JP2001146342A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of expecting highly accurate residual quantity detection more than usual while being the simple constitution. SOLUTION: In an image forming device constituted so as to hold the uppermost paper position of accumulated paper on a paper placing plate in a specific position by rotating the paper placing plate in a housing vessel in one direction at a shaft fulcrum according to the image forming processing number, the image forming device is characterized in that an actuating plate provided with plural identification areas is rotated in one direction in relation to the rotation of the paper placing plate, the identification areas for rotating according to the rotation of the actuating plate are detected by a first detecting means, and detecting information from the first detecting means is set as paper residual quantity information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus having an improved structure for detecting the remaining amount of paper used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electrostatic latent image based on analog or digital information is formed on a photosensitive member as a charge holding member, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized with toner powder. 2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus that transfers an image onto a sheet, transfers the image onto a sheet via heating and pressurization, and creates a final copy or printed matter is well known.

[0003] Further, a paper loading plate rotatable about a pivot point is provided in a storage container for storing paper, and the free end of the paper loading plate is urged by a coil spring or the like to rotate upward. A mechanism related to the sheet feeding unit is configured so that the top sheet of the stacked sheets is always pressed against a sheet feeding roller provided at a fixed position, and a sensor that detects the amount of rotation of the sheet placement plate is provided. An image forming apparatus having a display mechanism configured to display a plurality of approximate remaining amounts of paper on an operation unit of the apparatus based on a detection signal of a paper mounting plate by these sensors is also known.

[0004]

However, the amount of paper stored in the storage container used in the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration is about 500 sheets, and the paper mounting plate for mounting this amount of paper is used. (The amount of rotation from the time when the deposited paper is the maximum to the time when the remaining amount becomes zero) is as small as about 3 cm in the vertical direction.

[0005] Therefore, it is provided for various reasons that it is difficult to arrange a large number of sensors in terms of space, and that spending only for detecting the remaining amount imposes a burden on a customer. The number of sensors is about three to four, and the display roughness has a variation of about fifty sheets, which is not satisfactory from the viewpoint of providing a standard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which has a simple configuration and can be expected to detect a remaining amount with higher accuracy than before.

[0007]

The object of the present invention can be achieved by the following constitutions.

(1) The paper placing plate in the storage container is rotated in one direction at a pivot point according to the number of image forming processes, and the uppermost paper position of the stacked paper on the paper placing plate is fixed. In the image forming apparatus configured to be held at the position, the operation plate provided with the plurality of identification areas is rotated in one direction in relation to the rotation of the sheet placement plate, and the rotation of the operation plate is performed. An image forming apparatus, wherein the identification area which rotates with the first detection means is detected by a first detection means, and the detection information from the first detection means is used as remaining paper information.

(2) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the operation plate has an arc-shaped portion provided with the identification area.

(3) The image forming apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the identification area comprises a plurality of slits.

(4) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the first detecting means comprises an optical sensor.

(5) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the operating plate comprises a fan-shaped plate, and the identification area comprises a plurality of holes or a plurality of slits provided on concentric circles. .

(6) According to the number of image forming processes, the paper placing plate in the storage container is rotated in one direction at a pivot, so that the uppermost paper position of the stacked paper on the paper placing plate is fixed. In an image forming apparatus configured to be held at a position, an operation plate provided with a plurality of identification areas is integrally formed with a tray so as to be able to rotate in one direction in relation to the rotation of the sheet mounting plate. A first detection unit configured to detect the identification area that rotates along with the rotation of the operation plate is provided in a fixing unit of the apparatus main body, and the remaining amount of paper is determined based on detection information from the first detection unit. An image forming apparatus characterized in that display means for displaying is provided on an operation panel of the apparatus.

(7) The image forming apparatus according to (6), wherein the operation plate has an arc-shaped portion provided with the identification area.

(8) The image forming apparatus according to the above (6) or (7), wherein the identification area comprises a plurality of slits.

(9) The image forming apparatus according to (6), wherein the first detecting means comprises an optical sensor.

(10) The image forming apparatus according to (6), wherein the operation plate is formed of a fan-shaped plate, and the identification area is formed of a plurality of holes or a plurality of slits provided on concentric circles. .

