Image forming apparatus having overturning prevention parts

An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming apparatus main body; an image forming part provided in the image forming apparatus main body, to form an image on a recording medium; an operation part used for operation of the image forming apparatus; a support part provided on a bottom surface of the image forming apparatus main body and in contact with a mounting surface for the image forming apparatus main body to support the image forming apparatus main body; and a convex part provided on the bottom surface, the convex part being provided on the operation part side from the support part, and forming a clearance between the convex part and the mounting surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-237318 filed Oct. 22, 2010.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including: an image forming apparatus main body; an image forming part provided in the image forming apparatus main body, to form an image on a recording medium; an operation part used for operation of the image forming apparatus; a support part provided on a bottom surface of the image forming apparatus main body and in contact with a mounting surface for the image forming apparatus main body to support the image forming apparatus main body; and a convex part provided on the bottom surface, the convex part being provided on the operation part side from the support part, and forming a clearance between the convex part and the mounting surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Next, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1toFIG. 3show an image forming apparatus10according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus10has an image forming apparatus main body30. An image forming part120to form an image on a print sheet used as a recording medium and a paper feeding device160to supply the sheet to the image forming part120are provided in in the image forming apparatus main body30. Further, a conveyance passage180is formed in the image forming apparatus main body30. Further, the image forming apparatus10has a document reading device300to read a document, a discharge part400on which a print sheet on which an image has been formed is discharged, a buffer device500, an operation panel700used as an operation part for operation of the image forming apparatus10, and a data input terminal20to input image data from an external device such as a personal computer.

The image forming apparatus10forms an image on a print sheet based on image data read with the document reading device300, and forms an image on a print sheet based on image data inputted from the data input terminal20. Further, the image forming apparatus10, which is connectible to e.g. a telephone line, forms an image on a print sheet based on image data inputted via e.g. a telephone line. Further, the image forming apparatus10transmits image data read with the document reading device300via e.g. a telephone line, and transmits data inputted from the data input terminal20via e.g. a telephone line.

In the image forming apparatus main body30, a supply opening/closing part80, used as an opening/closing part opened/closed to the side of the operation panel700, is attached to a front side (left side inFIG. 2) surface. The supply opening/closing part80is attached using a hinge86so as to be opened/closed with respect to the image forming apparatus main body30. Further, an opening82is formed toward the front side is formed in the supply opening/closing part80. Further, a paper-feed opening/closing part84used as an opening/closing part opened/closed to the side of the operation panel700is attached in the image forming apparatus main body30. The paper-feed opening/closing part84is attached to the image forming apparatus main body30using the hinge86as in the case of the supply opening/closing part80. When the opening82of the supply opening/closing part80is opened/closed and the opening82is opened/closed, the front side of the image forming apparatus main body30is opened/closed.

As shown inFIG. 1, the both supply opening/closing part80and the paper-feed opening/closing part84can be closed with respect to the image forming apparatus main body30. Further, as shown inFIG. 2, the supply opening/closing part80can be closed with respect to the image forming apparatus main body30and the paper-feed opening/closing part84can be opened with respect to the image forming apparatus main body30(also seeFIG. 4). Further, the supply opening/closing part80and the paper-feed opening/closing part84can be integrally opened with respect to the image forming apparatus main body30(seeFIG. 5).

As shown inFIG. 2, a rotation center88of the supply opening/closing part80and the paper-feed opening/closing part84is positioned on the center C2side from a center C1of the operation panel700in the image forming apparatus main body30. Accordingly, in comparison with a case where the rotation center88is positioned on the opposite side to the center C2side of the image forming apparatus main body30from the center C1of the operation panel700, or a case where the rotation center88is positioned so as to overlap the center C1of the operation panel700in a vertical direction, the area of installation of the image forming apparatus10is reduced when the paper-feed opening/closing part84is opened and when the supply opening/closing part80and the paper-feed opening/closing part84are opened.

Further, in the image forming apparatus main body30, an edge39of the bottom surface38on the operation panel700side is positioned on the center C2side of the image forming apparatus main body30from the center C1of the operation panel700. Accordingly, in comparison with a case when the edge39is positioned on the opposite side to the center C2side of the image forming apparatus main body30from the center C1of the operation panel700or when the edge39is positioned to overlap the center C1of the operation panel700in the vertical direction, the area of installation of the image forming apparatus10is reduced in a status where the supply opening/closing part80and the paper-feed opening/closing part84are closed.

