Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can be reduced in size in a vertical direction.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises an apparatus body, an image reading device arranged above the apparatus body, and a sheet ejection device arranged above the apparatus body. The image reading device has an opening and closing member that is provided on an upper surface part of the image reading device, and that is movable to a closed position and an open position above the closed position. The sheet ejection device has an ejection tray on which an ejected sheet is loaded. The ejection tray is arranged above the opening and closing member, and is movable to a first position and a second position above the first position. The ejection tray is configured to be moved from the first position to the second position when the opening and closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which a scanner unit and an option unit (sheet discharge device) are attached above the apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus, and an opening / closing cover of an image reading device is disposed below the lowermost tray of the option unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above document, the lowermost tray of the option unit was disposed above the position of the opening / closing cover in the open state. A configuration that enables miniaturization in the vertical direction has been desired.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of miniaturization in the vertical direction.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention includes an apparatus main body that houses an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet, an image reading device that is disposed above the apparatus main body and reads image information, and a sheet discharging device that is disposed above the apparatus main body and discharges the sheet on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit. The image reading device has an opening and closing member provided on the upper surface portion of the image reading device, the opening and closing member being movable between a closed position and an open position that is above the closed position. The sheet discharging device has a discharge tray on which the discharged sheets are stacked, the discharge tray being disposed above the opening and closing member and being movable between a first position and a second position that is above the first position. The discharge tray is configured to move from the first position to the second position when the opening and closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position. An image forming apparatus characterized by the above is provided.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention includes an apparatus main body that houses an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet, and a sheet discharging device that is disposed above the apparatus main body and discharges the sheet on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit. The apparatus main body has an opening and closing member provided on the upper surface portion of the apparatus main body, the opening and closing member being movable between a closed position and an open position that is above the closed position. The sheet discharging device has a discharge tray on which the discharged sheets are stacked, the discharge tray being disposed above the opening and closing member and being movable between a first position and a second position that is above the first position. The discharge tray is configured to move from the first position to the second position when the opening and closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position. An image forming apparatus characterized by the above is provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, an image forming apparatus capable of being miniaturized in the vertical direction can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] 《Embodiment 1》 Embodiment 1 as one embodiment will be described. In the following description and drawings, when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed on a horizontal plane, the vertical direction (gravity direction) is defined as the Z-axis direction. The direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum (image carrier) provided in the image forming apparatus 1 is defined as the X-axis direction. The direction intersecting both the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction is defined as the Y-axis direction. The X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction are preferably orthogonal to each other.

[0012] Among the directions along each coordinate axis, the positive direction and the negative direction are represented with a + (plus) or - (minus) sign as necessary. For example, the positive direction of the X-axis (the direction indicated by the arrow X in the drawing) is the +X side, and the negative direction of the X-axis (the opposite side of the arrow X) is the -X side.

[0013] (Outline of the Image Forming Apparatus) First, the outline of the image forming apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming apparatus main body 100 (apparatus main body), an intermediate unit 200, a sheet discharging apparatus 300, and an image reading apparatus 400. The intermediate unit 200, the sheet discharging apparatus 300, and the image reading apparatus 400 are arranged above the image forming apparatus main body 100. In this embodiment, the intermediate unit 200 and the image reading apparatus 400 are supported on the upper surface portion of the image forming apparatus main body 100 in a state of being arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction, and the sheet discharging apparatus 300 is supported on the upper surface portion of the intermediate unit 200.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on a sheet S (recording material) with the image forming apparatus main body 100 based on, for example, image information read from a sheet (hereinafter referred to as a document) by the image reading apparatus 400. As the sheet S which is a recording material (recording medium), various sheet materials with different sizes and materials can be used, such as paper including plain paper and thick paper, sheet materials with surface treatment such as coated paper, special-shaped sheet materials such as envelopes and index paper, plastic films, cloth, etc.

[0016] The image forming apparatus main body 100 can be used alone as an image forming apparatus (printer) that forms an image on the sheet S. That is, each of the intermediate unit 200, the sheet discharging apparatus 300, and the image reading apparatus 400 may be an optional unit detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 100. The sheet discharging apparatus 300 may be referred to as a paper discharge option, an additional paper discharge tray, or a mailbox. Further, the sheet discharging apparatus 300 may have a function as a sheet processing apparatus (finisher) including a processing unit that performs processing such as binding processing or punching on the sheet S.

[0017] The image forming apparatus main body 100 (apparatus main body) houses an image forming unit 3 as an image forming means. Specifically, the image forming apparatus main body 100 of this embodiment has a housing (hereinafter referred to as a main body housing 101), an image forming unit 3 housed in the main body housing 101, a sheet feeding apparatus 10 that feeds the sheet S toward the image forming unit 3, and a fixing apparatus 40 that fixes the image on the sheet S. The image forming unit 3 of this embodiment is configured to form an image on the sheet S by an electrophotographic method.

[0018] The image forming unit 3 includes a photosensitive drum 61, a charging roller 62, a laser scanner 70, a developing device 63, and a transfer roller 31. The photosensitive drum 61 has a photosensitive layer formed of an organic photosensitive material or the like and is formed in a drum shape (cylindrical shape). The photosensitive drum 61 functions as an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image and a toner image. The charging roller 62 functions as a charging unit that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 61. The laser scanner 70 functions as an exposure device that irradiates the photosensitive drum 61 with light to perform an exposure process. Note that, for example, an LED exposure device using an LED as a light source may be used as the exposure device. The developing device 63 has a storage unit that stores toner as a developer and a developing roller (developer carrier) that carries the developer and supplies it to the photosensitive drum 61. The transfer roller 31 functions as a transfer unit that transfers the toner image from the photosensitive drum 61 to the sheet S. The transfer roller 31 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 61 to form a transfer portion 30 (transfer nip) where the toner image is transferred between the transfer roller 31 and the photosensitive drum 61.

[0019] A part or all of the image forming unit 3 may be configured as a cartridge that is integrally detachable from the main body housing 101. In the present embodiment, the photosensitive drum 61, the charging roller 62, and the developing device 63 constitute a process cartridge 60 that is integrally detachable from the frame of the image forming apparatus main body 100.

[0020] The sheet feeding device 10 includes a support plate 13 that supports a stack of sheets S, a feeding roller 11 disposed above the support plate 13, and a separation pad 14 that contacts the feeding roller 11. The support plate 13 may be a part of a sheet storage (cassette, tray) that is detachably attached to the main body housing 101. The feeding roller 11 functions as a feeding member that feeds the sheet S. The separation pad 14 forms a separation nip with the feeding roller 11, applies frictional force to the sheet S at the separation nip, and separates the sheet S by preventing the sheets S other than the uppermost sheet S in contact with the feeding roller 11 from passing through the separation nip. The separation pad 14 is an example of a separation member for separating the sheet S. For example, a roller member connected via a non-rotating fixed shaft and a torque limiter may be used as the separation member.

[0021] The fixing device 40 has a fixing roller 41, a pressure roller 42, and a heat source that heats the fixing roller 41. The pressure roller 42 is in pressure contact with the fixing roller 41, and a fixing nip is formed between the fixing roller 41 and the pressure roller 42. As the heat source, for example, a halogen lamp or a coil unit for induction heating can be used.

