JPH09197740A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make an image forming part common and to realize the reduction of the cost and the improvement of economic efficiency by selectively and integrally connecting a sheet ejection unit or a scanner unit to an image forming device main body. SOLUTION: Projections B2 having a shape corresponding to recessed parts formed on the placing surface of an image forming unit at positions corresponding to the recessed parts are protrusively formed at specified positions in four corners on the lower surface B1 of the sheet ejection unit B. Then, projections C2 are protrusively formed at specified positions in four corners on the lower surface C1 of the scanner unit C. The unit B or the unit C is set on the placing surface provided at the upper part of the image forming unit so that the lower surface B1 or C1 may be opposed thereto, and the projections B2 or C2 of the unit B or the unit C are fit in the recessed parts of the image forming unit so as to make the lower surface B1 or C1 abut on the placing surface, then the unit B or the unit C are placed, mounted and integrally connected to the image forming unit to constitute this device.

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 having a sheet discharging unit and a scanner unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional image forming apparatus shown in FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 shows the structure of a laser beam printer, and FIG. 16 shows the structure of a digital copying machine having an image reading unit for reading a document image. A laser beam printer 100 shown in FIG. 15 conveys the recording sheets accommodated in the sheet decks 101 and 102 to a position where the photoconductor drum 103 as an image forming means faces each other to form an image, and a fixing roller pair 104 is formed.
To fix the image. A face-down tray (hereinafter referred to as “FD”) for ejecting and placing the recording sheet on which an image is formed with the image forming surface facing downward is placed on the upper portion of the image forming unit 105 that performs a series of these image forming operations. 106) is provided.

A digital copying machine 110 shown in FIG. 16 is an image forming unit provided in the laser beam printer 100 described above.
An image forming unit 105 having substantially the same configuration as the image forming unit 105 is provided, and a scanner unit 111, which is an image reading unit that reads image information of a document, is provided above the image forming unit 105. The laser beam printer 100 and the digital copying machine 110 are both equipped with an image forming unit 105 having substantially the same structure, but they are assembled as independent devices and are individually purchased by consumers.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, the laser beam printer 100 and the digital copying machine 110 are substantially the same in image forming section.
Despite being equipped with 105, each is treated as an independent device, so from the standpoint of the manufacturer, the image forming unit 105, which has originally the same configuration, was developed separately for each device that exhibits different functions. ， Because it has to be produced, the cost increases, and from the consumer's perspective, a laser beam printer
Since it is necessary to purchase the 100 and the digital copying machine 110 separately, there is a problem that the cost is increased and the installation space is increased.

Therefore, the image forming unit 105 and the FD tray 106
The scanner section 111 and the scanner section 111 are each configured as a single unit,
When the above problem is solved by selectively and integrally connecting the unit of the FD tray 106 or the unit of the scanner unit 111 to the unit of the image forming unit 105, the following problems occur. Occur.

Since the unit of the FD tray 106 is not equipped with the jam detecting means, the jam of the recording sheet in the unit of the FD tray 106 cannot be detected.

FD for the unit of the image forming unit 105
When selectively connecting the unit of the tray 106 or the unit of the scanner unit 111, it takes time to connect a connector for electrical connection for signal transmission / reception, power supply, etc. In addition, the unit of the FD tray 106 or the scanner is connected. Part 11
The main body of the image forming apparatus cannot recognize which one of the units is connected, and it is troublesome to switch functions.

When the main body of the image forming apparatus is powered on, the rush current is applied to the unit of the FD tray 106 or the unit of the scanner unit 111 connected to the unit of the image forming unit 105 at the moment when the connector is connected. May flow.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and
The purpose is to make the image forming unit common by selectively and integrally connecting the sheet discharge unit or the scanner unit to the image forming apparatus main body, and to detect the sheet jam in the sheet discharge unit. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent inrush current, can easily connect a connector for electrical connection, and can selectively identify connected units.

[0010]

A typical structure according to the present invention for achieving the above object is an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording sheet in accordance with image information.
A sheet discharge unit for discharging a recording sheet on which an image is formed, or a scanner unit for reading image information of a document is configured to be selectively and integrally connectable to the main body of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus.

