Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming device capable of preventing breakage of a sub-stacker.SOLUTION: A device main body (50), a first upper cover (30) having a first stack surface (side 30S), a first coupling portion (37) coupling the device main body (50) and the first upper cover (30), and a second upper cover (20) having a second stack surface (side 20S), the image forming apparatus further includes a second connecting part (23) that supports the second upper cover (20) to open and close the second area (102), a sub-stacker (310) that has a third stack surface and can be switched between a closed state in which the third stack surface does not extend the first stack surface (30S) and an open state in which the third stack surface extends the first stack surface (30S), and a third connecting part (311, 30b) that connects the first upper cover (30) and the sub-stacker (310).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a proposal for an image forming device as a printing device that includes a device main body, an upper cover that is rotatably supported around a fulcrum on the rear side of the device main body and that can open and close the top opening of the device main body, and a stacker that is attached to protrude from the rear side of the upper cover and serves as a media loading section on which printed paper is placed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-228006 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, if a stacker is provided on the rear side of the top cover, the stacker, which is a component provided on the top cover, may hit nearby items and be damaged when the top cover is opened or closed.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent damage to a sub-stacker that is a component provided on the top cover. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming apparatus of the present disclosure includes an apparatus main body that houses an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium and has an upper opening provided above the image forming unit; a first upper cover that has an outlet through which the medium is discharged and a first stack surface on which the discharged medium is placed, and that can open and close a first region of the upper opening; a first connecting portion that connects the apparatus main body and the first upper cover and supports the first upper cover so that the first region can be opened and closed; and a second upper cover that has a second stack surface on which the medium is placed, and that can open and close a second region of the upper opening. The stacker is characterized by comprising: a second connecting portion that connects the first upper cover and the second upper cover and supports the second upper cover so that the second area can be opened and closed; a sub-stacker that has a third stacking surface, is rotatably connected to the first upper cover, and is switchable between a closed state in which the third stacking surface does not extend the first stacking surface, and an open state in which the third stacking surface extends the first stacking surface; and a third connecting portion that connects the first upper cover and the sub-stacker and supports the sub-stacker on the first upper cover so that it can be opened and closed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the sub-stacker from being damaged when the upper cover is opened. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment (when a sub-stacker is in an open state); [Figure 3] 2 is a side view schematically showing the upper cover (that is, both the front and rear parts of the upper cover) of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are external perspective views that schematically show the front part of the upper cover, and 1C and 1D are external perspective views that schematically show the rear part of the upper cover. [Figure 5] (A) and (B) are external perspective views that schematically show the underside of the rear part of the upper cover, and (C) and (D) are external perspective views that schematically show the image forming apparatus with the upper cover removed. [Figure 6] (A) is an external perspective view that schematically shows an image forming apparatus in which both the front and rear upper covers are closed, (B) is an external perspective view that schematically shows an image forming apparatus in which the front upper cover is open and the rear upper cover is closed, and (C) is an external perspective view that schematically shows an image forming apparatus in which both the front and rear upper covers are open. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of a sub-stacker rotatably provided at the rear of an upper cover of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment; [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment (when both the front and rear upper covers are closed and the sub-stacker is open). FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is a perspective view showing the outline of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment (when the front part of the upper cover is opened from the state shown in FIG. 8). FIG. [Figure 10] 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment (when the front part of the upper cover is in an open state and the rear part of the upper cover is in a closed state). [Figure 11] 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment (when both the front and rear upper covers are in an open state); DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following embodiment is merely an example, and the embodiment can be modified as appropriate.

[0010] The diagram shows the coordinate axes of an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. The X axis is the coordinate axis in the width direction of the image forming device. The Y axis is the coordinate axis in the depth direction, pointing from the front of the image forming device to the rear. The Z axis is the coordinate axis in the height direction, pointing from the bottom of the image forming device to the top.

[0011] Image forming device FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 in FIG. 1 is a printer that forms monochrome images by an electrophotographic process. The image forming apparatus 1 may also be a color printer that forms color images. The image forming apparatus 1 may also be a facsimile machine, a copier, a multifunction peripheral, or the like. The image forming apparatus 1 is an example of a device (i.e., a medium conveying device) that has a medium conveying function that conveys a medium M such as printing paper, processes the medium M, and further conveys the medium M and discharges it onto a stacking surface (first stacking surface 30S and second stacking surface 20S, or first stacking surface 30S and third stacking surface 310S) of the upper cover 40.

[0012] The image forming device 1 includes a media cassette 90 that stores the medium M, a media supply section 110 that feeds the medium M stored in the media cassette 90, an ID (image drum) unit 10 as an image forming section that forms an image, a transfer unit 70 that transfers the image onto the medium M, a fixing unit 80 as a fixing device that fixes the image onto the medium M, a media discharge section 120 that transports the medium M and discharges it from a discharge port 123, and a housing 50 as the main body of the device that accommodates these components.

[0013] A medium transport path P along which the medium M is transported is provided inside the housing 50. The medium transport path P has a paper feed transport path P1, a transfer transport path P2, and a discharge transport path P3, which run from the medium cassette 90 to the discharge opening 123. The image forming apparatus 1 has an upper cover 40 that opens and closes an upper opening 100, which is an opening at the top of the internal space of the housing 50. The upper cover 40 has an upper cover front portion (second upper cover) 20 that can open and close a second area 102, which is the front portion of the internal space of the housing 50, and an upper cover rear portion (first upper cover) 30 that can open and close a first area 101, which is the rear portion of the internal space of the housing 50. The medium cassette 90 is removably attached to the bottom of the housing 50.