(11) According to the number of image forming processes, the paper placing plate in the storage container is rotated in one direction at a pivot, so that the uppermost paper position of the stacked paper on the paper placing plate is fixed. In the image forming apparatus configured to be held at the position, at least one side extends to the outside of the storage container so as to push up the free end side of the paper placing plate, and is fixed on a rotating shaft. A plate, a fan-shaped operating plate having a plurality of identification areas on concentric circles and fixed to a portion on the rotating shaft and extending outside the storage container, and the fan-shaped operation plate extending outside the storage container. A clutch member provided at an end on the rotating shaft, and integrally provided with the storage container,
A drive source that supplies power in one direction to the rotation shaft through engagement with the clutch member, and a first detection unit that detects the identification area that moves in accordance with the rotation of the operation plate; An image forming apparatus, wherein a second fixing means for detecting an uppermost sheet on the sheet mounting plate and controlling an operation of the driving source is provided in an apparatus fixing portion.

(12) The operating plate has a fan-shaped flat portion,
The image forming apparatus according to (11), further including an arc-shaped portion extending in a direction orthogonal to an upper portion of the plane portion, wherein the identification area is provided in the arc-shaped portion. .

(13) The above (11) or (12), wherein the identification area comprises a plurality of slits.
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

(14) The image forming apparatus according to the above (11), wherein the first detecting means comprises an optical sensor.

(15) A detection portion used for confirming the loading of the storage container is provided outside the storage container, and a third detection means for detecting the detection portion is provided in the device fixing portion. The image forming apparatus according to (11), wherein

(16) The image according to (11), wherein display means for displaying the remaining amount of paper based on the detection information from the first detection means is provided on an operation panel of the apparatus. Forming equipment.

(17) According to the number of image forming processes, the paper placing plate in the storage container is rotated in one direction at a pivot, so that the uppermost paper position of the stacked paper on the paper placing plate is fixed. In the image forming apparatus configured to be held at the position, an operation plate for detecting the remaining amount of paper that rotates in response to the rotation of the paper mounting plate is provided integrally with the storage container. Image forming apparatus.

(18) The image forming apparatus according to (17), wherein the operation plate has an arc-shaped portion provided with the identification area.

(19) The image forming apparatus according to the above (17), wherein the identification area comprises a plurality of slits.

(20) The paper loading plate in the storage container is rotated in one direction at a pivot point in accordance with the number of image forming processes, and the topmost paper position of the stacked paper on the paper loading plate is fixed. In the image forming apparatus configured to be held at a position, an operation plate that rotates in response to the rotation of the sheet placement plate is provided integrally with the storage container, and a predetermined area provided on the operation plate is provided. Detection means for detecting the
Through the relative movement between the operation plate and the detection means, the completion of loading of the storage container into a predetermined position in the apparatus and the detection of the remaining amount of paper on the paper mounting plate are detected. An image forming apparatus comprising:

(21) The image forming apparatus according to (20), wherein the predetermined area is on a concentric circle and includes an identification area formed of a plurality of slits.

(22) The operating plate has a fan-shaped flat portion,
The image forming apparatus according to (20), further including an arc-shaped portion extending in a direction orthogonal to an upper portion of the plane portion, wherein the identification area is provided in the arc-shaped portion. .

(23) The image forming apparatus according to (20), wherein the detecting means comprises an optical sensor.

(24) The image forming apparatus according to (20), wherein display means for displaying the remaining amount of paper based on the detection information from the detection means is provided on an operation panel of the apparatus. .

[0032]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the image forming apparatus. In the figure, the image forming apparatus 1 includes:
The image reading unit 10, the laser writing unit 20, the image forming unit 30, the sheet feeding unit 40, and the sheet reversing unit 50 are configured as main components.

An automatic document feeder 60 is shown above the image reading section 10. The automatic document feeder includes a drum 620, a plurality of rollers and a path switching member disposed around the drum 620, in addition to the document table 600 and the storage table 610 for processed documents, and the like. 1
After the surface) and the back surface (second surface) are brought to the reading position 105 of the image reading unit 10, they function to be discharged onto the storage table 610.

The optical system (optical means) for reading and the like will be described below together with the second mode in which the automatic document device 60 is not used.

The image reading section 10 includes an illumination lamp 110 and a mirror 111 for illuminating an original P placed on an original table 100 made of glass, and is provided with a first reciprocally movable left and right direction in FIG. Mirror unit 11
And a pair of mirrors 120 arranged in a V-shape, and 1/1 of the first mirror unit to maintain the optical path length.
The optical system includes an optical system including a second mirror unit 12 that can translate in the same direction at a speed of 2, a projection lens 13, and an image sensor 14.

