JP2001106389A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device where removal of a transfer sheet is easy and capable of preventing the unremoved transfer sheet. SOLUTION: This image forming device 1 is provided a body 3 having an image forming part 9 forming images on transfer paper sequentially fed by a sheet feeding part 7 and a sheet discharging part 11 sequentially discharging the transfer sheet, a finisher 5 connected to the sheet discharging part 11 and performing gathering or the like of the sequentially discharged transfer sheet, and a control means 6 controlling drive of the main body 3. The body 3 is provided a sheet discharging detecting sensor 25 detecting transfer sheet of the sheet discharging part 11, and accumulation spaces 41 and 43 capable of accumulating a plurality of transfer sheet, and the finisher 5 is provided a post process jam detecting sensor 43 detecting a jam of transfer sheet discharged by the finisher 5. When the control means 6 receives a detection signal from the post process jam detecting sensor 4, if there is a detection signal from the sheet discharge detecting sensor 25, the drive of the body 3 is stopped, and if there is no signal from the paper discharge detecting sensor 25, the drive of the body 3 is stopped after transfer sheet inside the body 3 is conveyed to the accumulation spaces 41 and 43.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine includes:
The main body has an image forming unit that forms an image on transfer paper sequentially fed from a paper feeding unit, and a paper discharge unit that sequentially discharges the transfer paper from the image forming unit. In some cases, a finisher (post-processing unit) that performs post-processing such as collating and punching of the formed transfer paper is connected to the main body.

In such an image forming apparatus, when a transfer paper jam occurs in the main body, the process of the transfer paper downstream of the jam paper is completed as it is (the job is completed as a job is completed). Transfer paper is transported to a portion having a relatively large space (accumulation space) in the main body, such as on a double-sided tray for reversing discharge, and then the main body is stopped so that the user can easily remove the transfer paper. Like that.

When a jam occurs in the finisher, the driving of the main body is immediately stopped. this is,
This is because, if the transfer paper is continuously fed, the transfer paper is jammed at the connecting portion between the paper discharge section and the finisher, and bellows-like wrinkles or folds are formed, which makes it difficult to remove the transfer paper.

[0005]

However, in the above-described technique, the drive of the main body is stopped immediately when a jam occurs in the finisher, so that the transfer paper remains at various places in the main body. However, there is a problem that the removal of the transfer paper is troublesome and forgetting to remove occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus which can prevent forgetting to remove a transfer sheet and can easily remove the transfer sheet.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming unit for forming an image on transfer paper sequentially fed from a paper feeding unit, and a discharge unit for sequentially discharging the transfer paper. An image forming apparatus comprising: a main body having a post-processing unit connected to a paper discharge unit and collating transfer papers sequentially discharged; and a control unit configured to control driving of the main body. The post-processing unit includes a discharge detection unit that detects the transfer sheet of the discharge unit and an accumulation space that can accumulate a plurality of transfer sheets. The post-processing unit detects a jam of the transfer sheet discharged to the post-processing unit. A post-processing jam detecting unit, wherein the control unit stops driving the main body when receiving a detection signal from the sheet discharge detecting unit when the post-processing jam detecting unit determines that the jam of the post-processing unit has occurred;
When the detection signal is not received from the paper discharge detecting means, the driving of the main body is stopped after the transfer paper in the main body is transported to the accumulation space.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a paper jam occurs in a post-processing unit (where collation or punching is performed) and there is no transfer paper in the paper discharge unit, the transfer paper in the main body is removed. Since the paper is collected in the accumulation space, the transfer paper can be easily removed. In addition, since the transfer paper in the main body is collected in the stacking space, it is possible to prevent the transfer paper from remaining in various places in the main body, thereby preventing forgetting to remove the transfer paper, and discharging the transfer paper. It is possible to prevent the transfer paper from being jammed between the sheet processing section and the post-processing section, thereby preventing bellows-like wrinkles and folds from being formed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when a detection signal is received from a paper discharge detecting means while the transfer paper in the main body is being conveyed to the accumulation space. Is characterized in that the driving of the main body is stopped.

