JP2004198476A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the upper part of an image forming apparatus main body easily openable. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus where a scanner device (an image reading part) 200 is provided on the image forming apparatus main body 100 and by which image information read by the scanner device 200 is recorded on a recording medium by the image forming apparatus main body 100 is provided with the scanner device 200 to be slidable on the image forming apparatus main body 100 so as to open and close the image forming apparatus main body 100. Then, the image reading part 200 is slid, so that the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body 100 is opened. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a copier or facsimile, or a copier, a facsimile, or a printer, which includes an image reading unit on an image forming apparatus main body and records image information read by the image reading unit on a recording medium in the image forming apparatus main body. And an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional internal-discharge type copying machine as an image forming apparatus has an image reading section above the image forming apparatus main body at a height that allows a user to easily operate the apparatus while standing, and has an opening on a side surface of the image forming apparatus main body. And an in-body discharge unit whose opening is used as an outlet for a recording medium on which image information is recorded.
[0003]
When copying an image to a recording medium, the image reading unit reads the image information of the copy source, records the image information on the recording medium by the image forming apparatus main body, and then discharges the image to the in-body discharge unit.
[0004]
However, in such a conventional image forming apparatus, an image reading section is provided at a height that allows a user to easily operate the apparatus while standing, and an image forming apparatus main body is provided below the image reading section. Since the opening is provided on the side, the user cannot check whether the recording medium is being discharged to the discharge section in the body by standing up, but leaning down and opening the side of the image forming apparatus main body. Therefore, there is a problem that the workability of the confirmation work is poor because the operator has to look into the discharge section inside the body and check. Therefore, the following image forming apparatus is disclosed.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-43253 [0006]
The internal discharge type image forming apparatus disclosed in this publication includes an image reading unit on the image forming apparatus main body, and a part of the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body is formed of a transparent member. Then, the user checks the inner discharge portion from above the image forming apparatus main body through the transparent member, and checks whether the recording medium is discharged to the inner discharge portion opened on the side surface of the image forming apparatus main body while standing. Can be confirmed.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in order to actually remove the recording medium, it is necessary to bend down and remove the recording medium from the outlet of the internal discharge section opened on the side of the image forming apparatus main body, and the workability of removing the recording medium is increased. There was a problem of bad.
[0008]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to easily open the upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, the invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus that includes an image reading unit on an image forming apparatus main body and records image information read by the image reading unit on a recording medium by the image forming apparatus main body. The image reading section is slidable on the image forming apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable on the image forming apparatus main body.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the image forming apparatus further includes an in-body discharge unit configured to discharge a recording medium on which image information has been recorded, in the image forming apparatus main body.
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the image forming apparatus further includes a discharge detecting unit that detects the presence or absence of the recording medium in the inside discharge unit, and a warning unit that warns the detection result. Features.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, a slide detecting unit that detects that the image reading unit is at the open position, and detects the presence or absence of a recording medium in the inside discharge unit. Detecting means for detecting that there is no recording medium, and notifying that the image reading unit is in the open position when the slide detecting means detects that the image reading unit is at the open position. Means.
[0013]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, a slide detecting unit configured to detect that the image reading unit is at the open position, and a presence / absence of a recording medium in the internal discharge unit. Discharge detecting means, and the discharge detecting means detects that there is no recording medium, and when the slide detecting means detects that the image reading section is at the open position, the image reading section is slid to close. It is characterized by comprising a driving means for returning to the position.
[0014]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, further comprising a human detection unit configured to detect the presence of a person around the image forming apparatus main body, and the discharge detection unit not including a recording medium. And when the slide detecting means detects that the image reading unit is in the open position, and when the human presence detecting means does not detect the presence of a person, the driving means is driven and the image reading is performed. The part is slid back to the closed position.
[0015]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, a handle is provided on the image reading unit.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall view of an inner paper discharge type laser copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
[0017]
The laser copying machine of this embodiment includes a copier main body (image forming apparatus main body) 100, a scanner device (image reading unit) 200 mounted thereon, and a recording medium post-processing device 300 mounted beside the copier main body 100. Etc. Note that a display unit (warning means) 210 for displaying a warning described later is provided on the upper surface of the scanner device 200.
