U.S. patent application number 11/679473 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-13 for image forming apparatus having a compact size.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Dong-ha Choi.
Application Number | 20080063450 11/679473 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38543878 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080063450 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Choi; Dong-ha |
March 13, 2008 |
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING A COMPACT SIZE
Abstract
An image forming apparatus having a compact size includes a
printing medium supplying unit to hold printing media and to supply
a printing medium, an image forming unit disposed above the
printing medium supplying unit to form images on a printing medium,
and a printing medium feeding part substantially formed in a letter
"C" shape, having a part which extends to the image forming unit
and which is inclined in a downward direction along a printing
medium moving direction to feed the printing medium from the
printing medium supplying unit to the image forming unit.
Inventors: |
Choi; Dong-ha; (Suwon-si,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STEIN, MCEWEN & BUI, LLP
1400 EYE STREET, NW, SUITE 300
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
38543878 |
Appl. No.: |
11/679473 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
399/388 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B41J 13/14 20130101;
G03G 15/6561 20130101; B65H 2601/523 20130101; B41J 13/103
20130101; B41J 11/005 20130101; G03G 21/1609 20130101; B41J 29/023
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
399/388 |
International
Class: |
B65H 5/36 20060101
B65H005/36 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 12, 2006 |
KR |
2006-88284 |
Claims
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a printing medium
supplying unit to hold and supply printing media; an image forming
unit disposed above the printing medium supplying unit to form
images on one of the printing media supplied from the printing
medium supplying unit; and a printing medium feeding part having a
substantially "C" shape, having a part which extends to the image
forming unit and which is inclined in a downward direction along a
printing medium moving direction to feed the printing medium from
the printing medium supplying unit to the image forming unit in the
downward direction toward the printing medium supplying unit.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a case holding the printing medium supplying unit, the
image forming unit, and the printing medium feeding part; and an
auxiliary printing medium supplying unit disposed between a top
surface of the case and a top end of the printing medium feeding
part to supply another printing medium to the image forming
unit.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further
comprising: a discharging unit disposed above the printing medium
supplying unit to discharge the one printing medium through a side
of the case.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further
comprising: a printing medium supporting part disposed between the
discharging unit and the side of the case to support the one
printing medium and the another printing medium discharged from the
discharging unit.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the
printing medium supporting part is inclined downward along a
printing medium discharging direction so as to support the one
printing medium on an incline.
6. An image forming apparatus comprising: a case; a printing medium
supplying unit disposed at a lower portion of the case to hold and
supply printing media; an image forming unit disposed above the
printing medium supplying unit within the case to form images on
one of the printing media held by the printing medium supplying
unit; a printing medium feeding part within the case having a
feeding roller to feed the one printing medium from the printing
medium supplying unit to the image forming unit and a printing
medium feeding path that connects the feeding roller with the image
forming unit and which is inclined in a downward direction to feed
the one printing medium down to the image forming unit; a fixing
unit within the case to fix images formed by the image forming unit
onto the printing medium; a discharging unit to discharge the one
printing medium with the fixed images outside of the case; and a
controller to control the printing medium supplying unit, the image
forming unit, the feeding roller, the fixing unit, and the
discharging unit in order to perform printing operations.
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further
comprising: an auxiliary printing medium supplying unit disposed
between a top surface of the case and the feeding roller to supply
another printing medium to the image forming unit.
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the
auxiliary printing medium supplying unit comprises a printing
medium entrance formed at a back area of the top surface of the
case.
9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the
auxiliary printing medium supplying unit further comprises a door
to selectively open or close the printing medium entrance.
10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
image forming unit is disposed so that a height from a bottom
surface of the case to a part of the image forming unit at which
images are transferred onto the one printing medium is lower than a
height from the bottom surface of the case to a top end of the
feeding roller.
11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the
height from the bottom surface of the case to the top end of the
feeding roller is approximately 90 mm or less.
12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the
height from the bottom surface of the case to the part of the image
forming unit at which images are transferred onto the printing
medium is approximately 60 mm.
13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a top
surface of the case is formed in a plane substantially parallel to
a bottom surface of the case.
14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the
height from the bottom surface of the case to the top surface of
the case is approximately 150 mm or less.
15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
discharging unit is disposed above the printing medium supplying
unit at a side of the fixing unit to discharge the one printing
medium through a side of the case.
16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, further
comprising: a printing medium supporting part formed between the
discharging unit and the side of the case to support the one
printing medium discharged from the discharging unit.
17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the
printing medium supporting part is inclined in a downward direction
along a printing medium discharging direction so as to support the
one printing medium on an incline.
18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
fixing unit is disposed so that a height from a bottom surface of
the case to a part of the fixing unit through which the printing
medium passes is substantially the same height as a height from the
bottom surface of the case to a part of the image forming unit at
which images are transferred onto the one printing medium.
19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
discharging unit is disposed so that a height from a bottom surface
of the case to a part of the discharging unit through which the one
printing medium passes is higher than a height from the bottom
surface of the case to a part of the fixing unit through which the
one printing medium passes.
20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
controller is disposed above the discharging unit near a side of
the case through which the one printing medium is discharged.
21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the
image forming unit is disposed so that a height from a bottom
surface of the case to a part of the image forming unit through
which the printing medium passes is lower than a height from the
bottom surface of the case to a top end of the feeding roller.
22. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the
top surface of the case is formed in a plane substantially parallel
to a bottom surface of the case.
23. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the
discharging unit is disposed above the printing medium supplying
unit at a side of the fixing unit to discharge the printing medium
through a side of the case.
24. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the
fixing unit is disposed so that a height from a bottom surface of
the case to a part of the fixing unit through which the one
printing medium passes is substantially the same height as a height
from the bottom surface of the case to a part of the image forming
unit through which the one printing medium passes.
25. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a printing medium
supplying unit to store at least one printing medium; an image
forming unit disposed above the printing medium supplying unit to
form images on the printing medium supplied from the printing
medium supplying unit; a printing medium feeding path along which
the printing medium moves from the printing medium supplying unit
to the image forming unit by feeding the printing medium in a
downward direction toward the printing medium supplying unit.
26. The image forming apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the
printing medium feeding path includes a curved printing medium
feeding part having a "C" shape.
27. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a case having a bottom
side; a printing medium supplying unit at the bottom side to store
at least one printing medium; a feeding roller in the case disposed
above the printing medium supplying unit to feed the printing
medium from the printing medium supplying unit; an image forming
unit disposed below the feeding roller and above the printing
medium supplying unit to form images on the printing medium fed
from the feeding roller; and a fixing unit in the case to fix
images formed by the image forming unit onto the printing
medium.
28. The image forming apparatus of claim 27, wherein the image
forming unit and the fixing unit are both located a substantially
equal distance above the bottom side of the case.
29. The image forming apparatus of claim 28, wherein the
substantially equal distance is approximately 60 mm.
30. The image forming apparatus of claim 27, wherein the feeding
roller is located approximately 90 mm above the bottom side.
31. The image forming apparatus of claim 30, wherein the image
forming unit and the fixing unit are both located a substantially
equal distance above the bottom side.
32. The image forming apparatus of claim 31, wherein the
substantially equal distance is approximately 60 mm.
33. The image forming apparatus of claim 28, further comprising: a
printing medium feeding path along which the printing medium moves
from the printing medium supplying unit to the image forming unit;
and a printing medium feeding part along a portion of the printing
medium feeding path, which is substantially formed in a letter "C"
shape.
34. The image forming apparatus of claim 27, wherein a distance
between the bottom side of the case and a top side of the case is
approximately 150 mm.
35. The image forming apparatus of claim 34, wherein the top side
of the case is substantially coplanar to the bottom side of the
case.
36. The image forming apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a
controller to control the printing medium supplying unit, the
feeding roller, the image forming unit, and the fixing unit in
order to perform printing operations.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Application
No. 2006-88284, filed Sep. 12, 2006 in the Korean Intellectual
Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Aspects of the present invention relate to an image forming
apparatus. More particularly, aspects of the present invention
relate to an arrangement of parts of an image forming apparatus
which causes the image forming apparatus to have a compact
size.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, image forming apparatuses, (especially electro
photographic image forming apparatuses such as laser printers),
include a printing medium supplying unit that holds printing media
(such as sheets of paper), picks up the printing media one by one,
and supplies the picked up printing medium; a feeding roller that
supplies the printing medium picked up from the printing medium
supplying unit; an image forming unit that forms images
corresponding to printing data on the printing medium fed by the
feeding roller, a fixing unit that fixes the images formed onto the
printing medium by the image forming unit; and a discharging unit
that discharges the printing medium as the printing medium passes
through the fixing unit to the outside thereof.
[0006] The conventional image forming apparatuses including
above-described parts may be classified into two types which have
different basic structures according to an arrangement of parts
thereof: an "S" type and a "C" type. The "S" type is an image
forming apparatus that has a printing medium moving path which is
similar to the shape of the letter "S." The "C" type is an image
forming apparatus that has a printing medium moving path which is
similar to the shape of the letter "C".
[0007] FIG. 1 shows an "S" type conventional image forming
apparatus 10. Referring to FIG. 1, a printing medium supplying unit
11 is disposed at a low vertical position of the image forming
apparatus 10. A feeding roller 13, an image forming unit 15, and a
fixing unit 17 are disposed in a row above the printing medium
supplying unit 11. According to this structure, the feeding roller
13, the image forming unit 15, and the fixing unit 17 are disposed
in such a way that the positions at which a printing medium passes
through each of the feeding roller 13, the image forming unit 15,
and the fixing unit 17 are at approximately the same horizontal
level. Alternatively, the feeding roller 13, the image forming unit
15, and the fixing unit 17 are disposed in such a way that the
positions at which a printing medium passes through are slightly
upwardly inclined from the feeding roller 13 to the fixing unit
17.
[0008] The exposure unit 16 irradiates laser beams corresponding to
printing data onto a photosensitive medium 15a of the image forming
unit 15. The exposure unit 16 is disposed above the image forming
unit 15. A feed guiding part 12 is disposed between the printing
medium supplying unit 11 and the feeding roller 13 to divert a
printing medium from its feeding direction, so that the printing
medium picked up at the printing medium supplying unit 11 is fed to
the feeding roller 13. An auxiliary printing medium supplying unit
14 is disposed at a side of the feeding roller 13 to feed special
kinds of printing medium, such as envelopes, into the image forming
apparatus 10.
[0009] A discharging unit 18 is disposed above the fixing unit 17.