The above is a description of the second mode in which the document P is directly copied on the document table 100 without using the automatic document feeder 60. It is also used as a reading means of a conveyed document.

In this case, the first mirror unit 11 and the second mirror unit 12 are fixed to a position on the left side of the position in the figure.

In either case, the image pickup device 1
The image information focused on 3 is subjected to image processing, and is temporarily stored in a memory as image data.

The laser writing section 20 includes a polygon mirror 220 for deflecting a laser beam generated from a semiconductor laser (not shown), an fθ lens 230, and a mirror 240.

The driving of the semiconductor laser is controlled in accordance with the image data stored in the memory.

The image forming section 30 is a section for finally forming an image corresponding to image data on a sheet, and is a drum-shaped charge holding member (in the embodiment, an OPC photosensitive member. And a band electrode (hereinafter, referred to as a charging unit) disposed around the photosensitive drum for uniformly charging the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 300.
310, a developing device (hereinafter referred to as developing means) 33 including a developing sleeve 333 for converting an electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 300 into a visible image (toner image).
0, a transfer pole (hereinafter, referred to as a transfer unit) 340 for transferring the toner image onto a sheet to be described later, and a separation pole (hereinafter, referred to as a separation unit) 350 for separating the sheet from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 300. And a cleaning unit 360 for cleaning the photosensitive drum after the transfer.

The reflected light from the mirror 240 in the laser writing unit 20 is transmitted to the charging unit 310 and the developing unit 33.
Then, the photosensitive drum 300 is irradiated with the light passing through 0.

Reference numeral 370 denotes a conveying belt, and 380 denotes a fixing device (fixing means) composed of a pair of rollers configured to be pressed against each other and rotated, and at least one of the rollers is a heating roller.

Reference numerals 385 and 390 denote paper discharging means, each comprising a pair of rollers. 395 is a switching unit (switching member) for switching the path of the sheet after fixing.
And is provided between the paper discharging means 385 and 390.

The paper supply unit 40 is provided below the image forming unit 30 and is provided with a storage container (hereinafter, referred to as a storage container) for storing paper.
The main elements are a paper feed tray 400 and a paper feed roller 410.

In the figure, three paper feed trays 400 are shown, but the uppermost paper feed tray in the embodiment is built in the image forming apparatus main body, and the lower two paper feed trays are Optional (post-installation).

The image forming apparatus in the specification of the present application means a configuration of only the image forming apparatus main body described above, a configuration with options as shown in the drawing, or a configuration having a plurality of paper feed trays in the image forming apparatus main body. Including both.

The paper feed tray 400 can be pulled out from a fixing portion of the apparatus, and a paper mounting plate 40 for mounting a bundle of paper to be stored is provided at the bottom in the paper feed tray.
5 are provided.

The sheet mounting plate 405 is configured to be rotatable around a shaft 403 as a fulcrum.

Reference numeral 450 denotes a working plate, the base of which is fixed on a rotating shaft 460 provided through a wall of a paper feed tray 400 provided outside the paper storage area.

The free end of the working plate 450 has a length to be in contact with the lower side of the free end of the paper placing plate 405, and is used for image formation or at a predetermined position of the paper feed tray 400. The power source is supplied in accordance with the loading operation into the motor, and is rotated in one direction (clockwise in the figure) via the rotary shaft 460.

In other words, the rotation of the working plate 450 is
It acts on the free end of the paper mounting plate 405 via the contact portion, and has a relationship in which the paper mounting plate is rotated counterclockwise.

The rotation of the sheet placing plate 405 causes the one end of the sheet bundle placed thereon to rise.

Further, the uppermost sheet of the sheet bundle on the sheet mounting plate 405 is placed on the sheet feeding roller 410 at a fixed position.
The power supply to the drive source (motor) is cut off so as to abut against the lower surface of the sheet at a predetermined pressure and stop at that position, and the sheet placement plate 405 is kept as it is via the rotation shaft 460 and the action plate 450. It is configured to hold the state.

In other words, the rotation shaft 460 maintains the position at the time of power interruption by mechanical engagement with the drive source side via the clutch member, and as a result, the rotation shaft 460 is connected via the operation plate. The paper placing plate 405 and the deposited paper are maintained at predetermined positions.

