JP2002014556A - Image forming device, and material and method for displaying temperature used in it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To definitely inform a user of the change of a temperature state at the heat generating part of a device inside. SOLUTION: A temperature display material 32 to show that a part is at a specified temperature is provided at the peripheral cover 30 of a fixing part 5 which is the heat generating part. When the temperature exceeds the specified temperature and becomes higher, the display of 'caution for high temperature' is made by the temperature display material 32, and when it becomes equal to or lower than the specified temperature, the display of 'the caution for the high temperature' is not made. Thus, at the time of performing the various kinds of work such as removing the jammed paper of paper jamming caused in the inside by opening the housing cover of a facsimile device and the replenishing a developing unit with toner, the user is informed of the more accurate temperature state of the heat generating part of the device inside.

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 facsimile machine, a copying machine, a printer, etc., in which a heater is provided in a fixing section in an electrophotographic system or the like, and a temperature display material and a temperature display method used therefor It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional image forming apparatus of this type, a facsimile apparatus as an example thereof is configured as shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the facsimile apparatus.
Reference numeral denotes a document reading unit disposed at the upper part of the apparatus main body, and reference numeral 2 denotes a recording unit for forming an electrophotographic image at the lower part of the apparatus main body.

In the original reading section 1, a plurality of originals D set on an original table 8 are sent by a pickup roller 9 to an original separating / conveying means comprising a feed roller 10 and a reverse roller 11. The document D is separated and conveyed one by one by the feed roller 10 and the reverse roller 11, and further conveyed to the document reading sensor 13 by the conveying roller pair 12, and the document information is read at a predetermined reading position. The document D that has passed through the document reading sensor 13 is discharged to a document stack tray 16 by a pair of conveying rollers 14 and a pair of discharge rollers 15.

As an outline of the recording section 2, at the time of image formation,
The recording paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 17 is picked up by the paper feed roller 18 by the paper feed transport unit 3, and is separated and transported one by one to the registration roller 20 by the paper transport roller pair 19.

Further, in the image forming section 4, the photosensitive member 21
Is used as the main component, and a charging charger, a developing device, a transfer roller, and a photoreceptor cleaning device are arranged around the photoreceptor 21. Further, the photoreceptor 21 is exposed to laser light L emitted by receiving image data by the laser optical system 22.

The resist roller 20 conveys the recording paper P to the nip portion N between the photosensitive member and the transfer roller, which is visualized by toner adhesion in the developing device after being exposed by the laser beam L, with a timing. . The transfer roller transfers the toner image on the surface of the photoconductor 21 to the recording paper P.

Next, the fixing unit 5 sends the recording paper P to a fixing means comprising a pressure fixing roller 23 and a heat fixing roller 24, and after the fixing means fixes the toner image to the recording paper P, the recording paper P is fixed. Is discharged to the recording paper stack unit 7 through the paper discharge unit 6 having the paper discharge roller pair 25.

The above-described series of operations in the document reading unit 1 and the recording unit 2 and the control of facsimile transmission and reception are performed by an electric control system of a main board 26 on which electric components such as an integrated circuit and a battery are mounted.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a fixing section used in a facsimile apparatus. As shown in FIG. 12, a heater 27 is provided in the heat fixing roller 24, and the surface of the heat fixing roller 24 is heated by the heat generated by the heater 27. Further, the pressure fixing roller 23 is pressed against the heat fixing roller 24 from the opposite position, and the toner is fixed on the recording paper P by heat and pressure. Although the recording paper P is conveyed upward from the bottom in FIG. 12, a separation claw 28 is provided so that the leading end of the recording paper P does not wind around the heat fixing roller 24. The recording paper P is conveyed to the paper discharge unit 6 shown in FIG.

In the configuration of the main body of the facsimile apparatus which operates as described above, when the document is conveyed by a pair of conveying rollers provided at various places for conveying the original D and the recording paper P in the image reading section 1 and the recording section 2, Then, a paper jam (paper jam) of the document D or the recording paper P occurs due to a slight shift or the like in each processing unit.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration when the housing cover of the facsimile apparatus is opened when a paper jam (paper jam) is removed. In FIG. 13, when the recording paper P is jammed, the method of removing the recording paper P varies depending on the configuration of the apparatus and the location where the recording paper P has occurred. As an example, the original reading unit 1 + the fixing unit 5 + the paper discharging unit 6 and the paper feeding / conveying unit 3 + the image forming unit The case where the recording paper P is removed by dividing the unit 4 is shown.

