JP2000019890A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing device capable of inhibiting an original from being carried in the case of detecting that recording paper can-not be fed by detecting whether or not the recording paper can be fed before carrying the original. SOLUTION: When a recording paper cover is open (S1: Yes) in the case of depressing a copying start key (S91: Yes), the recording paper housed in a recording paper tray does not abut on a paper feeding roller, so that the recording paper can not be fed even when the paper feeding roller is rotated. Therefore, error processing is executed without carrying the original to the inside of an MFD (S3). Since the original is not carried to the inside of the MFD when the recording paper cover is open, troublesome operation that the original is removed from the inside of the MFD in the case of executing copying processing again is eliminated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and, more particularly, to a printing apparatus which inhibits conveyance of a document unless a recording sheet can be fed before the conveyance of the document.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a printing apparatus is provided with a recording paper tray capable of stacking and storing recording paper, and a recording paper cover is formed on the recording paper tray so that the upper surface can be opened and closed. The recording paper tray is configured such that when the recording paper cover is closed, the recording paper stored in the recording paper tray comes into contact with the paper feed roller. Therefore, by rotating the paper feed roller with the recording paper cover closed, the recording paper abutted on the paper feed roller can be fed into the printing apparatus. Therefore, when performing the printing process, first, the open / close state of the recording paper cover is detected, and if the recording paper cover is closed, the recording paper is fed, and printing is performed on the recording paper. I have.

The printing apparatus has a copy function of reading characters and figures on the surface of a document as image data by a scanner provided therein and printing the read image data on recording paper. In the copy processing for executing the copy function, a print operation is performed after reading a document to perform a copy operation.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, when a copy start key is depressed (S91: Yes), a document inserted in a document insertion slot is fed into the printing apparatus ( S92) The operation of reading the characters and figures on the surface of the document as image data by the scanner provided therein is started.

After the conveyance (and reading) of the document is started (S92), a printing process is executed (S99). In this printing process, first, the recording paper cover is opened to feed the recording paper. It is determined whether or not there is (S93). If the result of determination is that the recording paper cover is closed (S93:
No), the recording paper is fed into the printing apparatus by rotating the paper feed roller (S94), and the image data of the document read by the scanner is sequentially printed on the recording paper (S95). After printing, the printed recording paper and original are discharged (S96,
S97), this copy processing ends.

On the other hand, if the recording paper cover is open in the processing of S92 (S92: Yes), as described above, the recording paper is not in contact with the paper feed roller, and the paper feed roller is rotated. However, since the recording paper cannot be fed into the printing apparatus, error processing is executed (S9).
8). This error processing is performed, for example, by using a liquid crystal display (LC
D) and the like, information indicating that an error has occurred is displayed. Such an error display allows the user to be notified of the occurrence of the error.

[0007]

However, notification of such an error causes the user to generate an error, that is,
Even if the user notices that the copy process has been performed with the recording paper cover open, the document has already been conveyed into the printing apparatus. Therefore, in order to execute the copy process again, the original must be removed from the inside of the printing apparatus, and there is a problem that the user is forced to perform a complicated operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and detects whether or not a recording sheet can be fed before a document is conveyed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus that prohibits the conveyance of a document when it is detected that the document is not printed.

[0009]

In order to achieve this object, a printing apparatus according to claim 1 comprises a reading means for reading a document as image data, a document transport means for transporting the document to the reading means, and the reading means. Printing means for printing image data read by the means on recording paper, and recording paper feeding means for feeding recording paper to the printing means, further comprising:
Detecting means for detecting whether or not recording paper can be fed by the recording paper feeding means before feeding of the original by the document feeding means; and recording paper by the recording paper feeding means by the detecting means. Prohibiting means for prohibiting the conveyance of the original by the original conveying means when it is detected that paper feeding is impossible.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the original is conveyed to the reading unit by the original conveying unit, and the reading unit reads characters and graphics on the surface of the original as image data. On the other hand, the recording paper is fed to the printing means by the recording paper feeding means, and the printing means prints the image data read by the reading means on the recording paper. here,
If the detection unit detects that the recording paper cannot be fed by the recording paper feeding unit before the original is conveyed by the document conveyance unit, the conveyance of the original by the document conveyance unit is prohibited by the prohibition unit. You.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the recording paper supply means includes a paper supply roller for supplying recording paper to the printing means, and a paper supply roller provided by the paper supply roller. A recording paper tray which stores recording paper to be printed and has an upper lid openable and closable, and separates the recording paper stored in the recording paper tray from the paper feed roller when the upper lid is open. A contacting / separating means for making contact with the paper feed roller when the upper lid is closed, wherein the detecting means detects an open / closed state of the upper lid,
When the upper cover is open, it is detected that the recording paper cannot be fed by the recording paper feeding means.