[0022] The image forming apparatus main body 100 also has a pair of discharge rollers 50 and a switching member 52. The switching member 52 is a guide that can switch the conveyance path of the sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 40 between a conveyance path P1 leading to the pair of discharge rollers 50 and a conveyance path P2 leading to the intermediate unit 200 and the sheet discharge device 300. The pair of discharge rollers 50 functions as a discharge unit that discharges the sheet S on which an image has been formed in the image forming unit 3 to a discharge tray 51 provided in the main body housing 101.

[0023] An opening (discharge port 101x) through which the sheet S is discharged toward the intermediate unit 200 is provided in the upper surface portion of the main body housing 101. In the present embodiment, the sheet S is discharged substantially upward through the discharge port 101x.

[0024] The intermediate unit 200 is removably mounted on the upper surface of the main body housing 101. The intermediate unit 200 includes a housing (hereinafter referred to as the intermediate housing 201), and one or more conveying rollers 202 disposed within the intermediate housing 201. The lower surface of the intermediate housing 201 faces the upper surface of the main body housing 101.

[0025] An opening (receiving port 201x) for receiving the sheet S discharged from the discharge port 101x of the image forming apparatus main body 100 is provided in the lower surface of the intermediate housing 201. An opening (discharge port 201y) through which the sheet S is discharged toward the sheet discharge device 300 is provided in the upper surface of the intermediate housing 201. Further, a conveyance path P3 that communicates from the receiving port 201x to the discharge port 201y is formed inside the intermediate housing 201.

[0026] The sheet discharge device 300 is removably mounted on the upper surface of the intermediate housing 201. That is, the sheet discharge device 300 is removably mounted above the image forming apparatus main body 100 via the intermediate housing 201. The sheet discharge device 300 is configured to discharge the sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus main body 100 to any one of the discharge trays 312 to 315.

[0027] The sheet discharge device 300 includes a housing (hereinafter referred to as the discharge housing 301), one or more conveying rollers 302 and one or more switching members 303 disposed within the discharge housing 3201, and one or more discharge trays 312 to 315 supported by the discharge housing 301. When the sheet discharge device 300 is used, each of the discharge trays 312 to 315 can be assigned to a specific user, the management of the specific printed sheet S can be made more efficient, and the capacity for discharging the sheet S in the entire image forming apparatus 1 can be increased.

[0028] The sheet discharging device 300 of this embodiment has four discharging trays 312 to 315 arranged in the Z-axis direction as a plurality of discharging trays. The sheet discharging device 300 also has four conveying rollers 302 (four sets of conveying roller pairs) corresponding to the four discharging trays 312 to 315. Each conveying roller 302 functions as a discharging member that discharges the sheet S toward the corresponding discharging tray 312 to 315.

[0029] The four discharging trays 312 to 315 are located above the opening and closing cover 401 of the image reading device 400 described below. When the opening and closing cover 401 is in the closed position, when viewed in the Z-axis direction (gravity direction), each discharging tray 312 to 315 overlaps with the opening and closing cover 401. Also, the lower surface of the lowermost discharging tray 315 faces the upper surface of the opening and closing cover 401 in the Z-axis direction.

[0030] The lower surface portion of the discharging housing 301 faces the upper surface portion of the intermediate housing 201. An opening (receiving port 301x) for receiving the sheet S discharged from the discharge port 201y of the intermediate unit 200 is provided in the lower surface portion of the discharging housing 301.

[0031] The image reading device 400 is detachably mounted on the upper surface portion of the main body housing 101. The image reading device 400 is arranged side by side with the intermediate unit 200 in the Y-axis direction on the upper surface portion of the main body housing 101. The image reading device 400 is located on the +Y side with respect to the intermediate unit 200.

[0032] The image reading device 400 has a reading main body 402 supported by the upper surface portion of the main body housing 101, and an opening and closing cover 401 supported by the reading main body 402. The opening and closing cover 401 is an opening and closing member provided on the upper surface portion of the image reading device 400, and is an example of an opening and closing member that is movable between a closed position and an open position above the closed position.

[0033] The opening and closing cover 401 of this embodiment is movable between an open position (dotted line position) and a closed position (solid line position) about a rotation axis 401a (hinge portion). The direction of the rotation axis 401a of the opening and closing cover 401 intersects both the discharge direction Ds (FIGS. 2(a) and (b)) in which the sheet S is discharged toward the lowermost discharge tray 315 of the sheet discharge device 300 to be described later and the gravity direction (Z-axis direction). In this embodiment, the rotation axis 401a of the opening and closing cover 401 is substantially parallel to the X-axis direction.

[0034] The rotation axis 401a is provided at the -Y side end of the opening and closing cover 401 in a state where the opening and closing cover 401 is in the closed position. Also, the discharge direction Ds of the sheet S with respect to the discharge tray 315 is a direction from the -Y side to the +Y side in the Y-axis direction. For this reason, the user can access the opening and closing cover 401 and the discharge tray 315 from the +Y side of the image forming apparatus 1, and perform the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing cover 401 and the removal of the sheet S from the discharge tray 315. Hereinafter, the +Y side may be referred to as the "front side", and the -Y side may be referred to as the "rear side".

[0035] Note that in this embodiment, the sheet S conveyed from the image forming apparatus main body 100 to the sheet discharge device 300 is conveyed via an intermediate unit 200 which is a unit different from the sheet discharge device 300. However, the sheet discharge device 300 may be directly connected to the image forming apparatus main body 100. Specifically, a configuration may be adopted in which the lower surface portion of the discharge housing 301 is supported by the upper surface portion of the main body housing 101, and the inlet 301x of the discharge housing 301 communicates with the outlet 101x of the main body housing 101.

[0036] (Operation of the image forming apparatus) Next, a series of operations (image forming operation) in which the image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on the sheet S while conveying the sheet S and discharges it will be described. In the image forming operation, the photosensitive drum 61 is rotationally driven, and the charging roller 62 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 61. The laser scanner 70 exposes the photosensitive drum 61 based on the image information received from an external computer or the image information read by the image reading device 400, and writes an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 61. The developing device 63 develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image using toner.

[0037] On the other hand, the feed roller 11 starts rotating at a predetermined timing. Since the leading end portion of the sheet S stacked on the support plate 13 is pressed against the feed roller 11 with a predetermined force, the sheet S is fed by receiving frictional force from the rotating feed roller 11. Further, the feed roller 11 is controlled to rotate clockwise in the drawing only during feeding. Note that when a plurality of sheets S on the support plate 13 are fed out simultaneously, only the uppermost sheet S is separated from the other sheets S by the separation pad 14 and conveyed.

[0038] The sheet S fed by the feed roller 11 is conveyed to the transfer unit 30 via the conveyance roller 21 and the registration roller pair 22. In the transfer unit 30, when a predetermined voltage is applied to the transfer roller 31, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 61 is electrostatically attracted to the transfer roller 31 side, and the toner image is transferred to the sheet S. The sheet S that has passed through the transfer unit 30 is conveyed to the fixing device 40. The fixing device 40 sandwiches the sheet S between the fixing roller 41 and the pressure roller 42 and conveys it while heating and pressing the toner image on the sheet S. Thereby, the image is fixed on the sheet S.

