JP3198359B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or an image scanner, for example, when a paper jam occurs in a paper feed unit and a paper feed tray unit. Withdrawal means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or an image scanner includes a platen on which a document is placed, a document irradiation lamp reciprocating below the platen, a reflection mirror, a fixed projection lens and a reflection mirror. A scanning optical system composed of: a photosensitive drum which is rotated by being charged with a predetermined potential by a band electrode; and applying a toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum by the scanning optical system. A developing unit for transferring the toner image onto a recording paper surface, which is a transfer material conveyed below the surface of the photosensitive drum, a separating electrode and a removing electrode; And a cleaning device that removes toner, paper dust, and the like remaining on the photoconductor surface after the transfer.

[0003] A desired toner image is successively recorded on the surface of a recording sheet conveyed intermittently according to a predetermined conveying path.

[0004] A paper feed unit and a fixing unit including a paper discharge roller and a plurality of paper feed tray units are each configured to be able to be pulled out to the image forming apparatus. The paper feed unit is pulled out to remove jammed recording paper.

[0005]

However, when the recording paper being conveyed is jammed, for example, when a paper jam occurs between the paper feeding conveyance unit and the paper feeding tray unit, one of the units is pulled out carelessly. If the recording paper is bent or torn in the process of pulling out the unit and the recording paper is jammed in, for example, either the paper feed unit or paper tray unit, it takes a lot of trouble to remove it. become. If the paper is jammed without being completely removed, the recording paper subsequently conveyed again becomes jammed.

On the other hand, if the respective units are configured to be able to be pulled out from the image forming apparatus, if a plurality of units are pulled out carelessly, the balance of the apparatus may be lost and the image forming apparatus may be collapsed. In doing so, a dead space is generated between the units, and the device cannot be made compact. Even if the units are made compact by overlapping each other, if the order of pulling out the units is wrong, for example, there are various problems such as scratching the photosensitive drum and damaging other units. .

The present invention solves such a problem and can easily and quickly remove the transfer material without damaging the paper even if a paper jam occurs between the units, and at the time of pulling out the unit, the image forming apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that does not break the balance of the above or change the order in which the units are pulled out and adversely affect other units.

[0008]

This object is achieved by the following a, b
Achieved by any means.

[0009]

(A) Forming a transfer path for a transfer material,
With multiple units that can be pulled out independently
In the forming apparatus, a drawer is drawn for each of the plurality of units.
Locking means for locking, wherein a small number of the plurality of units is provided.
When at least one unit is withdrawn,
Lock the drawer of the unit
Unit is stored in place and locked
After that, the engaging unit is set so that the other unit can be pulled out.
Characterized by having control means for controlling the stopping means.
Image forming device.

(B) forming a transfer path for the transfer material,
With multiple units that can be pulled out independently
In the forming apparatus, provided for each of the plurality of units.
A sensor for detecting an operation of an operator;
Locking means for locking the drawer for each slot
For example, when a jam occurs at a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus,
And withdrawing the unit from the image forming apparatus
Are stored, and the operation of the operator is performed based on the stored order.
Judge whether the unit to be made can be withdrawn or not.
Control means to release the lock of the unit in case of disconnection.
An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0012]

1 is a side sectional view showing the structure of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the structure of a paper feed tray unit and a vertical transport unit in FIG. FIG. 5 is a top view showing the structure of the stopping means, a schematic diagram showing the detecting means of the handle portion in FIG. 4, a block diagram showing the control of locking and unlocking of the sheet feeding tray unit in FIG. 5, and the jam clearing means in FIG. This will be described with reference to the flowchart and the flowchart of FIG.

