Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To improve workability in performing maintenance of an image forming unit in an image forming apparatus comprising: a support unit that has an ejection tray provided above the image forming unit in the vertical direction and supports an image reading device while providing a gap between the ejection tray and the image reading device; a first control board that is provided on the outside of the ejection tray in a direction intersecting a sheet ejection direction; and a second control board that is provided on the opposite side of the first control board in the intersecting direction with the ejection tray therebetween.SOLUTION: A connection line connecting a first control board and a second control board is provided on a support part, and the support part is removed to allow access to an image forming unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that employs an electrophotographic method, an electrostatic recording method, an inkjet method, etc., such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, a multifunction printer having an image forming unit with additional functions such as an image reading device and a FAX has been widely popularized. The multifunction printer is often made by adding the above functions to a printer. For example, as in Patent Document 1, a configuration having a discharge tray from which a sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming unit is discharged, and a support unit that supports an image reading device at an interval above the discharge tray in the vertical direction is widely known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Generally, in the case of a configuration such as Patent Document 1, a main control board for controlling the entire image forming apparatus and a control board for controlling, for example, an operation unit may be provided on opposite sides with respect to a discharge tray from which a sheet is discharged.

[0005] In this case, it is necessary to provide a connection line for connecting the main control board and the control board for controlling an operation unit or the like so as to straddle below the discharge tray.

[0006] On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus having a configuration such as Patent Document 1, the discharge tray that covers the upper part in the vertical direction of the image forming unit may be removed to perform maintenance on a predetermined unit included in the image forming unit provided inside.

[0007] However, as mentioned above, in the configuration where the two control boards are located on opposite sides of the output tray, maintenance of the image forming unit required removing the support unit that includes the output tray and supports the image reading unit, as well as disconnecting the connecting wires. Therefore, the workability when maintaining the image forming unit was poor.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention aims to improve the workability when maintaining the image forming unit, even in a configuration that includes an output tray provided above the image forming unit in the vertical direction, and a support unit that supports the image reading device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] An image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first housing having an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; a second housing provided above the first housing in the vertical direction and having a reading unit that reads an image of a document; a support unit that supports the second housing so as to create a gap between the sheet stacking surface of the output tray and the second housing, and having an output tray provided above the image forming unit in the vertical direction from which sheets on which images have been formed by the image forming unit are output; a first control board provided in the first housing, provided outside the output tray in a direction intersecting the output direction of the sheets output to the output tray; a second control board provided in the support unit, provided on the opposite side of the output tray from the first control board in the intersecting direction; and a connecting wire provided in the support unit that connects the first control board and the second control board, wherein at least a part of the image forming unit is removable when the support unit is removed from the first housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, even in a configuration that includes an output tray positioned above the image forming unit in the vertical direction, and a support unit that supports the image reading device, the workability when maintaining the image forming unit can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Schematic perspective view of an image forming apparatus [Figure 2] Schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus [Figure 3] Schematic perspective view of the image reading unit and support unit. [Figure 4] Schematic perspective view of the support unit and image forming section. [Figure 5] Right side view of the support unit and image forming section [Figure 6] Left side view of the support unit and image forming section [Figure 7] Detailed perspective view of the support unit [Figure 8] Detailed right side view of the support unit [Figure 9] Detailed left side view of the support unit [Figure 10] Detailed perspective view of the support unit from below. [Figure 11] Detailed perspective view from below of the control panel and control panel wiring harness. [Figure 12] Detailed perspective view of the fax board and fax wiring harness. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] [Overall configuration of the image forming apparatus] The overall configuration of the color image forming apparatus will be outlined with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the overall configuration of image forming apparatus A. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of image forming apparatus A.

