JP3548468B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a function of reading an image of a document placed on a document table and a function of forming an image on a conveyed sheet.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of image forming apparatus, for example, there are a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction peripheral.
[0003]
Among these image forming apparatuses, there is known an apparatus including a flat bed type document reading unit (flat bed scanner) for scanning a document image of a document placed on a document table and reading the image. In such an apparatus, a pressure plate for holding down a document placed on a platen or the like is rotatably opened and closed.
[0004]
Therefore, in the configuration of the entire apparatus, the reading section is arranged at the top of the apparatus main body, and in order to integrate the apparatus main body, the image forming section is arranged below the reading section, and the recording paper discharge port is also provided. It was arranged below the reading unit.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the above-described conventional technology, the following problems have occurred.
[0006]
In the above-described configuration of the related art, when the recording sheet printed and recorded by the image forming unit is to be discharged by shortening the sheet conveying path, either of the left and right sides is located below the reading unit due to the convenience of the apparatus. A paper output tray may be provided on the side of the apparatus, or a paper output stacking unit may be provided so that the recording sheet conveyed from the image forming unit can be U-turned and discharged between the reading unit and the image forming unit. In this case, there is a problem that the size of the apparatus becomes large in both the horizontal direction in the former case and the vertical direction in the latter case.
[0007]
Further, during maintenance of the image forming unit, the toner cartridge or the ink cartridge is generally replaced from the upper part of the image forming unit, so that the image forming unit and the reading unit do not interfere with each other. Until then, it was necessary to replace the cartridge or the like by sliding or tilting one of them from the main body, and the problem was that the main body of the device was further enlarged and the operation became complicated.
[0008]
Therefore, a miniaturized apparatus which is installed on a personal desk and used for personal use has not been realized.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having a small size and excellent operability so that the apparatus can be easily installed on a desk. To provide.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a cover member for pressing a document placed on a platen to a platen side, document reading means for reading an image of the document placed on the platen, and the document A sheet supporting unit disposed below the reading unit and supporting a sheet for forming an image; and a sheet supported by the sheet supporting unit and disposed on a side of the document reading unit and the sheet supporting unit. Image forming means for forming an image, sheet discharging means for discharging the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming means, and discharging from the sheet discharging means on a surface of the cover member opposite to the original pressing surface. A sheet stacking unit for stacking the stacked sheets, provided substantially parallel to the sheet discharging direction from the sheet discharging unit side, and from the sheet discharging unit side toward the sheet discharging direction. The cover member is provided so as to be rotatable in a direction in which the document table is opened around a rotation fulcrum provided on the sheet discharge means side, A handle for rotating the cover member is provided at an end of the cover member opposite to the rotation fulcrum, and a height of the rib at an end of the cover member opposite to the rotation fulcrum side. The height is provided higher than the height of the handle.
[0011]
In addition,At both ends in the sheet width direction of the cover member, there are provided wall surfaces that guide the width direction of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking surface of the cover member, and the wall surface has a height of the sheets stacked on the cover member. An eave for guiding the direction is provided, and the height of the wall surface is configured to be lower on the sheet discharging means side.
[0012]
Further, the cover memberA sheet tray on which sheets discharged from the sheet discharging means are stacked, and an urging member for urging the sheets stacked on the sheet tray toward the sheet tray. The end on the side where is not held is provided on the sheet tray, and is supported by a support member that slidably supports the urging member with respect to the sheet tray.
[0013]
In addition,The support member has an engaging portion for engaging an end of the urging member on a side that is not held.
[0014]
In addition,The sheet tray includes a fixed tray portion held and fixed on the cover member, and a rotation tray portion rotatably held by a rotation center provided at an end of the fixed tray portion on the sheet discharge unit side. A first position located above the sheet discharging means, and a second position located below the sheet discharging means. When the rotating tray portion is at the first position, the rotating tray portion is moved in response to an operation of rotating the cover member to open the document table. It is characterized in that control for turning from the first position to the second position is performed.
[0015]
In addition,The image forming means is an ink jet recording system for forming an image on a sheet surface by discharging ink..