[0039] The sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 40 is further conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 24 and guided to either the conveyance path P1 or P2 by the switching member 52. When the sheet S is discharged to the discharge tray 51 of the image forming apparatus main body 100, the sheet S is guided to the discharge roller pair 50 by the switching member 52 located at the solid line position in the drawing, and is discharged to the discharge tray 51 by the discharge roller pair 50.

[0040] When discharging the sheet S to the discharge trays 312 to 315 of the sheet discharge device 300, the sheet S is guided to the conveyance path P2 by the switching member 52 located at the position of the broken line in the figure. The sheet S guided to the conveyance path P2 is discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 100 through the discharge port 101x of the main body housing 101.

[0041] The sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 100 is received into the conveyance path P3 in the intermediate unit 200 through the receiving port 201x of the intermediate unit 200 and conveyed by the conveyance roller 202. Further, the sheet S is discharged from the intermediate unit 200 through the discharge port 201y and received into the conveyance path P4 in the sheet discharge device 300 through the receiving port 301x of the sheet discharge device 300.

[0042] The sheet S is conveyed along the conveyance path P4 by the conveyance roller 302 and guided to any one of the discharge trays 312 to 315 by the switching member 303. Each switching member 303 is movable between a position for guiding the sheet S to the corresponding one discharge tray and a position for guiding the sheet S so that the sheet S is discharged to a discharge tray above the said discharge tray. For example, the switching member 303 corresponding to the lowermost discharge tray 315 is movable between a position for guiding the sheet S to the discharge tray 315 and a position for advancing the conveyance path P4 to the sheet S so that the sheet S heads for the upper discharge trays 312 to 314. The sheet S is discharged from the discharge housing 301 by the conveyance roller 302 toward any one of the discharge trays 312 to 315 selected according to the position of the switching member 303.

[0043] (Opening / closing cover of image reading device) The opening / closing cover 401 of the image reading device 400 will be described with reference to the schematic views of FIGS. 2(a)(b) and FIGS. 3(a)(b).

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the opening / closing cover 401 is movable between a closed position (the solid line position in FIG. 2(a)) and an open position (the broken line position in FIG. 2(a) and the position in FIG. 2(b)). The open position is a position retracted upward from the closed position. More specifically, with the end portion of the opening / closing cover 401 on the side far from the rotation axis 401a being the distal end 401d, the position of the distal end 401d when the opening / closing cover 401 is in the open position (FIG. 2(a)) is above the position of the distal end 401d when the opening / closing cover 401 is in the closed position.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2(b), the reading main body 402 of the image reading apparatus 400 includes a document table glass 402a that is a transparent member and a reading unit 402b that reads image information from a document. The reading unit 402b is, for example, a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, and is configured to optically scan a document placed on the document table glass 402a to acquire image information. The image reading apparatus 400 can execute an image reading operation of reading image information from a document using the reading unit 402b.

[0046] A pressure plate 401p is provided on the lower surface portion of the opening / closing cover 401. In a state where the opening / closing cover 401 is positioned at the closed position, the pressure plate 401p faces the document table glass 402a and presses the document placed on the document table glass 402a. In a state where the opening / closing cover 401 is positioned at the open position, the pressure plate 401p is separated (retracted) upward from the document table glass 402a. A user can place a document on the document table glass 402a with the opening / closing cover 401 open and cause an image reading operation to be executed with the opening / closing cover 401 closed.

[0047] Note that the opening / closing cover 401 (opening / closing member) may be an automatic document feeder (ADF) equipped with a feeding tray, feeding rollers, etc. for automatically feeding documents. The opening / closing cover 401 (opening / closing member) may also be simply a cover member that does not have the function of an ADF.

[0048] Here, as shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the lowermost discharge tray 315 of the sheet discharge device 300 is movable between a use position (a first position, the position in FIG. 2(a) and the broken line position in FIG. 2(b)) and a retracted position (a second position, FIG. 2(b)) retracted upward from the use position. The use position is the normal position when the discharge tray 315 is used as the discharge destination of the sheet S.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 2(b), when viewed in the X-axis direction, the open position of the opening / closing cover 401 overlaps with the position of the lowermost discharge tray 315 when the opening / closing cover 401 is in the closed position (the dotted line position in FIG. 2(b)). In other words, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the opening / closing cover 401 (opening / closing member), the area occupied by the opening / closing cover 401 when the opening / closing cover 401 is in the open position (the broken line area in FIG. 2(a)) and the area occupied by the discharge tray 315 when the discharge tray 315 is in the use position (the first position) overlap. Further in other words, with respect to a virtual plane orthogonal to the rotation axis of the opening / closing cover 401, the projection area obtained by vertically projecting the opening / closing cover 401 in the open state and the projection area obtained by vertically projecting the discharge tray 315 in the use state at least partially overlap.

[0050] The discharge tray 315 of the present embodiment is rotatable with respect to the discharge housing 301 around the rotation axis 315a. The direction of the rotation axis 315a (rotation axis) of the discharge tray 315 is a direction intersecting both the discharge direction Ds in which the sheet S is discharged toward the discharge tray 315 and the gravity direction (Z-axis direction). The rotation axis of the discharge tray 315 is preferably parallel to the rotation axis of the opening / closing cover 401.

[0051] As described above, the discharge tray 315 is movable between a use position (the broken line position in Fig. 2(b)) and a retracted position retracted upward from the use position. More specifically, the end of the discharge tray 315 on the side farther from the rotation axis 315a is defined as the distal end 315e. In this case, the position of the distal end 315e when the discharge tray 315 is in the retracted position (Fig. 2(b)) is above the position of the distal end 315e when the discharge tray 315 is in the use position (Fig. 2(a)). The discharge tray 315 is restricted from moving downward from the use position by its own weight, for example, by a part of the discharge tray 315 coming into contact with a stopper provided on the discharge housing 301.

[0052] Since the discharge tray 315 is configured to be movable as described above, when the opening / closing cover 401 is moved from the closed position to the open position, the discharge tray 315 is pushed by the opening / closing cover 401 and retracts upward from the use position. Therefore, the opening / closing cover 401 can be moved to a position above the position where it contacts the discharge tray 315 in the use position.

[0053] That is, the discharge tray 315 of the present embodiment is configured to move from the use position to the retracted position when the opening / closing cover 401 is moved from the closed position to the open position. The advantages of this configuration will be described later.

