BACKGROUND

[0001] In general, an image forming apparatus refers to a device to generate, print, receive, and transmit image data. For example, the image forming apparatus may include a printer, a scanner, a copier, a fax machine, and a multifunction peripheral printer (MFP) implemented by integrating a plurality of functions of such devices.

[0002] Among image forming apparatuses, a printer using an electrophotographic method may form an electrostatic latent image on a surface of a photoreceptor by scanning light to a photoreceptor charged with a set potential, and suppling toner to the electrostatic latent image to form a visible image.

[0003] The visible image formed on the photoreceptor may be directly transferred to a print medium or transferred to a print medium through an intermediate transfer body. The visible image transferred to the print medium may be fixed to the print medium while passing through a fuser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Various examples will be described below by referring to the following figures.

[0005] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an example.

[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fuser shown in FIG. 1 according to an example.

[0007] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the fuser shown in FIG. 2 according to an example.

[0008] FIG. 4 is a side view of the fuser shown in FIG. 3 according to an example.

[0009] FIG. 5 is a view showing a state in which a cam shown in FIG. 4 is rotated according to an example.

[0010] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of portion B in FIG. 5 showing a state in which the cam is rotated between a first phase and a second phase according to an example.

[0011] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line A-A' in FIG. 2 according to an example.

[0012] FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which a cleaner shown in FIG. 7 is moved according to an example.

[0013] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of portion C in FIG. 8 showing a state in which the cleaner is moved between an initial position and a cleaning position according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Hereinafter, examples will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] A component that is described as “connected”, “supported”, or “contacted” to another component may be understood as being directly connected, supported, or contacted to the other component or that a third component may be interposed between the two components.

[0016] Specific terms used in the present specification are used to describe various examples without limiting the disclosure. An expression used in the singular encompasses the expression of the plural, unless it has a clearly different meaning in the context.

[0017] The terms used herein, including ordinal numbers such as “first” and “second” may be used to describe, and not to limit, various components. The terms simply distinguish the components from one another.

[0018] The meaning of “including” as used in the specification refers to a characteristic, region, integer, operation, action, element, and/or component, and is not to limit the existence or addition of other characteristic, region, integer, operation, action, element, component, and/or group.

[0019] Hereinafter, an example of an image forming apparatus of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] In the described examples, the image forming apparatus may generate, print, receive, and transmit image data. For example, the image forming apparatus may be one of a printer, a scanner, a copier, a fax machine, and a multifunction peripheral printer (MFP) that complexly implements the functions of the printer, the scanner, the copier, and/or the fax machine through one apparatus. However, for sake of convenience and not limitation, the image forming apparatus will be described as a printer.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 1 , an image forming apparatus 1 may print data generated by a terminal device such as a computer or the like on a print medium such as paper or the like. The image forming apparatus 1 may include a frame 10, a supply unit 20, a printing unit 30, a fuser 40, and a discharge unit 50.

[0022] The frame 10 may form the exterior of the image forming apparatus 1 . The frame 10 may support the supply unit 20, the printing unit 30, the fuser 40, and the discharge unit 50. In addition, the frame 10 may accommodate the supply unit 20, the printing unit 30, the fuser 40, and the discharge unit 50 therein.

[0023] The supply unit 20 may supply a print medium on which an image is not formed to the printing unit 30. The supply unit 20 may be disposed on a lower side of the frame 10 and may provide a space to store the print medium. The supply unit 20 may include a tray 21 , a pickup roller 22, and a registration roller 23.

[0024] A print medium may be loaded on the tray 21. In addition, the tray 21 may be selectively mounted on the frame 10. For example, the tray 21 may be removed to the outside of the frame 10 in a situation in which the print medium is to be replenished.

[0025] The pickup roller 22 may be driven by a motor or the like to provide a feeding force for feeding the print medium loaded on the tray 21 and may feed the print medium to the registration roller 23.

[0026] The registration roller 23 may register the print medium so that an image can be transferred to a set position of the print medium. For example, the registration roller 23 may register the print medium so that the print medium is fed while being placed at a set position on a transfer path P, an example of which will be described later. In addition, the registration roller 23 may feed the print medium to the printing unit 30.

[0027] The printing unit 30 may receive the print medium from the supply unit 20 and may form an image on the print medium. The printing unit 30 may include a photosensitive drum 31 and a former 32.

[0028] The photosensitive drum 31 may include a portion on which an electrostatic latent image and a physical image may be formed. For example, an electrostatic latent image and a physical image may be formed on the photosensitive drum 31 by the former 32.

