Opening-closing portion and image forming apparatus comprising the same

An image forming apparatus includes an object disposed in an apparatus body so as to be capable of being taken out through an opening; an opening-closing portion that is rotatable and that covers the opening and rotates upward to open the opening; and an operating portion that is rotatable and disposed in front of the opening-closing portion. The operating portion is disposed at a position on a rotation trajectory along which the opening-closing portion rotates upward and on a path along which the object is taken out of the apparatus body. The operating portion rotates forward so as to be retracted from the rotation trajectory and the path along which the object is taken out and so that the path along which the object is taken out is formed between the operating portion and the opening-closing portion in the open state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-038945 filed Mar. 1, 2016.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including an object to be taken out, the object being disposed in an apparatus body so as to be capable of being taken out of the apparatus body through an opening in an upper section of the apparatus body; an opening-closing portion including a rear portion attached to the upper section of the apparatus body in such a manner that the opening-closing portion is rotatable around an axis that extends in a left-right direction of the apparatus, the opening-closing portion covering the opening from above and rotating upward to open the opening; and an operating portion attached to the upper section of the apparatus body so as to be rotatable around an axis that extends in the left-right direction of the apparatus at a location closer to a front of the apparatus than the opening-closing portion is. The operating portion is disposed at a position on a rotation trajectory along which the opening-closing portion rotates upward and on a path along which the object is taken out of the apparatus body through the opening. The operating portion rotates toward the front of the apparatus so as to be retracted from the rotation trajectory and the path along which the object is taken out, and so that the path along which the object is taken out is formed between the operating portion and the opening-closing portion in a state in which the opening-closing portion opens the opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Image Forming Apparatus10

First, the structure of an image forming apparatus10will be described.FIG. 1is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the image forming apparatus10. In the following description, the front, rear, right, left, top, and bottom of the apparatus respectively correspond to the directions of arrows (FRONT, REAR, RIGHT, LEFT, TOP, and BOTTOM) in the drawings. The front, rear, right, left, top, and bottom of the apparatus may sometimes be referred to simply as front (front side), rear (rear side), right (right side), left (left side), top (top side), and bottom (bottom side). In the drawings, circles having “X” therein indicate the direction from the near side to the far side in each figure, and circles having dots therein indicate the direction from the far side to the near side in each figure.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the image forming apparatus10includes an image forming apparatus body11(example of apparatus body) in which components are disposed. The components disposed in the image forming apparatus body11include a container12, which contains recording media P, such as paper sheets; an image forming section14, which forms an image on a recording medium P; a fixing device60, which fixes the image formed on the recording medium P to the recording medium P; and a transport unit16, which transports the recording medium P from the container12to the image forming section14. An output portion18, to which the recording medium P having the image fixed thereto by the fixing device60is output, is disposed in an upper section of the image forming apparatus body11.

The image forming section14includes image forming units22Y,22M,22C, and22K (hereinafter referred to as image forming units22Y to22K), which serve as units for forming yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images, and a transfer unit21(example of an object to be taken out), which serves as a transfer device including an intermediate transfer belt24(transfer body). The toner images formed by the image forming units22Y to22K are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt24. The image forming section14also includes a second transfer roller28that transfers the toner images that have been transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt24by first transfer rollers26onto a recording medium P. The image forming section14does not necessarily have the above-described structure, and may have any structure as long as the image forming section14forms an image on the recording medium P.

The image forming units22Y to22K are arranged along a line inclined relative to the horizontal direction in the image forming apparatus body11. Each of the image forming units22Y to22K includes a photoconductor32that rotates in one direction (for example, clockwise inFIG. 1). The image forming units22Y to22K have the same structure; therefore, reference numerals for components of the image forming units22Y,22M, and22C are omitted inFIG. 1.

A charging roller23and a developing device38are arranged around each photoconductor32in that order from the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photoconductor32. The charging roller23serves as a charging device that charges the photoconductor32. The developing device38forms a toner image by developing an electrostatic latent image formed by an exposure process performed on the photoconductor32charged by the charging roller23.

The developing device38includes a developer supplier38A that supplies developer to the photoconductor32and a transport member38B that transports the developer to be supplied to the developer supplier38A while stirring the developer. Plural containers54that contain the developer to be supplied to the developing devices38of the image forming units22Y to22K are disposed in front of the image forming units22Y to22K.

An exposure device36is disposed below the image forming units22Y to22K. The exposure device36forms electrostatic latent images on the photoconductors32of the image forming units22Y to22K by performing an exposure process on the photoconductors32that have been charged by the charging rollers23of the image forming units22Y to22K.

