to a most protruding position in which an edge portion of the upper unit in the first direction protrudes to the greatest extent during a time period in which the upper unit moves from the closed position to the open position.

[0006] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the imaging apparatus of the first embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2A is a sectional view of the imaging apparatus of the first embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2B is a sectional view of the imaging apparatus of the first embodiment.

[0010] Figure 3A is a perspective view of the feed cassette of the first embodiment.

[0011] Figure 3B is a perspective view of the feed cassette of the first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 4 is a sectional view of the imaging apparatus of the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 5Ais a sectional view of an imaging apparatus of a second embodiment.

[0014] Figure 5B is a sectional view of an imaging apparatus of a second embodiment.

[0015] Fig. 6A is a sectional view of an imaging apparatus of a third embodiment.

[0016] Figure 6B is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus of a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] First embodiment

[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the imaging apparatus 100 of the first embodiment. Figure 2A is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the imaging device 100. Figure 1 and Figure 2A , the basic configuration and imaging operation of the imaging apparatus 100 will be described.

[0020] Imaging equipment

[0021] The imaging device 100 is an electronic photographic device that forms an image on a sheet P based on image data. The image data can be read from a document by the image reading part 600 described below, or can be received from an external device connected to the imaging device 100 via a network. The sheet P as a recording material (recording medium) can be any of a variety of sheets with different sizes and materials. For example, the sheet P can be paper (e.g., ordinary paper or thick paper), a sheet material that has been subjected to a certain surface treatment (e.g., coated paper), a sheet material of a special shape (e.g., envelope or index paper), a plastic film, or a piece of cloth. In particular, the imaging device of this embodiment can also form an image on a long sheet P2 described below.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the imaging device 100 includes a device body 101 and an image reading portion 600. The image reading portion 600 is arranged on the top of the device body 101 and serves as an upper unit. The image reading portion 600 will be described in detail later. A feed box 200 for storing sheets is attached to the lower part of the device body 101 so that the feed box 200 can be pulled out from the device body 101. In addition, a discharge space Sd is formed between the top cover 700 and the image reading portion 600. The discharge space Sd is a space into which sheets formed with images are discharged. The top cover 700 forms the top surface of the device body 101.

[0023] In the following description, the upward direction (the upward direction in the vertical direction, or the direction opposite to the gravity direction) when the imaging device 100 is installed on a horizontal plane is referred to as the upper or upward direction. The downward direction (the downward direction in the vertical direction, or the gravity direction) when the imaging device 100 is installed on a horizontal plane is referred to as the lower or downward direction. The direction in which the sheet is discharged toward the discharge space Sd in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the up and down direction is referred to as the front side or forward direction of the imaging device 100. The direction opposite to the front side or forward direction is referred to as the rear side or rearward direction of the imaging device 100. The direction on the right side in the horizontal direction when viewed from the front side of the imaging device 100 is referred to as the right direction of the imaging device 100, and the direction opposite to the right direction is referred to as the left direction of the imaging device 100.

[0024] In addition, in each of the drawings, the Z axis indicates the up-down direction of the imaging device 100, the Y axis indicates the front-rear direction of the imaging device 100, and the X axis indicates the left-right direction of the imaging device 100. In the imaging device 100 of the present embodiment, the upward direction is the positive direction of the Z axis, the downward direction is the negative direction of the Z axis, the forward direction is the positive direction of the Y axis, the backward direction is the negative direction of the Y axis, the left direction is the positive direction of the X axis, and the right direction is the negative direction of the X axis.

[0025] like Figure 2A As shown, the apparatus body 101 includes a feed roller 102, a traction roller pair 104, a registration roller pair (hereinafter referred to as a registration roller pair 105), a transfer roller 106, and a discharge roller pair 111. Each of these components is an example of a sheet conveying member that conveys a sheet P along a sheet conveying path 109 formed in the apparatus body 101. In particular, the feed roller 102 is a feed member that feeds the sheet P from the feed cassette 200, and the discharge roller pair 111 is a discharge member that discharges the sheet P to the outside of the apparatus body 101. The discharge roller pair 111 is provided in a discharge port 110 that is an opening of the apparatus body 101.

[0026] The device body 101 includes a housing including a frame and an external member or cover member. The frame is composed of a metal frame or the like. The external member or cover member serves as an appearance surface of the imaging device 100. The external member includes a rear cover 400 constituting an appearance surface of the rear side, a front cover 401 constituting an appearance surface of the front side, and a rear cover 402 constituting an appearance surface of the rear side. Figure 1 ) and a top cover 700 constituting a top surface of the apparatus body 101. The top cover 700 includes a discharge tray 112 serving as a stacking portion on which the sheets P discharged by the discharge roller pair 111 are stacked.

[0027] The cover member 300 is provided on the rear side of the apparatus body 101. The cover member 300 forms an appearance surface of the rear side of the imaging apparatus 100 together with a rear cover 400 of the apparatus body 101. The cover member 300 will be described in detail later.

[0028] The apparatus body 101 accommodates a feed cassette 200 serving as a sheet storage portion and a process cartridge 103 serving as an image forming portion. In this embodiment, the apparatus body 101 is a portion of the image forming apparatus 100 excluding the process cartridge 103, feed cassette 200, cover member 300, and image reading portion 600.

[0029] The feed cassette 200 is inserted into an attachment space formed at the lower portion of the apparatus main body 101. The feed cassette 200 of the present embodiment is attached to the apparatus main body 101 in the front-rear direction of the imaging apparatus 100 and is pulled out from the apparatus main body. The direction in which the feed cassette 200 moves when the feed cassette 200 is attached to the apparatus main body 101 is referred to as an attachment direction D1, and the direction in which the feed cassette 200 moves when the feed cassette 200 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 101 is referred to as a pull-out direction D2.

