Image forming apparatus with opening and closing door

An apparatus includes a device that includes a driving source, an opening and closing door that is opened and closed by rotational operation about a rotating shaft with respect to a body of the apparatus, and an elastic part that is provided at the body of the apparatus, that is elastically deformed by contact with a first portion of a part of the opening and closing door on the side of the rotating shaft and blocks a gap between the first portion and the body of the apparatus when the opening and closing door is closed, and that is elastically deformed by contact with a second portion of the opening and closing door that is different from the first portion when the opening and closing door is opened.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-247429 filed Nov. 9, 2012.

BACKGROUND

(i) Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus with an opening and closing door.

(ii) Related Art

In the related art, in apparatuses, such as an image forming apparatus, for example, the technique of reducing sound leakage during an operation is already suggested.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus including a device that includes a driving source, an opening and closing door that is opened and closed by rotational operation about a rotating shaft with respect to a body of the apparatus, and an elastic part that is provided at the body of the apparatus, that is elastically deformed by contact with a first portion of apart of the opening and closing door on the side of the rotating shaft and blocks a gap between the first portion and the body of the apparatus when the opening and closing door is closed, and that is elastically deformed by contact with a second portion of the opening and closing door that is different from the first portion when the opening and closing door is opened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2show an image forming apparatus as an example of an apparatus related to the Exemplary Embodiment 1.FIG. 1shows the outline of the overall image forming apparatus, andFIG. 2shows main parts (image forming devices and the like) in the image forming apparatus in an enlarged manner.

Configuration of Overall Image Forming Apparatus

The image forming apparatus1related to Exemplary Embodiment 1 is constituted as, for example, a color printer. The image forming apparatus1includes plural image forming devices10as image forming units that form toner images developed with toners that constitute developers4, an intermediate transfer device20that holds the toner images formed by the respective image forming devices10, respectively, and finally transports the toner images to a secondary transfer position where the toner images are secondarily transferred to recording sheet5as an example of a recording medium, a sheet feeder50that accommodates and transports the required recording sheet5to be supplied to the secondary transfer position of the intermediate transfer device20, a fixing device40that fixes the toner images on the recording sheet5secondarily transferred by the intermediate transfer device20, and motors as driving sources that drive these.

The image forming apparatus1may be constituted as for example, a color copying machine in a case where an image input device (not shown) that inputs an original image to be formed on the recording sheet5is added and provided.1ain the drawing represents a body of the image forming apparatus, and the body1ais formed by a supporting structure member, an outer cover, or the like.

The image forming devices10are constituted by four image forming devices10Y,10M,10C, and10K that exclusively form toner images in four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively. The four image forming devices10(Y, M, C, and K) are arranged so as to line up in a row in an internal space of the body1a.

Each image forming device10(Y, M, C, or K), as shown inFIG. 1orFIG. 2, has a rotating photoconductor drum11, and the following respective devices are mainly arranged around the photoconductor drum11. The main devices are a charging device12that charges the peripheral surface (image holding surface), on which an image may be formed, of the photoconductor drum11with a required potential, an exposure device13that irradiates the charged peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum11with light based on information on an image (signal) to form an electrostatic latent image (for each color) with a potential difference, a developing device14(Y, M, C, or K) that develops the electrostatic latent image with a toner of a developer4in a corresponding color (Y, M, C, or K) to form a toner image, a primary transfer device15that transfers each toner image to the intermediate transfer device20, a drum cleaning device16that removes and cleans adhering matter adhering to the surface of the photoconductor drum11, and the like.

The photoconductor drum11is provided by forming an image holding surface having a photoconductive layer (photosensitive layer) made of a photosensitive material on the peripheral surface of a cylindrical or columnar base material that is subjected to grounding treatment. The photoconductor drum11is supported so as to have power transmitted thereto from a rotation drive unit (not shown) and to rotate in a direction shown by arrow A.

The charging device12is constituted by a contact type charging device, such as a charging roll, which is arranged in contact with the photoconductor drum11. The charging device12supplies a charging voltage to the charging roll. In a case where the developing device14is one that performs reversal development, as the charging voltage, the same polarity of voltage or current as the charging polarity of a toner supplied from the developing device14is supplied.

The exposure device13includes an LED array in which LED elements are arrayed along an axial direction of the photoconductor drum11, and is one that irradiates the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum11after being charged with a light beam configured according to information on an image input to the image forming apparatus1, and forms an electrostatic latent image. Image information is input to a controller C of the image forming apparatus1from an external image information transmission device PC. This image information is converted into image information of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) and is transmitted to the exposure device13via a drive unit DL when a latent image is formed.

All the developing devices14(Y, M, C, and K), as shown inFIG. 2, are configured by arranging a developing roll141that holds a developer4inside a housing140in which an opening portion and an storage chamber of the developer4are formed, and transports the developer to a developing region that faces the photoconductor drum11, agitating and transporting members142and143, such as two screw augers, which transport the developer4while agitating the developer4so as to cause the developer to pass through the developing roll141, a layer thickness regulating member (not shown) that regulates the amount (layer thickness) of the developer held by the developing roll141, and the like. A development voltage is supplied from a power unit E to between the developing roll141and the photoconductor drum11in the developing device14. Additionally, the developing roll141or the agitating and transporting members142and143have the power from the rotation drive unit (not shown) transmitted thereto and rotate in a required direction. Moreover, as the above four color developers4(Y, M, C, and K), two-component developers each containing a nonmagnetic toner and a magnetic carrier are used.

The primary transfer device15is a contact type transfer device including a primary transfer roll that rotates in contact with the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum11and has a primary transfer voltage supplied thereto. As the primary transfer voltage, a direct-current voltage that shows polarity reverse to the charging polarity of a toner is supplied from the power unit E.

