Patent Publication Number: US-8989626-B2

Title: Image forming apparatus having a movement mechanism for reducing interference of an opening and closing member with a transfer body

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-071899 filed Mar. 27, 2012. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. 
     2. Summary 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium and has an apparatus body includes an image carrying body which carries the image and is provided in the apparatus body having an upper portion and an opening, a transfer body which is provided in the apparatus body and to which the image carried by the image carrying body is transferred, a first opening and closing member, a second opening and closing member, and a movement mechanism. The first opening and closing member having a first rotational axis portion is attached to the upper portion of the apparatus body so as to be rotatable about the first rotational axis portion and rotates about the first rotational axis portion so as to open and close the opening, through which the transfer body is detachable from the apparatus body. The second opening and closing member is provided on the first rotational axis portion side of the first opening and closing member so as to be displaceable relative to the first opening and closing member, is located at a position at which, when the second opening and closing member is assumed not to be displaceable relative to the first opening and closing member and assumed to rotate together with the first opening and closing member about the first rotational axis portion, the second opening and closing member interferes with the transfer body. The second opening and closing member together with the first opening and closing member opens and closes the opening in conjunction with opening and closing operations of the first opening and closing member. The movement mechanism causes the second opening and closing member to move in a direction away from the transfer body in conjunction with the opening operation of the first opening and closing member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an outline view of the configuration of an image forming apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  is an outline view of the configuration of the image forming apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the configuration of the first transfer unit; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the configuration of the image forming apparatus; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the configuration of the image forming apparatus; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the configuration of a lid portion; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the configuration of a top covering; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the configuration of a bottom tray; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the configuration of a movement mechanism; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the configuration of an operation panel; 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom view of the configuration of the operation panel; 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the configuration of a regulating mechanism; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the configuration of the regulating mechanism; 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of the configuration of the regulating mechanism; 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of the configuration of the regulating mechanism; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the configuration of the regulating mechanism; 
         FIG. 17  is an operational view illustrating an operation in which a first transfer unit is detached; 
         FIG. 18  is an operational view illustrating the operation in which the first transfer unit is detached; 
         FIG. 19  is an operational view illustrating the operation in which the first transfer unit is detached; 
         FIG. 20  is an operational view illustrating the operation in which the first transfer unit is detached; 
         FIG. 21  is an operational view illustrating the operation in which the first transfer unit is detached; and 
         FIG. 22  is an operational view illustrating the operation in which the first transfer unit is detached. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An example of an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 
     Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus According to Present Exemplary Embodiment 
     A configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment is initially described.  FIGS. 1 and 2  are outline views illustrating the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. X, −X, Y (upper), −Y (lower), Z, and −Z directions, which will be described later, are directions indicated by arrows in the drawings. In the drawing, a circle mark with an “x” thereinside indicates an arrow extending from the front side of the page to the back side of the page, and a circle mark with a dot thereinside indicates an arrow extending from the back side of the page to the front side of the page. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an image forming apparatus  10  includes an image reading device  302  and an image recording device  100 . The image reading device  302  reads an image in a document and the image recording device  100  records the image on a recording medium P. The image recording device  100  allows the image to be recorded (formed) on the recording medium P in accordance with image data of an image of a document read by the image reading device  302  and image data obtained from devices external to the image forming apparatus  10 . The image reading device  302  forms an upper portion of the image forming apparatus  10  and the image recording device  100  forms a lower portion of the image forming apparatus  10 . The image forming apparatus  10  includes an image forming apparatus body  10 A, which includes an image recording device body  100 A of the image recording device  100  and an image reading device body  302 A of the image reading device  302 . 
     Image Reading Device  302   
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the image reading device  302  includes a document transport device  303  and an image reading unit  304 . The document transport device  303  is provided on an upper side of the document reading device body  302 A and transports sheets of a document. The image reading unit  304  is provided in the document reading device body  302 A and reads images in the sheets of the document transported by the document transport device  303 . 
     The document transport device  303  has a document holding unit (document tray)  305  that receives plural sheets of the document. The sheets of the document received in the document holding unit (document tray)  305  are transported in a U-shaped path as indicated by an arrow C direction to a document output unit  306 . The image reading unit  304  reads images in the sheets of the document transported in the U-shaped path. 
     An upper surface of the image reading device body  302 A is formed of a transparent plate. The image reading unit  304  also reads images in a sheet of a document placed on the transparent plate. The document transport device  303  is attached to the image reading device body  302 A such that the document transport device  303  is openable relative to the image reading device body  302 A in an arrow D direction. The document transport device  303  serves as a pressure covering that presses the sheet of the document placed on the upper surface (transparent plate) of the image reading device body  302 A. The image reading device body  302 A is provided with an operation panel  370  with which an operator operates the image forming apparatus  10 . The configuration of the operation panel  370  will be described later. 