[0014] The medium supply unit 110 has a pickup roller 111, a paper feed roller 112, and a separation roller 113. The pickup roller 111 pulls out the medium M loaded in the medium cassette 90. The paper feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113 separate the pulled-out medium M one sheet at a time and send them out to the paper feed conveyance path P1.

[0015] The medium supply unit 110 has an intermediate conveying roller pair 114 and a conveying roller pair 115 along the paper feed conveying path P1.

[0016] The intermediate conveying roller pair 114 conveys the medium M from the paper feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113 along the paper feed conveying path P1 to the conveying roller pair 115. The conveying roller pair 115 corrects skew of the medium M from the intermediate conveying roller pair 114 and conveys the medium M to the transfer unit 70 along the transfer conveying path P2.

[0017] The ID unit 10 has a photosensitive drum 11 as an image carrier, a charging roller 12 as a charging member, a developing roller 14 as a developer carrier, a supply roller 15 as a developer supply member, a unit main body 16 that houses these components, and a toner cartridge 17 as a developer container. An LED head 13 as an exposure unit is also disposed opposite the photosensitive drum 11. The photosensitive drum 11 rotates clockwise in FIG. 1.

[0018] The LED head 13 has an LED array (not shown) in which LEDs (light emitting diodes) are arranged as light emitting elements, and a lens array (not shown), and forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 with light. The LED head 13 is held by a head holder 60 connected to the upper cover rear portion 30, as will be described later. The exposure unit may be composed of a laser optical system.

[0019] The charging roller 12 is disposed so as to come into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, and rotates following the rotation of the photosensitive drum 11. A charging voltage is applied to the charging roller 12, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is uniformly charged.

[0020] The developing roller 14 is disposed so as to contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, and rotates in the opposite direction to the photosensitive drum 11 (the direction in which the surface moves at the contact point is the forward direction). A developing voltage is applied to the developing roller 14, and the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is developed with toner.

[0021] The supply roller 15 is disposed so as to contact the surface of the developing roller 14, and rotates in the same direction as the developing roller 14 (the direction in which the surface moves in the contact area is opposite to that of the developing roller 14). A supply voltage is applied to the supply roller 15, and the supply roller 15 supplies toner to the developing roller 14.

[0022] The toner cartridge 17 is a container that contains toner as a developer, and is detachably attached to the unit body 16 of the ID unit 10. The toner cartridge 17 supplies toner to the developing roller 14 and the supply roller 15. The toner is, for example, black toner, but is not limited to this.

[0023] The transfer unit 70 is disposed on the opposite side of the transfer transport path P2 from the ID unit 10. In this example, the transfer unit 70 is disposed on the −Z side (below) of the ID unit 10.

[0024] The transfer unit 70 has a transfer roller 71 that contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. A transfer voltage is applied to the transfer roller 71. The toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred to the medium M as it passes between the photosensitive drum 11 and the transfer roller 71. The medium M that has passed between the photosensitive drum 11 and the transfer roller 71 is transported to the fixing unit 80 along the transfer transport path P2 by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 11.

[0025] The fixing unit 80 is disposed downstream of the ID unit 10 in the transport direction of the medium M. The fixing unit 80 has a fixing roller 81 as a fixing member and a pressure roller 82 as a pressure member. The fixing roller 81 has a built-in heater such as a halogen lamp. The pressure roller 82 is pressed against the fixing roller 81. The fixing roller 81 and the pressure roller 82 heat and pressurize the medium M to fix the toner image to the medium M.

[0026] The medium discharge section 120 has a discharge roller pair 121 and a discharge roller pair 122 along a discharge conveyance path P3 that leads from the fixing unit 80 to a discharge opening 123. The discharge roller pair 121 and the discharge roller pair 122 transport the medium M that has passed through the fixing unit 80 along the discharge conveyance path P3 and discharge it from the discharge opening 123.

[0027] The discharge port 123 is provided in the upper cover 40. The upper cover rear portion 30 and the upper cover front portion 20 are respectively formed with a first stack surface 30S and a second stack surface 20S that constitute stack surfaces on which the medium M discharged from the discharge port 123 is placed.

[0028] The upper cover rear portion 30 is also provided with a sub-stacker 310 rotatably coupled to the upper cover rear portion 30. The sub-stacker 310 has a third stacking surface 310S that constitutes a stacking surface on which media M are placed. The sub-stacker 310 can be switched by a user between a closed state (shown in FIG. 6(A) described below) in which the third stacking surface 310S does not extend the first stacking surface 30S of the upper cover rear portion 30, and an open state (shown in FIG. 2 described below) in which the third stacking surface 310S extends the first stacking surface 30S of the upper cover rear portion 30. In the open state, the sub-stacker 310 can extend the first stacking surface 30S, and the stacking surface 40S at this time is the first stacking surface 30S and the third stacking surface 310S.

[0029] Furthermore, for double-sided printing, the image forming apparatus 1 may include a re-conveying mechanism 130 that re-conveys the medium M on which the toner image has been fixed to the paper feed conveying path P1. The re-conveying mechanism 130 has re-conveying roller pairs 132, 133, and 134 along a return conveying path P4 from the downstream side of the fixing unit 80 to the paper feed conveying path P1.

