JP2005331703A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus for detecting engagement failure of a connector, using an action signal to activate various parts (such as a motor or a sensor) inside a unit. <P>SOLUTION: A high-level voltage is supplied from an output port OP5a, a PNP transistor T is turned on and high-level voltage is supplied from an output port OP5b. When connection of connectors 3 and 4 are normal, since current is made to flow to a light-emitting diode D1 via terminals 3a, 4a, 3b and 4b installed on an end part, the voltage of an input port IP5c is made high level. When the engagement is disengaged, since connection failures occur in the terminals 3a, 4a, etc., the current is not made to flow to the light-emitting diode D1, and the voltage in the input port IP5c becomes low level. Determination of the state of engagement of the connectors can be made from the voltage level, and the detection of the engagement failure can be carried out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and more particularly to a technique for detecting a poor fitting between an image forming apparatus main body and a unit that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body.

  Image forming apparatuses such as copiers and printers are provided with a detachable unit that accommodates, for example, a photosensitive member, a developing device, a fixing device, etc. in a cartridge in consideration of ease of maintenance and quick measures in the event of a failure. Yes.

  The attachment of the unit to the image forming apparatus main body will be described with reference to FIG. For example, a case where a unit such as a paper feed cassette is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body will be described. FIG. 6 is a top view of the image forming apparatus showing a schematic configuration of the main body of the image forming apparatus and a unit such as a paper feed cassette attached thereto.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a connector 3 having a plurality of terminals is installed in a unit 2 such as a paper feed cassette, and a connector (illustrated) is connected to the image forming apparatus 1 by fitting with the connector 3. Not) is installed. Then, by inserting the unit 2 in the direction of the arrow A, that is, in the direction of the image forming apparatus 1, the connector of the image forming apparatus 1 and the connector 3 of the unit 2 are fitted, and terminals provided in the respective connectors. They are electrically connected to each other.

  Further, when the unit 2 is pulled out from the image forming apparatus 1 in the direction opposite to the arrow A (arrow B), that is, the fitting between the connector of the image forming apparatus 1 and the connector 3 of the unit 2 is released. Is disconnected. In this way, the unit 2 can be inserted into the image forming apparatus 1 or pulled out from the main body to allow the unit 2 to be attached and detached, and the terminals provided on the connector are connected and released. Similarly, a unit containing a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a fixing device, and the like is detachable.

  However, since the connector used for connecting the unit to be attached and the image forming apparatus is inserted and removed many times by attaching and detaching the unit, there is a problem that a fitting failure is likely to occur.

  This fitting failure will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged top view of the connector showing the configuration of the connector and a poorly fitted state. As shown in FIG. 7A, a connector 3 is installed in a unit 2 such as an image forming unit, a developing unit, and a paper feed cassette. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a connector 4 that fits with the connector 3. When these connectors are completely fitted, each terminal provided in the connector is electrically connected.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the connectors are obliquely fitted to each other and a fitting failure occurs, the terminals of the portions where the connectors 3 and 4 are disconnected are not electrically connected. Such a state occurs due to an increase in the number of repetitions of attachment / detachment of the unit 2. In particular, in the connectors 3 and 4 as shown in FIG. 7A, when the attachment and detachment are repeated, the fitting becomes loose and a fitting failure occurs, or when the operation of the image forming apparatus is continued for a long time, the connector is gradually fitted. In many cases, the mating becomes loose and poor fitting occurs. In addition, poor fitting often occurs particularly at the ends of the connectors 3 and 4. That is, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the connectors are fitted diagonally, contacted only on one side of the connector, and contact is released on the other side, so that the connectors are completely fitted. In many cases, a mismatch occurs.

  As a method of detecting this poor fitting, a method of grounding some terminals of the connector 3 installed on the unit 2 side to the ground is known (for example, Patent Document 1). When the connectors are completely fitted, the potential of the terminals on the image forming apparatus 1 side is set to 0 [V]. When the connectors are not completely fitted, the terminals on the image forming apparatus 1 side are set. Is set to have a high potential. In this way, some of the terminals of the connector 3 on the unit 2 side are grounded to detect and judge the connector fitting failure. When it is determined that the fitting is poor, a warning is displayed to the operator by a display provided in the image forming apparatus 1.

  Moreover, the length of each terminal was changed and it installed in the connector so that terminals may contact, when connectors are completely fitted.