     Image Recording Device  100   
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the image recording device body  100 A of the image recording device  100  includes an image processing unit  12  therein. The image processing unit  12  performs image processing on image data input thereto from the image reading device  302  and the external devices. The image processing unit  12  processes the received image data into gradation data of four colors, that is, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). An exposure device  14 , which receives the processed gradation data and performs image exposure using laser beams LB, is provided in a central portion of the image recording device body  100 A. 
     Four image forming units  16 Y,  16 M,  16 C, and  16 K, for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are disposed on an upper side (on the Y direction side) of the exposure device  14  so as to be spaced apart from one another and inclined relative to the horizontal direction (in the −Z and Z directions). Notations Y, M, C, and K may be omitted in the case where identification by the notations Y, M, C, and K is not necessary in description. 
     These four image forming units  16 Y,  16 M,  16 C, and  16 K each have a similar configuration that includes an image carrying body  18 , a charging member  20 , a developing member  22 , and an image carrying body cleaning device  160 . The image carrying body  18  is rotatably disposed in the image recording device body  100 A and carries an image. The charging member  20  charges an outer peripheral surface of the image carrying body  18 . The developing member  22  develops an electrostatic latent image, which is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrying body  18  having been charged through image exposure using the exposure device  14 , with toner so as to visualize the electrostatic latent image as a toner image. The image carrying body cleaning device  160  removes residual toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrying body  18  using a removing member  164 . 
     The image carrying body  18  is rotated at a predetermined speed. The charging member  20 , the developing member  22 , and the image carrying body cleaning device  160  are arranged in this order in a direction in which the image carrying body  18  is rotated. A cleaning member  64  is provided on a lower side of the charging member  20 . The cleaning member  64  is in contact with the charging member  20  so as to clean an outer peripheral surface of the charging member  20 . 
     The exposure device  14  includes four semiconductor lasers (not shown), which are shared by the four image forming units  16 Y,  16 M,  16 C, and  16 K. The semiconductor lasers emit laser beams LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, and LB-K in accordance with the gradation data. 
     A polygon mirror  26 , which is a rotating polygon mirror, is radiated with the laser beams LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, and LB-K emitted from the semiconductor lasers through cylindrical lenses (not shown). The polygon mirror  26  deflects and scans the laser beams LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, and LB-K. The laser beams LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, and LB-K having been deflected and scanned by the polygon mirror  26  scan exposure points on the respective image carrying bodies  18  from positions diagonally lower relative to the exposure points by way of imaging lenses (not shown), plural mirrors (not show), and respective glass windows  30 Y,  30 M,  30 C, and  30 K. 
     A first transfer unit  21 , which is an example of a transfer device, is provided on an upper side (on the Y direction side) of the image forming units  16 Y,  16 M,  16 C, and  16 K. The first transfer unit  21  includes an intermediate transfer belt  32 , a drive roller  36 , a tension applying roller  40 , a driven roller  66 , and first transfer rollers  34 Y,  34 M,  34 C, and  34 K. The intermediate transfer belt  32  is an example of a transfer body onto which images carried by the image carrying bodies  18  are transferred. The drive roller  36  drives the intermediate transfer belt  32 , which is stretched over the drive roller  36 , so as to rotate the intermediate transfer belt  32  in a direction indicated by an arrow (counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 1 ). The tension applying roller  40 , which is an example of a tension applying member, applies tension to the intermediate transfer belt  32 , which is stretched over the tension applying roller  40 . The driven roller  66  is provided above the tension applying roller  40  and rotated by the intermediate transfer belt  32 . The first transfer rollers  34 Y,  34 M,  34 C, and  34 K, which are examples of transfer members, are disposed on a side opposite to the image carrying bodies  18 Y,  18 M,  18 C, and  18 K with the intermediate transfer belt  32  disposed therebetween. 
     The intermediate transfer belt  32  is generally inclined relative to the image recording device body  100 A. The driven roller  66  is disposed at a lower position compared to the drive roller  36 . 
     The four first transfer rollers  34 Y,  34 M,  34 C and  34 K respectively transfer yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images formed on the image carrying bodies  18  of the image forming units  16 Y,  16 M,  16 C, and  16 K onto the intermediate transfer belt  32  such that the toner images are super posed on one another. 
     Furthermore, in the first transfer unit  21 , an intermediate transfer belt cleaning device  161  is provided on a side opposite to the drive roller  36  with the intermediate transfer belt  32  therebetween. The intermediate transfer belt cleaning device  161  removes residual toner remaining on an outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt  32 . The intermediate transfer belt cleaning device  161  includes a removing member  165  and a transport member  166 . The removing member  165  is provided in a housing  163  and in contact with the intermediate transfer belt  32  so as to remove the residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt  32 . The transport member  166  is provided in the housing  163  and transports the residual toner removed by the removing member  165  to a toner containing unit (not shown). The specific configuration of the first transfer unit  21  will be described later. 
     A second transfer roller  42  is provided on a side opposite to the driven roller  66  with the intermediate transfer belt  32  therebetween. The yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images having been transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt  32  so as to be superposed on one another are transported by the intermediate transfer belt  32 , pinched in a nip between the driven roller  66  and the second transfer roller  42 , and then transferred onto the recording medium P, which is transported along a sheet transport path  56 , through second transfer. 