Printing media discharged from the discharging unit 18 are piled up
at a printing medium storing part 19 disposed above the exposure
unit 16. Also, a discharge guiding part 18a is disposed between the
discharging unit 18 and the fixing unit 17 to divert a printing
medium from its feeding direction, so that the printing medium
which passes through the fixing unit 17 is fed to the discharging
unit 18.
[0010] Therefore, the printing medium supplying unit 11 picks up
printing media one by one, and the feed guiding part 12 diverts
each of the printing media from its feeding direction to feed the
printing media to the feeding roller 13. The feeding roller 13
feeds the printing medium to the image forming unit 15. At this
time, the exposure unit 16 forms electrostatic latent images
corresponding to printing data on the photosensitive medium 15a of
the image forming unit 15, and the image forming unit 15 develops
the electrostatic latent images into images using toner.
[0011] The images formed on the photosensitive medium 15a of the
image forming unit 15 are transferred onto a printing medium as the
feeding roller 13 moves the printing medium between the
photosensitive medium 15a and the transferring roller 15b. When the
printing medium with the transferred images passes through the
fixing unit 17, the images are fixed onto the printing medium.
Then, the printing medium with the fixed images moves along the
discharge guiding part 18a to the discharging unit 18. The printing
medium is discharged onto the printing medium storing part 19
disposed above the exposure unit 16 and the image forming unit 15,
and the printing work is completed.
[0012] However, because a printing medium has to change a feeding
direction twice during the printing work, it is difficult to design
an "S" type image forming apparatus 10 which has a structure having
a lower height and a shorter length. Also, it is difficult to
design an "S" type image forming apparatus 10 which has a compact
size because there are some dead spaces that cannot be used, such
as a first space 21 between the feeding roller 13 and the printing
medium storing part 19, and a second space 22 between the exposure
unit 16 and the fixing unit 17, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0013] Referring to FIG. 2, a "C" type conventional image forming
apparatus 30 includes a printing medium supplying unit 31 disposed
at a low position therein. A feeding roller 33, an image forming
unit 35, and a fixing unit 37 are vertically disposed in a row
above the printing medium supplying unit 31. An auxiliary printing
medium supplying unit (not shown) may be disposed above the
printing medium supplying unit 31 to feed special kinds of printing
media, such as envelopes, into the image forming apparatus 30. A
discharging unit 38 is disposed above the fixing unit 37, and
discharges printing media to a printing medium storing part 39
disposed above the image forming unit 35. An exposure unit 36 is
disposed at a side of the image forming unit 35 to form
electrostatic latent images on a photosensitive medium 35a.
[0014] Therefore, the printing medium supplying unit 31 picks up
printing media loaded therein one by one and feeds the sheets of
printing media to the feeding roller 33. The feeding roller 33
feeds each of the printing media to the image forming unit 35. At
this time, the exposure unit 36 forms electrostatic latent images
corresponding to printing data on the photosensitive medium 35a of
the image forming unit 35, and the image forming unit 35 develops
the electrostatic latent images into images using toner. The
transferring roller 35b transfers the images formed on the
photosensitive medium 35a of the image forming unit 35 onto a
printing medium passing between the photosensitive medium 35a and
the transferring roller 35b. While the printing medium with the
transferred images passes through the fixing unit 37, the images
are fixed onto the printing medium. The discharging unit 38
discharges the printing medium with the fixed images to the
printing medium storing part 39, and the printing work is
completed.
[0015] Because a printing medium has to change its feeding
direction only once during the printing work, the "C" type image
forming apparatus 30 may be designed to have a shorter length than
the length of the "S" type image forming apparatus 10. However,
because the printing medium supplying unit 31, the image forming
unit 35, the fixing unit 37, and the discharging unit 38 are
vertically disposed in a line, the "C" type image forming apparatus
30 has a higher height. Also, it is difficult to design a "C" type
image forming apparatus 30 which has a compact size because there
are some dead spaces that cannot be used, such as a third space 41
between the printing medium supplying unit 31 and the exposure unit
36, and a fourth space 42 between the exposure unit 36 and the
printing medium storing unit 39, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0016] Furthermore, in each of the conventional "S" type and "C"
type image forming apparatuses 10 and 30, printing media are
discharged to the printing medium storing parts 19 and 39 formed at
top surfaces of the image forming apparatuses 10 and 30,
respectively, so that the image forming apparatuses 10 and 30
should have printing medium supporting plates 19a and 39a,
respectively, to prevent the discharged printing medium from
falling to the floor. The use of these printing medium supporting
plates 19a and 39a increases the number of parts of the image
forming apparatuses 10 and 30.
[0017] Also, because a printing medium is discharged through a top
surface of the image forming apparatuses 10 and 30, users cannot
use a space above the top surface of the image forming apparatus 10
and 30, which is also a problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Aspects of the present invention have been developed in
order to overcome the above and/or other drawbacks and/or other
problems associated with the conventional arrangement of image
forming apparatuses. An aspect of the present invention provides an
image forming apparatus having a more compact size than the
conventional image forming apparatus.
[0019] Also, another aspect of the present invention provides an
image forming apparatus that discharges a printing medium through a
side thereof so that a space above a top surface thereof can be
used.
[0020] Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will
be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part,
will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice
of the invention.
