JP2000081810A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the need of a carrying path switching operation by a service engineer and to improve the setting operation of an image forming device by allowing a switching means to switch a carrying path in accordance with the existence or the arranged position of an image read part. SOLUTION: The carrying path H1 is a bus extended toward the side surface part of a device main body so as to carry the sheet material to a paper ejection part 15, and the carrying path H2 is a bus curved upward to the upper surface part of the device so as to carry the sheet material to the ejection part 21. When the image read part R, is removed from the specified position at an image forming part P a detection means 19 detects that the image read part R does not exist, a control means controls the switching means 18 so as to switch the carrying path to the carrying path H2, and paper is ejected on a paper ejection tray provided in the ejection part 21. Namely, in such a case, the detection means 19 detects whether or not the image read part R exists and the switching means 18 automatically switches the carrying path H1 or H2 by the switching control means constituted of an electric circuit and a software control means in accordance with the detected result.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, etc., and relates to a technique capable of selecting a plurality of transport paths according to an arrangement state of reading means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 8 shows a configuration of a general copying machine as a conventional image forming apparatus. In the image reading unit R, the image of the original placed on the platen glass 1 is
CC by the optical reading system 2 consisting of a reflection mirror and a lens
It is guided to D3 and converted into an electric signal.

[0003] In the image forming section P based on the electric signal, the photosensitive drum 4 uniformly charged by the primary charger 5 is irradiated with laser light to form an electrostatic latent image. This electrostatic latent image is visualized by the toner supplied from the developing device 6 to become a toner image.

On the other hand, the skew of the sheet material fed by the paper feeding means 7 is corrected by the tip of the sheet material abutting against the stopped registration roller 8 so that the registration is synchronized with the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 4. The rotation of the roller 8 causes the transfer to the transfer unit 9.

In the transfer section 9, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 4 is electrostatically attracted from the back side of the sheet material by a corona charger or the like, and is transferred onto the sheet material.

The sheet material onto which the toner image has been transferred is removed from the electrostatic attraction force with the photosensitive drum 4 by the separation charger 10 and then conveyed to the fixing unit 14 by the suction belt conveying unit 11.

The suction belt transport section 11 transports the sheet material by a chloroprene rubber belt 13 while adsorbing the sheet material by a fan 12.

The sheet material on which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing unit 14 is discharged to a tray 16 outside the apparatus via a sheet discharging unit 15. Alternatively, it is sent to the re-feeding conveyance path 17 for double-sided copying, or sent to a post-process such as sorting or stapling.

[0009]

However, with the digitization of the image forming apparatus, the image reading unit R (reader unit) has been developed.
There are many products that can function separately from the image forming unit P (printer unit).

In the case where the image forming section P functions as a printer and in the case where the image forming section P functions as a copying machine, different processes are performed in the sheet material discharging process.

For example, when an image forming apparatus is used as a printer, the first page processed is often discharged face-down, and when used as a copier, post-processing such as face-up discharge and stapling is performed. Often done.

[0012] Which transport path is to be selected is selected by a method such as changing and installing a switching member or the like according to each state by an installer (service technician) of the image forming apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. It is an object of the present invention to make it possible to change a conveying path of a sheet material in accordance with an arrangement state of a reading unit. An object of the present invention is to improve the setting workability at the time of installation of the device.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a sheet material feeding means, an image forming means for forming an image on a fed sheet material, and an image forming apparatus. In an image forming apparatus including: a plurality of transport paths for guiding a sheet material to a discharge unit; and switching means for selecting a desired transport path from the plurality of transport paths, a reading unit that reads a document image is positioned at a predetermined position in the apparatus main body. Switching control means for controlling the switching means according to whether or not the setting is made.

When the reading means is set at a predetermined position of the apparatus main body, a conveyance path through which the sheet material is discharged face-up is selected, and when not set, a conveyance path through which the sheet material is discharged face-down. Is also preferably selected.

The conveying path for discharging the sheet material face-down guides the sheet material to the upper surface of the apparatus main body, and the conveying path for discharging the sheet material face-up guides the sheet material to the side surface of the apparatus main body. It is also suitable.

It is also preferable that the reading means is detachable from the upper surface of the apparatus main body.

Preferably, the switching control means is a mechanical interlocking means which acts on the switching means in accordance with the setting of the reading means on the apparatus main body.