[0016]
In addition,A sheet feeding unit that feeds the sheet supported by the sheet supporting unit to the image forming unit below the image forming unit;.
[0030]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and the like of the components described in the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them unless otherwise specified.
[0031]
(First Embodiment)
An image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0032]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus embodying the present invention.
[0033]
As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus includes a flatbed scanner type document reading unit 1 as a document reading unit, and an image forming unit (recording and printing unit) which is an image forming unit disposed behind the reading unit 1 in the apparatus. 2). A cassette (recording sheet cassette) 3 which supports and stores the recording sheet S and constitutes a pre-recording sheet stacking unit which can be pulled out to the front side of the apparatus is provided below the document reading unit 1.
[0034]
A discharge unit 4, which is a sheet discharge unit having a discharge port from which the recording sheet S recorded and printed by the image forming unit 2 is discharged, includes a pressure plate 5, which is a cover member that presses a document read by the document reading unit 1. It is located in the upper part on the back side of the device. The reading section 1, the image forming section 2, the cassette 3 and the discharge section 4 are arranged at substantially the same position in the lateral direction of the apparatus.
[0035]
Here, the pressure plate 5 has a function of covering the document, and has a recording surface for stacking the recorded sheet S discharged from the discharge unit 4 on a surface (upper surface) opposite to the side pressing the document. It also has a function as a completed sheet stacking section (sheet discharge tray). Hereinafter, this point will be described in detail.
[0036]
The pressure plate 5 as a cover member for the document is configured to be rotatable in the depth direction of the apparatus around the rotation of the pressure plate hinge 7. A handle 6 is provided in front of the pressure plate 5, and the pressure plate 5 can be easily rotated by lifting the handle 6 by hand. Further, a plurality of ribs 8 are provided on the upper surface of the pressure plate 5, and these ribs 8 are formed in an inclined shape so as to be higher from the back side of the apparatus toward the front side. The rib 8 on the front side of the apparatus is higher than the height of the handle 6.
[0037]
Further, on both the left and right sides of the pressure plate 5, a wall surface 9 as a width direction guide of the recorded sheets S stacked on the pressure plate 5 and an eave 10 as a height direction guide are provided. The height of the eaves 10 is formed to be higher than the maximum height of the rib 8 on the front side of the device, and the wall surface 9 is made lower toward the back side of the pressure plate 5 to secure the opening 11 of the eaves 10. It is inclined. In the image forming unit 2, the recording cover 12 is configured to be rotatable around the recording cover hinge 13 as a rotation center.
[0038]
Next, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0039]
As shown in the drawing, an image sensor 14 as a document reading unit is fixed to a belt 15 in the document reading unit 1, and the image sensor 14 is moved by an arrow 16 as the belt 15 is driven by a reading driving unit (not shown). The device is driven horizontally in the front-rear direction as shown.
[0040]
A contact glass 17 serving as a document table is provided on the image sensor 14. The document surface is set downward on the document placing surface of the contact glass 17. Read image information. The surface of the pressure plate 5 rotatable by the pressure plate hinge 7 in contact with the contact glass 17 is made of a material such as sponge or urethane foam, and is configured to uniformly press the document against the contact glass 17. The member 7a is fitted in the hole 25 of the reading unit cover so that the pressure plate hinge 7 can be slid vertically with respect to the document reading unit 1.
[0041]
A pick-up roller 19 and a feeding roller 20 are provided below the image forming unit 2 as feeding means for feeding the sheets S stored in the recording sheet cassette 3 to the image forming means. The recording sheets S stored in the recording sheet cassette 3 are sent out one by one by rotation of a pickup roller 19 to which drive is transmitted by a drive unit (not shown), and image formation is performed by a feed roller 20 driven by the drive unit. It is conveyed toward the section 2.
[0042]
In the image forming section 2, an ink-jet cartridge 21 as an image forming means is driven by a carriage driving section (not shown) on a platen roller 22 in a lateral direction of the apparatus (a direction orthogonal to a recording sheet conveying direction). By discharging ink on the surface, an image is formed (printed) on the recording sheet S.
