Patent Application
20150168905
The invention relates to an image recording apparatus for recording an image on paper being transported on a paper transport path; and more particularly to an image recording apparatus provided with a unit pulling-out mechanism for pulling a unit out of the apparatus.
In electrophotographic image recording apparatus, paper is fed from a paper feeding section to an image recording section where an image is formed on the paper. Then the paper is output to a paper output section. Paper jams sometimes occur on a paper transport path leading from the paper feeding section, through the image recording section, to the paper output section. Paper jams are likely to occur particularly in the image recording section. This is because paper tends to be curled while undergoing various processes in the image recording section such as: a developer-image transfer process performed by a transfer device; or a fusing process performed by a fusing device.
Some image recording apparatus are provided with a paper transport path that includes a reversing transport path for use in duplex image formation (an image is formed on both sides of paper). In duplex image formation, paper with an image formed on a first side is reversed in the reversing transport path and transported back to the image recording section. Such a paper transport path has several bifurcations and confluences. Paper jams are likely to occur at the bifurcations and confluences since the transport direction of paper is changed there.
In the event of a paper jam occurring in part of the paper transport path, image recording apparatus stop paper transport throughout the paper transport path, and then suspend an image forming process until all paper sheets present on the paper transport path are removed. JP H09-134050A discloses an image recording apparatus provided with a removable image recording section. The image recording section has openable side walls and can be pulled out to the front side of the apparatus. This arrangement facilitates removal of paper jammed in the image recording section.
In the apparatus, however, only part of the paper transport path located in the image recording section can be exposed by pulling out the section and opening the side walls, and it is therefore difficult to remove jammed paper from unexposed parts of the paper transport path. Also, it is necessary for a user to open all of the side walls to check to see if all paper sheets are removed from the paper transport path.
As a solution to the above-described problems, an image recording apparatus has been proposed that includes: a first pullout unit that can be pulled out to the front of the apparatus; and a second pullout unit that can be pulled out to the lateral side of the apparatus with the first unit pulled out of the apparatus. The first unit has a first transport path, as part of a paper transport path, positioned therein. The second unit has a second transport path, as another part of the paper transport path, positioned therein.
The second transport path is separated from the first transport path by pulling the second unit out of the first unit, so that a large part of each of the first and second paths can be exposed.
When no restriction is imposed on the movement of the first and second units, however, it is impossible to prevent the second unit from being pulled out of the first unit with the first unit not fully pulled out of the apparatus, or the first unit from being inserted into the apparatus with the second unit not fully retracted in the first unit. Thus, the second unit may come into collision with the apparatus and cause malfunctions of, or damage to, the apparatus.
In view of the foregoing, a feature of the invention is to provide an image recording apparatus including a unit pulling-out mechanism that prevents malfunctions of, and damage to, the apparatus by restricting movement of the first and second pullout units in a situation when there is a possibility of the second unit coming into collision with the apparatus.
An image recording apparatus according to an aspect of the invention includes a first pullout unit, a second pullout unit, and a first lock mechanism. The first pullout unit is movable along a first axis between a first retracted position where the first pullout unit is fully retracted in the apparatus, and a first exposed position where at least one side surface of the first pullout unit is fully exposed to the front of the apparatus. The second pullout unit is movable along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis between a second retracted position where the second pullout unit is fully retracted in the first pullout unit, and a second exposed position where the second pullout unit is exposed to a side of the side surface of the first pullout unit. The first lock mechanism prevents movement of the second pullout unit from the second retracted position to the second exposed position when the first pullout unit is not in the first exposed position. This arrangement allows the second pullout unit to be moved to the side of the side surface of the first pullout unit only when the side surface is fully exposed to the front of the apparatus and thus prevents collision of the second pullout unit with the apparatus when the second pullout unit is moved.
With reference to the accompanying drawings, image recording apparatus according to preferred embodiments of the invention will be described below.
The unit 200 has an automatic document feeder (ADF) 201, a first document platen 202, a second document platen 203, a first mirror base 204, a second mirror base 205, a lens 206, and a charge coupled device (CCD) 207.
The ADF 201 feeds an original document, sheet by sheet, from a document tray 211 through the platen 203 to a first output tray 212. The ADF 201 is mounted so as to be pivotable about a rear-end pivot between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the ADF 201 covers the platen 202. The ADF 201 is pivoted upward to the open position to expose the platen 202, so that a user can place an original document manually on the platen 202.
