Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image formation apparatus which can disperse a load applied to a front cover.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus 1 comprises: a front cover 11; a discharge tray 6 which receives a discharged sheet together with the front cover 11; and an operation panel 5 which is located on the upper side of the front cover 11. The front cover 11 has a sheet discharge stopper 15 which can move to a first state that is located on the upper side with respect to the discharge tray 6 and a second state that is located on the lower side with respect to the first state. An upper surface of the front cover 11 has: a first region R1 whose upper side is covered by the operation panel 5 and in which the sheet discharge stopper 15 is arranged; and a second region R2 which is located at a different position in the width direction from the first region R1 and whose upper side is not covered by the operation panel 5 and is exposed. An upper surface 11B1 of the first region R1 of the front cover 11 is formed into an inclined surface shape. An upper surface 11B2 of the second region R2 of the front cover 11 protrudes with respect to the first region R1 and is formed into a curved surface shape that protrudes upward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known an image forming apparatus that is configured with a device main body and a cover body that covers the top surface of the device main body, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. The image forming apparatus has a main body casing, a front cover that is provided on the front surface of the main body casing in an openable and closable manner, an extension tray (corresponding to a paper feed stopper) attached to the top of the front cover, and an operation unit (corresponding to an operation panel) that is located above the extension tray. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-36437 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, if the width of the operation panel located above the paper output tray is configured to be shorter than the width of the apparatus body in order to improve the ease of removal of sheets discharged inside the body and the visibility of the sheets, a part of the upper surface of the front cover is exposed and not covered by the operation panel. In this case, there is a risk that a user may directly touch the upper surface of the front cover that is not covered by the operation panel, or that a load may be applied unexpectedly to the front cover due to an object being dropped.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that can distribute the load on the front cover. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming apparatus that solves the above problem has the following features.

[0007] That is, the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus comprising: a front cover that opens and closes an opening in a housing into which a process cartridge can be inserted and removed; a paper output tray located behind the front cover and that receives discharged sheets together with the front cover; and an operation panel located above the front cover, wherein the front cover has a paper output stopper that can be moved between a first state located above the paper output tray and a second state located lower than the first state, and the upper surface of the front cover has a first region where the operation panel covers the upper side and where the paper output stopper is located, and a second region located at a different position in the width direction from the first region and where the upper side is exposed and not covered by the operation panel, and the upper surface of the first region of the front cover is formed in an inclined surface shape, and the upper surface of the second region of the front cover protrudes more than the first region and is formed in an upwardly convex curved shape.

[0008] According to the above configuration, a space for placing the paper ejection stopper can be secured, making it easy to operate the paper ejection stopper even below the operation panel. Also, the upper surface of the second area, which is not covered by the operation panel and is exposed, is formed into an upwardly convex curved shape, which makes it easy to distribute the load even if it is applied to the upper surface.

[0009] The bottom surface of the operation panel is inclined so that the front end is positioned higher than the rear end.

[0010] This allows the opening for removing the sheets from the paper discharge tray to be enlarged, making it easier to remove the sheets and to operate the paper discharge stopper.

[0011] The paper discharge stopper is rotatable, and the tip of the paper discharge stopper in the first state is located forward of the center of rotation, and the tip of the paper discharge stopper in the second state is located rearward of the center of rotation.

[0012] As a result, even when the tip of the paper discharge stopper rotates, it does not come into contact with the operation panel above the paper discharge stopper, making it easy to avoid interference with the paper discharge stopper.

[0013] The upper end of the front cover has a first recess in the first area that houses the paper ejection stopper in the second state, and a second recess that allows a user to place their finger therein to operate the paper ejection stopper.

[0014] As a result, the discharge stopper can be housed in the first recess as needed, so that the movement of sheets discharged from the discharge tray is not hindered in the first area of ​​the front cover.

[0015] The upper surface of the front cover has a third area located on the opposite side of the second area with respect to the first area in the width direction and below the operation panel, The upper surface of the third region is formed in the same upwardly convex curved shape as the upper surface of the second region.

[0016] As a result, the upper surface of the third region is formed in the same upwardly convex curved shape as the upper surface of the second region, thereby ensuring the rigidity of the entire front cover.

[0017] Further, locks for locking the front cover to the housing are provided below the second area and below the third area of ​​the front cover.

[0018] This allows the load to be distributed even if it is applied to the top surface of the second area or the top surface of the third area, making it less likely that the lock will be released due to the impact of the load, and preventing the front cover from opening unexpectedly.

[0019] The front cover also has a protruding rib at the boundary between the first area and the second area, protruding above the top surface of the first area and the top surface of the second area.