The drum cleaning device16, as shown inFIG. 2, is constituted by a container-shaped body160of which a portion opens, a cleaning plate161that is arranged so as to come into contact with the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum11after primary transfer with a required pressure, and removes and cleans adhering matter, such as residual toner, a rotary brush roll162that is arranged so as to rotate in contact with the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum11, further toward the upstream side in the rotational direction of the photoconductor drum11than the cleaning plate161, a delivery member163, such as a screw auger, that recovers adhering matter, such as toner removed by the cleaning plate161and transports to deliver the adhering matter to a recovery system (not shown), and the like. As the cleaning plate161, a plate-shaped member (for example, blade) made of materials, such as rubber, is used.

The intermediate transfer device20, as shown inFIG. 1, is arranged so as to be present at positions above the respective image forming devices10(Y, M, C, and K). The intermediate transfer device20is mainly constituted by the intermediate transfer belt21as an image holding belt that rotates in a direction shown by an arrow B while passing through the primary transfer position between the photoconductor drum11and the primary transfer device15(primary transfer roll), plural belt supporting rolls22to26that hold and rotatably support the intermediate transfer belt21in a desired state from the inner surface thereof, a secondary transfer device30that is arranged on the outer peripheral surface (image holding surface) side of the intermediate transfer belt21supported by the belt supporting roll24, and secondarily transfers toner images on the intermediate transfer belt21to the recording sheet5, and the belt cleaning device28that removes and cleans adhering matter, such as toner and paper debris, which remains on and adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt21after passing through the secondary transfer device30.

As the intermediate transfer belt21, for example, an endless belt made of a material in which a resistance adjusting agent, such as carbon black, is dispersed in a synthetic resin, such as polyimide resin or polyamide resin, is used. Additionally, the belt supporting roll22is constituted as a driving roll, the belt supporting rolls23and26are constituted as driven rolls that hold the traveling position or the like of the intermediate transfer belt21, the belt supporting roll25is constituted as a tensioning roll, and the belt supporting roll24is constituted as a secondary transfer back-up roll.

The secondary transfer device30, as shown inFIG. 1, is constituted by a secondary transfer roll31that makes contact at a secondary transfer position that is an outer peripheral surface portion of the intermediate transfer belt21supported by the belt supporting roll26in the intermediate transfer device20. Additionally, a direct-current voltage that shows a polarity reverse to or the same polarity as the charging polarity of a toner is supplied as a secondary transfer voltage to the secondary transfer roll31of the secondary transfer device30or the supporting roll24of the intermediate transfer device20.

The fixing device40is configured by arranging, inside a housing41formed with an introduction port and an ejection port for the recording sheet5, a roll-shaped heating rotary member42heated by a heating unit so as to rotate in a direction shown by an arrow and so that the surface temperature thereof is maintained at a predetermined temperature, a roll-shaped pressurizing rotary member43that rotates to follow the heating rotary member42in contact with the heating rotary member with a predetermined pressure substantially along the axial direction of the heating rotary member, and the like. In the fixing device40, a contact portion where the heating rotary member42and the pressurizing rotary member43come into contact with each other becomes a fixing processing part that performs a required fixing process (heating and pressurization).

The sheet feeder50is arranged so as to be present at a position below the image forming devices10. The sheet feeder50is mainly constituted by single (or plural) sheet accommodation members511to514that accommodate the recording sheet5of desired sizes, types, or the like, in a stacked state and a delivery device52that delivers the recording sheet5sheet by sheet from the sheet accommodation members511to514. The sheet accommodation member51is attached, for example, so as to be able to be pulled out to the front surface (side surface that a user faces at the time of operation) side of the body1a.

A sheet feeding and transporting device59as a transporting unit that is constituted by plural sheet transporting roll pairs54to58and a transporting and guiding member that transport the recording sheet5, which is separated and delivered sheet by sheet by a sending-out roll and a separation pad as the delivery device52that delivers from the sheet feeder50, to the secondary transfer position, is provided between the sheet feeder50and the secondary transfer device30. The sheet transporting roll pair58arranged at a position immediately before the secondary transfer position in the sheet feeding and transporting device59is constituted as, for example, rolls (registration rolls) that adjust the transporting timing of the recording sheet5to adjust the position of the recording sheet5that reaches the secondary transfer position consequently.

A sheet ejection path61along which the recording sheet5is transported to a sheet ejection tray60, and an upper connection path62as a transporting path along which the recording sheet5that is ejected in a reversed manner or with its image recording surface turned upward is transported are arranged on the upper side that is the downstream side in the transporting direction of the fixing device40. A first gate63that switches a transporting path according to a transporting destination of the recording sheet5is arranged at a connecting portion between the sheet ejection path61and the upper connection path62. Accordingly, in a case where a sheet is ejected to the ejection tray60, the recording sheet5subjected to the fixing process is transported along the sheet ejection path61, and is ejected to the sheet ejection tray60by a sheet ejection roll64.

An optional ejection unit65as an additional medium ejection device is supported above the fixing device40, and the optional ejection unit65has a face-down tray66that is arranged above the sheet ejection tray60and has the recording sheet stacked thereon with its image recording surface turned downward, similar to the sheet ejection tray60, and a face-up tray67that has the recording sheets stacked thereon with its image recording surface turned upward. A reversal/ejection common path68as a transporting path that is connected to the upper connection path62, a face-down ejection path69that is connected to the reversal/ejection common path68and sends the recording sheet5to the face-down tray66, and a face-up transporting path70that is connected to the reversal/ejection common path68and sends the recording sheet5to the face-up tray67are provided inside the optional ejection unit65. A second gate71that switches a transporting path according to a transporting destination of the recording sheet5is arranged at a connecting portion between the face-down ejection path69and the face-up transporting path70. Accordingly, in a case where a sheet is ejected to the face-down tray66, the recording sheet5subjected to the fixing processing is transported along the face-down ejection path69, and is ejected to the face-down tray66by a sheet ejection roll69a. Accordingly, in a case where a sheet is ejected to the face-up tray67, the recording sheet5subjected to the fixing processing is transported along the face-up ejection path70, and is ejected to the face-up tray67by a sheet ejection roll70a.