[0030] A switching guide 131 that switches the transport path of the medium M is provided downstream of the fixing unit 80. The switching guide 131 guides the medium M, which is pulled back from the discharge transport path P3 by the reverse rotation of the discharge roller pair 121, 122, to the return transport path P4. The re-conveying roller pairs 132, 133, and 134 of the re-conveying mechanism 130 transport the medium M along the return transport path P4. The return transport path P4 merges with the feed transport path P1 upstream of the transport roller pair 115. Note that the image forming apparatus 1 does not necessarily have to be provided with the re-conveying mechanism 130.

[0031] In Figure 1, the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 11 is the X direction. The axial direction of each roller in the image forming apparatus 1 is the X direction. The direction of movement of the medium M as it passes through the ID unit 10 is the Y direction. The direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Y direction is the Z direction. The Z direction is the up-down direction.

[0032] The transport direction when the medium M passes through the ID unit 10 is the +Y direction (rearward), and the opposite direction is the -Y direction (forward). The right-hand direction when facing the +Y direction is the +X direction, and the left-hand direction is the -X direction. In FIG. 1, the upward direction is the +Z direction, and the downward direction is the -Z direction. Note that these directions do not limit the orientation of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0033] <Housing 50> Next, we will explain the housing 50 as the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. Fig. 2 is an external perspective view that schematically shows the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the housing 50 of the image forming apparatus 1 has a front cover 51 in the -Y direction (front side), a rear cover 52 in the +Y direction (rear side), a side cover 53 in the -X direction (left side), and a side cover 54 in the +X direction (right side).

[0034] An opening 51a is formed at the end (top end) in the +Z direction of the front cover 51, into which the user inserts their finger when opening the front part of the upper cover 20. In addition, a front panel 95 of the medium cassette 90 is located in the -Z direction (below) of the front cover 51. The front cover 51 is configured to be openable and closable around a rotation axis in the X direction, but a detailed description of the opening and closing of the front cover 51 will be omitted.

[0035] <Upper cover 40> Next, the upper cover 40 will be described. Figure 3 is a side view schematically showing the upper cover 40 of the image forming apparatus 1. The upper cover 40 includes an upper cover rear portion 30 and an upper cover front portion 20. The upper cover 40 is provided at an upper opening 100, which is in the +Z direction (upward) of the internal space of the housing 50. When the upper cover 40 is in a closed state, the upper cover front portion 20 is located at the top front side, and the upper cover rear portion 30 is located behind the upper cover front portion 20 (in the +Y direction).

[0036] More specifically, the upper cover front part 20 covers a second area 102 (FIG. 1) in the −Y direction (front) of the internal space inside the housing 50. The upper cover rear part 30 covers a first area 101 (FIG. 1) in the +Y direction (rear) of the internal space inside the housing 50.

[0037] The upper cover front portion 20 and the upper cover rear portion 30 are connected to each other at approximately the center of the housing 50 in the Y direction by a second connecting portion (shaft portions 23L, 23R and hole portions 33L, 33R shown in Figures 4(A) to (D) described below) which will be described later.

[0038] The upper cover front part 20 has a top plate part 21, and a second stack surface 20S is formed in the center of the top plate part 21. The upper cover rear part 30 has a top plate part 31, and a first stack surface 30S is formed in the center of the top plate part 31.

[0039] The second stack surface 20S and the first stack surface 30S are portions on which the media M discharged from the discharge port 123 are placed, and form a continuous stack surface 40S. In addition, both the second stack surface 20S and the first stack surface 30S are inclined so that their heights decrease in the +Y direction (rearward).

[0040] An operation panel 55 is provided on the side cover 54. The operation panel 55 has a display section 55a that displays information and an operation section 55b through which the user inputs information.

[0041] 1, the internal space of the housing 50 is divided into a first area 101 and a second area 102. The toner cartridge 17 is disposed in the second area 102, and the fixing unit 80 is disposed in the first area 101. The ID unit 10 and the transfer unit 70 are both disposed across the first area 101 and the second area 102.

[0042] <Second connecting part> Next, we will explain the second connecting portion that connects the upper cover front portion 20 and the upper cover rear portion 30. Figures 4(A) and (B) are perspective views of the upper cover front portion 20 seen from above. Figures 4(C) and (D) are perspective views of the upper cover rear portion 30 seen from above.

[0043] As shown in Figures 4(A) and (B), protrusions 22L and 22R that protrude in the +Z direction (upward) are formed at the rear end (end in the +Y direction) of the upper cover front portion 20. The protrusions 22L and 22R are arranged on both sides of the second stack surface 20S in the X direction. Shafts 23L and 23R are formed on the outer surfaces of the protrusions 22L and 22R in the X direction. The shafts 23L and 23R are positioned coaxially with each other, with the X direction being the axial direction.

[0044] As shown in Figures 4(C) and (D), protrusions 32L and 32R are formed at the front end (-Y direction end) of the upper cover rear portion 30. The protrusions 32L and 32R are arranged on both sides of the first stack surface 30S in the X direction. Holes 33L and 33R are formed in the opposing surfaces of the protrusions 32L and 32R, respectively. The holes 33L and 33R face each other in the X direction.

[0045] Shaft 23L of upper cover front part 20 engages with hole 33L of upper cover rear part 30, and shaft 23R of upper cover front part 20 engages with hole 33R of upper cover rear part 30. The engagement of shaft 23L with hole 33L and the engagement of shaft 23R with hole 33R connects upper cover front part 20 and upper cover rear part 30, and allows upper cover front part 20 to rotate relative to upper cover rear part 30 about a rotation axis in the X direction (second rotation axis).