Further, the sheet discharging unit has a jam detecting means for detecting a jam of a recording sheet, and when the sheet discharging unit is integrally connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the jam detecting means detects the jam. It is characterized in that it is configured to be electrically connected by a connector capable of transmitting information to the image forming apparatus main body.

The sheet discharge unit and the scanner unit are electrically connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus by a drawer connector, and the sheet discharge unit side and the scanner unit side have predetermined drawer connectors. An identification code is provided, and when the sheet discharge unit or the scanner unit is integrally connected to the image forming apparatus body and the drawer connector is connected, the image forming apparatus body detects the identification code. By doing so, it is configured such that it can be recognized which of the sheet discharge unit and the scanner unit is connected.

Further, the sheet discharge unit or the scanner unit is electrically connected to the image forming apparatus main body by a drawer connector, and a predetermined connector is connected to the sheet discharge unit side and / or the drawer connector on the scanner unit side. An identification code is provided, and when the sheet discharge unit or the scanner unit is integrally connected to the image forming apparatus body and the drawer connector is connected, the image forming apparatus body detects the identification code. By doing so, the power supply to the sheet discharge unit or the scanner unit is delayed for a predetermined time.

Since the present invention is configured as described above, the image forming unit is made common by selectively and integrally connecting the sheet discharge unit or the scanner unit to the image forming apparatus main body. It is possible to reduce costs, improve economic efficiency, and save space.

Further, the jam detecting means provided in the sheet discharging unit can detect the jam of the sheet in the sheet discharging unit, and the drawer connector provided with a predetermined identification code facilitates the electrical connection.
Moreover, the units connected selectively can be identified, and even when the image forming apparatus main body is powered on, by delaying the power supply to the sheet discharge unit or the scanner unit for a predetermined time, an inrush current is generated. Can be prevented.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image forming apparatus equipped with an image forming unit which can be shared between a laser beam printer and a digital copying machine having an image reading unit for reading an original image as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment of the apparatus will be specifically described. First, a first embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a configuration of an image forming unit A of a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is integrally connectable to the image forming unit A for functioning as a laser beam printer. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the configuration of the sheet discharge unit B of the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the first embodiment of the scanner unit C that can be integrally connected to the image forming unit A for functioning as a digital copying machine. 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a state in which a sheet discharge unit B is integrally connected to the upper part of the image forming unit A to form a laser beam printer, and FIG. 5 is a scanner above the image forming unit A. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a state in which a unit C is integrally connected to form a digital copying machine, and FIG. 6 is a diagram of a jam detecting means when functioning as a laser beam printer. Block diagram illustrating, FIG. 7 is a flow chart of jam detection when functioning as a laser beam printer.

FIG. 1 shows the structure of an image forming unit A which can be commonly used for the laser beam printer 1 shown in FIG. 4 and the digital copying machine 2 shown in FIG. In FIG.
On the upper part of the image forming unit A, a mounting surface A1 on which a sheet discharging unit B or a scanner unit C described later is mounted.
There are recesses A2 with a predetermined shape at the four corners.
When the sheet ejection unit B or the scanner unit C is placed on the placement surface A1 of the image forming unit A, the sheet ejection units B and the lower surfaces B1 and C1 of the scanner unit C are placed.
The projections B2 and C2 provided on the sheet fitting unit B are fitted into and engaged with the recess A2, and the sheet discharging unit B with respect to the image forming unit A.
Alternatively, the scanner unit C is supported.

Below the image forming unit A, upper and lower sheet decks 3 and 4 for accommodating recording sheets made of paper, synthetic resin or the like are provided, and recordings accommodated in the sheet decks 3 and 4 are provided. The sheet is appropriately and selectively delivered by the pickup rollers 5 and 6.