[0054] Among the plurality of discharge trays 312 to 315 provided in the sheet discharge device 300 of the present embodiment, the discharge trays 312 to 314 other than the lowermost discharge tray 315 do not move from the use position to the retracted position when the opening / closing cover 401 is moved from the closed position to the open position. These discharge trays 312 to 314 can have a simple configuration that is fixed non-rotatably to the discharge housing 301. However, a plurality of discharge trays including the lowermost discharge tray 315 may be configured to be movable between the use position and the retracted position and to move from the use position to the retracted position when the opening / closing cover 401 is moved from the closed position to the open position.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 3(a), when the sheet discharge device 300 is removed from the intermediate unit 200, the maximum angle θ1 at which the opening / closing cover 401 can be rotated around the rotation shaft 401a from the closed position is defined. As shown in FIG. 3(b), when the sheet discharge device 300 is attached to the intermediate unit 200, the maximum angle θ2 at which the opening / closing cover 401 can be rotated around the rotation shaft 401a from the closed position is defined. The angle θ2 is smaller than the angle θ1 (θ2 < θ1).

[0056] The position where the opening / closing cover 401 is rotated to the angle θ2 with respect to the closed position is defined as the open position of the opening / closing cover 401. The position where the opening / closing cover 401 is rotated to the angle θ1 with respect to the closed position is defined as the maximum open position of the opening / closing cover 401.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 3(a), when the opening / closing cover 401 is at the maximum open position (angle θ1), the center of gravity of the opening / closing cover 401 is located on the rear side (right side in the figure, -Y side) with respect to the rotation shaft 401a. Therefore, a moment in the clockwise direction around the rotation shaft 401a acts on the opening / closing cover 401 due to its own weight. Then, when the back surface portion 401b of the opening / closing cover 401 abuts against the receiving portion 203 provided on the intermediate unit 200, the rotation of the opening / closing cover 401 beyond the angle θ1 is restricted.

[0058] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3(b), when the opening / closing cover 401 is at the open position (angle θ2), the center of gravity of the opening / closing cover 401 is located on the front side (left side in the figure, +Y side) with respect to the rotation shaft 401a. Therefore, a moment in the counterclockwise direction around the rotation shaft 401a (i.e., the direction toward the closed position) acts on the opening / closing cover 401 due to its own weight.

[0059] Here, as shown in the enlarged view on the left side of FIG. 3(b), an engaging portion 315b is provided on the discharge tray 315, and an engaged portion 401c that engages with the engaging portion 315b is provided on the opening / closing cover 401. The engaging portion 315b is an example of a holding portion configured to hold the opening / closing cover 401 (opening / closing member) in the open position.

[0060] The engaging portion 315b and the engaged portion 401c are configured to engage with each other until the opening / closing cover 401 moves from the closed position to the angle θ2. Further, due to the engagement (physical catch) between the engaging portion 315b and the engaged portion 401c, the opening / closing cover 401 is held in the open position against its own weight.

[0061] The specific forms of the engaging portion 315b and the engaged portion 401c are not particularly limited as long as the opening / closing cover 401 can be held in the posture shown in Fig. 3(b) against its own weight. For example, they can be in the form of claws. In the state of Fig. 3(b), the claws of the engaging portion 315b and the engaged portion 401c are formed such that the tip 315b1 of the claw of the engaging portion 315b is slightly located inside with respect to the virtual circle centered on the rotation axis 401a passing through the tip 401c1 of the claw of the engaged portion 401c. In this case, due to the catch between the claws, the opening / closing cover 401 is held in the open position against its own weight. When the user presses the opening / closing cover 401 downward with a force equal to or greater than the threshold value, the catch between the claws is released by elastic deformation, and the movement of the opening / closing cover 401 to the closed position is allowed. Further, when the opening / closing cover 401 is moved from the closed position to the open position, due to the elastic deformation of any one of the claws, the tip 315b1 of the claw of the engaging portion 315b passes through the position of the tip 401c1 of the claw of the engaged portion 401c and the claws catch each other.

[0062] Not limited to this, the engaging portion 315b and the engaged portion 401c may be, for example, a combination of magnets or a combination of a magnet and a magnetic body (such as an iron plate). That is, the holding portion provided on the discharge tray 315 may hold the opening / closing cover 401 in the open position by magnetic force.

[0063] (Lock mechanism of the image reading device) The lock mechanism 400L provided in the image reading device 400 will be described with reference to Figs. 4(a) and 4(b). Fig. 4(a) is a diagram showing the locked state of the lock mechanism 400L, and Fig. 4(b) is a diagram showing the unlocked state of the lock mechanism 400L.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 4(a), consider a state where the sheet S is stacked on the lowermost discharge tray 315 of the sheet discharge device 300. When the opening / closing cover 401 is moved from the closed position to the open position in this state, the discharge tray 315 is moved upward from the use position, which may disrupt the alignment of the sheets S on the discharge tray 315.

[0065] Therefore, in this embodiment, a lock mechanism 400L is provided that is configured to restrict the movement of the opening / closing cover 401 from the closed position to the open position. The lock mechanism 400L can take a locked state in which the movement of the opening / closing cover 401 from the closed position to the open position is restricted, and an unlocked state in which the movement of the opening / closing cover 401 from the closed position to the open position is allowed. Further, the lock mechanism 400L is configured to be in the locked state when the sheet S is stacked on the discharge tray 315, and in the unlocked state when the sheet S is not stacked on the discharge tray 315.

[0066] The lock mechanism 400L of this embodiment includes a sheet presence / absence flag 307, a lock member 403, and a link member 308.

[0067] The sheet presence / absence flag 307 is supported by the discharge housing 301 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 307a. A detection end 307b (sheet contact portion) is provided at one end (first end) of the sheet presence / absence flag 307. The sheet presence / absence flag 307 is a movable member that can move between a protruding position (non-detection position) where the detection end 307b protrudes above the stacking surface 315s of the discharge tray 315 (Fig. 4(b)) and a retracted position (detection position) where it retracts downward from the protruding position.

[0068] Note that the sheet discharge device 300 has a sensor (sheet presence / absence sensor) configured such that a detection signal changes according to the position of the sheet presence / absence flag 307. The sheet presence / absence sensor is, for example, a photointerrupter arranged such that the optical path is blocked by a part of the sheet presence / absence flag 307. Each of the other discharge trays 312 to 314 of the sheet discharge device 300 may be provided with a sheet presence / absence flag similar to the sheet presence / absence flag 307 and a corresponding sheet presence / absence sensor. The control unit provided in the image forming apparatus 1 can perform control according to the presence or absence of the sheet S for each of the discharge trays 312 to 315 based on the detection signals of the respective sheet presence / absence sensors.

[0069] The locking member 403 is supported by the housing of the reading main body 402 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis 403a. That is, the locking member 403 is a lever member or an arm member that rotates around the rotation axis 403a. A hook portion 403b (locking portion, locking claw) configured to engage with the protrusion 401e (locked portion) of the opening / closing cover 401 is provided at one end (first end) of the locking member 403. The locking member 403 is movable between a locked position (engagement position) where the hook portion 403b engages with the protrusion 401e and an unlocked position (detachment position) where the hook portion 403b disengages from the protrusion 401e. When the locking member 403 is in the locked position, the movement of the opening / closing cover 401 from the closed position to the open position is restricted by the hook portion 403b preventing the upward movement of the protrusion 401e.

[0070] The locked state of the locking mechanism 400L is a state where the locking member 403 is in the locked position, and the unlocked state of the locking mechanism 400L is a state where the locking member 403 is in the unlocked position.

