Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To improve operability in opening a cover of an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises a housing 21 and a cover (top cover 100). The housing 21 has an ejection port that ejects a sheet, and an ejection tray that receives the ejected sheet. The cover (top cover 100) is rotatable around a rotation axis X1, and is rotatable between a closed position where it covers the ejection tray and an open position where it opens the ejection tray and receives the sheet together with the ejection tray. In the cover (top cover 100), the rotation axis X1 is located at a downstream end of the ejection tray in an ejection direction of the sheet ejected onto the ejection tray, and a grip part 112 is located at an edge that faces the rotation axis X1. In a state where the cover (top cover 100) is located at the closed position, a crevice CR allowing insertion of a user's finger is provided over the entirety of the top cover 100 in an axial direction between the grip part 112 and the housing 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a cover rotatable between a closed position and an open position.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an image forming apparatus including a cover rotatable between a closed position and an open position is known (see Patent Document 1). In this image forming apparatus, when the cover is in the closed position, the discharge tray is covered, and when the cover is in the open position, the discharge tray is opened. A user places a finger on a gripping portion disposed at the center of the cover and moves the cover from the closed position to the open position.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the operability when opening the cover is poor because a user cannot place a finger on a portion other than the center of the cover.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve the operability when opening a cover of an image forming apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a housing and a cover. The housing has a discharge port for discharging a sheet from inside the housing to outside the housing, and a discharge tray provided on an upper surface of the housing for receiving the sheet discharged from the discharge port. The cover is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the axial direction. The cover is rotatable between a closed position covering the discharge tray and an open position releasing the discharge tray and receiving a sheet together with the discharge tray. When the cover is in the closed position, the rotation axis is located at the downstream end of the discharge tray in the discharge direction of the sheet discharged to the discharge tray, and the gripping portion is located at an edge facing the rotation axis. When the cover is in the closed position, a gap is provided between the gripping portion and the housing such that a user's finger can enter over the entire cover in the axial direction.

[0007] When the cover is in the closed position, a gap is provided between the gripping portion and the housing such that a user's finger can enter over the entire cover in the axial direction. Therefore, the user can open the cover by grasping any place on the entire cover in the axial direction, improving the operability when opening the cover.

[0008] The cover may further include a first wall having an outer surface facing outward and an inner surface facing inward in the closed position, and a second wall extending from the inner surface of the first wall in a direction away from the rotation axis, the second wall being located below the gap and covering the discharge tray together with the first wall when the cover is in the closed position.

[0009] When the cover is in the closed position, the second wall of the cover covers the discharge tray together with the first wall, so that it is possible to suppress dust from entering the discharge tray when the cover is in the closed position.

[0010] Also, the second wall may be located below the gripping portion when the cover is in the closed position.

[0011] When the cover is in the closed position, the second wall is located below the gripping portion, making it easier for the user to insert a finger into the gap between the gripping portion and the housing.

[0012] Further, in a state where the cover is in the closed position, the distance from the second wall to the discharge port may be smaller than the distance from the gripping portion to the discharge port.

[0013] Further, the second wall may be an inclined wall extending obliquely from the first wall, and may have an inclined wall extending toward the downstream side in the discharge direction as it moves away from the first wall, and an extension wall extending from the inclined wall in a direction away from the rotation axis.

[0014] Since the second wall has the inclined wall and the extension wall, when the corner of the sheet contacts the inclined wall during the conveyance of the sheet in a state where the cover is in the open position, the inclined wall can guide the corner of the sheet toward the extension wall.

[0015] Further, the cover may be a plurality of ribs extending in the discharge direction of the sheet, and may have a plurality of ribs arranged in the axial direction.

[0016] Since the cover has a plurality of ribs, the rigidity of the cover is increased.

[0017] Further, the plurality of ribs may be connected to the inclined wall. And the tips of the plurality of ribs may be flush with the extension wall.

[0018] Since the plurality of ribs are connected to the inclined wall and the tips of the plurality of ribs are flush with the extension wall, it is possible to prevent the tip of the discharged sheet from being caught by the second wall.

[0019] Further, both ends of the extension wall in the axial direction may be inclined with respect to the first wall so as to approach the first wall.

[0020] Further, the gap provided between the gripping portion and the housing may be 8 mm or more.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, the operability when opening the cover of the image forming apparatus is improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the following description, the directions will be described with reference to the directions shown in FIG. 1. That is, the right side of FIG. 1 is referred to as "front", the left side of FIG. 1 is referred to as "rear", the front side of the paper surface of FIG. 1 is referred to as "left", and the back side of the paper surface of FIG. 1 is referred to as "right". Also, the up and down of FIG. 1 are referred to as "up and down".