[0030] The feed cassette 200, which is a sheet storage portion of the present embodiment, can be attached to the lower portion of the apparatus body 101 in a first direction (i.e., an attachment direction D1), and can be pulled out from the apparatus body 101 in a second direction (i.e., a pull-out direction D2) opposite to the first direction. In the present embodiment, the attachment direction D1 is the same as the rearward direction of the image forming apparatus 100, and the pull-out direction D2 is the same as the forward direction of the image forming apparatus 100. The feed cassette 200 is also referred to as a sheet storage or a sheet tray.

[0031] The process cartridge 103 is a process unit for forming an image on a sheet P by an electrophotographic process. The process cartridge 103 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 101. Figure 2B As shown, the user can enter the attachment space formed in the device body 101 by opening the image reading portion 600 and the top cover 700; and the process cartridge 103 of the present embodiment can be detachably attached from the upper side. That is, when the cartridge is attached to or detached from the device body 101, the image reading portion 600 serving as the upper unit of the present embodiment is moved from a closed position to an open position. The top cover 700 can be moved between a position where the top cover 700 closes an opening of the device body 101 (through which the process cartridge 103 passes when attached to or detached from the device body) and a position where the top cover 700 opens the opening.

[0032] The process box 103 includes a photosensitive drum 103a used as an image bearing member, a charging roller 103b used as a charging portion, a developing roller 103c used as a developing portion, and a toner storage portion storing a toner used as a developer. The photosensitive drum 103a is an electrophotographic photoreceptor in which a photosensitive layer made of an organic photosensitive material or the like is formed on the outer peripheral portion of a cylindrical base. The photosensitive drum 103a can rotate on a rotation axis extending in the X-axis direction.

[0033] The photosensitive drum 103a is in contact with a transfer roller 106 serving as a transfer member. A transfer portion is formed between the transfer roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 103a as a nip, and a toner image is transferred in the transfer portion.

[0034] Note that the process cartridge 103 is an example of a cartridge that can be detachably attached to the apparatus main body 101. For example, a unit (i.e., a developer cartridge) including a developing roller 103c and a toner storage portion in a process unit can be detachably attached to the apparatus main body 101 independently of a unit (i.e., a drum cartridge) including a photosensitive drum 103a. In addition, a supply container (i.e., a toner cartridge) for supplying toner to the process unit can be detachably attached to the apparatus main body 101. The developer cartridge, the drum cartridge, and the toner cartridge are examples of cartridges. In addition, instead of the process cartridge 103 that can be detachably attached to the apparatus main body 101, a process unit that is integral with the apparatus main body 101 can be used.

[0035] The device body 101 includes an exposure device 107 used as an exposure part and a fixing device 108 used as a fixing part. The exposure device 107 is a laser scanner including a laser oscillator and an exposure optical system that guides a laser beam toward the photosensitive drum 103a and scans the photosensitive drum 103a with the laser beam. The exposure device 107 can be an LED exposure device including a plurality of LEDs. The fixing device 108 has a thermal fixing system. For example, the fixing device 108 includes a fixing roller used as a heating member, a pressure roller used as a pressure member, and a halogen lamp used as a heating part for heating the fixing roller. The heating member can be a tubular film member with flexibility, or can be an endless belt member. In addition, the heating part can be a ceramic heater having a pattern used as a heating resistor formed on a ceramic substrate, or can be a coil for generating heat in a conductive layer formed in the heating member by induction heating.

[0036] Imaging Operation

[0037] If an execution command for an image forming operation (i.e., a print command) is sent by a user via an operation portion included in the image forming apparatus 100 or an external device connected to the image forming apparatus 100, the image forming apparatus 100 starts the image forming operation. The image forming operation is a series of operations of forming images on sheets P while conveying the sheets P one by one and discharging the sheets P on which the images are formed. The image forming apparatus 100 can perform the image forming operation in a state where the feed cassette 200 and the process cassette 103 are attached to the apparatus body 101 and the top cover 700 and the image reading portion 600 are closed.

[0038] In the image forming operation, sheets P are fed one by one from the feed cassette 200 by the feed roller 102. Thereafter, the sheets P are conveyed along the sheet conveying path 109 in the apparatus body 101. Note that a pad-like separation member (ie, a friction pad) is in contact with the feed roller 102 so that a plurality of sheets P can be prevented from being fed at once by the friction force of the separation member.

[0039] The sheet P fed from the feed cassette 200 is conveyed to the registration roller pair 105 by the pulling roller pair 104. The registration roller pair 105 corrects the skew of the sheet P and then conveys the sheet P to the transfer portion in synchronization with the timing at which the toner image formed by the process cartridge 103 is conveyed to the transfer portion.

[0040] In parallel with the above-mentioned conveying operation of the sheet P, a toner image is formed by the process box 103. The charging roller 103b uniformly charges the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 103a so that the surface of the photosensitive drum 103a has a predetermined polarity and potential. The exposure device 107 emits a laser beam to the photosensitive drum 103a according to the image data sent together with the print command, and exposes the photosensitive drum 103a with the laser beam. With this operation, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 103a. The developing roller 103c carries the toner and supplies the toner to the photosensitive drum 103a so that the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image. In addition, in the transfer portion, the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 103a to the sheet P according to the electric field formed between the transfer roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 103a.