The transfer unit21is disposed above the image forming units22Y to22K. The transfer unit21includes the intermediate transfer belt24, wrap rollers42,43,44, and45around which the intermediate transfer belt24is wrapped, and the first transfer rollers26, which transfer the toner images formed by the image forming units22Y to22K onto the intermediate transfer belt24.

The intermediate transfer belt24has an annular shape and is disposed above the image forming units22Y to22K. The wrap roller43, for example, is rotated so that the intermediate transfer belt24moves, or rotates, in one direction (for example, counterclockwise inFIG. 1) while being in contact with the photoconductors32. The wrap roller42serves as an opposing roller that opposes the second transfer roller28.

Each first transfer roller26opposes the corresponding photoconductor32with the intermediate transfer belt24interposed therebetween. The space between each first transfer roller26and the corresponding photoconductor32is a first transfer position T1at which the toner image formed on the photoconductor32is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt24.

A first transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the toner polarity (first transfer current) is applied to each first transfer roller26. Accordingly, a first transfer electric field is formed between the first transfer roller26and the corresponding photoconductor32, so that the toner image formed on the photoconductor32receives an electrostatic force and is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt24at the first transfer position T1.

The second transfer roller28opposes the wrap roller42with the intermediate transfer belt24interposed therebetween. The space between the second transfer roller28and the wrap roller42is a second transfer position T2at which the toner images that have been transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt24are transferred onto the recording medium P.

A second transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the toner polarity (second transfer current) is applied to the second transfer roller28. Accordingly, a second transfer electric field is formed between the second transfer roller28and the wrap roller42, so that the toner images on the intermediate transfer belt24receive an electrostatic force and are transferred onto the recording medium P at the second transfer position T2.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the transport unit16includes a feed roller46that feeds a recording medium P contained in the container12, a transport path48along which the recording medium P fed by the feed roller46is transported, and transport rollers50that transport the recording medium P fed by the feed roller46toward a downstream side. Among the transport rollers50, the pair of rollers closest to the second transfer position T2are registration rollers.

The fixing device60is located downstream of the second transfer position T2in the transporting direction. The fixing device60includes a heating roller62and a pressing roller64. The fixing device60fixes the toner images that have been transferred onto the recording medium P from the intermediate transfer belt24to the recording medium P by applying heat with the heating roller62and pressure with the pressing roller64.

An image forming operation performed by the image forming apparatus10according to the present exemplary embodiment to form an image on a recording medium P will now be described.

In the image forming apparatus10according to the present exemplary embodiment, the recording medium P fed from the container12by the feed roller46is transported to the second transfer position T2by the transport rollers50(seeFIG. 1).

In each of the image forming units22Y to22K, the photoconductor32charged by the charging roller23is subjected to the exposure process by the exposure device36, so that an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor32. The electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device38, so that a toner image is formed on the photoconductor32. The toner images of the respective colors formed by the image forming units22Y to22K are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt24at the first transfer positions T1, so that a color image is formed. The color image formed on the intermediate transfer belt24is transferred onto the recording medium P at the second transfer position T2.

The recording medium P on which the toner image has been transferred is transported to the fixing device60, and the fixing device60fixes the transferred toner image to the recording medium P. The recording medium P to which the toner image has been fixed is output to the output portion18by transport rollers52. The image forming operation is performed in the above-described manner.

Structure of Transfer Unit21

The structure of the transfer unit21will now be described.FIG. 2illustrates the structure of the transfer unit21. InFIGS. 4 to 8 and 10, the structure of the transfer unit21is simplified.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the transfer unit21includes a pair of frame members70that form the frame of the transfer unit21. The pair of frame members70are disposed one on each side (each of left and right sides) of the four first transfer rollers26in the rotational axis direction.

Each of the pair of frame members70has plural projections72on an outer surface thereof. The projections72function as guide portions that are guided by guide grooves (not shown) formed in inner walls of the image forming apparatus body11when the transfer unit21is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus body11.

Holder portions71, which are held by an operator when the transfer unit21is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus body11, are provided at upper ends of front portions of the pair of frame members70.

The transfer unit21is detached from the image forming apparatus body11after separating the intermediate transfer belt24from the photoconductors32by moving the four first transfer rollers26, which are in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt24, upward with a retracting mechanism (not shown).

