JP2003192188A - Paper jamming detection mechanism for image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately display a place where jamming of a sheetlike recording material P occurs by a simple configuration. <P>SOLUTION: When sheetlike recording materials P in conveyance passages A, B, C are detected by any of a plurality of recording material detection means S1, S2, etc., all of a plurality of recording material detection means S1, S2, etc., carry a current, and a display operation means 20 for displaying all the results of detection of a plurality of recording material detection means S1, S2, etc., forcedly in a display means is provided to inform a user of the accurate position where paper jamming occurs. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper jam detecting mechanism of an image forming apparatus in which a recording material detecting means detects a sheet-like recording material in a conveying path and the detection result is displayed by a display means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in various image forming apparatuses such as electrophotographic copying machines, printers and facsimiles,
The sheet-shaped recording material sent out from the paper feeding section is sent to the transfer section through the feeding path on the paper feeding side, and the toner image obtained by the development is transferred onto the sheet-shaped recording material at the transfer section. It After that, the sheet-shaped recording material that has been sent out through the sheet discharge side conveyance path has the unfixed toner image fixed by the fixing device and is discharged out of the apparatus.

A plurality of recording material detection sensors for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet-shaped recording material in each of the plurality of conveying paths provided to convey such sheet-like recording material are arranged. Has been done. Then, when a paper jam in the conveyance path is detected by each of the recording material detection sensors, the conveying operation of the sheet-shaped recording material is stopped, and the detection result of the paper jam is displayed by a display unit such as an LED. The location of the sensor where the paper jam is detected, that is, the location where the paper jam has occurred is notified to the user side.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned sheet-shaped recording material conveyance path is constructed so that it can be opened at an appropriate position, and when the user opens the conveyance path, a paper jam occurs in the conveyance path. The sheet-shaped recording material can be easily removed.

[0005]

However, even if a paper jam is detected by the recording material detection sensor as described above,
It may take some time from the time when the detection is performed until the sheet-shaped recording material conveyance operation is actually stopped, and the sheet-shaped recording material detects a paper jam during that time. There is a case where the recording material detection sensor reaches the next recording material detection sensor after passing through. In such a state, the paper jam location instructed by the display means and the location where the sheet-shaped recording material actually exists are different,
The user may not be able to process it.

In particular, when performing the delay detection operation for detecting that the sheet-shaped recording material has not arrived within the scheduled time for the recording material detection sensor, the position of the recording material detection sensor that detected the delay is set. Even if it is displayed, the sheet-shaped recording material may not already exist at that location, which may confuse the user. In addition, the sheet-shaped recording material may be torn while the user is handling the paper jam, and the sheet-shaped recording material may move to a different location from where the paper jam first occurred. Since it is not possible to display the subsequent location, the paper jam process may become very difficult.

In order to solve such a problem, the recording material detection sensor may be constantly turned on to constantly monitor the occurrence of a paper jam, which is usually used as the recording material detection sensor. If a current is constantly applied to a photo interrupter or the like, the life of the recording material detection sensor is greatly shortened and it cannot be adopted.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a paper jam detecting mechanism of an image forming apparatus capable of accurately displaying a paper jam location of a sheet-like recording material with a simple structure.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, in the paper jam detecting mechanism of the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the conveying path for conveying the sheet-like recording material for forming an image is continuous over a plurality of places. At least one of the conveying paths is configured to be openable, and a plurality of recording material detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet-shaped recording material in each of the conveying paths are arranged. In the paper jam detection mechanism of the image forming apparatus configured to display the detection result on the display means when the recording material detection means detects the sheet-shaped recording material in the conveying path, When a sheet-shaped recording material in the conveyance path is detected by any of the material detecting means, all of the plurality of recording material detecting means are energized to detect the plurality of recording material detecting hands. All detection result, the display operation means for forcibly displayed on the display means is provided for.

According to the paper jam detecting mechanism of the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, when the paper jam occurs, all the detection results by the plurality of recording material detecting means are manually or automatically displayed by the display operating means. Since it is forcibly displayed on the display means, the user can know the exact position of the paper jam.

Further, in the paper jam detecting mechanism of the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the display operation means according to the first aspect causes the display means to perform the forced display even when the conveying path is opened. With such a configuration, the display of the exact location of the paper jam is maintained even while the paper jam processing is being performed by opening the transport path.

Further, in the paper jam detecting mechanism of the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, when the display operation means in the first aspect does not detect the sheet-like recording material in the conveying path by the recording material detecting means, Since the display operation means is configured to execute other functions, the display operation means functions efficiently and efficiently.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Prior to that, a schematic structure of an image forming apparatus will be described taking a laser printer as an example.