[0041] The sheet P having passed through the transfer section is conveyed to the fixing device 108 and is subjected to a fixing process for the image. Specifically, the fixing device 108 heats and presses the toner image formed on the sheet P while causing the nip portion between the fixing roller and the pressure roller to clamp and convey the sheet P. The sheet P having passed through the fixing device 108 is discharged to the outside of the apparatus body 101 through the discharge port 110 by the discharge roller pair 111 and is stacked on the discharge tray 112.

[0042] Upper unit

[0043] Next, the image reading portion 600 as an example of the upper unit will be described. Figure 2AAs shown, the image reading section 600 includes an image sensor used as a reading section for reading image information from a document, a platen glass on which the document is placed, and a platen cover for holding the document. The image sensor is a line sensor that includes, for example, a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in the Y-axis direction, a light source such as an LED, and a lens array that guides light reflected from the document to the plurality of light receiving elements. The platen cover can be opened and closed relative to the platen glass. The image reading section 600 obtains image data by optically scanning the document placed on the platen glass by causing the image sensor moving in the X-axis direction; and transmits the obtained image data to the control section of the device body 101. Note that the image reading section 600 may include an automatic document feeder (ADF) that automatically feeds the document.

[0044] The image reading portion 600 is disposed above the device body 101 and is supported by the device body 101 via a hinge portion 600a (i.e., a supporting portion). The hinge portion 600a is disposed near the rear end of the image reading portion 600. The image reading portion 600 can pivot on the hinge portion 600a relative to the device body 101. The image reading portion 600 pivots around an axis extending along the X-axis direction. That is, the image reading portion 600 of the present embodiment pivots relative to the device body 101 around an axis extending in a direction intersecting with the attachment direction D1 (first direction) of the feed box 200.

[0045] Note that the top cover 700 can pivot relative to the apparatus body 101 independently of the image reading portion 600. The top cover 700 is supported by a support portion 700a disposed closer to the rear side of the apparatus body 101, and pivots about an axis extending in the X-axis direction.

[0046] The image reading section 600 may be Figure 2A position shown in (i.e., closed position) and Figure 2B , i.e., the open position. The closed position is a position where the bottom surface of the image reading portion 600 faces the top surface of the device body 101. The open position is a position above the closed position. In addition, the closed position is a position of the image reading portion 600 where the image reading portion 600 is located when the imaging device 100 performs an imaging operation. The open position is a position of the image reading portion 600 where the image reading portion 600 is located when the process cartridge 103 is attached to or detached from the device body 101. Note that the hinge portion 600a includes a stopper that prevents the image reading portion 600 from moving beyond the closed position.

[0047] like Figure 2BAs shown, in order to replace the process cartridge 103 with another process cartridge, the image reading portion 600 is moved to the open position by pivoting the image reading portion 600 upward, and the top cover 700 is opened by pivoting the top cover 700 upward. With these operations, the user can access the process cartridge 103 through the opening of the apparatus main body 101. In the present embodiment, the process cartridge 103 is detached from the apparatus main body 101 in a direction extending forward and upward, and is attached to the apparatus main body 101 in a direction extending rearward and downward.

[0048] In addition, if the conveyance of the sheet P fails due to the discharge roller pair 111 (i.e., a jam in the discharge operation), the user moves the image reading portion 600 to the open position to deal with the jam. With this operation, the space between the top cover 700 and the image reading portion 600 is expanded, so that the user can easily remove the sheet P that has failed to be conveyed.

[0049] Next, the position of the rear end edge 600b of the image reading portion 600 positioned when the image reading portion 600 is opened and the position of the rear end edge 600b of the image reading portion 600 positioned when the image reading portion 600 is closed will be described. The rear end edge 600b is an edge portion or end portion of the image reading portion 600 located at the rear side. The rear end edge 600b is located when the image reading portion 600 is positioned in the closed position ( Figure 2A ) is represented by y0 in the front-rear direction. Figure 2B As shown, if the image reading portion 600 moves from the closed position to the open position, the rear end edge 600 b moves from the position y0 to the position y1 behind the position y0 .

[0050] When installing the imaging device 100, it is preferable to determine the installation position so that the wall on the rear side of the imaging device 100 is farther away from the imaging device 100 than the position y1. With this installation, it is possible to avoid the image reading portion 600 from contacting the wall when the image reading portion 600 moves between the closed position and the open position.

[0051] Feed box

[0052] Figure 3A and Figure 3B 2 is a perspective view of the feed cassette 200. The feed cassette 200 of the present embodiment can be expanded (elongated) and retracted according to the size of the sheets stored in the feed cassette 200. Figure 3A The feed cassette 200 is shown in a non-extended state, and Figure 3B The feeder cassette 200 is shown in an extended state.

[0053] like Figure 3AAs shown, the feed cassette 200 includes a cassette body 205 and a rear end unit 202 (i.e., a rear end extension portion) that can move relative to the cassette body 205. The cassette body 205 includes a support plate 201 (i.e., a sheet support plate or a sheet stacking plate), a side edge control portion 206, and a grip portion 204. The rear end unit 202 includes a rear edge control portion 207 and a locking mechanism 203.

[0054] The cassette body 205 is almost rectangular in a plan view. A grip portion 204 is formed in a side surface of the cassette body 205 in the pull-out direction D2. Therefore, a user can perform an operation for attaching or pulling out the feed cassette 200 by gripping the grip portion 204.