Further, in the image forming apparatus main body30, the area of the bottom surface38projected on a mounting surface800is smaller than the area of the upward surface34projected on a mounting surface800. Accordingly, in comparison with a case when the area of the bottom surface38projected on the mounting surface800is larger than the area of the upward surface34projected on the mounting surface800or when the area of the upward surface34projected on the mounting surface800and the area of the bottom surface38projected on the mounting surface800are the same, the area of installation of the image forming apparatus10is reduced.

The data input terminal20is arranged in e.g. a front side surface of the image forming apparatus main body30.

The image forming part120has a photoreceptor drum122used as an image holder, a charging device124to charge the surface of the photoreceptor drum122, a latent image forming device126to form a latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum122by emitting light on the surface of the photoreceptor drum122charged with the charging device124, a developing device128to develop the latent image formed with the latent image forming device126on the surface of the photoreceptor drum122using a developer, a transfer device130to transfer a developer image formed by development with the developing device128on the surface of the photoreceptor drum122to a print sheet, a cleaning device132to clean the developer remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor drum122after the transfer with the transfer device130, and a fixing device140to fix the developer image, transferred to the sheet with the transfer device130, to the sheet. A developer contained in a developer container144(seeFIG. 5) to be described later is supplied to the developing device128using a developer conveyance device (not shown).

The paper feeding device160has e.g. one sheet container162and a feed roller164to feed a sheet contained in the sheet container162. To set a print sheet in a predetermined or larger size in the sheet container162, the paper-feed opening/closing part84is opened, and when such print sheet is set, the rear end side of the print sheet protrudes from the image forming apparatus main body30, and the protruded part of the print sheet is supported with the paper-feed opening/closing part84from the lower side in the gravitational direction.

The conveyance passage180is used for conveyance of a print sheet from the paper feeding device160toward the transfer device130, and for further conveyance of the print sheet to the discharge part400. The above-described feed roller164, a conveyance roller182, a registration roller184, the above-described transfer device130, the above-described fixing device140, and a discharge roller186, are provided along the conveyance passage180sequentially from the upstream side in a print sheet conveyance direction.

The conveyance roller182conveys the print sheet toward the registration roller184. The registration roller184temporarily stops movement of the end of the print sheet conveyed toward the transfer device130, and restarts the movement of the end of the print sheet toward the transfer device130in accordance with the timing of arrival of the developer image formed on the photoreceptor drum122at the position of the transfer device130. The discharge roller186conveys the print sheet on which the developer image has been fixed with the fixing device140toward the discharge part400.

The document reading device300, having a document reading device main body302, is provided above the image forming apparatus main body30so as to form a space S between the document reading device300and the discharge part400. Further, in the document reading device300, a rear end side (right side end inFIG. 2) is attached openably/closably with respect to the image forming apparatus main body30using a hinge304. Accordingly, the document reading device300is movable between a first position shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2and a second position shown inFIG. 3. Note that the first position is a position where the document reading device300is supported with the upward surface34of the image forming apparatus main body30from a lower position. Further, the second position is a position where the space S is expanded in comparison with a case where the document reading device300is provided in the first position.

The discharge part400is provided in the upward surface34of the image forming apparatus main body30. The discharge part400has an extension part410extendible from the surface34in a frontward direction in which the print sheet is discharged. The extension part410has a first extension member414extendible from the surface34in the print sheet discharge direction and a second extension member420extendible further frontward from the first extension member414. The extension part410supports a part of a print sheet, on which an image has been formed, protruded from the surface34, from the lower side in the gravitational direction.

The buffer device500is used for absorption of an impact due to rotation operation of the document reading device300about the hinge304. The buffer device500is provided on the right side (front side inFIG. 3) of the image forming apparatus10and the left side (back side inFIG. 3) of the image forming apparatus10. InFIG. 2, the one of these buffer devices500, provided on the right side, is shown, and the buffer device provided on the left side is omitted. The buffer device500provided on the right side and the buffer device500provided on the left side have the same structure.