Here, the user pulls out the recording paper P protruding from the lower side of the fixing unit 5 in the direction of arrow A. At this time, the user touches the peripheral cover 30 of the fixing unit (see FIG. 12). There is a possibility that it will. In particular, the temperature of the heat fixing roller 24 in the fixing unit 5 becomes 150 ° C. or more during operation.
Peripheral cover 30 may reach 100 ° C. or higher and is dangerous if touched by a user. Therefore, normally, “high temperature caution” or the like is written on peripheral cover 30 or in the vicinity thereof. A label 31 is attached (see FIG. 14).

[0013]

However, such a display using a label affixed to the fixing unit is a display as it is even when the fixing unit is touched and the temperature is lowered to a safe temperature. There has been a problem that the user has an extra feeling of anxiety.

The present invention is directed to solving the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and accurately notifies a user of a change in a temperature state in a heat-generating portion without causing the user to feel uneasy. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus which can be used safely and a temperature display material and a temperature display method used therefor.

[0015]

In order to achieve this object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention and a temperature display material and a temperature display method for use in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, With a configuration in which a temperature display material indicating the current temperature of the heat generating portion of the component member is provided at a position visible to the user, it is possible to notify the current temperature of the heat generating portion in the image forming apparatus.

In the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, a temperature display material indicating that a heat-generating portion installed in the apparatus main body has a predetermined specific temperature and a display of the temperature display material are detected. And a state display unit for displaying the temperature state to the outside based on the detection result of the detection unit, the temperature state of the heat generating portion of the image forming apparatus can be notified to the outside.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the heat generating portion provided by the status display means is provided on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus for notifying the status display of the specific temperature. Notification is provided by a lamp, a display unit for displaying a message on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus, an audio output unit provided on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus, and a lamp provided near a handle for opening and closing a housing cover of the image forming apparatus. According to the configuration, the temperature state of the heat generating portion can be notified without opening the housing cover of the image forming apparatus.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, a temperature display material indicating that a heat-generating portion installed in the apparatus main body has a predetermined specific temperature and a display of the temperature display material are detected. Detecting means, a state displaying means for displaying a state based on the detection result of the detecting means, and a restricting means for restricting opening and closing of the housing cover, wherein the restricting means is provided when the heat-generating portion is at a predetermined temperature or higher. With this configuration, the opening and closing of the housing cover is regulated, whereby the operation inside the apparatus can be performed safely by regulating the opening and closing of the device cover according to the temperature state of the heat generating portion of the image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claims 8 to 10 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the temperature display material is provided in a heat fixing unit used in an electrophotographic system.
With the provision of the peripheral cover covering the heat-generating portion and the configuration provided on the entire area of the peripheral cover covering the heat-generating portion, it is possible to notify the temperature of the portion of the image forming apparatus that may directly touch the heat-generating portion.

According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the temperature display material changes according to a temperature change with a predetermined specific temperature as a boundary,
In addition, it is a reversible change to return to the original, display of display information is displayed at high temperature above a specific temperature, non-display at low temperature below the specific temperature, display of display information is displayed at low temperature below a specific temperature. Notifying the temperature state at which the heat-generating portion has changed, by not displaying when the temperature is higher than the specific temperature, and by displaying a plurality of types of display information that change according to different specific temperatures and displaying the temperature change stepwise. can do.

The invention according to claim 15 is the first invention.
In the image forming apparatus described above, by setting the predetermined specific temperature represented by the temperature display material in the range of 35 ° C. to 60 ° C., the operation inside the apparatus can be performed safely.

The temperature display material of the invention according to claim 16 is a temperature display material used for an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine, a copying machine, a printer, etc., which is located at a position visible to a user of the image forming apparatus. It is characterized by comprising a temperature indicating material indicating that the current temperature in the heat generating portion of the member is a predetermined specific temperature.

The invention according to claims 17 and 18 is a temperature display material according to claim 16, wherein the temperature indicating material is formed on a label attached to a visible position or is applied to a visible position. With this configuration, it is possible to easily notify the temperature of the heat generating portion inside the apparatus by displaying the fact that the temperature has reached a predetermined specific temperature.