[0029] The former 32 may charge a surface of the photosensitive drum 31 with a uniform potential and may change the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 31 according to image information to be printed. Furthermore, in a situation in which an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 , the former 32 may supply a developer such as toner or the like to develop the electrostatic latent image into a physical image (e.g., a toner image). For example, the former 32 may supply toner to the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image on the print medium.

[0030] The fuser 40 may apply heat and pressure to the print medium onto which the image is transferred through the printing unit 30, to fuse the image to the print medium. An example of the fuser 40 will be described later.

[0031] The discharge unit 50 may discharge the print medium on which the image is fused by passing through the fuser 40 to the outside. The discharge unit 50 may include a discharge roller 51 capable of feeding the print medium on which the image is fused.

[0032] Hereinafter, the fuser 40 according to an example will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fuser shown in FIG. 1 according to an example. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the fuser shown in FIG. 2 according to an example.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the fuser 40 may fuse the image to the print medium by applying heat and pressure to the print medium onto which the image is transferred. In an example, the fuser 40 may be mounted on the frame 10. The fuser 40 may include a body part 100, a pressing part 200, a link part 300, a guide 400, a cleaner 500, an elastic member (e.g., an elastic member 600, FIG. 7), and a feeding part 700. The fuser 40 may provide a cleaning structure for removing contaminants remaining in the guide 400.

[0035] The body part 100 may support the pressing part 200, the link part 300, the guide 400, the cleaner 500, the elastic member 600, and the feeding part 700. The body part 100 may be selectively mounted on the frame 10.

[0036] The pressing part 200 may apply a set pressure to the print medium. In addition, the pressing part 200 may transfer heat to the print medium while applying pressure to the print medium. The pressing part 200 may adjust the pressure applied to the print medium. For example, the pressing part 200 may apply a set pressure to the print medium while the print medium passes between the pressing part 200 and the feeding part 700 and may release the pressure after the print medium passes. The pressing part 200 may include a pressing member 210, a cam 220, and a lever 230.

[0037] The pressing member 210 may be disposed to face the feeding part 700 and may press the feeding part 700. In addition, the pressing member 210 may apply a set pressure to the print medium passing between the pressing member 210 and the feeding part 700. The pressure applied by the pressing member 210 to the print medium may be adjusted by the lever 230. For example, the pressing member 210 may be provided in the form of a belt, and the belt may rotate. However, this is merely an example, and the pressing member 210 may be provided in the form of a roller as well as in the form of a belt, as well as having other forms.

[0038] The pressing member 210 may form a feeding path P together with the feeding part 700. As used herein, the term “feeding path P" refers to a path through which the print medium may be fed, and may include a path extending from the guide 400 to between the pressing member 210 and the feeding part 700.

[0039] A heat source 211 may be provided to the pressing member 210. In an example, the heat source 211 may be disposed at the center of the pressing member 210. The pressing member 210 may apply heat to the print medium by using the heat generated from the heat source 211 .

[0040] FIG. 4 is a side view of the fuser shown in FIG. 3 according to an example. FIG. 5 is a view showing a state in which a cam shown in FIG. 4 is rotated according to an example. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of portion B in FIG. 5 showing a state in which the cam is rotated between a first phase and a second phase according to an example.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, the cam 220 may be driven to move the lever 230. In an example, the cam 220 may rotate eccentrically about a virtual rotation axis extending in one direction. The lever 230 may be moved by the eccentric rotation. The cam 220 may rotate 360° and may have a first phase and a second phase. For example, the first phase and the second phase of the cam 220 may be 180° different from each other. The cam 220 may be driven by a motor (not shown).

[0042] The lever 230 may be moved in response to the rotation of the cam 220 and may move the link part 300. One side of the lever 230 may be in contact with the cam 220, and the other side thereof may be in contact with the link part 300. In addition, the lever 230 may selectively contact the pressing member 210 and may apply a set pressure to the pressing member 210. The lever 230 may adjust the pressure applied to the pressing member 210. The pressure applied to the pressing member 210 may be adjusted according to the position of the lever 230. For example, the lever 230 may reciprocate between a first lever position and a second lever position.