[0071] The link member 308 (connection member) connects the other end (second end 307c) of the sheet presence / absence flag 307 and the other end (second end 403c) of the lock member 403. By the link member 308, the rotation of the sheet presence / absence flag 307 around the rotation axis 307a and the rotation of the lock member 403 around the rotation axis 403a are interlocked. The link member 308 may be, for example, a rod-shaped member or a metal wire as long as it mechanically connects and interlocks the sheet presence / absence flag 307 and the lock member 403.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 4(a), when the sheet S is loaded on the discharge tray 315, the detection end 307b of the sheet presence / absence flag 307 is pushed down by the sheet S, and the sheet presence / absence flag 307 is positioned at the retracted position. The rotation of the sheet presence / absence flag 307 is transmitted to the lock member 403 via the link member 308, and the lock member 403 moves from the unlocked position to the locked position in conjunction with the movement of the sheet presence / absence flag 307 from the protruding position to the retracted position. That is, the lock member 403 is configured to be positioned at the locked position when the sheet S is loaded on the discharge tray 315. Thereby, the lock mechanism 400L is in the locked state, and the opening of the opening / closing cover 401 is restricted.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 4(b), when the sheet S is removed from the discharge tray 315, the sheet presence / absence flag 307 rotates from the retracted position to the protruding position. The rotation of the sheet presence / absence flag 307 is transmitted to the lock member 403 via the link member 308, and the lock member 403 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position in conjunction with the movement of the sheet presence / absence flag 307 from the retracted position to the protruding position. That is, the lock member 403 is configured to be positioned at the unlocked position when the sheet S is not loaded on the discharge tray 315. Thereby, the lock mechanism 400L is in the unlocked state, and the user is permitted to perform an operation of opening the opening / closing cover 401.

[0074] (Summary of this embodiment) As described above, in the first embodiment, when the opening / closing cover 401 of the image reading device 400 is moved from the closed position to the open position, the lowermost discharge tray 315 of the sheet discharge device 300 is configured to move from the use position to the retracted position. For this reason, it is possible to arrange the discharge tray 315 at a lower position, and it is possible to reduce the size of the sheet discharge device 300 in the vertical direction and the size of the entire image forming apparatus 1 in the vertical direction. That is, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can be reduced in size in the vertical direction.

[0075] Using FIG. 7, the reason why the size can be reduced by the configuration of the first embodiment will be specifically described. FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing an image forming apparatus 1' of a comparative example with respect to the first embodiment. In the sheet discharge device 300' of the comparative example image forming apparatus 1', unlike the first embodiment in which the lowermost discharge tray 315' is rotatable with respect to the discharge housing 301, the lowermost discharge tray 315' is fixedly non-rotatable with respect to the discharge housing 301.

[0076] Also, in the sheet discharge device 300' of the comparative example, the discharge tray 315' is arranged at a position above the discharge tray 315 of the first embodiment so that the opening / closing cover 401 and the lowermost discharge tray 315' do not interfere with each other. That is, the discharge tray 315' of the comparative example is arranged at a position shifted upward until it does not interfere even when the opening / closing cover 401 is moved to the open position (dashed line in FIG. 2(a)) with the discharge tray 315 in the use position in the first embodiment. Further, along with the upward shift of the discharge tray 315', the upper discharge trays 312 to 314, the conveyance roller 302, and the switching member 303 are also arranged at positions shifted upward from the positions in the first embodiment by the same distance. Other configurations are common between the sheet discharge device 300' of the comparative example and the sheet discharge device 300 of the first embodiment.

[0077] In the comparative example, as described above, the lowermost discharge tray 315' is disposed at a position above the discharge tray 315 of the first embodiment in order to avoid the opening / closing cover 401. Accordingly, in the comparative example, the conveyance roller 302 and the switching member 303 in the discharge housing 301 are also disposed at positions above the corresponding members in the first embodiment. For this reason, the main body height H1' of the image forming apparatus 1' in the comparative example is higher than that of the first embodiment. That is, according to the configuration of the first embodiment, the main body height H1 (FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus 1 can be made lower than the main body height H1' of the comparative example (H1 < H1'). However, the main body heights H1 and H1' of the image forming apparatuses 1 and 1' are the distances from the floor surface on which the image forming apparatuses 1 and 1' are installed in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) to the upper surface of the discharge housing 301 of the sheet discharge device 300.

[0078] Also, in the comparative example, as described above, the lowermost discharge tray 315' is disposed at a position above the discharge tray 315 of the first embodiment in order to avoid the opening / closing cover 401. Accordingly, in the comparative example, the upper discharge trays 312' to 314' are also disposed at positions above the positions of the discharge trays 312 to 314 in the first embodiment. For this reason, the product height H2' of the image forming apparatus 1' in the comparative example is higher than that of the first embodiment. That is, according to the configuration of the first embodiment, the product height H2 (FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus 1 can be made lower than the product height H2' of the comparative example (H2 < H2'). However, the product heights H2 and H2' of the image forming apparatuses 1 and 1' are the distances from the floor surface on which the image forming apparatuses 1 and 1' are installed in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) to the upper end position of the uppermost discharge tray 312.

[0079] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the image forming apparatus 1 that can be miniaturized. Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the sheet discharge device 300 as an option unit that can realize miniaturization of the image forming apparatus 1 when used in combination with the image reading device 400 including the opening / closing cover 401.

[0080] Further, according to this embodiment, since a configuration is provided to hold the opening / closing cover 401 in the open position by the engagement between the opening / closing cover 401 and the discharge tray 315, there is no need to provide a holding mechanism for holding the opening / closing cover 401 in the open position in the image reading device 400. The holding mechanism mentioned here is a mechanism provided at the connection part (hinge part) between the opening / closing cover 401 and the reading main body 402, which allows the opening / closing cover 401 to move between the closed position and the open position while restricting the opening / closing cover 401 from moving from the open position to the closed position due to its own weight. Without providing a holding mechanism in the image reading device 400, the opening / closing cover 401 can be held in the open position with a simple configuration, and the manufacturing cost of the image reading device 400 can be suppressed.

[0081] Further, according to this embodiment, since the lock mechanism 400L of the opening / closing cover 401 is provided, it is possible to restrict the opening / closing cover 401 from moving from the closed position to the open position while the sheet S is loaded on the discharge tray 315. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the alignment of the sheet S on the discharge tray 315 from being disturbed.

[0082] (Modification example) In this embodiment, it has been described that the main body height H1 and the product height H2 of the image forming apparatus 1 can be reduced as compared with a comparative example (FIG. 7) having the same number of discharge trays 312' to 315' as in this embodiment, but the number of discharge trays in the sheet discharge device 300 can be changed. For example, five or more discharge trays may be arranged in the sheet discharge device 300. Even in this case, according to the configuration of this embodiment, since the lowermost discharge tray 315 can be arranged at a lower position, it is possible to suppress an increase in the main body height H1 or the product height H2.