[0014] The image forming apparatus A is provided with a paper feed roller 14 for conveying the sheet S stored in the paper feed cassette Cs1 at the lowermost stage into the image forming apparatus. At the upper right of the paper feed roller 14, a registration roller unit 16 for correcting and conveying the skew of the sheet S is provided. Above the paper feed roller 14, four process cartridges 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, 1Bk) are provided. Each of the four process cartridges 1 is provided with a photosensitive drum 2 (2Y, 2M, 2C, 2Bk). The photosensitive drum 2 (2Y, 2M, 2C, 2Bk) is charged by a charging unit (not shown) and exposed by laser light irradiated from the laser scanner unit 7, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image. In the present embodiment, the laser scanner unit 7 is an example of an exposure device provided vertically above the photosensitive drum 2 (2Y, 2M, 2C, 2Bk).

[0015] The electrostatic latent images formed on the photosensitive drums 2 (2Y, 2M, 2C, 2Bk) are developed with yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners, respectively.

[0016] Furthermore, below the process cartridges 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, 1Bk), an intermediate transfer unit 70 is disposed so as to face the process cartridges 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, 1Bk).

[0017] The intermediate transfer unit 70 includes an intermediate transfer belt 8, and inside the intermediate transfer belt 8, a primary transfer roller 5 (5Y, 5M, 5C, 5Bk), a secondary transfer opposing roller 10, and a tension roller 11 are provided. The primary transfer roller 5 (5Y, 5M, 5C, 5Bk) faces the photosensitive drum 2 (2Y, 2M, 2C, 2Bk) through the intermediate transfer belt 8, respectively. Then, by applying a primary transfer voltage to the primary transfer roller 5 (5Y, 5M, 5C, 5Bk), the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 (2Y, 2M, 2C, 2Bk) is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8.

[0018] The toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8 is then transferred from the paper feed cassette Cs1 to the sheet via the secondary transfer nip formed by the opposing secondary transfer rollers 10 and 12, which are located opposite each other on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

[0019] The toner image transferred to the sheet S is fixed to the sheet S by heating and pressurizing it with a fixing unit 20 located above the secondary transfer nip. After the toner image has been fixed to the sheet S by the fixing unit 20, the sheet S is discharged to the discharge tray 90 by a pair of discharge rollers 22. In this embodiment, the discharge tray 90 is located above the process cartridge 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, 1Bk) in the vertical direction and below the discharge tray 90, and the sheet S is discharged in the direction of arrow X by the pair of discharge rollers 22. In other words, the discharge tray 90 is located between the process cartridge 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, 1Bk) and the discharge tray 90 in the vertical direction.

[0020] Furthermore, when forming an image on both sides of the sheet S, the transport path is switched by the double-sided flapper 26, guiding the sheet S to the reversing roller pair 24. Subsequently, the sheet S is transported to the double-sided transport section 25 by the reverse rotation of the reversing roller pair 24. In this embodiment, the process cartridge 1, intermediate transfer unit 70, laser scanner unit 7, and fixing unit 20 are examples of an image forming unit.

[0021] Furthermore, an image reading unit 50 having a reading unit for reading original images is provided at the top of the image forming apparatus A. In addition, an operation unit 102 capable of displaying the status of the image forming apparatus A is provided at the top of the image forming apparatus A, downstream and in front of the image forming unit 60 in the direction of discharge of the sheets discharged into the discharge tray 90. The operation unit 102 can be operated by the user and can receive instructions from the user, and has a touch panel that can be operated by the user.

[0022] If the image reading unit 50 is positioned above the image forming unit 60 in the vertical direction, there is a risk that the ease of removing the sheets discharged into the discharge tray 90 will be reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, a support unit 100 is provided between the image reading unit 50 and the image forming unit 60, and the lower surface of the image reading unit 50 is configured to leave a predetermined space with respect to the loading surface of the discharge tray 90. In this embodiment, the image forming unit 60 is an example of a first housing, the image reading unit 50 is an example of a second housing, and the support unit 100 is an example of a support unit.

