JP2000078330A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve visibility of paper ejection in a paper ejecting part inside a barrel by illuminating the space of the paper ejecting part with light from a light source inside an image reading part through a transmission part, after a paper sheet is ejected to the intra-barrel paper ejecting part and image forming operating is finished. SOLUTION: When recording received image information, the information is recorded on a paper sheet fed from a paper feeding part by an image forming part, and the paper sheet is ejected onto a paper eject tray. Because this advice is an intra-barrel paper ejection image forming device, to the ejected paper sheet on the paper eject tray, no light comes in from the surrounding of the device and the paper sheet is dark and hard to see. Therefore, light from an image reading part light source 301 is guided to the paper ejecting part by a light transmitting member 203, and the ejected paper (paper sheet recorded by copy operation or facsimile reception) is made to be illuminated. At this time, since the image reading operation is completed in the copy operation or the facsimile reading operation, there is no impairment in the reading operation and illumination for improving the visibility of the ejecting part can be performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for illuminating a paper discharge section in an image forming apparatus of an internal discharge type.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital copiers have become widespread, such as copying and facsimile reception, in which a recording paper is discharged inside the apparatus. The internal discharge type copying machine having a paper discharge space between the image reading unit and the image forming unit,
Compared to the wing type with the paper ejection tray protruding from the side of the device, it is excellent in space saving, but there is also a problem that it is difficult for the user to visually recognize the discharged paper because the recording paper is discharged inside. . In particular, this problem is remarkable when the discharged paper is small. Further, in the case of a facsimile machine, there is a fear that the user may not notice that the received paper is being discharged. Therefore, according to the invention described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-339107, a lamp (light source) is provided in the internal discharge section of the internal discharge type copying machine to improve the visibility of the discharge.

[0003]

However, according to this prior art, since a light source is installed in the internal discharge section, it is necessary to provide a space (for installation) in the internal discharge section area. Further, the cost of installing the light source is increased, and the discharged paper may hit the installed light source and cause a jam. In addition, when taking out the discharged paper, the light source interferes with the work, and the efficiency of taking out the discharged paper is significantly reduced. Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to allow light to pass through an image reading unit housing located above an image forming apparatus in a body discharge section, and to guide light to a dark place in the body discharge section. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving visibility. A second object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving visibility and suppressing power consumption by turning off a light source after a predetermined time has elapsed. A third object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which is turned on again only when a user approaches the apparatus and has improved visibility only when required by the user.

[0004]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having an image reading section disposed on an upper portion of the apparatus and an image forming section disposed below the image reading section. In a body discharge type image forming apparatus in which a paper discharge unit space is provided in a device housing between a reading unit and the image forming unit, a light source is provided in the image reading unit, and the light source is provided in the image reading unit housing. After the paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit in the cylinder and the image forming operation is completed, light from the light source in the image reading unit passes through the transmission unit and the paper discharge unit space is provided. The first object is achieved by illuminating.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the light source is automatically turned off after a predetermined time has elapsed after the paper is discharged to the internal paper discharge unit and the image forming operation is completed. By doing so, the second object is achieved.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, a human body detecting means for detecting that a person has approached the apparatus is provided, and when the light source is turned off, the human body detecting means is automatically provided. The third object is achieved by turning on the light source.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG.
1 is a front view of an in-body paper ejection type image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG.
01, a paper feed table 103 optionally installed below the main body 101, and an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as AD)
F) 102). This image forming apparatus 1
Reference numeral 00 denotes a digital multifunction peripheral having both the functions of a copier and a facsimile, and converts an image information (optical signal) of a read original into an electric signal to form an image.

The main body 101 has an image forming section 1 at a substantially central portion thereof.
Is disposed, and the sheet feeding unit 2 is located below. Further, a scanner section 3 is arranged at the top of the main body. A space is provided between the scanner unit 3 and the image forming unit 1 to form a paper discharge unit 4 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The conventional image forming apparatus is configured as a wing type in which a paper discharge tray is protruded to the side of the apparatus. However, the main body 101 according to the present embodiment uses an image forming unit 1 and a scanner unit 3 by utilizing the characteristics of a digital machine. Is separated, and a wingless system is realized by forming a paper discharge space between the two, thereby realizing a space-saving image forming apparatus having no protrusion on the side of the apparatus. As shown in FIG. 2, the scanner unit 3 includes a CCD 20.
1, a lens 202 and a light transmitting member 203 are provided. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the paper discharge unit 4.