[0043]
A paper discharge roller 24 is provided downstream of the print head 23 in the sheet conveyance direction, and the printed recording sheet S is discharged by rotation of the platen roller 22 driven by the drive unit and the paper discharge roller 24 as sheet discharge means. The paper is discharged from the paper section 4 toward the apparatus.
[0044]
Further, the loading and replacement of the ink cartridge 21 can be easily performed by opening and closing the recording cover 12 by the operator since the recording cover 12 is located above the image forming unit 2. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the recording cover 12 can be opened and closed so as not to interfere with the pressure plate 5 and the reading unit 1. Operability and maintainability are improved. Further, the replenishment of the recording sheets S can be easily performed by the operation of pulling out the recording sheet cassette 3 toward the apparatus as described above.
[0045]
In one example of the embodiment of the present invention, a flat bed scanner (document reading unit) 1 for reading A4 size documents is placed on a cassette 3 capable of storing 100 sheets of A4 size plain paper as recording sheets, If the inkjet image forming section 2 is arranged in the apparatus, the size of the main body of the apparatus is 300 mm in the front side width, 400 mm in the rear side width of the apparatus, 450 mm in the apparatus depth, the height of the pressure plate portion in the front side of the apparatus is 130 mm, and the rear side image formation It can achieve a size of about 250 mm in height and requires only an A3 size installation area, so this image forming apparatus can be installed on a personal desk and operated while the operator is sitting. It is.
[0046]
Next, in the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration, the image forming operation and the sheet discharging / stacking operation in actual use in the present embodiment will be described in more detail.
[0047]
This apparatus is provided with the document reading section 1, the image forming section 2, and the recording sheet cassette 3 as described above, and further includes an apparatus operation section (not shown) and a control section for transmitting / receiving image information to / from a telephone line or a computer. Part is provided. That is, this apparatus has functions as a copier, a facsimile, a printer, and a scanner.
[0048]
First, when the pressure plate 5 of the reading unit 1 is closed, that is, when the image sensor 14 of the document reading unit 1 is reading a document or when the reading unit 1 is not used, the image forming unit 2 Immediately after the recording sheet S that has been image-formed and is discharged from the discharge unit 4 onto the pressure plate 5 starts to be discharged, the leading end of the recording sheet S is changed due to the rigidity of the recording sheet S and the height difference between the discharge unit 4 and the pressure plate 5. The recording sheet S protrudes from the discharge unit 4 into the space above the pressure plate 5, but the leading end thereof immediately drops below the eaves 10 and hangs down on the pressure plate 5 due to its own weight. Since the discharge of the sheet S is continuously performed, the sheet S advances along the rib 8 as indicated by an arrow A.
[0049]
When the trailing edge of the recording sheet S passes through the paper discharge roller 24, the trailing edge falls on the pressure plate 5 by its own weight, and the entire recording sheet S is stacked on the pressure plate 5.
[0050]
Here, the maximum reading document size and the maximum recording sheet size of the apparatus are usually the same, but even when the maximum recording sheet size is larger, the interval between the left and right wall surfaces 9 is adjusted to the width of the maximum recording sheet size. Since the pressure plate 5 is open at the front side of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 1, it is only necessary to stack the recording sheet S with the leading end of the recording sheet S protruding toward the apparatus side along the slope of the rib 8. is there.
[0051]
Further, if the height difference between the discharge unit 4 and the pressure plate 5 is set to be larger than the height of the maximum number of sheets that can be stored in the recording sheet cassette 3, even if all the sheets S loaded in the recording sheet cassette 3 are printed and recorded, Jamming or the like does not occur in the sheet discharge unit 4 due to the recording sheet S being fully loaded on the pressure plate 5. Therefore, the recording sheets S printed and discharged are correctly stacked on the pressure plate 5, and there is no need to provide a paper discharge tray as in the related art, so that a very small image forming apparatus can be used. Can be provided.