However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus 18
A platen glass P on which an original M is placed is provided on the upper surface of the main body 1, and a scanning optical system 2 is provided below the platen glass P in the main body 1. The scanning optical system 2 includes a reciprocating original irradiation lamp 2a, a first mirror 2b, second and third mirrors 2c forming a V shape, and a fixed lens 2
d and a fourth mirror 2e. A photoconductor drum 3 is provided in the center of the main body 1 so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow, and a band electrode 4 for uniformly charging the photoconductor 3a along the rotation direction and a toner replenishing device around the photoconductor drum 3. 5, a developing device 6 in which toner is supplied and a developing sleeve 6a is built in, a transfer electrode 7, a separation electrode 8, a neutralizing electrode 9, and a cleaning device 10 are sequentially arranged. A first paper feed tray unit 22A is provided on the lower left side of the main body 1, and a second paper feed tray unit 22B is provided below the first paper feed tray unit 22A.
On the right side of 22A and 22B, a third paper feed tray unit 22C is incorporated, and three types of recording paper 30 having different sizes are stored. Hereinafter, each of the first, second, and third paper feed tray units is simply referred to as each of the first, second, and third paper feed trays. Reference numeral 12 denotes a first paper feed roller for feeding the recording paper 30 stored in, for example, the first paper feed tray 22A to a standby position before the second paper feed roller 13 via the transport roller 12a. The recording paper 30 fed by the paper feed roller 12 is temporarily stopped at the standby position, and then transferred at an appropriate timing so that the leading end of the visible image on the photoconductor 3a and the leading end of the recording paper 30 coincide with each other at the transfer position. A second paper feed roller 14 for feeding paper again toward the position is a guide plate for guiding the recording paper 30 fed by the first paper feed roller 12 to the position of the second paper feed roller 13. Reference numeral 15 denotes a conveying device for conveying the recording paper 30 after the transfer to the fixing position. The fixing device 16 includes a heating roller 16a and a pressure roller 16b. Reference numeral 17 denotes a paper discharge roller for discharging the recording paper 30 after fixing to the outside of the main body.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the recording paper stored in each of the first, second and third paper feed trays 22A, 22B and 22C.
Numeral 30 denotes a common paper feed path, which is conveyed toward the second paper feed roller 13 via the first paper feed roller 12 and the guide plate 14 by the vertical conveyance section 11 provided on the left side of the image forming apparatus 18. It is supposed to be. The vertical transport section 11 has a second
A pair of lower rollers 11a for nipping and transporting the recording paper 30 sent from the paper supply tray 22B, a vertical guide plate 11b,
An upper roller pair 11c for nipping and transporting the recording paper 30 fed from the third paper feed trays 22A and 22C is provided. The left side roller of the lower roller pair 11a, the left side roller of the vertical guide plate 11b, and the left side roller of the upper roller pair 11c are integrally provided on the side plate 11A of the vertical transport unit 11, and the side plate 11A is
It is rotatably supported by d. Therefore, the side plate 11A
At the time of opening, the upper and lower roller pairs 11a and 11c are separated from each other. The recording paper 30 conveyed from the first and third paper feed trays 22A and 22C is located above the vertical conveyance unit 11.
Sensor 25 for detecting the conveyance state of the
A lower sensor 26 for detecting the recording paper 30 conveyed from 22B is provided.

Then, as shown in FIG.
2. The second paper feed roller 13, guide plate 14, transfer electrode 7, separation electrode 8, and transport device 15 are unitized to form a paper transport unit 20. The feed / conveyance unit 20 is moved forward (in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface) by a feed / conveyance unit rail 20a provided on both lower side surfaces of the paper / conveyance unit 20 and a frame (not shown) of the main body 1 opposed thereto. )
Can be withdrawn. Further, the fixing device 16 is unitized as a fixing unit 21 together with the sheet discharging roller 17, and the lower part of both sides of the fixing unit 21 and the main body 1 facing the fixing unit 21.
And the fixing unit rails 21a provided on the frame and can be pulled out to the near side.

Each of the first, second, and third paper feed trays 22
A, 22B, and 22C are also provided with a common paper feed rail 22a, and can be independently pulled out to the near side by rails 22a of the same size provided opposite the frame of the main body 1.

The above-mentioned rails 20a, 21a, 22a may use a common member having the same size and function. Then, the vertical transport unit 11, the paper feed transport unit 20, and the fixing unit 21
These form a transport path for the recording paper 30 fed from the first, second, and third paper feed trays 22A, 22B, and 22C.

In the apparatus 18, when the copy button is operated, the original M on the platen glass P is exposed and scanned by the scanning optical system 2, and an electrostatic latent image of the original M is formed on the photosensitive member 3a of the photosensitive drum 3. Is done. This electrostatic latent image is developed
Is a visible image, and this visible image is
The image is transferred by the transfer electrode 7 to the recording paper 30 fed from any of 22A, 22B and 22C. After the transfer, the recording paper 30 is separated from the photoreceptor 3 a by the separation electrode 8, conveyed by the conveying device 15 to the fixing device 16, where it is fixed and discharged by the discharge roller 17.
The paper is ejected. In this way, required toner images are recorded on the recording paper 30 one after another.