     Furthermore, a fixing device  44  is provided on a downstream side of the second transfer roller  42  in a direction in which the recording medium P is transported (simply referred to as “downstream side” hereafter). The fixing device  44  fixes the toner images having been transferred onto the recording medium P to the recording medium P by applying heat and pressure. 
     Output rollers  46  are provided on the downstream side of the fixing device  44 . The output rollers  46  eject the recording medium P, to which the toner images have been fixed, to an output unit  48  provided in an upper portion of the image recording device body  100 A. The output unit  48  will be described later. 
     A sheet feeding member  50  is provided in a lower portion of the image recording device body  100 A. The recording media P are stacked in the sheet feeding member  50 . Furthermore, a sheet feeding roller  52  that feeds the recording media P stacked in the sheet feeding member  50  toward the sheet transport path  56  is provided, and a separation roller  54 , which separates and transports the recording media P one sheet after another, is provided on the downstream side of the sheet feeding roller  52 . A positioning roller  58 , which adjusts transportation timing, is provided on the downstream side of the separation roller  54 . With the above-described configuration, the recording medium P supplied from the sheet feeding member  50  is fed to a position (second transfer position), at which the intermediate transfer belt  32  and the second transfer roller  42  are in contact with each other, by the positioning roller  58  at a predetermined timing. 
     Furthermore, transportation rollers  60  are provided adjacent to the output rollers  46  (on the Z direction side). The transportation rollers  60  transport the recording medium P, to one side of which the toner images have been fixed by the fixing device  44 , to a two-sided printing transportation path  62  instead of allowing the recording medium P to be directly ejected to the output unit  48  by the output rollers  46 . By doing this, the recording medium P having been transported along the two-sided printing transportation path  62 , the recording medium P being flipped, is transported again to the positioning roller  58 . This time, toner images are transferred onto and fixed to the rear side of the recording medium P and the recording medium P is ejected to the output unit  48 . 
     Image Recording Operation (Image Forming Operation) of Image Recording Device  100   
     Next, image recording operation (image forming operation) in which toner images are recorded (formed) on the recording medium P by the image recording device  100  according to the present exemplary embodiment is described. 
     Initially, gradation data for each color is sequentially output from the image processing unit  12  to the exposure device  14 . The laser beams LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, and LB-K emitted from the exposure device  14  in accordance with the gradation data scan the outer peripheral surface of the image carrying bodies  18  charged by the charging members  20  so as to form electrostatic latent images on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrying bodies  18 . The developing members  22 Y,  22 M,  22 C, and  22 K respectively visualize the electrostatic latent images formed on the image carrying bodies  18  as yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images. 
     Furthermore, the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images formed on the image carrying bodies  18  are transferred onto the rotating intermediate transfer belt  32  so as to be superposed on one another by the first transfer rollers  34 Y,  34 M,  34 C, and  34 K of the first transfer unit  21  disposed above the respective image forming units  16 Y,  16 M,  16 C, and  16 K. 
     The toner images in the respective colors having been transferred onto the rotating intermediate transfer belt  32  so as to be superposed on one another are transferred onto the recording medium P through second transfer using the second transfer roller  42 . The recording medium P has been transported to the sheet transport path  56  at a predetermined timing from the sheet feeding member  50  using the sheet feeding roller  52 , the separation roller  54 , and the positioning roller  58 . 
     The recording medium P, onto which the toner images have been transferred, is transported to the fixing device  44 . The toner images having been transferred onto the recording medium P are fixed to the recording medium P by the fixing device  44 . After that, the recording medium P is ejected to the output unit  48  disposed in the upper portion of the image recording device body  100 A by the output roller  46 . 
     In the case where images are formed on both sides of the recording medium P, the recording medium P, to one side of which the toner images have been fixed by the fixing device  44 , is introduced to the two-sided printing transportation path  62  by the output roller  46  instead of being ejected to the output unit  48 . The recording medium P is transported along the two-sided printing transportation path  62 , thereby being flipped and transported again to the positioning roller  58 . This time, toner images are transferred onto and fixed to the rear side of the recording medium P. After that, the recording medium P is ejected to the output unit  48  by the output rollers  46 . 
     Specific Configuration of First Transfer Unit  21   
     Next, the specific configuration of the first transfer unit  21  is described. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the first transfer unit  21  includes a pair of frame members  70 , which form the frame of the first transfer unit  21 . The pair of frame members  70  are disposed on both sides of the first transfer rollers  34 Y,  34 M,  34 C, and  34 K with respect to rotation axis directions (X and −X directions) of the first transfer rollers  34 Y,  34 M,  34 C, and  34 K. 
     The pair of frame members  70  each have plural protrusions  72  formed on the outer surface thereof. The protrusions  72  are guided by guide grooves  104  (see  FIG. 17 ), which will be described later, of the image recording device body  100 A when the first transfer unit  21  is attached to or detached from the image recording device body  100 A. The pair of frame members  70  also has grip portions  21 A at ends thereof on the −Z direction side. The grip portions  21 A are gripped by the operator when the first transfer unit  21  is attached to or detached from the image recording device body  100 A. 