Preferably, the switching control means is an electric means acting on the switching means in accordance with the setting of the reading means on the apparatus main body.

Preferably, the reading means is slidable relative to a predetermined position on the upper surface of the apparatus main body.

Preferably, the switching control means is an electric means acting on the switching means in accordance with the sliding movement of the reading means.

The plurality of transport paths include a first transport path for guiding the sheet material to the first storage means, and a second transport path for guiding the sheet material to the second storage means. It is also preferable that when set at the predetermined position so as to cover the second storage means, the first transport path is selected.

The second transport path is a path curved upward toward the upper surface of the apparatus main body, and the first transport path is a path extending toward the side surface of the apparatus main body. Are also suitable.

It is also preferable that the reading means is detachable from the upper surface of the apparatus main body.

It is also preferable that the switching control means is a mechanical interlocking means acting on the switching means in accordance with the setting of the reading means on the apparatus main body.

It is also preferable that the switching control means is an electric means which acts on the switching means in accordance with the setting of the reading means on the apparatus main body.

It is preferable that the reading means is slidable relative to a predetermined position on the upper surface of the apparatus main body.

It is also preferable that the switching control means is an electric means which acts on the switching means in accordance with the sliding movement of the reading means.

The image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive unit and an electrostatic latent image forming unit for irradiating the photosensitive unit with a laser beam, and irradiates a laser beam in response to an external image electric signal. When the reading means is set at a predetermined position of the apparatus main body, it is also preferable that a laser beam is irradiated upon receiving an image electric signal of the document read by the reading means.

When the reading means is not set, the image forming apparatus functions as a printer and discharges the sheet material face down, and when the reading means is set, the image forming apparatus functions as a copier to copy the sheet material. It is also preferable to discharge face-up.

[0031]

An embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Image reading unit R as reading means in FIG.
In the (reader section), an image of a document placed on the platen glass 1 is guided to a CCD 3 by an optical reading system 2 including an illumination lamp, a reflection mirror, and a lens, and is converted into an image electric signal.

In the image forming section P (printer section), which is an image forming means, based on the image electric signal, the photosensitive drum 4 uniformly charged by the primary charger 5 is irradiated with laser light to form an electrostatic latent image. It is formed. This electrostatic latent image is
The toner image is visualized by the toner supplied from the developing device 6 to form a toner image.

On the other hand, the skew of the sheet material fed by the sheet feeding means 7 as a sheet material feeding means is corrected by the leading end of the sheet material abutting against the stopped registration roller 8.
The resist roller 8 is rotated to synchronize with the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 4 and is sent to the transfer unit 9.

In the transfer section 9, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 4 is electrostatically attracted from the back side of the sheet material by a corona charger or the like, and is transferred onto the sheet material.

The sheet material to which the toner image has been transferred is removed from the photosensitive drum 4 by the separation charger 10 and then conveyed to the fixing unit 14 by the suction belt conveying unit 11.

The suction belt transport section 11 transports the sheet material by means of a rubber belt 13 made of chloroprene while adsorbing the sheet material by the fan 12.

The sheet material on which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing unit 14 is passed through a paper discharge unit 15 (the paper discharge unit 15 is provided on the side surface of the image forming unit P) and a tray 16 outside the machine (the 1 storage means). Alternatively, it is sent to the re-feeding conveyance path 17 for double-sided copying, or sent to a post-process such as sorting or stapling.

FIG. 1 shows a state in which the image reading unit R is installed at a predetermined position of the image forming unit P. Reference numeral 19 denotes a detecting unit for detecting the image reading unit R. The detecting unit 19 detects the image reading unit R, and the switching unit 18 causes the sheet discharging unit 1 to detect the image reading unit R.
5 and is discharged to a discharge tray 16.

At this time, if the sheet is ejected straight from the sheet ejection section 15, the sheet material after image formation is ejected face up with the image side up. Further, the sheet can be reversed (switched back) by the vertical conveyance path portion 17 a of the re-feeding conveyance path 17 to face down and discharged from the paper discharge section 15.

The switching means 18 selects a plurality of transport paths, which are a transport path H1 (first transport path) and a transport path H2 (second transport path), by a driving means (electric means) such as a solenoid (not shown). Can be switched.