[0010] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first aspect is provided.
In addition to the same operation and effect as the invention described in the above, when the transfer paper transported from the upstream side of the paper discharge unit reaches the paper discharge unit while the transfer paper in the main body is being transported to the accumulation space, The drive of the main unit stops. Therefore, when the transfer paper in the main body is being conveyed to the stacking space, it is possible to prevent the transfer paper from being clogged between the paper discharge unit and the post-processing unit, thereby forming bellows-like wrinkles or folds.

[0011] The invention described in claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
In the invention described in the above, the main body, a double-sided conveying unit that conveys the transfer paper after image formation to an image forming unit or a paper discharging unit,
A first switching unit for guiding the transfer sheet to one of a two-sided conveying unit and a sheet discharging unit, wherein the control unit determines that the transfer from the upstream side of the sheet discharging unit has occurred when a jam of the post-processing unit is determined. The first switching means is switched in a direction in which the paper is guided to the double-sided conveyance section.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first aspect is provided.
Or when the jam occurs in the post-processing unit, the first switching unit is switched in a direction to guide the transfer paper to the double-sided conveyance unit, and the transfer in the main body is performed. Since the paper can be prevented from being transported to the paper discharge unit, more transfer paper can be transported to the stacking space.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the main body guides the transfer paper conveyed to the double-sided conveyance section to one of a paper discharge section and an image forming section. A second switching means is provided, wherein the control means switches the second switching means in a direction for guiding the transfer paper of the double-sided conveyance unit to the image forming unit when the control unit determines that the post-processing unit is jammed.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the third aspect.
When the jam occurs in the post-processing unit, the second switching unit is switched in a direction to guide the transfer paper to the image forming unit, and thereby the transfer paper of the double-sided conveyance unit is provided. Can be prevented from being conveyed to the paper discharge section, so that more transfer paper can be conveyed to the accumulation space.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG.
1 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 generally includes
It comprises a main body 3, a finisher (post-processing section) 5, and control means 6 for controlling the driving of the main body 3 and the finisher 5.

The main body 3 includes a paper supply unit 7 for supplying transfer paper,
An image forming unit 9 for forming an image, a paper discharging unit 11 for discharging the transfer paper, and a double-sided conveying unit 12 for transporting the transfer paper after image formation to the image forming unit 9 or the paper discharging unit 11 are provided. ing.

The paper feed unit 7 is where the transfer paper is fed. The transfer paper fed from the paper feed unit 7 is transported by transport rollers 13.
Is conveyed toward the registration roller 15. The registration roller 15 sends the transfer paper transported from the transport roller 13 to the image forming unit 9 at a predetermined timing.

The image forming section 9 has a photosensitive drum 17, a transfer belt 19, and a fixing section 21, and the transfer paper sent from the registration roller 15 is transferred onto the photosensitive drum 17 by the transfer belt 19. Fixing unit 21 while transferring the image of
And the image transferred to the transfer paper in the fixing unit 21 is fixed. In addition to the above-described components, the image forming unit 9 includes, for example, a charging unit that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 17, a writing unit that writes an image corresponding to an original image on the photosensitive drum 17, and a photosensitive drum. Although a developing device and the like for developing the image (electrostatic latent image) written in 17 are arranged, in the present embodiment,
The description and illustration thereof are omitted.

The paper discharge unit 11 discharges the transfer paper to the outside of the main body 3, and includes a paper discharge roller 23, a paper discharge sensor (paper discharge detection means) 25 for detecting the transfer paper of the paper discharge unit 11, and have. The paper discharge roller 23 discharges the transfer paper conveyed from the fixing unit 21 or the double-sided conveyance unit 12 to the finisher 5 connected to the paper discharge unit 11. This transfer paper is detected and a detection signal is sent to the control means 6.