[0046] Therefore, the shafts 23L, 23R of the upper cover front portion 20 and the holes 33L, 33R of the upper cover rear portion 30 constitute a second connecting portion that connects the upper cover front portion 20 and the upper cover rear portion 30 together.

[0047] <First connecting part> Next, a description will be given of the first connecting portion that connects the upper cover rear portion 30 and the housing 50. Figures 5(A) and (B) are perspective views of the upper cover rear portion 30 as seen from below. Figures 5(C) and (D) are perspective views of the housing 50 as seen from above.

[0048] 5(A) and 5(B), side plates 36L and 36R are provided in the -Z direction of the top panel portion 31 of the upper cover rear portion 30. The side plates 36L and 36R are arranged on both sides of the first stack surface 30S in the X direction and extend in the Y direction. Shaft portions 37L and 37R are formed on the outer surfaces in the X direction at the ends (rear ends) of the side plates 36L and 36R in the +Y direction. The shaft portions 37L and 37R are positioned coaxially with each other, with the X direction being the axial direction.

[0049] 5(C) and 5(D), holes 53a and 54a are formed in the inner surfaces in the X direction at the rear ends (ends in the +Y direction) of the side covers 53 and 54 of the housing 50. The holes 53a and 54a face each other in the X direction.

[0050] 3, a link lever 160 is provided on the −X direction (left side) of the head holder 60. A cam follower 162 that engages with a cam groove formed in the side plate 36L is attached to one end of the link lever 160. The other end of the link lever 160 is connected to a connecting shaft 67 provided on the arm 62L.

[0051] With this configuration, the movement locus of the head holder 60 when the upper cover rear portion 30 is opened or closed is controlled by the link lever 160 and the cam groove.

[0052] A similar link lever 160 (including a cam follower 162) may be provided on the +X direction (right side) of the head holder 60, and a cam groove may be provided in the side plate 36R. Also, the link lever 160 and the cam groove may be provided only on one side in the X direction of the head holder 60 (for example, the -X direction), and the head holder 60 may be operated in a cantilevered manner.

[0053] Shaft 37L of upper cover rear portion 30 engages with hole 53a of side cover 53, and shaft 37R of upper cover rear portion 30 engages with hole 54a of side cover 54. The engagement of shaft 37L with hole 53a and shaft 37R with hole 54a connects upper cover rear portion 30 and housing 50, making upper cover rear portion 30 rotatable relative to housing 50 around a rotation axis in the X direction (second rotation axis).

[0054] Therefore, the shafts 37L, 37R of the upper cover rear portion 30 and the holes 53a, 54a of the housing 50 form a first connecting portion that connects the upper cover front portion 20 and the upper cover rear portion 30 together.

[0055] <Wall part> Next, we will explain the wall portion 34 provided on the upper cover rear portion 30. As shown in Figures 4(A) and (B), the wall portion 34 is provided on the end (front end) in the -Y direction of the upper cover rear portion 30. More specifically, the wall portion 34 extends in the -Z direction (downward) from the end (front end) in the -Y direction of the first stack surface 30S.

[0056] The wall 34 limits access to a first region 101 (FIG. 1) in the housing 50 when the upper cover front portion 20 is open and the upper cover rear portion 30 is closed, as will be described later. A plate 35 extending in the X direction is provided along the end (upper end) of the wall 34 in the +Z direction.

[0057] 4(C) and 4(D), the plate 35 has a first portion 35a that is tall from the center in the X direction to the end in the -X direction (left side), and a second portion 35b that is located in the +X direction (right side) shorter than the center in the X direction. This is to facilitate the operation of the operating lever 17b of the toner cartridge 17, as will be described later, and to prevent the ID unit 10 from being accidentally removed.

[0058] <Opening and closing the front upper cover 20 and the rear upper cover 30> Next, opening and closing of the upper cover front part 20 and the upper cover rear part 30 will be described. Fig. 6(A) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1 in a closed state with the upper cover front part 20 and the upper cover rear part 30 closed. Fig. 6(B) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1 in an open state with only the upper cover front part 20 open. Fig. 6(C) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1 in an open state with the upper cover front part 20 and the upper cover rear part 30 open.

[0059] 6(A), the front top cover 20 is in the closed position, the sub-stacker 310 is in the closed state, and the rear top cover 30 is also in the closed position. The second area 102 (FIG. 1) in the housing 50 is covered by the front top cover 20, and the first area 101 (FIG. 1) is covered by the rear top cover 30.

[0060] As shown in Figure 6(B), the upper cover front part 20 is configured to be rotatable 180 degrees from the closed position shown in Figure 6(A) by the second connecting part (the shaft parts 23L, 23R and the hole parts 33L, 33R shown in Figures 4(A) to (D)).

[0061] As a result, the upper cover front part 20 overlaps the upper cover rear part 30. That is, the top plate parts 21, 31 of the upper cover front part 20 and the upper cover rear part 30 come into contact with each other, and the second stack surface 20S and the first stack surface 30S face each other. The position shown in Figure 6(B) is the open position of the upper cover front part 20.

[0062] 6(B), the upper cover front portion 20 opens up the second area 102 (FIG. 1) above the housing 50, allowing access to the toner cartridge 17. Meanwhile, the wall portion 34 on the upper cover rear portion 30 restricts access to the first area 101.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 6(C), the upper cover rear part 30, with the upper cover front part 20 overlapping it, is configured to be rotatable by a predetermined angle less than 90 degrees (here, 80 degrees) from the closed position shown in Fig. 5(A) by the second connecting part (shafts 37L, 37R and holes 53a, 54a shown in Figs. 5(A) to (D)). The upper cover rear part 30 is held in the open position shown in Fig. 6(C) by the biasing force of torsion springs (not shown) provided around the shafts 37L, 37R.