[0021] The above aspects and/or other features of the present
invention can substantially be achieved with an image forming
apparatus which includes a printing medium supplying unit to hold
and supply printing media, an image forming unit disposed above the
printing medium supplying unit to form images on one of the
printing media supplied from the printing medium supplying unit,
and a printing medium feeding part substantially formed in a letter
"C" shape, having a part which extends to the image forming unit
and which is inclined in a downward direction along a printing
medium moving direction to feed the printing medium from the
printing medium supplying unit to the image forming unit in the
downward direction towards the printing medium supplying unit.
[0022] The image forming apparatus according to an aspect further
includes a case holding the printing medium supplying unit, the
image forming unit, and the printing medium feeding part, and an
auxiliary printing medium supplying unit disposed between a top
surface of the case and a top end of the printing medium feeding
part to supply another printing medium to the image forming
unit.
[0023] The image forming apparatus according to an aspect may
further include a discharging unit disposed above the printing
medium supplying unit to discharge the one printing medium through
a side of the case.
[0024] Also, the image forming apparatus according to an aspect may
further include a printing medium supporting part disposed between
the discharging unit and the side of the case to support the
printing medium and the second printing medium discharged from the
discharging unit. The printing medium supporting part may be
inclined downward along a printing medium discharging direction so
as to support the one printing medium on an incline.
[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, an
image forming apparatus includes a case, a printing medium
supplying unit disposed at a lower portion of the case to hold and
supply printing media, an image forming unit disposed above the
printing medium supplying unit within the case to form images on
one of the printing media, a printing medium feeding part within
the case having a feeding roller to feed the printing medium from
the printing medium supplying unit to the image forming unit and a
printing medium feeding path that connects the feeding roller with
the image forming unit and which is inclined in a downward
direction to feed the one printing medium down to the image forming
unit, a fixing unit within the case to fix images formed by the
image forming unit onto the printing medium, a discharging unit to
discharge the printing medium with the fixed images outside of the
case, and a controller to control the printing medium supplying
unit, the image forming unit, the feeding roller, the fixing unit,
and the discharging unit in order to perform printing
operations.
[0026] The image forming apparatus according to another aspect may
further include an auxiliary printing medium supplying unit
disposed between a top surface of the case and the feeding roller
to supply another printing medium to the image forming unit.
[0027] According to another aspect, the auxiliary printing medium
supplying unit may include a printing medium entrance formed at a
back area of the top surface of the case and a door to selectively
open or close the printing medium entrance.
[0028] According to another aspect, the image forming unit may be
disposed so that a height from a bottom surface of the case to a
part of the image forming unit at which images are transferred onto
the one printing medium is lower than a height from the bottom
surface of the case to a top end of the feeding roller.
[0029] According to another aspect, a top surface of the case is
formed in a plane substantially parallel to a bottom surface of the
case, and the height from the bottom surface of the case to the top
surface of the case is approximately 150 mm or less.
[0030] According to another aspect, the discharging unit is
disposed above the printing medium supplying unit at a side of the
fixing unit to discharge the printing medium through the side of
the case.
[0031] According to another aspect, the image forming apparatus may
further include a printing medium supporting part formed between
the discharging unit and the side of the case to support the one
printing medium discharged from the discharging unit.
[0032] According to another aspect, the printing medium supporting
part may be inclined in a downward direction along a printing
medium discharging direction so as to support the one printing
medium on an incline.
[0033] According to another aspect, the fixing unit may be disposed
so that a height from a bottom surface of the case to a part of the
fixing unit at which a printing medium passes through is
substantially the same height as a height from the bottom surface
of the case to a part of the image forming unit at which images are
transferred onto the printing medium.
[0034] According to another aspect, the discharging unit may be
disposed so that a height from a bottom surface of the case to a
part of the discharging unit through which a printing medium passes
is higher than a height from the bottom surface of the case to a
part of the fixing unit through which the printing medium
passes.
[0035] The controller according to an aspect of the invention may
be disposed above the discharging unit near a side of the case
through which the printing medium is discharged.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention
will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the
following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings of which:
[0037] FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically illustrating a
conventional "S" type image forming apparatus;
[0038] FIG. 2 is a sectional view schematically illustrating a
conventional "C" type image forming apparatus;
[0039] FIG. 3 is a sectional view schematically illustrating an
image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0040] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the image forming
apparatus 100 of FIG. 3 in a direction indicated by arrow A;
and
[0041] FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating an image forming
apparatus 100' according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0042] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference
numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are
described below in order to explain the present invention by
referring to the figures.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 3, an image forming apparatus 100
according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a case
110, a printing medium supplying unit 120, a printing medium
feeding part 130, an image forming unit 140, a fixing unit 170, a
discharging unit 180, and a controller 190. It is understood that
other components may be used instead of or in addition to the
components shown in FIG. 3 and described above.
[0044] The case 110 forms the outside of the image forming
apparatus 100, and encases a printing medium supplying unit 120, an
image forming unit 140, a printing medium feeding part 130, a
fixing unit 170, a discharging unit 180, and a controller 190, for
support and protection. The case 110 has a top surface 111 formed
in a plane substantially parallel to a bottom surface 117. It is
understood the top surface 111 is not required to be formed
substantially parallel to the bottom surface 117, and may instead
be curved or designed in numerous other ways. The top surface 111
may also be formed to have indentations for holding various items,
such as, for example, sheets of paper.