JP 2000-173717 (paragraphs [0006]-[0008], FIG. 1)

  However, when grounding is performed in order to detect a poor fitting of the connector, it is necessary to separately provide a terminal for grounding other than the signal line, and the number of pins of the connector increases by that amount. In addition, when a terminal with a different length is provided on the connector, it is necessary to prepare a dedicated terminal. Therefore, when the conventional method is adopted, it is necessary to produce a dedicated connector, which increases the manufacturing cost as compared with a normal connector, resulting in a problem that the cost of the image forming apparatus increases.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem, and detects a connector fitting failure using an operation signal which is a signal for operating various components (motors, sensors, etc.) installed in the unit. With the goal. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can detect a fitting failure of a connector without providing a special terminal and reduce manufacturing costs.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus main body including a first connector in which a plurality of terminals are arranged, and a second connector in which a plurality of terminals are arranged and fitted with the first connector. An image forming apparatus including a unit detachable from the apparatus main body, wherein an operation signal transmitted between the apparatus main body and the unit and operating the unit is the first image forming apparatus. Of the plurality of terminals of the connector and the second connector, transmission is made via terminals arranged at both ends of the row, and the fitting failure between the first connector and the second connector is based on the operation signal. It is an image forming apparatus characterized by detecting the above.

  The present invention detects a fitting failure of a connector provided in a unit that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus, and uses an operation signal for operating components (such as a motor and a sensor) in the unit. This is to detect a connector fitting failure. In the present invention, the unit includes, for example, an image forming unit in which a photosensitive drum or the like is accommodated, a developer unit in which a developer is accommodated, a unit in which a fixing device is accommodated, or a paper feed cassette. These units are attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus by fitting the second connector with the first connector.

  The first connector and the second connector each have a plurality of terminals arranged in a row, and when the first connector and the second connector are fitted, the plurality of terminals come into contact with each other to form an image. The device and the unit are electrically connected. In the present invention, an operation signal is transmitted from the apparatus main body into the unit through terminals arranged at both ends of the row among the plurality of terminals. The present invention detects a poor fitting between connectors based on the operation signal.

  For example, when the first connector and the second connector are fitted obliquely and are not properly fitted, the terminals arranged at one end of the plurality of terminals are not electrically connected. . Since the operation signal is transmitted through the terminals arranged at both ends of the row, the operation signal is transmitted between the apparatus body and the unit when the terminals arranged at the end portions are not electrically connected. I can't. When the operation signal is not normally transmitted, it is determined that the fitting between the connectors is defective. On the other hand, when the fitting between the connectors is normal, the operation signal is normally transmitted, so that the fitting between the connectors is determined to be normal. As described above, it is possible to detect a fitting failure of the connector by transmitting the operation signal through the terminals arranged at both ends of the row.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the operation signal is transmitted from the apparatus main body to the unit each time the apparatus main body is turned on. A fitting failure between the connector and the second connector is detected.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the operation signal is transmitted from the apparatus main body to the unit each time the apparatus main body starts image formation, and the first A fitting failure between the second connector and the second connector is detected.

  According to the present invention, the operation signal transmitted between the apparatus main body and the unit is transmitted via the terminals arranged at both ends of the row, and further, the connection failure is detected by using the operation signal. Therefore, it is possible to detect a connector fitting failure without providing a special terminal. As a result, an increase in the number of pins can be suppressed, and the manufacturing cost of the connector and the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

(Constitution)
A configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an apparatus showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading unit 10, a laser writing unit 20, an image forming unit 30, a paper feeding unit 40, a document placing unit 50, and the like.

  An upper part of the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a document placing portion 50 comprising a document table 51 made of a transparent glass plate and the like, and a document cover 52 covering the document D placed on the document table 51. Yes.

  An image reading unit 10 is provided below the document table 51. The image reading unit 10 includes a first mirror unit 12, a second mirror unit 13, a main lens 14, and an image pickup device 15 such as a CCD array (Charge Coupled Device). The first mirror unit 12 includes an illumination lamp 12A and a first mirror 12B. The first mirror unit 12 is mounted in parallel with the document table 51 and linearly movable in the left and right directions in FIG. The second mirror unit 13 includes a second mirror 13A and a third mirror 13B, and linearly moves in the same direction to the left and right at a half speed of the first mirror unit 12 so as to maintain a predetermined optical path length. Similar to the first mirror unit 12, the movement of the second mirror unit 13 is parallel to the document table 51.