The invention according to claim 19 to claim 20 is the temperature display material according to claim 16, wherein the display at the specific temperature by the temperature indicating material is performed by characters, pictograms, numbers, and colors. In a region where is indicated by a large and highly visible color, it is possible to improve the recognizability of the temperature state of the heat generating portion.

A temperature display method according to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention is a temperature display method for an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine, a copying machine, a printer, etc. Indicates that the temperature is a predetermined specific temperature, the display state of the temperature display material is detected by the detection means, and the temperature state based on the detection result is externally displayed by the state display means, and the heat generating portion is at the specific temperature. By a method of notifying the user of the fact, the temperature state of the heat generating portion in the image forming apparatus can be known from outside.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the temperature display method according to the twenty-first aspect, the heat-generating portion of the image forming apparatus is determined based on a detection result of a state display at a predetermined specific temperature by the state display means. By a lamp provided on the operation panel, a display unit for displaying a message of the operation panel, and a sound output unit provided on the operation panel,
Alternatively, the temperature state of the heat-generating portion can be known without opening the housing cover by a notification method by lighting a lamp provided near the handle for opening and closing the housing cover of the image forming apparatus.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, a facsimile apparatus is taken as an example of the image forming apparatus as in the conventional example.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and a paper jam (paper jam).
It is sectional drawing at the time of removal. Further, FIG. 1 has substantially the same configuration as FIG. 13 showing the conventional example, and therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 1, 1 is a document reading unit, 3 is a paper feed unit, 4 is an image forming unit,
Reference numeral 5 denotes a fixing unit, 6 denotes a paper discharge unit, 30 denotes a peripheral cover, and 32 denotes a temperature display material.

A label 31 shown in FIG. 14 of the conventional example shown in FIG.
Instead, a temperature display material 32 indicating that the portion has a specific temperature is provided. When the temperature is higher than the specific temperature, the temperature indicating material 32 displays, for example, “high temperature caution” as in the related art (see FIG. 2A). Note"
Is hidden (see FIG. 2B). This allows the user to open the housing cover of the facsimile apparatus more accurately when performing various operations such as removing jammed paper inside the apparatus and replenishing toner in the developing device. The temperature state can be notified.

As another display by the temperature display material 32,
In addition to the display as described above as shown in FIG. 3 (a), when the temperature is lower than the specific temperature, a display indicating that it is safe to touch the heat-generating portion is displayed. The display is an emergency (see FIG. 3B).
Alternatively, the display contents at the time of high temperature and the display at the time of low temperature are different from each other, so that they are displayed at each temperature. (See FIG. 3 (c)), and the state temperature at that time is changed at a plurality of specific temperatures so as to be displayed stepwise by colors and numbers (FIG. 3).
(D)). Further, a universal and easy-to-understand display such as a pictogram (FIG. 3E) may be displayed to notify the user of the current temperature inside the apparatus.

Further, in order to simply notify the state of the portion having the specific temperature, the entirety of the peripheral cover 30 which covers the heat-generating portion having a high temperature may be changed, and the display at this time may be red or yellow. When the temperature of the heat-generating portion is low and the user is in a safe state temperature by touching the color as a conspicuous color with high visibility, the color becomes a complementary color to the color displayed at the high temperature such as green or blue. Color. In this case, it is necessary to add a description about the situation corresponding to the above-mentioned temperature change. Furthermore, the specific temperature of the temperature state represented by the temperature display material 32 is set to 35 ° C.
By setting the temperature to 60 ° C., it is possible to safely perform a user's work inside the device based on the temperature state represented by the temperature display material 32.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Further, FIG. 4 in the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of FIG. 11 of the conventional example, and therefore, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. In FIG. 4, 3
Reference numeral 2 denotes a temperature display material, reference numeral 33 denotes a housing cover, and reference numeral 34 denotes a window made of a transparent member (for example, acrylic resin or the like) that allows the inside of the apparatus to be viewed. As in the first embodiment, a temperature display material 32 is provided on a peripheral cover of a fixing unit, which is a heat-generating portion, and a window 34 provided in a housing cover 33 to indicate that a specific temperature has been reached.
Therefore, the configuration is such that visual confirmation can be made from outside the apparatus.