Next, the processing of a paper jam across two units according to the present invention and the method of pulling out the units will be described in each of the first and second embodiments.
The second and third paper feed trays 22A, 22B and 22C will be described as an example.

As shown in FIG. 3, each of the first, second and third paper feed trays 22A and 22 which can be pulled out to the image forming apparatus 18 is provided.
B and 22C are provided with a locking unit 23 as locking means and a handle 24 for pulling them out.

Each of the first, second and third paper feed trays 22
When A, 22B, and 22C are stored in predetermined positions of the image forming apparatus 18, the locking unit 23 always locks the main body 1A of the apparatus 18 so that it is not accidentally pulled out. For example, as shown in FIG.
The locking unit 23 attached to the base 22A includes a solenoid 23a attached to the base 23A, a locking plate 23b rotatable by a support shaft 23d on the left side of the solenoid 23a, and one end.
The other end of the locking plate 23b is hung below the locking plate 23b.
And a spring 23c for urging the counterclockwise. When the locking unit 23 attached to the predetermined position of the first sheet tray 22A by the base 23A pushes the sheet tray 22A into the main body 1 and stores it, the locking plate 23b springs at the final stage of storage. The first paper feed tray 22A is locked by returning once after climbing on the adjacent main body skeleton 1A against 23c, so that the first paper feed tray 22A cannot be pulled out to the image forming apparatus 18.

When the power of the solenoid 23a is turned on and magnetized, a solenoid flanger 23f, which is located above the support shaft 23d and has a pin for engaging with the locking plate 23b, is retracted to the right and locked. The plate 23b rotates clockwise against the spring 23c, and the lock is released when the claw 23e of the locking plate 23b separates from the main body skeleton 1A.
Each of the other second and third paper feed trays 22B and 22C is also provided with a locking unit 23 that functions in exactly the same configuration.

Accordingly, each of the first, second, and third paper feed trays 22
When each of A, 22B, and 22C is stored at a predetermined position in the image forming apparatus 18, it is always in a locked state.
Then, the first, second, and third paper feed trays 22A, 22
As shown in FIG. 4, a handle provided on each of the handles B and 22C is provided with a handle sensor 24a such as a transmission-type photo sensor. 24b is pushed clockwise to detect, for example, a hand. Therefore, each paper feed tray 22A,
The drawers 22B and 22C can be drawn out only to one sheet feed tray based on the detection information of the handle sensor 24a, assuming that there will be no abnormality other than described later.
Further, the paper feed tray while the recording paper 30 is being fed cannot be pulled out.

While the handle is being detected by the handle sensor 24a, the power of the solenoid 23a is turned on by the control of the CPU stored in advance, the lock is released, and when the hand is released from the handle 24, the solenoid 23a is turned off. It is locked. When the user, for example, replenishes the first paper tray 22A with the recording paper 30, and then pushes in the first paper tray 22A, the above-described locking plate 23b operates and is automatically locked.

Then, as shown in FIG.
When a paper jam of the recording paper 30 occurs between the lower roller 22a and the lower roller 11a of the vertical transport unit 11, the jam position is detected by the lower sensor 26 that detects the position of the paper jam, and the display unit (see FIG. (Not shown) indicates that a jam has occurred. On the basis of the indication of the occurrence of the jam, the user opens the vertical transport unit 11 in the normal procedure, and removes the jammed recording paper 30. Next, when the user puts his hand on the handle 24 to pull out the second paper feed tray 22B for inspection, the jam sensor 24a detects that the jammed paper has been removed, and there is no other abnormality (for example, other paper feeds). When the tray is not pulled out), the power of the solenoid 23a is turned on under the control of the CPU, the lock is released, and the second sheet feeding tray 22B is pulled out. When the hand is released from the handle 24 as described above, the power of the solenoid 23a is turned off.
Then, the locking plate 23b is returned to the locked position. Therefore, even if the user attempts to pull out the second paper feed tray 22B by operating the handle 24 of the second paper feed tray 22B that has been jammed without opening the vertical conveyance unit 11 by mistaking the regular procedure and opening the paper jam, the CPU stored in advance. As a result, the power of the solenoid 23a is kept OFF, and the second paper feed tray 22B is locked so that it cannot be pulled out.