[0018]
FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the copying machine main body 100. The copier main body 100 includes a process cartridge PC. In the process cartridge PC, a drum-shaped image carrier 12 is provided in a cartridge case 10. The roller-shaped transfer device 14 is brought into contact with the image carrier 12 through the transfer window w of the process cartridge PC. A position where the image carrier 12 and the transfer device 14 are in contact with each other is defined as a transfer position a, and a paper transport path 16 extending from below to above through the transfer position a is provided.
[0019]
The paper transport path 16 includes a registration roller 18 before the transfer position a. At the end of the transfer position a, a switching claw 19a rotatably supported by a pin via a fixing device 20 and a transport roller 17 is provided. The paper transport paths 16a and 16b are branched from the switching claws 19a, and the paper transport path 16a includes a transport roller 17 and a paper discharge roller 22.
[0020]
On the other hand, a transport roller 17 is provided in the paper transport path 16b in front of the switching claw 19a, and a switching claw 19b rotatably supported by a pin is provided at the tip thereof. The paper feed paths 16b and 16c are branched from the switching claw 19b, and a paper discharge roller 22 is provided in the paper feed path 16b.
[0021]
Behind each of the paper discharge rollers 22 in the paper transport paths 16a and 16b, an in-body discharge unit 24 for discharging transfer paper (recording medium) P on which image information has been recorded is connected to the side surface 100s of the copying machine main body 100. A side opening 24s and an upper opening 24u are provided on the upper surface 100u, respectively, and are provided in the copying machine main body 100, and discharge trays 25a and 25b for stacking transfer papers P on which image information is recorded are stacked on top of each other. Provide. The upper opening 24u of the in-body discharge section 24 is provided to be larger than the maximum size of the transfer paper P in order to take out the transfer paper P stacked in a stack on the discharge trays 25a and 25b as described later.
[0022]
A transport roller 17 and a paper discharge roller 22 are provided in the relay transport path 16c ahead of the switching claw 19b, and transport the recording medium to the recording medium post-processing apparatus 300 installed beside the copying machine main body 100.
[0023]
Reference numeral 26 in the figure denotes a laser writing unit provided in the copying machine main body 100. Reference numeral 28 denotes a toner bottle for replenishing a developing device 52 of the process cartridge PC with toner.
[0024]
The scanner device 200 includes a light source 32, a plurality of mirrors 34, an imaging lens 36, an image sensor 38 such as a CCD, and the like below the contact glass 30. Then, the light source 32 is moved along the contact glass 30, the light from the light source 32 is reflected by the original surface on the contact glass 30, the reflected light is reflected by the mirror 34 and is imaged by the imaging lens 36, The image is read by the image sensor 38.
[0025]
The recording medium post-processing apparatus 300 receives the transfer paper P copied by the copying machine main body 100, sorts the paper, and performs staple processing and punch processing.
[0026]
Now, when making a copy using this laser copying machine, the original is set on an automatic document feeder (not shown) or the original is opened and the original is directly placed on the contact glass 30 of the scanner 200. Is set. Then, by pressing the start switch, the automatic document feeder is driven to read the document conveyed onto the contact glass 30 or the document previously set on the contact glass 30 as image information by the scanner device 200.
[0027]
At the same time, the paper feed roller 40 is rotated to feed out the transfer paper (recording medium) P from inside the paper feed cassette 42, enter the paper transport path 16, hit the registration roller 18 and stop.
[0028]
Then, the registration roller 18 is rotated in synchronization with the rotation of the image carrier 12, guided by the cartridge case 10 of the process cartridge PC to the transfer position a, and the image formed on the image carrier 12 is transferred to the transfer device. At 14, the image is transferred to the transfer paper P and recorded.
[0029]
The transfer paper P after the image transfer is put into the fixing device 20, and heat and pressure are applied by the fixing roller 21A and the pressure roller 21B to fix the transferred image. When the transfer paper P is to be discharged to the discharge tray 25a, the switching pawl 19a is rotated clockwise with the pin as a fulcrum, the transfer paper P is guided to the paper transport path 16a, and discharged by the discharge rollers 22. The sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 25a.