  The image of the document D on the document table 51 illuminated by the illumination lamp 12A is formed on the image sensor 15 by the main lens 14 via the first mirror 12B, the second mirror 13A, and the third mirror 13B. ing. When the scanning is completed, the first mirror unit 12 and the second mirror unit 13 return to their original positions and wait until the next image formation.

  Image data obtained by the image sensor 15 is processed by an image signal processing unit (not shown) (not shown) and stored in the memory as an image signal. The image data includes not only image data such as graphics and photographs but also text data such as characters and symbols.

  When an image signal is input from the memory to the laser writing unit 20 under the control of a control unit (not shown), the image forming unit 30 starts an image forming operation. The laser writing unit 20 includes a drive motor 21, a polygon mirror 22, an fθ lens 23, mirrors 24, 25, and 26, a semiconductor laser (not shown), a correction lens (not shown), and the like.

  When the image forming operation is started by the image forming unit 30, the photosensitive drum 31 as the image carrier rotates in the direction of the arrow. The photosensitive drum 31 is gradually charged by irradiation with a pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) 36 that performs pre-charge exposure and gradually charges, and then a charge is given by a charger 32 having a discharge wire 32A and a charge grid 32B. It is done. Then, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image of the document D is formed on the photosensitive drum 31 by the laser beam L from the laser writing unit 20. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 31 is reversely developed by the developer carried by the developing sleeve 33A, which is a developer carrying body to which a bias voltage in which an AC component is superimposed on the DC component of the developing device 33 is applied. And a visible toner image is obtained.

  On the other hand, the transfer paper P of a specified size is carried out one by one by the carry-out roller 42A from the paper feed cassettes 41A and 41B loaded in the paper feed unit 40, and the image transfer unit is passed through the carry-out roller 43 and the guide member 42. Feed the paper toward. The fed transfer paper P is sent to the transfer portion of the photosensitive drum 31 by a registration roller 44 that operates in synchronization with the toner image on the photosensitive drum 31. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 31 is transferred to the transfer paper P by the action of the transfer device 34 and is separated from the photosensitive drum 31 by the slow electric action of the separator 35. Thereafter, the toner image is fed to the fixing device 37 through the conveying belt 45, and the toner image is melted and fixed by the heating roller 37A and the pressure roller 37B. Then, the paper is discharged to a tray outside the apparatus by the paper discharge rollers 38 and 46.

  The photosensitive drum 31 continues to rotate, and the toner remaining without being transferred to the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is removed and cleaned by the cleaning blade 39A that is pressed by the cleaning device 39. Then, after being gradually slowed down by irradiation with a pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) 36, the charger 32 receives a uniform charge and starts the next image forming process.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an operation unit, a RAM, and a storage unit that are not illustrated. The operation unit includes an input unit and a display unit. The input unit includes a keyboard having cursor keys, numeric input keys, various function keys, and the like, and outputs a pressing signal corresponding to the key pressed on the keyboard to the control unit. The display unit is configured by a liquid crystal display, an EL display, or the like, and displays image data, text data, and the like on the screen in accordance with an instruction of a display signal input from the control unit. Note that a touch panel method may be adopted for the display unit, and the display unit may be provided integrally with the input unit.

  The RAM forms a temporary storage area for programs, input or output data, parameters, and the like read from the storage unit in various processes that are executed and controlled by the control unit. The storage unit is configured by a non-volatile memory or the like, and stores various programs that can be executed by the image forming apparatus, setting contents according to functions, and the like.

  In such an image forming apparatus 1, the photosensitive drum 31, the charger 32, the pre-charging exposure lamp 36 and the like are housed in one cartridge and configured as a unit that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the developing device 33 and the fixing device 37 are each configured as a unit and can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 1. These units correspond to the “detachable units” of the present invention, and connectors that fit into each other are provided on the unit and the apparatus main body. The paper feed cassettes 41A and 41B are also detachable from the image forming apparatus 1. The paper feed cassettes 41A and 41B are also provided with connectors, and the connectors that fit the connectors are provided in the image forming apparatus. Yes.

  Next, the connector 3 installed in the unit 2 attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 are front views of the connector 3 of the present embodiment.

  A connector 3 shown in FIG. 2 is a connector installed in the unit 2 in which a photosensitive drum, a developing device, and the like are accommodated. The connector 3 is provided with a plurality of terminals 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d,..., And the terminals 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d,.