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is a laser printer. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 2, a feeder unit 3, and an image forming unit 4.

[0025] The apparatus main body 2 has a housing 21, a top cover 100 as an example of a cover, and a front cover 23. The housing 21 has a discharge port 21A, a discharge tray 21B, and a plug-in port 21C.

[0026] The discharge port 21A is an opening for discharging the sheet S from inside the housing 21 to the outside of the housing 21. The discharge port 21A is provided at the upper part of the housing 21. The discharge port 21A faces forward. The sheet S is discharged forward from the discharge port 21A.

[0027] The discharge tray 21B is a part that receives the sheet S discharged from the discharge port 21A. The discharge tray 21B is provided on the upper surface of the housing 21. The discharge tray 21B is formed to be recessed downward. As shown in FIG. 2, the discharge tray 21B has a vertical wall B1, a horizontal wall B2, and a sheet support wall B3.

[0028] The vertical wall B1 extends in the vertical direction and constitutes the rear wall of the discharge tray 21B. The vertical wall B1 is disposed below the discharge roller 8 described later. The horizontal wall B2 extends horizontally forward from the lower end of the vertical wall B1. The horizontal wall B2 is the deepest part of the discharge tray 21B. The sheet support wall B3 extends obliquely upward from the front end of the horizontal wall B2 with respect to the horizontal wall B2.

[0029] The insertion port 21C is provided at the lower part of the housing 21. The insertion port 21C faces forward. The insertion port 21C is an opening for inserting the sheet S (see also FIG. 2).

[0030] The top cover 100 is rotatable about a rotation axis X1 extending in the left - right direction. In the following description, the direction in which the rotation axis X1 of the top cover 100 extends is referred to as the "axial direction". The top cover 100 is rotatable between a closed position shown by a virtual line in FIG. 1 and an open position shown by a solid line in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, when the top cover 100 is in the closed position, it covers the discharge tray 21B. As shown in FIG. 2, when the top cover 100 is in the open position, it opens the discharge tray 21B and receives the sheet S together with the discharge tray 21B. The detailed structure of the top cover 100 will be described later.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the front cover 23 is rotatable about a rotation axis X2 extending in the axial direction. The front cover 23 is rotatable between a closed position shown by a virtual line in FIG. 1 and an open position shown by a solid line in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, when the front cover 23 is in the closed position, it covers the insertion port 21C. As shown in FIG. 2, when the front cover 23 is in the open position, it opens the insertion port 21C and places the sheet S together with the tray portion 31A described later.

[0032] The feeder unit 3 includes a supply tray 31 and a supply mechanism 32. The supply tray 31 is composed of a tray portion 31A disposed at the lower part of the apparatus main body 2 and the front cover 23 described above. Specifically, in a state where the front cover 23 is in the open position, the tray portion 31A and the front cover 23 are flush and aligned, the tray portion 31A supports the front portion of the sheet S, and the front cover 23 supports the rear portion of the sheet S. The supply mechanism 32 supplies the sheet S placed on the supply tray 31 toward the image forming unit 4.

[0033] The image forming unit 4 includes a scanner unit 5, a process cartridge 6, and a fixing device 7.

[0034] The scanner unit 5 is located at the front part inside the apparatus main body 2. The scanner unit 5 has a laser light emitting unit, a polygon mirror, a lens, a reflecting mirror, etc. (not shown). In this scanner unit 5, a laser beam indicated by a dashed line is scanned on the surface of a photosensitive drum 61 described later.

[0035] The process cartridge 6 is detachable from the housing 21. The process cartridge 6 has a photosensitive drum 61, a charger 62, a toner storage portion 63, a developing roller 64, and a transfer roller 65. The charger 62 charges the photosensitive drum 61. The toner storage portion 63 stores toner. The developing roller 64 supplies the toner in the toner storage portion 63 to the photosensitive drum 61. The transfer roller 65 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 61 to the sheet S.

[0036] In this process cartridge 6, after the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 61 is uniformly charged by the charger 62, it is exposed by the high-speed scanning of the laser beam from the scanner unit 5. As a result, the potential of the exposed part decreases, and an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 61.

[0037] Next, the toner in the toner container 63 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 61 by the developing roller 64, and a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 61. Then, by transporting the sheet S between the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 65, the toner image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 is transferred onto the sheet S.

[0038] The fixing device 7 is located above the process cartridge 6. The fixing device 7 includes a heating roller 71 and a pressure roller 72.

[0039] The heating roller 71 heats the sheet S. The heating roller 71 is provided with a heat source (not shown) such as a halogen lamp. The pressure roller 72 nips and transports the sheet S between it and the heating roller 71.