The recording sheets fed from the sheet deck 3 by the pickup roller 5 are separated and fed one by one by the upper stage separating means constituted by the feed roller 7 and the retard roller 9, and the sheet deck 4 picks up the pickup roller 6. The recording sheets fed out by the above are separated and fed one by one by the lower separation means composed of the feed roller 8 and the retard roller 10.

The recording sheets selectively fed from the upper and lower sheet decks 3 and 4 are transported along the transport path 11, near the feeding roller pair 12 and on the upstream side in the sheet transport direction (hereinafter,
The feeding sensor 13 arranged on the “upstream side” is
After being set to N, the sheet is nipped and conveyed by a pair of feeding rollers 12 having a large-diameter roller 12a and rollers 12b and 12c which are in pressure contact with the large-diameter roller 12a.

The recording sheet conveyed by the pair of feed rollers 12 has a leading edge in the nip portion of the pair of registration rollers 14 which is stopped after the pre-registration sensor 15 arranged on the upstream side in the vicinity of the pair of registration rollers 14 is turned on. The recording sheet is contacted and further conveyed by the pair of feeding rollers 12 to form a predetermined loop on the recording sheet. After the skew of the recording sheet is corrected by the waist force of the recording sheet, the recording sheet stands by.

An electrophotographic photosensitive drum 16 serving as an image forming means is disposed on the downstream side of the registration roller pair 14 in the sheet conveying direction (hereinafter, simply referred to as "downstream side"), and the surface thereof is charged by a charger (not shown). Uniformly charged photoconductor drum
A laser beam corresponding to image information is emitted to 16 by an optical system (not shown) to form a latent image, and a toner image is formed on the latent image by a developing device (not shown).

A CPU which is a controller of the apparatus
(Central information processing device) A registration signal from the central processing unit 33 causes the registration roller pair 14 to rotate in synchronism with the rotation operation of the photoconductor drum 16, and the recording sheet is nipped by the registration roller pair 14 to form the photoconductor drum 16 and the transfer roller 17. It is transported to the nip part with.
Then, the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 16 is transferred to the first surface of the recording sheet by the action of the transfer roller 17, and is conveyed to the fixing roller pair 18.

The toner image on the recording sheet conveyed to the fixing roller pair 18 is fixed on the recording sheet by heating and pressurizing, and the recording sheet is conveyed and discharged by the fixing discharge roller pair 19. A fixing discharge sensor 20 is arranged on the downstream side in the vicinity of the fixing discharge roller pair 19, and the recording sheet discharged by the fixing discharge roller pair 19 turns on the fixing discharge sensor 20.

A flapper 21 for switching the conveyance path is provided on the downstream side of the fixing / discharging sensor 20, and when the CPU 33 instructs to form an image on both sides of the recording sheet, the fixing / discharging roller pair 19 is used. The conveyed recording sheet is guided to the conveying path 22 by the action of the flapper 21, and the reversing sensor 23 is turned on.

After that, the recording sheet is once conveyed to the conveying path 25 by the reversing roller pair 24, and then the reversing roller pair 24 reversely rotates so that the recording sheet is guided to the double-sided conveying path 26 to be reversed and the double-sided conveying roller pair 27. And the double-sided sensor 28 is turned on.

The recording sheet is further conveyed to the pair of double-sided conveying rollers 29, guided to the pair of feeding rollers 12, and the feeding sensor 13 is turned on.
Then, the feed roller pair 12 is used again to register the registration roller pair.
Then, the image is formed on the second surface of the recording sheet by passing between the photosensitive drum 16 and the transfer roller 17 in the same manner as described above, the toner image is fixed by the fixing roller pair 18, and the fixing discharge roller is formed. Emitted by pair 19.

When the CPU 33 instructs the recording sheet on which the image is formed to be discharged to the outside of the machine,
The recording sheet is guided to the conveyance path 30 by the action of the flapper 21, is ejected to the outside of the machine by the ejection roller pair 31, and is ejected onto the face-up (FU) tray 32 on which the image surface of the recording sheet is ejected upward. Placed.