[0055] The support plate 201 can move up and down (or swing) relative to the bottom surface of the cassette body 205. The support plate 201 supports the bottom surface of the sheet bundle placed in the feed cassette 200. In a state where the feed cassette 200 is attached to the apparatus body 101, if the driving force of the motor provided in the apparatus body 101 is transmitted to the support plate 201, the support plate 201 is lifted up, and the uppermost sheet of the sheet bundle abuts against the feed roller 102 ( Figure 2A ).

[0056] The side edge control portion 206 controls the edge position of the sheet in the sheet width direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction (i.e., the side edge position). Since the sheet feeding direction in the present embodiment is the direction along the pull-out direction D2 of the feed cassette 200, the side edge control portion 206 controls the side edge position of the sheet in the direction orthogonal to the pull-out direction D2 (i.e., the X-axis direction). The side edge control portion 206 can move in the sheet width direction according to the size of the sheet. The side edge control portion 206 includes a pair of control plates facing each other in the sheet width direction. For example, the control plates forming a pair are connected to each other via a rack and pinion mechanism and move together, thereby maintaining a symmetrical positional relationship of the control plates in the sheet width direction relative to a conveying reference (i.e., the center position of the feed roller 102).

[0057] The rear edge regulating portion 207 regulates the position of the rear edge of the sheet (i.e., the upstream edge of the sheet in the sheet feeding direction). Since the sheet feeding direction in the present embodiment is the direction along the pull-out direction D2 of the feed cassette 200, the rear edge regulating portion 207 regulates the edge portion of the sheet opposite to the pull-out direction D2 (i.e., the edge portion of the sheet on the attachment direction D1 side). By the movement of the rear end unit 202, the rear edge regulating portion 207 can be moved in the sheet feeding direction according to the size of the sheet.

[0058] The rear end unit 202 can move in the attachment direction D1 and the pull-out direction D2 relative to the box body 205 along the groove portion 205a formed in the box body 205. The rear end unit 202 is locked to the box body 205 by the locking mechanism 203. In addition, the user can move the rear end unit 202 by operating the locking mechanism 203 to unlock the rear end unit 202.

[0059] The back-end unit 202 can be Figure 3A Shown in non-extended position and Figure 3B The state of the feed cassette 200 with the rear end unit 202 positioned in the non-extended position is referred to as the non-extended state (i.e., the retracted state), while the state of the feed cassette 200 with the rear end unit 202 positioned in the extended position is referred to as the extended state (i.e., the expanded state).

[0060] In the sheet feeding direction, the rear edge regulating portion 207 positioned when the rear end unit 202 is in the extended position is located upstream of (or behind) the rear edge regulating portion 207 positioned when the rear end unit 202 is in the non-extended position. Therefore, by moving the rear end unit 202 from the non-extended position to the extended position, a long sheet can be placed in the feed cassette 200. Note that the rear end unit 202 can be locked in place depending on the size of the sheet. Figure 3A Non-extended position shown and Figure 3B Any position between the extended positions shown.

[0061] Hereinafter, a sheet whose length makes it impossible for the feed cassette 200 to store the sheet when the rear end unit 202 is in the non-extended position and which makes it possible for the feed cassette 200 to store the sheet when the rear end unit 202 is in the extended position is referred to as a long sheet P2. The long sheet P2 may be longer than the total length of the feed cassette 200 when the rear end unit 202 is in the non-extended position. The long sheet P2 may be longer than the width of the apparatus body 101 in the front-to-back direction. Note that, Figure 2A and Figure 2B The length of the sheets P shown in is such that the feed cassette 200 can store the sheets P with the rear end unit 202 located in the non-extended position.

[0062] like Figure 3B As shown, when the rear end unit 202 is in the extended position, the rear end unit 202 protrudes from the box body 205 along the attachment direction D1. That is, in the front-to-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 100, the length L2 of the feed box 200 in the extended state is longer than the length L1 of the feed box 200 in the non-extended state ( Figure 3A )long.

[0063] That is, the state of the feed cassette 200 used as the sheet storage portion of the present embodiment can be switched between a first state (i.e., a non-extended state) and a second state (i.e., an extended state). The first state is a state in which the length of the feed cassette 200 in the attachment direction D1 (i.e., the first direction) is a first length L1. The second state is a state in which the length of the feed cassette 200 in the attachment direction D1 (i.e., the first direction) is a second length L2 longer than the first length L1, and the feed cassette 200 can store sheets longer than the sheets that can be stored in the feed cassette 200 in the first state.

[0064] like Figure 4 As shown, if the feed box 200 in the extended state is attached to the device body 101, the front end of the feed box 200 in the attachment direction D1 protrudes downstream from the rear cover 400 of the device body 101 along the attachment direction D1. That is, a part of the rear end side of the feed box 200 (i.e., the protruding portion 200B) protrudes backward from the rear cover 400 of the device body 101. The rear cover 400 has an opening 400a, which is formed to allow the part of the feed box 200 (i.e., the protruding portion 200B) to protrude downstream along the attachment direction D1. As described below, the protruding portion 200B of the feed box 200 is covered from above by the cover member 300.

[0065] Note that Figure 2A As shown, if the feed cassette 200 in the non-extended state is attached to the apparatus body 101, the front end of the feed cassette 200 in the attachment direction D1 does not protrude downstream from the rear cover 400 of the apparatus body 101 in the attachment direction D1. Preferably, in this state, the front end of the feed cassette 200 in the attachment direction D1 is located inside the apparatus body 101 relative to the rear cover 400 of the apparatus body 101 (that is, the front end of the feed cassette 200 in the attachment direction D1 is located at a position retracted from the rear cover 400 in the pull-out direction D2). In the case of using a sheet P other than a long sheet, the footprint (that is, the contact area) of the image forming apparatus 100 can be reduced by setting the state of the feed cassette 200 to the non-extended state.