In addition, between the fixing unit 21 and the paper discharging unit 11, a reversing branch claw (a first pawl) for guiding the transfer sheet from the fixing unit 21 to one of the paper discharging unit 11 and the double-sided conveying unit 12. (Switching means) 27 is provided. The reversing branch claw 27 has an upper position (a position indicated by a solid line) for guiding the transfer sheet to the double-sided conveyance unit 12 by a solenoid or the like, and a lower position (a position indicated by a chain line) for guiding the transfer sheet to the sheet discharge unit 11. It is possible to switch to. Therefore, when the reversing branch claw 27 is at the upper position, the transfer sheet is conveyed toward the double-sided conveyance section 12, and when the reversing branch claw 27 is at the lower position, the transfer sheet is directly transferred to the discharge section 11. (Straight discharge).

The double-sided conveying section 12 is located below the image forming section 9, and includes a double-sided tray 29 and a reversing roller 31.
, A double-sided branch claw (second switching means) 33, and a double-sided conveying path 35. The transfer paper guided to the two-sided conveyance path 12 by the reverse branch claw 27 is sent onto the double-sided tray 29 by the transfer roller 37, and this transfer paper is switched back to the double-side branch claw 33 by the reverse roller 31. It has become.

The double-sided branching claw 33 is provided with the above-described inverted branching claw 27.
In the same manner as described above, the transfer paper is transported by the
5 can be switched between an upper position (solid line position) and a lower position (single-dot chain line) for guiding the transfer paper to the paper discharge unit 11. The double-sided conveyance path 35 conveys the transfer paper sent by the double-sided branching claws 33 toward the conveyance roller 13.

That is, when the double-sided branching claw 33 is at the upper position, the transfer paper is sent to the image forming section 9 via the transport roller 13 and an image is formed on the back side (double-sided copy). When 35 is at the lower position, the transfer paper is conveyed to the paper discharge unit 11 via the reversing path 40 and is reversed and discharged.

In the main body 3, a plurality of main body jam detection sensors 39 for detecting a jam of the transfer paper on the transfer paper conveyance path are arranged. Main body jam detection sensor 39
In this embodiment, a transmission type sensor with a filler, a reflection type sensor, or the like is used, and a detection signal is sent to the control means 6 when a transfer sheet is detected.

In this embodiment, the jam detection sensor 39 is provided between the conveyance roller 13 and the registration roller 15, downstream of the fixing unit 21, upstream of the conveyance roller 37, above the paper discharge roller 23, and on both sides. Branch claw 33 and reversing roller 31
Are disposed on the upstream side and the downstream side of the both-sided conveyance path 35, respectively.

On the other hand, between the image forming section 9 and the double-sided conveying section 12, there are two accumulation spaces: an accumulation space 41 located below the registration roller 15 and an accumulation space 43 located above the double-sided tray 29. 41 and 43 are formed. The stacking spaces 41 and 43 are spaces where a plurality of transfer papers can be stacked and transfer papers are conveyed and collected when a jam occurs in the main body 3. The stacking spaces 41 and 43 desirably have a predetermined area so that a plurality of transfer papers can be stacked.

The finisher 5 is connected to the paper output unit 11 of the main body 3 and performs post-processing such as collating and punching of the transfer paper from the paper output unit 11. Finisher 5
A post-processing jam detection sensor (post-processing jam detection means) 43 for detecting a jam in the finisher 5 is provided. The post-processing jam detection sensor 43 has substantially the same configuration as the main body jam detection sensor 39 described above.
When the post-processing jam detection sensor 43 detects a jam, a detection signal is sent to the control means 6. Note that the post-processing jam detection sensors 43 are also arranged at a plurality of locations in the finisher 5, but these are omitted in FIG.