In the main body 101, the image forming section 1 is constructed as a print engine of a conventionally well-known electrophotographic system, and incorporates a laser writing device (not shown), an electrophotographic process means, a fixing device, and the like. The paper feed unit 2 has a two-stage paper feed cassette 21 and supplies recording paper to the image forming unit 1. Each cassette 21 is of a front loading type in which paper is supplied by being pulled out to the front side of the apparatus, and a pulling handle is provided at the center of the front surface of the cassette. In the scanner section 3, a contact glass (not shown) is arranged on the upper surface, and a scanner unit (not shown) is arranged below the contact glass.

The paper discharge unit 4 is surrounded by three side surfaces other than the front surface, that is, the left and right sides and the back side of the apparatus in FIG. 1 and further by the scanner unit 3 and the image forming unit 1. The paper discharge tray 41 provided at the lowermost part of the paper discharge unit 4 is formed on the upper surface of the image forming unit 1. In FIG. 1, a paper transport path is provided in the left side paper supply unit side wall 45, and the paper on which the recording has been performed by the image forming unit 1 is discharged from a position slightly below the center of the side wall 45 in the height direction. It is discharged on 41. If a paper discharge switching mechanism is provided at a predetermined position of the paper transport path in the side wall 45, a plurality of auxiliary trays can be mounted above the paper discharge tray 41 to discharge the paper.

The ADF 102 is mounted on an upper portion of the main body 101 by a hinge (not shown) provided on the back side of the apparatus, and is installed so as to cover the contact glass on the upper surface of the scanner unit 3 so that it can be opened and closed. The configuration and operation of the ADF 102 are the same as those conventionally known. Platen 71
The bundle of originals (not shown) set on the upper side is conveyed one by one from the lower side onto the contact glass, and the originals that have been read and scanned by the scanner unit 3 are discharged onto the original discharge tray 72. The ADF 102 can be used as a pressure plate for copying that does not rely on automatic paper feeding, or for copying a book or notebook. ADF1 is optional.
When the document No. 02 is not mounted, a pressure plate for pressing a document on the contact glass is mounted on the upper surface of the scanner unit 3.

The paper feed table 103 has a two-stage paper feed cassette, similar to the paper feed section 2 of the main body 101. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, a sheet feeding unit is constituted by a total of four stages of sheet feeding cassettes. Note that the upper cassette of the main body paper feeding unit 2 may be changed to an automatic double-sided unit (double-sided tray) so that double-sided copying can be supported.

Here, the copying operation in the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described by taking as an example a case where the ADF 102 is used as a pressure plate. The ADF 102 is opened, and the original is placed on the contact glass on the upper surface of the scanner unit 3. After the ADF 102 is closed, the number of copies and the like are designated by the operation unit shown in FIG. Then, reading of the document by the scanner unit is started, and the image information of the read document is digitized by photoelectric conversion and subjected to image processing. An image is formed in the image forming unit 1 based on the processed signal, and a visible image (toner image) is transferred to a sheet fed from the main unit feeding unit 2 or the sheet feeding cassette 21 of the sheet feeding table 103. You. The toner image transferred on the paper is fixed by a fixing device,
The paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 41 of the paper discharge unit 4. It should be noted that a known technique is used for image formation by the electrophotographic method in the image forming unit 1.

When the image forming apparatus 100 is used as a facsimile, the original set on the ADF 102 is read by the scanner unit 3 and transmitted. On the other hand, when recording the received image information, the image forming unit 1 records the sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit 2 and discharges the sheet onto the discharge tray 41.

The discharged paper on 41 is hardly seen dark because no light enters from around the apparatus because of the in-body discharged image forming apparatus. The light from the image reading unit light source 301 (see FIG. 4) is guided to the paper discharge unit 4 by the light transmitting member 203 shown in FIG. 2 so that the discharged paper (paper recorded by copy operation or facsimile reception) is illuminated. It has become. At this time, in the copying operation and the facsimile reading operation, since the image reading operation has been completed, it is possible to perform illumination for improving the visibility of the discharge unit 4 without hindering the reading operation. FIG. 5 shows the tray 50 of the paper discharge unit 4.
2 shows that the sheet 501 has been discharged.
In this case, the image reading unit light source 301 is turned on. On the other hand, FIG.
Is retrieved by the user. In this case, the image reading unit light source 301 is off.