When the number of sheets decreases as the number of formed images increases, the sheet mounting plate 405 is further rotated to control the driving source so that the relation between the top sheet and the sheet feed roller 410 is always kept constant. It is supposed to.

The control of the drive source such as the power cutoff is performed by using detection information by an appropriate detection means.
Known methods can be used.

As will be described later, the rotating shaft 460 is
One side has a length protruding from the side of the paper feed tray 400, and is provided via mechanical engagement between a clutch member provided at an end thereof and a clutch member provided at the drive source side. , And the driving source.

Further, on the rotating shaft 460, an operating plate showing the same amount of rotation as the rotating shaft is fixedly provided, and the number of identification areas provided on the operating plate, for example, the number of slits, is optically detected. The remaining amount of paper is analog-displayed by a display means disposed on or near the operation unit panel of the apparatus based on the information detected by the means (see FIG. 5 showing the display in the operation panel). The remaining amount displayed by the means is schematically shown by oblique lines).

The configuration of this side will be described later in detail.
Reference numeral 420 denotes a sheet for transfer, and the sheet in the embodiment is plain paper normally used in a copier, a printer, and the like.

Reference numeral 430 denotes a conveying roller, which is provided on the supply path 425 of the sheet 420 in an appropriate number.

Reference numeral 440 denotes a registration roller which is driven and controlled to re-feed the sheet 420 so as to overlap the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 300.

The sheet reversing section 50 is provided with the switching means 39.
5, a plurality of pairs of transport rollers 510 provided on the transport path, a plurality of pairs of transport rollers 510 provided on the transport path,
The transport path 520 connected to the transport path 25 and a plurality of pairs of transport rollers 530 disposed on the transport path are main elements.

The image forming process in the image forming apparatus having the above configuration is as follows.

For convenience of explanation, an embodiment using the automatic document feeder 60 will be described as an example. First, the paper feed tray 40
When 0 is set at a predetermined position of the apparatus and a predetermined state is established in which the top sheet on the paper mounting plate 405 and the paper feed roller 410 are in contact, the remaining amount of paper is displayed on the operation panel.

When the original P is placed on the original mounting table 600 and the start of the copying operation is instructed by operating a suitable button such as a push button, one original P is separated from the original bundle, and the rotation of the drum 620 is accompanied by the rotation of the drum 620. The sheet is conveyed while being pressed against the drum peripheral surface, sequentially passes through the reading position 105, and is temporarily received on the document table 100.

At this time, the rear end of the document P is held by a pair of rollers (without reference symbols) provided above the document table.

The mirror 111 of the first mirror unit 11 is fixed below the reading section 105,
Reflected light from the document based on the exposure of the illumination lamp 110 is sequentially formed on the image sensor 14 via the mirror 111, the mirror 120 on the second mirror unit, and the projection lens 13.

The image information formed on the image sensor 14 is subjected to image processing and then temporarily stored in a memory (not shown) as image data.

On the other hand, each means or member constituting the image forming section 30 operates according to the image forming operation, and the charging means 310 uniformly charges the peripheral surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 300.

Next, the image data stored in the memory is read out, and a laser exposure according to the image data is applied to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 300 to form an electrostatic latent image.

The electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing means 330 to form a toner image (visible image). During this time, the specified size paper 420 supplied from the paper feed tray 400 of the selected paper feed unit 40 is momentarily stopped in a state in which the leading edge of the paper 420 bites into the registration roller 440. The sheet is fed again with the rotation of the registration roller, which is driven and controlled at the timing of superimposition with the toner image, and is directed to the transfer area.

The toner image on the photosensitive drum 300 is sequentially transferred onto the sheet 420 by the action of the transfer means 340 in the transfer area, and the sheet 420 is transferred to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 300 by the action of the separation means 350. Separated from

The separated paper 420 is transported by the transport belt 370.
The toner is melted by the heating and pressurizing action of the fixing unit 380 through the
0 is fixed.

When the image formation is in the one-sided copy mode of the original, the sheet that has passed through the fixing means 380 is discharged to a paper discharge tray (not shown) via paper discharge rollers 385 and 390.

On the other hand, in the case of the double-sided copy mode, the path of the sheet 420 after passing through the fixing unit 380 is changed by the switching unit 395 and descends along the conveying path 500.

The leading end of the sheet 420 descending over the conveyance path 500 enters a gap provided between the bottom of the image forming apparatus main body and the bottom of the sheet feed tray 400.