The buffer device500has an arm member502, a guide member510, and a coil spring560. In the arm member502, the side of an end504is attached via the guide member510to the document reading device300, and the side of other end506is rotatably attached to the image forming apparatus main body30. Further, the arm member502supports the document reading device300provided in the second position from a lower position. The guide member510which is a member to guide the arm member502is provided in the document reading device300. The coil spring560is used as a pressing member to press the arm member502.

The operation panel700, having a push member pushed upon input of e.g. a destination facsimile transmission number, a push member pushed when starting image formation, and the like, is provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus10. Further, the operation panel700is integrated with the document reading device300. The operation panel700moves between the first position and the second position integrally with the document reading device300.

FIG. 4shows the image forming apparatus10when the supply opening/closing part80is closed with respect to the image forming apparatus main body30and the paper-feed opening/closing part84is opened with respect to the image forming apparatus main body30. In this status, a print sheet is supplied on an upward surface of the paper-feed opening/closing part84.

FIG. 5shows a status where the supply opening/closing part80and the paper-feed opening/closing part84are integrally opened with respect to the image forming apparatus main body30. A removable part32to/from which the developer container144is attached/removed is formed in a front side surface36of the image forming apparatus main body30exposed upon opening of the supply opening/closing part80and the paper-feed opening/closing part84. When a new developer container144containing a sufficient amount of developer is attached to the removable part32, the developer is supplied to the image forming apparatus10. As described above, the developer such as toner contained in the developer container144is conveyed to the developing device128(seeFIG. 2).

FIG. 6shows the image forming apparatus main body30. As shown inFIG. 6, the image forming apparatus main body30has a main body frame40used as an attachment part to which the image forming part120is attached and an exterior cover50used as an exterior part arranged to cover the main body frame40.

The main body frame40has e.g. a pair of opposite plate members of e.g. a metal material. Further, the photoreceptor drum122, the charging device124, the developing device128, the transfer device130, the cleaning device132and the fixing device140as constituent members of the image forming part120are attached to the main body frame40. Further, the paper feeding device160, the conveyance roller182, the registration roller184and the discharge roller186are attached to the main body frame40. Further, a drive source (not shown) such as a motor to drive the photoreceptor drum122or the like and a drive transmission mechanism (not shown) such as a gear array to transmit driving from the drive source to e.g. the photoreceptor drum122, are attached to the main body frame40.

Further, a support projection42is provided on the main body frame40. The support projection42is provided on the bottom surface38of the image forming apparatus main body30and is used as a support part in contact with the mounting surface800to support the image forming apparatus main body30. As the support projection42, an elastic member of e.g. rubber is attached to the main body frame40.

The exterior cover50which is made of e.g. resin is fixed to the main body frame40using e.g. a screw. Further, the exterior cover50supports the document reading device300and the operation panel700from the lower side in the gravitational direction. Further, the exterior cover50has a first convex part52and a second convex part54. The first convex part52is used as a convex part formed on the bottom surface38of the image forming apparatus main body30.

It may be arranged such that the first convex part52and the second convex part54are integrally formed with the exterior cover50or other members are attached to the exterior cover50. When other members are attached to the exterior cover50, elastic members of e.g. rubber may be used. Further, it may be arranged such that as the first convex part52and the second convex part54, convex parts are integrally formed with the exterior cover50and other members are attached to the convex parts.

As shown inFIG. 6, the first convex part52is positioned on the operation panel700side from the image forming part120.

As shown inFIG. 6, in a status where the image forming apparatus10is mounted on the mounting surface800and the respective support projections42are in contact with the mounting surface800, the second convex part54forms a clearance L between the second convex part54and the mounting surface800. Accordingly, in a normal status, the second convex part54is away from the mounting surface800. On the other hand, when a force is applied to the rear side of the image forming apparatus main body30due to e.g. movement of the document reading device300with great force from the first position to the second position and the image forming apparatus main body30is inclined rearward, the second convex part54comes into contact with the mounting surface800. Then, when the second convex part54is in contact with the mounting surface800, the image forming apparatus main body30is prevented from being further inclined rearward from that status, thus overturning due to rearward inclination is prevented.

FIG. 7shows the document reading device300. As described above, the document reading device300has the document reading device main body302, and the guide member510of the buffer device500positioned on the right side and the guide member510of the buffer device500positioned on the left side are attached to a downward surface of the document reading device main body302. Further, the document reading device300has a platen member312of a light-transmitting material on which a document D is placed. Further, a platen cover322openable/closable with respect to the document reading device main body302is attached to the document reading device main body302.