According to the printing apparatus of the second aspect, the printing apparatus operates in the same manner as the printing apparatus of the first aspect. Is opened and separated from the paper feed roller, and conversely, when its upper lid is closed, it comes into contact with the paper feed roller. Therefore, when the paper feed roller is rotated with the top lid of the recording paper tray closed, the recording paper in the recording paper tray is fed to the printing means by the paper supply roller, but the top lid is opened. Thus, even if the paper feed roller is rotated, the recording paper stops in the recording paper tray and is not fed to the printing means. The detecting means detects whether recording paper can be fed based on the open / closed state of the upper lid,
When the upper lid is open, the detection means detects that the recording paper cannot be fed by the recording paper feeding means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the recording paper feeding means includes a paper feeding roller for feeding recording paper to the printing means, and rotation of the paper feeding roller. A pressing member for pressing the recording paper to the paper feed roller to enable the feeding of the recording paper, and a contact / separation lever for contacting or separating the pressing member with respect to the paper feed roller, The detecting means detects a state of the contact / separation lever, and when the contact / separation lever is in a state of separating the pressing member from the sheet supply roller, feeding of the recording paper by the recording sheet supply means is not performed. It detects that it is possible.

According to the printing apparatus of the third aspect, the printing apparatus operates in the same manner as the printing apparatus of the first aspect, and also rotates the sheet feeding roller in a state where the pressing member is in contact with the sheet feeding roller by the contact / separation lever. Then, the recording paper is fed to the printing unit with the rotation of the paper feed roller. On the other hand, in a state where the pressing member is separated from the paper feeding roller by the contact / separation lever, even if the paper feeding roller is rotated, the recording paper is not fed to the printing means. The detecting means detects whether or not the recording paper can be fed based on the state of the lever, and when the pressing member is separated from the paper feed roller by the lever, The detecting means detects that the recording paper cannot be fed by the recording paper feeding means.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, a multifunction peripheral (MFD (Multi Function Device)) 1 (see FIG. 1) having many functions such as a modem function, a facsimile function, and a copy function will be described.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the MFD 1. M
A receiver 3 is attached to a side of the main body 2 of the FD 1. The receiver 3 is placed on a hook (not shown) provided on the main body 2 during a non-call, and is picked up from the hook and used during a call. The former is called an on-hook state, and the latter is called an off-hook state.

An operation panel 4 having a plurality of keys 4a is provided at a front portion of the upper surface of the main body 2, and a copy start key 4b is provided at an upper left portion of the operation panel 4. The copy start key 4b is for executing a copy process of FIG. 5 described later. In this copying process, characters or graphics on the surface of the document are read as image data by a scanner 22 (see FIG. 2) provided inside the MFD 1, and
This is the process of printing the read image data on the recording paper P (see FIG. 3).

A liquid crystal display (LCD) 5 is provided at the left rear of the operation panel 4. The MFD 1 is operated by pressing a plurality of keys 4 a provided on the operation panel 4, and the operation state and operation procedure thereof are determined by LC
Displayed on D5.

A document insertion slot 6 is provided at the rear of the operation panel 4 and the LCD 5. An original to be transmitted to another facsimile machine during a facsimile operation or an original to be copied (printed) during a copy operation is inserted into the original insertion slot 6 with the original surface facing downward. The document inserted into the document insertion port 6 is discharged from a document discharge port 7 provided on the front surface of the main body 2 and below the operation panel 4 after the document image is read as image data by the scanner 22. .
A recording paper tray mounting section 9 is provided at the rear of the document insertion slot 6, and a recording paper tray 10 capable of stacking and storing a plurality of recording papers P is mounted on the recording paper tray mounting section 9. . On the front surface of the recording paper tray 10, a recording paper cover 40 is rotatably supported about a rotation shaft 40a (see FIG. 3). This recording paper cover 40 has an arrow A
The recording paper cover 40 is opened when the recording paper cover 40 is opened.

The recording paper P supplied from the recording paper tray 10 and used for printing by the printer 25 (see FIG. 2)
Is discharged from a recording paper discharge port 8 provided below the document discharge port 7. Further, on one side surface of the main body 2, a speaker 28 for sounding a ringing sound in response to an incoming call is provided.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the MFD 1. As shown in FIG. The MFD 1 includes a CPU 11 and a ROM 1
2, EEPROM 13, RAM 14, image memory 15,
Audio memory 16, sensor 33, audio LSI 17, network control unit (hereinafter referred to as "NCU") 19, modem 20, buffer 21, scanner 22,
An encoder 23, a decoder 24, a printer 25, an operation panel 4, and an amplifier 27 are provided.
0 are connected to each other.