[0066] Note that the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes a sheet conveying path of a so-called S-path type, in which the sheet feeding direction from the feed cassette 200 and the sheet discharging direction from the apparatus main body 101 are almost the same. That is, the sheet feeding direction from the feed cassette 200 and the sheet discharging direction from the apparatus main body 101 are both oriented toward the same side in the Y-axis direction (i.e., the front side of the image forming apparatus 100). In addition, in a space located between the feed cassette 200 and the discharge tray 112 in the up-down direction, the sheet P is conveyed in the Y-axis direction toward the direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction and the sheet discharging direction.

[0067] Since the feed roller 102 is a part of the apparatus body 101, it is difficult to change the position of the feed roller 102 according to the extension and retraction of the feed cassette 200. Therefore, in the case where the feed cassette 200 can be extended and retracted, the feed cassette 200 is extended upstream in the sheet feeding direction. Therefore, in the case where the feed cassette 200 is extended in the image forming apparatus 100 including the sheet conveying path of the S passage type, the feed cassette 200 is extended toward the direction opposite to the sheet discharging direction (i.e., toward the rear side of the image forming apparatus 100).

[0068] Therefore, the configuration described below can be appropriately implemented in an image forming apparatus including a sheet conveying path of the S-path type. However, the configuration described below can also be applied to an image forming apparatus including a sheet conveying path of other types other than the S-path type, as long as the feed cassette 200 protrudes from the apparatus body 101 toward the rear side in the attachment direction D1 of the feed cassette 200.

[0069] Cover member

[0070] Next, the cover member 300 will be described. Figure 2A and Figure 4 As shown, the cover member 300 is provided at the lower portion of the rear side of the apparatus body 101. The cover member 300 of this embodiment is supported by the support portion 300a so as to be pivotable relative to the apparatus body 101. The cover member 300 pivots on the support portion 300a about an axis extending in the X-axis direction.

[0071] The cover member 300 may be Figure 2A The retracted position (ie, the first or closed position) and Figure 4 The cover member 300 is moved between the protruding position (i.e., the second position or the open position) shown in the figure. The protruding position is a position where the front edge 300b of the cover member 300 protrudes backward from the rear cover 400 of the device body 101. In addition, the protruding position is a position where the front edge 300b of the cover member 300 protrudes backward from the rear cover 400 of the device body 101. In addition, the protruding position is a position where the opening 400a is retracted toward the attachment direction D1 from the feed box 200 so as to allow the portion (i.e., the protruding portion 200B) of the feed box 200 to protrude from the rear cover 400 along the attachment direction D1 through the opening 400a of the rear cover 400. The retracted position is a position where the cover member 300 is retracted forward from the protruding position. In addition, the retracted position is a position where the cover member 300 covers at least a portion of the opening 400a of the rear cover 400 when viewed from the rear side of the device body 101. That is, the cover member 300 can move between a second position and a first position, wherein the cover member 300 protrudes from the side surface of the device body 101 in the attachment direction D1 (i.e., the first direction) in the second position, and the cover member 300 is retracted from the second position in the pulling direction D2 (i.e., the second direction) in the first position.

[0072] In the present embodiment, the cover member 300 moves to the protruding position by pivoting upward from the retracted position, and moves to the retracted position by pivoting downward from the protruding position. In addition, when the feed box 200 in the extended state is attached to the device body 101, the cover member 300 of the present embodiment moves from the retracted position to the protruding position by the feed box 200 pushing the cover member 300. More specifically, the cover member 300 is pushed by the rear end unit 202 of the feed box 200.

[0073] The positional relationship between the feed cassette 200 and the cover member 300 will be further described. Figure 2B As shown, the cover member 300 is located in the retracted position in a state where the feed cassette 200 in the non-extended state is attached to the apparatus body 101. In this case, the cover member 300 covers the opening 400a of the apparatus body 101 (the protruding portion 200B of the feed cassette 200), and forms the appearance surface of the rear side of the imaging apparatus 100 together with the rear cover 400.

[0074] On the other hand, Figure 4 As shown, in a state where the feed cassette 200 in the extended state is attached to the apparatus body 101, the cover member 300 is positioned in the protruding position. When viewed from above, the cover member 300 in the protruding position at least partially covers the protruding portion 200B of the feed cassette 200. That is, in a state where a portion of the feed cassette 200 (i.e., the sheet storage portion) attached to the apparatus body 101 protrudes from the side surface (i.e., the rear cover 400) of the apparatus body 101 along the attachment direction D1 (i.e., the first direction), the cover member 300 is located in the protruding position (i.e., the second position), and covers the portion of the feed cassette 200 when viewed from above.

[0075] In this configuration, foreign matter can be prevented from falling from the protruding portion 200B into the feed cassette 200, and foreign matter can be prevented from accumulating on the long sheet P2. Therefore, the possibility of causing a conveying failure can be reduced. Preferably, when viewed from above, the cover member 300 in the protruding position covers the entire protruding portion 200B of the feed cassette 200.

[0076] like Figure 4 As shown, the rear end position y2 of the cover member 300 in the protruding position is positioned in front of the rear end position y1 of the image reading portion 600 in the open position. In other words, in the present embodiment, the edge position of the cover member in the first direction when the cover member is in the second position is positioned in the second direction relative to the edge position of the upper unit in the first direction when the upper unit is in the open position.