A reading part330to emit light to a document and read the document based on light reflected from the document is attached in the document reading device main body302. The reading part330has a light source342, a lens344and a photoelectric conversion element346. The light source342emits light to the document D, reflected light is collected with the lens344, and the collected light is received with the photoelectric conversion element346and is converted into a signal.

FIG. 8shows the bottom surface38of the image forming apparatus main body30.FIG. 9shows an enlarged view in the vicinity of the first convex part52of the image forming apparatus main body30. As shown inFIG. 8, the above-described support projection42is provided in four positions of the main body frame40. Further, as shown inFIG. 8, the above-described first convex part52is provided in two positions of the exterior cover50. Hereinbelow, to distinguish the two first convex parts52from each other, the first convex part52positioned on the right side (upper side inFIG. 8) is referred to as a first convex part52R, while the first convex part52positioned on the left side (lower side inFIG. 8), as a first convex part52L. Further, as shown inFIG. 8, the above-described second convex part54is provided in two positions of the exterior cover50. Hereinbelow, to distinguish the two second convex parts54from each other, the second convex part54positioned on the right side is referred to as a second convex part54R, while the second convex part54positioned on the left side is referred to as a second convex part54L.

As shown inFIG. 8, the first convex part52is provided on the operation panel700(seeFIG. 1) side and on the front side (left side inFIG. 8) from the respective four support projections42. Further, the first convex part52R is positioned on the right side from any of the support projections42, and the first convex part52L is positioned on the left side from the any of the support projections42. In this manner, any one of the first convex parts52is positioned on the outer side from the support projections42in the lengthwise direction of the operation panel700. Further, the second convex parts54are provided on the hinge304(seeFIG. 2) side and the rear side (right side inFIG. 8) from the respective four support projections42. Further, the second convex part54R is positioned on the right side from any of the support projections42and the second convex part54L is positioned on the left side from any of the support projections42. In this manner, any of the second convex parts54is positioned on the outer side from the support projections42in the lengthwise direction of the operation panel700.

In this manner, since any of the second convex parts54is positioned on the outer side from the support projections42in the lengthwise direction of the operation panel700, when the image forming apparatus main body30is inclined to the right side, the second convex part54R comes into contact with the mounting surface800. Then, when the second convex part54R is in contact with the mounting surface800, the image forming apparatus main body30is hardly inclined rightward from that status, and overturning due to rightward inclination is prevented. Further, when the image forming apparatus main body30is inclined to the left side, the second convex part54L comes into contact with the mounting surface800. Then when the second convex part54L is in contact with the mounting surface800, the image forming apparatus main body30is hardly inclined leftward from that status, and overturning due to leftward inclination is prevented.

As shown inFIG. 9, in a status where the image forming apparatus10is mounted on the mounting surface800and the respective support projections42are in contact with the mounting surface800, the first convex part52forms a clearance L between the first convex part52and the mounting surface800. The clearance L is e.g. 0.5 mm. Since the clearance L is formed, in a normal status, the first convex part52is away from the mounting surface800. On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus main body30is inclined frontward as indicated with an arrow inFIG. 9due to e.g. application of a downward force to the operation panel700for operation of the operation panel700(seeFIG. 1), the first convex part52comes into contact with the mounting surface800. When the first convex part52is in contact with the mounting surface800, the image forming apparatus main body30is hardly inclined frontward from that status, thus overturning due to frontward inclination is prevented.

Further, as described above, any of the first convex parts52is provided on the outer side from the support projections42in the lengthwise direction of the operation panel700. Accordingly, when the image forming apparatus main body30is inclined to the right side due to e.g. application of a downward force to the operation panel700, the first convex part52R comes into contact with the mounting surface800. Then, when the first convex part52R is in contact with the mounting surface800, the image forming apparatus main body30is hardly inclined rightward from that status, thus overturning due to rightward inclination is prevented. Further, when the image forming apparatus main body30is inclined to the left side, the first convex part52L comes into contact with the mounting surface800. Then, when the first convex part52L is in contact with the mounting surface800, the image forming apparatus main body30is hardly inclined leftward from that status, and overturning due to leftward inclination is prevented.

As described above, the present invention is applicable to an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a facsimile machine and a printer.