In the laser printer 10 shown in FIG. 1, the image information sent from the outside is imaged on the photosensitive drum 12 as optical modulation information by the optical writing section 11 including a scanner unit. The light spot is
By reciprocally scanning in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 12, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the formed image is formed on the photosensitive drum 12. Then, toner is supplied from the developing device 13 to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 12, so that an unfixed toner image is formed. On the other hand, in the lower part of the apparatus, sheet-like recording materials P stored in a stacked form in a paper feed cassette 14 or a manual feed tray 15 (see FIG. 2) are arranged. The recording material P is drawn out by the paper feed roller 14a or 15a and sent out into the feed path A on the paper feed side.
While being timed by the registration rollers 16,
It is configured to be fed to the transfer portion of the photosensitive drum 12 described above.

In the transfer section, the unfixed toner image on the photosensitive drum 12 is transferred onto the sheet-shaped recording material P, and the sheet-shaped recording material P carrying the unfixed toner is conveyed in the intermediate portion. The unfixed toner on the sheet-shaped recording material P is heated and melted by the heat-fixing operation of the fixing roller 17a as a heater, which is fed into the fixing device 17 through B and, as a result, the sheet-shaped recording material. The toner image is fixed on P. The sheet-shaped recording material P on which the toner image is fixed by such a heat fixing operation is
The paper exit tray 17 at the top of the apparatus passes through the paper path C on the paper exit side.
Discharged on top.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned manual feed tray 15 is shown in FIG.
It is configured to rotate between the closed storage state as described above and the opened jam clearance (paper jam clearance) status as shown in FIG. The manual feed tray 15 is also opened in the use state.
At this time, the manual feed tray 15 is
When the manual feed tray 15 is opened and the intermediate conveyance path B is opened, the inside of the intermediate conveyance path B is exposed to the outside. It has become.

Although not shown in the open state, the body cover 18 covering the upper side of the fixing device 17 described above is omitted.
Is also configured to be open toward the upper side in the drawing,
By opening the main body cover 18, the inside of the above-described sheet discharge side conveyance path C is exposed outward.

Further, as the recording material detecting means for detecting the presence / absence of the sheet-like recording material P in each of the above-mentioned paper feed side transport path A and paper discharge side transport path C, the respective transport paths A and C are provided. Sheet detection sensors S1 and S2 are provided, respectively. Paper detection sensor S provided on the paper feed path A
No. 1 is disposed immediately before the registration roller 16 described above, the sheet detection sensor S1 indicates that the sheet-shaped recording material P has reached the registration roller 16, and that the paper in the paper feed path A is It is configured to detect a blockage. Further, the paper detection sensor S2 provided on the paper discharge side conveyance path C is arranged on the exit side of the fixing device 17 described above, and detects the paper jam in the paper discharge side conveyance path C and the arrival time. Is configured.

Then, these paper detection sensors S1, S
When the sheet-shaped recording material P in each of the transport paths A and C is detected by 2, the detection result is displayed on the operation display unit 20 as shown in FIG. That is, the operation display unit 20 is arranged on the front surface of the apparatus main body, and includes the online key 21, the selection key 22, the print status display LED 23, the alarm status display LED 24, and the job status display LED 2.
5, ordinary switch and keys such as the character display LCD 26 are provided, and also function as a paper jam location display section 27 for instructing a specific location of the apparatus main body and a cancel key for stopping printing. Paper jam location display key 2
8 are provided.

The paper jam location display unit 27 displays signals from the recording material detecting means such as the above-mentioned paper detecting sensors S1 and S2 when the paper jam condition of the sheet recording material P occurs in the conveying path. It is configured to display the detection result when received, and includes a fixing unit paper jam display LED 27a, a main body unit paper jam display LED 27b, a manual feed tray unit paper jam display LED 27c, and a cassette unit jam display LED 27d. There is.

On the other hand, the paper jam location display key 28 has the above-described paper detection sensor S for each pressing operation of the key.
All the recording material detecting means such as 1, S2 are sequentially energized, and the detection results of all of the plurality of recording material detecting means are sequentially and compulsorily applied to the paper jam location display portion 27. It has a function to display. The paper jam location display key 28 is configured to perform a forced display on the paper jam location display unit 27 even when the transport path is open.

That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, when a paper jam occurs in the fixing device 17, the accumulation state of the sheet-like recording material P in the paper discharge path C is detected by a paper detection sensor. S2 will detect the paper jam condition.
Based on the signal emitted from the sheet detection sensor S2, the rotation of the main motor is stopped by the engine controller (not shown), and the image forming operation (printing operation) is also stopped. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5A, the fixing unit paper jam display LED 27a of the paper jam location display unit 27 provided in the operation display unit 20 is turned on.