[0052]
Next, when the pressure plate 5 is opened upward while the recording sheets S are still stacked on the pressure plate 5, that is, the recording sheet S that has already been printed when a plurality of copies are made is placed on the pressure plate 5. A case in which the original is replaced while the original is loaded on the original will be described.
[0053]
As described above, the wall surfaces 9 at the left and right ends of the pressure plate 5 are inclined so as to have the open portions 11. By making the angle θ1 between the inclined portion and the image forming unit 2 larger than the maximum opening angle θ2 of the pressure plate 5, the wall surface 9 and the eaves 10 can interfere with the image forming unit 2 and the device housing when the pressure plate 5 is opened and closed. There is no.
[0054]
Further, since the maximum height of the rib 8 on the front side of the apparatus is higher than the height of the handle 6, even when the recording sheet S is stacked on the pressure plate 5 and the grip 6 is grasped to operate the pressure plate 5, The recording sheet S stacked on the pressure plate 5 does not cover the handle 6 and does not hinder its operation.
[0055]
Further, even if the pressure plate 5 is rotated and lifted up as indicated by a two-dot chain line 5a, since the loaded recording sheets S are in the space between the eaves 10 and the ribs 8, the rotation of the pressure plate 5 It is prevented that the recording sheet S is blown off by the wind force or the closing force when the next original is set and the pressing plate 5 is closed. be able to.
[0056]
Therefore, even if the recording sheet S on which an image is formed is stacked on the pressure plate 5, the operation of opening and closing the pressure plate 5 can be performed in the same manner as in the state where the recording sheet S is not stacked. And good loading performance is ensured.
[0057]
Next, when the image forming unit 2 is operating while the pressure plate 5 is being lifted, that is, when the second document is set while the first recording sheet is being discharged in copying a plurality of documents, Alternatively, a case where a document is set in order to read a transmission document in memory during facsimile reception and recording, and a case where a scanner function is used during sheet discharge by a printer function will be described.
[0058]
When the pressure plate hinge 7 is below the discharge unit 4 and the pressure plate 5 is lifted to the state of 5a, which is the maximum opening angle θ2, for setting a document, the pressure plate 5 and the recording sheet discharge angle (the example shown in the drawing) Is horizontal) is an obtuse angle. Further, even when the pressure plate 5 is in the state of the maximum opening angle θ2, the open portion 11 of the pressure plate 5 is located near the discharge portion 4.
[0059]
Accordingly, even when the leading end of the recording sheet S is about to be discharged from the discharge unit 4 or the leading end of the recording sheet S is already hanging on the pressure plate 5, the leading end of the recording sheet is indicated by an arrow B. Are transported along the ribs 8 on the pressure plate 5 and are loaded in the space between the pressure plate 5 and the eaves 10.
[0060]
When the trailing end of the recording sheet S is discharged from the discharge unit 4 by the discharge roller 24, the trailing end of the discharged recording sheet falls near the pressure plate hinge 7 of the pressure plate 5. In addition, the recording sheet S that has already been stacked also falls at the sheet rear end in the direction of the pressure plate hinge 7, but the recording sheet S is guided by the pressure plate 5, the eaves 10, and the wall surface 9, so that the recording sheet S is securely loaded. Become. In this case, whether the recording sheet 18 is already stacked on the pressure plate 5 or not is the same as described above. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider the operation of the image forming unit 2 when operating the document reading unit 1, and a reliable loading performance of the recording sheets S can always be obtained.
[0061]
In the above-described example, the recording method of the image forming unit 2 uses an ink jet. However, in both the electrophotographic recording method using a toner cartridge and the thermal transfer recording method using an ink sheet, thermal paper is used. A thermal recording method may be used.
[0062]
As described above, according to the present invention, the recording sheet stacking section is provided on the surface of the pressure plate 5 that covers the original table on the side opposite to the original table side, so that the stacking section for stacking the recorded sheets S is provided. It is not necessary to provide the device on the side surface or inside the device, and the device can be made smaller and more compact.