[0030]
On the other hand, when discharging the transfer paper P to the discharge tray 25b, the above-described switching claw 19a is rotated counterclockwise, the transfer paper P is guided to the paper transport path 16b, and is discharged and discharged by the discharge roller 22. The sheet is discharged to the tray 25b.
[0031]
Further, when the transfer paper P is transported to the recording medium post-processing apparatus 300, the switching claw 19b is rotated clockwise, the transfer paper P is transported to the relay transport path 16c, and is discharged from the paper discharge roller 22. Then, the transfer sheet P is conveyed to the recording medium post-processing apparatus 300, and the transfer sheet P is sorted, and the transfer sheet P is subjected to stapling and punching.
[0032]
By the way, as shown in FIG. 3, the scanner device 200 of this example is mounted on a copier main body 100 by a pair of slide mechanisms 40 so that the copier main body 100 is slidably opened and closed. ing. The slide mechanism 40 is for sliding the scanner device 200 horizontally with respect to the copying machine main body 100 in the direction of arrow AB, and is, for example, orthogonal to the sliding direction of the upper surface 100u of the copying machine main body 100. A pair of steel rails 40a, 40b are attached to both sides in the direction, and both sides in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the bottom surface 200b of the scanner device 200, respectively, and the rails 40a, 40b are slid in the directions of arrows AB. In this way, they are fitted via bearings.
[0033]
The pair of rails 40a and 40b may be fitted via different rails. A stopper is provided on each of the rails 40a and 40b to prevent the rails from coming off. When the rails 40a and 40b slide over a certain amount, they come into contact with the stopper and do not slide any further.
[0034]
Further, a pair of racks 44 are provided inside the pair of rails 40b along the rails 40b, and the copying machine main body 100 is driven by a motor (driving means) as shown in FIG. Are provided so as to mesh with the rack 44. Further, a slide key for sliding the scanner device 200 is provided adjacent to the display unit 210.
[0035]
Outside the copying machine 100, the copying machine 100 and the scanner 200 are electrically connected by a harness or the like. The length of the harness is set to be longer than the distance that the scanner device 200 slides with respect to the copier device main body 100.
[0036]
Further, the copier main body 100 is provided with a slide detection sensor (slide detecting means) 41 adjacent to the scanner 200 for detecting that the scanner 200 is in the open position with respect to the copier main body 100. On the other hand, the scanner device 200 includes a filler 42 as an object to be detected by the slide detection sensor 41. The open position of the scanner device 200 refers to a state where the scanner device main body 200 is slid in the direction of arrow A, and the filler 42 is out of the detection range of the slide detection sensor 41. On the other hand, the closed position of the scanner device 200 means that the scanner device 200 is slid back in the direction of arrow B and the filler 42 is within the detection range of the slide detection sensor 41.
[0037]
Further, a human sensor (human detection means) 43 for detecting the presence of a person around the copier main body 100 is provided on the side surface 100s of the copier main body 100. The motion sensor 43 is a known sensor having a function of detecting a heat generated by a person and transmitting a signal when the person enters the sensing area.
[0038]
Further, the discharge tray 25a of the in-body discharge unit 24 includes a discharge detection sensor (discharge detection unit) 46 for detecting the presence or absence of the transfer sheet P in the discharge tray 25a.
[0039]
The display unit 210, the slide detection sensor 41, the motion sensor 43, and the paper ejection detection sensor 46 are connected to a control unit (not shown) provided in the copying machine main body 100.
[0040]
The operation of taking out the transfer paper P from the discharge tray 25a of the in-body discharge unit 24 on which the transfer paper P on which the image has been transferred by the laser copying machine having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0041]
First, when the discharge detection sensor 46 detects that the transfer sheet P is present in the discharge tray 25a, the control unit displays a warning on the display unit 210 as a result of the detection. , Press the slide key. Then, the motor is rotated to rotate the gear 45 meshed with the rack 44 in the direction of arrow a, and the scanner device 200 in the closed position is moved a predetermined distance along the rack 44 with respect to the copying machine main body 100. It is slid horizontally in the direction of arrow A to the open position, the upper surface 100u of the copying machine main body 100 is opened, and the upper opening 24u of the in-body discharge unit 24 appears. Then, when the scanner device 200 slides in the direction of the arrow A and the filler 42 provided in the scanner device 200 is out of the detection range of the slide detection sensor 41, the slide detection sensor 41 slides. , The opening position is detected, and a signal is transmitted to the control unit.
