JP2003002468A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problems on a conventional device that it requires much labor because an operation panel should be used for selecting and inputting continuous forms and setting a processing mode for the continuous forms in image forming processing for the continuous forms and that it is malfunctioned to possibly cause a paper jam when there is a failure in selecting and inputting the continuous forms in image forming processing for the continuous forms. SOLUTION: This image forming device in which blank forms and the continuous forms can be selectively fed and a processing mode for the continuous forms is set in the image forming processing for the continuous forms comprises a sensor 23 for detecting the feed of the continuous forms. When the sensor 23 detects the feed of the continuous forms the processing mode for the continuous forms is automatically set.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is capable of selectively feeding regular paper and long paper, and sets a long paper processing mode when performing image forming processing on the long paper. The present invention relates to improvement of an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, there are increasing numbers of home copying machines and the like capable of selectively feeding fixed-size paper and long paper. Generally, in this type of image forming apparatus, when performing image forming processing on a long sheet, a processing mode for the long sheet (hereinafter,
(Sometimes referred to as long paper mode) is set, and it operates based on this. Conventionally, when the user selects and inputs long paper on the operation panel, the long paper mode is set. It was.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, it is complicated because the long sheet must be selected and input on the operation panel when the image forming process is performed on the long sheet. Further, if the user forgets to input the selection of the long sheet when performing the image forming process on the long sheet, the apparatus may malfunction to cause a paper jam. In this case, it takes a great deal of time to remove the long sheet from the transport path and return it to the initial state, and therefore improvement has been desired. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that solves the above problems.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first aspect of the present invention is capable of selectively feeding a standard size paper and a long paper and performing an image forming process on the long paper. In this case, the processing mode of the long paper is set, and the image forming apparatus is provided with detection means for detecting the paper feed of the long paper, and when the detection means detects the paper feed of the long paper, it is automatically operated. It is characterized in that the processing mode of the long paper is set.

A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, a long sheet unit that accommodates a long sheet wound in a roll shape in the length direction so as to be unwound can be mounted. There is.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the long paper unit stores roll-shaped long paper rotatably around an axis and unwinds the long paper to the outside. It is characterized in that it is provided with a casing having an outlet and a door that opens and closes the outlet, and the detection means detects that the outlet is open.

Further, a fourth invention is characterized in that, in the second invention, the detecting means detects a long sheet fed from the long sheet unit to a sheet feeding section.

In a fifth aspect of the invention, in the first to fourth aspects of the invention, when the detecting means detects the feeding of a long sheet, the operation input section cannot set the processing mode of the regular sheet. It is characterized by having done.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are external perspective views of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of an essential part of the image forming apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIG. FIG.

The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is a copying machine, and in FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of the image forming apparatus, which has a contact glass 2 on which a copy original is placed. 3 is an automatic document feeder (ADF), the rear end of which is rotatably attached to the image forming apparatus main body 1 via hinge mechanisms 4 and 4, and is separated from the contact glass 2 as shown in FIG. You can stand still.

The automatic document feeder 3 is provided with a feeding section 90, and 91 is a document table on which a copy document is placed, and 92 is a guide which regulates the copy document in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. ADF contact glass 93 is provided on the side of the contact glass 2.

Then, the AD is placed on the bottom surface of the automatic document feeder 3.
A slit 94 is provided at a position corresponding to the F contact glass 93, and the document is read by an exposure optical system (not shown) when the document passes through the slit 94. A document mat 95 is provided on the side of the slit 94 at a position corresponding to the contact glass 2. Reference numeral 5 is an operation panel for inputting copy information and the like.

A front cover 6 has a hinge mechanism 7 on the lower end side.
It is rotatably attached to the image forming apparatus main body 1 via 7, and when it is opened to the front side, it is held in a state of protruding substantially horizontally toward the front. Reference numeral 8 is a toner cartridge, and 9 is a toner recovery tank.