[0043] As used herein, the term “first lever position” refers to the position of the lever 230 in a situation in which the cam 220 has the first phase (see FIG. 4). For example, the lever 230 located at the first lever position may apply a set pressure to the pressing member 210. At the first lever position, the pressure applied to the pressing member 210 and the feeding part 700 may be maximum applicable by the lever 230. Furthermore, the term “second lever position” refers to the position of the lever 230 in a situation in which the cam 220 has the second phase (see FIG. 5). For example, the lever 230 located at the second lever position may be spaced apart from the first lever position by a set distance so that the pressure applied to the pressing member 210 at the second lever position is lower than the pressure applied at the first lever position. In addition, in a situation in which the lever 230 is located at the second lever position, the pressure applied to the pressing member 210 and the feeding part 700 may be minimum applicable by the lever 230. Accordingly, while the lever 230 moves between the first lever position and the second lever position, the pressure applied to the pressing member 210 is reduced and the pressure applied to the print medium is also reduced.

[0044] The link part 300 may move the cleaner 500 by moving in response to a driving of the pressing part 200. As an example, the link part 300 may be moved in response to the movement of the lever 230 to move the cleaner 500. One side of the link part 300 may contact the lever 230, and the other side thereof may selectively contact the cleaner 500. For example, the link part 300 may reciprocate between a first link position and a second link position.

[0045] As used herein, the term “first link position” refers to the position of the link part 300 in a situation in which the lever 230 is located at the first lever position (see FIG. 4). In addition, the first link position may be the position of the link part 300 in a situation in which the pressing part 200 applies a set pressure to the feeding part 700. The link part 300 located at the first link position may be spaced apart from the cleaner 500.

[0046] Further, the term “second link position” refers to the position of the link part 300 in a situation in which the lever 230 is located at the second lever position (see FIG. 5). In addition, the second link position may be the position spaced apart by a set distance from the first link position so that the pressure applied to the feeding part 700 at the second link position is lower than the pressure applied at the first link position. The link part 300 located at the second link position may be in contact with the cleaner 500. For this reason, in a situation in which the link part 300 is moved between the first link position and the second link position, the cleaner 500 may move in response to the movement of the link part 300.

[0047] The link part 300 may have a locking portion 310 with which an engaging portion 511 , to be described later, can engage. The locking portion 310 may be, for example, a hole penetrating the link part 300. However, this is merely an example and the locking portion 310 may have other forms. For example, the locking portion 310 may be provided in the form of a protrusion and the engaging portion 511 may be provided in the form of a hole.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line A-A' in FIG. 2 according to an example. FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which a cleaner shown in FIG. 7 is moved according to an example. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of portion C in FIG. 8 showing a state in which the cleaner is moved between an initial position and a cleaning position according to an example.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 7, the guide 400 may guide the print medium so that the print medium passing through the printing unit 30 moves along the feeding path P. The guide 400 may guide the print medium passing through the printing unit 30 toward the pressing part 200. In a situation in which the fuser 40 is repeatedly operated, a foreign substance may accumulate at one end of the guide 400 adjacent to the pressing member 210. If the foreign substance is accumulated at the end of the guide 400, in a situation in which the print medium passes through the guide 400, the foreign substance may remain on the print medium and may deteriorate a quality of the print medium.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, the cleaner 500 may remove a foreign substance accumulated on the guide 400 by being moved by the link part 300. For example, the cleaner 500 may move toward and away from the guide 400 in response to the movement of the link part 300. In addition, one side of the cleaner 500 may selectively interfere with the link part 300. The cleaner 500 may reciprocate between a cleaning position and an initial position.

[0051] As used herein, the term “cleaning position” may refer to the position at which at least a portion of the cleaner 500 is in contact with or located on one end of the guide 400 adjacent to the pressing member 210 (see FIG. 7). Furthermore, the cleaning position may be a position at which at least a portion of the cleaner 500 is located on the feeding path P. In this case, the cleaner 500 may remove a foreign substance accumulated at one end of the guide 400. The term “initial position” may refer to the position at which the cleaner 500 is spaced apart from the cleaning position by a set distance in a direction away from the pressing part 200 and the guide 400 (see FIG. 8). [0052] For example, the cleaner 500 may be located at the initial position in a situation in which the former 32 is operated. As another example, the cleaner 500 may move between the initial position and the cleaning position in a situation in which the operation of the former 32 is stopped and the print medium passes through the fuser 40. In addition, the cleaner 500 may move between the cleaning position and the initial position in a situation in which a set time elapses after the cleaner 500 has moved to the cleaning position.

[0053] In an example, the cleaner 500 may include a support body 510 and a cleaning member 520.

[0054] The support body 510 may move toward and away from the guide 400 and may support the cleaning member 520. In addition, one side of the support body 510 may be connected to the elastic member 600. The engaging portion 511 that may selectively engage with the locking portion 310 may be formed in the support body 510.