Thus, even when the user performs a job such as removing the jammed paper jam generated inside the apparatus or replenishing / exchanging the developing device toner of the image forming section 4, the heat generation portion inside the apparatus is previously determined. Temperature conditions can be grasped, and each processing operation can be performed safely.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG.
1, 1 is a document reading section, 3 is a paper feed section, 4 is an image forming section, 5 is a fixing section, 26a is a control section, 26b is a memory, 2
6c is a communication control unit, 32 is a temperature display material, 35 is a detecting means, 36 is an operation panel, and 36a is a display unit. Also,
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the detecting means provided in the facsimile apparatus, and 35a is a sensor.

As shown in FIG. 6, a temperature indicating material 3 provided at the fixing portion 5 which is a heat-generating portion, which indicates a specific temperature.
As the changed state of 2, for example, the state changed to black is detected by the sensor 35a as the detecting means. As this detection means, a photo sensor or the like can be considered. In order to efficiently detect a change in the temperature display material 32, the temperature display material 32 is used.
Are arranged so that the light from the sensor 35a irradiates in a direction perpendicular to. In consideration of the operation compensation of the sensor 35a in a high temperature state, one end of a member such as a heat pipe having good thermal conductivity is attached to the fixing unit 5 and the other end is disposed at a position spaced from the fixing unit 5 so that the temperature is reduced. Display material 32 and sensor 3
5a may be provided.

Based on the detection result of the detection means 35 (sensor 35a), the fact that the fixing section 5 is high in the display section 36a of the operation panel 36 is indicated on the liquid crystal display provided in the display section 36a, for example, as follows. For this reason, a message such as "Prohibition of opening of cover", "There is a hot part and care must be taken", or a display such as turning on or blinking a lamp such as an LED, and a notification by a sound or a warning sound by a sound output means are performed. To

In addition, the display is performed at the same time as notifying the user of various work requests such as the occurrence of paper jam or the replenishment of developing device toner, which may require the user to open the housing cover. . As another display method for notifying the user, a lamp such as an LED provided near the open / close knob of the operation panel 36 or the housing cover 33 may be turned on.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view showing a facsimile apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, wherein 1 is a document reading section, 2 is a recording section, 5 is a fixing section, 7 is a recording paper stack section,
Reference numeral 30 denotes a peripheral cover, and reference numeral 37 denotes a claw portion that locks the openable document reading unit 1 and the recording unit 2 when each is closed.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a portion of an opening / closing knob in a side view of the facsimile apparatus. In FIG.
1 is a document reading section, 2 is a recording section, 37 is a claw section, 37a is a lock pin that engages with the claw section 37 to lock the document reading section 1 and the recording section 2, and 38 is a claw section 37 and a lock pin 37a. An opening / closing knob 38a for unlocking the lock, 38a is a fulcrum that pivotally supports the opening / closing knob 38, and 38b is an LED provided in the vicinity of a housing cover for notifying that a heat generating portion in the apparatus is hot.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the restricting means according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 9 (a) shows the open / close knob in an unrestricted state, FIG. 9 (b) shows the restricted state, and FIG. 9 (c). FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a regulating unit. 9 is an example of the opening / closing knob of the housing cover 33 of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIGS.

In FIG. 9, 33 is a housing cover, 37 '
Is a claw portion, 37b is a lock portion on the apparatus main body side, 38 is an opening / closing knob, 38c is a shaft, 39 is a stopper, 39a is a fulcrum, 39
b is a spring, 40 is a solenoid, and 40a is a plunger.

As shown in FIG. 9 (a), the locking state of the claw portion 37 'and the lock portion 37b is turned by turning the opening / closing knob 38 provided on the same shaft 38c in the direction of arrow B about the shaft 38c as a support shaft. By moving the housing cover 33, the locking is released and the housing cover 33 can be opened and closed. In order to restrict the rotation of the opening / closing knob 38, the stopper 3 which engages with the tip of the claw 37 '
9 is provided to constitute the regulating means.

The stopper 39 is urged in the direction of the arrow C by a spring 39b about a fulcrum 39a, and in the reverse direction against the urging force of the spring 39b by a solenoid 40 via a plunger 40a during regulation. Move to As a result, one end of the stopper 39 and the tip of the claw 37 'are engaged with each other.
The opening / closing operation by the opening / closing knob 38 can be restricted as shown in FIG.