The NCU 19 is for controlling the line, and the MFD 1 is connected to the telephone line 31 via the NCU 19.
It is connected to the. The NCU 19 receives various signals such as a call signal sent from the exchange 29 and a signal indicating the telephone number (caller number) of the partner device (caller), and transmits a call according to the operation of the key 4 a on the operation panel 4. The dial signal is transmitted to the exchange 29, and an analog voice signal is transmitted and received during a call.

The CPU 11 controls each unit connected by the bus line 30 in accordance with various signals transmitted and received via the NCU 19, and executes facsimile operation and telephone operation, that is, data communication. ROM 12
This is a non-rewritable memory storing a control program executed by the MFD 1 and the like. The program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is stored in the ROM 12.
The EEPROM 13 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and the data stored in the EEPROM 13 is the MFD 1
Is maintained even after the power is turned off. The RAM 14 is a memory for temporarily storing various data when each operation of the MFD 1 is performed.

The image memory 15 is a memory for storing a communication history, image data and a bit image for printing, and is an inexpensive large-capacity dynamic RA.
M (DRAM). The received image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 15 and is stored in the printer 2.
After printing on the recording paper P by 5, the image is erased from the image memory 15. Generally, the image data has a large capacity, but since the image data is deleted on condition that the image data is printed, the image memory 15 can be used effectively. In this embodiment, the printer 25
A thermal printer equipped with a thermal head 61 described below is used.

The voice memory 16 is a memory for storing a response message sent to the partner device and an incoming message sent from the partner device. Like the image memory 15, the image memory 15 is configured by a dynamic RAM (DRAM) which is an inexpensive large-capacity memory. The incoming message stored in the voice memory 16 can be deleted by performing an erasing operation via the operation panel 4 or by receiving an erasing command sent from the partner device.
Will be erased.

The sensor 33 detects the open / closed state of the recording paper cover 40, and uses a reflection type photoelectric switch. When the recording paper cover 40 is closed, the sensor 33 is turned on. On the other hand, when the recording paper cover 40 is opened, the sensor 33 is turned off. As described in the “Prior Art” section, when the recording paper cover 40 is open, the recording paper P is not in contact with the paper feeding roller 53 (see FIG. 3), and the paper feeding roller 53 is rotated. Even if the recording paper P is MFD1
Cannot be fed (conveyed) inside the printer. For this reason,
By detecting the open / closed state of the recording paper cover 40 by the sensor 33, it is determined whether or not the paper can be fed. The sensor 33 is not limited to the reflection type photoelectric switch, but may be a transmission type photoelectric switch, a proximity switch, or a limit switch (LS) (Limit Switch).

The audio LSI 17 converts the analog audio signal received by the NCU 19 into a digital audio signal, and converts the digital audio signal generated inside the MFD 1 into an analog audio signal.
And a voice synthesizing process for outputting to the speaker 28 (amplifier 27).

The modem 20 modulates and demodulates communication data such as image data and audio data and transmits the data, and also transmits and receives various procedural signals for transmission control. This is for temporarily storing data including coded image information transmitted and received between them.

The scanner 22 reads, as image data, characters and figures on the surface of the original inserted into the original insertion slot 6. The encoding unit 23 encodes image data read by the scanner 22. The decoding unit 24 is provided with the buffer 21 or the image memory 1
5 is to read out the image data stored in the printer 5 and decode the read out image data.
Is printed on the recording paper P.

The operation panel 4 is used for performing various operations when an operator sets the MFD 1 or the like. The amplifier 27 sounds a speaker 28 connected to the amplifier 27 to call the speaker. It is for outputting sound and voice.

The MFD 1 configured as described above has the NCU
19 is connected to a telephone line 31. The telephone line 31 is connected to an exchange 29 on the MFD 1 side, and the exchange 29 is connected to another exchange via a telephone line 32. Note that the other exchanges are further connected to the partner device via a telephone line.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 1 in a state where the recording paper cover 40 is closed, and FIG. 4 is a state in which the recording paper cover 40 is opened in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line III.
First, referring to FIG.
5 will be described.

The paper feed / detection unit 50 includes a recording paper tray 10 for storing the recording paper P, and a paper feed roller 53 for feeding (conveying) the recording paper P stored in the recording paper tray 10.
And a recording paper cover 40 for bringing the recording paper P into contact with the paper feed roller 53, a first transmission lever 51 for transmitting the rotation of the recording paper cover 40, and transmitting the rotation of the first transmission lever 51. A second transmission lever 54 and a sensor 33 for detecting that the second transmission lever 54 has rotated are provided.

The recording paper cover 40 is rotatably supported on the recording paper tray 10 via a rotation shaft 40a. A stopper 4 is provided at the lower left of the recording paper cover 40.
0c is provided. The stopper 40c is provided with a hole 55b formed below a recording paper support plate 55 to be described later.
It is supported by. Therefore, the rotation of the recording paper cover 40 from the position shown in FIG. 3 toward the recording paper support plate 55 is prohibited.