Below the front cover 6, two upper and lower paper feed cassettes 10 and 11 are provided. These are for automatically feeding standard size paper cut into a predetermined size,
It is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 1 so as to be able to move in and out in the front-back direction. Further, above the front cover 6, there is provided a copy storage section 13 for storing the copy material discharged from the discharge section 12.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a manual paper feeding section, which is a manual paper feeding tray 15.
have. The manual feed tray 15 has a base end rotatably attached to the image forming apparatus main body 1 via a support shaft (not shown), and has a state in which the manual feed tray 15 projects substantially horizontally toward the side as shown in FIG. It is possible to stand up almost vertically and to be in close contact with the side surface of the image forming apparatus main body 1.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the long paper unit 16 can be removably attached to the manual paper feed section 14. The long paper unit 16 includes a long paper 17 wound in a roll shape in the length direction.
And a casing 18 having a drawer 18a for storing the long paper 17 rotatably around the axis and unwinding the long paper 17 to the outside, and a door 19 for opening and closing the drawer 18a. . The long paper 17 can be taken in and out of the casing 18 through an opening (not shown) provided on the bottom surface of the casing 18 or the like. The door 19 has a casing 18 with a hinge 20 at one end thereof.
It is rotatably attached to.

Two pairs of rollers 21, 21; 22, 22 are provided in the casing 18 in the vicinity of the outlet 18a. These are rotatably driven by a drive mechanism (not shown), and when they rotate, the roll-shaped portion of the long paper 17 rotates about the axis, and the long paper 17 comes to the casing 18. It is designed to be transported to the outside of. Further, a sensor 23 is provided near the outlet 18a,
When is opened, this sensor 23 detects it.

Further, the rollers 21, 21 and the rollers 22, 2
A cutter 24 for cutting the long paper 17 is provided between the two. The cutter 24 is configured such that a pair of blades, which are arranged to face each other so as to sandwich the conveyance path of the long paper 17, come into contact with and separate from each other to cut the long paper 17 in the width direction.

Driving mechanism for rollers 21 and 22, sensor 2
3, the cutter 24 is electrically connected to a connector (not shown) provided on the outer surface of the casing 18, and when the long paper unit 16 is attached to the manual paper feeding unit 14, this connector is inserted into the manual paper feeding unit 14 The drive mechanism, the sensor 23, and the cutter 24 are connected to a control circuit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body 1 by engaging with a socket (not shown) provided at.

A paper feed roller 26 is provided at the paper feed port 25 of the manual paper feed section 14, and a lift plate 27 and a separating mechanism 28 are provided below the paper feed roller 26. The lift plate 27 is rotated by a driving mechanism (not shown) with the left end portion of the drawing as a fulcrum,
It is adapted to come into contact with and separate from the outer peripheral portion of the paper feed roller 26. The separating mechanism 28 includes a friction pad 29 and a solenoid 3
0, and a link 31 or the like connecting them.

The friction pad 29 is made of a material having a high friction coefficient, one end of which is rotatably attached to the image forming apparatus main body 1 via a support shaft 32, and is in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the paper feed roller 26. It is designed to be separated. The friction pad 29 is urged in a direction of coming into contact with the paper feed roller 26 via a spring (not shown). A support portion 33 is provided at the other end of the friction pad 29, and one end of a link 31 is rotatably attached to the support portion 33 via a pin 34.

The solenoid 30 is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 1 with the movable iron core 30a facing upward, and the other end of the link 31 is rotatably attached to the movable iron core 30a via a pin 35. When the solenoid 30 is energized, the movable iron core 30a is pulled in and the link 31 rotates the friction pad 29 in the direction away from the paper feed roller 26.

Above the paper feed roller 26, the registration roller 3 is provided.
6, 37 are provided. These are arranged so as to face each other so as to sandwich the sheet conveyance path, and the roller 36 is rotationally driven by a drive mechanism (not shown). And
A registration switch 38 for detecting the passage of the sheet is provided below them, and the control circuit drives the registration roller 36 in response to a signal given from the registration switch 38.

An image forming section 39 is provided above the registration rollers 36 and 37. The image forming unit 39 includes a photoconductor drum 40 on which a toner image is formed, and a cleaning unit 4 arranged around the photoconductor drum 40 along the rotation direction.
1, a charger 42, a developing unit 43, a transfer roller 44, and the like.

A fixing unit 45 is provided above the image forming unit 39. The fixing unit 45 has a pair of rollers 46 and 47 which are arranged so as to face each other so as to sandwich the sheet conveyance path. The sheet is sandwiched between these rollers to apply pressure and heat, and the sheet is transferred onto the sheet. The toner image is melted and fixed on the paper.