The on / off operation of the solenoid 40 is
By performing the change based on the detection result of detecting the change of the temperature display material to the specific temperature, the opening and closing of the housing cover when the heat generating portion in the apparatus is at a high temperature is regulated. As described above, by restricting the opening and closing of the housing cover until the temperature becomes low, various internal operations by the user can be performed safely, and the operation of the cooling fan and the like during the normal internal operation of the device. Is stopped, it is possible to prevent the internal temperature from temporarily increasing when the housing cover is opened, and it is possible to cool the heat-generating portion to a specific temperature or lower by the cooling fan.

As described above, when the housing cover 33 can be opened as shown in FIG. 6, the temperature of the fixing unit 5 is lowered, and the user can perform a safe operation.

Here, the temperature indicating material described in each of the above embodiments will be described. As the temperature indicating material, it is only necessary to indicate the temperature change of the heat generating portion in the device, and therefore, a material using a shape memory alloy or the like that is deformed by the temperature change can be used. However, it is determined that the use of a temperature indicating material is preferable in the case of using a shape memory alloy because the cost is high.

The temperature indicating material refers to a surface of the object to be measured which has a label coated with a substance which causes a clear change in appearance at a specific temperature, or the above-mentioned substance is applied, and the discolored state is observed. Means a temperature measuring material for achieving the purpose of temperature measurement. There are irreversible thermometers that have a characteristic that the color changes sharply when a certain temperature is reached and does not return to the original color even when the temperature drops, and a reversible type that returns to the original color when the temperature drops further Although there is a temperature indicating material or a quasi-irreversible type temperature indicating material, a reversible type temperature indicating material is used because the purpose is to notify a temperature change of a heat generating portion where the temperature changes from a high temperature to a low temperature.

For example, a thermometer (a product name: manufactured by NOF Giken Kogyo Co., Ltd.) having a measurement temperature range of 40 to 250 ° C. is used as a thermometer which is used by sticking. There is a thermo paint (trade name) having a measurement temperature range of 50 to 110 ° C. Further, a thermo crayon (trade name) having a measurement temperature range of 40 to 1010 ° C. is used as a temperature indicating material used by drawing. .

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the construction of a thermolabel (trade name) which is an inverse temperature indicating material. Reference numeral 41 denotes a temperature indicating element made of a fusible pigment 42 which changes color with temperature.
43 and 44 are polyester films, 45 and 46 are adhesives, 47 is white invariable color ink, and 48 is release paper.

The temperature change in the apparatus can be notified with a simple configuration by attaching the above-mentioned thermo-label to the heat-generating portion in the apparatus or applying thermo-paint or thermo-crayon and detecting the change. An image forming apparatus capable of safer operation can be obtained by control based on the result.

[0051]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the temperature display material used for the image forming apparatus, and the temperature display method according to the first aspect of the present invention, the present temperature at the heat generating portion is represented. By providing the temperature display material, it is possible to notify the current temperature of the heat generating portion in the image forming apparatus.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a temperature display member indicating that the heat-generating portion has a predetermined specific temperature, a detecting means for detecting display of the temperature display material, With the provision of the status display means for displaying the temperature status to the outside based on the detection result of the means, the status display means can notify the outside of the status display in which the heat-generating portion is at the specific temperature.

Further, claim 2 described in claims 3 to 6
According to the image forming apparatus, a display in which a heat-generating portion is in a state of a predetermined specific temperature by the state display unit is provided on a lamp provided on the display unit of the operation panel, a message on the display unit, or on the operation panel. With the configuration of notifying the sound by the sound output means provided or the lamp provided near the handle for opening and closing the housing cover, the temperature state of the heat generating portion can be notified without opening the housing cover of the image forming apparatus. it can.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a temperature display material indicating that the heat-generating portion has a predetermined specific temperature, a detecting means for detecting display of the temperature display material, A state display means for displaying a state based on a detection result of the means, and a regulating means for regulating the opening and closing of the casing cover, whereby the casing is controlled by the regulating means when the heat-generating portion is at or above a predetermined specific temperature. By regulating the opening and closing of the cover, the operation inside the apparatus can be performed safely.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the temperature display material is provided in the heat fixing section used in the electrophotographic system, or the peripheral cover covers the heat generating portion. Further, with the configuration provided in the entire area of the peripheral cover, it is possible to notify the temperature of a portion of the image forming apparatus which may be directly touched by a heat generating portion.