At the end of the downward conveyance, the rear end of the sheet 420 is nipped by the conveyance roller 510 located at the lowermost end, and moves upward by the rotation of the conveyance roller 510 in the opposite direction. to go into.

Then, in the process of successively entering the supply passage 425, the surface on which no image is recorded (the second surface) is reversed so as to face the photosensitive drum 300, and is conveyed toward the registration roller 440.

On the other hand, the document P is returned from the document table 100 and is wound around the drum 620 in the second state.
The document is conveyed with its surface (image surface on which no image is recorded) facing outside, is illuminated by the illumination lamp 110 by the reading unit 105, and an image is formed through the steps described above.

The original P whose second surface has been read is discharged onto the storage table 610 with the pages aligned, and the transfer material 420 that has passed through the fixing means 380 is discharged onto a discharge tray outside the apparatus. Paper.

Such an operation is repeated a required number of times, and a desired image is formed. It is needless to say that the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 300 after the transfer process is cleaned by the cleaning unit 360 and then used for new image formation.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the relationship between the engagement portion between the rotary shaft 460 and the drive source and the relationship between the operating plate and the detection means.

In the drawing, the same members as those described above are denoted by the same reference symbols. In the figure, reference numeral 407 denotes a handle also serving as a cover provided on the front side of the paper feed tray 400, and is used when the paper feed tray 400 is pulled out from a predetermined position of the apparatus or is set at the predetermined position.

As described above, the rotation shaft 460 is rotatably provided outside the paper feed tray 400 (outside the area S for storing papers), and at least one end thereof extends beyond the side wall 409 of the paper feed tray. Extending.

The rotation shaft 460 can be supported by a known method. An operating plate 70 is fixedly provided at a position on the rotation shaft 460 protruding outside the side wall 409, and a drive source M ( A clutch member 467 is provided that can be removably engaged with a coupling member 469 fixed on an output shaft of the motor M).

In the embodiment, the coupling member 469 has a split groove, and the motor M is inserted by inserting the clutch member 467 made of a pin into the split groove.
And a power path for the rotary shaft 460 is formed.

The working plate 450 has one end protruding beyond the wall (no reference symbol) of the paper feed tray 400, is screwed onto the rotating shaft 460, and rotates integrally with the rotating shaft. It has become.

K is a detecting means which comprises an optical sensor of a light emitting element K1 and a light receiving element K2.
The identification area formed on 0 is detected.

The detecting means is provided on a fixed part of the apparatus. The identification area detection information from the detection means K (substantially the light receiving element) is counted by the control unit, and the remaining amount of paper is displayed on the operation unit panel of the apparatus according to the calculation result according to the count value. This is as described above.

The operating plate 70 is connected to the rotating shaft 46.
It is composed of a cylindrical base portion 700 into which 0 can be fitted, a flat portion 705 rising from the base portion, and an arc-shaped portion 710 extending from an upper portion of the flat portion in a direction orthogonal to the flat portion.

In the embodiment, the arc-shaped portion 7
An identification area comprising a plurality of slits is formed on the light emitting element K1 and the light receiving element K1.
2 is rotated through a gap with the second member.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the structure of the operation plate 70. FIG. 3 is also a diagram showing a state position of the operation plate when the paper feed tray 400 is set (loaded) at a predetermined position of the apparatus, that is, an initial position.

In the figure, a plane portion 705 is formed in a substantially sector shape, and the arc-shaped portion 710 is a concentric circle with a base 700, substantially a hole into which the rotary shaft 460 is fitted.

The arc-shaped portion 710 includes the wall portions 725, 73
0, and an identification area (hereinafter, referred to as a slit) 720 including a plurality of slits formed between the wall portions.

The large wall 73 in the arc-shaped portion 710
Numeral 0 is provided between the light emitting element K1 and the light receiving element K2 when the sheet feeding tray 400 is mounted, and cuts off light emission from the light emitting element K1.

That is, when the light receiving element K2 does not receive the light emission from the light emitting element in the above state, the control section determines that the setting of the sheet feeding tray is completed.

FIG. 4 shows the operation plate 70 when the paper feed tray 400 is set (indicated by a solid line) and when the paper is completely consumed in image formation (indicated by a two-dot chain line).
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating positions of an operation plate 450 and a paper placing plate 405.