[0045] The printing medium supplying unit 120 is disposed at a
lower portion of the case 110. The printing medium supplying unit
120 holds predetermined sheets of printing media (such as paper,
transparency sheets, etc.), and picks up each sheet one by one to
feed the sheet to the printing medium feeding part 130. The
printing medium supplying unit 120 includes a printing medium
cassette 123 to hold printing media and a pickup roller 121
disposed above the printing medium cassette 123 to pick the sheets
up from the printing medium cassette 123.
[0046] The image forming unit 140 is disposed above the printing
medium supplying unit 120, and forms images on a printing medium.
The image forming unit 140 includes a photosensitive medium 141 on
which an exposure unit 150 irradiates laser beams to form
electrostatic latent images, a developing roller 143 to develop the
electrostatic latent images on the photosensitive medium 141 using
toner, and a transferring roller 145 disposed to be in contact with
the photosensitive medium 141. When a printing medium fed from the
printing medium supplying unit 120 passes between the
photosensitive medium 141 and the transferring roller 145, images
formed on the photosensitive medium 141 are transferred onto the
printing medium.
[0047] The printing medium feeding part 130 is disposed between the
printing medium supplying unit 120 and the image forming unit 140,
and feeds a printing medium picked up by the pickup roller 121 of
the printing medium supplying unit 120 to the image forming unit
140. The printing medium feeding part 130 is formed substantially
in the shape of the letter "C". A part of the printing medium
feeding part 130 which extends to the image forming unit 140 is
inclined in a downward direction along a printing medium moving
direction. The shown printing medium feeding part 130 includes a
printing medium reversing path 131 and a printing medium feeding
path 133 that extends from a front end of the printing medium
reversing path 131 and is inclined in a downward direction along
the printing medium moving direction. However, it is understood
that the printing medium feeding part 130 need not include the
printing medium reversing path 131 and/or the printing medium
feeding path 133 in all aspects of the invention.
[0048] A pair of transporting rollers 132 is preferably, but not
necessarily, disposed at approximately the middle of the printing
medium reversing path 131 to transport a printing medium picked up
by the pickup roller 121. It is understood that one or more than
two transporting rollers may be used instead of the pair of
transporting rollers 132, and that these transporting rollers may
be disposed in various positions other than the position shown in
FIG. 3. A printing medium detecting sensor 138 is disposed between
the pickup roller 121 and a pair of transporting rollers 132 to
detect a printing medium. A feeding roller 135 is disposed at the
location where the printing medium reversing path 131 is connected
to the printing medium feeding path 133, and feeds a printing
medium to the image forming unit 140.
[0049] The printing medium feeding path 133, through which a
printing medium moves from the feeding roller 135 to the
photosensitive medium 141 of the image forming unit 140, is
inclined in a downward direction relative to the printing medium
moving direction, so that a mounting height of the image forming
unit 140 is lower than the mounting height of the exposure units 16
and 36 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. In other words, since
the printing medium feeding path 133 is formed to incline in a
downward direction relative to the printing medium moving
direction, the image forming unit 140 is disposed inside the case
110 in such a way that a height of a part 140a of the image forming
unit 140 where images are transferred onto a printing medium is
lower than a height of a top end of the feeding roller 135.
[0050] The part 140a of the image forming unit 140 where images are
transferred onto a printing medium is a contacting part disposed
between the photosensitive medium 141 and the transferring roller
145. Therefore, the contacting part 140a is located at a lower
position than a contacting part 135a disposed between the feeding
roller 135 and a feeding backup roller 136. By lowering the
mounting height of the image forming unit 140, the height H3 of the
image forming apparatus 100 is lowered.
[0051] In an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment
of the present invention, when the height H1 from the bottom
surface 117 to the contacting part 135a disposed between the
feeding roller 135 and the feeding backup roller 136 is set to be
approximately 90 mm, the height H2 from the bottom surface 117 to
the contacting part 140a between the photosensitive medium 141 and
the transferring roller 145 is preferably set to be approximately
60 mm. However, it is understood that the heights H1 and H2 are not
required to be adjusted to 90 mm and 60 mm, respectively, and are
not required to be set to a 3:2 ratio, respectively.
[0052] Conventionally, in order to lower a height H3 of an image
forming apparatus 100, designers have tried to lower a height of
the printing medium feeding part 130 which feeds a printing medium
from the printing medium supplying unit 120 to the image forming
unit 140. In other words, designers have tried to decrease a
curvature radius of the printing medium reversing path 131 of the
printing medium feeding part 130 formed in a curved line like a
letter "C", thereby lowering the height H3 of the image forming
apparatus 100. However, when a curvature radius of the printing
medium reversing path 131 is decreased too much, various problems
occur. For example, a printing medium gets easily jammed, feeding a
printing medium generates a loud noise, and a printing medium gets
damaged during feeding. To prevent these problems from occurring,
the printing medium reversing path 131 must have a curvature radius
larger than a predetermined curvature radius. As a result, using
the conventional method to lower a height of an image forming
apparatus produces very limited results.
