This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-104659 filed May 25, 2016.
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including one or plural forming devices that form respective images on a recording medium that is being transported, a fixing device provided on a downstream side with respect to at least one of the forming devices in a direction of transport of the recording medium and that fixes the images formed on the recording medium, a delivering device that receives the recording medium transported in a first direction and discharges the recording medium in a second direction that is different from the first direction, and a supplying device that supplies the recording medium to any of the forming devices or to the delivering device. The forming devices, the fixing device, the delivering device, and the supplying device have respective housings and are each joinable to any of the other devices.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:
An image forming apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to
Overall Configuration
Referring to
Specifically, the forming devices 20 of the image forming apparatus 10 include a forming device 20Y that forms a yellow (Y) toner image, a forming device 20M that forms a magenta (M) toner image, a forming device 20C that forms a cyan (C) toner image, and a forming device 20K that forms a black (K) toner image. Hereinafter, if there is no need to distinguish the forming devices 20 from one another by their colors, the suffixes Y, M, C, and K are omitted.
The plural forming devices 20, the fixing device 40, the delivering device 60, and the supplying device 70 are joinable to one another and are arranged at respective positions on a transport path 12 along which the sheet member P is transported.
The transport path 12 has a U shape when seen in the width direction of the sheet member P that is being transported (the width direction corresponds to the apparatus depth direction in the first exemplary embodiment). Specifically, the transport path 12 extends from a first side (the left side in
The supplying device 70, the forming device 20Y, the forming device 20M, the delivering device 60, the forming device 20C, the forming device 20K, and the fixing device 40 are arranged in this order from the upstream side in the direction of transport of the sheet member P (hereinafter referred to as “sheet transporting direction”).
Forming Device
Referring to
The first housing 22 has a rectangular shape when seen in the width direction of the sheet member P that is being transported. The first housing 22 has an inlet 22A and an outlet 22B through which the sheet member P passes. The inlet 22A and the outlet 22B are provided at respective positions on a straight or substantially straight virtual line when seen in the width direction of the sheet member P that is being transported. Such a configuration allows plural first housings 22 to be joined to one another such that the outlet 22B of one first housing 22 faces the inlet 22A of another first housing 22. In such a state, the sheet member P is allowed to be passed from the one first housing 22 to the other first housing 22.
Referring to
Referring to
The image carrier 26 has a columnar shape and rotates when driven. The transfer roller 36 is provided across the transport path 12 from the image carrier 26. The transfer roller 36 is in contact with the image carrier 26 and rotates by following the rotation of the image carrier 26.
In such a configuration, the sheet member P taken into the inlet 22A is received by the image carrier 26 that is rotating, and is transported while being nipped between the image carrier 26 and the transfer roller 36. Thus, the toner image is transferred to the sheet member P. The image carrier 26 that is rotating discharges the sheet member P now having the toner image from the outlet 22B.
Referring to
Fixing Device
Referring to
The fixing unit 44 includes a heating roller 46 that heats the sheet member P, a pressing roller 48 that presses the sheet member P toward the heating roller 46, and a pair of transporting rollers 50 that discharge the sheet member P to the outside of the first housing 22 while being driven to rotate. The heating roller 46 rotates when driven. The pressing roller 48 is provided across the transport path 12 from the heating roller 46. The pressing roller 48 is in contact with the heating roller 46 and rotates by following the rotation of the heating roller 46.
Referring to
In such a configuration, the sheet member P taken into the inlet 22A is received by the heating roller 46 that is rotating, and is transported while being nipped between the heating roller 46 and the pressing roller 48. Thus, the toner image on the sheet member P is fixed by the fixing unit 44. Furthermore, the pair of transporting rollers 50 that are rotating discharge the sheet member P now having the fixed toner image from the outlet 22B.
Delivering Device
Referring to
When seen in the width direction of the sheet member P, the second housing 62 has an oblong rectangular shape extending in the apparatus top-bottom direction, equivalent to a combination of two first housings 22 that are stacked one on top of another. The second housing 62 has an inlet 62A and an outlet 62B through which the sheet member P passes.
The inlet 62A is provided on the first side in the apparatus width direction so that the sheet member P transported from the first side toward the other side (in an exemplary first direction) in the apparatus width direction is taken thereinto. The outlet 62B is provided on the upper side with respect to the inlet 62A and on the first side in the apparatus width direction so that the sheet member P is discharged from the second side toward the first side (in an exemplary second direction) in the apparatus width direction.