In the above-described configuration, from the setting of the sheet feeding tray 400, the control related to the control of the stacked sheets, which decreases with the increase in the number of image forming processes, and the display of the remaining amount of sheets, is not described above. Abbreviated below including the system.

On a predetermined sheet placing plate 405, for example, 5
After the 00 sheets have been placed, when the sheet feeding tray 400 having the sheet placing plate is pushed in, when the pushing is completed, the wall portion 730 of the operating plate 70 is located in the gap between the detecting means K, Light emitted from the light emitting element K1 is blocked and does not reach the light receiving element K2.

The information by the detecting means K is calculated by the control unit, and when it is determined that the setting is completed, the next step is performed.

That is, the electric power is supplied to the motor M,
0, the paper placing plate 405 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1 or FIG.

A detection means (not shown, hereinafter referred to as a second detection means) different from the detection means (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a first detection means) K indicates that the uppermost sheet of the stacked paper has reached a predetermined position. ), The power supply to the motor M is cut off, and the uppermost sheet of the sheet and the sheet feed roller 410 come into contact with a predetermined pressure.

The second detecting means is provided with the first detecting means K
An actuator that is pushed by the top sheet of the ascending stacked paper is provided in the vicinity of the paper feed roller 410 at a fixed position, for example. Based on the received information, the power supply to the motor M may be turned off.

At this time, the position of the paper placing plate 405 is
It is maintained through mechanical engagement between a clutch member 467 and a coupling member 469 provided between the motor M and the rotating shaft 460.

When the above preparatory steps are completed, a display enabling image formation and a display of the remaining amount of paper are displayed on the operation panel.

When image forming conditions such as an image size and an image density are selected and image formation is started, the above-described processing is repeated as many times as necessary.

During this time, when the number of sheets decreases in accordance with the number of image forming processes, the power supply to the motor M is appropriately controlled, and the topmost sheet on the sheet mounting plate 405 is controlled to always maintain the same position.

At the same time, the first detecting means K is
When the upper identification area, in other words, the slit 720 is detected, the number is calculated by the control unit, and the display of the remaining amount of paper by the display means is changed each time.

In the above embodiment, the discrimination area is provided in the arc-shaped portion 710. Instead, a small hole or slit is provided on the flat portion 705 and concentrically from the center of the rotation shaft 460. It can also be.

However, in this case, assuming that other structures are almost the same, it is necessary to take measures so that the plane portion of the operation plate does not interfere with the light emitting element or the light receiving element.

In the embodiment, the operation plate is provided integrally with the sheet feeding tray. However, the operation plate may be prepared on the apparatus side.

It should be noted that all control of the image forming apparatus in the embodiment is performed by a computer (CPU) which is a main element constituting a control unit.

[0115]

As described above, the present invention has a simple configuration in which the remaining amount of paper is detected by one detecting means and an operation plate having a plurality of identification areas. In addition, for example, a large number of slits serving as identification areas are provided. Therefore, more accurate information can be provided as compared with the remaining paper display of the conventional apparatus.

Further, by inserting and moving the sheet feeding tray, it is possible to align the detection means with the portion having the identification area of the operation plate, so that the handleability is good.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining an engagement portion between a rotation shaft and a driving source, and a relationship between an operation plate and a detection unit.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a configuration of an operation plate.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the positions of the operation plate, the operation plate, and the sheet placement plate when the sheet supply tray is set and when the sheets are completely consumed in the image formation.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the remaining amount of paper displayed on a display unit in an operation unit panel with oblique lines.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image forming apparatus 10 image reading unit 20 laser writing unit 30 image forming unit 40 paper feeding unit 50 paper reversing unit 70 operating plate 400 storage container (paper feeding tray) 405 paper mounting plate 410 paper feeding roller 450 operating plate 460 rotating shaft 705 Plane part 710 Arc-shaped part 720 Identification area (slit) 725,730 Wall K Detecting means K1 Light emitting element K2 Light receiving element

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yuji Tamura 2970, Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation (72) Inventor Kunihiro Kawachi 2970, Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation F-term (reference) 3F048 AA02 AA05 BA01 BC00 DC12 3F343 FA02 FB02 FB04 HA33 HC11 KB20 LA02 MA02 MA24 MB19 MC28

