Patent Application
20080240819
The present application is directed to image forming devices and, more specifically, to feed options for introducing and moving media sheets into the image forming devices.
Image forming devices function by moving media sheets along a media path. The timing of the media sheets along the media path is carefully orchestrated to coincide with formation of a toner image. The media sheets and toner images meet at a transfer area where the toner image is applied to the media sheet.
Image forming devices typically include multiple input sources to introduce the media sheets into the media path. The input sources may accommodate a range of media types, and a range of media sheet quantities from a single media sheet to large quantities such as 2,000+ sheets. One type of input source is referred to as a multi-purpose feeder that usually accommodates a low number of sheets. Multi-purpose feeders are often designed to feed specialty media sheets that are difficult to feed through normal input trays, such as envelopes, transparencies, and cardstock.
A multi-purpose feeder provides many advantages to the image forming device, but there may also be some drawbacks. One drawback is the need for additional hardware to move the media sheets from the multi-purpose feeder and into the media path. This additional equipment, may result in the image forming device including a larger overall size. This is a negative because many users want a small device that can easily fit within their workspace. Further, the equipment adds cost to the image forming device which is another negative as price is a leading driver for purchasing decisions.
The present application is directed to image forming devices with option trays to introduce media into a media path. One embodiment, include the image forming device having a body with a front, back, top, and bottom sides. The sides may form an inferior space to contain an imaging unit. The imaging unit may include elements for producing toner images. A media path may extend in a substantially vertical orientation within the interior space. An integrated tray may be positioned at the bottom side of the body and include a first input fray and a manual feed inlet on the front side of the body. Each of first input fray and manual feed inlet form sections of the media path. An option tray may be operatively connected to the bottom side of the body, and may include a second input tray and a multi-purpose feeder. The option tray further lengthens the media path and provides additional avenues to introduce media sheets info the media path.
The present application is directed to architectures for image forming devices. These architectures include multiple inputs for a user to input media sheets into a media path. The inputs may accommodate various quantities and types of media sheets.
A first toner transfer area 120 includes an imaging unit with one or more imaging stations 119. The imaging stations 119 are aligned horizontally extending from the front side 113 to the back side 112 of the body 101. Each imaging station 115 includes a developer unit 118, a photoconductor unit 116, and a toner cartridge 117. Each of the imaging stations 119 is mounted such that photoconductive (PC) drums 125 are substantially parallel. For purposes of clarity, the units 118, 116, and cartridge 117 are labeled on only one of the imaging stations 119. In one embodiment, each of the imaging stations 119 is substantially the same except for the color of toner.
The developer unit 118 includes a toner reservoir 120 to contain the toner, a toner adder roll 121, and a developer roll 122. An agitating member 123 may also be positioned within the reservoir 120 to move the toner. The photoconductor unit 116 includes a charging roll 124 and a PC drum 125. The charging roll 124 forms a nip with the PC drum 125, and charges the surface of the PC drum 125 to a specified voltage such as −1000 volts, for example. A laser beam from a printhead 126 is directed to the surface of the PC drum 125 and discharges those areas it contacts to form a latent image. In one embodiment, areas on the PC drum 125 illuminated by the laser beam are discharged to approximately −300 volts. The developer roll 122, which also forms a nip with the PC drum 125, then transfers toner to the PC drum 125 to form a toner image. The toner is attracted to the areas of the PC drum 125 surface discharged by the laser beam from the printhead 128.
An intermediate transfer mechanism (ITM) 130 is disposed adjacent to each of the imaging stations 119. In this embodiment, the ITM 130 is formed as an endless belt trained about a drive roll 131, tension roll 132 and back-up roll 133. During image forming operations, the ITM 130 moves past the imaging stations 119 in a clockwise direction as viewed in
The ITM 130 rotates and collects the one or more toner images from the imaging stations 119 and then conveys the toner images to a media sheet at a second transfer area. The second transfer area includes a second transfer nip 140 formed between the back-up roll 133 and a second transfer roll 141.