[0063]
In addition, since the image forming unit 2 is provided above the back side of the apparatus, where the image forming unit 2 does not interfere with the pressure plate 5 and the document reading unit 1, maintenance and the like can be easily performed, and operability is improved. The pressure plate 5 is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the original placing surface, and the sheet S on which the image has been recorded is placed on the recorded sheet stacking portion regardless of whether the original placing surface is open or closed. Since the guide plate can be guided, the pressure plate 5 can be opened and closed even during the image forming operation, and the operability is improved.
[0064]
A wall 9 and an eave 10 are provided as guides for preventing the sheets stacked on the recorded sheet stacking section from escaping in the width direction and the height direction, and the guides can be opened or closed in a state where the pressure plate 5 is opened. Since the shape is made to function even in the state and does not hinder the opening / closing operation of the pressure plate 5, the recorded sheet S can be stacked at an appropriate position in any state.
[0065]
Further, the ribs 8 provided on the recorded sheet stacking surface of the pressure plate 5 are formed to have a shape that becomes higher toward the front side of the apparatus, and the height of the ribs 8 closest to the apparatus is set so as to rotate the pressure plate 5. Since the height of the handle 6 is higher than that of the handle 6, even when the recorded sheet S is stacked on the pressure plate 5, the loaded sheet S does not cover the handle 6, and the operator can easily handle the sheet. 6, the pressure plate 5 can be rotated.
[0066]
(Second embodiment)
Next, an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present modification. The same members as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0067]
In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 3, a sheet tray 31 which is supported on the left and right sides or only one of the left and right sides is provided above the pressure plate 5. The sheet discharge portion 4 side of the sheet tray 31 is a flapper 32 as a rotatable rotating tray portion with respect to the tray 31 as a fixed tray portion fixed on the pressure plate 5. The flapper 32 is configured to be rotatable around a rotation center 33 in a range between a first position 32a indicated by a solid line in FIG. 3 and a second position 32b indicated by a two-dot chain line.
[0068]
Normally, the flapper 32 is urged toward the first position 32a by a hinge coil spring 34, which is a spring member, and the distal end portion comes into contact with the stopper 35a and remains stationary. Accordingly, the sheet S on which the image is formed by the image forming unit is stacked on the sheet stacking unit on the pressure plate 5 from the sheet discharging unit 4 through the conveyance path indicated by the arrow A.
[0069]
On the other hand, the solenoid 36 is disposed on the left or right outside the sheet width at the sheet stacking position on the pressure plate 5, and the iron core 36 a of the solenoid 36 is inserted into the hole 37 outside the sheet width of the flapper 32. The core 36 a is prevented from falling off by the E-ring 38 so as not to fall out of the hole 37. When the flapper 32 is located at the first position 32a, the solenoid 36 is in a free state, and the iron core 36 is in an extended state. That is, the solenoid 36 is off.
[0070]
When the solenoid 36 is energized and turned on, the iron core 36a contracts. As a result, the flapper 32 moves to the second position 32b where the distal end abuts against the stopper 35b against the urging force of the hinge coil spring 34 and stops. When the recorded sheet S is discharged in a state where the flapper 32 is located at the second position 32b, the sheet S is conveyed along the upper surface of the flapper 32 to the path indicated by the two-dot chain line arrow B and the sheet tray 31 is moved. Loaded on top.
[0071]
Further, on the sheet tray 31, a recording sheet urging member 51 for urging the sheets stacked on the sheet tray 31 toward the sheet tray 31 is located above the discharge roller 24 of the discharge unit 4, and A hinge 52 is attached to the lower part of the recording cover 12 so as to be rotatable. The recording sheet biasing member 51 is formed of a high-slidability polymer resin.
[0072]
At both ends of the recording sheet urging member 51 on the front side of the apparatus, there are provided projections 53 that support the end of the urging member 51, and at both ends of the sheet tray 31 as support members that support the urging member 51. A groove 55 as an engaging portion is provided at an appropriate height from the upper surface of the pressure plate 5 in the wall 54 of the pressure plate 5, and the protrusion 53 is engaged with the groove 55. Thus, the tip of the urging member 51 is slidably positioned with respect to the pressure plate 5.