The second housing 62 is joinable to any of the first housings 22 such that the inlet 62A thereof faces the outlet 22B of one first housing 22 while the outlet 62B thereof faces the inlet 22A of another first housing 22. In the first exemplary embodiment, when seen in the width direction of the sheet member P, the second housing 62 is positioned such that the inlet 62A thereof faces the outlet 22B of the first housing 22 of the forming device 20M while the outlet 62B thereof faces the inlet 22A of the first housing 22 of the forming device 20C.
The delivering unit 64 includes a pair of transporting rollers 66A that receive the sheet member P taken into the inlet 62A while being driven to rotate, a pair of transporting rollers 66B that discharge the sheet member P from the outlet 62B while being driven to rotate, and a pair of transporting rollers 66C provided between the pair of transporting rollers 66A and the pair of transporting rollers 66B.
The delivering unit 64 further includes a guide member 68 that guides the sheet member P transported into the delivering unit 64 and coming into contact therewith. The guide member 68 changes the sheet transporting direction. Specifically, the sheet member P transported from the first side toward the second side in the apparatus width direction is redirected by the guide member 68 in such a manner as to be transported from the second side toward the first side in the apparatus width direction.
In such a configuration, the sheet member P transported from the first side toward the second side in the apparatus width direction and taken into the inlet 62A is received by the pair of transporting rollers 66A that are rotating. The sheet member P then comes into contact with the guide member 68 and is guided along the guide member 68. Thus, the sheet transporting direction is changed by 180 degrees. Then, the pair of transporting rollers 66B that are rotating discharge the sheet member P through the outlet 62B from the second side toward the first side in the apparatus width direction.
Supplying Device
Referring to
When seen in the width direction of the sheet member P, the third housing 72 has the same rectangular shape as the first housing 22. The third housing 72 has an outlet 72B through which the sheet member P passes. The third housing 72 is joinable to any of the first housings 22 or to the second housing 62 such that the outlet 72B thereof faces the inlet 22A of the first housing 22 or the inlet 62A of the second housing 62 (see
Referring to
The fixing device 40, the forming device 20K, and the forming device 20C are positioned on top of the supplying device 70, the forming device 20Y, and the forming device 20M, respectively. The supplying device 70, the forming device 20Y, and the forming device 20M form an upstream portion of the transport path 12 having a U shape. The fixing device 40, the forming device 20K, and the forming device 20C form a downstream portion of the transport path 12 having a U shape.
Functions
The supplying device 70 discharges a sheet member P through the outlet 72B from the first side toward the second side in the apparatus width direction (see
The forming device 20Y and the forming device 20M form yellow (Y) and magenta (M) toner images, respectively, on the sheet member P while transporting the sheet member P from the first side toward the second side in the apparatus width direction.
The delivering device 60 receives the sheet member P transported from the first side toward the second side in the apparatus width direction and discharges the sheet member P from the second side toward the first side in the apparatus width direction.
The forming device 20C and the forming device 20K form cyan (C) and black (K) toner images, respectively, on the sheet member P while transporting the sheet member P from the second side toward the first side in the apparatus width direction.
The fixing device 40 fixes the toner images in the respective colors on the sheet member P while transporting the sheet member P from the second side toward the first side in the apparatus width direction and discharges the sheet member P now having the fixed toner images to the outside.
As described above, the delivering device 60 receives the sheet member P that is transported from the first side toward the second side in the apparatus width direction and discharges the received sheet member P from the second side toward the first side in the apparatus width direction. Hence, the image forming apparatus 10 has a shorter length in the apparatus width direction than an image forming apparatus (see
Furthermore, the first housings 22 are joinable to one another such that the outlet 22B of one first housing 22 faces the inlet 22A of another first housing 22. Furthermore, the second housing 62 is joinable to any of the first housings 22 such that the inlet 62A thereof faces the outlet 22B of one first housing 22 while the outlet 62B thereof faces the inlet 22A of another first housing 22. Furthermore, the third housing 72 is joinable to any of the first housings 22 or the second housing 62 such that the outlet 72B thereof faces the inlet 22A of one first housing 22 or the inlet 62A of the second housing 62. That is, the housings 22, 62, and 72 are joinable to one another in accordance with the shape of the floor surface G on which the image forming apparatus 10 is to be installed.