[0023] [Support Unit] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the image reading unit 50 and the support unit 100. The image reading unit 50 is fixed to the support unit 100 via fixing parts 51a to 51d. The support unit is provided with an intermediate frame 101 that holds the image reading unit 50. The operation unit 102 and the discharge tray 90 are fixed to the intermediate frame 101. In addition, a pre-discharge cover 91 is fixed to the intermediate frame 101, which is continuously provided downstream of the discharge tray 90 in the sheet transport direction and forms part of the exterior of the image forming apparatus A at its central vertical location. Furthermore, a FAX control board 113 and a FAX control auxiliary board 114, which control the FAX function capable of sending and receiving facsimile, are fixed to the intermediate frame 101.

[0024] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the support unit 100 and the image forming unit 60. The intermediate frame 101 of the support unit 100 is fixed to the image forming unit 60. In the image forming unit 60, the image forming unit drive unit 61 is located in the upper right part of the image forming apparatus A, and the power supply unit 62 is located in the lower right part of the product. The image forming unit drive unit 61 has a drive source for driving the process cartridge 1 and the intermediate transfer unit 70 mentioned above.

[0025] Figure 5 is a schematic side view from the right side showing the support unit 100 and the image forming unit 60 fixed together, and Figure 6 is a schematic side view from the left side showing the support unit 100 and the image forming unit 60 fixed together.

[0026] Vertically above the image forming unit 60, the operating unit 102, the FAX control board 113, and the FAX control auxiliary board 114 are arranged, fixed to the intermediate frame 101. The operating unit 102 is provided with an operating unit control board 102a. On the left side of the image forming apparatus A, an engine control board 63 is provided for controlling various units involved in image forming. On the vertically lower side of the left side, a paper feed drive unit 65 is located, which controls the transport from the paper feed cassette Cs1 and the sheet transport of the double-sided transport unit 25. On the vertically upper side of the left side of the image forming apparatus A, an image control board 64 is located, which is involved in the control of the image read by the image reading unit 50 and the operating unit 102.

[0027] In other words, the engine control board 63 and the image control board 64 are located outside the discharge tray 90 in a direction (arrow Y direction) that intersects with the discharge direction (arrow X direction) of the sheets discharged into the discharge tray 90. The FAX control board 113, the FAX control auxiliary board 114, and the operation unit control board 102a are located on the support unit 100 and are located on the opposite side of the discharge tray 90 from the image control board 64 in a direction (arrow Y direction) that intersects with the discharge direction (arrow X direction) of the sheets. In this embodiment, the engine control board 63 and the image control board 64 are examples of first control boards. The FAX control board 113, the FAX control auxiliary board 114, and the operation unit control board 102a are examples of second control boards. The operation unit control board 102a is also an example of a third control board.

[0028] As explained above, the components involved in image formation are located in the image forming unit 60, while additional functions such as the reading unit 50 and the FAX control board 113 are located in the support unit 100, which is above the image forming unit 60.

[0029] Figure 7 is a detailed perspective view of the support unit, Figure 8 is a detailed right side view of the support unit, Figure 9 is a detailed right side view of the support unit, and Figure 10 is a detailed perspective view of the support unit from below, showing the detailed shapes of the parts described above. As shown in Figures 7 to 10, the support unit 100 has the discharge tray 90, the pre-discharge cover 91, the operation unit 102, the FAX control board 113, and the FAX control auxiliary board 114 fixed to the intermediate frame 101. The control board 102a of the operation unit 102 and the image control board 64 are connected to the image control board 64 via a connector 110a connected to the operation unit wiring harness 110.

[0030] Figure 11 is a perspective view showing only the operation unit 102, the operation unit cable guide 111, and the operation unit cable bundle 110. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the operation unit cable bundle 110 is housed in the operation unit cable guide 111, which is fixed to the back surface of the discharge tray 90 opposite to the sheet loading surface. This allows the cable bundle to be routed from the operation unit 102 located on the right side of the device to the image control board 64 located on the left side of the device while remaining fixed to the support unit 100. Thus, the control board 102a of the operation unit 102 is provided on the support unit 100 via the operation unit 102. In this embodiment, the operation unit cable bundle 110 is an example of a connecting wire that connects the operation unit control board 102a and the image control board 64, and is also an example of another connecting wire. The operation unit cable guide 111 is an example of a holding member that holds the operation unit cable bundle 110 against the surface of the discharge tray 90 opposite to the loading surface.