     The first transfer rollers  34 Y,  34 M,  34 C, and  34 K are supported by the pair of frame members  70  such that the first transfer rollers  34 Y,  34 M,  34 C, and  34 K are movable between contact positions and away positions. The first transfer rollers  34 Y,  34 M,  34 C, and  34 K are in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt  32  at the contact positions (see  FIG. 1 ) and spaced apart from the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt  32  at the away positions (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , coil springs  76 Y,  76 M,  76 C, and  76 K as examples of urging members are attached to the pair of frame members  70  so as to urge the first transfer rollers  34 Y,  34 M,  34 C, and  34 K toward the contact positions at which the first transfer rollers  34 Y,  34 M,  34 C, and  34 K are in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt  32 . 
     Furthermore, a regulating roller  82  is provided between the drive roller  36  and the first transfer roller  34 Y serving as a regulating member. The regulating roller  82  supports the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt  32  and regulates a rotating path of the intermediate transfer belt  32 . The regulating roller  82  is supported by the pair of frame members  70  such that the regulating roller  82  is movable between a contact position and an away position. The regulating roller  82  is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt  32  at the contact position (see  FIG. 1 ) and spaced apart from the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt  32  at the away position (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     A coil spring  88  is attached to the pair of frame members  70  as an example of the urging member, which urges the regulating roller  82  toward the contact position at which the regulating roller  82  is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt  32 . 
     The pair of frame members  70  is provided with a movement structure  83  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The movement structure  83  moves the regulating roller  82  and the first transfer rollers  34 Y,  34 M,  34 C, and  34 K to the away positions against urging forces applied by the coil spring  88  and the coil springs  76 Y,  76 M,  76 C, and  76 K. At the away positions, the regulating roller  82  and the first transfer rollers  34 Y,  34 M,  34 C, and  34 K are spaced apart from the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt  32 . 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, moving the regulating roller  82  and the first transfer rollers  34 Y,  34 M,  34 C, and  34 K away from the intermediate transfer belt  32  causes the intermediate transfer belt  32  to move away from the image carrying bodies  18  (see  FIG. 2 ); bringing the regulating roller  82  and the first transfer rollers  34 Y,  34 M,  34 C, and  34 K into contact with the intermediate transfer belt  32  causes the intermediate transfer belt  32  to be in contact with the image carrying bodies  18  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     Configuration for Detachment of First Transfer Unit  21  from Image Recording Device Body  100 A 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the image recording device body  100 A has a detachment opening  105 , which serves as an example of an opening, through which the first transfer unit  21  is detached from the image recording device body  100 A. Part of the detachment opening  105  is superposed on the image reading device  302  (image reading device body  302 A) in plan view (see  FIG. 20 ), the image reading device  302  being disposed above the image recording device  100 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a lid portion  300  is provided on an upper side of the image recording device body  100 A. The lid portion  300  opens and closes the detachment opening  105  and, when the lid portion  300  closes the detachment opening  105 , forms the output unit  48 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , the image recording device body  100 A also has the guide grooves  104 . The guide grooves  104  guide the plural protrusions  72  (see  FIG. 3 ) formed on the pair of frame members  70  of the first transfer unit  21  to the detachment opening  105  when the first transfer unit  21  is detached from the image recording device body  100 A. 
     When the plural protrusions  72  formed on the pair of frame members  70  are supported at end portions  104 A of the grooves  104 , the first transfer unit  21  is supported by the image recording device body  100 A such that the first transfer unit  21  is detachable through the detachment opening  105  in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the rotation axis directions of the image carrying bodies  18  (in an inclined direction toward the upper left in  FIG. 20 ). As will be described later, the first transfer unit  21  is attached to or detached from the image recording device body  100 A with the lid portion  300  (top covering  310 ) opened. 
     Configuration of Lid Portion  300   
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the lid portion  300  includes a top covering  310 , a bottom tray  340 , and a movement mechanism  360 . The top covering  310  is an example of a first opening and closing member that opens and closes the detachment opening  105 . The bottom tray  340  is an example of a second opening and closing member that, together with the top covering  310 , opens and closes the detachment opening  105  in conjunction with open and close operations of the top covering  310 . The movement mechanism  360  moves the bottom tray  340  in a direction in which the bottom tray  340  moves away from the intermediate transfer belt  32  in conjunction with an opening operation of the top covering  310 . 
     Top Covering  310   
     The top covering  310  has a receiving plate  312  on which the recording medium P is placed. The receiving plate  312  is formed on a side opposite to a side of a rotation shaft  368 , which will be described later, in the top covering  310  and is gradually inclined downward as it extends in the Z direction. The receiving plate  312  has plural ribs  313  that extend in the Z direction in plan view. 