An image forming apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to
Referring to
Specifically, a supplying device 70, a forming device 20Y, a forming device 20M, and a delivering device 60 are stacked in this order from the upper side toward the lower side in the apparatus top-bottom direction, and the delivering device 60, a forming device 20C, a forming device 20K, and a fixing device 40 are stacked in this order from the lower side toward the upper side in the apparatus top-bottom direction. The forming device 20C, the forming device 20K, and the fixing device 40 are positioned side by side with the forming device 20M, the forming device 20Y, and the supplying device 70, respectively, in the apparatus width direction.
As described above, the arrangement of the devices included in the image forming apparatus is determinable in accordance with the shape of the floor surface G on which the image forming apparatus is to be installed.
The other functions realized in the second exemplary embodiment are the same as those realized in the first exemplary embodiment.
An image forming apparatus according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to
Referring to
Specifically, a supplying device 70, a forming device 20Y, a forming device 20M, and a delivering device 60 are arranged in this order from the first side toward the second side in the apparatus width direction, while the delivering device 60, a forming device 20C, a forming device 20K, and a fixing device 40 are arranged in this order from the second side toward the first side in the apparatus width direction. In the apparatus depth direction, the forming device 20C, the forming device 20K, and the fixing device 40 are positioned next to the forming device 20M, the forming device 20Y, and the supplying device 70, respectively.
The other functions realized in the third exemplary embodiment are the same as those realized in the first exemplary embodiment.
An image forming apparatus according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to
Referring to
A supplying device 70, a forming device 20Y, a forming device 20M, a forming device 20C, and a forming device 20K are arranged in this order along a wall E from the upper side toward the lower side in the apparatus top-bottom direction. Furthermore, a delivering device 100 is provided under the forming device 20K, and a fixing device 40 is provided on the second side of the delivering device 100 in the apparatus width direction.
Delivering Device
The delivering device 100 includes a second housing 102 and a delivering unit 104 provided in the second housing 102.
The second housing 102 has the same rectangular shape as the first housing 22 when seen in the width direction of the sheet member P. The second housing 102 has an inlet 102A and an outlet 102B through which the sheet member P passes.
The inlet 102A is provided on the upper side of the second housing 102 in the apparatus top-bottom direction so that the sheet member P transported from the upper side toward the lower side (in an exemplary first direction) in the apparatus top-bottom direction is received. The outlet 102B is provided on the second side of the second housing 102 in the apparatus width direction so that the sheet member P is discharged from the first side toward the second side (in an exemplary second direction) in the apparatus width direction.
Hence, the second housing 102 is joinable to any of the first housings 22 such that the inlet 102A thereof faces the outlet 22B of one first housing 22 while the outlet 102B thereof faces the inlet 22A of another first housing 22. In the fourth exemplary embodiment, the second housing 102 is positioned such that the inlet 102A thereof faces the outlet 22B of the first housing 22 of the forming device 20K while the outlet 102B thereof faces the inlet 22A of the first housing 22 of the fixing device 40.
The delivering unit 104 includes a pair of transporting rollers 106A that receive the sheet member P taken into the inlet 102A while being driven to rotate, a pair of transporting rollers 106B that discharge the sheet member P from the outlet 102B while being driven to rotate, and a guide member 108 that guides the sheet member P coming into contact therewith and changes the sheet transporting direction. Specifically, the guide member 108 guides the sheet member P such that the sheet member P transported from the upper side toward the lower side in the apparatus top-bottom direction is transported from the first side toward the second side in the apparatus width direction.
In such a configuration, the pair of transporting rollers 106A that are rotating receive the sheet member P taken into the inlet 102A and transported from the upper side toward the lower side in the apparatus top-bottom direction. Then, the guide member 108 receives the sheet member P coming into contact therewith and guides the sheet member P therealong, whereby the sheet transporting direction is changed by 90 degrees. The pair of transporting rollers 106B that are rotating discharge the sheet member P through the outlet 102B from the first side toward the second side in the apparatus width direction.
Functions
The supplying device 70 discharges the sheet member P through the outlet 72B from the upper side toward the lower side in the apparatus top-bottom direction.
Then, the forming device 20Y, the forming device 20M, the forming device 20C, and the forming device 20K form yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images, respectively, on the sheet member P while transporting the sheet member P in from the upper side toward the lower side in the apparatus top-bottom direction.
The delivering device 100 receives the sheet member P transported from the upper side toward the lower side in the apparatus top-bottom direction and discharges the sheet member P from the first side toward the second side in the apparatus width direction.