Additionally, a reversal unit72as an additional unit is installed at a left portion of the image forming apparatus body1a. A reversal transporting path73is formed along a vertical direction in the reversal unit72, and reversal rolls74,75, and76that transport the recording sheet5downward are arranged at the reversal transporting path73. An upper end portion of the reversal transporting path73is connected to an upper end portion of the upper connection path62via an upper transporting path77, and a transporting roll78is arranged at a connection position between the upper transporting path77and the upper connection path62. Additionally, a third gate79that switches a transporting path according to a transporting destination of the recording sheet5transported downward from the reversal/ejection common path68to the transporting roll78is arranged at a connecting portion between the upper transporting path77and the upper connection path62. Additionally, a lower end portion of the reversal transporting path73is connected to the registration roll58via a lower transporting path80.

The reversal unit72transports the recording sheet5, which has an image formed on one surface thereof, to the face-down ejection path69, and when the recording sheet is ejected to the face-down tray66by the ejection roll69a, the reversal unit reverses the ejection roll69ain a state where the ejection roll69apinches the rear end of the recording sheet5, introduces the recording sheet5via the face-down ejection path69and the reversal/ejection common path68to the upper transporting path77by changing the transporting direction by the transporting roll78by the switching of the third gate79, and transports the recording sheet to the registration roll58in a state where the back and front of the recording sheet is reversed via the reversal transporting path73and the lower transporting path80.

Moreover, a manual sheet feeder90is mounted outside a lower end portion of the reversal unit72at the left portion of the image forming apparatus body1a. The recording sheet5installed in the manual sheet feeder90is fed by a manual feed roll91, and is transported to the registration roll58via a manual transporting path92.

In addition, reference numerals84Y,84M,84C, and84K inFIG. 1represent toner cartridges that contain toners in yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K).

Operation of Overall and Main Parts of Image Forming Apparatus

A basic image forming operation using the image forming apparatus1will be described below.

Here, an image forming operation when a full color image is configured by combining toner images in four colors (Y, M, C, and K) using the four image forming devices10(Y, M, C, and K) will be representatively described.

If the image forming apparatus1receives command information on a request for an image forming operation (printing), the four image forming devices10(Y, M, C, and K), the intermediate transfer device20, the secondary transfer device30, the fixing device40, and the like start.

Then, in the image forming devices10(Y, M, C, and K), the respective photoconductor drums11first rotate in the direction shown by arrow A, and the charging devices12charge the surfaces of the respective photoconductor drums11with required polarity (negative polarity in Exemplary Embodiment 1) and potential, respectively. Subsequently, the exposure devices13irradiate the surfaces of the photoconductor drums11after the charging with light that is emitted on the basis of signals of an image obtained by converting information on the image input to the image forming apparatus1into respective color components (Y, M, C, and K), and form electrostatic latent images of the respective color components configured with a required potential difference on the surfaces of the photoconductor drums.

Subsequently, the respective developing devices14(Y, M, C, and K) supply corresponding toners in colors (Y, M, C, and K) charged with a required polarity (negative polarity) to the electrostatic latent images of the respective color components formed on the photoconductor drums11from the developing rolls141, respectively, and cause the toners to adhere to the photoconductor drums electrostatically, thereby performing development. The electrostatic latent images of the respective color components formed on the respective photoconductor drums11are visualized as toner images in four colors (Y, M, C, and K) developed with corresponding color toners, respectively, by this development.

Subsequently, if the toner images in the respective colors formed on the photoconductor drums11of the respective image forming devices10(Y, M, C, and K) are transported to the primary transfer positions, the primary transfer devices15primarily transfer the toner images in the respective colors to the intermediate transfer belt21that rotates in the direction shown by arrow B of the intermediate transfer device20so that the toner images overlap each other in order.

Additionally, in the respective image forming devices10that have completed the primary transfer, the drum cleaning devices16clean to scrape off the adhering matter on the surfaces of the photoconductor drums11. Thereby, the respective image forming devices10are brought into a state where the next image forming operation is possible.

Subsequently, in the intermediate transfer device20, the toner images primarily transferred by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt21are held, and are transported to the secondary transfer position. On the other hand, in the sheet feeder50, a sheet of required recording sheet5is delivered to the sheet feeding and transporting device59in accordance with an image forming operation. In the sheet feeding and transporting device59, the sheet transporting roll pair58as the registration roll delivers and supplies the recording sheet5to the secondary transfer position in accordance with transfer timing.

In the secondary transfer position, the secondary transfer device30collectively and secondarily transfers the toner images on the intermediate transfer belt21to the recording sheet5. Additionally, in the intermediate transfer device20that has completed the secondary transfer, the belt cleaning device28removes and cleans adhering matter, such as toner that remains on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt21after the secondary transfer.

Subsequently, the recording sheet5to which the toner images are secondarily transferred is peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt21and the secondary transfer roll31, and then transported to the fixing device40. In the fixing device40, required fixing processing (heating and pressurization) is performed to cause unfixed toner images to be fixed on the sheet5by introducing the recording sheet5after the secondary transfer into the contact portion between the rotating heating rotary member42and the pressurizing rotary member43to pass the recording sheet through the contact portion. Finally, the recording sheet5after the fixing is completed is ejected, for example, toward the face-down tray60installed in the upper part of the housing1a, for example, by the sheet ejection roll64at the time of an image forming operation of only forming the images to one surface of the recording sheet.

The recording sheet5on which a full color image configured by combining the toner images in four colors are formed is output through the above operation.