The transport path H1 is a path extending toward the side surface of the apparatus main body, and transports the sheet material to the sheet discharging section 15. The transport path H2 is upward toward the upper surface of the apparatus. This is a curved path, which conveys the sheet material to the paper discharge unit 21. The detection means 19 can detect the presence or absence of the image reading unit R by a photo sensor or the like. It is not limited to.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the image reading section R has been removed from a predetermined position of the image forming section P. At this time, the detecting unit 19 detects that there is no image reading unit R, and a control unit (not shown) controls the switching unit 18 to switch to the transport path H2,
The paper is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 24 as a second storage unit provided in the paper discharge unit 21 (the paper discharge unit 21 is provided on the upper surface of the image forming unit P).

At this time, an image is formed in the image forming portion P based on an image electric signal input from the outside.

In this case, the sheet material after image formation is discharged face down with the image side down.

Accordingly, the detecting means 19 detects the presence or absence of the image reading section R, and in response to this, the switching means 18 is automatically transferred by the switching control means comprising an electric circuit or the like (not shown) or software control means. Path H1 or transport path H
2, the operation of switching the transport path by the service technician is eliminated, and the setting workability of the image forming apparatus is improved.

(Embodiment 2) An image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment (first embodiment) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the image reading section R is installed at a predetermined position of the image forming section P. Reference numeral 25 denotes a mechanical interlocking unit that engages with the foot 26 of the image reading unit R, and switches the switching unit 18 to guide the sheet material to the sheet discharging unit 15 in the engaged state.

The sheet material on which an image has been formed is conveyed to the paper discharge unit 15 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 16.

At this time, if the sheet is discharged straight, the sheet material after image formation is discharged face up with the image side up.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the image reading section R has been removed from a predetermined position of the image forming section P. At this time, the engaging means 25 rises when the engagement with the foot 26 of the image reading unit R is released, switches the switching means 18 to the transport path H2, and sets a discharge tray newly provided from the discharge unit 21. 24. At this time, the sheet material after image formation is discharged face down with the image side down. The engaging means 25 is urged upward by a spring (not shown), and is linked to and interlocked with the switching means 18.

Embodiment 3 An image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which the image reading unit R is installed at a predetermined position of the image forming unit P (first position).
FIG. 6 is a diagram when the is slid to a second position.

Reference numeral 26 denotes detection means for detecting that the image reading unit R is at the first position. When the image reading unit R is at the first position, and the detecting unit 26 detects the image reading unit R, the switching unit 18 selects the transport path H1 and the sheet material on which the image is formed on the sheet discharging unit 15 is removed. The sheet is conveyed and discharged to the discharge tray 16.

Conversely, when the image reading unit R is at the second position (solid line position), the switching unit 18 switches to the transport path H2, and the sheet is discharged from the sheet discharging unit 21 to the upper part of the image forming unit P.

The image reading section R is guided on the image forming section P by a slide rail (not shown).

The detecting means 26 detects the position of the image reading unit R by a photo sensor or the like, but is not limited to this.

Embodiment 4 An image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same components as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the image reading section R has been removed from a predetermined position of the image forming section P. At this time, the engagement means 25
When the engagement with the foot 26 of the image reading section R is released, the switching section 18 is switched to the transport path H2, and the sheet is discharged from the sheet discharging section 21 to a sheet discharging tray 124 provided on the upper surface of the main body. You.

At this time, the sheet material after image formation is discharged face down with the image side down. The engaging means 25 is urged upward by a spring (not shown), and is linked to and interlocked with the switching means 18.

The switching means 18 is provided with a plurality of conveying paths to a conveying path H1 for conveying to the sheet discharging section 15 and a conveying path H2 for conveying to the sheet discharging section 21 by driving means (electric means) such as a solenoid (not shown). It can be selectively switched. Therefore, face-down and face-up discharge can be selected as desired.

Further, the switching unit 18 is controlled to be reversed (switched back) by the vertical conveyance path portion 17a of the re-feeding conveyance path 17 (two-dot chain line path) to face-down, and the sheet discharge section 15, it is also possible to discharge the paper. Reference numeral 17b denotes a forward / reverse roller provided in the vertical transport path 17a, which is a switchback path.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the image reading unit R is installed at a predetermined position of the image forming unit P. Reference numeral 25 denotes a mechanical interlocking unit that engages with the foot 26 of the image reading unit R, and switches the switching unit 18 to guide the sheet material to the sheet discharging unit 15 in the engaged state.

