Duplex printing apparatus

A duplex printing apparatus having a developing unit forming an image on paper being conveyed, a settling unit fixing the image on the paper, and a discharging roller selectively conveying the paper with the fixed image in an alternate direction, comprising:

• a feed frame disposed such that a first side of the feed frame faces the developing unit to guide the paper, which is newly picked up or reversed from the discharge roller, to the developing unit;
• a back plate disposed on a second side of the feed frame to guide the paper reversed from the discharging unit for a duplex printing operation;
• a duplex unit guiding the paper, which is passed through the settling unit and reversed from the discharging unit, between the second side of the feed frame and the back plate;
• and
• a feeding roller module comprising a feeding roller disposed on a lower portion of the feed frame to convey both the paper fed for a single-side printing operation and the reversed paper for the duplex printing operation toward the developing unit, and a plurality of paper feeding paths guiding the paper therealong to the feeding roller,
• wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of built-in paper cassettes and an external paper cassette, and the paper feeding paths comprise:
• first and second paper feeding paths guiding the paper fed from the built-in paper cassettes to the feeding roller,
• a third paper feeding path guiding the paper reversed between the back plate and the feed frame to the feeding roller, and
• a fourth paper feeding path guiding the paper fed from the external paper cassette to the feeding roller, and
• wherein the feeding roller module further comprises:
• a first registration roller unit disposed to be in contact with the feeding roller to convey the paper fed through the first and the second paper feeding paths, and
• a second registration roller unit formed between the first and the second paper feeding paths and the fourth paper feeding path to convey the paper fed through the third and the fourth paper feeding paths between the first registration roller unit and the feeding roller.

A duplex printing apparatus having a developing unit forming an image on paper being conveyed, a settling unit fixing the image on the paper, and a discharging roller selectively conveying the paper with the fixed image in an alternate direction, comprising:

• a feed frame disposed such that a first side of the feed frame faces the developing unit to guide the paper, which is newly picked up or reversed from the discharge roller, to the developing unit;
• a back elate disposed on a second side of the feed frame to guide the paper reversed from the discharging unit for a duplex printing operation;
• a duplex unit guiding the paper, which is passed through the settling unit and reversed from the discharging unit, between the second side of the feed frame and the back plate;
• and
• a feeding roller module comprising a feeding roller disposed on a lower portion of the feed frame to convey both the paper fed for a single-side printing operation and the reversed paper for the duplex printing operation toward the developing unit, and a plurality of paper feeding paths guiding the paper therealong to the feeding roller,
• wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of built-in paper cassettes and an external paper cassette, and the paper feeding paths comprise:
• first and second paper feeding paths guiding the paper fed from the built-in paper cassettes to the feeding roller,
• a third paper feeding path guiding the paper reversed between the back plate and the feed frame to the feeding roller, and
• a fourth paper feeding path guiding the paper fed from the external paper cassette to the feeding roller, and
• wherein the first, the second, the third and the fourth paper feeding paths are disposed around the feeding roller and formed by a plurality of guiding members that are disposed on a side bracket supporting the feeding roller and the feed frame.

A duplex printing apparatus having a developing unit forming an image on paper being conveyed, a settling unit fixing the image on the paper, and a discharging roller selectively conveying the paper with the fixed image in an alternate direction, comprising:

• a feed frame disposed such that a first side of the feed frame faces the developing unit to guide the paper, which is newly picked up or reversed from the discharge roller, to the developing unit;
• a back plate disposed on a second side of the feed frame to guide the paper reversed from the discharging unit for a duplex printing operation;
• a duplex unit guiding the paper, which is passed through the settling unit and reversed from the discharging unit, between the second side of the feed frame and the back plate;
• and
• a feeding roller module comprising a feeding roller disposed on a lower portion of the feed frame to convey both the paper fed for a single-side printing operation and the reversed paper for the duplex printing operation toward the developing unit, and a plurality of paper feeding paths guiding the paper therealong to the feeding roller,
• wherein the apparatus comprises a registration roller and a pickup roller, and the feeding roller module comprises:
• a main gear coaxially disposed with respect to the feeding roller to be driven in relation with the feeding roller to be in mesh-engagement with the registration roller and the pickup roller to transmit a power to the registration roller guiding the reversed paper for a duplex driving operation and to the pickup roller picking up the paper from an external paper cassette.