FIG. 2 shows a sheet discharging unit B which is placed on a placing surface A1 provided on the upper portion of the image forming unit A so as to be integrally connectable thereto. The recording sheet conveyed by the discharge roller pair 31 of the image forming unit A is reversed to have a face down (FD) tray 44 for discharging and placing the image surface of the recording sheet downward and in page order.

As described above, the recesses A2 provided on the mounting surface A1 of the image forming unit A are provided at predetermined positions at the four corners of the lower surface B1 of the sheet discharging unit B facing the mounting surface A1 of the image forming unit A. A protrusion B2 having a shape corresponding to the shape of the recess A2 is provided at a corresponding position.

Further, in the sheet discharging unit B, the conveying path 30 on the downstream side of the discharging roller pair 31 of the image forming unit A.
An FD transport path 40 connected to the
A flapper 41 for switching the discharge path is arranged between the flapper 41 and the D transport path 40. An FD discharge roller pair 42 is provided at the end of the FD transport path 40, and an FD sensor as a jam detection unit for detecting a jam of a recording sheet in the sheet discharge unit B is provided on the downstream side near the FD discharge roller pair 42. 43 is provided.

FIG. 3 shows a scanner unit C mounted on a mounting surface A1 provided on the upper part of the image forming unit A so as to be integrally connectable thereto. In this embodiment, a platen glass is used. The rear surface of the document placed on the document 50 is set by pressing the document pressing plate 51, and the image information of the document is read by the reading optical system 52 that moves the lower part of the platen glass 50 in a predetermined direction. .

Further, as described above, at the predetermined positions of the four corners of the lower surface C1 of the scanner unit C facing the mounting surface A1 of the image forming unit A, the recesses A2 provided in the mounting surface A1 of the image forming unit A are provided. A projection C2 having a shape corresponding to the shape of the recess A2 is provided at a corresponding position.

The sheet discharging unit B or the scanner unit C having the above-described structure is placed on the mounting surface A1 provided on the upper portion of the image forming unit A so that the lower surfaces B1 and C1 thereof face each other, and the concave portion of the image forming unit A is formed. By fitting the protrusions B2 and C2 of the sheet discharge unit B or the scanner unit C to A2 and bringing the mounting surface A1 and the lower surfaces B1 and C1 into contact with each other and mounting and mounting them, it is possible to obtain the structure shown in FIG. The laser beam printer 1 shown or the digital copying machine 2 shown in FIG. 5 can be configured.

In the laser beam printer 1 shown in FIG. 4, the recording sheet ejected by the ejection roller pair 31 on the conveying path 30 as described above is ejected by the CPU 33 so that the image surface of the recording sheet is ejected upward, so-called face-up. When it is instructed to eject, the flapper 41 operates to eject and place on the FU tray 32, and the so-called face-down ejection is instructed so that the image surface of the recording sheet is ejected in the page order. Flapper 41
Is guided to the FD transport path 40 by the action of
An FD tray that is nipped and conveyed by 42, and is turned on by an FD sensor 43 that serves as a jam detection unit, and is integrated with the exterior.
It is discharged and placed on 44.

In the digital copying machine 2 shown in FIG. 5, the original pressing plate 51 is opened, the image information surface of the original is placed on the platen glass 50 downward, and a copy start button (not shown) is pressed to read the original. The optical system 52 moves in a predetermined direction to scan the image information surface of the document to read the image information. Then, a laser beam corresponding to the image information is scanned on the surface of the photosensitive drum 16 to form a latent image, and an image is formed on the recording sheet selectively fed from the sheet decks 3 and 4 as described above. The recording sheet on which the image is formed by the forming operation is discharged and placed on the FU tray 32 with the image surface of the recording sheet facing upward.

The sheet discharge unit B or the scanner unit C is selectively used for the image forming unit A.
Moreover, when they are integrally connected, electrical connection such as signal transmission / reception and power supply is made by a connector (not shown).