[0064] 6C, the second area 102 and the upper part of the first area 101 (FIG. 1) in the housing 50 are opened, thereby allowing access to the ID unit 10 and the fixing unit 80.

[0065] The opening and closing angle of the rear upper cover portion 30 is the amount of change in angle of the rear upper cover portion 30 around the shaft portions 23L and 23R (more specifically, the amount of change in angle of the top plate portion 31 of the rear upper cover portion 30) between the closed position shown in Figure 6(B) and the open position shown in Figure 6(C).

[0066] If the opening / closing angle of the upper cover rear part 30 exceeds 90 degrees, the upper cover front part 20 may rotate due to its own weight in a direction away from the upper cover rear part 30. In contrast, if the opening / closing angle of the upper cover rear part 30 is less than 90 degrees, the upper cover front part 20 will remain overlapped on the upper cover rear part 30.

[0067] 7 is a perspective view showing a schematic external view of sub-stacker 310 provided in upper cover rear portion 30 of image forming apparatus 1. Sub-stacker 310 has third stacking surface 310S and support shaft 311. Sub-stacker 310 is preferably disposed near the middle position of upper cover rear portion 30 in the X direction.

[0068] The sub-stacker 310 is rotatably connected to the first stacking surface 30S side of the upper cover rear portion 30 (for example, within the recess 30D) of the upper cover rear portion 30. The sub-stacker 310 has a third stacking surface 310S that constitutes a stacking surface on which media M are placed. The sub-stacker 310 can be switched by a user's operation between a closed state (shown in FIG. 6(A)) in which the third stacking surface 310S does not extend the first stacking surface 30S, and an open state (shown in FIGS. 2 and 7) in which the third stacking surface 310S extends the first stacking surface 30S. In the open state, the sub-stacker 310 can extend the first stacking surface 30S. The upper cover rear portion 30 and the sub-stacker 310 are rotatably connected by a third connecting portion.

[0069] FIG. 7 shows an example in which the upper cover rear portion 30 has a recess 30D in the first stacking surface 30S. If the direction in which the media M are discharged from the discharge port 123 is the first direction (-Y), the third connecting portion is composed of the bearing portion 30b provided on the end side of the recess 30D in the first direction and the support shaft 311 of the sub-stacker 310. The sub-stacker 310 in the closed state is accommodated in the recess 30D so that the third stacking surface 310S faces the bottom surface of the recess 30D. In other words, it is desirable that the top surface of the sub-stacker 310 in the closed state be at the same height as the first stacking surface 30S. Alternatively, the top surface of the sub-stacker 310 in the closed state may be formed lower than the first stacking surface 30S.

[0070] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1 (when both the upper cover front part 20 and the upper cover rear part 30 are closed and the sub-stacker 310 is open). In the open state, the sub-stacker 310 is configured to extend in the first direction (-Y) beyond the second connecting part 23. This allows the first stacking surface 30S to be extended in the -Y direction by the third stacking surface 310S of the sub-stacker 310 without using the second stacking surface 20S. Furthermore, depending on the structure of the joint (second connecting part) between the first stacking surface 30S and the second stacking surface 20S, a step may occur between the first stacking surface 30S and the second stacking surface 20S, making it difficult for the media M to pass through (i.e., stacking performance may be impaired). Providing the sub-stacker 310 at the upper cover rear part 30 facilitates the design of the second connecting part between the upper cover front part 20 and the upper cover rear part 30. Furthermore, due to the miniaturization of the image forming device 1, the conveying direction of the medium M changes significantly (at an acute angle) at a position immediately before the discharge outlet 123, and even if the medium M is significantly curved (curved), problems such as poor conveyance on the stacker surface are less likely to occur when the sub-stacker 310 is used.

[0071] 9 is a perspective view showing a schematic external appearance of image forming apparatus 1 (in the middle of opening upper cover front part 20 from the state shown in FIG. 8). The first rotation direction (-Da in FIG. 2) when sub-stacker 310 is changed from the open state to the closed state is the same as the second rotation direction Db when opening upper cover front part 20. When the user rotates upper cover front part 20 in the second rotation direction Db while sub-stacker 310 is in the open state, upper cover front part 20 comes into contact with the leading edge of sub-stacker 310, causing sub-stacker 310 to rotate in the first rotation direction (-Da). As upper cover front part 20 rotates, sub-stacker 310 rotates in the first rotation direction (-Da) and is stored in recess 30D.

[0072] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1 (when the upper cover front part 20 is in the open state and the upper cover rear part 30 is in the closed state). When the upper cover front part 20 is in the open state, the upper cover front part 20 overlaps the upper cover rear part 30 so that the second stacking surface 20S and the first stacking surface 30S face each other. As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if the upper cover front part 20 is rotated to open it as shown in FIG. 9 while the sub-stacker 310 is in the open state as shown in FIG. 8, the sub-stacker 310 is accommodated in the recess 30D of the upper cover rear part 30, and the upper cover front part 20 overlaps the upper cover rear part 30 in a folded state as shown in FIG. 10. In this way, by providing the sub-stacker 310 in the upper cover rear part 30 on the rear side of the apparatus, the sub-stacker 310 will not be damaged by the opening and closing operation of the upper cover front part 20 by the user.