The sheet material on which the image has been formed is conveyed to the paper discharge unit 15 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 16.

Even if the above-mentioned solenoid is driven, the switching means 18 is not switched. Therefore, malfunction is prevented.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention, the switching means switches the transport path according to the presence or location of the image reading unit. Therefore, for example, the conveyance path switching work by the service technician becomes unnecessary, and the setting workability of the image forming apparatus is improved.

Therefore, when the image forming apparatus is used as a printer in which the image reading section is not arranged above the image forming section, the sheet material on which the image is formed is used face down and as a copying machine. It is possible to discharge the paper face-up by mounting the reading means, thereby improving usability. Also,
Erroneous operation can be prevented.

Further, the discharge of the sheet material into the sheet material storage portion which becomes unusable due to the mounting of the reading means is reliably prohibited, which is convenient.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus equipped with a reading unit according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus to which a reading unit according to a second embodiment is mounted.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus equipped with a reading unit according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Platen glass 2 Optical reading system 3 CCD 4 Photosensitive drum 5 Primary charging device 6 Developing device 7 Feeding means 8 Registration roller 9 Transfer part 10 Separation charger 11 Suction belt 12 Fan 13 Rubber belt 14 Fixing part 15 Discharge part 16 Tray 17 Refeeding conveyance path 18 Switching means 19 Detecting means 21 Discharge part 25 Engaging means 26 Leg R Image reading part P Image forming part H1, H2 conveyance path

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A sheet material feeding means, an image forming means for forming an image on a fed sheet material, a plurality of conveyance paths for guiding an image-formed sheet material to a discharge section, and the plurality of conveyance means Switching means for selecting a desired conveyance path from a path, wherein a switching control for controlling the switching means in accordance with whether or not reading means for reading a document image is set at a predetermined position of the apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. When the reading means is set at a predetermined position of the apparatus main body, a conveyance path through which a sheet material is discharged face-up is selected. If not set, the sheet material is discharged face-down. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a transport path is selected. 3. A conveying path for discharging the sheet material face-down guides the sheet material to an upper surface portion of the apparatus main body, and a conveying path for discharging the sheet material face-up includes a sheet material on a side surface portion of the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is guided to: 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the reading unit is detachable from an upper surface of the apparatus main body. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the switching control unit is a mechanical interlocking unit that acts on the switching unit in accordance with the setting of the reading unit on the apparatus main body. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the switching control unit is an electric unit that acts on the switching unit in accordance with the setting of the reading unit on the apparatus main body. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the reading unit is slidable relative to a predetermined position on the upper surface of the apparatus main body. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the switching control unit is an electric unit that acts on the switching unit in accordance with a sliding movement of the reading unit. 9. The reading device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of transport paths include a first transport path that guides the sheet material to the first storage unit, and a second transport path that guides the sheet material to the second storage unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first conveyance path is selected when a unit is set at the predetermined position so as to cover the second storage unit. 10. The second transport path is a path curved upward toward an upper surface of the apparatus main body, and the first transport path is a path extending toward a side surface of the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the reading unit is detachable from an upper surface of the apparatus main body. 12. The switching control unit according to claim 11, wherein the switching unit is a mechanical interlocking unit that acts on the switching unit in accordance with the setting of the reading unit on the apparatus main body.
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the switching control unit is an electric unit that acts on the switching unit in accordance with the setting of the reading unit on the apparatus main body. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said reading means is slidable relative to a predetermined position on an upper surface of the apparatus main body. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the switching control unit is an electric unit that acts on the switching unit in accordance with a sliding movement of the reading unit. 16. The image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive unit; and an electrostatic latent image forming unit that irradiates the photosensitive unit with a laser beam. The image forming apparatus irradiates a laser beam by receiving an image electric signal from the outside. 16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the reading unit is set at a predetermined position of the apparatus main body, the reading unit receives an image electric signal of the document read by the reading unit and irradiates a laser beam. Item 10. The image forming apparatus according to item 1. 17. The image forming apparatus functions as a printer and discharges a sheet material face down when the reading unit is not set, and functions as a copier when the reading unit is set. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the material is discharged face-up.