Configuration of Characterizing Portion of Image Forming Apparatus

Incidentally, in this exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 1, a lower part of the reversal unit72of the left surface of the image forming apparatus body1ais mounted with the manual sheet feeder90. In a case where the image forming apparatus body1ais not equipped with the reversal unit72, the left surface of the image forming apparatus body1ais equipped with the direct manual sheet feeder90. The manual sheet feeder90, as shown inFIG. 3, includes a manual feed tray (sheet tray)94as an opening and closing door that is foldably provided so as to be stored in the left surface of the image forming apparatus body1a(the reversal unit72in the exemplary embodiment) in an upwardly erected state. The manual feed tray94, as shown inFIG. 4, includes a manual feed tray body95, and an extension tray96that is attached to the manual feed tray body95so as to be movable along a sheet feed direction.

An insertion port97into which the tip of the recording sheet5installed in the manual feed tray body95opens in the above image forming apparatus body1a, and as shown inFIG. 1, the manual feed roll91as a sheet feed unit that feeds the recording sheet5inserted into the insertion port97in a state where the recording sheet is separated sheet by sheet is provided inside the image forming apparatus body1a.

Additionally, as shown inFIG. 4, side walls98and98are integrally provided at both ends of the above manual feed tray body95in the direction intersecting the sheet feed direction, and side guides99and99, which guide both ends of the recording sheet5arranged in the state of being placed on the upper surface of the manual feed tray body95according to the width of the recording sheet5, are attached to the insides of both the side walls98and98so as to be movable in the direction intersecting the sheet feed direction. The above manual feed tray body95is configured so that the recording sheet5is fed with a central portion in the direction intersecting the sheet feed direction as a reference. In addition, inFIG. 5, reference numeral100represents guide grooves that guide the side guides99and99.

Additionally, as shown inFIG. 4, the extension tray96is mounted on the lower surface of the above manual feed tray body95so as to be movable via guide grooves98aand98aprovided in the outer surfaces of the side walls98and98. In a case where a large size atypical recording sheet5, such as an extended size A3 sheet that is slightly larger than a recording sheet of a typical A3 size is fed by the manual sheet feeder90, the extension tray96may be pulled out from the manual feed tray body95so as to hold the large size atypical recording sheet5or the like. The above extension tray96is formed in the shape of a plate, and is integrally provided in a state where the side walls101and101are erected from both ends of the extension tray in the direction intersecting the sheet feed direction.

The above manual feed tray body95, as shown inFIG. 5, has a base end portion95aattached to the image forming apparatus body1aso as to be openable and closable about a rotating shaft102that is arranged along the horizontal direction, and is adapted to be openable and closable between a storage state where the manual feed tray body is erected so as to become substantially parallel to the side surface of the image forming apparatus body1a, and a usage state where the manual feed tray body is substantially horizontally opened so as to intersect the side surface of the image forming apparatus body1aabout at 90 degrees with respect to the side surface.

An end portion103of the apparatus body1ais provided at the body1aof the image forming apparatus1so as to face an end portion95aof the manual feed tray body95on the rotating shaft side via a gap G. An inclined surface104that inclines toward the outside of the image forming apparatus body1ais formed at a position that faces the end portion of the manual feed tray body95in the end portion103of the apparatus body1a, and an elastic member105as an elastic part with a rectangular cross-section that is made of a soft elastic body, such as urethane foam or silicone rubber, is attached to the inclined surface104by means of bonding or the like using double-sided tape106. The elastic member105is provided over the whole width of the manual feed tray body95along a direction vertical to the drawing. Although the above inclined surface104is formed in an inclined state toward the outside of the image forming apparatus body1a, the inclined surface is covered with the lower end portion96aas a first portion of the extension tray96that has moved downward in a state where the manual feed tray94is stored.

Additionally, an inclined surface107is provided at a position corresponding to the inclined surface104on the image forming apparatus body1aside, at the end portion95aas a second portion that is different from the first portion of the manual feed tray body95on the rotating shaft side in the storage state, in the manual feed tray body95. The inclined surface107becomes substantially parallel to the inclined surface104on the image forming apparatus body1aside in a state where the manual feed tray body95is opened, and is brought into a state where the elastic member105is pressed by the inclined surface107and the inclined surface104.

Operation of Characterizing Portion of Image Forming Apparatus

In the image forming apparatus related to this exemplary embodiment, it is possible to suppress leakage of sound from a gap of an opening and closing member and an occurrence of an impact sound at the time of operation, using a single member, as follows.

That is, in the image forming apparatus1related to this exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 3, the manual feed tray94is stored in a state where the manual feed tray is erected and closed along the side surface of the image forming apparatus body1awhen the manual sheet feeder90is not used. In this state, as shown inFIG. 5, the extension tray96of the manual sheet feeder90is brought into a state where the extension tray has moved downward due to its own weight, and lower end portion96aof the extension tray96comes into contact with the elastic member105on the image forming apparatus body1aside, and blocks the gap G formed between the manual feed tray body95and the image forming apparatus body1.

Therefore, when the manual sheet feeder90is not used, the gap G formed between the manual feed tray90and the image forming apparatus body1ais blocked by the elastic member105that has elastically deformed, and this prevents or keeps the operating sound of the image forming apparatus1from leaking to the outside from the gap G between the manual sheet feeder90and the image forming apparatus body1a.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 6, when the manual sheet feeder90is used, the manual feed tray95is rotated by about 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction from the side surface of the image forming apparatus body1a, and brings the manual feed tray95into an opened state. In that case, the inclined surface107of the manual feed tray body95formed on the rotating shaft side is brought into a state where the inclined surface is brought into pressure contact with the elastic member105provided at the end portion103of the image forming apparatus body1a. Therefore, when the manual feed tray body95is opened for use, a situation in which the inclined surface107of the manual feed tray body95comes into contact with the inclined surface104provided at the end portion103of the image forming apparatus body1a, and generation of an impact sound may be suppressed and prevented.