A duplex printing apparatus having a printing body with a developing unit recording an image on a sheet, a settling unit fixing the image on the sheet, and a discharging unit receiving a recorded sheet from the settling unit, discharging the recorded sheet outside, and returning the recorded sheet to the developing unit, comprising:

• a back plate disposed adjacent to the discharging unit;
• a feed frame having a first side forming a printing path with the developing unit, a second side forming a duplex path with the back plate to receive the returned sheet from the discharging unit, and a third side disposed between the first side and the second side to couple the duplex path to the printing path;
• a feeding roller module having a feeding roller rotatably disposed on the third side to feed a new sheet introduced onto the feeding roller to the printing path and teed the returned sheet introduced onto the feeding roller from the duplex path to the printing path;
• and
• a guide frame having a curved surface disposed opposite the settling unit guiding the returned recording sheet to the duplex path.

A duplex printing apparatus having a printing body with a developing unit recording an image on a sheet, a settling unit fixing the image on the sheet, and a discharging unit receiving a recorded sheet from the settling unit, discharging the recorded sheet outside, and returning the recorded sheet to the developing unit, comprising:

• a back plate disposed adjacent to the discharging unit;
• a feed frame having a first side forming a printing path with the developing unit, a second side forming a duplex path with the back plate to receive the returned sheet from the discharging unit, and a third side disposed between the first side and the second side to couple the duplex path to the printing path;
• and
• a feeding roller module having a feeding roller rotatably disposed on the third side to feed a new sheet introduced onto the feeding roller to the printing path and feed the returned sheet introduced onto the feeding roller from the duplex path to the printing path,
• wherein the feeding roller module comprises:
• a side bracket having a hole accommodating the feeding roller,
• a new sheet guide member mounted on the side bracket to guide the new paper to be introduced onto a first surface of the feeding roller to the printing path, and
• a returned sheet guide member mounted on the side bracket to guide the returned sheet to be introduced onto a second surface of the feeding roller.

A duplex printing apparatus having a printing body with a developing unit recording an image on a sheet, a settling unit fixing the image on the sheet, and a discharging unit receiving a recorded sheet from the settling unit, discharging the recorded sheet outside, and returning the recorded sheet to the developing unit, comprising:

• a back plate disposed adjacent to the discharging unit;
• a feed frame having a first side forming a printing path with the developing unit, a second side forming a duplex path with the back plate to receive the returned sheet from the discharging unit, and a third side disposed between the first side and the second side to couple the duplex path to the printing path;
• and
• a feeding roller module having a feeding roller rotatably disposed on the third side to feed a new sheet introduced onto the feeding roller to the printing path and feed the returned sheet introduced onto the feeding roller from the duplex path to the printing path,
• wherein the feeding roller module comprises:
• a side bracket having a hole accommodating the feeding roller;
• and
• a registration roller unit disposed adjacent to the hole to face a surface of the feeding roller to feed one of the returned sheet and the new sheet.

A duplex printing apparatus having a printing body with a developing unit recording an image on a sheet, a settling unit fixing the image on the sheet, and a discharging unit receiving a recorded sheet from the settling unit, discharging the recorded sheet outside, and returning the recorded sheet to the developing unit, comprising:

• a back plate disposed adjacent to the discharging unit;
• a feed frame having a first side forming a printing path with the developing unit, a second side forming a duplex path with the back plate to receive the returned sheet from the discharging unit, and a third side disposed between the first side and the second side to couple the duplex path to the printing path;
• and
• a feeding roller module having a feeding roller rotatably disposed on the third side to feed a new sheet introduced onto the feeding roller to the printing path and feed the returned sheet introduced onto the feeding roller from the duplex path to the printing path,
• wherein a registration roller unit comprises:
• a registration roller rotatably mounted on the registration roller unit to be in contact with the feeding roller, being rotated by the feeding roller, and feeding the one of the returned sheet and the new sheet with the feeding roller.

A duplex printing apparatus having a printing body with a developing unit recording an image on a sheet, a settling unit fixing the image on the sheet, and a discharging unit receiving a recorded sheet from the settling unit, discharging the recorded sheet outside, and returning the recorded sheet to the developing unit, comprising:

• a back plate disposed adjacent to the discharging unit;
• a feed frame having a first side forming a printing path with the developing unit, a second side forming a duplex path with the back plate to receive the returned sheet from the discharging unit, and a third side disposed between the first side and the second side to couple the duplex path to the printing path;
• and
• a feeding roller module having a feeding roller rotatably disposed on the third side to feed a new sheet introduced onto the feeding roller to the printing path and feed the returned sheet introduced onto the feeding roller from the duplex path to the printing path,
• wherein the feeding roller comprises a cylindrical surface, and the feeding roller module comprises:
• a first registration roller disposed to be in contact with a first portion of the cylindrical surface of the feeding roller, being rotated by the feeding roller, and feeding one of the returned sheet and the new sheet with the feeding roller, and
• a second registration roller unit disposed to be in contact with a second portion of the cylindrical surface of the feeding roller, being rotated by the feeding roller, and feeding the returned sheet with feeding roller.