Structure for Detaching Transfer Unit21from Image Forming Apparatus Body11

As illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, an opening105, through which the transfer unit21is taken out of the image forming apparatus body11, is formed in the upper section of the image forming apparatus body11. As illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, an opening-closing cover110(example of opening-closing portion), which opens and closes the opening105, an operation panel120(example of operating portion), which is operated by an operator, such as a user, and a panel support130(example of support), which supports the operation panel120, are provided on the upper section of the image forming apparatus body11.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the opening105is located in front of and obliquely above the transfer unit21. The guide grooves (not shown) formed in the inner walls of the image forming apparatus body11guide the projections72(seeFIG. 2) formed on the frame members70, thereby allowing the transfer unit21to be taken out through the opening105in a forward and obliquely upward direction. In this manner, the transfer unit21disposed in the image forming apparatus body11is taken out of the image forming apparatus body11through the opening105. Thus, in the present exemplary embodiment, the path along which the transfer unit21is taken out through the opening105in the forward and obliquely upward direction is the path along which the transfer unit21is taken out of the image forming apparatus body11through the opening105.

The opening-closing cover110includes a rear end portion (example of rear portion of the opening-closing cover) that is attached to the upper section of the image forming apparatus body11in such a manner that the opening-closing cover110is rotatable around an axis that extends in a left-right direction of the apparatus. The opening-closing cover110rotates upward from a closed state (closed position) illustrated inFIGS. 3, 5, and 6, in which the opening-closing cover110closes the opening105by covering the opening105, to open the opening105(seeFIGS. 4, 7, and8). Accordingly, in the present exemplary embodiment, the path along which the opening-closing cover110rotates upward from the closed state to open the opening105serves as an upward rotation trajectory of the opening-closing cover110. The opening-closing cover110rotates downward from the open state (open position) illustrated inFIGS. 4, 7, and 8, in which the opening-closing cover110opens the opening105, to close the opening105(seeFIGS. 3, 5, and 6). InFIG. 3, the dotted area is the opening-closing cover110.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, the opening-closing cover110serves as the output portion18in the closed state in which the opening-closing cover110covers the opening105. More specifically, the recording media P output from the image forming apparatus body11are stacked on a portion of the top surface of the opening-closing cover110in the left-right direction.

As illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, the panel support130is located closer to the front of the apparatus than the opening-closing cover110is at the left end of the upper section of the image forming apparatus body11. In front view, a right portion of the panel support130overlaps a left portion of the opening-closing cover110in the left-right direction (seeFIG. 9). In side view, a rear portion of the panel support130overlaps a front portion of the opening-closing cover110in the front-rear direction (seeFIG. 6).

As illustrated inFIG. 6, the panel support130projects upward from the top surface of the image forming apparatus body11. The panel support130has a top surface132that is inclined upward toward the rear. The top surface132functions as a surface that receives the rear surface of the operation panel120. A hinge portion134(support portion), which supports the bottom end portion of the operation panel120in such a manner that the operation panel120is rotatable around an axis that extends in the left-right direction of the apparatus, is provided on a front portion of the top surface132.

As illustrated inFIG. 10, the panel support130has a cut portion136(example of cut) in a right rear section thereof. The cut portion136is located on the rotation trajectory along which the opening-closing cover110rotates upward and on a path along which the transfer unit21is taken out of the image forming apparatus through the opening105.

The operation panel120is plate-shaped. The front surface of the operation panel120is a touch panel that functions as a display portion that displays various information for the operator and as an operating portion that is operated by the operator.

The bottom end portion of the operation panel120is supported by the hinge portion134so that the operation panel120is attached, in such a manner that the operation panel120is rotatable around an axis that extends in the left-right direction of the apparatus, to the upper section of the image forming apparatus body11at a position closer to the front of the apparatus than the opening-closing cover110is.

When the operation panel120is in the lying position (lying state) illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 5, in which the rear surface of the operation panel120is placed on the top surface132of the panel support130, the operation panel120is located on the rotation trajectory along which the opening-closing cover110rotates upward and on the path along which the transfer unit21is taken out of the image forming apparatus through the opening105.

The operation panel120is retracted from the rotation trajectory of the opening-closing cover110and from the path along which the transfer unit21is taken out (seeFIGS. 4 and 6) by being rotated toward the front of the apparatus from the lying position at which the operation panel120is placed on the top surface132of the panel support130. When the opening-closing cover110is opened while the operation panel120is in the retracted position (retracted state), the path along which the transfer unit21is taken out is formed between the operation panel120and the opening-closing cover110in the open state. Namely, the transfer unit21is taken out of the image forming apparatus body11through the space between the opening-closing cover110in the open state and the rear surface of the operation panel120in the retracted state at the side opposite to the side of the touch panel.

The operation panel120returns to the lying position, at which the operation panel120is placed on the top surface132of the panel support130, by being rotated toward the rear of the apparatus from the above-described retracted position. The operation panel120may be operated while the operation panel120is in the lying position and the retracted position.

As illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 12, the operation panel120is provided with a restricting portion128(example of restricting portion) that restricts the opening movement of the opening-closing cover110when the operation panel120is in the lying position (lying state). More specifically, the restricting portion128is a groove formed in the rear surface of the operation panel120. When the opening-closing cover110is rotated upward from the closed state while the operation panel120is in the lying state, as illustrated inFIG. 12, the opening-closing cover110comes into contact with the restricting portion128, so that further rotation is restricted.

Operation of Present Exemplary Embodiment

The operation of the present exemplary embodiment will now be described.

In the present exemplary embodiment, to take the transfer unit21out of the image forming apparatus body11, first, the operator rotates the operation panel120toward the front of the apparatus (seeFIG. 6) from the lying position in which the operation panel120is placed on the top surface132of the panel support130(seeFIGS. 3 and 5). Thus, the operation panel120is retracted from the rotation trajectory of the opening-closing cover110and from the path along which the transfer unit21is taken out.

Next, the operator rotates the opening-closing cover110upward from the closed state (closed position) illustrated inFIG. 6in which the opening-closing cover110closes the opening105(seeFIG. 7). Thus, the opening-closing cover110opens the opening105. In addition, the path along which the transfer unit21is taken out is formed between the operation panel120in the retracted state and the opening-closing cover110in the open state.

Then, as illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 8, the operator holds the holder portions71of the transfer unit21and takes out the transfer unit21in a forward and obliquely upward direction through the opening105. Thus, the transfer unit21is taken out of the image forming apparatus body11through the space between the operation panel120in the retracted state and the opening-closing cover110in the open state.

If the operation panel120is located to the left of the rotation trajectory of the opening-closing cover110and the path along which the transfer unit21is taken out (comparative example), the operation panel120does not interfere with the transfer unit21that is taken out. However, the operation panel120projects leftward from the image forming apparatus body11, and the width of the image forming apparatus10in the left-right direction increases. As a result, the size of the image forming apparatus10increases.

In contrast, in the present exemplary embodiment, the operation panel120does not project from the image forming apparatus body11in the left-right direction. Therefore, unlike the above-described comparative example, the size of the image forming apparatus10may be reduced while reducing the occurrence of interference between the transfer unit21and the operation panel120when the transfer unit21is taken out.

In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, the path along which the transfer unit21is taken out is formed between the operation panel120in the retracted state and the opening-closing cover110in the open state. Therefore, the operation panel120in the retracted state, the space through which the transfer unit21is taken out, and the opening-closing cover110in the open state overlap. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide a large space for taking out the transfer unit21, and the size of the apparatus may be reduced.

In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 10, the cut portion136of the panel support130is located on the rotation trajectory along which the opening-closing cover110rotates upward and on the path along which the transfer unit21is taken out of the image forming apparatus through the opening105. Therefore, the occurrence of interference between the panel support130and the transfer unit21when the transfer unit21is taken out is lower than that in the structure in which the cut portion136is not provided.

In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 12, the restricting portion128restricts the opening movement of the opening-closing cover110when the operation panel120is in the lying state. Therefore, the risk that the opening-closing cover110will be opened while the operation panel120is not retracted from the rotation trajectory of the opening-closing cover110and from the path along which the transfer unit21is taken out is lower than that in the structure in which the opening movement of the opening-closing cover110is not restricted.

In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, by rotating the operation panel120toward the front of the apparatus (seeFIG. 6) from the lying position (seeFIGS. 3 and 5) in which the operation panel120is placed on the top surface132of the panel support130, the height (angle) of the operation panel120may be adjusted so that the operation panel120may be easily operated by, for example, an operator who is short or an operator sitting on a wheelchair. Thus, in the present exemplary embodiment, the rotation direction in which the operation panel120is rotated to adjust the height (angle) of the operation panel120is the same as the rotation direction in which the operation panel120is rotated to enable the transfer unit21to be taken out. Therefore, the size of the rotating mechanism, such as a hinge, is not increased. When, for example, the rotation directions are not the same and the operation panel120is rotated around two axes, a larger rotating mechanism, such as a hinge, is necessary.

Modifications

In the present exemplary embodiment, the transfer unit21is described as an example of the object to be taken out. However, the object to be taken out is not limited to this, and may instead be, for example, a waste toner box that contains waste toner or any other component that is taken out of the image forming apparatus body11.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the restricting portion is a groove. However, the restricting portion is not limited to this, and may instead be, for example, a projection that projects downward from the rear surface of the operation panel120.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the above-described modifications may be employed in combination as appropriate.