Additionally, in this exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 5, the elastic member105is attached to the inclined surface104provided at the end portion on the image forming apparatus body1aside. Therefore, even in a case where the elastic member has received a pressing force by the lower end portion96aof the extension tray96, a pressing force caused by the extension tray96acts as a force that presses the elastic member105against the inclined surface104as a component force according to the angle of the inclined surface104, the elastic member105is not easily peeled off, and durability is improved.

Additionally, in this exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 6, the inclined surface107of the manual feed tray body95and the inclined surface104provided at the end portion103of the image forming apparatus body1aface each other substantially parallel to each other in a state where the manual feed tray body95is opened. Therefore, the elastic member105substantially receives all the pressing forces from the inclined surface107of the manual feed tray body95. As a result, a high shock-absorbing effect may be expected.

FIG. 7shows the outline of an image forming apparatus related to Exemplary Embodiment 2 of the invention, and the same portions as those of Exemplary Embodiment 1 will be designated and described by the same reference numerals. The image forming apparatus1related to Exemplary Embodiment 2 is constituted as, for example, a printer, and is one that forms an image on the basis of image information input from the outside, and lastly forms the image on the recording sheet5as a material to be recorded.

Configuration of Overall Image Forming Apparatus

The image forming apparatus1includes the body1aof which the external shape is a substantially cubical box shape, and the following devices to be driven by a driving source are mainly arranged in the internal space of the body1a. That is, the plural image forming devices10that form toner images configured with toners (powders subjected to coloring or the like) as developers on the basis of input image information, the belt type intermediate transfer device20that holds the toner images formed by the respective image forming devices10, respectively, and finally secondarily transfers the toner images to the recording sheet5, the sheet feeder50that accommodates and transports a required recording sheet5to be supplied to the secondary transfer position of the intermediate transfer device20, the fixing device40that causes the recording sheet5, to which the toner images are secondarily transferred by the intermediate transfer device20, to pass therethrough, and perform fixing of the toner images, and the like are arranged in the internal space of the body1a. As for the image forming devices10, the intermediate transfer device20, the sheet feeder50, and the fixing device40, the sheet feeder50is arranged in the lowermost part of the internal space of the body1a, while the remaining image forming devices10, intermediate transfer device20, and fixing device40have the positional relationship of being arranged in a stacked state in that order in the internal space of the body1alocated above the sheet feeder50.

The body1ais a structure formed using various shapes of supporting members that constitute a framework portion of the image forming apparatus1, and an outer cover that finally covers the framework portion and the like from the outside. An upper surface portion of the body1ais formed with an ejection and accommodation section60that ejects and accommodates the recording sheet5on which an image is formed. The ejection and accommodation section60has an inclined surface portion60a, and a horizontal surface portion60bthat continues from the inclined surface portion60aand an upper end portion of the inclined surface portion60a, and the recording sheet5after image formation is accommodated so as to be sequentially stacked on the inclined surface portion60aand the horizontal surface portion60b. Additionally, a sheet ejection port64ato which the recording sheet5after image formation is ejected is formed in a wall surface portion of the body1athat rises upward from a lower end portion of the inclined surface portion60bof the ejection and accommodation section60.

The image forming devices10are constituted by four image forming devices (10Y,10M,10C, and10K) that exclusively form toner images in four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The four image forming devices10(Y, M, C, and K) include substantially common components as shown below, and are arranged so as to line up in series between the intermediate transfer device20and the sheet feeder50.

Each image forming device10(Y, M, C, or K) has a rotating photoconductor drum11, and the following respective devices are arranged around the photoconductor drum11. The peripheral devices are a charging device12that charges an image holding surface (a surface portion that holds a toner image) of the photoconductor drum11with a required potential, an exposure device13that irradiates the charged image holding surface of the photoconductor drum11with light based on image information (signal) to form an electrostatic latent image (for each color) with a potential difference, a developing device14that develops the electrostatic latent image with a toner in a corresponding color (Y, M, C, or K) to form a toner image which is a visible image, a primary transfer device15that transfers the toner image to (the intermediate transfer belt21of) the intermediate transfer device20, and a cleaning device16that scrapes off and cleans adhering matter, such as toner remaining and adhering to the image holding surface of the photoconductor drum11after the transfer.

The photoconductor drum11is provided by forming an image holding surface having a photoconductive layer (photosensitive layer) made of a photosensitive material on the peripheral surface of a cylindrical or columnar base material that is subjected to grounding treatment, and is supported by a supporting member of the body1aso as to receive the power from a rotation drive unit (not shown) and rotates in a direction shown by an arrow. As the charging device12, a contact type charging device including a contact member, such as a charging roll that is arranged in contact with the image holding surface of the photoconductor drum11and has a charging voltage applied thereto, is adopted. In a case where the developing device14is one that performs reversal development, as the charging voltage, the same polarity of voltage as the charging polarity of a toner supplied from the developing device is applied.

The exposure device13is configured so as to be collected in one housing with respect to the four image forming devices10(Y, M, C, and K), and individually emit light components corresponding to the photoconductor drums11of the respective image forming devices10, and is arranged below the four developing devices14. As the exposure device13, a laser beam scan type exposure device is used.

The developing device14has a developer storage part that stores a developer (for example, a two-component developer containing a nonmagnetic toner and a magnetic carrier) in any one color of the above four colors (Y, M, C, and K), and has a developing roll141that holds the developer stored in the developer storage part while rotating the developer and transports the developer to a developing region that faces the photoconductor drum11, and agitating and transporting members142and143that rotates the stored developer while agitating the developer, and transports the developer to the developing roll141. Additionally, in the developing device14, a development voltage including a direct-current component on which an alternating-current component is superimposed is applied to the developing roll141, and the developing roll141and the agitating and transporting members142and143are rotated in a required direction. The toner of the developer is agitated within the developer storage part by the agitating and transporting members142and143, and thereby frictionally charged with a required polarity (a negative polarity in the exemplary embodiment) by rubbing against the carrier. Moreover, the developing device14is replenished with a developer (a developer containing only a toner and a developer containing a toner and a carrier) in a required color from the developer cartridge84(Y, M, C, or K) according to the consumption amount of the developer.