[0055] The engaging portion 511 may be accommodated in the locking portion 310 to have a gap with respect to the locking portion 310 in a situation in which the cleaner 500 is located at the initial position. For example, the engaging portion 511 may be a protrusion that may be inserted into the locking portion 310. Furthermore, the engaging portion 511 may move while being in contact with the locking portion 310 in a situation in which the cleaner 500 moves between the initial position and the cleaning position.

[0056] For example, in a situation in which the link part 300 moves between the first link position and the second link position, the engaging portion 511 may move between the initial position and the cleaning position in response to the movement of the link part 300 while being caught in the locking portion 310. As another example, in a situation in which the link part 300 moves between the second link position and the first link position, the support body 510 may be moved to the initial position by the restoring force of the elastic member 600. In this case, the engaging portion 511 may move to the initial position while being supported by the locking portion 310 or may move to the initial position while being spaced apart from the locking portion 310, in conformity with the speed at which the link part 300 moves to the first link position. [0057] The cleaning member 520 may remove a foreign substance located on the guide 400. For example, the cleaning member 520 may remove a foreign substance accumulated at one end of the guide 400 while the cleaner 500 moves between the initial position and the cleaning position. The cleaning member 520 may move while being in contact with the guide 400 and may be supported by one end of the support body 510 adjacent to the guide 400. In an example, the cleaning member 520 may be provided in the form of a flexible sheet that can be bent, as well as having other forms.

[0058] As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the elastic member 600 may provide a restoring force to the cleaner 500 so that the cleaner 500, separated from the initial position, moves to the initial position. One side of the elastic member 600 may be connected to the support body 510 and the other side thereof may be connected to the body part 100. The elastic member 600 may apply a greater restoring force to the cleaner 500 in a situation in which the lever 230 is located at the second lever position than in a situation in which the lever 230 is located at the first lever position. For example, the restoring force applied to the cleaner 500 by the elastic member 600 may be minimized in a situation in which the lever 230 is located at the first lever position. That is, the restoring force applied by the elastic member 600 may be minimized in a situation in which the cleaner 500 is located at the initial position. In addition, the restoring force applied to the cleaner 500 by the elastic member 600 may be maximized in a situation in which the lever 230 is located at the second lever position. That is, the restoring force applied by the elastic member 600 may be maximized in a situation in which the cleaner 500 is located at the cleaning position. The elastic member 600 may be provided in the form of a spring.

[0059] The feeding part 700 may form a feeding path P together with the pressing member 210 and may move the print medium along the feeding path P. The feeding part 700 may be provided in the form of a roller, for example, and may be rotated by a motor. The feeding part 700 may be disposed to face the pressing member 210.

[0060] Hereinafter, an example operation and effect of the image forming apparatus 1 according to an example will be described. [0061] In an example operation, the image forming apparatus 1 may form an image on a print medium. The print medium loaded on the tray 21 passes through the printing unit 30 so that an image is formed on the print medium. The image is fused through the fuser 40.

[0062] The fuser 40 may be driven to press or reduce pressure on the pressing member 210 until a print request inputted by the user is completed. For example, in a situation in which a print request is inputted from the user, the cam 220 is rotated between the second phase and the first phase, and the lever 230 is moved between the second lever position and the first lever position. In this case, the pressing member 210 may press the feeding part 700 and the print medium. In addition, the link part 300 is moved between the second link position and the first link position, and the cleaner 500 is located at the initial position.

[0063] As another example, in a situation in which the printing according to a print request inputted from the user is completed, the cam 220 is rotated between the first phase and the second phase, and the lever 230 is moved between the first lever position and the second lever position. Furthermore, the link part 300 is moved between the first link position and the second link position, and the cleaner 500 is moved between the initial position and the cleaning position. Thus, the cleaner 500 may remove a foreign substance accumulated on the guide 400.

[0064] As such, the fuser 40 according to an example has an effect that the cleaner 500 may periodically remove a foreign substance on the guide 400. In addition, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent the foreign substance on the guide 400 from remaining on the print medium to deteriorate the print quality.

[0065] In addition, the fuser 40 can drive the cleaner 500 by the operation of the cam 220, the lever 230, and the link part 300 even if a separate motor and module to drive the cleaner 500 are not provided. Thus, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent an increase in the volume of the fuser 40 and to reduce the cost.

[0066] While the present disclosure has been described with respect to various examples, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and should be construed as having the widest scope within the technical spirit disclosed in the present specification. For example, the above descriptions may be implemented in a form that is not described, such as by combining or replacing the disclosed examples. However, such changes do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, it is apparent that changes or modifications of the disclosed examples may be made based on the present specification, and thus, such changes or modifications fall within the scope of the present disclosure.