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. A sheet placement plate in a storage container is rotated in one direction at a pivot point according to the number of image forming processes, and the topmost sheet position of the stacked sheets on the sheet placement plate is set to a fixed position. In the image forming apparatus configured to hold the operation plate, the operation plate provided with the plurality of identification areas is rotated in one direction in relation to the rotation of the sheet placement plate, and the rotation of the operation plate The identification area that rotates
An image forming apparatus configured to detect by a detecting unit, and to use detection information from the first detecting unit as remaining paper amount information. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation plate has an arc-shaped portion provided with the identification area. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification area includes a plurality of slits. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first detecting means comprises an optical sensor. 5. The operating plate is made of a fan-shaped plate,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification area includes a plurality of holes or a plurality of slits provided on concentric circles. 6. A paper loading plate in a storage container is rotated in one direction at a pivot point according to the number of image forming processes, and the uppermost paper position of the stacked paper on the paper loading plate is set to a fixed position. An operation plate provided with a plurality of identification areas is integrally formed with a tray so as to be able to rotate in one direction in relation to the rotation of the sheet placement plate. And a first detection unit for detecting the identification area that rotates with the rotation of the operation plate is provided in a fixing unit of the apparatus main body, and the remaining amount of paper is determined based on detection information from the first detection unit. Display means for displaying is provided on the operation unit panel of the apparatus,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that: 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the operation plate has an arc-shaped portion provided with the identification area. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the identification area includes a plurality of slits. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first detecting means comprises an optical sensor. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the operation plate is formed of a fan-shaped plate, and the identification area is formed of a plurality of holes or a plurality of slits provided on concentric circles. 11. A paper loading plate in a storage container is rotated in one direction at a pivot point according to the number of image forming processes, and the uppermost paper position of the stacked paper on the paper loading plate is set to a fixed position. An operation plate fixed on a rotating shaft, at least one side of which extends outside the storage container so as to push up a free end side of the sheet mounting plate. A fan-shaped operating plate having a plurality of identification areas on concentric circles, the fan-shaped operation plate being fixed to a portion on the rotation axis and extending outside the storage container; and the rotation extending outside the storage container. A clutch member provided at an end portion on a shaft, and a drive source that supplies power in one direction to the rotating shaft through engagement with the clutch member, the drive source including: The position is moved in accordance with the rotation of the operating plate. First detection means for detecting another area, and second detection means for detecting the top sheet on the paper mounting plate and controlling the operation of the drive source are provided in the apparatus fixing portion. Image forming apparatus. 12. The actuating plate has a fan-shaped flat portion and an arc-shaped portion extending in a direction orthogonal to an upper portion of the flat portion, and the identification area is provided in the arc-shaped portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the identification area includes a plurality of slits. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said first detecting means comprises an optical sensor. 15. A detection unit used for confirming loading of the storage container is provided outside the storage container, and a third detection unit for detecting the detection unit is provided in a device fixing unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: 16. An image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein display means for displaying the remaining amount of paper based on the detection information from said first detection means is provided on an operation panel of the apparatus. . 17. A sheet mounting plate in a storage container is rotated in one direction at a pivot point according to the number of image forming processes, and the uppermost sheet position of the stacked sheets on the sheet mounting plate is set to a fixed position. An operation plate for detecting the remaining amount of paper that rotates in response to the rotation of the paper mounting plate is provided integrally with the storage container. Image forming apparatus. 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the operation plate has an arc-shaped portion provided with the identification area. 19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the identification area includes a plurality of slits. 20. A sheet placement plate in a storage container is rotated in one direction at a pivot point in accordance with the number of image forming processes, and the uppermost sheet position of the stacked sheets on the sheet placement plate is set to a fixed position. In the image forming apparatus configured to hold the operation plate, an operation plate that rotates in response to the rotation of the sheet mounting plate is provided integrally with the storage container, and a predetermined area provided in the operation plate is provided. A detecting means for detecting is provided on a fixed portion of the apparatus, and the loading of the storage container to a predetermined position in the apparatus is completed by a relative movement between the operating plate and the detecting means, An image forming apparatus configured to detect a remaining amount of paper. 21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the predetermined area is on a concentric circle and includes an identification area formed of a plurality of slits. 22. The operating plate has a fan-shaped flat portion and an arc-shaped portion extending in a direction orthogonal to an upper portion of the flat portion, and the identification area is provided in the arc-shaped portion. 21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, wherein: 23. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said detecting means comprises an optical sensor. 24. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, wherein display means for displaying the remaining amount of paper based on the detection information from said detection means is provided on an operation panel of the apparatus.