As the primary transfer device15, a contact type transfer device including a primary transfer roll that rotates in contact with the image holding surface of the photoconductor drum11via the intermediate transfer belt21, and has a primary transfer voltage applied thereto is used. In the primary transfer device15, a voltage (a direct-current voltage having a polarity reverse to the charging polarity of a toner) of a direct-current component is applied to the primary transfer roll as the primary transfer voltage. Incidentally, the primary transfer roll of the primary transfer device15is supported on the supporting member side of the intermediate transfer device20.

The intermediate transfer device20is mainly constituted by the endless intermediate transfer belt21that rotates in a direction shown by an arrow while passing through the primary transfer position between the photoconductor drum11and the primary transfer device15(primary transfer roll) in each image forming device10(Y, M, C, or K), plural supporting rolls22to24that rotatably support the intermediate transfer belt21from the inner peripheral surface thereof, a secondary transfer roll31that rotates in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt21supported by the supporting roll24with a predetermined pressure, and a belt cleaning device28that removes toner or the like, which remains on and adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt21after passing through the secondary transfer roll31.

As the intermediate transfer belt21, for example, an intermediate transfer belt formed from an endless belt having a required thickness using a material in which a conductivity imparting agent, such as carbon, is dispersed in a synthetic resin, such as polyimide resin or polyamide resin, is used. The supporting roll22is constituted as a driving roll, the supporting roll23is constituted as a tensioning roll, and, the supporting roll24is constituted as a facing roll of the secondary transfer section. Among these, a secondary transfer voltage including a direct-current component having the same polarity (or reverse polarity) as the charging polarity of a toner is applied to the supporting roll24at a required timing. As for the secondary transfer voltage, a direct-current component of a polarity reverse to the charging polarity of a toner may be applied to the secondary transfer roll31.

As the sheet feeder, the accommodation type sheet feeder50and a manual type sheet feeder90as will be described below are used. The two types of sheet feeders50and90are arbitrarily selected and used.

The accommodation type sheet feeder50is arranged in a state where the sheet feeder is present below the exposure device13in a lower part of the internal space of the body1a. The sheet feeder50is mainly constituted by a box-shaped sheet accommodation member51(sheet cassette) that is attached so as to be capable of being pulled out from a side surface portion of the front surface of the body1a, and accommodates the recording sheet5of desired sizes, types, or the like, in a stacked state, and a delivery device52that delivers the recording sheet5accommodated in the sheet accommodation member51sheet by sheet from upper sheets. The front surface of the body1ais a side surface set so as to turn to a user when the image forming apparatus1is installed, and corresponds to a left side surface shown inFIG. 7in Exemplary Embodiment 2. Additionally, the above delivery device52is constituted by a sending-out roll that sends out upper recording sheets5, and a separating pad that separates only one uppermost sheet in the sending-out sheet5. The sheet accommodation member51includes a stack plate51athat moves up and down while the recording sheet5is placed thereon.

A sheet transporting path for sheet feeding that transports the recording sheet5delivered from the sheet feeder50to the secondary transfer position is provided in a portion between the delivery device52of the sheet feeder50, and the secondary transfer positions (the position where the intermediate transfer belt21and the secondary transfer roll31come into contact with each other) of the intermediate transfer device20in the internal space of the body1a. The sheet transporting path for sheet feeding is constituted by the sheet transporting roll pair58, the transporting and guiding member, and the like. Among these, the sheet transporting roll pair58is constituted as a feed-in adjusting roll pair that has, for example, a function of adjusting the transporting timing or transporting posture of the recording sheet5.

The fixing device40is arranged in a state where the fixing device is present above the secondary transfer position in the intermediate transfer device20. The fixing device40is configured by arranging, inside the housing41, a heating roll42heated by a heating unit so as to rotate in a direction shown by an arrow and so that the surface temperature thereof is maintained at a predetermined temperature, and a pressurizing rotary member43of a roll type, a belt type, or the like that rotates to follow the heating roll42in contact with the heating roll with a predetermined pressure substantially along the axial direction of the heating roll. A transporting and guiding member that is not shown is arranged between the fixing device40and the secondary transfer section of the intermediate transfer device20, and the recording sheet ejected from the secondary transfer section is guided by the transporting and guiding member so as to be introduced into the fixing device40. Additionally, a sheet transporting path for ejection that transports and ejects the recording sheet5after the fixing that is ejected from the fixing device40to the ejection and accommodation section60is provided between the fixing device40and the ejection and accommodation section60(sheet ejection port64a). The sheet transporting path for ejection is constituted by the sheet transporting roll pair64, the transporting and guiding member, and the like.

Operation Regarding Image Formation

Formation of a basic image by the image forming apparatus1is performed as follows.

First, in the image forming apparatus1, for example, an operation pattern (full color mode) in which a full color image configured by combining toner images in four colors (Y, M, C, and K) formed using all the four image forming devices10(Y, M, C, and K) is formed, and an operation pattern (monochrome mode) in which a monochrome image configured with a toner image in one color formed using one of the four image forming devices10(Y, M, C, and K) is formed may be selected and performed. The monochrome mode in Exemplary Embodiment 2 is set as a black-and-white mode in which a black-and-white image configured with a toner image in a black color (K) is formed.

Here, an image forming operation when the full color mode is selected will be described.