[0031] Furthermore, the FAX control board 113 and the image control board 64 are connected by a FAX communication line 115. In this embodiment, the FAX communication line 115 is a flexible flat cable. The FAX communication line 115 is housed in a FAX cable bundle guide 117, which is fixed to the back side of the intermediate frame 101 opposite to the side where the image reading unit 50 is fixed. Therefore, the FAX communication line 115 is fixed to the support unit 100. By fixing the FAX communication line 115 to the support unit 100 in this way, it is possible to route a connection line from the FAX control board 113 located on the right side of the image forming apparatus A to the image control board 64 located on the left side of the image forming apparatus A.

[0032] Furthermore, the FAX control auxiliary board 114 and the image control board 64 are connected by a FAX power supply bundle 116. In this embodiment, the connection between the image control board 64 and the FAX power supply bundle 116 is made via a connector 116a. The FAX power supply bundle 116, like the FAX communication line 115, is housed in a FAX bundle guide 117 and fixed to the support unit 100. By fixing the FAX power supply bundle 116 to the support unit 100 in this way, it is possible to route a connection line from the FAX control auxiliary board 114 located on the right side of the image forming apparatus A to the image control board 64 located on the left side of the image forming apparatus A. In this embodiment, the FAX communication bundle 115 connecting the power supply control board 64 and the FAX control board 113 is an example of a connection line, and the FAX power supply bundle 116 connecting the image control board 64 and the FAX control auxiliary board 114 is an example of a connection line. Furthermore, the FAX cable guide 117 is an example of a holding member that holds the FAX communication cable 115 and the FAX power cable 116 against the side of the output tray 90 opposite to the loading surface.

[0033] The FAX control board 113 and the FAX control auxiliary board 114 are fixed to the intermediate frame 101 by screws f. The FAX control board 113 and the FAX control auxiliary board 114 are located in a position that can be exposed by removing the outer cover 1A, which forms part of the right side of the image forming apparatus A. Therefore, the screws f can be attached and detached by removing the outer cover 1A. This allows access to the screws f simply by removing the outer cover 1A, even when the support unit 100 is fixed to the image forming unit 50. Consequently, even when the support unit 100 is fixed to the image forming unit 50, the FAX control board 113 and the FAX control auxiliary board 114 can be removed by removing the screws f, the bundled communication lines 115, and the FAX power supply bundle 116. Therefore, electronic circuit boards that may need replacing due to damage, etc., can be replaced without removing them from the support unit 100, resulting in excellent maintainability. Figure 12 shows only the FAX-related circuit board bundles and bundle guides.

[0034] As described above, in this embodiment, various components positioned between the image reading unit 50 and the image forming unit 60 are integrally held and fixed as a support unit 100. This allows the output tray 90, operation unit 102, FAX board 113, FAX auxiliary board 114, operation unit wiring 110 and FAX communication wiring 115, and FAX power supply wiring 116 to be attached to and detached from the image forming unit 50 as a single unit of the support unit 100. In other words, the support unit 100 can be integrally removed from the image forming unit 50 simply by disconnecting the connectors 110a, 116a and the FAX communication line 115 from the image control board 64.

[0035] This improves accessibility to the image forming unit 60 during parts inspection and replacement, enabling the provision of a product with superior serviceability. For example, when removing the laser scanner unit 7 from the image forming unit 50, the laser scanner unit 7 can be removed from the image forming unit 50 simply by removing the support unit 100. In particular, since the support unit 100 includes some of the exterior, such as the discharge tray 90 and the pre-discharge cover 91, the time required to remove exterior parts can be reduced, saving time and improving work efficiency during maintenance.