[0042]
Next, all the transfer papers P stacked on the discharge tray 25a are taken out from above the copying machine main body 100 by putting a hand into the upper opening 24u, and when leaving the laser copying machine, the discharge detection sensor 46 sets the discharge tray 25a. When the human sensor 43 does not detect the presence of a person around the main body 100 of the laser copying machine, a signal is transmitted to the control unit.
[0043]
Then, the control unit rotates the motor in the reverse direction, rotates the gear 45 meshed with the rack 44 in the direction of arrow b, moves the gear 45 along the rack 44 in the direction of arrow B, and slides the scanner device 200 to the original position. When the position is returned to the closed position, which is the position indicated by the arrow, the filler 42 provided in the scanner device 200 is inserted into the slide detection sensor 41, and the slide detection sensor 41 detects that the scanner device 200 is at the closed position. That is, the scanner device 200 is slidable on the image forming apparatus main body 100 so that the image forming apparatus main body 100 can be opened and closed.
[0044]
When the copied transfer paper P is stacked on the discharge tray 25b, the transfer paper P is taken out from the side opening 24s of the in-body discharge section 24 as in the conventional in-body discharge type copying machine.
[0045]
In the above-described example, if a stepping motor is used as the motor for transmitting the drive to the gear 45, the scanner device 200 can be moved more accurately.
[0046]
In the above-described example, the human sensor 43 is provided on the side surface 100 s of the copier main body 100, the discharge detection sensor 46 detects that there is no transfer paper P, and the slide detection sensor 41 causes the scanner device 200 to open. When the human sensor 43 does not detect the presence of a person, the motor is driven to slide the scanner device 200 back to the closed position. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, when the ejection detection sensor 46 detects that there is no transfer paper P and the slide detection sensor 41 detects that the scanner device 200 is at the open position, the scanner device 200 is slid by a motor. You may make it return to a closed position.
[0047]
In the above-described example, a rack 44 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is provided along the rails 40b inside the pair of rails 40b, while a drive motor drive is provided on the upper surface 100u side of the copying machine main body 100. A pair of gears 45 are provided to transmit the rotation of the scanner device 200 via the rack 44 by transmitting the rotation of a motor (not shown) to the gear 45 by engaging the gears 45 with the rack 44, respectively. The present invention is not limited to this, and the scanner device 200 and the copier main body 100 may be attached by a pair of slide mechanisms 40, and the scanner device 200 may be slid by hand.
[0048]
In this case, after the scanner device 200 is slid, there is a possibility that the scanner device 200 is forgotten to return to the original position. Therefore, the slide detection sensor 41 detects that the scanner device 200 is at the open position, and the paper discharge detection sensor 46 When it is detected that the transfer paper P is not present on the tray 25a, it is preferable to provide a notification unit adjacent to the display unit 210, which emits a sound to notify the user after a certain period of time after the scanner device 200 slides.
[0049]
Note that, instead of the notification unit emitting a sound and notifying after a certain period of time after the scanner device 200 slides, the sheet discharge detection sensor 46 detects that there is no transfer sheet P in the discharge tray 25a. After a certain period of time has passed since then, the notification means may emit a sound to notify the user.
[0050]
The notifying unit is not limited to emitting a sound, but may emit a light, may notify, and may notify by any method such as displaying a message.
[0051]
Further, when the scanner device 200 and the copier main body 100 are attached by a pair of slide mechanisms 40 and the scanner device 200 is slid by hand, a handle 220 is provided on the front side of the scanner device 200 as shown in FIG. If provided, the scanner device 200 can be easily slid.
[0052]
In the above-described example, the display unit 210 is provided on the upper surface of the scanner device 200. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be provided on the upper portion of the scanner device 200 or the upper portion of the copier main body 100. Good.
[0053]
Further, in the above example, transfer paper was used as the recording medium, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be an OHP film, an intermediate transfer member, or the like.
[0054]
Further, in the above-described example, an in-body discharge type laser copying machine has been described as the image forming apparatus of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the in-body discharge type facsimile and printer are not limited thereto. The present invention can be applied to not only the image forming apparatus of the internal discharge type but also any type of image forming apparatus.