The control means 6 controls the main body 3 and the finisher 5 in accordance with detection signals from the paper discharge sensor 25, the main body jam detection sensor 39, and the post-processing jam detection sensor 43 (this will be described later). . In this embodiment, the paper passing time from the paper feeding unit 7 to the paper discharging unit 11 (including the paper passing time from the paper feeding unit 7 to the paper discharging unit 11 via the duplex conveying unit 12) and the like. The paper passing time from the paper discharging unit 11 to the post-processing jam detection sensor 43 of the finisher 5 is input in advance, and the control unit 6 detects the input paper passing time of the transfer paper and the detection of the sensors 39 and 43. The jam is determined by comparing with a signal.

That is, the control means 6 accumulates the passing time of the transfer paper from the paper feeding unit 7 and detects the detection signal from the main body jam detection sensor 39 at the time when the transfer paper reaches each main body jam detection sensor 39. If the detection signal is received from the main body jam detection sensor 39 at the time when there is no paper or when the transfer paper finishes passing, it is determined that a jam has occurred in the main body 3. Similarly, the control means 6 determines a jam in the finisher 5 by comparing the detection signal of the post-processing jam detection sensor 43 of the finisher 5 with the paper passing time of the transfer paper.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described based on the above configuration. When a jam occurs in the main body 3, the control means 6 terminates the process for the transfer paper downstream from the jam paper as it is, and moves the other transfer paper to one of the accumulation spaces 41 and 43. After being transported,
Stop driving the main unit.

For example, when a jam occurs in the fixing unit 21, the transfer paper located in front of the paper discharge unit 11 is discharged from the paper discharge unit 11 as it is, and the transfer paper being transported by the transport roller 13 is stored in the stacking space. 41 (see P in the figure),
The transfer paper being transported by the transport rollers 37 is stored in the accumulation space 43.
After that, the driving of the main body 3 is stopped.

On the other hand, when a paper jam occurs in the finisher 5 and there is a transfer sheet in the paper discharge unit 11, the control means 6 stops the drive of the finisher 5 and the main body 3. Therefore, the connecting portion 4 between the paper discharging portion 11 and the finisher 5
In No. 4, it is possible to prevent the transfer paper from being jammed and having bellows-like wrinkles or folds.

If there is no transfer paper in the paper discharge unit 11 when a jam occurs in the finisher 5, the control means 6 stops driving the finisher 5, and causes the reversing branch claw 27 and the double-side branch claw 33 to move. To the upper position. Then, after the transfer paper in the main body 3 is conveyed to the accumulation spaces 41 and 43, the driving of the main body 3 is stopped.

More specifically, the transfer paper from the registration roller 15 to the reversing branch claw 27 and the transfer paper from the reversal branch claw 27 to the reversing roller 31 are conveyed to the collecting space 43 and collected. Up to 13 transfer papers,
The transfer paper from the paper supply unit 7 to the transport roller 13 is transported to the accumulation space 41 and collected.

When a jam occurs in the finisher 5, the transfer paper in the main body 3 is conveyed to the stacking spaces 41 and 43, so that the transfer paper can be easily removed, and the transfer paper can be transferred to various places in the main body. The transfer paper can be prevented from remaining, and forgetting to remove the transfer paper can be prevented. Further, when a jam occurs in the finisher 5, the reversing branch claw 27 and the double-sided branch claw 33 are switched to the upper position, so that the transfer paper from the registration roller 15 to the reversing branch claw 27 or switchback by the reversing roller 31 is performed. Since the transferred transfer paper can be prevented from being conveyed to the paper discharge unit 11, more transfer paper can be conveyed to the accumulation spaces 41 and 43.

Here, the transfer paper in the main body 3 is stored in the accumulation space 4.
If the transfer paper upstream of the paper discharge unit 11 reaches the paper discharge unit 11 while the paper is being conveyed to the printer 1 or 43, the control unit 6
Stop driving the main unit. That is, when the transfer paper from the reversing branch claw 27 to the paper discharge unit 11 or the transfer paper in the reversing conveyance path 40 reaches the paper discharge unit 11, the driving of the main body 3 is stopped. Therefore, when the transfer paper in the main body 3 is being conveyed to the stacking spaces 41 and 43, it is possible to prevent the transfer paper from being jammed in the connecting portion 44 and forming bellows-like wrinkles or folds.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the finisher 5 is used as the post-processing unit, but a similar effect can be obtained even with a sorter or the like.