[0073] 11 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the image forming apparatus 1 (when both the upper cover front part 20 and the upper cover rear part 30 are in the open state). When the user rotates the upper cover rear part 30 in the third rotation direction Dc from the folded state (the state shown in FIG. 10) in which the upper cover front part 20 overlaps the upper cover rear part 30, both the upper cover front part 20 and the upper cover rear part 30 are in the open state, as shown in FIG.

[0074] <Printing Operation of Image Forming Apparatus> Next, the printing operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. When the control unit of the image forming apparatus 1 receives a print command and print data from a host device, it starts the printing operation (i.e., the image forming operation).

[0075] When the printing operation starts, the pickup roller 111, paper feed roller 112, and separation roller 113 of the medium supply unit 110 rotate, sending the media M stored in the media cassette 90 one sheet at a time to the paper feed conveying path P1. In addition, the intermediate conveying roller pair 114 rotates, conveying the medium M along the paper feed conveying path P1. Furthermore, the conveying roller pair 115 starts rotating at a predetermined timing, correcting any skew in the medium M, and conveying the medium M along the transfer conveying path P2 to the transfer unit 70.

[0076] In the ID unit 10, a charging voltage, a developing voltage, and a supply voltage are applied to the charging roller 12, the developing roller 14, and the supply roller 15, respectively. Furthermore, the photosensitive drum 11 rotates, and accordingly the charging roller 12, the developing roller 14, and the supply roller 15 also rotate. The charging roller 12 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. The LED head 13 exposes the uniformly charged surface of the photosensitive drum 11 to light, forming an electrostatic latent image.

[0077] The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is developed by the toner attached to the developing roller 14, and a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. When the toner image approaches the surface of the transfer roller 71 due to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 11, a transfer voltage is applied to the transfer roller 71.

[0078] As a result, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred to the medium M passing between the photosensitive drum 11 and the transfer roller 71. The medium M onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported to the fixing unit 80 by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 11.

[0079] In the fixing unit 80, a fixing roller 81 and a pressure roller 82 rotate with a fixing nip formed, and the surface of the fixing roller 81 is heated to a predetermined fixing temperature. When the medium M passes through the fixing nip between the fixing roller 81 and the pressure roller 82, heat and pressure are applied to the unfixed toner on the medium M, and the toner image is fixed to the medium M.

[0080] The medium M with the fixed toner image is transported along the discharge transport path P3 by the pair of discharge rollers 121 and 122 of the medium discharge section 120, and is discharged from the discharge port 123. The discharged medium M is stacked on the second stack surface 20S and the first stack surface 30S. This completes the printing operation.

[0081] <Installing and removing the toner cartridge> Next, the installation and removal of the toner cartridge 17 will be described. In the state shown in Figure 6(A), as described above, the upper cover front part 20 and the upper cover rear part 30 of the image forming apparatus 1 are in the closed position. When removing the toner cartridge 17 from the housing 50, the user inserts their finger through the opening 51a of the front cover 51 and lifts up the front end of the upper cover front part 20.

[0082] This unlocks the upper cover front part 20, and the upper cover front part 20 rotates 180 degrees around the second connecting part (shafts 23L, 23R and holes 33L, 33R) and reaches the open position shown in FIG. 6(B).

[0083] By opening the front portion 20 of the upper cover, the second area 102 in the housing 50 is opened, allowing access to the toner cartridge 17. In this state, the operating lever 17b of the toner cartridge 17 is rotated to release the lock, and the toner cartridge 17 is removed from the unit body 16 of the ID unit 10.

[0084] In this state, the wall 34 is disposed on the upper cover rear part 30 side of the second area 102 where the toner cartridge 17 was housed. Therefore, even when the toner cartridge 17 is removed, access to the first area 101 located on the rear side (+Y direction) of the wall 34 is restricted.

[0085] When installing the toner cartridge 17 in the housing 50, the toner cartridge 17 is installed in the second region 102 inside the housing 50, and the operating lever 17b is rotated to lock the toner cartridge 17. Then, the front part of the upper cover 20 is rotated from the open position shown in FIG. 6(B) to the closed position shown in FIG. 6(A).

[0086] <Attaching and detaching the ID unit> Next, we will explain how to attach and detach the ID unit 10. When removing the ID unit 10 from the housing 50, the user rotates the upper cover front part 20 to the open position shown in Figure 6(B), in the same way as when removing the toner cartridge 17.

[0087] By rotating the front upper cover 20 to the open position, the release lever (not shown) on the rear upper cover 30 becomes operable, and the user pushes it in the +Y direction (rearward), thereby unlocking the rear upper cover 30.

[0088] 6(C), the user rotates the upper cover rear part 30 by 80 degrees around the second connecting parts (shafts 37L, 37R and holes 53a, 54a). The upper cover rear part 30 rotates with the upper cover front part 20 overlapping on top of it.

[0089] Opening the rear upper cover 30 opens the second area 102 and the first area 101 in the housing 50, allowing access to the ID unit 10. In this state, the user lifts up the ID unit 10 and removes it from the housing 50.

[0090] When attaching the ID unit 10 to the housing 50, the user first attaches the ID unit 10 to a predetermined attachment position in the housing 50, and then rotates the upper cover rear portion 30 from the open position shown in Fig. 6(C) to the closed position shown in Fig. 6(B). Then, the user rotates the upper cover front portion 20 from the open position shown in Fig. 6(B) to the closed position shown in Fig. 6(A). The operation of rotating the upper cover front portion 20 to the open position is the same as when attaching the toner cartridge 17.

[0091] <Attaching and detaching the transfer unit> Next, the attachment and detachment of the transfer unit 70 will be described. When removing the transfer unit 70 from the housing 50, the user rotates the upper cover front portion 20 to the open position shown in FIG. 6(B) and then rotates the upper cover rear portion 30 to the open position shown in FIG. 6(C), in the same manner as when removing the ID unit 10. The ID unit 10 is then removed from the housing 50 as described above. Removing the ID unit 10 from the housing 50 allows access to the transfer unit 70.

[0092] With the ID unit 10 removed from the housing 50, the user operates the lock handle of the transfer unit 70 to unlock it, then grasps the handle and lifts up the transfer unit 70 to remove it from the housing 50.

[0093] When attaching the transfer unit 70 to the housing 50, after storing the transfer unit 70 in the housing 50, the lock handle is operated to lock the fixing unit 80, and then the ID unit 10 is stored in the housing 50. Thereafter, in the same manner as when attaching the ID unit 10, the upper cover rear part 30 is rotated from the open position shown in Figure 6(C) to the closed position shown in Figure 6(B), and further the upper cover front part 20 is rotated from the open position shown in Figure 6(B) to the closed position shown in Figure 6(A).

[0094] <Installing and removing the fixing unit> Next, we will explain how to attach and detach the fixing unit 80. When removing the fixing unit 80 from the housing 50, the user rotates the upper cover front part 20 to the open position shown in Fig. 6(B) in the same way as when removing the ID unit 10, and then rotates the upper cover rear part 30 to the open position shown in Fig. 6(C).

[0095] Opening the rear upper cover 30 opens the second area 102 and the first area 101 inside the housing 50, allowing access to the fixing unit 80. In this state, the user operates the lock arm of the fixing unit 80 to unlock it. Then, the user grasps the grip and lifts up the fixing unit 80 to remove it from the housing 50.

[0096] When attaching the fixing unit 80 to the housing 50, after storing the fixing unit 80 in the housing 50, the lock arm is operated to lock the fixing unit 80. Then, in the same manner as when attaching the ID unit 10, the rear part of the upper cover 30 is rotated to the closed position shown in FIG. 6(B), and the front part of the upper cover 20 is further rotated to the closed position shown in FIG. 6(A).

[0097] Effects of the embodiment As described above, according to image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when a user rotates upper cover front part 20 in the second rotation direction Db while sub-stacker 310 is in the open state, upper cover front part 20 abuts against the leading edge of sub-stacker 310, causing sub-stacker 310 to rotate in the first rotation direction (-Da). Due to the rotation of upper cover front part 20, sub-stacker 310 rotates in the first rotation direction (-Da) and is stored in recess 30D. When upper cover front part 20 is in the open state, upper cover front part 20 overlaps upper cover rear part 30 so that second stack surface 20S and first stack surface 30S face each other. Thus, according to this embodiment, even when the upper cover front part 20 is rotated to open it while the sub-stacker 310 is left in the open state, the sub-stacker 310 is accommodated in the recess 30D of the upper cover rear part 30, and the upper cover front part 20 is folded in half so that it overlaps the upper cover rear part 30. In this way, by providing the sub-stacker 310 in the upper cover rear part 30 on the rear side of the device, the sub-stacker 310 will not be damaged by the opening and closing operation of the upper cover front part 20 by the user.

[0098] Furthermore, by providing the sub-stacker 310 in the upper cover rear portion 30, the first stack surface 30S can be extended in the -Y direction by the third stack surface 310S of the sub-stacker 310, without using the second stack surface 20S. Therefore, depending on the structure of the joint (second connecting portion) between the first stack surface 30S and the second stack surface 20S, a step may occur between the first stack surface 30S and the second stack surface 20S, making it difficult for the media M to pass through (i.e., stacking performance may be impaired). However, by providing the sub-stacker 310 in the upper cover rear portion 30, the design of the second connecting portion between the upper cover front portion 20 and the upper cover rear portion 30 becomes easier.

[0099] Furthermore, due to the miniaturization of the image forming device 1, the conveying direction of the medium M changes significantly (at an acute angle) at a position immediately before the discharge outlet 123, and even if a medium M with a large bend (curvature) is discharged, when the sub-stacker 310 is used, problems such as poor conveying at the joint (second connecting portion) between the first stack surface 30S and the second stack surface 20S are less likely to occur.

[0100] Furthermore, by configuring the upper cover 40 with the upper cover rear part 30 and the upper cover front part 20, less space is required for opening and closing the covers 20, 30. Therefore, even if the image forming apparatus 1 is installed in a small space, there is no need to pull the image forming apparatus 1 out into a large space for parts replacement, etc., reducing the burden on the user.

[0101] Furthermore, the upper cover front part 20 is rotatable about a first rotation axis (shafts 23L, 23R), and the upper cover rear part 30 is rotatable about a second rotation axis (shafts 37L, 37R) parallel to the first rotation axis, and the arrangement direction of the upper cover front part 20 and the upper cover rear part 30 is perpendicular to both rotation axes. Therefore, the upper cover front part 20 and the upper cover rear part 30 can be configured compactly, and the image forming apparatus 1 can be installed in a smaller space.

