IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

Abstract

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a unit which can be inserted into the apparatus main body, a locking device which locks the unit to the apparatus main body when the unit is in a predetermined inserted state in the apparatus main body, and a protrusion member which protrudes from an outer surface of the unit or from an outer surface of the apparatus main body in a state in which the unit is inserted into the apparatus main body but not locked to the apparatus main body by the locking device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view for explaining an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state of main body 1 into which a conveyance unit 2 is inserted.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state of the apparatus main body 1 in which the conveyance unit 2 is half-opened.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state of the apparatus main body 1 in which the conveyance unit 2 is ejected from the apparatus main body 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view for explaining an inner portion of the apparatus main body 1.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are side views for explaining a slide mechanism 130 of the apparatus main body 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view for explaining an intermediate transfer belt unit 26 and a conveyance unit 2.

FIG. 8A is a detailed view for explaining a locking portion 6 disposed in an inner portion of the apparatus main body 1.

FIG. 8B is a detailed view for explaining the locking portion 6 disposed in an inner portion of the apparatus main body 1.

FIG. 9A is a detailed view for explaining a structure of a lock sensing portion 7 of the locking portion 6.

FIG. 9B is a detailed view for explaining a structure of a lock sensing portion 7 of the locking portion 6.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of operations performed at the time of occurrence of paper jam.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of operations performed after the ending time of an operation of removing a jammed transfer material S.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus which forms an image on a sheet, comprising: an apparatus main body;a unit which can be inserted into the apparatus main body;a locking device which locks the unit to the apparatus main body when the unit is in a predetermined inserted state in the apparatus main body; anda protrusion member which protrudes from an outer surface of the unit or from an outer surface of the apparatus main body in a state in which the unit is inserted into the apparatus main body but not locked to the apparatus main body by the locking device.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the unit is drawn out from the apparatus main body, the protrusion portion does not protrude from an outer surface of the unit or an outer surface of the apparatus main body.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion member is a member manipulated to release the locking of the locking device, andthe locking of the locking device is released by moving the protrusion member in a direction where the protrusion member protrudes from an outer surface of the unit or an outer surface of the apparatus main body.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit position sensing portion which senses whether or not the unit is inserted in to the main body;a lock sensing portion which senses whether or not the locking device locks the unit;a display unit which displays the inserting manipulation of the unit to a user; anda controller which controls the display of the display unit based on results of sensing of the unit position sensing portion and the lock sensing portion,wherein the controller controls the display unit to display different inserting manipulations according to different cases including a case where the unit position sensing portion senses that the unit is not inserted into the apparatus main body, a case where the unit position sensing portion senses that the unit is inserted to the apparatus main body and the lock sensing portion senses that the locking device does not lock the unit, and a case where the lock sensing portion senses that the locking device locks the unit.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the controller controls the display unit to display to the user information indicating that the unit is incompletely locked to the apparatus main body in a case where the unit position sensing portion senses that the unit is inserted into the apparatus main body and the lock sensing portion senses that the locking device does not lock the unit.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the locking device comprises:an engagement protrusion member which is disposed to one of the apparatus main body and the unit; anda hook which is disposed to the other one of the apparatus main body and the unit and has an engagement recess to be engaged with the engagement protrusion member,the unit is locked to the apparatus main body by engaging the engagement protrusion member with the engagement recess, andwhen the unit is moved in the inserting direction, the hook is moved by being contact with the engagement protrusion member, and due to the movement of the hook, the protrusion member protrudes from the outer surface of the unit or the outer surface of the apparatus main body, and when the hook is in a position where the engagement recess of the hook is engaged with the engagement protrusion member and the unit is locked to the apparatus main body, the protrusion member does not protrude from the outer surface of the unit or the outer surface of the apparatus main body.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the locking device includes a lock sensing portion which senses whether or not the unit is locked to the apparatus main body, andwhen the lock sensing portion senses that the locking of the unit to the apparatus main body is released, electric power from the apparatus main body to electric component in the unit is disconnected, and after the lock sensing portion senses that the unit is locked to the apparatus main body, the electric power connection to the unit starts.