The solenoids 23a and 23b of the first and third sheet feeding trays 22A and 22C are turned off by the NO and OFF similarly to the case of the jam processing of the second sheet feeding tray 22B. Locking and unlocking are performed.

Each of the first, second, and third paper feed trays 22
A, 22B, and 22C are designed so that only one sheet feed tray can be pulled out, and the required sheet feed tray can be pulled out after the drawn sheet feed tray is stored in a predetermined position. Note that the gist of the present invention is also applied to the sheet feeding / conveying unit 20 and the fixing unit 21 as necessary. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the plurality of paper feed trays and other units from being carelessly pulled out and the balance of the image forming apparatus 18 being lost due to collapse.

In order to make the image forming apparatus 18 more compact, for example, when the photosensitive drum unit and the sheet feeding / conveying unit 20 and other mechanical units are configured to overlap each other, each unit is pulled out. If the order is specified and, for example, the sheet feeding / conveying unit 20 is not pulled out, the photosensitive drum unit will not be pulled out.

Therefore, even if an attempt is made to pull out a unit out of order, the unit is locked and cannot be pulled out. In the above-described jam processing, when a drawer limited to one paper feed tray, or when a drawer order is designated, etc., each of the first, second, and third paper feed trays 22A is controlled by the CPU shown in FIG. , 22B, 22C and other mechanical units provided as necessary are locked and unlocked.

Incidentally, the sheet feeding / conveying unit 20 and the fixing unit
If a paper jam across the paper jam 21 occurs and is detected by a sensor (not shown) for detecting the position of the paper jam, for example, a flanger of a solenoid (not shown) operates to connect the units 20 and 21 to each other, for example. By pulling out the paper transport unit 20, the fixing unit 21 can be pulled out at the same time.

Accordingly, the recording paper 30 jammed from above the paper feeding and transporting unit 20 which has been pulled out and whose upper part is opened.
Is to be removed.

Each of the first, second, third
For example, the second paper feed tray 22 of the paper feed trays 22A, 22B, 22C
FIG. 6 shows a procedure of a jam clearing process between B and the vertical transport unit 11.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, when a jam occurs in (1), the image forming apparatus 18 is stopped and paper is jammed between, for example, the second paper feed tray 22B and the lower roller 11a in (2). This is detected by the lower sensor 26, and the state of the jam is displayed on the panel of the image forming apparatus 18 in (3). Then, the user opens the vertical transport unit 11 in the regular jam processing procedure (4), and feeds back to the CPU that the jammed recording paper 30 has been removed and removed. Next, the handle 24 of the second paper feed tray 22B is grasped at (5) for inspection and cleaning, and (6) the handle sensor 24a detects the user's hand. And the detection information of the handle sensor 24a is
It is input to the CPU of (7). At this time, the CPU comprehensively determines that the jammed paper has been removed, for example, whether the first, third, and third paper feed trays 22A, 22C have been pulled out, and determines YES if there is no abnormality ( In step 8), the power supply of the solenoid 23a of the locking unit 23 is turned on to release the lock between the locking plate 23b and the main frame 1A.

Accordingly, in (9), it is confirmed that the second paper feed tray 22B has been pulled out and the jammed recording paper 30 has been reliably removed, and if necessary, the paper dust and foreign matter are cleaned and subsequently fed. Recording paper 30 to be conveyed normally. When the inspection and cleaning of the vertical transport unit 11 and the second paper tray 22B are completed, the opened vertical transport unit 11 and the second paper tray 22B opened in (10) are stored at predetermined positions. Then, in (11), the second paper feed tray 22B is locked again. Further, when the determination is NO in the CPU control stage of (7), the second paper feed tray 22B remains locked as shown in (12), so that the user is required to perform the normal (4) The procedure of opening the vertical transfer section 11 or checking for any other abnormality is performed, and (5) the following procedure is repeated again.

In this manner, the jammed record can be removed easily and quickly under the control of the CPU.

Next, each of the first, second and third paper feed trays 22A,
A draw-out procedure for allowing only one of the drawers 22B and 22C to be drawn out will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The locking and unlocking mechanism by the locking unit 23 is the same as described above.