[0077] In other words, if the position of the edge portion of the upper unit located at the closed position (i.e., the rear edge 600b) is defined as the third position (y0), and the position of the edge portion of the upper unit located at the open position is defined as the fourth position (y1), the fourth position is positioned in the first direction relative to the third position. In addition, the edge portion of the cover member in the first direction (i.e., the front edge 300b) when the cover member is located at the second position is positioned in the second direction relative to the fourth position.

[0078] In this configuration, in the case where the feed cassette 200 in the extended state is attached to the apparatus body 101, the possibility that the imaging apparatus 100 is installed in an inappropriate installation position (for example, a position where the cover member 300 interferes with the wall behind the imaging apparatus 100) can be reduced. Since the image reading portion 600 is provided at the top of the apparatus body 101, it is easy for the user to visually recognize the image reading portion 600 and estimate the distance between the image reading portion 600 and the wall. Therefore, the user can determine the installation position of the imaging apparatus 100 so that when the user opens the image reading portion 600, the rear end edge 600b of the image reading portion 600 does not interfere with the wall. As described above, the rear end position y2 of the cover member 300 is located in front of the rear end position y1 of the image reading portion 600. Therefore, if the rear end edge 600b of the image reading portion 600 does not interfere with the wall behind the image reading portion 600 as described above, the cover member 300 does not interfere with the wall behind the image reading portion 600 under normal circumstances. Therefore, the user can install the imaging device 100 at an appropriate position without checking the position of the cover member 300 (particularly, the position of the cover member 300 to which the cover member 300 is moved) which is difficult to visually recognize unlike the image reading portion 600. Therefore, the installation work of the imaging device 100 becomes easy.

[0079] Note that in the present embodiment, the rear end position y1 of the image reading portion 600 located in the open position is the maximum protruding point of the image reading portion 600, to which the image reading portion 600 protrudes rearward to the maximum extent during the process of the image reading portion 600 moving from the closed position to the open position. That is, the rear end position y1 is an example of the rear end position of the upper unit in the first direction to which the upper unit protrudes to the maximum extent along the first direction during the process of the upper unit moving from the closed position to the open position. In other words, the rear end position y1 of the present embodiment is an example of the most protruding position to which the edge portion of the upper unit protrudes to the maximum extent along the first direction during the period of time when the upper unit moves from the closed position to the open position.

[0080] In the present embodiment, as an example, the maximum protruding point of the image reading portion 600 (i.e., the most protruding position of the upper unit) is the same as the position (i.e., the fourth position) of the edge portion (i.e., the rear end edge 600b) of the image reading portion located in the open position. However, if the rear end position y2 of the cover member 300 located in the protruding position is at least in front of the maximum protruding point of the image reading portion 600, the same advantageous effect as that of the present embodiment can be produced. This is because the user can install the imaging device 100 while checking the pivoting trajectory of the image reading portion 600 located at the top of the device body 101 and easily visually recognized.

[0081] Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus that is less likely to be installed in an inappropriate position.

[0082] Incidentally, the rear end position y2 of the cover member 300 located at the protruding position may be rearward of the rear end position y0 (i.e., the third position) of the image reading portion 600 located at the closed position, and may be forward of the rear end position y1 (i.e., the fourth position) of the image reading portion 600 located at the open position. That is, the edge portion of the cover member located at the second position may be located between the third position and the fourth position in the first direction.

[0083] Note that the maximum protrusion point of the image reading portion 600 may not be the position of the rear edge 600b obtained when the image reading portion 600 is located at the open position or the closed position. For example, the maximum protrusion point of the image reading portion 600 may be the position of the rear edge 600b obtained when the image reading portion 600 is located at a position between the open position and the closed position. That is, the most protruding position of the upper unit may be the position of the edge portion of the upper unit located at a position between the closed position and the open position.

[0084] Second embodiment

[0085] Next, we will refer to Figure 5A and Figure 5B Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, components to which reference numerals identical to those of the components of the first embodiment are assigned have substantially the same structure and effect as those of the components described in the first embodiment, and features different from those of the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0086] Figure 5A and Figure 5B Each of the figures is a schematic diagram showing an imaging apparatus 100 of the second embodiment. Figure 5A The image reading portion 600 is shown in a closed position, while Figure 5BThe image reading portion 600 in the open position is shown. In the present embodiment, the rear end edge 600c of the image reading portion 600 in the closed position is positioned behind the rear end edge 600c of the image reading portion 600 in the open position. That is, in the front-rear direction of the imaging device 100, the rear end position y3 of the image reading portion 600 in the closed position is positioned behind the rear end position y4 of the image reading portion 600 in the open position.

[0087] In other words, if the position of the edge portion of the upper unit located at the closed position (i.e., the rear edge 600c) is defined as the third position (y3), and the position of the edge portion of the upper unit located at the open position is defined as the fourth position (y4), the third position is positioned in the first direction relative to the fourth position. In addition, the edge portion of the cover member in the first direction (i.e., the front edge 300b) when the cover member is located at the second position is positioned in the second direction relative to the third position.

[0088] In the present embodiment, the rear end position y3 of the image reading portion 600 located in the closed position is the maximum protruding point of the image reading portion 600, and the image reading portion 600 protrudes backward to the maximum extent in the process of the image reading portion 600 moving from the closed position to the open position. The rear end position y2 of the cover member 300 located in the protruding position is positioned in front of the rear end position y3 as the maximum protruding point. The rear end position y3 is an example of the most protruding position to which the edge portion of the upper unit in the first direction protrudes to the maximum extent along the first direction during the time period when the upper unit moves from the closed position to the open position. In the present embodiment, the maximum protruding point of the image reading portion 600 (i.e., the most protruding position of the upper unit) is the same as the position (i.e., the third position) of the edge portion (i.e., the rear end edge 600b) of the image reading portion located in the closed position.