The positions of the stacking spaces 41 and 43 may be exposed when the cover or the like of the image forming apparatus 1 is opened, and may be formed at positions where the user can easily remove the transfer paper. Good.

Further, the first and second switching means are not limited to pawls, and may be, for example, means for guiding a transfer sheet by swinging a plate-like member up and down.

[0040]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a paper jam occurs in the post-processing unit and there is no transfer paper in the paper discharge unit, the transfer paper in the main body is collected in the accumulation space. Removal becomes easier. In addition, since the transfer paper in the main body is collected in the accumulation space, it is possible to prevent the transfer paper from remaining in various places in the main body.
It is possible to prevent the transfer paper from being forgotten to be removed, and to prevent the transfer paper from being clogged between the paper discharge unit and the post-processing unit, thereby forming bellows-like wrinkles or folds.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the same effects as those of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained, and when the transfer paper in the main body is being conveyed to the stacking space, the paper discharge section and the post-processing section can be used. The transfer paper can be prevented from becoming jammed with the bellows-like wrinkles and folds.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the same effects as those of the first or second aspect of the invention are obtained, and when a jam occurs in the post-processing section, the first switching means moves the transfer paper to the double-sided conveyance section. The transfer direction can be prevented from being conveyed to the discharge section by transferring the transfer paper in the main body, so that more transfer paper can be conveyed to the accumulation space.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the same effects as those of the third aspect of the invention are provided, and when a jam occurs in the post-processing section, the second switching means guides the transfer paper to the image forming section. By switching the direction, the transfer paper of the double-sided conveyance unit can be prevented from being conveyed to the paper discharge unit, so that more transfer paper can be conveyed to the accumulation space.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 3 Main body 5 Finisher (post-processing part) 6 Control means 7 Paper supply part 9 Image forming part 11 Paper discharge part 12 Double-sided conveyance part 25 Paper discharge sensor (paper discharge detection means) 27 Reversing branch claw (1st Switching means) 35 Double-sided branched claw (second switching means) 41, 43 Integration space

Claims (4)

[Claims] A main body having an image forming unit for forming an image on transfer paper sequentially fed from a paper feeding unit and a paper discharge unit for sequentially discharging the transfer paper; a body connected to the paper discharge unit and sequentially discharging the paper; What is claimed is: 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a post-processing unit that performs collation of transferred paper sheets; and a control unit that controls driving of the main body. And a stacking space capable of stacking a plurality of transfer papers. The post-processing unit includes a post-processing jam detection unit that detects a jam of the transfer paper discharged to the post-processing unit. When the detection of the jam of the post-processing unit by the processing jam detection unit is performed, when the detection signal is received from the discharge detection unit, the driving of the main body is stopped, and the detection signal is not received from the discharge detection unit. Stops the drive of the main body after transporting the transfer paper in the main body to the stacking space. An image forming apparatus. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the transfer paper in the main body is being conveyed to an accumulation space, the drive of the main body is stopped when a detection signal is received from a paper discharge detecting means. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body guides the transfer paper after image formation to an image forming unit or a paper discharge unit, and guides the transfer paper to the double-sided transport unit or the paper discharge unit. A first switching unit, wherein the control unit switches the first switching unit in a direction to guide the transfer sheet from the upstream side of the sheet discharging unit to the double-sided conveying unit when the jam of the post-processing unit is determined. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body includes a second switching unit that guides the transfer sheet conveyed to the double-sided conveying unit to one of a sheet discharging unit and an image forming unit. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when a jam is determined, the second switching unit is switched in a direction to guide the transfer paper of the double-sided conveyance unit to the image forming unit.