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a detecting means for detecting a jam of the recording sheet in the laser beam printer 1 shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the jam detection. The feed sensor 13, the pre-registration sensor 15, the fixing discharge sensor 20, the reversing sensor 23, the double-sided sensor 28, and the FD sensor 43 arranged in the sheet discharge unit B arranged in the image forming unit A are the image forming unit. The image forming unit A is connected to each of the CPUs 33 provided in the main body of the image forming unit A, and the detection information from each sensor is used.
Also, the jam of the recording sheet in the sheet discharge unit B is detected.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, when each sensor detects a recording sheet and is turned on, and when it remains on for a predetermined time or longer, it is recognized that a jam has occurred on the recording sheet, A display unit or the like (not shown) prompts the user to perform a jam processing operation or ejects the jammed recording sheet.

In this embodiment, the FD sensor 43 for detecting the occurrence of a jam of the recording sheet in the sheet discharge unit B.
Since the sheet discharge unit B is provided, the sheet discharge unit B can detect a jam.

In the above embodiment, the mounting surface A1 of the image forming unit A is provided with the recess A2, and the sheet discharging unit B,
The recesses A2 are formed on the lower surfaces B1 and C1 of the scanner unit C, respectively.
The projections B2 and C2 corresponding to the above are provided, but as another configuration, recesses are provided in the lower surfaces B1 and C1 of the sheet discharge unit B and the scanner unit C, respectively, and the mounting surface A1 of the image forming unit A is described above. It may be configured by providing a protrusion corresponding to the recess.

As another structure, the mounting surface A1 of the image forming unit A is provided with a combination of recesses and protrusions, and the recesses and protrusions are provided on the lower surfaces B1 and C1 of the sheet discharge unit B and the scanner unit C, respectively. The corresponding projections and recesses may be arranged and provided.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the concave portions and the protrusions are arranged at predetermined positions at the four corners of the placement surface A1 of the image forming unit A and the lower surfaces B1 and C1 of the sheet discharging unit B and the scanner unit C, respectively. I explained an example,
As another configuration, a predetermined number of recesses and protrusions that can be fitted to each other may be arranged at predetermined positions on the mounting surface A1, the lower surfaces B1 and C1.

Next, a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a sectional explanatory view showing a configuration of an image forming unit A of a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 9 is integrally connectable to the image forming unit A for functioning as a laser beam printer. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the configuration of the sheet discharge unit B according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 10 shows the configuration of the second embodiment of the scanner unit C which can be integrally connected to the image forming unit A for functioning as a digital copying machine. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the electric connection between the units by a drawer connector, FIG. 12 (a) is a view showing the configuration of the drawer connector provided on the sheet ejection unit B side, and FIG. 12 (b). Is a diagram showing the configuration of a drawer connector provided on the scanner unit C side, FIG. 12 (c) is a diagram showing the configuration of a drawer connector for delaying power supply, and FIG. 13 is an image forming process. Flowchart for recognizing either is connected to the sheet ejection unit B and the scanner unit C at the top of the knit A, FIG. 14 is a flow chart for delaying the power supply. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, at predetermined positions of the image forming unit A, the sheet discharging unit B and the scanner unit C, electrical connection between units such as signal transmission / reception and power supply is performed. The drawer connectors 60, 61, 62 for performing the image forming unit A are arranged.
The drawer connector 60 on the side is connected to the CPU 33 provided in the apparatus body of the image forming unit A.

Drawer connector on the image forming unit A side
60, a drawer connector 61 on the sheet ejection unit B side,
And the drawer connector 62 on the scanner unit C side
As described above, the sheet discharging unit B or the lower surface B1, C1 of the scanner unit C contacts the mounting surface A1 of the image forming unit A, and the sheet discharging unit B or the scanner unit C is placed on the image forming unit A. At the same time as it is placed, it is configured to be able to fit and connect with each other.
For example, when the drawer connector 60 is a male connector, the drawer connectors 61 and 62 are female connectors, and when the drawer connector 60 is a female connector, the drawer connectors 61 and 62 are male connectors.

That is, when the sheet discharge unit B is placed on the upper part of the image forming unit A to form the laser beam printer 1, at the same time, the connection terminal of the drawer connector 60 on the image forming unit A side and the sheet discharge unit B side. The connection terminals of the drawer connector 61 are connected as shown in FIG. 11 so that signals can be exchanged and electric power can be mutually transmitted between the units.