At the lower right corner of the recording paper cover 40, a pin 40
b stands vertically upward with respect to the plane of FIG.
Below the pin 40b, the first transmission lever 51 formed in a substantially rectangular shape is disposed. The upper side of the first transmission lever 51 is formed in a plate shape, and a groove 5 formed in a substantially U-shape is formed at the upper end of the first transmission lever 51.
1a is provided. A pin 40b of the recording paper cover 40 is slidably engaged with the groove 51a. The lower side of the first transmission lever 51 is a plate-shaped member 5.
A guide wall 51b, which is formed in a substantially L-shape around the member 51d, stands vertically downward with respect to the plane of FIG.

At a substantially central portion of the first transmission lever 51, a substantially U
A groove 51c formed in a character shape is provided. The rotating shaft 52 is fitted in the groove 51c. For this reason,
The first transmission lever 51 is rotatably supported via a rotation shaft 52. On the outside of the rotating shaft 52, there is a rotating shaft 5
A paper feed roller 53 is provided around the center axis 2. The outer periphery of the paper feed roller 53 is made of an elastic member such as rubber, that is, a material having a large friction coefficient.

On the upstream side of the paper feed roller 53, a recording paper support plate 55 for supporting (loading) the recording paper P is rotatably supported at its upper end via a rotation shaft 55a. The recording paper support plate 55 is disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the recording paper cover 40 with the recording paper cover 40 closed. The lower end of the recording paper support plate 55 is in contact with the paper feed roller 53. Therefore, when the recording paper P is supported by the recording paper support plate 55, the recording paper P comes into contact with the paper feed roller 53. Therefore, by rotating the paper feed roller 53 in the counterclockwise direction, the recording paper P contacting the paper feed roller 53 is moved to the guide plate 5 described later.
6 (ie, from the upstream side to the downstream side).

On the downstream side of the paper feed roller 53, there is provided a guide plate 56 formed in a substantially rectangular shape. Paper feed roller 5
The recording paper P conveyed by 3 is conveyed in the direction of arrow B (to a thermal head 61 described later) along the upper surface of the guide plate 56 below the paper feed roller 53.

On the downstream side of the guide plate 56 and on the lower right side of the first transmission lever 51, the second transmission lever 54 formed in a substantially Y-shape is provided. The second transmission lever 5
4 is rotatably supported at a substantially central portion in the vertical direction of the second transmission lever 54 via a rotation shaft 54a. A pin 54b is provided at the upper left end of the second transmission lever 54.
Are set up vertically upward with respect to the plane of FIG. On the other hand, at the upper right end of the second transmission lever 54, a sensor reaction plate 54c is provided to stand vertically upward with respect to the plane of FIG. The sensor 33 is provided below the sensor reaction plate 54c. The sensor 33 is for detecting (determining) the position of the sensor reaction plate 54c, and is attached to a top end of a sensor support plate 58 disposed below the sensor 33.

Below the sensor support plate 58, the printer 2
5 are formed. The printer 25 has about 160 at the end.
A thermal head 61 as a print head in which 0 heating elements are arranged in a straight line, an ink ribbon 62 in which ink is coated on one side of a substrate on a film, and a rotatable platen 63 are provided. ing.

A metal radiator plate 64 for releasing heat generated during printing is attached to the back surface of the thermal head 61, and both ends are supported by a ribbon guide 65. The ribbon guide 65 is a substantially U-shaped plate-shaped body, and the U-shaped opening is disposed upward. The ribbon guide 65 presses the ink ribbon 62 upward and downstream in the transport direction of the ink ribbon 62 with the thermal head 61 interposed therebetween.

The ink ribbon 62 is wound around a supply spool 66 and a take-up spool 67. Both spools 66,
The rotation axis of 67 is the thermal head 6 arranged on a straight line.
The two spools 66 and 67 are provided in parallel with one heating element.
The supply spool 66 is positioned upstream of the ink ribbon 62 in the transport direction with the take-up spool 67
Is disposed on the downstream side. The supply spool 66 winds the unused ink ribbon 62, and the supply spool 66
The ink ribbon 62 wound around the ink ribbon 6
2 is conveyed between the thermal head 61 and the platen 63 and used for printing by the rotation of the platen 63 that sandwiches the sheet 2 between the thermal head 61 and the recording paper P. The ink ribbon 62 used for this printing is transported to the take-up spool 67 and taken up.