Each of the platens 202 and 203 includes a hard glass plate.
The bases 204 and 205 are provided below the platens 202 and 203 so as to be movable horizontally. The base 205 moves half as fast as the base 204. On the base 204, a light source and a first mirror are mounted. On the base 205, a second mirror and a third mirror are mounted.
When an image of original document transported by the ADF 201 is to be read, the base 204 is held still below the platen 203. While passing on the platen 203, the original document is irradiated with light from the light source. The reflected light is in turn reflected from the first mirror to the base 205.
When an image of original document placed on the platen 202 is to be read, the bases 204 and 205 are moved horizontally below the platen 202. The document on the platen 202 is irradiated with light from the light source. The reflected light is in turn reflected from the first mirror to the base 205.
Regardless of whether an original document is fed by the ADF 201 or placed on the platen 202, thus, the reflected light from the original document is in turn reflected from the second and third mirrors, and then strikes the CCD 207 through the lens 206.
The CCD 207 outputs electric signals according to an amount of the reflected light from the original document. The electric signals are input to the image forming unit 300 as image data.
The unit 300 is provided with an image recording section 30. The section 30 includes a photoreceptor drum 31, a charging device 32, an exposure device 33, a developing device 34, a transfer belt 35, a cleaner 36, and a fusing device 37.
The drum 31, which has an outer photoreceptive surface, is rotatable in a direction indicated by an arrow. The charging device 32 applies, to the surface of the drum 31, such a voltage as to allow the surface to have a uniform electric potential. The device 32 may be either a noncontact charger, or a contact charger of roller or brush type.
The exposure device 33 irradiates the surface of the drum 31 with light modulated according to image data, so that an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface. The device 33 has a polygon mirror through which to scan the drum 31 axially with a laser light modulated according to image data. Alternatively, an exposure device provided with an array of light emitting elements such as ELs or LEDs may be used as the device 33.
The developing device 34 supplies toner to the surface of the drum 31 and develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image.
Under the drum 31, the transfer belt 35 is looped over a plurality of rollers. The belt 35 has a resistance of 1×109 Ω·cm to 1×1013 Ω·cm. Inside the loop of the belt 35, a transfer roller 35A is provided so as to be pressed against the drum 31 through the belt 35. A predetermined amount of transfer voltage is applied to the roller 35A, so that a toner image is transferred from the drum 31 to paper that passes between the belt 35 and the drum 31.
The cleaner 36 removes residual toner that remains on the drum 31 after a toner image is transferred from the drum 31 to paper.
The fusing device 37 has a heat roller 37A and a pressure roller 37B. The roller 37A is heated, by an internal heater, to a sufficient temperature to melt toner. The roller 37B is pressed against the roller 37A at a predetermined pressure. The device 37 heats and pressurizes paper passing between the rollers 37A and 37B, thereby firmly fixing a toner image to the paper. After passing through the device 37, the paper is output to a second output tray 38 mounted on a side surface of the apparatus 100. The tray 38 corresponds to the paper output section of the Claims.
The paper feeding unit 400, which corresponds to the paper feeding section according to the Claims, has sheet cassettes 401, 402, 403, and 404, and a manual sheet feeding tray 405. Each of the cassettes 401 to 404 holds a plurality of sheets of paper of the same size. The tray 405 is provided for holding sheets of paper of sizes and types that are used infrequently.
The unit 400 feeds paper, sheet by sheet, from any one of the cassettes 401 to 404 and the tray 405. Paper fed by the unit 400 is transported to the image recording section 30 along a paper transport path 10 to be described below.
The first path 11 leads from the unit 400 to the tray 38, through a first confluence 21, the section 30, a first bifurcation 24, and a second confluence 22 in that order. Arranged along the path 11 are transport rollers 61, 62, and 63, a registration roller 51, and an output roller 52.
A portion of the path 11 located in the section 30 is in an approximately horizontal position. In the portion, the belt 35 is arranged for stable transfer of toner image from the drum 31 to paper and for stable transport of the paper with an pre-fusion toner image electrostatically attracted thereto.
The first bifurcation 24 is located between the section 30 and the tray 38. The second path 12 leads from the bifurcation 24 to a switchback section 12A, through a second bifurcation 25 and a third bifurcation 26 in that order. The section 12A is located below and parallel to the portion of the path 11 located in the section 30. The section 12A transports paper forwards and backwards therealong. Along the path 12, there are provided reversing rollers 53 and 58.