Similarly, when the scanner unit C is placed on the upper part of the image forming unit A to form the digital copying machine 2, at the same time, the connection terminal of the drawer connector 60 on the image forming unit A side and the scanner unit C. The connection terminals of the drawer connector 62 on the side are connected as shown in FIG. 11 to enable electrical transmission between units such as signal transmission / reception and power supply. Other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment, and similar effects can be obtained.

In this embodiment, for example, the drawer connector 61 on the sheet discharge unit B side and the drawer connector 62 on the scanner unit C side are pin 1 to pin 6 as shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b). The drawer connector 61 on the sheet discharge unit B side has a first pin and a second pin as jumper wires.
The drawer connector 62 on the scanner unit C side is short-circuited by 61a, and the third pin and the fourth pin are short-circuited by the jumper wire 62a to form respective identification codes.

Then, the sheet discharge unit B or the scanner unit C is mounted and integrally connected to the image forming unit A, and as shown in FIG. 11, the drawer connector 61, 62 is connected to the drawer connector 60 as shown in FIG. When any of the above is connected, the CPU 33 recognizes which of the sheet discharge unit B and the scanner unit C is connected to the image forming unit A by the pin short circuit information code by the jumper wires 61a and 62a. You can do it.

That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the apparatus of the image forming unit A is connected to the image forming unit A with either the sheet discharge unit B or the scanner unit C, or with nothing connected. When the power of the main body is turned on, the CPU 33 determines whether or not the first pin and the second pin are short-circuited (step S1), and if the first pin and the second pin are short-circuited (image). It is recognized that the sheet discharge unit B is connected to the forming unit A to configure the laser beam printer 1 (step S2), and the control operation corresponding to the laser beam printer 1 is performed.

In step S1, if the first pin and the second pin are not short-circuited, the CPU
33 determines whether or not the third pin and the fourth pin are short-circuited (step S3), and if the third pin and the fourth pin are short-circuited (short-circuited), the image forming unit A
The scanner unit C is connected to the digital copying machine 2
(Step S4), the control operation corresponding to the digital copying machine 2 is entered.

In step S3, if the third pin and the fourth pin are not short-circuited (short-circuited), the CPU
33 recognizes that nothing is connected to the image forming unit A (step S5), and connects the sheet discharge unit B or the scanner unit C corresponding to the function desired by the user through a display unit (not shown) or the like. Urge you to.

The drawer connector 61 on the side of the sheet discharge unit B and / or the drawer connector 62 on the side of the scanner unit C may have jumper pins 5 and 6 as required, as shown in FIG. 12C. The identification code is short-circuited by the line 63 and delays the power supply to the sheet discharge unit B or the scanner unit C integrally connected to the image forming unit A for a predetermined time.

Then, the sheet discharging unit B or the scanner unit C is mounted and integrally connected to the image forming unit A, and as shown in FIG. 11, it is connected to the drawer connector 60 as shown in FIG. When the drawer connectors 61 and 62 shown in are connected, the CPU 33 uses the jumper wire 63 to short the pins (short circuit) information code, and the CPU 33 causes the sheet ejection unit B or the scanner after a predetermined time has elapsed since each unit was connected to the image forming unit A. The unit C is controlled to supply power.

That is, as shown in FIG. 14, when the sheet discharging unit B or the scanner unit C is connected to the image forming unit A and the apparatus main body of the image forming unit A is turned on, the CPU 33 causes the fifth pin It is determined whether or not the drawer connectors 61 and 62 short-circuited with the sixth pin are connected (step S1), and the drawer connectors 61 and 62 short-circuited with the fifth pin and the sixth pin A timer for a predetermined time is counted from the time when the connection is recognized (step S2), and power is supplied to the connected sheet ejection unit B or scanner unit C when the predetermined time has elapsed (step S2). S3), when the sheet discharge unit B is connected, the control operation corresponding to the laser beam printer 1 is performed, and the scanner unit Transitions to the control operation corresponding to the digital copying machine 2 when but connected.