In this case, first, in the four image forming devices10(Y, M, C, and K), the respective photoconductor drums11rotate in the direction of an arrow, and the respective charging devices12charge the image holding surfaces of the respective photoconductor drums11, respectively, with required polarity (for example, negative polarity in Exemplary Embodiment 2) and potential. Additionally, the exposure devices13perform exposure (scanning exposure of a laser beam LB) based on image signals decomposed into respective color components (Y, M, C, and K) on the photoconductor drum11after the charging, and form electrostatic latent images in the respective color components configured with a predetermined potential difference, respectively. Moreover, the respective developing devices14supply toners in respective colors (Y, M, C, and K) charged with a required polarity (negative polarity) using the developing roll141to the electrostatic latent images of the respective color components formed on the photoconductor drums11and cause the toners to adhere to the photoconductor drums electrostatically, thereby performing visualization (development) as toner images.

Next, in the respective image forming devices10(Y, M, C, and K), the toner images in the respective colors formed on the photoconductor drum11are primarily transferred sequentially to the intermediate transfer belt21by transfer electric fields formed by the primary transfer devices15, and are overlapped with each other, at the primary transfer positions where the respective photoconductor drums11and the intermediate transfer belt21of the intermediate transfer device20come into contact with each other. Subsequently, in the intermediate transfer device20, the toner images primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt21are secondarily transferred to the recording sheet5transported via the sheet transporting path for sheet feeding from the sheet feeder50by a transfer electric field formed by the secondary transfer roll31at the secondary transfer position.

The recording sheet5that has completed the secondary transfer is peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt21, and then is moved toward and introduced into the fixing device40. In the fixing device40, the toners of the toner images are melted and fixed on the sheet5by causing the recording sheet5, on which the toner images are transferred, to pass through the contact portion between the heating roll42and the pressurizing rotary member43, and heating and pressurizing the contact portion. The recording sheet5after the fixing is completed is ejected to the outside of the body1afrom the sheet ejection port64avia the sheet transporting path for ejection and is accommodated in the ejection and accommodation section60, in a case where image formation is performed on one surface.

As above, a full color image configured by combining the toner images in four colors is formed on one recording sheet9.

Configuration of Characterizing Portion of Image Forming Apparatus

Incidentally, in Exemplary Embodiment 2, the left surface of the image forming apparatus body1aincludes a manual sheet feeder90.

The manual sheet feeder90, as shown inFIG. 7, is constituted by a plate-shaped manual feed tray body95as an opening and closing door that installs a required number of recording sheets5by hand, a delivery device91that feeds the recording sheet5installed in the manual feed tray body95sheet by sheet from upper sheets, and a sheet transporting path110for manual sheet feeding that places the recording sheet5delivered from the delivery device91on the stack plate51aof a sheet feeder50, and transports the recording sheet to the near side of the delivery device52. The manual feed tray body95is rotatably attached to a side surface portion1bof the front surface of the body1awith a tray lower end portion as a supporting point, and is used in a state where the manual feed tray body obliquely falls toward the outside from the side surface portion1bof the front surface. The delivery device91is constituted by a delivery roll91aand a separation roll91bthat separates sheets. The sheet transporting path110is formed by a first sheet transporting roll pair111that is arranged on the upstream side in the sheet transporting direction, and a second sheet transporting roll pair112that is arranged on the downstream side in the sheet transporting path, and a transporting and guiding pair113that forms a transporting path space.

In a case where sheet feeding is performed and selected from the manual sheet feeder90, the sheet feeding is performed as follows. That is, in the manual sheet feeder90, upper sheets in plural recording sheets5placed on the manual feed tray body95is delivered sheet by sheet to a sheet transporting path110for manual sheet feeding by the delivery roll91aof the delivery device. In the sheet transporting and guiding path110, the delivered recording sheet5is transported so as to pass through the transporting path space of the transporting guide pair113of the transporting force of the first sheet transporting roll pair111and the second sheet transporting roll pair112, and then, the tip portion of the sheet5is put on the stack plate51aof the sheet feeder50(or the upper surface of the accommodated recording sheet5). Thereafter, the recording sheet5is transported to the secondary transfer position through the sheet transporting path for sheet feeding by being delivered by the delivery device52of the sheet feeder50.

The above manual feed tray body95, as shown inFIG. 8, is attached to the image forming apparatus body1aso as to be openable and closable about the rotating shaft102of which a base end portion95ais arranged along the horizontal direction. The base end portion95aof the manual feed tray body95is formed in a shape in which the outer surface thereof inclines toward the rotating shaft102, and the outer peripheral portion95bof the rotating shaft102forms a shape that is bent or curved to the position of the lower end portion of the rotating shaft102.

The end portion103of the apparatus body is provided at the body1aof the image forming apparatus1so that the apparatus body faces the base end portion95aof the manual feed tray body95on the rotating shaft side via the gap G. The inclined surface104that inclines toward the inside of the image forming apparatus body1ais formed at a position that faces the base end portion95aof the manual feed tray body95in the end portion103, and the elastic member105with a rectangular cross-section that is made of a soft elastic body, such as urethane foam or silicone rubber, is attached to the inclined surface104by means of bonding or the like using the double-sided tape106. The above inclined surface104is formed in a state where the inclined surface inclines toward the inside of the image forming apparatus body1a, and is covered with the manual feed tray body95in a storage state, and the elastic member105is configured to be difficult to view from the outside.

Operation of Characterizing Portion of Image Forming Apparatus

In the image forming apparatus related to this Exemplary Embodiment 2, it is possible to suppress leakage of sound from the gap of the opening and closing member and an occurrence of an impact sound at the time of operation, using a single member, as follows.

That is, in the image forming apparatus1related to this Exemplary Embodiment 2, as shown inFIG. 8, the manual feed tray body95is stored in a state where the manual feed tray body is erected along the side surface of the image forming apparatus body1awhen the manual sheet feeder90is not used. In this state, the end portion95bof the manual feed tray body95of the manual sheet feeder90that is located on the rotating shaft102side comes into contact with the elastic member105on the image forming apparatus body1aside, and blocks the gap G formed between the manual feed tray body95and the image forming apparatus body1.