The discharge unit 4 is surrounded by a device housing except for the front surface. Therefore, in the paper output space,
In particular, the interior of the device is necessarily darkened. Furthermore, a window or notch for lighting can be provided on the side other than the side where the sheet conveying path 45 to the sheet discharge section 4 is provided. When placed perfectly on other furniture or equipment, the lighting effect is not exhibited. However, in this example, since the image reading unit light source 301 is turned on after the sheet is discharged,
The recording paper discharged through the light transmitting means 3 can be illuminated, and the paper discharge section 4 becomes bright. Therefore, the visibility of the discharged sheet is improved, and the sheet takeout property can be improved.

Further, it is possible to notify a user who is away from the apparatus of the discharge of the sheet. This function is particularly useful when a facsimile is received. The image reading unit light source 301 is turned off when a predetermined time elapses after being turned on. The image reading unit light source 301 is turned on when a sheet is discharged, and turned off after a predetermined time. Therefore, unnecessary power consumption can be prevented.
The setting of the fixed time can be arbitrarily set from the device operation unit.

Further, the light source holding traveling body 4 of the image reading section
The movement control of the light source 301 and the control of turning on and off the light source 301 may be controlled by providing a sensor in the 41 trays of the paper discharge unit 4. Thus, power saving can be achieved. A series of operations of the image forming system for copying and facsimile is completed, and
When there is a sheet of paper, the image reading operation is naturally finished, so that the visibility of the paper discharge unit 4 can be improved, that is, the paper discharge unit 4 can be illuminated. When a series of copy facsimile operations are completed and the image reading unit light source 301 is turned on to illuminate the paper discharge unit 4 and the opening / closing of the ADF 102 or the document stacking is detected (that is, the next copy or facsimile transmission). Is performed), the light source holding and traveling body 401 returns to the predetermined home position (the light source 301 is turned off) and prepares for the next image reading operation.

Further, when the light source 301 is turned on for a certain period of time after the sheet is discharged and then turned off and a person approaches, a sensor for detecting the approach of a person is provided in the image forming apparatus. Turns on the light source 301 again,
To improve the visibility of the paper. When the approach of a person was detected, the light source 301 was turned on.
When a document is set in the ADF or when the ADF 71 is opened, the light source 301 is turned off immediately, and the light source holding traveling body 401 returns to the home position to prepare for the next image reading operation. The light transmitting member 203 of the light transmitting means may be made of a transparent or translucent member such as glass or synthetic resin. Further, a hole through which light can simply pass may be formed in the bottom surface of the image reading unit housing without any member. Further, the image reading unit light source 3
By flashing 01, it is possible to give a further sign to the user by signing the end of paper ejection.

[0019]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the visibility of paper discharge in the paper discharge portion in the cylinder, and it is possible to alert the user to further attention by blinking the lamp.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the light source is automatically turned off after the lapse of the predetermined time, so that useless power consumption can be suppressed. According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the light is turned on again only when a person approaches, while suppressing power consumption,
It is possible to improve the visibility of the discharged paper in the inner discharge section.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an in-body discharge type image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a paper discharge unit of the internal discharge type image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a paper discharge unit of the internal discharge type image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the in-body paper ejection type image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state where the paper is discharged in the in-body discharge type image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state where a sheet is taken out by a user in the in-body discharge type image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a paper discharge unit of the internal discharge type image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an operation unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image forming unit 2 paper feed unit 3 scanner unit 4 paper discharge unit 41 paper discharge tray 43 paper take-out unit 44 paper discharge unit upper wall front part 60 operation unit 72 document discharge table 100 image forming apparatus 101 main body 102 automatic document feed Apparatus (ADF) 103 Paper feed table 203 Light transmitting member 301 Image reading unit light source 401 Light source holding traveling body 402 Contact glass 403 Differential traveling body 501 Discharged paper 502 Discharge section tray

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image reading unit disposed at an upper portion of an apparatus; and an image forming unit disposed below the image reading unit, wherein the image forming unit is provided between the image reading unit and the image forming unit. An image forming apparatus of an in-body discharge type having a paper discharge unit space provided in a housing, wherein the image reading unit includes a light source, and the image reading unit housing includes a transmission unit through which light from the light source can pass. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after the sheet is discharged to the internal discharge unit and the image forming operation is completed, light from the light source in the image reading unit passes through the transmission unit and illuminates the discharge unit space. apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source is automatically turned off after a predetermined time elapses after the paper is discharged to the internal discharge unit and the image forming operation is completed. 3. A human body detecting means for detecting that a person has approached the apparatus, wherein the human body detecting means automatically turns on the light source when the light source is turned off. 3. The image forming apparatus according to 2.