With the above structure, even when the image forming apparatus main body is powered on, power is immediately supplied to the connected unit when the connector for electrically connecting each unit is connected as in the conventional example. Instead of the above, the power is supplied with a delay for a predetermined time, so that there is no possibility of inrush current flowing as in the conventional example, and the maintenance of the device can be secured.

The sheet ejecting unit B and the scanner unit are combined by combining the configurations of the drawer connectors 61 and 62 shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B with the configurations of the drawer connectors 61 and 62 shown in FIG. 12C. It is preferable because it can be distinguished from C and inrush current can be prevented.

Further, the number of connection terminals of the drawer connectors 60, 61, 62 and the connection points of the jumper wires 61a, 62a, 63 are not limited to those in the above embodiment, and various other configurations can be considered.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the electrophotographic image forming means is applied as the image forming means has been described. However, as another image forming means, an image forming means having an ink jet head or a thermal head may be used. It can also be applied to the applied image forming apparatus.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the face-down (FD) tray 44 is applied as the sheet discharging unit B has been described, but it is possible to connect a unit that exhibits various other functions.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the image reading means for reading the image information of the stationary original is applied as the scanner unit C has been described, but the image reading means for reading the image information of the continuously conveyed originals, That is, it may be configured to connect a unit such as a circulating type automatic document feeder.

[0063]

Since the present invention has the above-described structure and operation, the sheet discharge unit and the scanner unit can be selectively connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the position of the producer side is improved. Then, since the image forming unit can be shared, it is not necessary to separately develop and produce each device, and the cost can be reduced. In addition, from the consumer's perspective, by purchasing one image forming unit that can be used in common and purchasing a sheet discharging unit and a scanner unit that can be selectively connected to the image forming unit, a laser beam printer can be obtained in a desired combination. It is possible to construct a device that exhibits two types of functions,
Since it is not necessary to purchase two devices separately as in the conventional case, the cost can be reduced and the installation space can be reduced to save space.

Further, by providing a jam detecting means in the sheet discharging unit section, it is possible to detect a sheet jam in the sheet discharging unit section.

Further, by electrically connecting the image forming unit and the sheet discharging unit or the scanner unit with the drawer connector, the sheet discharging unit or the scanner unit is placed on the upper part of the image forming unit and at the same time the drawer connectors are mutually connected. Since they are connected, the connection operation of the connector is easy and can be done in a short time.

Further, by giving a predetermined recognition code to the drawer connectors on the sheet discharge unit side and the scanner unit side, it is possible to recognize which unit, the sheet discharge unit or the scanner unit, is connected to the image forming unit. At the same time, the function can be switched by simply connecting the drawer connector, and the function switching operation is easy.

By delaying the start timing of power supply to the connected units for a predetermined time from the time when the drawer connectors between the units are connected,
Even when the main body of the image forming apparatus is powered on, there is no risk of inrush current flowing as in the conventional case, and inrush current can be prevented to maintain the apparatus.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a configuration of an image forming unit A of a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a configuration of a sheet discharge unit B that can be integrally connected to an image forming unit A for functioning as a laser beam printer according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a scanner unit C that can be integrally connected to an image forming unit A for functioning as a digital copying machine.
It is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the configuration of the first embodiment of.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram showing a state where a sheet discharge unit B is integrally connected to the upper portion of the image forming unit A to form a laser beam printer.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a state in which a scanner unit C is integrally connected to the upper portion of the image forming unit A to form a digital copying machine.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a jam detection unit when functioning as a laser beam printer.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of jam detection when functioning as a laser beam printer.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a configuration of an image forming unit A of a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a configuration of a sheet discharging unit B according to a second embodiment that can be integrally connected to the image forming unit A for functioning as a laser beam printer.

FIG. 10 is a scanner unit C that can be integrally connected to the image forming unit A for functioning as a digital copying machine.
It is a section explanatory view showing composition of a 2nd embodiment of.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing electrical connection between units using a drawer connector.