[0083] In addition, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which the opening / closing cover 401 is held in the open position by the engagement between the engaging portion 315b provided at the front portion of the discharge tray 315 in the discharge direction Ds and the engaged portion 401c provided at the front portion of the opening / closing cover 401 in the discharge direction Ds. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which an engaging portion provided on the discharge housing 301 on the rear side of the discharge tray 315 in the discharge direction Ds and an engaged portion provided on the rear portion of the opening / closing cover 401 are engaged with each other to hold the opening / closing cover 401 in the open position.

[0084] By the way, in this embodiment, the engaging portion 315b (holding portion) capable of holding the opening / closing cover 401 in the open position is provided on the discharge tray 315 rotatably provided with respect to the discharge housing 301. However, the engaging portion 315b (holding portion) may be provided on the discharge tray 315 that is not rotatable with respect to the discharge housing 301. Even in this case, the opening / closing cover 401 can be held in the open position with a simple configuration, and the manufacturing cost of the image reading apparatus 400 can be suppressed.

[0085] In addition, in this embodiment, as the lock mechanism 400L that restricts the opening of the opening / closing cover 401, an example is shown in which the lock member 403 is mechanically connected to the sheet presence / absence flag 307 provided on the discharge tray 315 and interlocks with the sheet presence / absence flag 307. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A sensor (sheet presence / absence sensor) configured to change a detection signal according to the position of the sheet presence / absence flag 307 and an actuator such as a solenoid controlled based on the detection signal of the sheet presence / absence sensor may be used. That is, a lock mechanism that switches between a locked state and an unlocked state may be used, in which the control unit provided in the image forming apparatus 1 sends a drive command to the actuator based on the detection signal of the sheet presence / absence sensor to move the lock member 403.

[0086] Alternatively, instead of the above-described sheet presence / absence sensor, a sensor configured to change a detection signal according to the amount of the sheet S loaded on the discharge tray 315 may be used. For example, a weight sensor configured to change a detection signal according to the weight of the sheet S on the discharge tray 315, or a sensor (sheet upper surface sensor) configured to detect a detection signal according to the rotation angle of a flag disposed above the discharge tray 315 may be used. That is, the control unit provided in the image forming apparatus 1 may use a locking mechanism that switches between a locked state and an unlocked state by sending a drive command to the actuator based on the detection signal of the weight sensor or the sheet upper surface sensor to move the lock member 403.

[0087] <<Example 2>> Next, the image forming apparatus 1 according to Example 2 as another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b). Example 2 is different from Example 1 in that an interlocking mechanism 500 that mechanically connects the opening / closing cover 401 and the discharge tray 315 is provided. Except for the configuration related to the interlocking mechanism 500, the configurations and functions of the image forming apparatus main body 100, the intermediate unit 200, the sheet discharge device 300, and the image reading device 400 are the same as those of Example 1. Hereinafter, elements denoted by the same reference numerals as those in Example 1 have basically the same configurations and operations as those described in Example 1 unless otherwise specified, and the parts different from Example 1 will be mainly described.

[0088] FIG. 5(a) is a schematic view showing a part of the image forming apparatus 1 in Example 2. FIG. 5(b) is a perspective view showing a part of the discharge tray 315 and the interlocking mechanism 500 in Example 2, and a detailed side view showing a state of the part of the interlocking mechanism 500 (the region surrounded by a circle in the perspective view) viewed in the X-axis direction.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the image forming apparatus 1 of Example 2 is provided with an interlocking mechanism 500. The interlocking mechanism 500 includes an opening / closing gear 501, a gear train 502, a pinion gear 503, a drive transmission shaft 504, and a rack portion 315d.

[0090] The opening and closing gear 501 is provided in the image reading device 400. The gear train 502 is provided in the intermediate unit 200. The pinion gear 503, the drive transmission shaft 504, and the rack portion 315d are provided in the sheet discharge device 300. In the present embodiment, the elements (501, 502, 503, 504) constituting the interlocking mechanism 500 are dispersedly arranged in the intermediate unit 200, the sheet discharge device 300, and the image reading device 400.

[0091] The opening and closing gear 501 is attached to one end of the rotation shaft 401a of the opening and closing cover 401, and rotates integrally with the rotation shaft 401a as the opening and closing cover 401 opens and closes. The gear on one end side of the gear train 502 meshes with the opening and closing gear 501, and the gear on the other end side of the gear train 502 meshes with one of the two pinion gears 503. By transmitting the rotation of the opening and closing gear 501 to the pinion gear 503 via the gear train 502, the pinion gear 503 rotates in conjunction with the opening and closing gear 501.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 5(b), a plurality of convex portions 315c (guided portions) are provided on both side surfaces of the discharge tray 315 in the X-axis direction. Each convex portion 315c is slidably engaged with a long hole 306 (guide portion) provided in the discharge housing 301. The long hole 306 extends along the vertical direction. By the engagement between the convex portion 315c and the long hole 306, the lowermost discharge tray 315 of the sheet discharge device 300 is supported so as to linearly move in a direction along the Z-axis direction (gravity direction) with respect to the discharge housing 301.

[0093] The discharge tray 315 of the present embodiment reciprocates in the direction along the Z-axis direction between the use position (lower position) where the convex portion 315c is located at the lower end portion of the long hole 306 and the retracted position (upper position) retracted upward from the use position.

[0094] Further, rack portions 315d are formed at the lower portions on both sides of the discharge tray 315 in the X-axis direction. That is, the rack portions 315d are integrally formed with the discharge tray 315. Further, the discharge tray 315 is biased downward (that is, toward the use position) by a biasing member 309 that abuts against the lower end surfaces of the respective rack portions 315d.

[0095] The pinion gears 503 are arranged one on each side in the X-axis direction corresponding to the two rack portions 315d. That is, one pinion gear 503 meshes with one rack portion 315d, and the other pinion gear 503 meshes with the other rack portion 315d. The two pinion gears 503 are provided at both ends of a drive transmission shaft 504 extending in the X-axis direction and rotate integrally with the drive transmission shaft 504. Further, either one of the two pinion gears 503 meshes with the gears of the gear train 502. The pinion gears 503 are configured to rotate in conjunction with the movement of the opening and closing cover 401 (opening and closing member) via the opening and closing gears 501 and the gear train 502.

[0096] (Operation when the opening and closing cover is opened and closed) With reference to FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the operation of the interlocking mechanism 500 and the discharge tray 315 when the opening and closing cover 401 of the image reading apparatus 400 is opened and closed will be described. FIG. 6(a) is a schematic view showing a part of the image forming apparatus 1 in a state where the opening and closing cover 401 is in the closed position, and a detailed side view showing a part of the interlocking mechanism 500. FIG. 6(b) is a schematic view showing a part of the image forming apparatus 1 in a state where the opening and closing cover 401 is in the open position, and a detailed side view showing a part of the interlocking mechanism 500.

[0097] As described above, when the user reads image information from a document using the image reading apparatus 400, the user moves the opening and closing cover 401 from the closed position (FIG. 6(a)) to the open position (FIG. 6(b)) and places the document on the document table glass 402a.

[0098] As shown in Fig. 6(a), when the opening / closing cover 401 is in the closed position, the discharge tray 315 is supported by the discharge housing 301 with the convex portion 315c abutting against the lower end portion of the long hole 306.