     A pair of arm portions  314  extend in the Z direction from both sides of the receiving plate  312  in the X direction (−X direction). The pair of arm portions  314  each have an upper plate  314 A and a side plate  314 B. The upper plates  314 A each having a substantially rectangular shape extend in the Z direction and face upward. The side plates  314 B extend downward (in the −Y direction) from side portions of the upper plates  314 A on the Z direction side, and face side directions (X and −X directions). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , in which the top covering  310  is seen from a diagonally lower direction, a shaft portion  316  is formed in an intermediate portion in the Z direction of the top covering  310  on an outer surface of each of the pair of side plates  314 B (surface of the side plate  314 B on a side opposite to the receiving plate  312  side). The shaft portion  316  is inserted into a corresponding one of insertion holes  345  (second rotational axis portions) of the bottom tray  340 , which will be described later. 
     Cylindrical portions  315  are formed at end sides on the Z direction side of the side plates  314 B on the outer surfaces of the pair of side plate  314 B. The cylindrical portions  315  (first rotational axis portions) each have an insertion hole  317 , into which the rotation shaft  368  of a connection member  362 , which will be described later, is inserted. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 17 to 22 , by inserting the rotation shafts  368  of the connection members  362  into the corresponding insertion holes  317  of the cylindrical portions  315  (see  FIG. 7 ), the top covering  310  is attached to the image recording device body  100 A such that the top covering  310  is rotatable about the rotation shafts  368 . With this configuration, the top covering  310  is movable between an open position and a closed position. At the open position (position illustrated in  FIGS. 20 to 22 ), at which the detachment opening  105  is opened, the end of the top covering  310  on the −Z direction side has been pulled upward so as to rotate the top covering  310  about the end of the top covering  310  on the Z direction side. At the closed position (position illustrated in  FIGS. 17 and 18 ), at which the detachment opening  105  is closed, the end of the top covering  310  on the −Z direction side has been moved downward from the open position so as to rotate the top covering  310  about the end of the top covering  310  on the Z direction side. 
     Bottom Tray  340   
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the bottom tray  340  is displaceable relative to the top covering  310  on the Z direction side of the top covering  310  (the rotation shaft  368  side). The bottom tray  340  is disposed at a position at which the bottom tray  340  is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt  32  when it is assumed that the bottom tray  340  is rotated together with the top covering  310  about the rotation shafts  368  of the top covering  310  instead of being displaced relative to the top covering  310  (see  FIG. 17 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the bottom tray  340  has a receiving plate  342 , on which the recording medium P is placed. The receiving plate  342  has an inclined surface  342 A, which downwardly inclined toward the Z direction side (rotation shaft  368  side) when the top covering  310  closes the detachment opening  105 . The inclined surface  342 A has plural ribs  347  that extend in the Z direction. The receiving plate  342  of the bottom tray  340  is disposed at a position diagonally lower relative to the receiving plate  312  of the top covering  310 . The receiving plate  342  of the bottom tray  340  together with the receiving plate  312  of the top covering  310  allows the recording medium P ejected from the image recording device body  100 A to be placed thereon. That is, the bottom tray  340  together with part of the top covering  310  functions as an example of a receiving member, on which the recording medium P ejected from the image recording device body  100 A is placed. 
     Substantially triangular side plates  344  are disposed on both sides in the X direction (−X direction) of the receiving plate  342  on the upper side of the receiving plate  342  so as to be integrated with the receiving plate  342 . Insertion holes  345  are formed on ends on the −Z direction side of the pair of side plates  344 , into which the respective shaft portions  316  of the top covering  310  are rotatably inserted. Thus, the bottom tray  340  is supported by the top covering  310  such that the bottom tray  340  is rotatable about the shaft portions  316 . As described above, the insertion holes  345  are served as connection portions of the bottom tray  340  to be connected to the top covering  310 . 
     Cylindrical portions  348  are formed on the ends on the Z direction side of outer surfaces of the pair of side plates  344  (surfaces each formed on a side of corresponding one of the side plates  344  opposite to a side on which the receiving plate  342  exists). The cylindrical portions  348  each have a diagonally upwardly extending long hole (an example of a guiding portion)  346  formed therein. Shaft portions  369  of the connection members  362 , which will be described later, are inserted into the respective long holes  346  of the cylindrical portions  348 . 
     A side plate  349  that faces the −Z direction side is formed between the pair of side plates  344  at the end on the Z direction side of the receiving plate  342 . The side plate  349  is integrated with the receiving plate  342  and the pair of side plates  344 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the side plate  349  serves as a lower edge of an ejection opening  47 , through which the recording medium P is ejected from the image recording device body  100 A. 
     Movement Mechanism  360   
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the movement mechanism  360  has a pair of connection members  362 , which connect the top covering  310  to the bottom tray  340 . The pair of connection members  362  each have a substantially box-shaped body portion  363 , which extends in the up-down direction. The body portions  363  are secured to the image recording device body  100 A and disposed in the up-down direction so as to extend along the outer surfaces of the pair of side plates  314 B of the top covering  310  and the outer surfaces of the pair of side plates  344  of the bottom tray  340  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     The rotation shafts  368  are formed on inner surfaces (surfaces on the top covering  310  side (surfaces on the X and −X direction sides)) in upper portions of the pair of body portions  363 . The rotation shafts  368  are each inserted into the insertion hole  317  of a corresponding one of the cylindrical portions  315  of the top covering  310 . With this configuration, as described above, the top covering  310  is rotatable about the rotation shafts  368 . Thus, connection portions that connect the top covering  310  to the connection members  362  serves as a rotation center (rotation shafts  368 ) of the top covering  310 . 