The fixing device 40 fixes the toner images in the respective colors on the sheet member P while transporting the sheet member P from the first side toward the second side in the apparatus width direction, and discharges the sheet member P now having the fixed toner images to the outside.
The other functions realized in the fourth exemplary embodiment are the same as those realized in the first exemplary embodiment.
An image forming apparatus according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to
Referring to
The image forming apparatus 110 configured as above forms only a black (K) toner image on the sheet member P.
The other functions realized in the fifth exemplary embodiment are the same as those realized in the fourth exemplary embodiment.
An image forming apparatus according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to
Configuration
Referring to
The fixing device 40 and the forming device 20K that are on the downstream side in the sheet transporting direction are positioned on top of the forming device 20K and the fixing device 40, respectively, that are on the upstream side in the sheet transporting direction. The forming device 20K on the downstream side in the sheet transporting direction forms a toner image on a second surface of the sheet member P that is opposite a first surface of the sheet member P on which the forming device 20K on the upstream side in the sheet transporting direction forms a toner image.
The fixing device 40 on the upstream side in the sheet transporting direction heats the first surface of the sheet member P, while the fixing device 40 on the downstream side in the sheet transporting direction heats the second surface of the sheet member P.
Functions
The supplying device 70 discharges a sheet member P through the outlet 72B from the first side toward the second side in the apparatus width direction.
The forming device 20K on the upstream side forms a black (K) toner image on the first surface of the sheet member P while transporting the sheet member P from the first side toward the second side in the apparatus width direction.
The fixing device 40 on the upstream side receives the sheet member P now having the toner image on the first side thereof and fixes the toner image on the sheet member P while transporting the sheet member P from the first side toward the second side in the apparatus width direction.
The delivering device 60 receives the sheet member P transported from the first side toward the second side in the apparatus width direction and discharges the sheet member P from the second side toward the first side in the apparatus width direction.
The forming device 20K on the downstream side receives the sheet member P from the delivering device 60 and forms a black (K) toner image on the second surface of the sheet member P while transporting the sheet member P from the second side toward the first side in the apparatus width direction.
The fixing device 40 on the downstream side receives the sheet member P now having the toner image on the second side as well and fixes the toner image on the sheet member P while transporting the sheet member P from the second side toward the first side in the apparatus width direction. Thus, the image forming apparatus 120 forms toner images on both sides of the sheet member P.
The other functions realized in the sixth exemplary embodiment are the same as those realized in the fourth exemplary embodiment.
While some specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. It is obvious for those skilled in the art that various other exemplary embodiments are conceivable within the scope of the present invention. For example, the supplying device 70, the forming devices 20, the delivering device 60 or 100, and the fixing device 40 may be joined to one another in any other ways that have not been employed in the above exemplary embodiments.
While the above exemplary embodiments each concern a case where the sheet transporting direction is changed by 180 degrees by using the delivering device 60 or by 90 degrees by using the delivering device 100, the sheet transporting direction may be changed by 180 degrees by using two delivering devices 100, for example.
While the above exemplary embodiments each concern the case where the sheet transporting direction is changed by 180 degrees by using the delivering device 60 or by 90 degrees by using the delivering device 100, the sheet transporting direction may be changed by any other angle that is different from 180 degrees and 90 degrees, for example.
Although not especially mentioned in the above exemplary embodiments, a postprocessing device such as a binding unit may be provided at the most downstream position in the sheet transporting direction. That is, a postprocessing device may be provided on the downstream side of the fixing device 40 in the sheet transporting direction.
An image forming apparatus according to a first reference embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to
Referring to
The delivering device 132 includes a housing 136 and guiding plates 134 provided in the housing 136. The delivering device 132 changes the direction of transport of the sheet member P received from the supplying device 70.
An image forming apparatus according to a second reference embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to
Referring to
An image forming apparatus according to a third reference embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to
Referring to
An image forming apparatus according to a fourth reference embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to
Referring to
An image forming apparatus according to a fifth reference embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to
Referring to
An image forming apparatus according to a sixth reference embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to
Referring to
The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments 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 embodiments were 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.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2016-104659 | May 2016 | JP | national |
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Number | Date | Country |
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2004-093599 | Mar 2004 | JP |
2008-009296 | Jan 2008 | JP |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20170343939 A1 | Nov 2017 | US |