The discharging section 12 is provided above the fixing section 45. The discharge unit 12 has a pair of discharge rollers 48 and 49 that are arranged so as to face each other so as to sandwich the sheet conveyance path. The discharge roller 4 discharges the sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 45.
It is sandwiched between 8 and 49 and discharged into the copy storage unit 13.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the long paper unit 16 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 1 and the outlet 18a is opened and the sensor 23 detects this, a long paper suitable for image forming processing on long paper. The standard paper mode is set automatically. Specifically, the contents of the long paper mode are as follows: a jam (double feeding of paper) using the registration switch 38 is not detected or the detection time is lengthened, the image memory is not divided, and the sorting mechanism 28 operates. It does not consist of three elements. These will be described in detail below.

First, will be described. The registration switch 38 is turned on when the leading end of the sheet in the transport direction reaches the registration switch 38, and when the trailing end of the sheet in the transport direction passes the registration switch 38, the registration switch 3
8 is turned off. The time from ON to OFF is determined by the size of the paper, and the control circuit determines that double feeding occurs when this time exceeds a predetermined time and stops the operation. Such a processing is possible because there is a gap between the sheets when the standard sheets are continuously conveyed.
Since the long sheet is continuous, the registration switch 38 remains ON unless it is cut, and if the determination is made in the same length of time as in the case of the standard sheet, a malfunction occurs. Therefore, in the long paper mode, do not perform such processing,
Alternatively, the detection time is lengthened to prevent malfunction.

Next, the following will be explained. When forming an image on a standard size sheet, the CPU of the control circuit temporarily expands the data read from the scanner into the bitmap memory. In this bitmap memory, the original data is developed by securing an area for each page, but in the long paper mode, the CPU eliminates the division of the area for each page and sets the entire memory as one area. I try to secure it.

Next, the following will be explained. Separation mechanism 2
8 is a friction pad 29 for pinching the overlapped paper with the paper feed roller 26, the conveyance of the paper in contact with the friction pad 29 is prevented by the action of the friction pad 29 having a high friction coefficient, and the overlapping is thereby carried out. It separates two sheets of paper. In the case of long paper, double feeding does not occur, so
In the long paper mode, the friction pad 29 is used as the paper feed roller 2.
It is designed to move away from 6.

In this embodiment, the long sheet unit 16 is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 1 and the outlet 18 is provided.
When a is opened and the sensor 23 detects this, even if the user selects and inputs the standard size sheet on the operation panel 5, the standard size sheet processing mode is not set.

Next, a case of actually copying will be described. First, the long paper unit 16 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 1, and the lid 19 is rotated in the opening direction to open the outlet 18.
Open a. As a result, the sensor 23 is turned on and the long paper mode is set. When the front end of the long paper 17 is inserted into the paper feed port 25, a long copy original is set on the original table 91 and the print button on the operation panel 5 is pressed,
The copy original is fed in the length direction, and the image of the original is read by the exposure optical system arranged below the ADF contact glass 93. Further, the lift plate 27 rotates upward to press the long paper 17 against the paper feed roller 26, and the paper feed roller 26 rotates to draw the leading end of the long paper 17 into the image forming apparatus main body 1. At this time, the friction pad 29 is separated from the paper feed roller 26.

The leading end of the long sheet 17 rises in the conveying path, passes through the registration switch 38, and passes through the registration rollers 3.
It stops between 6 and 37. In the image forming unit 39, the surface of the photoconductor drum 40 is charged by the charger 42, the photoconductor drum 40 rotates, and the reflected light of the image of the copy document read by the exposure optical system is reflected by the photoconductor drum 40. Is irradiated onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 40, and an electrostatic latent image of this image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40. Then, the developing unit 43 attaches toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum 40 to develop the electrostatic latent image.

When the long paper 17 is stopped and a predetermined time elapses, the registration rollers 36 and 37 are rotated to rotate the long paper 17.
Will rise again. The toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40 is transferred onto the long paper 17 when passing between the photosensitive drum 40 and the transfer roller 44. And long paper 17
Reaches the fixing unit 45, and is pressed and heated between the rollers 46 and 47, whereby the toner image is melted and fixed on the long paper 17. Then, the long paper 17 on which the image is formed reaches the discharge unit 12, and the discharge rollers 48 and 49.
Is discharged to the copy storage section 13.