[0053] However, as described above, in an image forming apparatus
100 according to an embodiment, a curvature radius of the printing
medium reversing path 131, and more specifically, a height of the
printing medium reversing path 131, is substantially the same as
the height of the printing medium reversing path 131 used in the
conventional image forming apparatus 10 or 30. Additionally, the
printing medium feeding path 133, which is connected to the
printing medium reversing path 131 through which a printing medium
moves to the image forming unit 140 after being reversed, is
inclined in a downward direction along a printing medium moving
direction. As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 according
to an embodiment can prevent above-described problems from
occurring, and can lower the height H3 of the image forming
apparatus 100.
[0054] The exposure unit 150 is disposed above the image forming
unit 140 to irradiate laser beams corresponding to printing data so
as to form electrostatic latent images on the photosensitive medium
141. The printing medium supplying unit 120, the image forming unit
140, and the exposure unit 150 are vertically arranged above the
bottom surface 117 of the case 110. When a height H1 from the
bottom surface 117 to the contacting part 135a of the feeding
roller 135 is approximately 90 mm, a height H3 from the bottom
surface 117 to the top surface 111 of the case 110 is approximately
150 mm or less. However, it is understood that H1 and H3 are not
limited to being 90 mm and 150 mm, respectively, and are not
required to be set to a 3:5 ratio, respectively.
[0055] The fixing unit 170 is disposed at a side of the image
forming unit 140 above the printing medium supplying unit 120. The
fixing unit 170 fixes images, which are transferred onto a printing
medium when the printing medium passes through the image forming
unit 140, using high temperature and high pressure. The fixing unit
170 includes a pressure roller 172 to press a printing medium and a
heating roller 171 to generate a high temperature.
[0056] According to an aspect of the invention, the fixing unit 170
is preferably disposed in the case 110 in such a way that a height
of a contacting part 170a disposed between the pressure roller 172
and the heating roller 171 where a printing medium passes through
the fixing unit 170 is substantially the same as the height of the
contacting part 140a disposed between the photosensitive medium 141
and the transferring roller 145 of the image forming unit 140. A
fixing feeding path 160 through which a printing medium moves from
the image forming unit 140 to the fixing unit 170 is shown formed
in a concave shape, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Therefore, a printing
medium moves in a downward direction from the feeding roller 135 to
the image forming unit 140, and then moves in an upward direction
while passing along the fixing feeding path 160. It is understood
that the contacting parts 170a and 140a are not required to be
disposed at substantially the same height. It is further understood
that the fixing feeding path 160 is not necessarily required to be
concave, and may instead take other shapes, such as, for example, a
flat horizontal shape.
[0057] The discharging unit 180 is disposed at a side of the fixing
unit 170 above the printing medium supplying unit 120, and
discharges a printing medium with fixed images passing through the
fixing unit 170 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100
through a side 113 of the case 110. Hereinafter, a side 113
(namely, a right side in FIG. 3) of the case 110 through which a
printing medium is discharged is referred to as a front surface of
the case 110, and an opposite side 115 (namely, a left side in FIG.
3) of the case 110 is referred as a back surface of the case
110.
[0058] The shown discharging unit 180 is configured to include a
plurality of discharging rollers 181. The discharging unit 180 is
shown disposed in such a way that a part 180a of the discharging
unit 180 through which a printing medium passes is located at
substantially the same height as the part 170a of the fixing unit
170 through which a printing medium passes through. The discharging
unit 180 is disposed in such a way that a height of the part 180a
of the discharging unit 180 through which a printing medium passes
is higher than the height of the part 170a of the fixing unit 170.
The reason why it is preferable to mount the part 180a at a higher
height than the part 170a is because mounting the discharging unit
180 at a higher level allows a large amount of discharged printing
media to be piled up. However, it is understood that the part 180a
may also be mounted at a lower height than the part 170a, in which
case a lower level of discharged printing media can be piled
up.
[0059] The discharging unit 180 is shown disposed near the front
surface 113 of the case 110 so that printing media are directly
discharged to the outside of the case 110. Preferably, the
discharging unit 180 is disposed at a predetermined distance from
the front surface 113 inside of the case 110, and a printing medium
supporting part 183 is disposed between the discharging unit 180
and the front surface 113 of the case 110 to receive printing media
187 discharged by the discharging unit 180. A discharging space 185
where a predetermined sheet of printing media discharged from the
discharging unit 180 can be piled up is formed above the printing
medium supporting part 183. The discharging space 185 is preferably
formed as a recess, such as a concave shape, in the front surface
113 of the case 110. The discharging space 185 allows some of the
space above the printing medium supplying unit 120 to be used for
receiving discharged printing media, thus providing a compact image
forming apparatus 100.
[0060] The printing medium supporting part 183 is shown formed
integrally with the case 110, as illustrated in FIG. 3.
Alternatively, although not illustrated, the printing medium
supporting part 183 may be formed as a separate part which attaches
and detaches to and from the front side 113 of the case 110. The
printing medium supporting part 183 may be used when a resting
surface 101, such as a top surface of a desk where the image
forming apparatus 100 is set up, does not have enough space to
receive printing media 187 discharged from the image forming
apparatus 100.
[0061] The printing medium supporting part 183 may be disposed to
be inclined in an upward or downward direction with respect to the
printing medium discharging direction, or may be disposed parallel
to the resting surface 101. As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the
printing medium supporting part 183 is inclined in a downward
direction with respect to the printing medium discharging
direction, a printing medium discharged by the discharging unit 180
moves in a stable fashion along the printing medium supporting part
183, and is thus piled up in a stable fashion on the resting
surface 101, such as a desk, where the image forming apparatus 100
is set up. In other words, a space on the resting surface 101, such
as a top surface of a desk, where the image forming apparatus 100
is set up can be used as a space for piling up discharged printing
media.