[0073]
As shown in FIG. 4, when the pressure plate 5 is closed, the protrusion 53 is located on the inner side 55 a of the device, which is the discharge portion 4 side of the groove 55, until the pressure plate 5 is fully opened as shown by a two-dot chain line. When lifted, the protrusion 53 is located on the device front side 55 b of the groove 55. With such a configuration, the gap between the pressure plate 5 and the urging member 51 is always opened, and when the pressure plate 5 is rotated, the urging member 51 also interlocks with the rotation. Then, the recording sheets S are reliably stacked on the sheet tray 31.
[0074]
Whether to discharge the sheet on which the image is formed to the recording sheet stacking portion of the pressure plate 5 or the sheet tray 31 can be selected according to the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1. That is, it is possible to perform switching such that the sheet is discharged onto the pressure plate 5 by the printing operation based on the FAX reception and the image information transmission from the computer terminal, and the image forming sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 31 by the copy function. Further, it is also possible to use the pressure plate 5 and the sheet tray 31 as a sort function for a plurality of types of copies.
[0075]
FIG. 4 is a view showing a state where the pressure plate 5 is opened. When the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a copy or a scanner, the pressure plate 5 is rotated and opened. When the pressure plate 5 is opened, the flapper 32 interferes with the main body of the apparatus or when the sheet is discharged, by synchronizing the operation signal of the solenoid 36 with the operation signal of the solenoid 36 and moving the flapper 32 to the second position 32b. Problems such as jamming can be prevented.
[0076]
Further, by providing a pressure plate opening / closing sensor (not shown) and controlling the solenoid 36 to operate in response to detection by the sensor, the flapper 32 is moved to the second position 32b when the pressure plate 5 is opened. Control may be used.
[0077]
With the above configuration, even when the pressure plate 5 is rotated to be opened, the flapper 32 moves to the second position 32b, so that the sheet is conveyed in the direction of arrow B and stacked on the sheet tray 31. This makes it possible to improve operability and convenience.
[0078]
As described above, the image forming apparatus embodying the present invention has been described in detail using a plurality of modified examples. An example in which such an image forming apparatus has a telephone function will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus embodying the present invention.
[0079]
In the image forming apparatus embodying the present invention shown in the figure, in addition to the configuration shown in the above-described embodiment, the operation unit 41 of the apparatus main body is provided integrally on the front side of the pressure plate 5, and the handle 6 is attached to the operation unit 41. , And a telephone handset 43 is disposed on the left side of the reading unit 1 in front of the ink cartridge standby position 42 of the image forming unit 2 on the apparatus side. Note that the handset 43 is usually arranged on the left side of the apparatus so that it is easy to use for right-handed operators. I do not care. In any case, an efficient device configuration can be obtained by arranging the handset 43 in the dead space corresponding to the difference between the widths of the reading unit 1 and the image forming unit 2.
[0080]
The operation section 41 is not only easy to operate by inclining the front side of the rib 8 on the pressure plate 5 but also between the maximum height on the front side of the pressure plate 5 and the top surface of the pressure plate 5 so as to be lower. Since there is a space between the leading end of the recording sheet 18 stacked thereon and the operation unit 41, there is no hindrance to grasping the handle 6, and the operation is not disabled.
[0081]
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the recording sheet stacking portion is provided on the surface of the pressure plate 5 for pressing the original placed on the original plate opposite to the original pressing surface. It is not necessary to provide it on the side surface or inside, and the size of the device can be reduced.
[0082]
Further, since the image forming unit is configured to be detachable at a position that does not interfere with the pressure plate 5 and the document reading unit 1, maintenance can be easily performed, and operability can be improved.
[0083]
Further, the pressure plate 5 is rotatably held, and even when the document table is opened, an image is formed by the image forming unit 2 and the sheet discharged from the sheet discharge unit 4 is used as a recording sheet on the pressure plate 5. Since the pressure plate 5 is arranged so as to be guided to the stacking portion, the pressure plate 5 can be rotated even during the image forming operation, and the operability can be improved.