[0089] That is, in the present embodiment, also, with respect to the edge position of the upper unit in the first direction in the case where the upper unit protrudes to the maximum extent in the first direction during the movement of the upper unit from the closed position to the open position, the edge position of the cover member in the first direction in the case where the cover member is located in the second position is positioned in the second direction. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, an imaging device that is less likely to be installed in an inappropriate position can be provided.

[0090] In addition, in the present embodiment, when the image reading portion 600 serving as the upper unit is moved from the closed position to the open position, the rear end edge 600c does not move backward. Therefore, even in the case where the image forming apparatus 100 is installed closer to the wall on the rear side, the rear end edge 600c of the image reading portion 600 can be prevented from interfering with the wall when the image reading portion 600 is opened after the image forming apparatus 100 is installed to, for example, replace the process cartridge 103 with another process cartridge. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the installation work of the image forming apparatus 100 can be further made easier.

[0091] Variations

[0092] In the second embodiment, the rear end position y2 of the cover member 300 in the protruding position can be positioned in front of the rear end position y3 (i.e., the third position) of the image reading portion 600 in the closed position, and can be positioned behind the rear end position y4 (i.e., the fourth position) of the image reading portion 600 in the open position. That is, the edge portion of the cover member in the second position can be positioned between the third position and the fourth position in the first direction. The rear end position of the feed box 200 in the extended state can be positioned in front of the rear end position y3 of the image reading portion 600 in the closed position, and can be positioned behind the rear end position y4 of the image reading portion 600 in the open position. Even in this configuration, an imaging device that is less likely to be installed in an inappropriate position can be provided.

[0093] In the second embodiment and the present modification, the edge position of the cover member in the first direction when the cover member is in the second position is positioned in the second direction relative to the edge position of the upper unit in the first direction when the upper unit is in the closed position. Therefore, if the user installs the imaging device in a state where the upper unit is positioned in the closed position, it is possible to avoid installing the imaging device in an inappropriate position accordingly.

[0094] Third embodiment

[0095] Next, we will refer to Fig. 6A and Figure 6B Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, components to which reference numerals identical to those of the components of the first embodiment are assigned have substantially the same structure and effect as those of the components described in the first embodiment, and features different from those of the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0096] like Fig. 6A and Figure 6BAs shown, the cover member 301 of the present embodiment can move (slide) along the attachment direction D1 (i.e., the first direction) and the pull-out direction D2 (i.e., the second direction) of the feed cassette 200 relative to the device body 101. The cover member 301 includes a horizontal portion 301a extending in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction and a vertical portion 301b extending downward from an end portion of the horizontal portion 301a formed in the attachment direction D1.

[0097] The cover member 301 can be Fig. 6A The retracted position (ie, first position) and Figure 6B 4. The protruding position (i.e., the second position) shown in FIG. 4 is a position where the cover member 301 protrudes backward from the rear cover 400 of the device body 101. In addition, the protruding position is a position where the cover member 301 is retracted from the opening 400a toward the attachment direction D1 so as to allow a part of the feed box 200 (i.e., the protruding portion 200B) to protrude from the rear cover 400 along the attachment direction D1 through the opening 400a of the rear cover 400. The retracted position is a position where the cover member 301 is retracted forward from the protruding position. At the protruding position, when viewed from above, the horizontal portion 301a of the cover member 301 covers at least a portion (preferably all) of the protruding portion 200B of the feed box 200 in the extended state. In this configuration, foreign matter can be prevented from falling into the feed box 200 and onto the long sheet P2. At the retracted position, the vertical portion 301b of the cover member 301 forms the appearance surface of the rear side of the imaging device 100 together with the rear cover 400.

[0098] The cover member 301 moves to the protruding position by sliding in the attachment direction D1 from the retracted position, and moves to the retracted position by sliding in the pull-out direction D2 from the protruding position. In the present embodiment, when the feed cassette 200 in the extended state is attached to the apparatus body 101, the cover member 301 is pushed by the rear end unit 202 of the feed cassette 200, and the cover member 301 moves from the retracted position to the protruding position.

[0099] Variations

[0100] For example, in the first embodiment, the cover member 300 pivots; for example, in the third embodiment, the cover member 301 moves along the attachment direction D1 and the pull-out direction D2. However, the movement mode of the cover member is not limited to the above-mentioned movement. For example, a plurality of movement modes may be combined with each other. Specifically, when the feed box 200 in the extended state is attached to the device body 101, the cover member may pivot upward and then slide along the attachment direction D1.

[0101] Other variations

[0102] In the above-described embodiment, the configuration of the image reading portion 600 including reading image information from a document and being an example of an upper unit has been described. However, the upper unit is not limited thereto. For example, the upper unit may be an external member (i.e., a top cover) that forms at least a portion of the top surface of the device body 101, and in which a stacking portion (i.e., an ejection tray) is formed. In this case, sheets on which images are formed are stacked on the stacking portion. In other cases, the upper unit may be a so-called sheet ejection selection unit for increasing the destination of sheet ejection, or for performing processing such as a binding process on the sheet.