[0062] The controller 190 controls the printing medium supplying
unit 120, the image forming unit 140, the feeding roller 135, the
fixing unit 170, and the discharging unit 180 to control printing
operations. The controller 190 is shown disposed above the
discharging unit 180 and the printing medium supporting part 183.
The controller 190 includes a circuit board 191 for controlling
printing operations, an operation display part 193 (see FIG. 4) for
displaying a printing status, a power switch 192 for turning on and
off power supplied to the image forming apparatus 100, and control
buttons 195 (see FIG. 4) for users to control the image forming
apparatus 100. However, it is understood that the controller 190
can be otherwise located.
[0063] In the shown embodiment, the circuit board 191 is disposed
above the discharging unit 180 and the discharging space 185 to
maximize the use of an inner space of the case 110. Since the
circuit board 191 is disposed near the front surface 113 of the
case 110 according to the arrangement of an embodiment, the circuit
board 191 is located close to the operation display part 193, the
power switch 192, and the control buttons 195, which are each shown
disposed on the front surface 113 of the case 110. Therefore, it is
not required to fix each of the operation display part 193, the
power switch 192, and the control buttons 195 to the case 110, and
then to connect each of these components to the circuit board 191
using electrical wires. In other words, the operation display part
193, the power switch 192, and the control buttons 195 may all be
directly disposed on the circuit board 191.
[0064] As a result, fixing the circuit board 191 to the case 110
will also fix the operation display part 193, the power switch 192,
and the control buttons 195 on the case 110. Therefore, the image
forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment does not require
separate parts to fix each of the operation display part 193, the
power switch 192, and the control buttons 195 to the case 110,
decreasing the cost of materials and assembly. It is understood,
however, that the operation display part 193, the power switch 192,
and the control buttons 195 are not required to be fixed to the
circuit board 191, and that these components may each be installed
separately to the case 110, or some components may be fixed to the
circuit board 191 and other components may be separately installed
to the case 110.
[0065] The operation display part 193, the power switch 192, and
the control buttons 195 are preferably arranged at the front
surface 113 of the case 110, as illustrated in FIG. 4.
Alternatively, the operation display part 193, the power switch
192, and the control buttons 195 may be arranged at a front area of
the top surface 111 of the case 110, as illustrated in FIG. 5. It
is understood that the controller 190 may be connected to an
electronic device, such as a computer or a digital camera, via a
network or wirelessly.
[0066] An image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of
the present invention may further include an auxiliary printing
medium supplying unit 200 for supplying special kinds of printing
media, such as an envelope, a thick printing medium, etc., into the
image forming apparatus 100. It is understood that regular printing
media may also be supplied into the image forming apparatus 100 by
the auxiliary printing medium supplying unit 200. The auxiliary
printing medium supplying unit 200 is preferably disposed between
the top surface 111 of the case 110 and a top end of the printing
medium feeding part 130, although may be disposed in other
locations as well, such as off to a side of the case 110.
[0067] According to an embodiment, the feeding roller 135 is
disposed at the top end of the printing medium feeding part 130 so
that the auxiliary printing medium supplying unit 200 is disposed
between the top surface 111 of the case 110 and the feeding roller
135. A printing medium entrance 201 of the auxiliary printing
medium supplying unit 200 is formed at a back area of the top
surface 111 of the case 110. Since the printing medium entrance 201
according to an embodiment is formed at the top surface 111 of the
case 110, users can supply printing media, including special kinds
of printing media, in a downward direction. Therefore, it is easy
to supply printing media into the image forming apparatus 100 using
the auxiliary printing medium supplying unit 200.
[0068] The auxiliary printing medium supplying unit 200 may further
include an auxiliary printing medium detecting sensor 203. When the
auxiliary printing medium detecting sensor 203 detects a printing
medium, the controller 190 rotates the feeding roller 135 to feed
the printing medium entering the auxiliary printing medium
supplying unit 200 to the image forming unit 140.
[0069] Furthermore, the auxiliary printing medium supplying unit
200 may include a door 202 to selectively open or close the
printing medium entrance 201. To supply a printing medium into the
auxiliary printing medium supplying unit 200, users open the door
202 to supply a printing medium through the printing medium
entrance 201. When the auxiliary printing medium supplying unit 200
is not in use, users can close the door 202 to prevent foreign
materials, such as dust, from entering the case 110 through the
printing medium entrance 201. The door 202 may be fixed by a hinge
so that users can easily open or close the door 202 by hand,
although the door 202 may also be controlled automatically, for
example, by the controller 190. It is understood that the door 202
may be fixed to the case 110 with various types of fasteners other
than a hinge.
[0070] Hereinafter, an operation of an image forming apparatus 100
according to an embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. Upon receiving a
printing order from a host (not shown), such as a computer
connected to the image forming apparatus 100, the controller 190
operates the pickup roller 121 to pick up a printing medium loaded
into the printing medium supplying unit 120 and to feed the
printing medium to the feeding roller 135. When the printing medium
detecting sensor 138 is triggered by the picked up printing medium,
the controller 190 operates the transporting roller 132 and the
feeding roller 135 to feed the printing medium to the image forming
unit 140.