The long paper 17 is cut in the width direction by the cutter 24 when it is conveyed by a predetermined length. After that, the rollers 21 and 22 are driven for a predetermined time, and the cut edge of the long sheet 17 projects from the outlet 18a. Then, a new copy original is set on the original placing table 91, the cutting edge of the long paper 17 is inserted into the paper feed port 25, and the print button is pressed.
7 is unwound, and the above-described operation is repeated to perform the next copy.

In this embodiment, when the long paper unit 16 is attached and the drawer 18a is opened, the long paper mode is automatically set. Since the paper mode is not set, the double feed detection system for the standard paper does not operate to cause a paper jam when copying a long paper, and a miscopy does not occur.

In this embodiment, the long paper unit 1 is also used.
Since 6 can be attached, it is not necessary to attach a long sheet each time copying is performed, and the labor of sheet feeding is reduced.
Further, since the long paper 17 is stored in the casing 18, the long paper 17 does not hang down on the floor surface.
Does not get scratched or dirty.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The parts corresponding to those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the duplicated description is omitted.

In the present embodiment, the sensor 23 is provided on the manual feed tray 15, and the sensor 23 emits the sensor light toward the long paper 17 supplied on the manual feed tray 15 and reflects the reflected light. The long paper 17 is detected by receiving the light. In such a configuration, when the long paper 17 is used up, the sensor 23 is turned off. Therefore, the user runs out of the long paper 17 by displaying the paper out on the display unit of the image forming apparatus main body 1. It's convenient because you can let them know.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By providing a detecting means for detecting the feeding of the long sheet and automatically setting the processing mode of the long sheet when the detecting means detects the feeding of the long sheet, Since it is not necessary to select and input the long sheet of paper by the operation input unit when performing the image forming process on the sheet of paper, the labor is reduced. Further, it is possible to prevent a paper jam due to an error in setting the processing mode for long paper.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the long paper unit that accommodates the long paper wound in the length direction in a roll shape so as to be able to be unwound can be mounted, an image is formed on the long paper. Since it is not necessary to set the long paper each time the processing is performed, the labor required for feeding the long paper is reduced. Further, since the long paper does not hang down on the floor surface, the long paper is not damaged or soiled.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, the detecting means detects the long sheet fed from the long sheet unit to the sheet feeding section, so that when the long sheet is exhausted. It is convenient because it can be displayed and notified to the user.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the detection means detects the feeding of the long sheet, the operation input unit cannot set the processing mode of the regular sheet, so that the long sheet can be set. It is possible to prevent the paper jam by mistakenly setting the processing mode of the standard paper when performing the image forming processing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part of another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Image forming device body 5 Operation panel (operation input section) 16 Long paper unit 17 long paper 18 casing 18a outlet 23 sensor (detection means)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme code (reference) G03G 15/00 514 G03G 15/00 514 3F343 21/00 378 21/00 378 (72) Inventor Shingo Mori Osaka 1-22 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Kyocera Mita Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takusaku Tanaka, 1-2-2 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Kyocera Mita Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C060 BA01 BC03 BC04 BC12 BC15 BC84 2C061 AS02 AS06 HJ03 HK06 HK07 HM05 HN20 LL04 2H027 DA26 DA28 DC03 DC19 ED17 FA05 FB13 2H072 AA12 AA23 BA03 BA13 CA01 DA06 JA02 3F052 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA01 HA03 HA01 HC12 KB03 KB07 KB08 KB20 MA02 MA10 MA13 MA18 MA19 MA26 MA36 MA55 MA60 MB02 MB19 MC26 MC27 MC30

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus capable of selectively feeding regular paper and long paper, and setting a processing mode for long paper when performing image forming processing on long paper. A detection means for detecting the feeding of the long paper, and when the detection means detects the feeding of the long paper, the processing mode of the long paper is automatically set. Image forming apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a long paper unit accommodating a long paper wound in a roll shape in a length direction so that the long paper can be unwound can be mounted. 3. The long paper unit stores a roll-shaped long paper rotatably around an axis and has a casing having an outlet for unwinding the long paper to the outside, and opens and closes the outlet. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a door that opens, and the detection unit detects that the outlet is open. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the detection unit detects a long sheet supplied from the long sheet unit to a sheet feeding unit. 5. When the detection unit detects the feeding of a long sheet, the operation input unit cannot set the processing mode of the fixed sheet.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1.