[0099] As shown in Fig. 6(b), when the opening / closing cover 401 is moved from the closed position to the open position, the rotation of the opening / closing cover 401 is transmitted to the pinion gear 503 via the opening / closing gear 501 and the gear train 502, and the pinion gear 503 rotates counterclockwise in the figure. When the pinion gear 503 rotates counterclockwise in the figure, the rack portion 315d is moved upward, and the discharge tray 315 is moved from the use position to the retracted position. At this time, the discharge tray 315 moves upward in parallel while maintaining the angle of the loading surface 315s with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0100] When the opening / closing cover 401 is moved from the open position to the closed position, the rotation of the opening / closing cover 401 is transmitted to the pinion gear 503 via the opening / closing gear 501 and the gear train 502, and the pinion gear 503 rotates clockwise in the figure. When the pinion gear 503 rotates, the rack portion 315d is moved downward, and the discharge tray 315 is moved from the retracted position to the use position. Also in this case, the discharge tray 315 moves upward in parallel while maintaining the angle of the loading surface 315s with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0101] Here, also in this embodiment, when viewed in the X-axis direction, the open position of the opening / closing cover 401 overlaps with the position of the lowermost discharge tray 315 when the opening / closing cover 401 is in the closed position (the position in Fig. 6(a), the dashed line position in Fig. 6(b)). In other words, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the opening / closing cover 401 (opening / closing member), the area occupied by the opening / closing cover 401 when the opening / closing cover 401 is in the open position (Fig. 6(b)) and the area occupied by the discharge tray 315 when the discharge tray 315 is in the use position (first position) (Fig. 6(a)) overlap. As described above, by moving the discharge tray 315 up and down in conjunction with the opening and closing of the opening / closing cover 401, the opening and closing of the opening / closing cover 401 can be performed without interference with the discharge tray 315.

[0102] (Summary of this embodiment) As described above, also in this embodiment, when the opening / closing cover 401 (opening / closing member) moves from the closed position to the open position, the discharge tray 315 moves from the use position (first position) to the retracted position (second position). For this reason, for the same reason as in the first embodiment, the main body height H1 and the product height H2 of the image forming apparatus 1 can be reduced. That is, an image forming apparatus that can be miniaturized in the vertical direction can be provided.

[0103] Further, in this embodiment, since the discharge tray 315 moves linearly with respect to the discharge housing 301, it is possible to suppress the disturbance of the alignment of the sheets S stacked on the discharge tray 315.

[0104] (Modification) In this embodiment, the configuration in which the discharge tray 315 moves linearly with respect to the discharge housing 301 has been exemplified. However, similar to the first embodiment, the discharge tray 315 may be configured to rotate (rotate and move) with respect to the discharge housing 301. In that case, the interlocking mechanism 500 is configured such that, for example, the pinion gear 503 meshes with a gear attached to the rotation shaft 401a (FIG. 2(b)) of the discharge tray 315, so that the discharge tray 315 interlocks with the opening and closing of the opening / closing cover 401.

[0105] Further, in this embodiment, the interlocking mechanism 500 including a gear train has been exemplified. However, the configuration for mechanically interlocking the opening / closing cover 401 and the discharge tray 315 is not limited to this. For example, an interlocking mechanism in which a rotating member that rotates in conjunction with the opening / closing cover 401 and a rotating member that rotates in conjunction with the discharge tray 315 are connected by a belt or a chain may be used. Also, a link mechanism configured to interlock the opening / closing cover 401 and the discharge tray 315 may be used as the interlocking mechanism.

[0106] Further, in this embodiment, the configuration in which only the lowermost discharge tray 315 of the sheet discharge device 300 moves in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the opening / closing cover 401 has been exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of discharge trays including the lowermost discharge tray 315 may be configured to move in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the opening / closing cover 401.

[0107] 《Other Embodiments》 In each of the above-described embodiments, as an example of the opening / closing member, the opening / closing cover 401 provided on the upper surface portion of the image reading apparatus 400 was exemplified. However, the opening / closing member is not limited to this, and may be, for example, an opening / closing unit 102 provided on the upper surface portion of the image forming apparatus main body 100 as shown in FIG. 8. In the modification shown in FIG. 8, the image reading apparatus 400 and the intermediate unit 200 are not mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 100, and only the sheet discharge apparatus 300 is mounted above the image forming apparatus main body 100. The opening / closing unit 102 is rotatable around the rotation axis 102a, and can move between a closed position (broken line) that forms at least a part of the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body 100 and an open position (dashed-dotted line) above the closed position. By opening the opening / closing unit 102, it is possible to access the inside of the image forming apparatus main body 100 from above and perform maintenance and the like.

[0108] Also in this modification, when the opening / closing unit 102 is moved from the closed position to the open position, the discharge tray 315 at the lowermost stage of the sheet discharge apparatus 300 is configured to move from the use position (the position in FIG. 8) to a retracted position above the use position. The configuration that enables the movement of the discharge tray 315 can be applied to that described in Embodiment 1 or 2. Thereby, the same advantages as in Embodiments 1 and 2 can be obtained.

[0109] In each of the above-described embodiments, as the image forming means for forming an image on the sheet S, the electrophotographic image forming unit 3 was exemplified and described, but the present technology is not limited to this. For example, as the image forming means, an inkjet type image forming unit that forms an image by discharging an ink liquid from a nozzle may be used.

[0110] Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, a monochrome image forming apparatus that forms a single-color image on the sheet S was exemplified and described, but the present technology may be applied to a color image forming apparatus that forms a color image on the sheet S using a plurality of colors of toner.

[0111] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet has been described as an example. However, the present technology may be applied to, for example, an auto document feeder (ADF) capable of automatically feeding a document or a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing of a sheet.