Therefore, when the manual sheet feeder90is not used, the gap G formed between the manual feed tray body95and the image forming apparatus body1ais blocked by the elastic member105, and this prevents or keeps the operating sound of the image forming apparatus1from leaking to the outside from the gap G between the manual feed tray body95and the image forming apparatus body1a.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 9, when the manual sheet feeder90is used, the manual feed tray body95is rotated by about 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction from the side surface of the image forming apparatus body1a, and brings the manual feed tray body95into an opened state. In that case, the end portion95bof the manual feed tray body95on the rotating shaft side is brought into a state where the end portion is brought into pressure contact with the elastic member105provided at the end portion103of the image forming apparatus body1a. Therefore, when the manual feed tray body95is opened for use, a situation in which the end portion95bof the manual feed tray body95abuts against the inclined surface104provided at the end portion103of the image forming apparatus body1a, and generation of an impact sound may be suppressed and prevented.

FIG. 10shows Exemplary Embodiment 3 of the invention. If the same portions as those of the above exemplary embodiments are designated and described by the same reference numerals, in the present exemplary embodiment, the rotating shaft that openably and closably supports the opening and closing member is arranged above the gap formed between the opening and closing member and the end portion on the image forming apparatus body side, and is configured so as to be formed in a state where the inclined surface provided at the end portion inclines toward the inside of the image forming apparatus body.

Configuration of Characterizing Portion of Image Forming Apparatus

That is, in Exemplary Embodiment 3, as shown inFIG. 10, the rotating shaft102that openably and closably supports the manual feed tray body95as an opening and closing member is arranged via a supporting member114at a position higher than the gap G located between the manual feed tray body95and the end portion103. The inclined surface104that inclines toward the inside of the image forming apparatus1is formed at the upper end portion of the end portion103that faces the manual feed tray body95on the image forming apparatus body1aside, and the elastic member105that blocks the gap G formed between the manual feed tray body95and the end portion103of the image forming apparatus body1ais provided at the inclined surface104by means of bonding or the like using the double-sided tape106. Additionally, the inclined surface104is formed in a state where the inclined surface inclines toward the inside of the image forming apparatus1, and the elastic member105provided at the inclined surface104is configured so as to be difficult to view from the outside.

Additionally, the inclined surface107of the end portion103that faces the inclined surface104is formed at the lower end portion of the above manual feed tray body95in a state where the inclined surface inclines toward the outside of the image forming apparatus body1a. The surface of the elastic member105is set so as to incline toward the outside from the rotational track of the manual feed tray body95. The reason is as follows. That is, when the manual feed tray body95is rotated in an opening direction, the manual feed tray body moves in a circular-arc shape about the rotating shaft102so that an outer end portion of the inclined surface107of the manual feed tray body95comes into pressure contact with the elastic member105. Therefore, the manual feed tray body does not enter the rotational track and a contact portion between the outer end portion of the inclined surface107and the elastic member105decreases. Thus, operation is kept from becoming heavy due to the pressure of the elastic member105. Moreover, the internal distance of the image forming apparatus body1amay be set to be wider than the outer distance thereof. Then, a situation in which the outer end portion of the inclined surface107of the manual feed tray body95comes into pressure contact with the inclined surface104of the end portion103via the elastic member105is avoided, and the manual feed tray body95becomes smoothly rotatable.

In addition, inFIG. 10, reference numeral120represents a plate-like transporting member that transports the recording sheet5fed from the manual feed tray body95.

Operation of Characterizing Portion of Image Forming Apparatus

In the image forming apparatus related to this Exemplary Embodiment 3, it is possible to suppress leakage of sound from the gap of the opening and closing member and occurrence of an impact sound at the time of operation, using a single member, as follows.

That is, in the image forming apparatus1related to this Exemplary Embodiment 3, as shown inFIG. 10, the manual feed tray body95is stored in a state where the manual feed tray body is erected along the side surface of the image forming apparatus body (not shown) when the manual sheet feeder90is not used. In this state, the end portion95aof the manual feed tray body95of the manual sheet feeder90that is located on the rotating shaft102side comes into contact with the elastic member105on the image forming apparatus body1aside, and blocks the gap G formed between the manual feed tray body95and the image forming apparatus body1.

Therefore, when the manual sheet feeder90is not used, the gap G formed between the manual feed tray body95and the image forming apparatus body1ais blocked by the elastic member105, and this prevents or keeps the operating sound of the image forming apparatus1from leaking to the outside from the gap G between the manual feed tray body95and the image forming apparatus body1a.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 11, when the manual sheet feeder90is used, the manual feed tray body95is rotated in the counterclockwise direction from the side surface of the image forming apparatus body (not shown), and brings the manual feed tray body95into an opened state. In that case, the end portion95aof the manual feed tray body95on the rotating shaft is brought into a state where the inclined surface is brought into pressure contact with the elastic member105provided at the end portion103of the image forming apparatus body1a. Therefore, when the manual feed tray body95is opened for use, a situation in which the end portion95aof the manual feed tray body95abuts against the inclined surface104provided at the end portion103of the image forming apparatus body, and generation of an impact sound may be suppressed and prevented.

In addition, in the above exemplary embodiments, a case where the opening and closing door is applied to the manual feed tray94has been described. However, the opening and closing member is not limited to the manual feed tray, and it is natural that the opening and closing member may also be similarly applied to a sheet ejection tray provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the image forming apparatus body, a cover that is opened, for example, at the time of jam clearance, or the like.

Additionally, in the above exemplary embodiments, the image forming apparatus has been described as the apparatus having the driving source. However, the apparatus is not limited to the image forming apparatus, and it is natural that other apparatuses may be adopted so long as the apparatuses are apparatuses having a driving source, and including an opening and closing door that is opened and closed by rotational operation about a rotating shaft with respect to a body of each apparatus.