     The shaft portions (examples of the guided portions)  369  are formed on inner surfaces (surfaces on the bottom tray  340  side (surfaces on the X and −X direction sides)) in lower portions of the pair of body portions  363 . The shaft portions  369  are each inserted into the long hole  346  of a corresponding one of the cylindrical portions  348  of the bottom tray  340 . That is, the connection members  362  has the shaft portions (the examples of the guided portions)  369 , which are guided by the long holes (guiding portions)  346  of the bottom tray  340 , serve as connection portions that connect the connection members  362  to the bottom tray  340 . Thus, the bottom tray  340 , which is connected to the top covering  310  by the insertion holes  345 , does not rotate together with the top covering  310 . Instead, as the top covering  310  rotates, the insertion hole  345  side moves up, thereby moving up the cylindrical portions  348  (long holes  346 ) (see  FIG. 19 ). 
     Thus, the shaft portions  369  of the connection members  362  are positioned on an upper end sides of the long holes  346  (see  FIGS. 17 and 18 ) when the top covering  310  is closed, and positioned on an lower end sides of the long holes  346  when the top covering  310  is opened (see  FIGS. 20 to 22 ). Accordingly, when the top covering  310  is opened, the bottom tray  340  is moved upward along the long holes  346  while rotating about the shaft portions  316  (see  FIG. 19 ). That is, the bottom tray  340  moves upward so as to move away from the intermediate transfer belt  32  while opening the detachment opening  105 . When the top covering  310  is closed, the bottom tray  340  is moved downward along the long holes  346  while rotating about the shaft portions  316 . By doing this, the bottom tray  340  together with the top covering  310  closes the detachment opening  105 . Thus, the bottom tray  340  together with the top covering  310  opens and closes the detachment opening  105  in conjunction with opening and closing operations of the top covering  310 . 
     Operation Panel  370   
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the operation panel  370  provided in the image reading device body  302 A includes an operation button  370 B and a display screen  370 C disposed on an upper surface thereof. As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , in which the operation panel  370  is seen from below, plural ribs  398  are formed on a lower surface  370 A (surface opposite the top covering  310 ) of the operation panel  370 . The ribs  398  extend in the same direction as an ejection direction in which the recording medium P is ejected from the image recording device body  100 A (−Z direction in bottom view). As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , formation of the plural ribs  398  is non-uniform on the lower surface  370 A of the operation panel  370  and the plural ribs  398  are entirely formed in a portion on the X direction side (portion where the recording medium P passes) on the lower surface  370 A of the operation panel  370 . 
     The operation panel  370 , which is provided in the image reading device body  302 A, is located at a contact position at which the operation panel  370  is in contact with the top covering  310  when the top covering  310  is opened (position illustrated in  FIG. 17 ). That is, the operation panel  370  is located on a path through which the top covering  310  passes when the top covering  310  is opening or closing. In  FIG. 17 , an open state of the top covering  310  is indicated by two-dot chain lines. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the operation panel  370  is attached to the image reading device body  302 A at a rotation shafts  372  (see  FIG. 12 ) so as to be rotatable in the same direction as the rotational direction of the top covering  310 . That is, like the rotation shafts  368  of the top covering  310 , the rotation shafts  372  extend in the X direction. 
     With the above-described configuration, the operation panel  370  is movable among the following positions: an operation position (the above-described contact position (position illustrated in  FIGS. 12 ,  13 , and  17 )) at which the operator operates the operation panel  370 ; a raised position (position illustrated in  FIG. 14  and  FIGS. 18 to 22 ) at which the operation panel  370  has been moved up from the operation position; and a lowered position at which the operation panel  370  has been moved down from the operation position (position illustrated in  FIG. 15 ). In the case where the operation panel  370  is at the raised position, when the top covering  310  is opened, the operation panel  370  and the top covering  310  are brought into contact with each other. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a projection portion  379 , which projects upward from the image recording device body  100 A, is provided on the −X direction side of the operation panel  370 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 12 to 15 , a regulating mechanism  380 , which regulates rotation of the operation panel  370 , is provided in the projection portion  379 . 
     The regulating mechanism  380  has a plate member  382 . The plate member  382  extends from a contact portion  373 , which is formed on the lower surface  370 A of the operation panel  370  and will be described later, so as to form an arc shape centered at the rotation shaft  372  in axial view with respect to the rotation shaft  372 . Plural (specifically three) ribs  384  and linear ribs  386  and  387  are formed on a side surface of the plate member  382 . The plural ribs  384  are curved along the arc of the plate member  382 . The linear ribs  386  and  387  extend in radial directions of the arc of the plate member  382  in both end portions in the lengthwise direction of the plural ribs  384 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , a plate-shaped contact member  388 , which is in contact with an X direction side surface of the plate member  382 , is provided on a surface on the −X direction side of a side plate  379 A on the X direction side of the projection portion  379 . The contact member  388  has such a length as to cross the plate member  382  in the radial direction (see  FIG. 12 ) and is located between the side plate  379 A and the plate member  382  in the X direction. 