On the other hand, since it takes a little time from the detection of such a paper jam state to the stop of the image forming operation (printing operation), the feeding of the next sheet-like recording material is started. It may be closed. Therefore,
In the present embodiment, the above-described fixing unit paper jam display LED 2
Following the lighting of 7a, the user presses the paper jam location display key 28
By pressing down, the sheet detection sensor S1 provided on the sheet feeding side conveyance path A, which is the next sheet jam location, is energized, and when a sheet jam actually occurs, As shown in b), the main body paper jam display LED 27d is turned on.

As described above, every time the user presses the paper jam location display key 28, all the recording material detecting means (paper detecting sensors) are sequentially energized,
All the detection results of the plurality of recording material detection means (paper detection sensors) are sequentially and compulsorily displayed at the corresponding positions in the paper jam location display portion 27 provided in the operation display portion 20. It is like this.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when a paper jam occurs, all the detection results by the plurality of recording material detecting means (paper detection sensors) are forcibly displayed on the operation display unit 20, so that the accurate position of the paper jam can be obtained. Will be understood.

Further, in the present embodiment, the operation display unit 20
However, even if the conveyance path is open, the display means is configured to perform a forced display, so even if the paper path is opened and the paper jam processing is being performed. The display of the exact location of the paper jam is now maintained.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the paper jam location display key 28 of the operation display section 20 does not detect the sheet-shaped recording material P in the conveying path by the recording material detection means (paper detection sensor), another key is displayed. Since it is configured to execute the cancel function, the display operation means functions efficiently and efficiently.

Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, every time the paper jam location display key 28 is depressed, all the detection results of the plurality of recording material detecting means (paper detection sensors) are sequentially displayed on the paper jam location display section 27. Although it is configured to be displayed, such a checking operation for the recording material detecting means (paper detecting sensor) may be performed at the same time, or may be automatically performed.

Further, the present invention can be similarly applied to various image forming apparatuses other than the laser printer in the above-described embodiment.

[0031]

As described above, the paper jam detecting mechanism of the image forming apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 detects the sheet-like recording material in the conveying path by any one of the plurality of recording material detecting means. In this case, the display operation means for forcibly displaying all the detection results of the plurality of recording material detection means on the display means is provided to notify the user of the exact position of the paper jam. With such a configuration, it is possible to accurately display the paper jam location of the sheet-shaped recording material,
The operability of the image forming apparatus can be significantly improved at low cost.

Further, the paper jam detecting mechanism of the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect causes the display operating means according to the first aspect to perform the forced display on the display means even when the conveying path is opened. In this configuration, the display of the exact location of the paper jam is maintained even when the paper jam processing is being performed by opening the transport path. Can be further improved.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3, the display operation means according to claim 1 is adapted to perform other functions when the recording material detecting means does not detect the sheet-like recording material in the conveying path. Since the display operation means is configured to function efficiently and without waste, the device can be made at a lower cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional explanatory view showing a structural example of a laser printer as an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional explanatory view showing a usage state in which a manual feed tray of the laser printer shown in FIG. 1 is opened.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory plan view showing a configuration of display operation means including a display means according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional explanatory view showing an example of a paper jam state.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory plan view showing a change in the display state of the display operation means.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 laser printer 12 Photosensitive drum 14 Paper feed cassette 15 Bypass tray 16 Registration roller 17 Fixing device 18 Body cover P sheet recording material A paper feed side transport path B Intermediate transport path C Paper discharge side transport path S1 and S2 paper detection sensor (recording material detection means) 20 Operation display 27 Paper jam location display 27a Paper jam LED for fixing unit 27b Main unit paper jam display LED 27c Manual jam tray LED for paper jam 27d Cassette clog LED 28 Paper jam location display key

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A conveyance path for conveying a sheet-shaped recording material for forming an image is provided continuously over a plurality of locations, at least one of the conveyance paths is configured to be openable, and each of the above-mentioned conveyances is performed. A plurality of recording material detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet-like recording material in the path are arranged. When the recording material detecting means detects the sheet-like recording material in the conveying path, the detection is performed. In the paper jam detection mechanism of the image forming apparatus configured to display the result on the display unit, when the sheet-shaped recording material in the conveyance path is detected by any of the recording material detection units, Display operation means is provided for energizing all of the recording material detection means and forcibly displaying all detection results of the plurality of recording material detection means on the display means. Paper jam detection mechanism of the image forming apparatus. 2. The display operation means is configured to cause the display means to perform a forced display even when the transport path is open. A paper jam detection mechanism of the described image forming apparatus. 3. The display operation means is configured to execute another function when a sheet-shaped recording material is not detected in the conveyance path by the recording material detection means. A paper jam detection mechanism of the image forming apparatus according to Item 1.