[0040] In the fixing device 7 configured as described above, the toner transferred onto the sheet S is heat-fixed while the sheet S passes between the heating roller 71 and the pressure roller 72. Note that the sheet S heat-fixed by the fixing device 7 is transported to the discharge roller 8 located on the downstream side of the fixing device 7 and discharged onto the discharge tray 21B from this discharge roller 8.

[0041] Next, the top cover 100 will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the top cover 100 includes a first wall 110, a second wall 120, a third wall 130, a fourth wall 140, and a plurality of ribs 150.

[0042] The first wall 110 has a rectangular flat plate shape. As shown in FIG. 6, the first wall 110 has an outer surface 110A facing outward and an inner surface 110B facing inward in a state where the top cover 100 is in the closed position. As shown in FIG. 1, the outer surface 110A faces downward in a state where the top cover 100 is in the open position. The inner surface 110B faces upward in a state where the top cover 100 is in the open position.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, in a state where the top cover 100 is in the closed position, the first wall 110 has an arcuate portion 111 with a rounded edge at the front edge. Also, in a state where the top cover 100 is in the closed position, the first wall 110 has a gripping portion 112 at the rear edge. That is, the gripping portion 112 is located at the edge facing the rotation axis X1. In other words, in a state where the top cover 100 is in the closed position, the rotation axis X1 is located at the downstream end of the discharge tray 21B in the discharge direction, and the gripping portion 112 is located at the upstream end.

[0044] In a state where the top cover 100 is in the closed position, a gap CR through which a user's finger can enter is provided between the gripping portion 112 and the housing 21 over the entire top cover 100 in the axial direction (left - right direction). The gap CR is formed from one side to the other side of the discharge tray 21B in the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the gap CR provided between the gripping portion 112 and the housing 21 is 8 mm or more.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6, the second wall 120 is a wall that covers the discharge tray 21B together with the first wall 110. The second wall 120 extends from the inner surface 110B of the first wall 110 in a direction away from the rotation axis X1. The second wall 120 is located below the gap CR in a state where the top cover 100 is in the closed position. The second wall 120 has an inclined wall 121 and an extension wall 122.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 1, the inclined wall 121 is a wall that extends obliquely from the first wall 110. Specifically, in a state where the top cover 100 is in the open position, the inclined wall 121 extends downstream in the discharge direction and upward as it moves away from the first wall 110.

[0047] The extension wall 122 is a wall that extends from the inclined wall 121 in a direction away from the rotation axis X1. Specifically, in a state where the top cover 100 is in the open position, the extension wall 122 extends in the discharge direction from the downstream end of the inclined wall 121 in the discharge direction. In the present embodiment, the extension wall 122 extends parallel to the first wall 110.

[0048] Here, as shown in FIG. 6, in a state where the top cover 100 is in the closed position, the distance L2 from the second wall 120 to the discharge port 21A is smaller than the distance L1 from the gripping portion 112 of the first wall 110 to the discharge port 21A (L1 > L2).

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 7(a) and (b), both end portions 122A of the extension wall 122 in the axial direction are inclined with respect to the first wall 110 so as to approach the first wall 110.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 4, the third wall 130 is a side wall that extends from the right end of the first wall 110. The third wall 130 is a wall that guides the sheet S discharged from the discharge port 21A so as not to fly out to the right side. The third wall 130 has a first shaft 130A.

[0051] The fourth wall 140 is a side wall that extends from the left end of the first wall 110. The fourth wall 140 is a wall that guides the sheet S discharged from the discharge port 21A so as not to fly out to the left side. The fourth wall 140 has a second shaft 140A. The top cover 100 is rotatable by the first shaft 130A and the second shaft 140A being supported by the housing 21.

[0052] The plurality of ribs 150 project from the inner surface 110B of the first wall 110. The plurality of ribs 150 each extend straight in the discharge direction of the sheet S. The plurality of ribs 150 are arranged axially. The plurality of ribs 150 are connected to the inclined wall 121. Also, the tips 150A of the plurality of ribs 150 are flush with the extension wall 122. As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet S discharged from the discharge port 21A is guided to the sheet support wall B3 of the discharge tray 21B and then guided to the plurality of ribs 150 and the extension wall 122.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 3, when the image forming apparatus 1 is not in use, the top cover 100 is in the closed position. When the top cover 100 is in the closed position, the top cover 100 covers the discharge tray 21B from above. At this time, a gap CR is formed between the first wall 110 of the top cover 100 and the housing 21, but there is no gap between the second wall 120 located below the gap CR and the housing 21, so dust does not enter the housing 21.