According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the temperature display material changes in response to a temperature change with a predetermined specific temperature as a boundary, and the temperature display material changes based on the predetermined temperature. Returning to a reversible change, that the display of the display information is displayed when the temperature is higher than the specific temperature, and that the display is not displayed when the temperature is lower than the specific temperature, the display of the display information is displayed when the temperature is lower than the specific temperature, By not displaying when the temperature is higher than the temperature, by displaying a plurality of types of display information changing according to different specific temperatures and displaying the temperature change stepwise, it is possible to notify the changed temperature state of the heating part. it can.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the predetermined specific temperature represented by the temperature display material is set in the range of 35 ° C. to 60 ° C. so that the user's device can be used. Internal operations can be performed safely.

According to the temperature display material of the present invention, it is indicated that the current temperature of the heat-generating portion of the component at a position visible to the user of the image forming apparatus is a predetermined specific temperature. It is made of a temperature indicating material and can notify the temperature state of the heat generating portion with a simple configuration.

According to the temperature indicating material of the present invention, the temperature indicating material is formed on a label to be attached to a visible position or is applied to a visible position. Thus, the temperature of the heat generating portion inside the apparatus can be easily notified by displaying that the temperature has reached the predetermined specific temperature.

According to the temperature display material of the present invention, the display of the specific temperature by the temperature indicating material is performed by using characters, pictograms, numerals, and colors, With a configuration in which a large area is displayed in a high-visibility color in a high-temperature area, the recognizability of the temperature state of the heat generating portion can be improved.

According to the temperature display method of the present invention, if it is indicated that the temperature display material provided at the heat generating portion in the apparatus main body has a predetermined specific temperature, the temperature display material is displayed. The state is detected by the detection unit, the temperature state based on the detection result is displayed externally by the state display unit, and the user is notified that the heat-generating portion is at a specific temperature. The temperature state can be known from outside.

Further, claim 2 of claim 22 to claim 25
According to the first temperature display method, a lamp provided on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus or a lamp of the operation panel based on the detection result of the state display in which the heat generating portion is in a state of a predetermined specific temperature by the state display means. The temperature state of the heat-generating portion can be controlled by a display unit that displays a message, by a sound output unit provided on an operation panel, or by a notification method provided by a lamp provided near a handle that opens and closes a housing cover of the image forming apparatus. This has the effect of being able to know without opening the housing cover.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention when a paper jam (paper jam) is removed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a temperature display at a high temperature and at a low temperature of the temperature display material according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of a temperature display material according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of detection means provided in a facsimile apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view showing a facsimile apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a part of an opening / closing knob in a side view of a facsimile apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are side views showing a schematic configuration of the restricting means according to the fourth embodiment, in which FIG.
Is a regulated state, and (c) is a partial perspective view of the regulating means.

FIG. 10 is a thermoreversible thermometer (trade name)
Sectional view showing a configuration example of

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional facsimile machine.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a fixing unit used in a conventional facsimile machine.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration when a housing cover of a facsimile apparatus is opened when a conventional paper jam (paper jam) is removed.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of display using a conventional label.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 document reading section 2 recording section 3 paper feed section 4 image forming section 5 fixing section 6 paper discharge section 7 recording paper stack section 30 peripheral cover 31 label 32 temperature display material 32a display character example 33 housing cover 34 window 35 detecting means 35a sensor 37 claw 37a lock pin 38 opening / closing knob 38a fulcrum 38b LED 38c shaft 39 stopper 39b spring 40 solenoid 40a plunger 41 temperature indicating element

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03G 21/00 510 G03G 15/00 554 F-term (Reference) 2F056 VA02 VA05 2H027 DA11 DA12 DA26 DE01 GA44 GA45 GA47 GA59 GB01 GB05 JA11 JC08 ZA03 2H033 AA42 BA31 BA32 BA39 CA04 CA06 CA07 CA58 CA59 2H071 AA02 AA42 AA48 BA14 BA37