Next, referring to FIG.
The operation of moving from the closed state (the state shown by the two-dot chain line) in the direction of arrow C to open will be described. FIG.
As shown in (2), when the recording paper cover 40 is moved in the direction of arrow C from the state shown by the two-dot chain line, the recording paper cover 40 is rotated clockwise about the rotation shaft 40a.
When the recording paper cover 40 is rotated clockwise, the pins 40b provided on the recording paper cover 40 are similarly rotated clockwise. Since the pin 40b is slidably engaged with the groove 51a of the first transmission lever 51, the first transmission lever 51 pivots about the rotation shaft 52 with the rotation of the pin 40b clockwise. Rotated counterclockwise.

As described above, the guide wall 51b is provided upright on the member 51d below the first transmission lever 51, and the guide wall 51b is also rotated counterclockwise. When the guide wall 51b is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the pin 54b erected at the upper left end of the second transmission lever 54 is moved to the guide wall 5
1b, and the pins 54b of the guide wall 51b
Is accommodated in the lower portion (L-shaped corner portion) of the first transmission lever 51 in a state of contact with the first transmission lever 51. With the operation of accommodating the pin 54b, the second transmission lever 54 is moved to the rotating shaft 54a.
Is rotated counterclockwise around the rotation center.

When the second transmission lever 54 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the sensor reaction plate 54c provided at the upper right end of the second transmission lever 54 moves upward. When the sensor reaction plate 54c moves upward, the sensor reaction plate 54c moves upward.
c and the sensor reaction plate 5 disposed below
4c becomes longer. As the sensor 33, a reflection-type photoelectric tube switch is used, and the sensor 33 that has been turned on before the sensor reaction plate 54c moves upward (the state shown in FIG. 3) moves the sensor reaction plate 54c upward. (The state shown in FIG. 4).

When the recording paper cover 40 is moved in the direction of arrow C from the state shown by the two-dot chain line, the recording paper support plate 55 also moves from the state shown by the two-dot chain line to the arrow in conjunction with the recording paper cover 40. Moved in the D direction. That is, the recording paper support plate 55 is rotated clockwise about the rotation shaft 55a. When the recording paper support plate 55 is rotated clockwise,
Since the lower end of the recording paper support plate 55 is moved to the left, the lower end of the recording paper support plate 55 and the paper feed roller 53 are separated. Since the recording paper P is supported by the recording paper support plate 55, the recording paper P is separated from the paper feeding roller 53, and the recording paper P cannot be fed even if the paper feeding roller 53 is rotated. .

As described above, even when the recording paper cover 40 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow C from the state shown by the two-dot chain line so that the recording paper P cannot be fed, the rotation of the recording paper cover 40 is achieved. Accordingly, the sensor reaction plate 54c of the second transmission lever
Moves upward, the sensor 33 can detect that the recording paper cover 40 has moved (that is, the recording paper cover 40 has been opened), and can take appropriate measures.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The operation of the MFD 1 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the copy processing. In the copy process of FIG. 5, the detection (judgment) timing of the open / close state of the recording paper cover 40 is changed from the copy process of FIG. 9 described in the section of “Prior Art”. The same parts as those in the copy processing of FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Only different parts will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the copy start key 4b is pressed (S91: Yes), it is determined whether or not the recording paper cover 40 is open (S1). If the result of determination is that the recording paper cover 40 is closed (S1: No),
The document inserted into the document insertion slot 6 is conveyed into the MFD 1 (S2), and the scanner 22 provided inside the MFD 1 starts reading characters and figures on the document surface as image data. . Then, S9
A simultaneous copy process for recording while reading the original is executed by the processes from 4 to S97.

On the other hand, if the recording paper cover 40 is open (S1: Yes) in the processing of S1, the recording paper P stored in the recording paper tray 10 and the paper feed roller 53 are in contact with each other. Since the recording paper P cannot be fed even when the paper feed roller 53 is rotated, an error process is executed (S3). Specifically, this error processing allows LC
Information indicating that an error has occurred is displayed on D5. This error display notifies the user of the occurrence of the error.

As described above, in the copy processing shown in FIG. 5, the original is conveyed to the inside of the MFD 1 and then the copy original shown in FIG.
Before the sheet is conveyed inside D1, the open / close state of the recording paper cover 40 is determined. Therefore, even if the copy start key 4b is pressed while the recording paper cover 40 is open,
Since the document is not conveyed to the inside of the FD 1, the complicated operation of removing the document from the inside of the MFD 1 when performing the copy process again can be eliminated. That is, when the recording paper cover 40 is open (the recording paper P stored in the recording paper tray 10 is separated from the paper feeding roller 53, and the recording paper P is fed even if the paper feeding roller 53 is rotated). If it is not possible to do so), the conveyance of the document can be prohibited.

Next, referring to FIG. 6 to FIG.
An example will be described. FIG. 6 shows an MFD 1 according to the second embodiment in a state where a later-described contact / separation lever 73 is tilted leftward.
00 is a diagram showing a partial cross-sectional view of FIG. FIG. 7 shows the MFD of the second embodiment in a state in which the lever 73 is tilted to the right.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the method for abutting the recording paper P on the paper feed roller is changed. Hereinafter, the same portions as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Only different portions will be described.