[0020] As a result, the sheets discharged onto the discharge tray rest on the protruding ribs, making it easier to remove the sheets. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the present invention, the load acting on the front cover can be distributed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic side view illustrating an outline of an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a front view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] 1 is a plan view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a left side view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram showing the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1 with the automatic document feeder in an open position. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. [Figure 8] 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state (first state) in which the paper feed stopper is in a use position. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the line BB in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. [Figure 11] 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the difference in the top surface shape between a first region and a second region of the front cover. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the front cover in FIG. 9 is open. [Figure 13] 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the front cover is open in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus with the front cover open. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] 1, the side from which the sheet tray 21 is pulled out is defined as the front, and the opposite side as the rear, and the left and right directions are defined as seen from the front of the image forming apparatus 1. Furthermore, the second housing 3 side of the image forming apparatus 1 is defined as the top, and the first housing 2 side is defined as the bottom. In this embodiment, the left and right direction is the width direction that is perpendicular to the front-to-back and up-to-down directions.

[0024] [Overall configuration of image forming device] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing an outline of the internal configuration of image forming apparatus 1, FIG. 3 is a front view thereof, FIG. 4 is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 5 is a left side view thereof. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing image forming apparatus 1 in FIG. 1 with automatic document feeder 34 in the open position. Image forming apparatus 1 has a configuration known as an internal discharge type. Image forming apparatus 1 comprises a first housing 2, a second housing 3, an operation panel 5, and a cover 10.

[0025] The first housing 2 is a housing having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in FIG. 2, the first housing 2 accommodates a sheet tray 21 that stores sheets before image formation, a transport mechanism 22 that transports sheets from the sheet tray 21, an image forming unit 23 that forms an image on the sheet transported by the transport mechanism 22, and a discharge mechanism 24 that discharges the sheet from the image forming unit 23 to the outside of the first housing 2. The transport mechanism 22 and the discharge mechanism 24 are configured by arranging multiple pairs of rollers, and a discharge roller 241 is arranged at the most downstream portion of the discharge mechanism 24 to discharge the sheet with an image formed thereon to a discharge tray 6 arranged on the upper surface. The configuration of the image forming unit 23 is not particularly limited, and configurations such as an electrophotographic system, an inkjet system, or a thermal head system can be used. The discharge tray 6 is an example of a paper discharge tray.

[0026] The image forming unit 23 also has a conveying mechanism 23A that conveys the sheet, a process cartridge 23C that has a photosensitive drum 23B on which a toner image to be transferred to the sheet is formed, and a fixing device 23D that fixes the transferred toner image to the sheet.

[0027] The sheet tray 21 is slidable between a storage position (position shown in FIG. 1) in which it is stored in the first housing 2 and a pulled-out position in which it is pulled out forward from the first housing 2. There are no particular limitations on the configuration of the image forming unit, and configurations such as an electrophotographic system, an inkjet system, or a thermal head system can be used.

[0028] In addition, a discharge tray 6 that supports sheets discharged by the discharge mechanism 24 is provided on the top surface of the first housing 2. The discharge tray 6 is formed on the top surface of the first housing 2 in an inclined shape that rises from the rear side to the front side. As a result, the sheet on which an image has been formed is discharged onto the discharge tray 6 from the rear side to the front side by the discharge mechanism 24.

[0029] The discharge tray 6 is located behind the front cover 11 and receives discharged sheets together with the front cover 11.

[0030] The second housing 3 is rotatable relative to the first housing 2 around its rear end. The second housing 3 is equipped with a document reading device 31 provided above the first housing 2. The document reading device 31 has a document placing table 32 that houses an image reading unit (scanner) 32B that reads an image of a document supported on an upper surface 32A. The document reading device 31 is also provided so as to be able to open and close freely, and has a document presser 33 that presses down on a document placed on the document placing table 32, and an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as an ADF (auto document feeder)) 34 that is provided above the document placing table 32. The document presser 33 is configured to be sized so as to overlap the document placing table 32 in a plan view.

[0031] The second housing 3 is held in a state of being lifted above the first housing 2. As a result, the second housing 3 is placed above the discharge tray 6 via a discharge space 61 into which sheets are discharged.

[0032] The document presser 33 is rotatably supported on the document placing table 32 by a hinge having a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction at its rear end. The document presser 33 is rotatable between a closed position where it covers the upper surface 32A of the document placing table 32 and an open position where it exposes the upper surface 32A.