[0036] In this embodiment, a configuration in which the laser scanner unit 7 is removed from the image forming unit for forming an image on the sheet described above is illustrated, but a configuration in which other units of the image forming unit are removed is also possible. For example, the process cartridges 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, 1Bk) may be made removable when the support unit 100 and the laser scanner unit 7 are removed.

[0037] Furthermore, the presence or absence of a fax function may vary depending on the product. For example, entry-level models may not have a fax function, while high-end models may have one. In this configuration, where all fax-related components such as the fax control board 113 are fixed to the support unit 100, the image reading unit 50 and image forming unit 60 do not have anything related to fixing fax-related components. Therefore, there is no need to manufacture the image reading unit 50 and image forming unit 60 differently depending on the product, enabling efficient production. In the case of so-called printer models that do not have an image reading unit 50, the image forming unit 60 is often the same as that of multifunction printer models, and it is desirable that the image forming unit 60 does not have fixing parts used in the multifunction printer model. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 process cartridge (1Y, 1M, 1C, 1Bk) 2 Photosensitive drums (2Y, 2M, 2C, 2Bk) 5. Primary transfer rollers (5Y, 5M, 5C, 5Bk) 7 Scanner Unit 8. Intermediate transfer belt 10 Secondary transfer opposing roller 11 Tension Roller 12 Secondary transfer roller 14 Paper feeding means 16 Registrola 20 Fixing device 22 Discharge rollers 24 Switchback Roller 25 Double-sided transport section 26 Double-sided flapper 50 Image reading unit 51 Fixed part 60 Image forming unit 61 Image forming unit drive unit 62 Power Supply Units 63 Engine control board 64 Image control board 65 Paper feed drive unit 90 Output Trays 91 Front discharge cover 100 support units 101 Intermediate Frames 102 Operation section 110 Operation unit bundle wire 111 Operating section wiring guide 113 FAX board 114 FAX auxiliary board 115 FAX communication bundle 116 Fax power bundle cable 117 FAX Cable Bundle Guide A Image forming apparatus f Screw fixing part S Seat

Claims

1. A first housing having an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, A second housing is provided above the first housing in the vertical direction and has a reading unit for reading the original image, A support unit that supports the second housing such that there is a gap between the sheet loading surface of the discharge tray and the second housing, and the second housing has an discharge tray provided above the image forming unit in the vertical direction from which the sheet on which the image formed by the image forming unit is discharged, A first control board provided in the first housing, the first control board provided outside the discharge tray in a direction intersecting the discharge direction of the sheet discharged to the discharge tray, A second control board provided in the support unit, the second control board provided on the side opposite to the first control board with respect to the discharge tray in the intersecting direction, The support unit is provided with a connecting wire that connects the first control board and the second control board, When the support unit is removed from the first housing, at least a portion of the image forming unit becomes removable. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

2. The support unit is further equipped with an operating unit that is fixed to the support unit and can be operated by the user, The second control board is provided in the operation unit and controls the operation unit. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The second control board controls the facsimile to enable transmission and reception. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

4. An operating unit fixed to the support unit and operable by the user, A third control board is provided in the operation unit and controls the operation unit, The support unit further comprises other connecting wires provided therein, which connect the first control board and the third control board. The image forming apparatus according to feature 3.

5. The image forming unit comprises a photosensitive drum and an exposure device provided vertically between the photosensitive drum and the discharge tray for exposing the photosensitive drum. The exposure apparatus, when the support unit is removed from the first housing, is removable from the first housing. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The discharge tray further comprises a holding member for holding the connecting wire on the side opposite to the sheet loading surface of the discharge tray. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The aforementioned connection line further includes a connector that is connected to the first control board. The support unit is removable from the first housing when the connector is removed from the first control board. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. The support unit is provided downstream of the discharge tray in the discharge direction and has an exterior cover that constitutes part of the exterior of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images