  And wiring for transmitting an operation signal for operating a component installed inside the unit 2 to the component is provided. For example, the unit 2 is a unit in which a photosensitive drum 31, a charger 32, and a pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) 36 are accommodated, and the components in the unit 2 shown in FIG. 36. An operation signal for operating the pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) 36 is input and output via the terminals 3a and 3b installed at both ends of the column.

  More specifically, the operation signal output from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 is input to the pre-charging exposure lamp (PCL) 36 via the terminal 3a disposed at the end of the connector 3 (in the direction of arrow C). . The operation signal that passes through the pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) 36 and is output from the pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) 36 is connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 via the terminal 3b disposed at the end of the connector 3. (In the direction of arrow D). In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, this operation signal is used as a fitting failure detection signal to detect a fitting failure between the connectors.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment may include a plurality of components such as the pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) 36 installed in the unit 2. The configuration in that case will be described with reference to FIG. Like the connector 3 shown in FIG. 2, the connector 3 is provided with a plurality of terminals 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d,..., Which are arranged in a line.

  In this unit 2, for example, two pre-charge exposure lamps (PCL) 36 are provided. And the operation signal for operating them is input and output via a terminal arranged at the end of the column. Specifically, an operation signal for operating the pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) 36 a is output from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 and input to the pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) 36 a via the terminal 3 c of the connector 3. (Direction of arrow C1). Then, an operation signal that passes through the pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) 36a and is output from the pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) 36a is output to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 through the terminal 3a (in the direction of arrow D1). . The terminal 3a is installed at the end of the row, and the terminal 3c is a terminal arranged near the terminal 3a. In FIG. 3, the terminal 3a is installed next to the terminal 3a.

  An operation signal for operating the pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) 36b is output from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 and input to the pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) 36b via the terminal 3d of the connector 3 ( Direction of arrow C2). Then, an operation signal that passes through the pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) 36b and is output from the pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) 36b is output to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 through the terminal 3b (in the direction of arrow D2). . The terminal 3b is installed at the endmost side opposite to the terminal 3a, the terminal 3d is a terminal arranged near the terminal 3b, and is a terminal installed next to the terminal 3b in FIG.

  As described above, the operation signals transmitted between the pre-charge exposure lamps (PCL) 36 a and 36 b and the image forming apparatus 1 are installed at both ends of the row among the plurality of terminals installed in the connector 3. It will be transmitted through the terminal.

  Next, the wiring for detecting a fitting failure will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a wiring diagram schematically showing the state of wiring between the image forming apparatus main body and the unit. A case will be described in which a unit containing a photosensitive drum 31, a charger 32, and a pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) 36 is used as a unit. A case where only one precharge exposure lamp (PCL) 36 which is a component in the unit 2 is provided as in the connector 3 shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a control unit 5 having a CPU, and the control unit 5 controls the operation of the image forming unit 30 and the like described above. The unit 2 is provided with a light emitting diode D1 constituting the pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) 36 described above. FIG. 4 shows a state where the connector 3 and the connector 4 are normally fitted.

  Terminals 3 a and 3 b arranged at both ends of the connector 3 of the unit 2 are connected to a light emitting diode D 1 constituting a pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) 36 installed in the unit 2. Further, the terminals 4 a and 4 b on the image forming apparatus 1 side connected to the terminals 3 a and 3 b are connected to the control unit 5 in the image forming apparatus 1. The connection relationship will be described in detail. The terminals 3a and 4a are connected, and the terminals 3b and 4b are connected. That is, the terminals at both ends of the connectors 3 and 4 are respectively connected.

  The terminal 4a is connected to the collector side of the PNP transistor T, and the collector thereof is installed on the ground via the diode D2. A DC power source V1 is connected to the emitter side of the PNP transistor T, and the base side is connected to the output port OP5a of the control unit 5 via a resistor R2 and an inverter 6a. A base voltage is supplied from the output port OP5a to the base of the PNP transistor T.

  The terminal 4b is connected to the output port OP5b of the control unit 5 through the inverter 6b. A voltage for controlling the operation of the precharge exposure lamp (PCL) 36 is supplied from the output port OP5b. Further, the terminal 4b is connected to the input port IP5c of the control unit 5 via resistors R3 and R4. One end of the resistor R5 is connected to the resistors R3 and R4, and the other end is grounded to the ground. One end of the capacitor C is connected to the resistor R4 and the other end is grounded. In the present embodiment, the connector fitting failure is detected by measuring the voltage level at the input port IP5c.