[0112] Summary of the Present Disclosure The present disclosure includes at least the following configurations or methods. (Configuration 1) An apparatus main body that houses an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, An image reading device that is disposed above the apparatus main body and reads image information, A sheet discharging device that is disposed above the apparatus main body and discharges a sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit, Comprising The image reading device has an opening / closing member provided on an upper surface portion of the image reading device, the opening / closing member being movable between a closed position and an open position above the closed position, The sheet discharging device has a discharge tray on which the discharged sheets are stacked, The discharge tray is disposed above the opening / closing member and is movable between a first position and a second position above the first position, The discharge tray is configured to move from the first position to the second position when the opening / closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position. An image forming apparatus characterized by the above. (Configuration 2) The opening / closing member is configured to rotate around a rotation axis, When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, an area occupied by the opening / closing member when the opening / closing member is in the open position and an area occupied by the discharge tray when the discharge tray is in the first position overlap. The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 1, characterized by the above. (Configuration 3) The sheet discharging device has a plurality of discharge trays including the discharge tray, The discharge tray is located at the lowest position among the plurality of discharge trays. The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 1 or 2, characterized by the above. (Configuration 4) Among the plurality of discharge trays, the discharge trays other than the discharge tray do not move when the opening / closing member moves from the closed position to the open position. The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 3, characterized by the above. (Configuration 5) When the opening / closing member moves from the closed position to the open position, the discharge tray is moved from the first position to the second position by being pressed by the opening / closing member. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 4, characterized by the above. (Configuration 6) An interlocking mechanism for interlocking the opening / closing member and the discharge tray, further comprising an interlocking mechanism that transmits a force from the opening / closing member to the discharge tray when the opening / closing member moves from the closed position to the open position, thereby moving the discharge tray from the first position to the second position. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 4, characterized by the above. (Configuration 7) The interlocking mechanism includes a rack portion integrally formed with the discharge tray, and a pinion gear that meshes with the rack portion and is configured to rotate in conjunction with the movement of the opening / closing member. The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 6, characterized by the above. (Configuration 8) The sheet discharge device has a housing that supports the discharge tray. The discharge tray is configured to rotate with respect to the housing. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 7, characterized by the above. (Configuration 9) The sheet discharge device has a housing that supports the discharge tray. The discharge tray is configured to linearly move in a direction along the gravitational direction with respect to the housing. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that... (Configuration 10) The discharge tray has a holding portion configured to hold the opening / closing member in the open position. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 9, characterized in that... (Configuration 11) The opening / closing member has an engaged portion. The holding portion engages with the engaged portion while the opening / closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position. The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 10, characterized in that... (Configuration 12) The image forming apparatus further includes a lock mechanism configured to restrict movement of the opening / closing member from the closed position to the open position. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 11, characterized in that... (Configuration 13) The lock mechanism includes a lock member movable between a locked position where it engages with a locked portion provided on the opening / closing member and an unlocked position where it disengages from the locked portion. The lock member is configured to be positioned at the unlocked position when no sheet is loaded on the discharge tray and at the locked position when a sheet is loaded on the discharge tray. The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 12, characterized in that... (Configuration 14) The sheet discharge device is movable between a protruding position that protrudes above the discharge tray and a retracted position that is retracted below the protruding position, and has a moving member that moves from the protruding position to the retracted position when pressed by a sheet discharged onto the discharge tray. The lock member is configured to move from the unlocked position to the locked position in conjunction with the movement of the moving member from the protruding position to the retracted position. The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 13, characterized in that... (Configuration 15) The sheet discharging device further includes a sheet presence sensor configured such that a detection signal changes according to the position of the moving member. The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 14, characterized in that. (Configuration 16) The sheet discharging device includes a sensor configured such that a detection signal changes according to the presence or absence of a sheet stacked on the discharge tray or the amount of the sheet stacked on the discharge tray, and an actuator configured to move the lock member from the unlock position to the lock position when the detection signal changes. The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 13, characterized by having the above. The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 13, characterized in that. (Configuration 17) An apparatus main body that houses an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet, a sheet discharging device disposed above the apparatus main body for discharging a sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit, The image forming apparatus includes the above. The apparatus main body has an opening / closing member provided on the upper surface portion of the apparatus main body, and the opening / closing member is movable between a closed position and an open position above the closed position. The sheet discharging device has a discharge tray on which the discharged sheets are stacked. The discharge tray is disposed above the opening / closing member and is movable between a first position and a second position above the first position. The discharge tray is configured to move from the first position to the second position when the opening / closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position. The image forming apparatus, characterized in that.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0113] 3... Image forming unit (image forming section) / 100... Apparatus main body / 300... Sheet discharging device / 315... Discharge tray / 400... Image reading device / 401... Opening / closing member (opening / closing cover)

Claims

1. An apparatus main body that houses an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet, An image reading device that is disposed above the apparatus main body and reads image information, A sheet discharging device that is disposed above the apparatus main body and discharges the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit, Comprising: The image reading device has an opening / closing member provided on an upper surface portion of the image reading device, and the opening / closing member is movable between a closed position and an open position above the closed position. The sheet discharging device has a discharge tray on which the discharged sheet is stacked. The discharge tray is disposed above the opening / closing member and is movable between a first position and a second position above the first position. The discharge tray is configured to move from the first position to the second position when the opening / closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that.

2. The opening / closing member is configured to rotate around a rotation axis, When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, an area occupied by the opening / closing member when the opening / closing member is in the open position and an area occupied by the discharge tray when the discharge tray is in the first position overlap. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. The sheet discharging device has a plurality of discharge trays including the discharge tray, The discharge tray is located at the lowest position among the plurality of discharge trays. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that.

4. Among the plurality of discharge trays, discharge trays other than the discharge tray do not move when the opening / closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that.

5. The discharge tray is moved from the first position to the second position by being pressed by the opening / closing member when the opening / closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that.

6. A linkage mechanism that interlocks the opening / closing member and the discharge tray, and further includes a linkage mechanism that transmits a force from the opening / closing member to the discharge tray when the opening / closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position, thereby moving the discharge tray from the first position to the second position. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that.

7. The interlocking mechanism includes a rack portion integrally formed with the discharge tray, and a pinion gear configured to mesh with the rack portion and rotate in conjunction with the movement of the opening / closing member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that.

8. The sheet discharge device has a housing that supports the discharge tray. The discharge tray is configured to rotate with respect to the housing. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that.

9. The sheet discharge device has a housing that supports the discharge tray. The discharge tray is configured to linearly move in a direction along the gravitational direction with respect to the housing. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that.

10. The discharge tray has a holding portion configured to hold the opening / closing member in the open position. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that.

11. The opening / closing member has an engaged portion. The holding portion engages with the engaged portion while the opening / closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that.

12. The image forming apparatus further includes a lock mechanism configured to limit the movement of the opening / closing member from the closed position to the open position. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that.

13. The lock mechanism includes a lock member movable between a locked position engaging with a locked portion provided on the opening / closing member and an unlocked position disengaging from the locked portion. The lock member is configured to be positioned at the unlocked position when no sheet is loaded on the discharge tray and at the locked position when a sheet is loaded on the discharge tray. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that.

14. The sheet discharge device is movable between a protruding position protruding above the discharge tray and a retracted position retracted below the protruding position, and has a moving member that moves from the protruding position to the retracted position by being pressed by a sheet discharged onto the discharge tray. The lock member is configured to move from the unlocked position to the locked position in conjunction with the movement of the moving member from the protruding position to the retracted position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that.

15. The sheet discharge device further includes a sheet presence sensor configured such that a detection signal changes according to the position of the moving member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that.

16. The sheet discharge device includes a sensor configured such that a detection signal changes according to the presence or absence of a sheet stacked on the discharge tray or the amount of the sheet stacked on the discharge tray, and an actuator configured to move the lock member from the unlock position to the lock position when the detection signal changes. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, characterized by having. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that.

17. An apparatus main body that houses an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, a sheet discharge device that is disposed above the apparatus main body and discharges a sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit, The apparatus main body has an opening / closing member provided on an upper surface portion of the apparatus main body, the opening / closing member being movable between a closed position and an open position above the closed position. The sheet discharge device has a discharge tray on which the discharged sheet is stacked. The discharge tray is disposed above the opening / closing member and is movable between a first position and a second position above the first position. The discharge tray is configured to move from the first position to the second position when the opening / closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position. The image forming apparatus, characterized in that. The image forming apparatus, characterized in that.

Images