First, with reference to FIG. 6, the configuration of the sheet feeding unit 70 and the detecting unit 80 will be described. The paper feed unit 70 includes a paper feed roller 71 for feeding the recording paper P, and the paper feed roller 7.
1 is provided with a pressing member 72 for contacting the recording paper P, and a contact / separation lever 73 for contacting the pressing member 72 and the recording paper P.

The paper feed roller 71 is rotatably supported via a rotation shaft 71a. A cover 74 is provided above the paper feed roller 71. On the right side of the cover 74, there is provided an opening / closing cover 77 which is rotatably supported via a rotating shaft 77a. When the open / close cover 77 is closed, it is rotated to the position shown by the two-dot chain line.

In front of the paper feed roller 71, the contact / separation lever 7
3 are provided. This contact / separation lever 73 is
It is pivotally supported via 3a. Contact lever 7
3 is provided with a convex portion 73c in the upper right portion.
A pin 73b is set upright at the lower end portion of the lower end of the lower surface of the paper so as to be perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. A first shaft portion 81b of a fourth transmission lever 81 described later is mounted on the pin 73b.

On the right side of the contact / separation lever 73, a third transmission lever 75 is provided. The third transmission lever 75 is pivotally supported via a pivot shaft 75a, and is urged in a counterclockwise direction via a spring member 75b attached to the pivot shaft 75a. In addition, a concave portion 75c is formed in the left central portion of the third transmission lever 75.

A pressing member 72 is disposed behind the third transmission lever 75. An interlocking plate (not shown) is formed behind the third transmission lever 75, and the interlocking plate is engaged with the third transmission lever 75. Therefore, with the rotation of the third transmission lever 75, the pressing member 72 is also moved in conjunction with the third transmission lever 75.

At the center of the pressing member 72, a pin 72a is provided to stand vertically upward with respect to the plane of FIG. Similarly, on the opposite side of the pressing member 72, a pin (not shown)
6 stands vertically downward with respect to the plane of FIG. A groove 76 shown by a two-dot chain line is provided between the pressing member 72 and the third transmission member 75 along the short direction of the pressing member 72. Similarly, a groove (not shown) is formed in the rear of the pressing member 72 along the widthwise direction of the pressing member 72. The pin 72a erected on the pressing member 72 is
6, and a pin erected on the opposite side of the pressing member 72 is fitted in a groove recessed behind the pressing member 72. For this reason, the pressing member 72 is
6 and slidable along the groove recessed behind the pressing member 72.

A contact member 72b is attached to the lower left portion of the pressing member 72. The lower end of the recording paper P is sandwiched between the contact member 72b and the paper feed roller 71. The upper side of the recording paper P is supported by an opening / closing cover 77.

A guide 78 is provided downstream of the pressing member 72. The recording paper P fed by the paper feed roller 71 is fed (conveyed) along the arrow E direction above the guide 78 and below the paper feed roller 71.

On the upper left side of the guide 78, a detecting section 80 is formed. The detection unit 80 includes a fourth transmission lever 81 for transmitting the rotation of the contact / separation lever 73 and a fifth transmission lever 82 for transmitting the rotation of the fourth transmission lever 81.
And sensors 33a and 33b for detecting that the fifth transmission lever 82 has rotated.

The fourth transmission lever 81 is rotatably supported via a rotation shaft 81a, and is connected to the first shaft portion 81b and the second shaft 81b.
It is constituted by a shaft portion 81c. 1st shaft part 81b
Is disposed behind the contact / separation lever 73 and before the paper feed roller 71, while the second shaft portion 81 c is
1 is arranged behind. The first shaft portion 81b and the second shaft portion 81c are joined by a third shaft portion 81d, and the first shaft portion 81b is arranged above the second shaft portion 81c in FIG. Tip of the first shaft portion 81b (lower right end)
Is mounted on a pin 73 b erected on the contact / separation lever 73.

Below the fourth transmission lever 81, a fifth transmission lever 82 is provided. The fifth transmission lever 82
It is rotatably supported via a rotation shaft 82a.
The transmission lever 81 is disposed behind the second shaft portion 81c. A pin 82b is provided at the upper end of the fifth transmission lever 82 in FIG.
The pin 82b is supported on the second shaft portion 81c of the fourth transmission lever 81.

At the left side of the fifth transmission lever 82, a sensor reaction part 82c is formed. The sensor reaction part 82c
The sensor 33a is disposed in front of the sensor
A sensor 33b is provided behind c. Sensor 3
The sensor 3a and the sensor 33b are attached to the upper end of a sensor attachment plate 83 disposed below the sensors 33a and 33b.