[0071] The controller 190 controls the exposure unit 150 to
irradiate laser beams corresponding to printing data onto the
photosensitive medium 141 of the image forming unit 140. The
electrostatic latent images corresponding to printing data received
from the host are formed on the photosensitive medium 141.
[0072] When the photosensitive medium 141 rotates, toner supplied
by the developing roller 143 develops the electrostatic latent
images into toner images. The toner images on the photosensitive
medium 141 are transferred onto a printing medium which is fed by
the feeding roller 135 to pass between the photosensitive medium
141 and the transferring roller 145.
[0073] The printing medium having the transferred images continues
to move to the fixing unit 170. When the printing medium moves to
the fixing unit 170, it passes between the pressure roller 172 and
the heating roller 171. At this time, the transferred images are
fixed on the printing medium by the high pressure generated by the
pressure roller 172 and the high temperature generated by the
heating roller 171.
[0074] The printing medium having the fixed images is discharged
through the front surface 113 of the image forming apparatus 100 by
the discharging unit 180. The discharged printing medium moves in a
stable fashion along the printing medium supporting part 183
disposed in front of the discharging unit 180. Finally, the
printing medium 187 piles up on the printing medium supporting part
183 of the image forming apparatus 100 and the resting surface 101,
as illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0075] In an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment
of the present invention, since the printing medium reversing path
131 is substantially formed in the shape of the letter "C" and the
printing medium feeding path 133 expended from the feeding roller
135 is configured to be inclined in a downward direction in
relation to the print medium moving direction, the image forming
unit 140 and the fixing unit 170 are located lower than the feeding
roller 135. Arranging the printing medium feeding part 130, the
image forming unit 140, and the fixing unit 170 according to
aspects described above minimizes unused spaces inside the image
forming apparatus 100, such as, for example, the first, second,
third, and fourth spaces 21, 22, 41 and 42 inside the conventional
image forming apparatus 10 and 30 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and
2.
[0076] By minimizing these unused spaces 21, 22, 41, and 42, the
image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment has a height
much lower than the height of the conventional image forming
apparatus 10 and 30. Therefore, an image forming apparatus 100
according to aspects of the present invention has a more compact
and slim size than the sizes of the conventional image forming
apparatuses 10 and 30.
[0077] Furthermore, since the image forming apparatus 100 according
to aspects of the present invention discharges a printing medium
through the front surface 113 of the case 110, the top surface 111
of the case 110 may be formed in a plane substantially parallel to
the bottom surface 117 thereof. Therefore, users can use a space
above the top surface 111 of the case 110 for their own
convenience. For example, users may put any a small vase, a picture
frame, a coffee cup, etc. on the top surface 111 of the image
forming apparatus 100. Alternatively, users can put a digital
apparatus, such as a laptop computer or a DVD player, on the top
surface 111 of the image forming apparatus 100. Users cannot,
however, put anything on top surfaces of the cases of the
conventional image forming apparatuses 10 and 30.
[0078] Moreover, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to
aspects of the present invention, because the image forming unit
140 is disposed in such a way that a height of a part 140a of the
image forming unit through which a printing medium passes through
is lower than a height of a contacting part 135a of a feeding
roller 135, the image forming apparatus 100 may be designed to have
a lower height than a height of the conventional image forming
apparatuses 10 and 30. Therefore, an image forming apparatus 100
according to aspects of the present invention may have a more
compact and slim size than the sizes of the conventional image
forming apparatuses 10 and 30.
[0079] Also, in an image forming apparatus 100 according to aspects
of the present invention, since a printing medium is discharged
through a side 113 of a case 110, space above a printing medium
supplying unit 120, along with space on a resting area 101, such as
a top surface of a desk where the image forming apparatus 100 is
set up, can be used as a storing space for receiving discharged
printing media. As a result, a separate printing medium supporting
plate is not required.
[0080] Furthermore, in an image forming apparatus 100 according to
aspects of the present invention, since a top surface 111 of a case
110 is a closed surface and formed in a plane, users can freely use
a space above the top surface of the case.
[0081] Additionally, since an image forming apparatus 100 according
to aspects of the present invention is configured to supply special
kinds of printing media, such as envelopes, through a back area of
a top surface 111 of a case 110 in a downward direction at, users
can easily supply special kinds of printing media into the image
forming apparatus 100.
[0082] Furthermore, in an image forming apparatus 100 according to
aspects of the present invention, since a circuit board 191 of a
controller 190 is disposed near a front surface 113 of a case 110,
an operation display part 193, a power switch 192, and control
buttons 195, which enable users to control the image forming
apparatus 100, may be directly mounted on the circuit board 191. As
a result, additional parts are not required to separately mount the
operation display part 193, the power switch 192, and the control
buttons 195 on the case 110 and to connect these components to the
circuit board 191. Therefore, manufacturing and assembly costs of
the image forming apparatus 100 are decreased.
[0083] While described in terms of an image forming apparatus, it
is understood that the apparatus can further include facsimile,
copying, and/or scanning functionality. Additionally, while
described in the context of electro photographic image forming
apparatuses, it is understood that the invention can be used in
other devices.
[0084] Although a few embodiments of the present invention have
been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that changes may be made in this embodiment without
departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the
scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *