JPH07129057A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Objective] When jamming sheet material accumulated in the fixing means, the paper discharging means, and the reversing means, the space for jam processing is not required on the paper discharging side of the image forming apparatus main body, and image forming is performed. The real footprint of the device is reduced. [Structure] A fixing unit 17, a pair of inner paper discharge rollers 18, a pair of outer paper discharge rollers 19, and a reversing path 22 constitute a component unit 38, and the component unit 38 is used for image formation from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 1. It can be pulled out of the forming apparatus main body 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention (first invention, second invention, third invention) relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer or a facsimile.

[0002]

[Prior art]

<Prior Art 1> In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile, a toner image on a sheet material on which a toner image on a photosensitive drum 102 is transferred by a transfer charger 101 is conventionally used as shown in FIG. A fixing device 103 for fixing on the sheet surface, a pair of discharge rollers 105 for discharging the sheet material that has been fixed by the identification fixing device 103 to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 104, and fixing by the identification fixing device 103. Reversing unit 1 for reversing the processed sheet material
06 and the like are fixedly installed on the image forming apparatus main body 104.

A double-sided unit 108 including an intermediate tray 107 for temporarily stacking sheet materials on which an image has been formed and feeding the sheet material to the photosensitive drum 102 again is provided from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 104. Image forming apparatus main body 10
4 It can be pulled out.

In such a conventional image forming apparatus, the fixing device 103, the pair of discharge rollers 105, and the reversing unit 106 are provided.
When a jam occurs at a portion, the sorter 109 is separated from the image forming apparatus main body 104 as shown in FIG.
Then, the sheet discharge side cover 111 that can be opened and closed around the support shaft 110 is opened to remove the sheet material staying in the fixing device 103, the sheet discharge roller pair 105, and the reversing portion 106.

When a jam occurs in the double-sided unit 108, the double-sided unit 108 is pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body 104 to remove the sheet material staying in the double-sided unit 108.

<Prior Art 2> In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile, main parts incorporated in the main body of the image forming apparatus are unitized into an image for convenience of jam processing. There is one that can be pulled out to the outside (front side) of the forming apparatus main body.

For example, in a conventional copying machine, a fixing unit including a fixing device for fixing the transferred image of the sheet material after the toner image transfer onto the sheet surface, and the sheet material after the image formation are re-imaged. For this reason, a duplex unit including an intermediate tray that is temporarily stored and re-fed can be pulled out of the main body of the copying machine.

Therefore, by pulling the fixing unit and the double-sided unit out of the main body of the copying machine, the sheet material in which the fixing unit and the double-sided unit are jammed can be easily removed.

In this case, in the copying machine of the conventional example, the fixing unit and the double-sided unit are individually pulled out from the copying machine main body and housed individually.

In the case of one-sided copy, the sheet stacking section 2A
An image is formed on the sheet fed from the image forming unit 14, the toner is fixed on the sheet by the fixing unit 17, and then the sheet is discharged by the sheet discharge roller pair 105. For double-sided copying, the double-sided flapper 55 downstream of the fixing unit 103 guides the sheet to the reverse roller pair 106, and the reverse flapper 56
Guided to the roller pair 80 by the roller pair 81, 82, 8
The sheet is stored in the double-sided tray 107 by 3, etc., and is re-fed to the image forming unit 102 by the re-feeding unit 58, and the back surface of the sheet is image-formed. When multiple sheets are to be copied, the double-sided flapper 55 and the reverse flapper 56 guide the sheet to the reverse conveyance path 59. When the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the reverse flapper 56, the multiple reverse roller pair 60 is reversed to reverse the flapper 56. Then, the sheet is guided to the roller pair 80, stored in the double-sided tray 57, and re-fed. Also, when copying a CFF (Computer Format Sheet) from the rear end page, if you copy the copied sheets so that the copy side is facing up (face up), you can make copies in the exact order of the original, but copy from the first page. In that case, the copy cannot be finished in the order in which the originals were printed unless the front and back surfaces of the sheets are reversed and overlapped (face down). in this case,
The sheet is guided to the reverse conveyance path 106 by the double-sided flapper 55 and the reverse flapper 56, and when the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the double-sided flapper 55, the reverse roller pair 61 and the multiple reverse roller 60 are reversed to reverse the sheet and the flapper 55.
Thus, the sheet is guided to the pair of discharge rollers 54 and discharged.

[0011]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

<Problems of First and Second Inventions> However, like the image forming apparatus of the conventional example shown in the above-mentioned conventional technique 1, the toner stays in the fixing device 103, the discharge roller pair 105, and the reversing unit 106. In the case of a configuration in which the sheet material is removed by opening the sheet ejection side cover 111 (jamming), a space for opening the sheet ejection side cover 111 is required, which causes a problem that an actual occupied area of the image forming apparatus becomes large. there were.

Therefore, the first invention and the second invention have been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus in which a substantial occupied area is not increased due to a jam processing. And

<Problem of the Third Invention> However, as in the conventional example shown in the above-mentioned conventional technique 2, each component unit (fixing unit, double-sided unit) is individually pulled out from or housed in the image forming apparatus main body. With such a configuration, there is a problem that the work for jam clearance becomes troublesome.

Therefore, a third aspect of the invention is made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and when the plurality of component units are pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body to perform the jam processing, the jam processing work can be performed easily. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing the above.

However, the conventional image forming apparatus 104
However, since the reversing conveyance path 59 for reversing the sheet is independently configured, when a paper jam occurs, it is necessary to remove the paper in the reversal conveyance path 59, and the paper jam treatment is difficult. When the copying machine is jammed at present, it is often the case that each unit of the copying machine is pulled out to the front of the copying machine body to remove the sheet, and the conventional image forming apparatus 1 is used.
In 04, as shown in FIG. 23, the sorter 109 is separated from the image forming apparatus 104, and the discharge side cover 111 that can be opened / closed about the support shaft 110 is opened to the fixing device 103, the discharge roller pair 105, and the reversing unit 106. Since the accumulated sheet material was removed, the structure of the copying machine was complicated. Further, since the reverse conveyance path exists independently, it also causes a cost increase.

[0016]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

<Means of the First Invention> The first invention is to form an image on at least a fixing means for fixing an image of a sheet material after image formation on a sheet surface, and a sheet material fixed by the fixing means. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a sheet discharging unit for discharging a sheet outside the apparatus main body, and a reversing unit for reversing the sheet material fixed by the fixing unit.

In order to achieve the above object, the first invention constitutes a component unit including the fixing unit, the sheet discharging unit and the reversing unit, and the component unit is arranged from the front side of the main body of the image forming apparatus. It is characterized in that it can be pulled out of the main body of the image forming apparatus.

<Means of the Second Invention> The second invention is a fixing means for fixing the image of the sheet material after the image forming apparatus onto the sheet surface, and an image of the sheet material fixed by the fixing means. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a sheet discharging unit for discharging the sheet to the outside of the forming apparatus main body.

In order to achieve the above object, the second invention constitutes a component unit including the fixing means and the paper discharge means, and the component unit is formed from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body to form the image. It is characterized in that it can be pulled out from the main body of the device.

<Means of Third Invention> A third invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of component units that can be drawn out of the main body of the image forming apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the third invention is characterized in that the respective component units are integrated by means of pair unit locking means.

Further, a lock releasing means for releasing the locked state of the pair unit locking means, and a sheet material detecting means for detecting the presence / absence state of the sheet material staying in each of the component units are provided, and the pair unit locking means is provided. When the sheet material detecting means detects that the sheet material is not accumulated in any of the component units integrated by the unit, the lock releasing means releases the locked state of the unit locking means. Is characterized by.

The structure of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object is the image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, the stacking means for stacking the sheets, and the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming means. Discharging means for discharging to the stacking means, a conveying path for guiding the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming means to the image forming means, and a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming means for the discharging means or the conveying Switching means for selectively guiding the sheet from the conveying path to the discharging means, and a sheet along the conveying path in a direction from the switching means to the image forming means, or in the opposite direction. An image forming apparatus having:

[0024]

[Action]

<Operation of the First Invention> According to the first invention having the above configuration, the component unit including the fixing unit, the sheet discharging unit, and the reversing unit can be pulled out from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body. it can.

Therefore, when the sheet material stays in the fixing means, the paper discharging means, and the reversing means, the seated sheet material can be removed by pulling the component unit out of the main body of the image forming apparatus.

As a result, the image forming apparatus does not need a space for removing the sheet material accumulated in the fixing means, the paper discharging means, and the reversing means, and the occupied area is reduced.

<Operation of the Second Invention> The second configuration described above
According to the invention, the component unit including the fixing unit and the sheet discharging unit can be pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body.

Therefore, when the sheet material stays in the fixing means and the paper discharge means, the staying sheet material can be removed by pulling the component unit out of the main body of the image forming apparatus.

As a result, the image forming apparatus does not need a space for removing the sheet material accumulated in the fixing means and the paper discharging means, and the actual occupied area becomes small.

<Operation of Third Invention> Third embodiment having the above configuration
According to the invention, when a plurality of component units are pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body, the respective component units pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body are integrated by the pair unit locking means. When the plurality of component units pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body are housed in the image forming apparatus, the pair unit means is released and the pair body locking means locks the image forming apparatus body.

Therefore, the plurality of component units pulled out of the main body of the image forming apparatus can store other component units by the operation of storing any one of the component units.

Thus, after the jam processing, the work for housing the plurality of component units in the image forming apparatus main body can be easily performed.

Further, since the plurality of component units housed in the image forming apparatus are integrated by the unit locking means, it can be pulled out of the image forming apparatus body or housed in the image forming apparatus body. The plurality of component units operate integrally. When the sheet material detecting means detects that the sheet material does not stay in any one of the component units locked by the unit locking means, the unlocking means releases the unit locking means to release the sheet. Separate the parts unit where the material is not retained from the parts unit where the sheet material is retained.

Therefore, by pulling one component unit out of the main body of the image forming apparatus, the other component units can be simultaneously pulled out of the main body of the image forming apparatus.
By storing one component unit in the image forming apparatus main body, other component units can be stored in the image forming apparatus main body at the same time.

Thus, it is possible to easily carry out the work of pulling out the plurality of component units out of the main body of the image forming apparatus and the work of storing them in the main body of the image forming apparatus during the jam processing.

Further, since the plurality of component units are integrally pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus, it is not necessary to break the sheet material straddling each component unit.

Further, since the component unit in which the sheet material is not retained is separated from the component unit in which the sheet material is retained, only the component unit in which the sheet material is retained can be pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body.

The reference numerals in the parentheses are for reference to the drawings and do not limit the structure of the invention.

[0039]

Embodiments of the first, second and third inventions will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment of the Invention> FIG. 1 shows the overall structure of an image forming apparatus (copying machine) according to an embodiment of the first invention, and FIG. 2 shows the structure of the essential parts of the image forming apparatus. Indicates.

First, the general configuration of the image forming apparatus will be described along the flow of the sheet material.

This image forming apparatus is provided with a plurality of sheet feeding cassettes (front loading cassettes) 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D in the lower part of the image forming apparatus main body 1, and these sheet feeding cassettes 2A, 2B. Sheet materials (not shown) stacked and stored in any one of 2C and 2D are selectively used.

The sheet material in each of the sheet feeding cassettes 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D is fed from the uppermost sheet by a sheet feeding roller (pickup roller) 6 and separated and fed one by one by a separation roller pair (retard roller pair) 7. To be done.

The sheet materials fed from the respective paper feed cassettes 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are conveyed roller pairs 8, 9, 10, 1
Registration roller pair 1 whose rotation is stopped by 1 and 12
It is transported to 3.

The sheet material conveyed to the registration roller pair 13 rotates at a timing with the toner image on the photosensitive drum 14 which rotates in the clockwise direction.
Thus, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 14 is transferred between the photosensitive drum 14 and the transfer device 15, and the transfer device 15 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 14.

The sheet material on which the toner image has been transferred is sent to the fixing device (fixing means) 17 by the conveyor belt 16,
The toner image transferred here is fixed on the sheet surface.

The sheet material which has completed the toner image fixing means is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 20 outside the apparatus by a pair of internal paper discharge rollers (paper discharge means) 18 and an external paper discharge roller pair (paper discharge means) 19. It

At this time, the flapper 21 installed between the inner paper discharge roller pair 18 and the outer paper discharge roller pair 19 is switched to the position shown in the phantom line (see FIG. 2).

In the double-sided mode or the multiplex mode, the sheet material after the toner image fixing means is finished is paired with the internal discharge roller 1.
8 is sent to a reversing path (reversing means) 22 and is reversed here and is conveyed by a pair of conveying rollers 23 and 24 to an intermediate tray 25
Discharged to the top.

At this time, the flapper 21 is switched to the position shown in practice.

The sheet material temporarily stacked on the intermediate tray 25 is fed from the lowermost sheet by the paper feed roller 26, and is separated by a pair of separation rollers 27 rotating in the direction of the arrow.
Separately fed one by one.

In the double-sided mode, the sheet material re-fed from the intermediate tray 25 is sent to the re-feed path 29 by the transport roller pair 28, and is sent to the registration roller pair 13 through the re-feed path 29. To be

At this time, the flapper 30 installed immediately downstream of the pair of transport rollers 28 is switched to the position shown in FIG.

In the multiplex mode, the sheet material re-fed from the intermediate tray 25 is once sent to the re-inversion path 31 by the conveying roller pair 28 and the flapper 30 to be inverted and then reversed by the conveying roller pair 32. Refeed path 29
And is sent to the registration roller pair 13 through the re-feeding path 29.

At this time, the flapper 30 is switched to a position where the sheet material is sent to the re-feed path 29.

The toner image on the sheet material sent to the registration roller pair 13 is transferred again in the same manner as described above, and when the toner image is fixed, the inner paper discharge roller pair 18 and the outer paper discharge roller pair 19 are transferred. Thus, the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 20 outside the machine.

In the present image forming apparatus, the image of the original document (not shown) placed on the original table 33 is scanned by the optical system 34 installed at the top of the image forming apparatus main body 1 and is rotated clockwise. It is exposed on the rotating photosensitive drum 14.

The latent images formed on the photosensitive drum 14 are sequentially made into toner images by the toner supplied from the developing device 35.

The reference numeral 36 in FIG. 1 indicates the intermediate tray 25.
It is a pressure roller for pressing the sheet material stacked on the sheet feeding roller 26, and when the sheet material is re-fed, it descends to a predetermined position as shown in the figure. Reference numeral 37 is a manual sheet feeding device.

In this image forming apparatus, the fixing device 1
7, a pair of internal paper discharge rollers 18, a pair of external paper discharge rollers 19, a flapper 21, and a reversing path 22 including a pair of transport rollers 23 are integrated to form a component unit 38.
8 can be pulled out of the image forming apparatus body 1 from the front side of the image forming apparatus body 1.

The parts unit 38 is provided with moving rails (accuride rails) 39, 40 with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus.
Is attached via the rail 39 for movement,
It can be pulled out along 40.

The component unit 38 is normally locked by the lock mechanism 41 so that it cannot be pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body 1.

In the lock mechanism 41, when the solenoid 42 is turned off, the lock lever 44 pulled by the tension spring 43 rotates about the support shaft 45 in the clockwise direction to the position a, so that the frame 46 of the component unit 38.
To lock the parts unit 38.

Further, when the solenoid 42 is turned on, the lock lever 44 pulled by the tension spring 43 rotates counterclockwise about the support shaft 45 to the position b, so that the component unit 38 is detached from the frame 46. Release the locked state of the component unit 38.

In the component unit 38, the component unit 3
8 and the conveyance belt 16, and between the component unit 38 and the sheet discharge tray 20, a sheet material detection sensor 47 for detecting a sheet material staying, a component unit 38, and a duplex unit 48. Sheet material detection sensor 4 for detecting a sheet material staying astride
9 and are installed.

Now, in the single-sided mode, the sheet material that is jammed and stays astride between the component unit 38 and the conveyor belt 16 or between the component unit 38 and the discharge tray 20 is a sheet material. When the detection sensor 47 detects, the solenoid 42 of the lock mechanism 41 remains on, and the component unit 38 is locked so that it cannot be pulled out.

In this state, the fixing device (fixing roller pair) 1
7, the inner paper discharge roller pair 18, and the outer paper discharge roller pair 29 are driven to forcibly discharge the accumulated sheet material into the paper discharge tray 20.
The paper is ejected upwards.

Thereafter, the solenoid 42 of the lock mechanism 41 is
Is turned off, and the locked state of the component unit 38 is released.

When a jam occurs in the double-sided and multi-sided modes, and the sheet material detection sensor 49 detects the sheet material staying over between the component unit 38 and the double-sided unit 48, the lock mechanism is activated. The solenoid 42 of 41 is kept on, and the component unit 38 is locked so that it cannot be pulled out.

In this state, the fixing device (fixing roller pair) 1
7, the inner paper discharge roller pair 18, and the conveyance roller pairs 23, 24 are driven to forcibly discharge the accumulated sheet material onto the intermediate tray 25.

Thereafter, the solenoid 42 of the lock mechanism 41 is
Is turned off, and the locked state of the component unit 38 is released.

When the locked state of the lock mechanism 41 is released, the component unit 38 can be pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body 1. Then, the sheet material staying in the component unit 38 pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body 1 is
It can be easily removed by opening the upper guide 51 of the paper discharge path 50 and the outer guide 52 of the reversing path 22.

The upper guide 51 of the paper discharge path 50 is attached to the support shaft 54 of the separation claw 53 of the fixing device 17 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction about the support shaft 54. Therefore,
When the upper guide 51 and the upper guide 51 are rotated upward as shown by the dotted line, the paper discharge path 50 is opened. By the rotation of the upper guide 51, the separation claw 53 is separated from the fixing roller.

The outer guide 52 of the reversing path 22 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 1 so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction about a support shaft 55. Therefore, the reversing path 22 is opened by rotating the outer guide 52 to the outside (left side) as shown by the dotted line.

Like the parts unit 38, the double-sided unit 48 that integrates the intermediate tray 25, the paper feed roller 26, the separation roller pair 27, the re-reversal path 31, the re-paper feed path 29, etc., of the image forming apparatus main body 1. The image forming apparatus main body 2 can be pulled out from the front side.

The duplex unit 48 is the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus.
In contrast, moving rails (Accuride rails) 56, 5
It is attached via 7, and this rail for movement 5
It can be pulled out along 6,57.

In the duplex unit 48 pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body 1, the sheet material staying in the re-feed path 29 is tilted in the re-feed path 29 from a substantially horizontal state to a substantially vertical state. It can be easily removed.

The re-feeding path 29 is mounted rotatably in the vertical direction with the roller shaft of the conveying roller pair 58 as a supporting shaft. Therefore, the re-feeding path 29 can be tilted from the substantially horizontal state to the substantially vertical state about the support shaft.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the drive system of the conveying roller downstream of the fixing device 17, and FIG. 4 is a double-sided reversing roller pair 23.
3 is a plan view of the drive system of FIG. One roller 23a of the double-sided reversing roller pair 23 is the gear 134 or the timing belt 1
Driven by 30. The gear 135 for driving the double-sided reversing roller 23 a and the timing pulley 136 are driven by the timing belt 131 for driving the fixing / conveying roller 5 via the forward electromagnetic clutch 137 or the reverse electromagnetic clutch 138. Therefore, the drive is not transmitted to the double-sided reversing roller 23 unless either the forward rotation or the reverse rotation electromagnetic clutches 137 and 138 is operated.
Since the timing belt 131 is driven in the direction of the arrow, when the double-sided reversing roller 23a rotates the sheet in the direction to convey the sheet to the double-sided tray 25 (arrow d), the forward electromagnetic clutch 137 is activated to reverse the rotation. Electromagnetic clutch 13
8 does not operate, and the driving force of the timing belt 131 is applied to the pulley 136a, the forward electromagnetic clutch 137, the shaft 136b,
Pulley 136, timing belt 130, pulley 134
To drive the double-sided reversing roller 23a. When reversing the seat, the reverse electromagnetic clutch 138 is operated and the normal electromagnetic clutch 137 is not operated, and the driving force of the timing belt 131 is transmitted via the pulley 135a, the reverse electromagnetic clutch 138, the gears 134 and 135, and the shaft 23c. Then, the double-sided reversing roller 23a is driven by the transmission. Since the double-sided reversing roller 23a is connected to the double-sided paper discharging roller 24a by the timing belt 132 and the gears 139 and 140, the double-sided reversing roller 23a and the double-sided paper discharging roller 24a rotate in the same direction. Further, the paper discharge roller 19a is configured to be selectively driven by two gears 141 and 142, and these two gears are attached to a swing plate 143 which swings around a shaft 144, Further, since the two gears 141 and 142 are driven by the gear 145 and the timing belt 133, the rotation directions of the two gears are opposite. Further, since the gear 142 attached to the swing plate 143 is always urged by the spring 146 to the gear 148 of the paper discharge roller 22, the paper discharge roller 19
Is driven in the direction to eject the sheet out of the machine. When the paper discharge roller 19 is rotated in the reverse direction, the paper discharge reversal solenoid 147 is operated to engage the gear 141 with the gear 148 of the paper discharge roller 19 to drive the paper discharge roller 19.

The present invention is realized with the above configuration, and when the sheet is reversed and discharged, the mode changeover switch 1 shown in FIG.
When the reverse ejection mode is selected by 01, the CPU 100
21a by the solenoid 47 to the double-sided flapper 21
When the sheet is conveyed to the double-sided conveyance path 22 and the rear end of the sheet passes through the reversal sensor 49 (FIG. 6), the reverse electromagnetic clutch 138 is turned on, the forward reverse clutch 137 is turned off, and the double-sided reversing roller is turned on. Pair 23 and double-sided paper ejection roller pair 2
Reverse 4 The sheet is guided to the paper discharge roller 19 by a flapper 21c attached to the flapper (FIG. 7).

In the case of the multiplex mode, the double-sided flapper 21 is set to the position 21b, the sheet on which the image is formed is conveyed to the paper discharge roller pair 19, and the rear end of the sheet is fixed by the fixing sensor 47 to the double-sided flapper. If it is detected that the sheet has passed through 21, the surface flapper 21 is moved to the position of 21a, and at the same time, the sheet discharge reversing solenoid 47 is operated to reverse the sheet discharge roller 19. The sheet is conveyed while being guided to the double-sided conveying path 22 by the mylar sheet 21d of the flapper 21, is conveyed to the pair of double-sided reversing rollers 23, and is stacked on the double-sided tray 7.

The stacked sheets are sent out by the sending roller 27, and the pair of conveying rollers 28, 58, 58a,
It is sent to the photosensitive drum 14 by 58b, 58c, and 58d, and an image is formed on the same surface as the surface on which the image was previously formed.

In the double-sided mode, the flapper 21 is set to 2
At the position 1a, the sheet on which the image is formed is guided to the double-sided conveyance path 22, is conveyed by the pair of double-sided reversing rollers 23 and the pair of double-sided paper discharge rollers 24, and is stacked on the double-sided tray 25.

The stacked sheets are sent out by the sending-out roller 27, and the pair of conveying rollers 28, 58, 58a,
It is sent to the photosensitive drum 14 by 58b, 58c, 58d, 12, and 13 and an image is formed on the surface opposite to the surface on which the image was previously formed.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the case of multiple copying, the sheets copied on one side are inverted on the outside of the machine by the pair of discharge rollers 19 and then stacked on the double-sided tray 25.
In the structure shown in (1), since the multiple flapper 30 that guides the sheet to the multiple pass 31 is provided downstream of the re-feed units 27 and 270, it is not necessary to invert the machine. In the multiplex mode, the sheet copied on one side is the double-sided flapper 21 and the double-sided conveyance path 2
It is guided to 40 and loaded on the double-sided tray 25. Then, the sheet re-fed by the sending roller 27 and the separating roller 270 is guided to the multiplex path 31 and the discharge roller 24 by the action of the multiple flapper 30, and the rear end of the sheet is multiplexed by the multiple sensor located near the multiple flapper 30. When it is detected that the sheet has passed through 30, the multiplex roller 32 and the paper discharge roller 24 may be reversed, and the sheet may be sent to the lower double-sided transport path 29 to multiplex the sheet.

<Embodiment 1 of the Second Invention> FIG. 8 shows the overall structure of an image forming apparatus (copier) according to Embodiment 1 of the second invention.

In this image forming apparatus, the first
The same members as those of the image forming apparatus (FIG. 1) according to the embodiment of the present invention are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description of those that are structurally and functionally unchanged will be omitted.

This image forming apparatus is a one-sided copying machine,
The sheet material that has undergone the fixing process in the fixing device 17 is discharged onto the discharge tray 20 outside the machine by the pair of internal discharge rollers 18 and the pair of external discharge rollers 19.

In such an image forming apparatus as described above, the fixing device 17, the inner paper discharge roller pair 18, and the outer paper discharge roller pair 19 are used.
The component unit 60 is integrally formed, and the component unit 60 can be pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body 1 from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 1.

In the case of this image forming apparatus, when a jam occurs, the sheet material staying across the component unit 60 and the conveyor belt 16 or between the component unit 60 and the discharge tray 20 is changed to the sheet material. When the detection sensor 47 detects, the solenoid 42 of the lock mechanism 41 remains on, and the component unit 60 is locked so that it cannot be pulled out.

In this state, the fixing device (fixing roller pair) 1
7, the pair of inner paper discharge rollers 18 and the pair of outer paper discharge rollers 19 are driven to forcibly hold the accumulated sheet material to the paper discharge tray 20.
The paper is ejected upwards.

Thereafter, the solenoid 42 of the lock mechanism 41 is
Is turned off, and the locked state of the component unit 60 is released.

However, the component unit 60 and the conveyor belt 1
When the cause of the jam of the sheet material staying over the sheet 6 and 6 is the separation claw 53 of the fixing device 17, the sheet material staying as described above is forcibly discharged onto the discharge tray 20. Is difficult to do.

Then, the component unit 60 and the conveyor belt 1
In many cases, the trailing edge of the sheet material that has stayed between 6 and 6 has not reached the fixing device 17.

Therefore, in this manner, the component unit 6 is placed with the rear end of the sheet material positioned upstream of the fixing device 17.
When 0 is pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body 1, as shown in FIG. 9, if a part 61A of the front side plate (hatched portion) 61 of the image forming apparatus main body 1 exists in the upstream region of the fixing device 17, it stays. The existing sheet material is torn by the front side plate portion 61, which makes jam processing troublesome.

Therefore, in this image forming apparatus, the front plate portion 61 is not present in the upstream region of the fixing device 17 so that the sheet material is not torn at the front plate portion.

In order to perform the jam processing of the component unit 60 pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body 1, the upper guide 51 of the paper discharge path 50 is rotated upward to open the paper discharge path 50.

<Embodiment 2 of the Second Invention> FIG. 10 shows the overall structure of an image forming apparatus (copier) according to Embodiment 2 of the second invention.

In the image forming apparatus (FIG. 8) of the first embodiment of the second invention, the fixing device 17 and the inner paper discharge roller pair 1 are used.
8, the external discharge roller pair 19 as an integrated unit 60
However, in the present image forming apparatus, the fixing device 1
7, a pair of internal paper discharge rollers 18, a pair of external paper discharge rollers 19, a transfer device 15, and a conveyor belt 16 as a unit unit 62
Of the image forming apparatus main body 1
It can be pulled out from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 1.

Such a structure is effective in processing a large-sized sheet material staying near the fixing device 17.

That is, when a large-sized sheet material stays near the fixing device, the trailing edge of the sheet is on the conveyor belt 16. Therefore, the conveyor belt 16 is attached to the fixing device 1.
If the sheet material can be pulled out of the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus together with 7 or the like, the accumulated sheet material can be easily treated.

<Embodiment 3 of the Second Invention> FIG. 11 shows the overall structure of an image forming apparatus (copier) according to Embodiment 2 of the second invention.

In the image forming apparatus (FIG. 10) according to the second embodiment of the second invention, the large-sized sheet material staying in the vicinity of the fixing device 17 can be easily processed. Even if the image forming apparatus main body 1 is downsized, it is possible to easily process the large-sized sheet material staying near the fixing device 17.

Therefore, in this image forming apparatus, the fixing device 17, the inner paper discharge roller pair 18, and the outer paper discharge roller pair 1 are used.
9, a registration roller pair 13, a transfer device 15, and a conveyor belt 16 are integrated into a component unit 63, and the component unit 63 can be pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body 1 from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 1. There is.

When the image forming apparatus main body 1 is miniaturized,
The rear end of the large-sized sheet material staying near the fixing device 17 may be sandwiched by the nip portion of the registration roller pair 13. In such a case, the pair of registration rollers 13 together with the fixing device 17 and the like are formed in the image forming apparatus main body
If it can be pulled out, the accumulated sheet material can be easily treated.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, the pre-registration upper guide 160 and the pre-registration lower guide 161 also constitute a component unit 63, and this component unit 63 is arranged from the front side of the image forming apparatus body 1 to the image forming apparatus body 1. You may be able to pull it out.

Now, when a paper is jammed by the paper ejection roller 19 when copying a single-sided original on both sides, the paper ejection roller 1 which is the cause of the jam
The drive of 9 is stopped immediately. For the sheet between the registration roller pair 13 and the registration roller front conveyance roller 12, the driving of the registration roller pair 13 is stopped, and the conveyance roller pair is rotated until the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the conveyance roller pair 12. Then, the sheet is packed in the space 162. This prevents the sheet from being torn when the component unit 63 is pulled out. The driving of the fixing unit 17 is immediately stopped. As a result, the sheet under the drum is conveyed to the front of the fixing unit and stays on the fixing entrance guide 171. Further, the sheet straddling the component unit 63 and the joint portion 120 of the vertical path guide is stopped so that the sheet rear end passes through the joint portion 120 and the leading end does not come into contact with the component unit 63.

For the first time in this state, a jam display is displayed on the operation portion (not shown) so that the user can pull out the component unit 63 to the front. At this time, the transfer unit 15 and the pre-transfer lower guide 15
1 is retracted from the sightseeing drum 14 with the registration roller 13 as a fulcrum as shown in FIG.

The sheet is fixed to the fixing entrance guide 17 as described above.
Since it remains above 1, the user does not need to put his / her hand under the photosensitive drum to perform the jam processing, and the photosensitive drum is not soiled or damaged.

<Embodiment 3 of the Invention> FIG. 14 shows the overall construction of an image forming apparatus (copier) according to an embodiment of the third invention.

In this image forming apparatus, the first
The same members as those of the image forming apparatus (FIG. 1) according to the embodiment of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the similar members that are structurally and mechanically unchanged will be omitted.

In this image forming apparatus, the fixing unit (parts unit) 38 and the double-sided unit (parts unit) 48 which can be pulled out from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 1 are provided outside the image forming apparatus main body 1. When it is pulled out, it is locked and integrated with each other by a unit locking mechanism (unit locking means) 66 described later. When the fixing unit 38 and the duplex unit 48 are housed in the image forming apparatus main body 1, the lock state of the unit locking mechanism 66 is released, while the body locking mechanism (body locking unit) 6 described later is released.
It is adapted to be locked to the image forming apparatus main body 1 by 5.

FIG. 15 shows the construction of a pair-to-body lock mechanism 65 for locking the fixing unit 38 and the duplex unit 48 with respect to the image forming apparatus body 1.

A lock arm 67 is attached to the fixed plates 38A and 48A of the fixing unit 38 and the double-sided unit 48 so as to be rotatable around a support shaft 68. This lock arm 6
7 is a lock spring 69 which is constantly urged in the direction of the arrow,
It is attached to the rear side plate 70 of the image forming apparatus main body 1 and is configured to engage with a latch shaft 71 attached to the rear side plate 70 of the image forming apparatus main body 1.

Further, the lock arm 67 and the release ring 72
Is rotatably coupled, and the other end of the release link 72 is rotatably coupled to the handle 73.

The handle 73 is pivotally supported by a handle shaft 74, and when the fixing unit 38 and the double-sided unit 48 are pulled out to the front, when the handle 73 is moved in the arrow direction, the lock arm 67 is moved clockwise through the release link 72 in the drawing. It rotates (shown in phantom line) and the locked state with the image forming apparatus main body 1 is released.

When the fixing unit 38 and the double-sided unit 48 are housed in the main body of the image forming apparatus, the inclined head of the lock arm 67 comes into contact with the latch shaft 71 so that the latch shaft 71 is temporarily removed from the latch shaft 71 as shown in the figure. After being separated, the lock spring 69 returns to the solid line position so that the lock can be automatically performed.

FIG. 16 shows the structure of a unit lock mechanism 66 for locking the fixing unit 38 and the double-sided unit 48 pulled out of the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 16 shows a state in which the fixing unit 38 and the duplex unit 48 are pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body 1.

In the double-sided unit 48, the vertically upper unit lock pin 75 can be sliced in the vertical direction by being directed by the pin support plates 76 and 77. The unit lock pin 75 is urged upward by the pin spring 78 so as to be projected and retracted above the double-sided unit 48.

Hole 79 for engaging unit lock pin 75
Is formed on the bottom plate 38A of the fixing unit 39.

The double-sided unit 48 is also provided with a horizontal release shaft 80 for retracting the unit lock pin 75. The release shaft 80 is supported by shaft support plates 81 and 82 and is slidable in the arrow direction. The release shaft 80 is constantly urged by the shaft spring 83 toward the rear plate 70. Also, the cam surface 80 at the tip of the release shaft 80
A is in contact with the pin roller 84 of the unit lock pin 75.

In FIG. 16, since the release shaft 80 is urged by the shaft spring oil 83 toward the rear side plate 70 and the unit lock pin 75 is not lowered, the unit lock pin 75 is located in the hole 7 of the component unit 63.
9, the duplex unit 48 and the component unit 63 are locked.

FIG. 17 shows the fixing unit 38 and the double-sided unit 48 in the drawing state of FIG.
The state of being stored inside is shown.

The fixing unit 38 and the double-sided unit 48 are housed as a unit by the unit lock pin 75, but when the rear end of the release shaft 80 contacts the rear side plate 70, the release shaft 80 is pushed to the rear side plate 70. As it is slid in the direction of the arrow (to the left), the unit lock pin 75 is pressed by the cam surface 80A and descends, and the fixing unit 3
The locking state of the fixing unit 39 and the double-sided unit 48 is released through the hole 79 of No. 8.

FIG. 18 shows a state in which only the fixing unit 38 is pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body 1.

Even when the double-sided unit 48 is pulled out in this state, the retracted unit lock pin 75 slices the back surface on the bottom plate 38A of the fixing unit 38, so that the double-sided unit 48 can be reliably pulled out.

FIG. 19 shows a state in which only the fixing unit 48 is pulled out of the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Even if the fixing unit 38 is pulled out in this state, the inclined surface 85 at the tip of the fixing unit 38 comes into contact with the inclined surface 75A of the unit lock pin 75 to lower and retract the unit lock pin 75. Can be pulled out.

In the above embodiment, when the fixing unit 38 and the double-sided unit 48 are pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body 1, they are integrated by the unit lock mechanism 66. When the image forming apparatus main body 1 and the double-sided unit 48 are housed in the image forming apparatus main body 1, they may be integrated with each other by using a pair unit locking means for releasably locking them.

In the case of this construction, the lock releasing means for releasing the unit locking means and the units 38, 4 are provided.
8 is provided with a sheet material detecting means for detecting the presence / absence state of the sheet material staying inside 8, and when the sheet material detecting means detects that the sheet material is not staying in any of the units 38, 48, The locked state of the unit locking means is released by the lock releasing means.

For example, when a jam occurs across the component unit 63 and the duplex unit 48 in FIG. 12, the state shown in FIG. 20 is obtained. Since the release shaft 80 is urged by the shaft spring oil 83 toward the actuator plate 700 to prevent the unit lock pin 75 from lowering, the unit lock pin 75 engages with the hole 79 of the component unit 63 and the double-sided unit 48 and the component. Unit 63
Is locked.

The cause of the jam is as shown in FIG. 21 except for the path between the parts unit 63 and the duplex unit 48.
The actuator plate retracts from the shaft 80 via the solenoid CL link 701. As a result, the lock of the duplex unit 48 and the parts unit 63 is released.

That is, first, when performing the jam processing,
Only the unit in which the sheet material is retained can be pulled out. Second, since the units 38 and 48 can be integrally pulled out when the sheet material is staying over the units 38 and 48, the staying sheets are not broken.

Of course, in order to obtain the above-mentioned effect, a discharging means,
The intermediate tray, the transport path, and the switching means are configured as an integral unit, and the unit has a support means that supports the unit so that it can be pulled out in a substantially horizontal direction in a direction intersecting with the discharge direction of the previous discharge means. You may comprise.

As shown in FIG. 13, the paper discharge side and the paper path guide on the paper discharge side of the switchback unit 30 are the conveyance rollers 2911.
It is pivotally supported by the shaft of and is swingably provided so that the paper path guide can be swung outward.

Thus, the jam processing of the double-sided integrated unit is performed by pulling out the double-sided integrated unit and swinging the paper discharge and the switchback paper path guide toward the paper discharge side.

[0138]

【The invention's effect】

<Effect of First Invention> As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the first invention, a component unit including the fixing unit, the sheet discharging unit, and the reversing unit is configured, and the component unit is used as the main body of the image forming apparatus. Since it can be pulled out from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body, the sheet material accumulated in the fixing means, the paper discharging means, and the reversing means can be removed from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body.

Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the sheet material accumulated in the fixing means, the paper discharging means, and the reversing means from the paper discharging side surface of the image forming apparatus main body, and the substantial occupied area of the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

Further, in order to remove the sheet material accumulated in the fixing means, the paper discharging means, and the reversing means, it is not necessary to move sorters and the like arranged in parallel on the paper discharging side surface of the image forming apparatus main body.

<Effects of Second Invention> As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the second invention, a component unit including a fixing unit and a sheet discharging unit is configured, and the component unit is used as the main body of the image forming apparatus. Since it can be pulled out from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body, the sheet material accumulated in the fixing unit and the sheet discharging unit can be removed from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body.

Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the sheet material accumulated in the fixing unit and the sheet discharging unit from the sheet discharging side surface of the image forming apparatus main body, and the substantial occupied area of the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

Further, in order to remove the sheet material accumulated in the fixing means and the paper discharging means, it is not necessary to move the sorters and the like arranged side by side on the paper discharging side of the image forming apparatus main body.

<Effects of the Third Invention> As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the third invention, the plurality of component units are integrated by the unit locking means, and the plurality of component units are integrated. Since a plurality of component units operate integrally when pulled out of the main body or stored in the main body of the image forming apparatus, by pulling out or storing any one of the component units, a plurality of components can be processed at once. The unit can be pulled out or stored.

Therefore, it is possible to easily pull out and store a plurality of component units during jam processing. According to the present invention, when a sheet is reversed and ejected, a double-sided conveyance path and a double-sided tray are used, and by reversing and ejecting a sheet, an independent reverse conveyance path is not required, and a paper jam processing configuration is provided. Can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of a first invention.

2 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a main part of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a drive system of another embodiment of the first invention.

4 is a diagram showing a main part of the drive system shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a control block diagram.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram of another embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory view of another embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus showing a second embodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus showing a third embodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the configuration of an image forming apparatus showing still another embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the configuration of an image forming apparatus showing still another embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of a third invention.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a locking mechanism against the main body of the embodiment of FIG.