A transmission type photoelectric switch is used for each of the sensors 33a and 33b.
The sensor 33b is a light receiving unit. Sensor 33a and sensor 3
3b is turned off because the light from the light emitting unit 33a cannot be received by the light receiving unit 33b when the space between the sensor 33a and the sensor b is blocked by the sensor reaction unit 82c. When the light is not blocked by the reaction section 82c, the light is turned on because the light receiving section 33b receives the light from the calling section 33a.

Next, referring to FIG. 7, the state in which the contact / separation lever 73 is shown by a two-dot chain line (that is, the state in which it is set).
The operation when moving in the direction of arrow F from will be described.

As shown in FIG. 7, the lever 73 is moved in the direction of arrow F from the state shown by the two-dot chain line (from left to right).
When moved, the contact / separation lever 73 is rotated clockwise about the rotation shaft 73a. When the contact / separation lever 73 is rotated clockwise, the pin 73b erected on the contact / separation lever 73 is moved in the upper left direction. Pin 73b
Since the tip of the first shaft portion 81b of the fourth transmission lever 81 is placed on the first shaft portion 8b, the first shaft portion 8 is moved with the movement of the pin 73b.
1b is moved upward. When the first shaft portion 81b moves upward, the fourth transmission lever 81 moves the rotation shaft 81.
It is rotated counterclockwise about a.

Since the second shaft portion 81c of the fourth transmission lever 81 supports the pin 82a of the fifth transmission lever 82, the fifth transmission lever 82 rotates with the rotation of the fourth transmission lever 81. It is rotated clockwise about the axis 82a. When the fourth transmission lever 81 rotates, the sensor reaction part 82c is moved upward. Thereby, the sensor 33
a and 33b are turned on.

When the contact / separation lever 73 is rotated clockwise, the projection 73 c of the contact / separation lever 73 comes into contact with the third transmission lever 75. Further, when the contact / separation lever 73 is rotated, the third transmission lever 75 is pressed by the projection 73c of the contact / separation lever 73. For this reason, the third transmission lever 75
It is rotated clockwise about the rotation shaft 75a.
With the rotation of the third transmission lever 75, the third transmission lever 75
And the projection 73c of the contact / separation lever 73 are fitted. Further, since the third transmission lever 75 is biased in the counterclockwise direction, the third transmission lever 75 and the contact / separation lever 73 are engaged with each other.

As described above, since the third transmission lever 75 and the pressing member 72 are interlocked, the third transmission lever 75
Is rotated, the pressing member 72 is moved to the lower right direction along the groove 76. For this reason, the contact member 72b attached to the lower left of the pressing member 72 also moves to the lower right, so that the recording paper P is separated from the paper feed roller 71, and even if the paper feed roller 71 is rotated. The recording paper P cannot be fed.

As described above, even if the recording sheet P cannot be fed by moving the contact / separation lever 73 in the direction of arrow F from the state shown by the two-dot chain line, the contact / separation lever 73 can be moved.
Sensor reaction portion 82c of the fifth transmission lever 82 with the rotation of
Moves upward, so that the sensors 33a and 33b
Thus, the movement of the contact / separation lever 73 can be detected, and an appropriate countermeasure can be taken.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the copy processing of the second embodiment. In the copy process of the second embodiment, the process of determining whether or not the recording paper P can be fed is changed from the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, first, when the copy start key 4b is pressed (S91: Yes), it is determined whether or not the approach / separation lever is set (S11: Yes).
s). If the result of determination is that the approach / separation lever is set (S11: Yes), the document is conveyed into the MFD 1 (S12), and characters on the surface of the document are scanned by the scanner 22 provided inside the MFD 100. The operation of reading a graphic or graphic as image data is started. Thereafter, a simultaneous copy process is performed in which the original is read and recorded by the processes of S94 to S97. On the other hand, when the contact / separation lever is not set (S11: No),
As described above, since the recording paper P cannot be fed, the error processing is executed without transporting the original (S13).

As described above, in the second embodiment, a process for determining whether or not the contact / separation lever 73 is set is executed instead of the process for determining whether the recording paper cover 40 is open or closed in the first embodiment. I have. Therefore, when the contact / separation lever 73 is not set, that is, when the pressing member 72 is
If the recording paper P cannot be fed even when the paper feed roller 71 is rotated, the conveyance of the document can be stopped.

In this embodiment, claims 1 to 3
The processing of S1 and S11 is performed as the detecting means described in the above, and the branch processing of No of S1 and the processing of N of S11 are performed as the prohibiting means.
The branch processing of o corresponds to each. The processing in S1 corresponds to the detecting means according to the second aspect. The processing in S11 corresponds to the detecting means according to the third aspect.

The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Can easily be inferred.