     A surface on the −X direction side on the plate member  382  has a plate-shaped contact member  389 , which is in contact with a −X direction side surface of the plate member  382 . The contact member  389  extends so as to cross the plate member  382  in the radial direction (see  FIG. 12 ). 
     Both ends of the contact member  389  in the lengthwise direction together with both ends of the contact member  388  in the lengthwise direction are secured to the side plate  379 A of the projection portion  379 . By doing this, the contact member  389  and the contact member  388  sandwich the plate member  382  therebetween, and the contact member  389  is in contact with the ribs  384 ,  386 , and  387  so as to be pressed against the ribs  384 ,  386 , and  387  at positions where the contact member  389  opposes the ribs  384 ,  386 , and  387 . The contact member  389  is formed of an elastic material such as a rubber material or a resin material. Alternatively, the contact member  388  may be omitted from the regulating mechanism  380 . In this case, the contact member  389  and the side plate  379 A on the X direction side of the projection portion  379  sandwich the plate member  382  therebetween. 
     In the regulating mechanism  380 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , a Z direction side edge  389 A of the contact member  389  is caught by the rib  386  at the operation position of the operation panel  370 . This regulates a movement of the operation panel  370  from the operation position toward the raised position. By applying a load onto the operation panel  370  in a direction from the operation position to the raised position, the load being a load equal to or greater than a predetermined load, the contact member  389  is elastically deformed. This causes the Z direction side edge  389 A of the contact member  389  to slide over the rib  386 , thereby allowing the operation panel  370  to move. 
     Also in the regulating mechanism  380 , as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , a −Z direction side edge  389 B of the contact member  389  is caught by the rib  387  at the raised position of the operation panel  370 . This regulates a movement of the operation panel  370  from the raised position toward the operation position. By applying a load onto the operation panel  370  in a direction from the raised position to the operation position, the load being a load equal to or greater than a predetermined load, the contact member  389  is elastically deformed. This causes the −Z direction side edge  389 B of the contact member  389  to slide over the rib  387 , thereby allowing the operation panel  370  to move. At the raised position of the operation panel  370 , the Z direction side edge  389 A of the contact member  389  is contacted by a stopper  390  serving as a stopping member. This prevents the operation panel  370  from moving upward from the raised position. While the operation panel  370  is moving between the raised position and the operation position, the contact member  389  is in contact with the ribs  384 . 
     While the operation panel  370  is moving between the operation position and the lowered position, the contact member  389  is not in contact with the ribs  384 ,  386 , and  387 , and transfer resistances of the ribs  384 ,  386 , and  387  are not produced. 
     In the regulating mechanism  380 , when the operation panel  370  is at the lowered position, as illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the lower surface  370 A of the operation panel  370  is contacted by the X direction side side plate  379 A of the projection portion  379 . This prevents the operation panel  370  from further moving downward from the lowered position. 
     Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , a stopper  392  is provided on the X direction side side plate  379 A of the projection portion  379 . The stopper  392  serves as an example of a stopping device that prevents the operation panel  370  at the operation position of the operation panel  370  from rotating in a lowering direction (the same direction as a direction in which the top covering  310  is closing). 
     The contact portion  373 , which is in contact with an upper surface  392 A (stopping surface) of the stopper  392 , is provided on the lower surface  370 A of the operation panel  370 . The stopper  392  is supported by the side plate  379 A, which is formed on the X direction side of the projection portion  379 , such that the stopper  392  is rotatable about a rotation shaft  393  between a contact position and an away position. The stopper  392  is in contact with a lower surface (stopped surface)  373 A of the contact portion  373  at the contact position (see  FIG. 12 ) and moves away from the lower surface (stopped surface)  373 A of the contact portion  373  to the away position (see  FIG. 13 ). 
     A coil spring  394  serving as an urging member is attached to the X direction side side plate  379 A of the projection portion  379 . The coil spring  394  urges the stopper  392  toward the contact position. Furthermore, a release operation unit  396  serving as an example of a releasing device is provided in the X direction side side surface  379 A of the projection portion  379 . The release operation unit  396  releases a state in which the stopper  392  prevents the operation panel  370  from rotating. When the release operation unit  396  is pushed by the operator, the stopper is moved to the away position against the urging force of the coil spring  394 . When the operation panel  370  is moved in a raising direction (the same direction as a direction in which the top covering  310  is opened), that is, when the operation panel  370  is moved from the lowered position to the operation position or moved from the operation position to the raised position, the stopper  392  does not function and allows these movements of the operation panel  370 . 