12A is a diagram showing the configuration of a drawer connector provided on the sheet ejection unit B side, FIG. 12B is a diagram showing the configuration of a drawer connector provided on the scanner unit C side, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the drawer connector for delaying supply.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for recognizing which of the sheet discharge unit B and the scanner unit C is connected to the upper portion of the image forming unit A.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for delaying power supply.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a conventional laser beam printer.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a conventional digital copying machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Laser beam printer, 2 ... Digital copying machine, 3,
4 ... Seat deck, 5, 6 ... Pickup roller, 7,
8 ... Feed roller, 9, 10 ... Retard roller, 11 ... Conveyance path, 12 ... Feed roller pair, 13 ... Feed sensor, 14 ... Registration roller pair, 15 ... Pre-registration sensor, 16 ... Photosensitive drum, 17
... transfer roller, 18 ... fixing roller pair, 19 ... fixing discharge roller pair, 20 ... fixing discharge sensor, 21 ... flapper, 22 ... conveyance path,
23 ... Reversing sensor, 24 ... Reversing roller pair, 25 ... Conveying path, 26 ...
Double-sided transport path, 27 ... Double-sided transport roller pair, 28 ... Double-sided sensor,
29 ... Double-sided transport roller pair, 30 ... Transport path, 31 ... Discharge roller pair, 32 ... FU tray, 33 ... CPU, 40 ... FD transport path, 41
... flapper, 42 ... FD discharge roller pair, 43 ... FD sensor,
44 ... FD tray, 50 ... Platen glass, 51 ... Original pressing plate, 52 ... Reading optical system, 60-62 ... Drawer connector, 61
a, 62a, 63 ... Jumper wire, A ... Image forming unit,
A1 ... Placement surface, A2 ... Recess, B ... Sheet ejection unit, C ...
Scanner unit, B1, C1… Bottom surface, B2, C2… Protrusion

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording sheet according to image information, comprising a sheet discharging unit for discharging the recording sheet on which an image is formed, or a scanner unit for reading image information of a document. An image forming apparatus, which is configured to be selectively and integrally connected to an apparatus main body. 2. A protrusion or a recess is provided at a predetermined position on a surface of the sheet discharge unit and the scanner unit that faces the image forming apparatus body, and faces the sheet discharge unit or the scanner unit of the image forming apparatus body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a concave portion or a protrusion that can be fitted into the protrusion or the concave portion is provided at a position corresponding to the protrusion or the concave portion on the surface. 3. The protrusions or recesses are formed on the surface of the sheet discharge unit and the scanner unit that faces the image forming apparatus main body, and on the surface of the image forming apparatus main body that faces the sheet discharge unit or the scanner unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is arranged at each of four corners. 4. The sheet discharging unit has a jam detecting unit for detecting a jam of a recording sheet, and when the sheet discharging unit is connected to the image forming apparatus main body, the detection information of the jam detecting unit is output. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to be electrically connected by a connector that can be transmitted to the image forming apparatus main body. 5. The sheet discharge unit and the scanner unit are electrically connected to the image forming apparatus main body by a drawer connector, and a predetermined connector is provided on each of the drawer connectors on the sheet discharge unit side and the scanner unit side. An identification code is added, and when the sheet discharge unit or the scanner unit is connected to the image forming apparatus body and the drawer connector is connected, the image forming apparatus body detects the identification code. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to be able to recognize which one of the sheet discharge unit and the scanner unit is connected. 6. The sheet discharge unit or the scanner unit is electrically connected to the image forming apparatus main body by a drawer connector, and a predetermined connector is provided on the sheet discharge unit side and / or the drawer connector on the scanner unit side. An identification code is added, and when the sheet discharge unit or the scanner unit is connected to the image forming apparatus body and the drawer connector is connected, the image forming apparatus body detects the identification code. The power supply to the sheet discharge unit or the scanner unit is delayed for a predetermined time.
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 7. The drawer connector has a plurality of terminals, and a predetermined cord is provided by connecting a predetermined terminal with a jumper wire. The image forming apparatus according to item 6.