[0054] When using the image forming apparatus 1, the user inserts a finger into the gap CR formed between the first wall 110 of the top cover 100 and the housing 21, hooks the finger on the gripping portion 112, and moves the top cover 100 from the closed position shown in FIG. 3 to the open position shown in FIG. 2.

[0055] When the use of the image forming apparatus 1 is finished, the user moves the top cover 100 from the open position to the closed position.

[0056] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0057] In the image forming apparatus 1, when the top cover 100 is in the closed position, a gap CR is provided between the gripping portion 112 and the housing 21, which allows a user's finger to enter over the entire top cover 100 in the axial direction. Therefore, the user can open the top cover 100 by grasping any location over the entire top cover 100 in the axial direction. As a result, the operability when opening the top cover 100 can be improved as compared with conventional image forming apparatuses.

[0058] Further, when the top cover 100 is in the closed position, the second wall 120 of the top cover 100 covers the discharge tray 21B together with the first wall 110. Therefore, when the top cover 100 is in the closed position, it is possible to suppress dust from entering the discharge tray 21B.

[0059] Also, when the top cover 100 is in the closed position, since the second wall 120 is located below the gripping portion 112, it is easier for the user to insert a finger into the gap CR between the gripping portion 112 and the housing 21.

[0060] In addition, since the second wall 120 has the inclined wall 121 and the extension wall 122, when the top cover 100 is in the open position and the corner of the sheet S contacts the inclined wall 121 during the conveyance of the sheet S, the inclined wall 121 can guide the corner of the sheet S toward the extension wall 122. Therefore, it is difficult for the sheet S to stay on the top cover 100.

[0061] Moreover, since the top cover 100 has a plurality of ribs 150, the rigidity of the top cover 100 is increased.

[0062] In addition, the plurality of ribs 150 are connected to the inclined wall 121, and the tips 150A of the plurality of ribs 150 are formed flush with the extension wall 122. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the tip of the discharged sheet S from being caught by the second wall 120.

[0063] Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be used in various forms as exemplified below.

[0064] In the above-described embodiment, the top cover has the second wall, but the top cover may be configured not to have the second wall.

[0065] In the above-described embodiment, both end portions 122A in the axial direction of the extension wall 122 were inclined with respect to the first wall 110 so as to approach the first wall 110, but both end portions of the extension wall may not be inclined.

[0066] In the above-described embodiment, the tips of the plurality of ribs were formed flush with the extension wall, but the tips of the ribs and the extension wall may not be flush.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, the second wall has the inclined wall and the extension wall, but the second wall may be a flat plate-shaped wall.

[0068] Each element described in the above-described embodiment and modification example may be implemented in any combination.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0069] 1 Image forming apparatus 21 Housing 21A Discharge port 21B Discharge tray 21C Insertion port 100 Top cover 112 Gripping portion CR Gap X1 Rotation axis

Claims

1. A housing, a discharge port for discharging a sheet from inside the housing to outside the housing, a housing having a discharge tray provided on the upper surface of the housing for receiving the sheet discharged from the discharge port, a cover rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the axial direction, the cover being rotatable between a closed position covering the discharge tray and an open position opening the discharge tray and receiving the sheet together with the discharge tray, in a state where the cover is in the closed position, the rotation axis is located at the downstream end of the discharge tray in the discharge direction of the sheet discharged to the discharge tray, and a gripping portion is located at an edge facing the rotation axis, An image forming apparatus, characterized in that, in a state where the cover is in the closed position, a gap through which a user's finger can enter is provided between the gripping portion and the housing over the entire cover in the axial direction.

2. The cover, has a first wall having an outer surface facing outward and an inner surface facing inward in a state of being in the closed position, and a second wall extending from the inner surface of the first wall in a direction away from the rotation axis, the second wall being located below the gap in a state where the cover is in the closed position and covering the discharge tray together with the first wall. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the second wall.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the second wall is located below the gripping portion in a state where the cover is in the closed position.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, in a state where the cover is in the closed position, the distance from the second wall to the discharge port is smaller than the distance from the gripping portion to the discharge port.

5. The second wall is an inclined wall obliquely extending from the first wall, the inclined wall extending toward the downstream side in the discharge direction as it moves away from the first wall, and the image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an extension wall extending from the inclined wall in a direction away from the rotation axis.

6. The cover is a plurality of ribs extending in the discharge direction of the sheet, and the image forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the cover has a plurality of ribs arranged in the axial direction.

7. The plurality of ribs are connected to the inclined wall, The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the tips of the plurality of ribs are formed flush with the extension wall.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein both end portions of the extension wall in the axial direction are inclined with respect to the first wall so as to approach the first wall.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gap provided between the gripping portion and the housing is 8 mm or more.

Images