In the first embodiment, the open / close state of the recording paper cover 40 is detected by detecting the position of the sensor reaction plate 54c by the sensor 33. However, the detection of the open / closed state of the recording paper cover 40 is not limited to this, and may be detected by other methods.

In the second embodiment, the set state of the contact / separation lever 73 is detected based on whether or not the space between the sensor 33a and the sensor 33b is blocked by the sensor reaction portion 82c. However, the method of detecting the set state of the contact / separation lever 73 is not limited to this, and it is naturally possible to detect the state by another method.

[0079]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, if it is detected that the recording paper cannot be fed before the document is conveyed, the document is prohibited from being conveyed. Therefore, even if an error occurs in the copy process because the recording paper cannot be fed,
Since the original is not conveyed to the inside of the apparatus, it is possible to eliminate the troublesome operation of removing the original from the printing apparatus when executing the copy process again.

According to the printing apparatus of the second aspect, in addition to the effects of the printing apparatus of the first aspect, when the upper cover of the recording paper tray is open, the detecting means feeds the recording paper. Is detected as impossible. Therefore, since the top cover of the recording paper tray is open, the recording paper stored in the recording paper tray is separated from the paper feeding roller, and the recording paper cannot be fed even if the paper feeding roller is rotated. In this case, there is an effect that the conveyance of the document can be prohibited.

According to the printing apparatus of the third aspect, in addition to the effects of the printing apparatus of the first aspect, when the pressing member is separated from the sheet feeding roller by the contact / separation lever,
The detecting means detects that the recording paper cannot be fed. Therefore, when the recording paper cannot be fed even when the paper feed roller is rotated because the pressing member is separated from the paper feed roller, the conveyance of the document can be inhibited. is there.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a multifunction peripheral device (MF) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a perspective view of D).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the multifunctional peripheral device.

FIG. 3 shows a state II of FIG. 1 in a state where a recording paper cover is closed.
FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along line I-III.

FIG. 4 shows a state II of FIG. 1 in a state where a recording paper cover is opened.
FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along line I-III.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a copy process.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a multifunction peripheral device (MFD) according to a second embodiment in a state where the approach / separation lever is tilted to the left.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a multifunction peripheral device (MFD) according to a second embodiment in a state where the approach / separation lever is tilted to the right.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a copy process according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a copy process according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Multifunctional peripheral device (MFD)
(Printing device) 10 Recording paper tray 22 Scanner (reading means) 29 Printer (printing means) 33, 33a, 33b Sensor (part of detection means) 40 Recording paper cover (top cover) 53, 71 Paper feed roller (recording paper supply) Paper means) 54c Sensor reaction plate (part of detection means) 55 Recording paper support plate (contact / separation means) 61 Thermal head (printing means) 72 Pressing member (part of pressing member) 72b Contact member (one part of pressing member) Part) 73 Push-pull lever 82b Sensor reaction part (part of detection means) P Recording paper

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C059 AA22 AA24 AA26 2H027 DA26 DA27 ED12 ED17 EH10 FA22 GB05 2H076 BA66 3F343 FA02 FB02 FB03 FC29 FC30 GA02 GB01 GC01 GD01 HA33 HB03 HC02 HC11 HC16 HC24 HD17 MA04 MA10 MC32 MB04 AB AB22 AB32 AC11

Claims (3)

[Claims] A reading means for reading a document as image data; a document conveying means for conveying the document to the reading means;
A printing apparatus comprising: printing means for printing image data read by the reading means on recording paper; and recording paper feeding means for feeding recording paper to the printing means. A detecting means for detecting whether or not the recording paper can be fed by the recording paper feeding means; and a feeding of the recording paper by the recording paper feeding means is impossible by the detecting means. And a prohibiting unit for prohibiting the document transporting unit from transporting the document when it is detected. 2. The recording paper feeding means includes a paper feeding roller for feeding recording paper to the printing means, a recording paper fed by the paper feeding roller, and an upper cover capable of being opened and closed. The recording paper tray and the recording paper stored in the recording paper tray are separated from the paper feed roller when the upper lid is open, and are contacted with the paper feed roller when the upper lid is closed. The detecting means detects the open / closed state of the upper lid, and when the upper lid is open, the recording paper cannot be fed by the recording paper feeding means. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus detects the presence. 3. The recording paper feeding means includes: a paper feeding roller for feeding recording paper to the printing means; and a paper feeding roller for feeding the recording paper by rotating the paper feeding roller. A pressing member for pressing the recording paper, and a contact / separation lever for contacting or separating the pressing member with respect to the paper feed roller, wherein the detecting means detects a state of the contact / separation lever, and 2. The recording sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein when the contact / separation lever is in a state of separating the pressing member from the sheet feeding roller, it is detected that the recording sheet feeding unit cannot feed the recording sheet. Printing device.