The third path 13 leads from the third bifurcation 26 to the first confluence 21 through a third confluence 23. The path 13 is located between the section 12A and the portion of the path 11 located in the section 30. Along the path 13, transport rollers 54, 55, 56, and 57 are arranged.
The fourth path 14 leads from the bifurcation 25 to the confluence 23. The fifth path 15 leads from the bifurcation 25 to the confluence 22.
The units 1 and 2 are mounted inside the apparatus 100. In the unit 1, the transfer belt 35, the transfer roller 35A, and the fusing device 37 are positioned. The unit 1 is mounted on the apparatus 100 through sliding rail assemblies 3A and 3B. The assemblies 3A and 3B allow the unit 1 to be moved, along an X-axis as the first axis according to the Claims, between a first retracted position and a first exposed position. In the first retracted position, the unit 1 is fully retracted in the apparatus 100. In the first exposed position, the unit 1 has at least a side surface 1A fully exposed to the front of the apparatus 100.
In the unit 1, referring to
When the unit 1 is pulled out from the first retracted position to the first exposed position, the portion of the path 11 located in the section 30 is exposed, as shown in
As an example, a precision ball bearing sliding rail assembly is usable as each of the assemblies 3A and 3B.
In the unit 2, referring also to
Referring back to
The rail 311 is secured to the apparatus 100. In the rail 311, the rail 312 is made movable along the X-axis by a ball bearing (not shown). The rail 313 is attached to the unit 1 and is made movable, along the X-axis, in the rail 312 by a ball bearing (not shown).
The assembly 3A also includes a restricting member. When the assembly 3A is extended, the restricting member prevents movement of the rail 313 in the extension direction until the rail 312 reaches a position fully extended from the rail 311. When the assembly 3A is contracted, the restricting member also prevents movement of the rail 312 in the contraction direction until the rail 313 reaches a position fully retracted in the rail 312.
When the assembly 3A is to be extended from a fully retracted position as shown in
When the assembly 3A is to be contracted from a fully extended position as shown in
As an example, the blocking member includes a cam member that is provided on the rail 312 so as to move up and down, and a first projection that is formed on the rail 311 for contact with the cam member. When the rail 313 is in the position fully extended from the rail 312, the cam member is in contact with the projection under its own weight, thereby preventing the movement of the rail 312 in the contraction direction. When the rail 313 is in the fully retracted position in the rail 312, in contrast, the cam member is moved to a position out of contact with the projection by a rear end of the rail 313, thereby enabling the movement of the rail 312 in the contraction direction.
The blocking member further includes a second projection that is formed on a surface of the rail 313 facing the rail 312, and a leaf spring that is provided on the rail 312 for elastic engagement with the second projection when the rail 313 is in the fully retracted position. When the assembly 3A is to be extended, the rail 312 is extended from the rail 311 together with the rail 313 due to the engagement between the second projection and the leaf spring. After the rail 312 is fully extended from the rail 311, the rail 313 is extended from the rail 312 by application of a force greater than that of the engagement between the second projection and the leaf spring.
As the assemblies 3A and 3B, thus, any existing sliding rail assemblies are usable that have such a restricting member as to operate as illustrated in
When the unit 1 is in the first retracted position, the assembly 3A is in the fully contracted position as shown in
When the unit 1 is in the first exposed position, in contrast, the assembly 3A is in the fully extended position as shown in
The claws 713A and 713B are for engagement with engagement portions 721A and 721B provided in the unit 1, respectively, when the unit 2 is in the second retracted position. Further, the shaft 701 has coil springs 703A and 703B. Elastic force applied by the springs 703A and 703B urges the shaft 701 in a rotational direction to engage the claws 713A and 713B with the portions 721A and 721B, respectively, from below.