     Operation of Operation Panel  370   
     The stopper  392  prevents the operation panel  370  at the operation position, at which the operator operates the operation panel  370 , from rotating toward the lowered position. Thus, rotation of the operation panel  370  toward the lowered position is suppressed when an input operation, which is performed when the operation button  370 B is pressed. 
     The stopper  392  does not prevent the operation panel  370  at the operation position, at which the operator operates the operation panel  370 , from rotating toward the raised position and allows the operation panel  370  to rotate toward the raised position. Thus, when the top covering  310  is opened, the operation panel  370  together with the top covering  310  is pushed up. This suppresses regulation of opening of the top covering  310  with the operation panel  370 . 
     When the release operation unit  396  is operated by the operator, a state in which the stopper  392  prevents the operation panel  370  from rotating from the operation position toward the lowered position is released. This allows the operation panel  370  to rotate in the lowering direction. The operation panel  370  is moved to the lowered position when the operation panel  370  is pressed down in the lowering direction by the operator. By moving the operation panel  370  to the lowered position, the angle of the display screen  370 C of the operation panel  370  is adjusted so that the display screen  370 C is visible and operable for an operator having a small build, and operation and maintenance check for the image reading device  302  is facilitated. 
     Since the ribs  398  are formed on the lower surface  370 A of the operation panel  370 , transfer resistances are unlikely to act on the recording medium P even when the recording medium P having been ejected from the image recording device body  100 A to the output unit  48  contacts the lower surface  370 A of the operation panel  370  while the operation panel  370  is positioned at the operation position or the lowered position. 
     In order to open the top covering  310 , the operation panel  370  is rotated from the operation position or the lowered position to the raised position by the operator. By doing this, a space in which the top covering  310  to be opened is rotatably movable is increased. Thus, compared to the case where the top covering  310  is opened while the operation panel  370  is positioned at the operation position or the lowered position, the top covering  310  does not interfere with the operation panel  370  and is more widely opened. 
     Attachment and Detachment of First Transfer Unit  21   
     Next, attachment and detachment operations of the first transfer unit  21  are described. 
     In order to detach the first transfer unit  21  from the image recording device body  100 A, as illustrated in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the operation panel  370  is initially moved from the operation position (position illustrated in  FIG. 17 ) to the raised position (position illustrated in  FIG. 18 ) by the operator. 
     Next, as illustrated in  FIG. 19 , the top covering  310  is moved from the closed position (position illustrated in  FIG. 18 ) toward the open position (position illustrated in  FIG. 19 ) by the operator. As the top covering  310  is opening, the bottom tray  340  swings (rotates) about the shaft portions  316  and moves upward while the shaft portions  369  of the connection members  362  relatively move toward a diagonally downward position through the long holes  346 . 
     Thus, in the present exemplary embodiment, the bottom tray  340  moves upward along with the opening operation of the top covering  310  and moves away from the intermediate transfer belt  32  (first transfer unit  21 ). This suppresses interference of the bottom tray  340  with the intermediate transfer belt  32  (first transfer unit  21 ) when the top covering  310  is opened or closed. 
     When the top covering  310  has been moved to the open position as illustrated in  FIG. 20  by the operator, the top covering  310  is brought into contact with the lower surface  370 A of the operation panel  370 . Thus, a movement of the top covering  310  to the operation position is completed. 
     Next, the regulating roller  82  and the first transfer rollers  34 Y,  34 M,  34 C, and  34 K are separated from the intermediate transfer belt  32  by the operator so as to separate the intermediate transfer belt  32  from the image carrying bodies  18  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     Next, the grip portions  21 A of the first transfer unit  21  are held and the first transfer unit  21  is moved toward a diagonally upper left position in  FIG. 21  from the image recording device body  100 A as illustrated in  FIG. 21  by the operator. The protrusions  72  of the first transfer unit  21  are guided by the guide grooves  104  so as to move the first transfer unit  21  toward a diagonally upper left position in  FIG. 21 . When the first transfer unit  21  is further moved up by the operator as illustrated in  FIG. 22 , the first transfer unit  21  is detached from the image recording device body  100 A. 
     In order to attach the first transfer unit  21  to the image recording device body  100 A, the first transfer unit  21  is attached to a diagonally lower right position in  FIG. 22  of the image recording device body  100 A by the operator through the detachment opening  105  of the image recording device body  100 A. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, when the first transfer unit  21  is moved into or out of the image recording device body  100 A, the bottom tray  340  is moved upward and the detachment opening  105  is widely opened. This suppresses interference of the first transfer unit  21  with the bottom tray  340 . 
     Modification 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, when the top covering  310  is opened, the operation panel  370  is located at the contact position (position illustrated in  FIG. 17 ), at which the operation panel  370  is in contact with the top covering  310 , and rotates in the same direction as a direction in which the top covering  310  rotates. However, the operation panel  370  does not necessarily rotate. In a configuration in which the operation panel  370  does not rotate, the operation panel  370  is located, for example, at an upper position where the operation panel  370  is spaced apart from the top covering  310  such that the operation panel  370  is not in contact with the top covering  310  when the top covering  310  is opened. 
     The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.