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the image reading unit is slidable on the main body of the image forming apparatus so that the main body of the image forming apparatus can be opened and closed. Then, the image forming apparatus main body can be opened to easily open the inside of the image forming apparatus main body, for example, when performing a jam clearance or performing maintenance.
[0056]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the image forming apparatus main body is provided with the in-body discharging section for discharging the recording medium on which the image information is recorded, the image reading section is slid to open the image forming apparatus main body. In addition, the recording medium on which the image information is recorded, which is stacked in the in-body discharge section, can be taken out from above the image forming apparatus main body.
[0057]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a discharge detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the recording medium in the in-body discharge section, and a warning means for warning the detection result, so that the recording medium is transmitted to the in-body discharge section. Emission status can be reported to the user.
[0058]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the discharge detecting means detects that there is no recording medium, and when the slide detecting means detects that the image reading unit is at the open position, it notifies that state. Informing the user that the user has forgotten to close the image reading unit, it is possible to prevent the user from hitting an object and damaging the image reading unit.
[0059]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the discharge detecting means detects that there is no recording medium, the slide detecting means detects that the image reading section is at the open position, and the slide detecting means reads the image. When the unit detects that the unit is in the open position, the image reading unit is slid to return to the closed position by sliding the image reading unit. If the user forgets to close the image reading unit, the image reading unit is automatically returned to the closed position. This can eliminate the possibility that the image reading unit is damaged by hitting an object.
[0060]
According to the invention described in claim 6, there is provided a human detection unit for detecting the presence of a person around the image forming apparatus main body, the discharge detection unit detects that there is no recording medium, and the slide detection unit reads an image. When the unit is in the open position and the presence of a person is not detected by the human detection unit, the drive unit is driven and the image reading unit is slid back to the closed position. Prevents the user from detecting the presence of the user and returning the image reading unit to the original when the ejection detection unit malfunctions and detects that there is no recording medium in the in-body ejection section, even though it is about to be taken out. can do.
[0061]
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the handle is provided on the image reading section, the image reading section can be easily slid by hand.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall view of an in-body discharge type laser copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the copying machine main body.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram when the scanner device is slid.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view when the scanner device is further slid.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another example of a scanner device.
[Explanation of symbols]
24 Inside discharge section 24u Upper opening 24s Side opening 25a, 25b Discharge tray 41 Slide detection sensor (slide detection means)
43 Human sensor (human detecting means)
46 Discharge detection sensor (discharge detection means)
100 Copier body (image forming apparatus body)
100u Top surface 100s Side surface 200 Scanner device (image reading unit)
210 Display (warning means)
220 Handle PC Process cartridge P Transfer paper (recording medium)

Claims (7)

An image forming apparatus comprising an image reading unit on an image forming apparatus main body, and recording image information read by the image reading unit on a recording medium by the image forming apparatus main body.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the image reading unit is slidable on the image forming apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable on the image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an in-body discharge unit configured to discharge a recording medium on which image information has been recorded, in the image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a discharge detection unit configured to detect the presence or absence of a recording medium in the internal discharge unit, and a warning unit configured to warn of the detection result. A slide detection unit that detects that the image reading unit is at the open position, a discharge detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a recording medium in the in-body discharge unit, and that the discharge detection unit detects that there is no recording medium; The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a notifying unit that, when the slide detecting unit detects that the image reading unit is at the open position, notifies the state that the image reading unit is in the open position. A slide detection unit that detects that the image reading unit is at the open position, a discharge detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a recording medium in the in-body discharge unit, and that the discharge detection unit detects that there is no recording medium; 3. The image according to claim 2, further comprising: a drive unit that slides the image reading unit back to the closed position when the slide detection unit detects that the image reading unit is at the open position. Forming equipment. The image forming apparatus further includes a human detection unit that detects the presence of a person around the main body, the discharge detection unit detects that there is no recording medium, and the slide detection unit detects that the image reading unit is in an open position. 6. When the presence of a person is not detected by the human detection unit, the driving unit is driven, and the image reading unit is slid back to the closed position. Image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a handle is provided in the image reading unit.

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