Claims (25)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a temperature display material indicating a current temperature in a heat generating portion of a component member at a position visible to a user of the apparatus main body. 2. A temperature display material for indicating that a heat-generating portion installed in an apparatus main body has a predetermined specific temperature, detection means for detecting a display state of the temperature display material, and detection by the detection means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a state display unit that externally displays a temperature state based on a result. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the status display means is a lamp provided on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus for notifying a status display at a specific temperature. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the status display unit is a display unit that displays a message on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus that notifies a status display at a specific temperature. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the status display means is an audio output means provided on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus for notifying a status display at a specific temperature. 6. An image according to claim 2, wherein said status display means is a lamp provided near a handle for opening and closing a housing cover of the image forming apparatus for notifying a status display at a specific temperature. Forming equipment. 7. A temperature display material indicating that a heat-generating portion installed in the apparatus main body has a predetermined specific temperature, detection means for detecting a display state of the temperature display material, and detection by the detection means. A state display unit that externally displays a temperature state based on the result, and a regulating unit that regulates opening and closing of the housing cover, wherein when the heat-generating part is equal to or higher than a predetermined specific temperature, the regulating unit closes the housing cover. An image forming apparatus that regulates opening and closing. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said temperature indicating material is provided in a heat fixing section used in an electrophotographic system.
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the temperature display material is provided on a peripheral cover that covers a heat generating portion provided in the apparatus main body. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the temperature display material is provided on an entire area of a peripheral cover that covers a heat generating part installed in the apparatus main body. 11. The temperature display material according to claim 1, wherein the temperature display material is a reversible change that changes in response to a temperature change at a predetermined specific temperature as a boundary and returns to the original temperature. Item 10. The image forming apparatus according to item 1. 12. The temperature display material according to claim 1, wherein the display of the display information is displayed when the display of the display information is higher than a specific temperature and is not displayed when the temperature is lower than the specific temperature. Item 10. The image forming apparatus according to item 1. 13. The temperature display material according to claim 1, wherein the display information is displayed when the display of the display information is a low temperature below a specific temperature, and is not displayed when the display information is a high temperature above the specific temperature. Item 10. The image forming apparatus according to item 1. 14. The temperature display material according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of types of temperature display materials are provided, the display of which display information changes according to different specific temperatures, and the temperature change is displayed in a stepwise manner.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined specific temperature represented by the temperature indicating material is in a range of 35 ° C. to 60 ° C. 16. A temperature display material used in an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine, a copying machine, a printer, etc., wherein a current temperature of a heat-generating portion of a constituent member is predetermined at a position visible to a user of the apparatus main body. A temperature indicating material comprising a temperature indicating material indicating a specific temperature. 17. The temperature display material according to claim 16, wherein the temperature display material is formed on a label attached to a position that can be visually checked, and displays that a predetermined specific temperature has been reached. 18. The temperature indicating material according to claim 16, wherein the temperature indicating material is formed by applying the temperature indicating material at a position where the temperature indicating the temperature can be visually checked, and displaying that a predetermined specific temperature has been reached. 19. The temperature display material according to claim 16, wherein the display of the specific temperature by the temperature display material is performed by characters, pictograms, numbers, and colors. 20. The temperature display material according to claim 19, wherein the display at the specific temperature by the temperature indicating material is displayed in a large and high-visibility color in a region where the temperature is high in the heat generating portion. . 21. A temperature display method in an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine, a copying machine, a printer, or the like, wherein a temperature display material provided in a heat generating portion in the apparatus main body has a predetermined specific temperature. Detecting the display state of the temperature display material by a detection means, displaying the temperature state based on the detection result to the outside by the state display means, and notifying the user that the heat generating portion is at the specific temperature. A temperature display method, characterized in that: 22. The detection result is notified by a lamp provided on an operation panel of an image forming apparatus, based on a detection result of a state display in which a heat-generating portion is a predetermined specific temperature by the state display means. Claim 21
The described temperature display method. 23. A display unit for displaying a message on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus, based on a detection result of a status display in which a heat-generating portion is a predetermined specific temperature by the status display means, and notifies the detection result. 22. The temperature display method according to claim 21, wherein: 24. A sound output unit provided on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus notifies the detection result based on a detection result of a state display in which a heat-generating portion has a predetermined specific temperature by the state display unit. 22. The temperature display method according to claim 21, wherein: 25. A detection device comprising: a lamp provided near a handle for opening and closing a housing cover of an image forming apparatus, based on a detection result of a status display in which a heat-generating portion is at a predetermined specific temperature by the status display means. The temperature display method according to claim 21, wherein a result is notified.