A media path 144 extends through the device 100 for moving the media sheets through the imaging process. A media sheet is initially introduced into the media path 144 at the integrated tray 30 or the option tray 40. The integrated tray 30 includes a first input tray 31 and a manual feed 32. The option tray 40 includes a second input tray 41 and a multi-purpose feeder 42. The media sheet is introduced into the media path 144 and receives the toner image from the ITM 130 as it moves through the second transfer nip 140. The media sheets with toner images are then moved further along the media path 144 and into a fuser area 150. Fuser area 150 includes fusing rolls or belts 151 that form a nip to adhere the toner image to the media sheet. The fused media sheets then pass through exit rolls 145 that are located downstream from the fuser area 150. Exit rolls 145 may be rotated in either forward or reverse directions, in a forward direction, the exit rolls 145 move the media sheet to an output area 147. In a reverse direction, the exit rolls 145 move the media sheet into a duplex path 146 for image formation on a second side of the media sheet.
A first embodiment of the image forming device 100 includes only the integrated tray 30 and does not include the option tray 40. The integrated tray 30 provides for introducing media sheets in two separate manners; the input tray 31 and manual feed 32. The sheets in the input tray 31 are picked by a pick mechanism 33 and moved info the media path 144. In this embodiment, the pick mechanism 33 includes a roll positioned at the end of a pivoting arm. The roll rotates to move the media sheets from input tray 31 and info the media path 144. In one embodiment, the pick mechanism 33 is positioned in proximity (i.e., less than a length of a media sheet) to the second transfer area with the pick mechanism 33 moving the media sheets directly from the input tray 31 into the second transfer nip 140.
The manual feed 32 includes an opening 36 in a front face of the tray 30. The opening 38 is sized to receive media sheets from the user. Rolls 37 are positioned downstream from the opening 36 to contact and move the media sheets into the media path 144. In one embodiment, a sensor 35 is positioned at the rolls 37 to sense a leading edge of the media sheets and activate the roll 37.
A motor 34 may be associated with the integrated fray 30 to drive the pick mechanism 33 and the rolls 37. In one embodiment, motor 34 operates in a first direction to drive the pick mechanism 33, and operates in a second direction to drive the roll 37. The motor 34 may be mounted to the integrated tray 30, or may be mounted within the body 101 and operatively connected when the integrated fray 30 is placed within the body 101. The integrated tray 30 is removable from the body 101 through the front side 113. Removal of the tray provides for the user to refill the input tray 31.
An inlet 38 may be positioned on a bottom side of the integrated tray 30. The inlet 38 is an extension of the media path 144 and provides a conduit for receiving media sheets introduced through the option fray 40.
The option tray 40 includes a second input tray 41 sized to contain a stack of media sheets. In one embodiment, the second input tray 41 includes a greater capacity than input tray 31. In one embodiment, the second input fray 41 may be sized to contain up to about 550 media sheets in a stacked orientation. The sheets in the second input tray 41 are picked by a pick mechanism 43 and moved info the media path 144. The pick mechanism 43 in the second input tray 41 also includes a roll positioned at the end of a pivoting arm.
Rolls 45 are positioned along the media path 144 within the option tray 40. The rolls 45 receive the media sheet from the pick mechanism 43 and move it further along the media path 144. In one embodiment, rolls 45 are positioned in proximity (i.e., less than a length of a media sheet) to the second transfer area. Rolls 45 move the media sheets directly from the second input tray 41 into the second transfer nip 140.
Option tray 40 also includes a multi-purpose feeder 42. Feeder 42 includes one or more rolls 47 and supports 48. The feeder 42 may be selectively positionable between a closed orientation as illustrated in
As illustrated in
The overall architecture of the image forming device 100 is sized to facilitate use within a workspace. The device 100 for the user to perform most functions from the front side 113. This allows the user to positioned the device 100 within their workspace with the back side 112 against a wall or in an otherwise non-accessible orientation. One function performed from the front side 113 includes using the control panel 114 to enter commands and generally control the operation of the image-forming device 100. Functions also include introducing media sheets through the opening 38 in the integrated tray 30, and through the feeder 42 in the option tray 40. Additional functions include removing both the integrated fray 30 and the option tray 40 through the front side to reload the first and second input trays 31, 41.
Terms such as “first”, “second”, and the like, are also used to describe various elements, regions, sections, etc and are also not intended to be limiting. Like terms refer to like elements throughout the description. As used herein, the terms “having”, “containing”, “including”, “comprising” and the like are open ended terms that indicate the presence of stated elements or features, but do not preclude additional elements or features. The articles “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural as well as the singular, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
The present invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the scope and essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.