The first lock mechanism of the Claims is configured as a lever 501. The lever 501 is mounted on the unit 1 rotatably about a rotary shaft 511. The shaft 511 is arranged on the Z-axis, which is perpendicular to both of the X- and Y-axes. The lever 501 has a roller 513 rotatably mounted above the rail 313, and a projection 512 provided below the rail 313. The projection 512 is in contact with the arm 711 from above when the unit 1 is not in the first exposed position. The lever 501 is urged in a clockwise direction (i.e., a direction of arrow A) in
The second lock mechanism of the Claims is configured as a stopper 601. The stopper 601 is mounted, rotatably about a rotary shaft 611, on the unit 1. The shaft 611 is arranged on the Z-axis. The stopper 601 is provided with a restricting member 613 and a contact member 612, both positioned below the rail 313. The member 612 is to have contact with the release plate 712 when the unit 2 is in the second retracted position.
The member 613 is arranged opposite a lower front end of the rail 312. The stopper 601 is urged in a counterclockwise direction (i.e., a direction of arrow B) in
At this time, the lever 501 is in a position shown by a chain double-dashed line in
When the unit 1 is not in the first exposed position, thus, the shaft 701 cannot be rotated in the direction to move the claws 713A and 713B downward by operating the handle 702. This maintains engagement of the claws 713A and 713B with the respective portions 721A and 721B and thus prevents the unit 2 from being pulled out of the unit 1 along the Y-axis.
When the unit 1 is being pulled out from the first retracted position to the first exposed position along the X-axis and the rail 312 reaches the position fully extended from the rail 311, the rail 313 is then extended from the rail 312. As the rail 313 is being extended, the roller 513 slides on the side of the rail 312.
When the unit 1 reaches the first exposed position, the roller 513 goes beyond the front end of the rail 312, with the circumferential surface thereof out of contact with the side of the rail 312. Thus, the lever 501 is rotated, in the direction of arrow A, to a position shown by a solid line in
When the unit 1 is in the first exposed position, thus, the shaft 701 can be rotated in the direction to move the claws 713A and 713B downward by operating the handle 702. This releases engagement of the claws 713A and 713B with the respective portions 721A and 721B and thus allows the unit 2 to be pulled out of the unit 1 along the Y-axis.
As described above, the lever 501 prevents the movement of the unit 2 from the second retracted position to the second exposed position when the unit 1 is not in the first exposed position. This ensures prevention of the unit 2 from being pulled out of the unit 1 and coming into contact with the apparatus 100 while the unit 1 is being pulled out of the apparatus 100. Therefore, this prevents malfunction of, and damage to, the apparatus 100.
As the unit 2 is being pulled out from the second retracted position to the second exposed position along the Y-axis, the shaft 701 along with the unit 2 is moved away from the assembly 3A, so that the plate 712 is brought out of contact with the member 612. Thus, the stopper 601 is rotated, in the direction of arrow B, to a position shown by a chain double-dashed line in
The unit 1, on which the stopper 601 is mounted, has the rail 313 attached thereto. Thus, the contact between the member 613 and the lower front end of the rail 312 prevents movement of the rail 313 in the direction to retract into the rail 312. When the rail 313 is not in the fully retracted position in the rail 312, the assembly 3A prevents movement of the rail 312 in the contraction direction. Accordingly, when the unit 2 is out of the second retracted position, the unit 1 cannot be moved to the first retracted position.
In the manner as described above, the unit 1 is prevented from being moved from the first exposed position to the first retracted position when the unit 2 is not in the second retracted position. This ensures prevention of the unit 1 from being pushed into the apparatus 100 with the unit 2 pulled out of the unit 1, and of the unit 2 from coming into contact with the apparatus 100. Therefore, this prevents malfunction of, and damage to, the apparatus 100.
The first and second lock mechanisms of the Claims include, but are not limited to, the lever 501 and the stopper 601, respectively, in the embodiment as described above. Any device suffices as the first lock mechanism as long as the device prevents the movement of the unit 2 from the second retracted position to the second exposed position when the unit 1 is not in the first exposed position. Also, any device suffices as the second lock mechanism as long as the device prevents the movement of the unit 1 from the first exposed position to the first retracted position when the unit 1 is not in the second retracted position.
Further, it is not necessary for the apparatus 100 to be provided with both of the first and second lock mechanisms. Provision of at least one of the first and second lock mechanisms reduces the possibility of the unit 2 coming into contact with the apparatus 100 and, therefore, the likelihood of malfunctions of, and damage to, the apparatus 100.
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-176745 | Jun 2006 | JP | national |
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/819,031, filed Jun. 25, 2007, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. This application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-176745, filed Jun. 27, 2006, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11819031 | Jun 2007 | US |
| Child | 14633699 | US |