16 is a view of a mechanism for locking the fixing unit and the duplex unit of the embodiment of FIG.

17 is a view of a mechanism for locking the fixing unit and the double-sided unit of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a view of a mechanism for locking the fixing unit and the double-sided unit of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a view of a mechanism for locking the fixing unit and the double-sided unit of the embodiment of FIG.

20 is a view of a mechanism for locking the fixing unit and the double-sided unit of the embodiment of FIG.

21 is a view of a mechanism for locking the fixing unit and the double-sided unit of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view illustrating the configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view illustrating the configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Image Forming Apparatus Main Body 17 Fixing Device (Fixing Means) 18 Internal Paper Ejection Roller Pair (Paper Ejection Means) 19 External Paper Ejection Roller Pair (Paper Ejection Means) 22 Reverse Path (Reversal Means) 38, 60, 62, 63 Parts Unit 48 double-sided unit (parts unit) 65 pair body locking mechanism (body locking means) 66 unit locking mechanism (unit locking means)

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A registration unit that conveys a sheet material in time with the toner image on the photosensitive drum, and a transfer unit that transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum to the sheet material.
Conveying means for conveying the sheet material after the transfer of the toner image to the fixing means, fixing means for fixing the image of the sheet material after image formation on the sheet surface, and the sheet material fixed by the fixing means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a sheet discharging unit for discharging the sheet to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body; and an inversion switching unit for inverting the sheet material fixed by the fixing unit. A component unit including the transfer unit, the transport unit, the fixing unit, the sheet discharging unit, and the reversing unit, and the component unit can be pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus characterized by the above. 2. A registration unit that conveys the sheet material at a timing with the toner image on the photosensitive drum, and a transfer unit that transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum to the sheet material.
Conveying means for conveying the sheet material after the transfer of the toner image to the fixing means, fixing means for fixing the image of the sheet material after the image forming apparatus onto the sheet surface, and sheet material fixed by the fixing means. An image forming apparatus having a sheet discharging unit for discharging the sheet to the outside of the main body of the image forming apparatus, the registration unit, the transfer unit, the conveying unit, the fixing unit, and the sheet discharging unit. An image forming apparatus comprising a component unit including means, and the component unit can be pulled out from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body. 3. A fixing means for fixing an image of a sheet material after image formation onto a sheet surface, and a discharging means for discharging the sheet material fixed by the fixing means to the outside of the main body of the image forming apparatus. And a reversing unit for reversing the sheet material fixed by the fixing unit, a component unit including the fixing unit, the sheet discharging unit, and the reversing unit, An image forming apparatus, wherein a component unit can be pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body. 4. A fixing unit for fixing an image of a sheet material after the image forming apparatus onto a sheet surface, and a sheet discharge for discharging the sheet material fixed by the fixing unit to the outside of the main body of the image forming apparatus. In the image forming apparatus having the means, a component unit including the fixing unit and the paper discharge unit is configured, and the component unit can be pulled out from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus characterized by the above. 5. An intermediate tray for storing a sheet on which an image has been formed once under the component unit for re-imaging, and a double-sided introduction path for guiding the sheet to the intermediate tray. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 3, further comprising: a unit configured to convey the sheet in a direction from the switching reversal unit to the intermediate tray or in a direction opposite thereto. 6. The switching means guides the sheet to the double-sided introduction path, the conveying means conveys the sheet toward the intermediate tray, and then the conveying means conveys the sheet in the reverse direction, and the switching means 6. A control means for controlling the conveying means and the switching means so that the sheet is guided to the discharging means and the sheet is turned upside down and discharged to the stacking means.
The image forming apparatus described. 7. An intermediate tray for accommodating a sheet on which an image has been once formed for re-imaging, a double-sided conveyance path for guiding the sheet to the intermediate tray, and a reversing section for reversing the sheet accommodated in the intermediate tray. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the reversing unit is also used as the double-sided conveyance path. 8. An intermediate tray for storing a sheet on which an image has been once formed immediately below the component unit for re-imaging, and a double-sided introduction path for guiding the sheet to the intermediate tray. The tray and the double-sided introduction path are configured as an integral unit, and the unit has a supporting unit that supports the unit so that the unit can be pulled out in a substantially horizontal direction in a direction intersecting the discharging direction of the discharging unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. 9. An intermediate tray unit, which comprises a double-sided introduction path for guiding a sheet to the intermediate tray and an intermediate tray for re-imaging the image-formed sheet immediately below the component unit, the component unit And a means for supporting the intermediate tray unit so that the units are integrated by means of pair unit locking means, and the unit is supported so as to be drawn out in a substantially horizontal direction in a direction intersecting with the discharging direction of the discharging means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising an openable / closable guide member for opening at least the double-sided introduction path. 11. A sensor for detecting that a sheet is jammed is provided, and if the sensor detects a jam while the sheet is passing through the discharging means or the switching means, the conveyance driving of the jammed sheet is immediately stopped and other sheets are conveyed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is continuously conveyed until the sheet passes through the discharge unit, the switching unit, or the joint portion of each unit. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a space for accommodating the sheet at the time of jam is formed in the conveying path. 13. A lock release means for releasing the locked state of the pair unit lock means, and a sheet material detection means for detecting the presence / absence state of the sheet material staying in each of the component units, and the pair unit lock means. When the sheet material detecting means detects that the sheet material does not stay in any of the component units integrated by the unit, the lock releasing means releases the locked state of the pair unit locking means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driving of the fixing unit is stopped at the time of jamming so that the component unit can be pulled out of the main body while the sheet is held in front of the fixing unit. . 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the component unit is pulled out, at least the transfer portion is retracted from the photosensitive drum.