[0033] The operation panel 5 is provided at the front end of the second housing 3. The operation panel 5 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped panel that protrudes forward from the front surface 32C of the document placement table 32. The operation panel 5 is located above the front cover 11. The operation panel 5 has a touch panel 51 for operating the image forming unit 23, the image reading unit 32B, etc., and a panel member 52 having an upper surface 52A and a lower surface 52B. The touch panel 51 is located on the left side of the upper surface 52A of the operation panel 5 in the left-right direction.

[0034] 8, the lower surface 52B of the operation panel 5 is inclined so that the front end is positioned higher than the rear end. That is, the lower surface 52B of the operation panel 5 is formed in an inclined shape that slopes upward toward the front. This allows the opening (discharge space 61) for removing sheets from the discharge tray 6 to be enlarged, making it easier to remove sheets and to operate the discharge stopper 15 located below the lower surface 52B of the operation panel 5.

[0035] The first housing 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped cover 10 that forms the exterior. The cover 10 has a front cover 11, a rear cover 12, a left cover 13, and a right cover 14. The front surface of a sheet tray 21 is disposed below the front cover 11.

[0036] The front cover 11 opens and closes an opening 111 in the first housing 2, into which the process cartridge 23C can be inserted and removed. The front cover 11 has a front wall portion 11A and an upper surface 11B that is provided at the upper end of the front wall portion 11A and that is positioned lower toward the front.

[0037] 3, the top surface 11B of the front cover 11 has a first region R1 which is covered above by the operation panel 5 and where the paper ejection stopper 15 is located, and a second region R2 which is located at a different position in the width direction from the first region R1 and is exposed above but not covered by the operation panel 5. In other words, the operation panel 5 is located above the front cover 11 and is shorter than the top surface 11B of the front cover 11 in the width direction. Therefore, the top surface 11B of the front cover 11 has the first region R1 above which the operation panel 5 is located, and the second region R2 above which the operation panel 5 is not located and is open above.

[0038] The first region R1 is a region between a pair of protruding ribs 11B6 on the upper surface 11B of the front cover 11. The second region R2 is a region where a part of the upper surface 11B of the front cover 11 is exposed and not covered by the operation panel 5 when the width dimension of the operation panel 5 is configured to be shorter than the width dimension of the second housing 3. In this embodiment, the second region R2 is a region on the upper surface 11B of the front cover 11 that extends in the width direction from the right protruding rib 11B6 to the right end of the upper surface 11B of the front cover 11.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 6, the top surface 11B1 of the first region R1 of the front cover 11 has a paper discharge stopper 15, a first recess 11B4, and a second recess 11B5.

[0040] The discharge stopper 15 is provided in front of the discharge tray 6, and aligns the discharged sheets and regulates the downstream end of the sheets in the discharge direction to prevent them from falling out of the device. As will be described in detail later, the discharge stopper 15 is movable between a first state (a position where the discharge tray 6 is in use) in which it is positioned above the discharge tray 6, and a second state (a position where the discharge tray 6 is stored) in which it is positioned lower than the first state.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 11, the top surface 11B1 of the first region R1 of the front cover 11 is formed in an inclined plane. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the top surface 11B2 of the second region R2 of the front cover 11 protrudes further than the top surface 11B1 of the first region R1 and is formed in an upwardly convex curved plane. More specifically, the top surface 11B1 of the first region R1 has the front and rear ends of the top surface 11B2 of the second region R2 positioned at the same positions in the front-to-rear direction as the front and rear ends of the top surface 11B1 of the first region R1. Furthermore, the top surface 11B1 of the first region R1 has a curved plane whose angle with respect to the horizontal plane becomes continuously steeper as it moves from the rear end to the front end. With the above configuration, the top surface 11B on which the paper ejection stopper 15 is disposed is formed in an inclined plane, thereby ensuring space for the paper ejection stopper 15 to be disposed, and making it easy to operate the paper ejection stopper 15 even below the operation panel 5. Furthermore, the upper surface 11B2 of the second region R2, which is not covered by the operation panel 5 and is exposed, is formed in an upwardly convex curved shape, so that even if a load is applied to the upper surface 11B2, the load is easily distributed.

[0042] 3, the top surface 11B of the front cover 11 has a third region R3 located on the opposite side of the first region R1 from the second region R2 in the width direction and located below the operation panel 5. The top surface 11B3 of the third region R3 is formed in the same upwardly convex curved shape as the top surface 11B2 of the second region R2, as shown in FIG. 10. As a result, the top surface 11B3 of the third region R3 is formed in the same upwardly convex curved shape as the top surface 11B2 of the second region R2, thereby ensuring the rigidity of the entire front cover 11.

[0043] The first recess 11B4 is provided in the approximate center of the front of the discharge tray 6. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first recess 11B4 is approximately rectangular in plan view and is sized to accommodate the discharge stopper 15 so that it is approximately flush with the upper surface 11B1 of the first region R1 of the front cover 11. The second recess 11B5 is formed as a pair on the left and right, and is connected to the rear portions of both left and right ends of the first recess 11B4. This makes it easy for the user to insert their fingers into both left and right ends of the discharge stopper 15 when it is accommodated in the first recess 11B4 and lift it up.

[0044] The front cover 11 has a protruding rib 11B6 at the boundary between the first region R1 and the second region R2, which protrudes above the top surface 11B1 of the first region R1 and the top surface 11B2 of the second region R2. The front cover 11 also has a protruding rib 11B6 at the boundary between the first region R1 and the third region R3, which protrudes above the top surface 11B1 of the first region R1 and the top surface 11B3 of the third region R3. That is, the front cover 11 has a pair of protruding ribs 11B6 at both left and right ends of the first region R1.

[0045] The protruding ribs 11B6 are a pair of ribs that are roughly triangular in side view and are positioned symmetrically with respect to the discharge stopper 15. By providing the protruding ribs 11B6, the front cover 11 allows sheets discharged onto the discharge tray 6 to rest on the protruding ribs 11B6, making it easier to remove the sheets.

[0046] The paper discharge stopper 15 is composed of two generally plate-shaped first and second support plates 151 and 152. The first support plate 151 is smaller than the first recess 11B4 and has a shape in which both left and right ends of a rectangular plate are bent. A pair of left and right shafts 153 protruding to both sides in the width direction are provided at the lower end (base end) of the first support plate 151 (see FIG. 8), and the first support plate 151 is held rotatably about the shafts 153 relative to the upper surface 11B (11B1) of the front cover 11. The shafts 153 are provided near the end of the upper surface 11B (11B1) of the front cover 11 downstream in the sheet discharge direction.

[0047] The second support plate 152 has a rectangular shape with both its width and length (length of its short side) smaller than those of the first support plate 151. One end of the second support plate 152 in the length direction is provided with a pair of shafts 154 protruding to both sides in the width direction on both left and right ends (see FIG. 8 ), and the second support plate 152 is supported rotatably with respect to the first support plate 151.

[0048] As a result, the second support plate 152 can be displaced between a position where the entire second support plate 152 overlaps the inner surface of the first support plate 151 (this state in which the first support plate 151 and the second support plate 152 are folded is referred to as the "first state"), and a position where the second support plate 152 extends from the free end of the first support plate 151 in the direction opposite to the shaft portion 153 (this state in which the first support plate 151 and the second support plate 152 are unfolded is referred to as the "second state"). The paper discharge stopper 15 in the first state is located above the discharge tray 6, and the paper discharge stopper 15 in the second state is located lower than the paper discharge stopper 15 in the first state.

[0049] By setting the first support plate 151 and the second support plate 152 in the folded state, the first support plate 151 can be rotated back and forth without interfering with the tip of the second support plate 152 against the underside of the operation panel 5. Furthermore, by setting the first support plate 151 and the second support plate 152 in the folded state, the first support plate 151 and the second support plate 152 can be accommodated in the first recess 11B4.

[0050] In this embodiment, the top surface 11B located at the top end of the front cover 11 has a first recess 11B4 in the first region R1 that accommodates the discharge stopper 15 in the second state (folded state), and a second recess 11B5 that allows the user to place their finger therein to operate the discharge stopper 15. As a result, the discharge stopper 15 can be accommodated in the first recess 11B4 in the second state as needed, and does not interfere with the movement of sheets discharged from the discharge tray 6 in the first region R1 of the front cover 11.

[0051] 8, the paper discharge stopper 15 can rotate about the shaft 153 relative to the upper surface 11B (11B1) of the front cover 11, and the tip 152A of the second support plate 152, which is the rotation tip of the paper discharge stopper 15 in the first state, is located forward of the shaft 153, which is the rotation center, and the tip 151B of the first support plate 151 of the paper discharge stopper 15 in the second state is located rearward of the shaft 153, which is the rotation center. As a result, even when the tip 152A of the second support plate 152 of the paper discharge stopper 15 rotates, it does not come into contact with the operation panel 5 above the paper discharge stopper 15, making it easy to avoid interference with the paper discharge stopper 15.