[0084]
Further, by providing the wall surface 9 and the eaves 10 for guiding the width direction and the height direction of the sheets stacked on the pressure plate 5, even if the pressure plate 5 is rotated, the sheet on which the image has been formed can be properly positioned. Can be loaded on
[0085]
Further, since the sheet tray 31 is provided above the pressure plate 5, it is possible to select a sheet discharge destination depending on the operation mode of the image forming apparatus, and it is possible to provide an apparatus having high usability.
[0086]
In the embodiment of the present invention described above, the case where an image sensor is used for the document reading unit 1 has been described. However, a flatbed scanner that moves an optical mirror may be used.
[0087]
Further, the recording method of the image forming unit 2 uses the ink jet recording method of forming an image by ejecting ink on a sheet, but the electrophotographic method and the thermal transfer recording method are the same as those of the present invention. Can have an effect.
[0088]
【The invention's effect】
that's allAs described in the above, according to the present invention, the height of the rib at the end opposite to the rotation fulcrum side of the cover member is provided higher than the height of the handle, so that the sheet is placed on the sheet stacking portion. Even when the user grasps the handle while the sheet is being loaded, the sheet loaded on the sheet stacking section does not cover the handle, and the operation is not hindered.You.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration perspective view of an image forming apparatus embodying the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where a pressure plate 5 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is rotated.
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration perspective view of an apparatus in which a telephone function is added to the image forming apparatus embodying the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Document reading unit (document reading means)
2 Image forming unit (image forming means)
3. Recording sheet cassette (sheet support means)
4 Sheet discharging unit (sheet discharging means)
5 pressure plate (cover member)
6 handles
8 ribs
9 Wall
10 houses
31 sheet tray
36 solenoid
51 biasing member

Claims (7)

A cover member for pressing a document placed on the platen to the platen side,
Document reading means for reading an image of a document placed on the platen,
Sheet support means disposed below the document reading means and supporting a sheet for forming an image,
An image forming unit that is arranged beside the document reading unit and the sheet supporting unit and forms an image on a sheet supported by the sheet supporting unit;
A sheet discharging means for exiting exhaust the sheet on which the image has been formed by said image forming means,
A sheet stacking unit for stacking a sheet discharged from the sheet discharging unit on a surface of the cover member opposite to a document pressing surface;
A rib provided substantially parallel to the sheet discharging direction from the sheet discharging means side and inclined so as to be higher in the sheet discharging direction from the sheet discharging means side;
The cover member is provided so as to be rotatable in a direction in which the document table is opened around a rotation fulcrum provided on the sheet discharge unit side,
A handle for rotating the cover member is provided at an end of the cover member opposite to the pivot point,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a height of the rib at an end of the cover member opposite to the rotation fulcrum is higher than a height of the handle . On both ends in the sheet width direction of the cover member, wall surfaces are provided to guide the width direction of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking surface of the cover member ,
The wall surface includes an eave that guides a height direction of a sheet stacked on the cover member,
Height of the wall, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said sheet discharging means side is configured to be lower. Above the front Symbol cover member, a sheet tray for stacking the sheets discharged from the sheet discharge means,
An urging member for urging the sheets stacked on the sheet tray toward the sheet tray,
An end of the urging member that is not held is provided on the sheet tray, and is supported by a support member that slidably supports the urging member with respect to the sheet tray. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the support member has an engagement portion for engaging an end of the urging member on a side that is not held. 5. The sheet tray, a fixed tray portion held and fixed on the cover member,
A rotation tray portion rotatably held by a rotation center provided at an end of the fixed tray portion on the sheet discharge unit side ,
End of the rotating side of the rotational tray unit is for moving the moveable between a first position located above the sheet discharge means, and a second position which is located below the sheet discharging means Yes,
When the rotating tray is in the first position, the rotating tray is moved from the first position to the second position in response to an operation of rotating the cover member to open the document table. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the image forming apparatus is controlled to rotate to a position . Said image forming means, the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that an ink jet recording method for forming an image on a sheet surface by ejecting ink. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , further comprising a sheet feeding unit that feeds a sheet supported by the sheet supporting unit to the image forming unit below the image forming unit. .

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