A duplex printing apparatus having a printing body with a developing unit recording an image on a sheet, a settling unit fixing the image on the sheet, and a discharging unit receiving a recorded sheet from the settling unit, discharging the recorded sheet outside, and returning the recorded sheet to the developing unit, comprising:

• a back plate disposed adjacent to the discharging unit;
• a feed frame having a first side forming a printing path with the developing unit, a second side forming a duplex path with the back plate to receive the returned sheet from the discharging unit, and a third side disposed between the first side and the second side to couple the duplex path to the printing path;
• and
• a feeding roller module having a feeding roller rotatably disposed on the third side to feed a new sheet introduced onto the feeding roller to the printing path and feed the returned sheet introduced onto the feeding roller from the duplex path to the printing path,
• wherein the apparatus comprises a first built-in cassette, a second built-in cassette, and a removable external cassette all containing the new sheet, and the feeding roller module comprises:
• a first guide member disposed between the first built-in cassette and the feeding roller to guide the new sheet to be introduced onto a first portion of the surface of the feeding roller,
• a second guide member disposed between the second built-in cassette and the feeding roller to guide the new sheet to be introduced onto a second portion of the surface of the feeding roller,
• a third guide member guiding the returned sheet to be introduced onto a third portion of the surface of the feeding roller, and
• a fourth guide member disposed between the removable external cassette and the feeding roller to guide the new sheet to a fourth portion of the surface of the feeding roller, and
• wherein the feeding roller module comprises a side bracket mounted with the first, second, third, and fourth guide members in a single body.

A duplex printing apparatus having a printing body with a developing unit recording an image on a sheet, a settling unit fixing the image on the sheet, and a discharging unit receiving a recorded sheet from the settling unit, discharging the recorded sheet outside, and returning the recorded sheet to the developing unit, comprising:

• a back plate disposed adjacent to the discharging unit;
• a feed frame having a first side forming a printing oath with the developing unit, a second side forming a duplex path with the back plate to receive the returned sheet from the discharging unit, and a third side disposed between the first side and the second side to couple the duplex path to the printing path;
• and
• a feeding roller module having a feeding roller rotatably disposed on the third side to feed a new sheet introduced onto the feeding roller to the printing path and feed the returned sheet introduced onto the feeding roller from the duplex path to the printing path,
• wherein the apparatus comprises a first built-in cassette, a second built-in cassette, and a removable external cassette all containing the new sheet, and the feeding roller module comprises:
• a first guide member disposed between the first built-in cassette and the feeding roller to guide the new sheet to be introduced onto a first portion of the surface of the feeding roller,
• a second guide member disposed between the second built-in cassette and the feeding roller to guide the new sheet to be introduced onto a second portion of the surface of the feeding roller,
• a third guide member guiding the returned sheet to be introduced onto a third portion of the surface of the feeding roller, and
• a fourth guide member disposed between the removable external cassette and the feeding roller to guide the new sheet to a fourth portion of the surface of the feeding roller, and
• wherein the feeding roller module comprises:
• a registration roller unit disposed between the second guide member and the fourth guide member to feed one of the returned sheet and the new sheet picked up from the removable external cassette with the feeding roller.

A duplex printing apparatus having a printing body with a developing unit recording an image on a sheet, a settling unit fixing the image on the sheet, and a discharging unit receiving a recorded sheet from the settling unit, discharging the recorded sheet outside, and returning the recorded sheet to the developing unit, comprising:

• a back plate disposed adjacent to the discharging unit;
• a feed frame having a first side forming a printing path with the developing unit, a second side forming a duplex path with the back plate to receive the returned sheet from the discharging unit, and a third side disposed between the first side and the second side to couple the duplex path to the printing path;
• and
• a feeding roller module having a feeding roller rotatably disposed on the third side to feed a new sheet introduced onto the feeding roller to the printing path and feed the returned sheet introduced onto the feeding roller from the duplex path to the printing path,
• wherein the apparatus comprises a first built-in cassette, a second built-in cassette, and a removable external cassette all containing the new sheet, and the feeding roller module comprises:
• a first guide member disposed between the first built-in cassette and the feeding roller to guide the new sheet to be introduced onto a first portion of the surface of the feeding roller,
• a second guide member disposed between the second built-in cassette and the feeding roller to guide the new sheet to be introduced onto a second Portion of the surface of the feeding roller,
• a third guide member guiding the returned sheet to be introduced onto a third portion of the surface of the feeding roller, and
• a fourth guide member disposed between the removable external cassette and the feeding roller to guide the new sheet to a fourth portion of the surface of the feeding roller, and
• wherein the apparatus comprises a pickup roller picking up the new sheet from the removable external cassette and a reverse conveying roller disposed on the second side of the feed frame to feed the returned sheet, and the feeding roller module comprises:
• a main gear rotating the feeding roller, the pickup roller, and the reverse conveying roller.

A duplex printing apparatus having a printing body with a developing unit recording an image on a sheet, a settling unit fixing the image on the sheet, and a discharging unit receiving a recorded sheet from the settling unit, discharging the recorded sheet outside, and returning the recorded sheet to the developing unit, comprising:

• a back plate disposed adjacent to the discharging unit;
• a feed frame having a first side forming a printing path with the developing unit, a second side forming a duplex path with the back plate to receive the returned sheet from the discharging unit, and a third side disposed between the first side and the second side to couple the duplex path to the printing path;
• and
• a feeding roller module having a feeding roller rotatably disposed on the third side to feed a new sheet introduced onto the feeding roller to the printing path and feed the returned sheet introduced onto the feeding roller from the duplex path to the printing path,
• wherein the apparatus comprises a first built-in cassette, a second built-in cassette, and a removable external cassette all containing the new sheet, and the feeding roller module comprises:
• a first guide member disposed between the first built-in cassette and the feeding roller to guide the new sheet to be introduced onto a first portion of the surface of the feeding roller,
• a second guide member disposed between the second built-in cassette and the feeding roller to guide the new sheet to be introduced onto a second portion of the surface of the feeding roller,
• a third guide member guiding the returned sheet to be introduced onto a third portion of the surface of the feeding roller, and
• a fourth guide member disposed between the removable external cassette and the feeding roller to guide the new sheet to a fourth portion of the surface of the feeding roller, and
• wherein the first, second, third, and fourth guide members guide corresponding ones of the new sheet and the returned sheet in a tangential direction of the feeding roller.

A duplex printing apparatus having a printing body with a developing unit recording an image on a sheet, a settling unit fixing the image on the sheet, and a discharging unit receiving a recorded sheet from the settling unit, discharging the recorded sheet outside, and returning the recorded sheet to the developing unit, comprising:

• a back plate disposed adjacent to the discharging unit;
• a feed frame having a first side forming a printing path with the developing unit, a second side forming a duplex path with the back plate to receive the returned sheet from the discharging unit, and a third side disposed between the first side and the second side to couple the duplex path to the printing path;
• and
• a feeding roller module having a feeding roller rotatably disposed on the third side to feed a new sheet introduced onto the feeding roller to the printing path and feed the returned sheet introduced onto the feeding roller from the duplex path to the printing path,
• wherein the feed frame comprises a fourth side disposed between the first and second sides and opposite to the third side to face the settling unit and form an inlet of the duplex path with the second side and the back plate.

A duplex printing apparatus having a printing body with a developing unit recording an image on a sheet, a settling unit fixing the image on the sheet, and a discharging unit receiving the recorded sheet from the settling unit and discharging the recorded sheet outside or transferring the recorded sheet to the developing unit, comprising:

• a back plate disposed adjacent to the discharging unit;
• a feed frame disposed in the printing body to form a duplex path with the back plate and a printing path with the developing unit;
• a feeding roller rotatably disposed on the feed frame to feed a new sheet introduced onto a first portion of the surface of feeding roller to the printing path and the returned sheet introduced onto a second portion of the surface of the feeding roller from the duplex path to the printing path;
• and
• a side bracket having a hole receiving the feeding roller, a first guide member guiding the new sheet to the printing path through the first portion of the surface of the feeding roller, and a second guide member guiding the returned sheet from the duplex path to the printing path through the second portion of the surface of the feeding roller.