As shown in FIG. 7, the second paper feed tray 2 of (1)
When the handle 24 of 2B is operated, the user's hand is detected by the handle detection sensor 24a of (2), and the detection information of the handle sensor 24a is input to the CPU at (3). Then, the CPU determines whether or not the other first and third paper feed trays 22A and 22C are pulled out, or whether or not there is an abnormality such as a jam in another unit. In 4), the power supply of the solenoid 23a is turned on, and the locking plate 23b and the main frame 1A are turned on.
The lock with is released. Then, in (5), the second paper feed tray 2
2B is pulled out, for example, the recording paper 30 is replenished. Then, in (6), the second sheet supply tray 22B is moved to the image forming apparatus 18.
After that, it is automatically locked in the same way as described above in (7).

(3) If another sheet feed tray has already been pulled out under the control of the CPU, it is determined as NO (8).
The locking unit 23 remains locked.

Accordingly, the user stores another sheet tray pulled out in (9) at a predetermined position, and then shifts to the required drawing operation of the second sheet tray 22B again in (1).
In this way, the CP to which other information is input according to the pull-out status of each of the paper feed trays 22A, 22B, and 22C and the necessity.
Since only one sheet feed tray is drawn out by the control of U, a plurality of sheet feed trays are drawn out carelessly, and the balance of the image forming apparatus 18 is prevented from being lost due to collapse.

Further, when the draw-out order of the respective mechanical units constituting the image forming apparatus 18 is designated, the operation is performed in the same manner as in the flow chart of FIG. However, the power of the solenoid of the locking unit 23 provided for each unit remains OFF, and it cannot be pulled out. Accordingly, the user returns to the handle operation of (1) again from the lock position of (8) as shown by the dashed line, and the mechanism unit is pulled out in a regular order.

Therefore, for example, the occurrence of scratches on the photosensitive drum and the damage of the units caused by pulling out the mechanism unit out of order can be prevented.

Note that the description of the present invention is based on a mono-black image forming apparatus.
Although the description has been made with the example of 18, the present invention is of course also applied to a color image forming apparatus.

Although the configuration in which each paper feed tray is stored in the image forming apparatus 18 has been described, the present invention is also applicable to a case where a plurality of paper feed trays are optionally connected to the above-described apparatus 18 to feed paper. Is applied.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, the number of the paper feed trays to be drawn out is controlled so as to be pulled out to only one, so that the image forming apparatus can be held safely without falling down due to the loss of balance, and the apparatus can be held down. Since the control is performed so that the order of the constituting mechanism units is determined and pulled out, the image forming apparatus can be configured to be more compact, and the generation and damage of the units can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a sheet feeding tray unit and a transport unit.

FIG. 3 is a top view showing the configuration of the locking means.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a detection means of a handle portion.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing control of locking and unlocking of a sheet feed tray unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a jam processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a method of drawing out a sheet feed tray unit and a procedure of a drawing order according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1A Body Frame 3 Photosensitive Drum 11 Vertical Conveyor 11a Lower Roller Pair 11b Vertical Guide Plate 11c Upper Roller Pair 18 Image Forming Apparatus 20 Feeder Conveyor Unit 21 Fixing Unit 22A First Feeder Tray Unit (First Feeder Tray) 22B Second paper tray unit (second paper tray) 22C Third paper tray unit (third paper tray) 23 Lock unit 23a Solenoid 23b Lock plate 24 Handle 24a Handle sensor 25 Upper sensor 26 Lower sensor 30 Recording paper

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takao Shiozawa 2970 Ishikawa-cho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Co., Ltd. Examiner at Konica Corporation (56) References JP-A-4-324458 (JP, A) JP-A Heihei 4-365738 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65H ^7/ 00-7/20

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A transfer material conveying path is formed, each of which is independently formed.
Image formation with multiple units that can be pulled out vertically
In the apparatus, locking means for locking a drawer for each of the plurality of units is provided.
Wherein at least one unit of the plurality of units
When withdrawn, engage the drawer of another unit.
While the unit is being pulled out
After being stored and locked in position, the other unit is pulled
Control means for controlling the locking means so that it can be ejected
An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. A transfer material conveying path is formed, each of which is independently formed.
Image formation with multiple units that can be pulled out vertically
In the device, an operation of an operator provided for each of the plurality of units is detected.
And a locking means for locking a drawer for each of the plurality of units.
Provided in advance at a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus.
Pulling the unit from the image forming apparatus for jam
Is issued, and operations are performed based on the stored order.
Determines whether the unit operated by the author can be withdrawn or not.
If it is determined that there is a
An image forming apparatus comprising control means.