[0052] 8 shows a rotation locus T1 of the tip 151B of the first support plate 151 and a rotation locus T2 of the tip 152A of the second support plate 152. In this way, the lower surface 52B of the operation panel 5 is inclined so that the front end is positioned higher than the rear end, and the opening dimension of the sheet discharge space 61 (between the lower edge of the front end of the operation panel 5 and the front end of the upper surface 11B1 of the first region R1 of the front cover 11) is configured to be larger than the rotation locus T2 of the tip 152A of the second support plate 152.

[0053] The first support plate 151 can be rotated to a position (first state) where the discharge stopper 15 is in use, extending obliquely upward downstream in the discharge direction, and a position (second state) where the discharge stopper 15 is stored, lying flat on the top surface 11B1 side of the front cover 11. In the stored position (second state), the first support plate 151 stores the second support plate 152 on its rear side, fits into the inside of the first recess 57, and its outer surface (the surface facing outward in the stored position) is substantially flush with the inclined top surface 11B1.

[0054] The first recess 11B4 also has a third recess 11B7, which is curved downward and protrudes downward, drilled across the width of the first recess 11B4 on the front side of the bottom surface of the first recess 11B4. This allows the shaft 153, which serves as the rotation center of the first support plate 151, to be positioned closer to the bottom surface of the first recess 11B4. Furthermore, the third recess 11B7 does not interfere with the rotation of the base end 151A of the first support plate 151, for example, when the paper discharge stopper 15 is rotated from the storage position (second state) to the use position (first state).

[0055] As shown in Figures 9, 10, 12 and 13, in this embodiment, a right lock 41 and a left lock 42 that engage the front cover 11 to the first housing 2 are provided below the second region R2 and below the third region R3 of the front cover 11.

[0056] The right-side lock 41 is provided near the right end of the front cover 11 and is composed of a single-arrowhead-shaped locking hook portion 411 that protrudes rearward from the back surface of the front cover 11, and a barbed-shaped locked hook portion 412 that is provided near the right end of the first housing 2 and with which the locking hook portion 411 is locked. The left-side lock 42 is provided near the left end of the front cover 11 and is composed of a single-arrowhead-shaped locking hook portion 421 that protrudes rearward from the back surface of the front cover 11, and a barbed-shaped locked hook portion 422 that is provided near the left end of the first housing 2 and with which the locking hook portion 421 is locked.

[0057] By rotating the front cover 11 in the open state shown in Figures 12 to 14 to close the opening 111, the locking hook portions 411, 421 are locked to the locking hook portions 412, 422, respectively, and the front cover 11 is locked to the first housing 2 as shown in Figure 1.

[0058] By providing such right lock 41 and left lock 42, even if a load is applied to the upper surface 11B2 of the second region R2 or the upper surface 11B3 of the third region R3, the load can be dispersed, making it difficult for the locked state of the right lock 41 or the left lock 42 to be released by the impact of the load, and preventing the front cover 11 from opening unexpectedly. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1. Image forming device 2. First enclosure 3 Second enclosure 6 Output tray (paper output tray) 11 Front cover 11B Top surface 11B1 Top surface 11B2 Top surface 15 Paper ejection stopper 23C Process Cartridge R1 1st area R2 2nd area

Claims

1. a front cover for opening and closing an opening in a housing into which the process cartridge can be inserted and removed; a sheet ejection tray located behind the front cover and configured to receive ejected sheets together with the front cover; an operation panel located above the front cover, the front cover has a paper discharge stopper that is movable between a first state in which the front cover is positioned above the paper discharge tray and a second state in which the front cover is positioned lower than the first state, The upper surface of the front cover is a first area that is covered by the operation panel and in which the paper ejection stopper is disposed; a second area that is located at a position different in the width direction from the first area and is exposed without being covered by the operation panel; an upper surface of the first region of the front cover is formed in an inclined surface shape; an upper surface of the second area of ​​the front cover protrudes more than the first area and is formed in an upwardly convex curved shape;

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the operation panel is inclined so that the front end is positioned higher than the rear end.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ejection stopper is rotatable, and the tip of the ejection stopper in the first state is located forward of the center of rotation, and the tip of the ejection stopper in the second state is located rearward of the center of rotation.

4. The upper end of the front cover is a first recess that accommodates the paper discharge stopper in the second state in the first region; 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second recess for a user to place a finger on to operate the paper ejection stopper.

5. the upper surface of the front cover has a third region located on an opposite side of the second region with respect to the first region in the width direction and located below the operation panel; 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the third area is formed in the same upwardly convex curved shape as the upper surface of the second area.

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a lock for locking the front cover to the housing is provided below the second area and below the third area of ​​the front cover.

7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the front cover has a protruding rib at the boundary between the first area and the second area that protrudes above the top surface of the first area and the top surface of the second area.

Images