[0102] <<Notes>> Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices. (Appendix 1) an apparatus body that houses an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium and has an upper opening provided above the image forming unit; a first upper cover having an outlet through which the medium is discharged and a first stack surface on which the discharged medium is placed, the first upper cover being capable of opening and closing a first region of the upper opening; a first connecting portion that connects the device main body and the first upper cover and supports the first upper cover so that the first area can be opened and closed; a second upper cover having a second stack surface on which the medium is placed and capable of opening and closing a second region of the upper opening; a second connecting portion that connects the first upper cover and the second upper cover and supports the second upper cover so that the second region can be opened and closed; a substacker having a third stacking surface, rotatably connected to the first upper cover, and switchable between a closed state in which the third stacking surface does not extend the first stacking surface and an open state in which the third stacking surface extends the first stacking surface; a third connecting portion that connects the first upper cover and the sub-stacker and supports the sub-stacker on the first upper cover so that the sub-stacker can be opened and closed; An image forming apparatus comprising: (Appendix 2) the first top cover has a recess in the first stack surface; When a direction in which the medium is discharged from the discharge port is defined as a first direction, the third connecting portion is provided on an end side of the recess in the first direction. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, (Appendix 3) The sub-stacker in the closed state is accommodated in the recess. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, (Appendix 4) The sub-stacker in the open state extends in the first direction beyond the second connecting portion. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium. (Appendix 5) a first rotation direction for changing the sub-stacker from the open state to the closed state is the same as a second rotation direction for changing the second upper cover to the open state; When the second upper cover is rotated in the second rotation direction while the sub-stacker is in the open state, the second upper cover comes into contact with the sub-stacker and rotates the sub-stacker in the first rotation direction. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: (Appendix 6) the second stack surface is disposed downstream of the first stack surface in the direction in which the medium is discharged from the discharge port; When the second upper cover is opened, the second upper cover overlaps the first upper cover so that the second stack surface faces the first stack surface. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: (Appendix 7) The opening and closing angle of the first upper cover is less than 90 degrees, If the second upper cover side is defined as the front and the first upper cover side is defined as the rear, when the first upper cover is in an open state, the first upper cover and the second upper cover do not protrude further rearward than the device main body, or do not protrude further rearward than a specified space set behind the device main body. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image forming apparatus, 10 ID unit (image forming section), 11 photosensitive drum (image carrier), 12 charging roller (charging member), 13 LED head (exposure section), 14 developing roller (developer carrier), 15 supply roller (developer supply member), 16 unit main body, 17 toner cartridge (developer container), 20 upper cover front part (second upper cover), 20S second stack surface, 23L, 23R shaft part (second connecting part), 30 upper cover rear part (first upper cover), 30S first stack surface, 30D recess, 33L, 33R hole part (second connecting part), 37L, 37R shaft part (first connecting part), 40 upper cover, 40S stack surface, 50 housing (device main body), 51 Front cover, 52 rear cover, 53, 54 side covers, 53a, 54a hole portion (first connecting portion), 57 first locking portion, 70 transfer unit, 80 fixing unit, 90 media cassette (media storage portion), 100 upper opening, 101 first area, 102 second area, 110 media supply portion, 120 media discharge portion, 123 discharge port, 130 re-transport mechanism, 310 sub-stacker, 310S third stack surface, 311 support shaft (third connecting portion), 30b bearing portion (third connecting portion), P media transport path, P1 paper feed transport path, P2 transfer transport path, P3 discharge transport path, P4 return transport path.

Claims

1. an apparatus body that houses an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium and has an upper opening provided above the image forming unit; a first upper cover having an outlet through which the medium is discharged and a first stack surface on which the discharged medium is placed, the first upper cover being capable of opening and closing a first region of the upper opening; a first connecting portion that connects the device main body and the first upper cover and supports the first upper cover so that the first area can be opened and closed; a second upper cover having a second stack surface on which the medium is placed and capable of opening and closing a second region of the upper opening; a second connecting portion that connects the first upper cover and the second upper cover and supports the second upper cover so that the second region can be opened and closed; a substacker having a third stacking surface, rotatably connected to the first upper cover, and switchable between a closed state in which the third stacking surface does not extend the first stacking surface and an open state in which the third stacking surface extends the first stacking surface; a third connecting portion that connects the first upper cover and the sub-stacker and supports the sub-stacker on the first upper cover so that the sub-stacker can be opened and closed; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. the first top cover has a recess in the first stack surface; When a direction in which the medium is discharged from the discharge port is defined as a first direction, the third connecting portion is provided on an end side of the recess in the first direction.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

3. The sub-stacker in the closed state is accommodated in the recess.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

4. The sub-stacker in the open state extends in the first direction beyond the second connecting portion.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

5. a first rotation direction for changing the sub-stacker from the open state to the closed state is the same as a second rotation direction for changing the second upper cover to the open state; When the second upper cover is rotated in the second rotation direction while the sub-stacker is in the open state, the second upper cover comes into contact with the sub-stacker and rotates the sub-stacker in the first rotation direction.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

6. the second stack surface is disposed downstream of the first stack surface in the direction in which the medium is discharged from the discharge port; When the second upper cover is opened, the second upper cover overlaps the first upper cover so that the second stack surface faces the first stack surface.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

7. The opening and closing angle of the first upper cover is less than 90 degrees, If the second upper cover side is defined as the front and the first upper cover side is defined as the rear, when the first upper cover is in an open state, the first upper cover and the second upper cover do not protrude rearward beyond the device main body, or do not protrude rearward beyond a specified space set behind the device main body.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

Images