[0103] In the above-described embodiment, the feed cassette 200 can be extended by moving the rear end unit 202 of the feed cassette 200. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, a long sheet can be stored in the feed cassette 200 by attaching an accessory that can be detached from the feed cassette 200 to the feed cassette 200. In another case, two types of feed cassettes 200 can be prepared, and one of them can be selected by the user. In this case, one of the two types of the feed cassette 200 can be a model for storing short sheets, and the other can be a model for storing long sheets.

[0104] Since the configurations of the cover members 300 and 301 of the above-described embodiment are merely examples, the cover members may have other configurations. For example, the cover member may have a configuration that allows the cover member to be extended and retracted according to the length of the feed box 200 (i.e., the protrusion amount of the cover member relative to the device body 101 may be changed). The cover member may be moved between the protruding position and the retracted position by an actuator (e.g., a motor or a solenoid) that drives the cover member.

[0105] In the above-mentioned embodiment, as an example, an image forming apparatus including a direct transfer electrophotographic unit as an image forming part has been described. However, the image forming part is not limited thereto. For example, the image forming part may include a plurality of processing units, and a color image may be formed on a sheet by using a toner having a plurality of colors. In another case, the image forming part may be an intermediate transfer electrophotographic unit, wherein a toner image formed on an image bearing member (i.e., a photosensitive drum) is primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer member (e.g., an intermediate transfer belt), and then the toner image is secondarily transferred from the intermediate transfer member to the sheet. The image forming part is not limited to an image forming part having an electrophotographic system. For example, the image forming part may be an inkjet printing unit that forms an image on a sheet by ejecting ink from a nozzle.

[0106] Therefore, in the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an imaging device that is less likely to be installed in an inappropriate position.

[0107] Other embodiments

[0108] 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 following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An imaging device, comprising: an apparatus main body configured to accommodate an image forming section configured to form an image on a sheet, the apparatus main body including a side surface having an opening in a first direction; a sheet storage portion configured to store sheets to be fed to the image forming portion, the sheet storage portion configured to be attached to a lower portion of the apparatus body toward the first direction and to be pulled out from the apparatus body toward a second direction opposite to the first direction; an upper unit disposed on the top of the device body, the upper unit being configured to pivot about an axis intersecting the first direction and to move between a closed position and an open position, the closed position being a position where a bottom surface of the upper unit faces a top surface of the device body, and the open position being a position above the closed position; as well as a cover member configured to move between a first position and a second position, the first position being a position in which the cover member covers at least a portion of the opening, and the second position being a position in which the cover member is retracted from the opening toward the first direction so that the cover member allows a portion of the sheet storage portion to protrude from the side surface of the apparatus body through the opening in the first direction, Wherein, relative to the most protruding position to which the edge portion of the upper unit in the first direction protrudes to the greatest extent along the first direction during the time period when the upper unit moves from the closed position to the open position, the edge portion of the cover member in the first direction when the cover member is in the second position is positioned in the second direction.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1, in, If the position of the edge portion of the upper unit when the upper unit is in the closed position is a third position, and the position of the edge portion of the upper unit when the upper unit is in the open position is a fourth position, the fourth position is positioned in the first direction relative to the third position, and Wherein, when the cover member is located at the second position, the edge portion of the cover member is positioned in the second direction relative to the fourth position.

3. The imaging device according to claim 2, in, The most protruding position of the upper unit is the fourth position.

4. The imaging device according to claim 2, in, The edge portion of the cover member when the cover member is located at the second position is positioned between the third position and the fourth position in the first direction.

5. The imaging device according to claim 1, in, If the position of the edge portion of the upper unit when the upper unit is in the closed position is a third position, and the position of the edge portion of the upper unit when the upper unit is in the open position is a fourth position, the third position is positioned in the first direction relative to the fourth position, and wherein the edge portion of the cover member when the cover member is located at the second position is positioned in the second direction relative to the third position.

6. The imaging device according to claim 5, in, The most protruding position of the upper unit is the third position.

7. The imaging device according to claim 5, in, The edge portion of the cover member when the cover member is located at the second position is positioned between the third position and the fourth position in the first direction.

8. The imaging device according to claim 1, in, The most protruding position of the upper unit is a position of the edge portion of the upper unit when the upper unit is located at a position between the closed position and the open position.

9. The imaging device according to claim 1, in, The sheet storage portion is configured to change between a first state in which the length of the sheet storage portion in the first direction is a first length and a second state in which the length of the sheet storage portion in the first direction is a second length longer than the first length, and wherein, in a case where the sheet storage portion in the second state is attached to the apparatus main body, the portion of the sheet storage portion protrudes from the side surface of the apparatus main body in the first direction.

10. The imaging device according to claim 1, in, In a state where the portion of the sheet storage portion protrudes from the side surface of the apparatus body in the first direction and the cover member is located at the second position, the portion of the sheet storage portion is at least partially covered by the cover member when viewed from above.

11. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in, The apparatus body includes a feeding member configured to feed a sheet from the sheet storage portion and a discharging member configured to discharge a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus, and Wherein, a sheet feeding direction of the feeding member and a sheet discharging direction of the discharging member are both toward the second direction.

12. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in, The cover member is configured to pivot relative to the apparatus main body about an axis extending in a direction intersecting the first direction.

13. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in, The cover member is configured to move relative to the apparatus main body in the first direction and the second direction.

14. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in, The image forming section includes a cartridge configured to be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, and wherein the upper unit is configured to move from the closed position to the open position when the cartridge is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body.

15. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in, The upper unit includes an image reading portion configured to read image information from a document.

16. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in, The upper unit includes a stacking portion on which sheets on which images have been formed by the image forming apparatus are stacked.

Images