(Operation)
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. First, the main power supply of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on and the power supply V1 is turned on. Then, a high level voltage is supplied from the output port OP5a under the control of the control unit 5, and is inverted to a low level by the inverter 6a. With this voltage supply, the PNP transistor T is turned on, and a current flows from the emitter to the collector by the voltage supply by the power source V1.

  At the same time as the image forming apparatus 1 is turned ON, a high level voltage is supplied from the output port OP5b under the control of the control unit 5. This high level voltage is inverted to a low level by the inverter 6b. Since the voltage level becomes a low level, the current flowing through the collector of the PNP transistor T flows through the resistor R1 to the light emitting diode D1, and then flows through the resistors R3 and R4 to the input import IP 5c of the control unit 5. That is, a current for operating the light emitting diode D1 constituting the pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) 36 flows from the image forming apparatus 1 to the light emitting diode D1 in the unit 2 through the terminals 4a and 3a, and It flows from the unit 2 to the image forming apparatus 1 through the terminals 3b and 4b.

  When a low level voltage is supplied from the output port OP5b, it is inverted to a high level by the inverter 6b. Since the voltage level becomes high level, the current flowing through the collector does not flow through the light emitting diode D1, and the operation of the pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) 36 is stopped.

  When image formation is performed, the level of the voltage supplied from the output port OP5b of the control unit 5 is set to a high level, and is inverted to a low level at the interval 6b, thereby causing a current to flow through the light emitting diode D1. On the other hand, when image formation is not performed, the level of the voltage supplied from the output port OP5b of the control unit 5 is set to a low level and inverted to a high level by the interval 6b, so that no current flows through the light emitting diode D1. In this way, the operation of the pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) 36 is controlled by changing the level of the voltage supplied from the output port OP5b.

  And the fitting failure of the connector 3 and the connector 4 is detected as follows. First, the level of the voltage supplied from the output port OP5a is set to high level, the base voltage is set to low level, and the PNP transistor T is turned on. Next, the level of the voltage supplied from the output port OP5b of the control unit 5 is set to a high level, and the voltage level is inverted to a low level. In this state, since a current flows through the light emitting diode D1, the voltage level at the input port IP5c of the control unit 5 becomes a high level.

  In this state, when the connector 2 and the connector 3 are disengaged, no current flows through the issuing diode D1, so that the voltage level at the input port IP5c of the control unit 5 is low.

  Thus, when the fitting between the connectors is normal, the voltage level at the input port IP5c of the control unit 5 is at a high level, and when the fitting is released, the voltage level is at a low level. Therefore, the fitting state between the connectors can be determined from this voltage level, and a fitting failure can be detected.

  For example, when the connector 3 and the connector 4 are completely fitted, the terminal 3a and the terminal 4a are connected, and the terminal 3b and the terminal 4b are connected. As a result, a current flows from the image forming apparatus 1 to the light emitting diode D1 constituting the pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) 36 in the unit 2 via the terminals 4a and 3a, and further via the terminals 3b and 4b. A current flows from the unit 2 to the image forming apparatus 1. In such a state, when the voltage level of the input port IP5c of the control unit 5 is measured, a high level voltage is measured, and it can be determined that the connectors are normally fitted.

  On the other hand, when the fitting between the connector 3 and the connector 4 is not normal, for example, when the connector 3 and the connector 4 are fitted obliquely, the terminal 3a and the terminal 4a are connected, and the terminal 3b and the terminal 4b are connected. Is not connected, no current flows from the unit 2 into the image forming apparatus 1 via the terminal 3b and the terminal 4b. Further, when the terminal 3b and the terminal 4b are connected and the terminal 3a and the terminal 4a are not connected, no current flows from the image forming apparatus 1 into the unit 2 through the terminal 4a and the terminal 3a. . In such a state, when the voltage level of the input port IP5c of the controller 5 is measured, the low level voltage supplied from the output port OP5b and inverted by the inverter 6b is measured.

  Thus, by measuring the level of the signal for operating the components in the unit 2, it is possible to detect a poor fitting of the connector. When the voltage level at the input port IP5c of the control unit 5 is high, that is, when the fitting between the connectors is normal, the copying operation is continued as it is, and the copying ends.

  On the other hand, when the voltage level at the input port IP5c is at a low level, that is, when the connector is disengaged, a display device (not shown) installed in the image forming apparatus 1 is used to notify the operator. Display warnings and errors. This warning and error display will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating a schematic configuration of an operation unit including a display. An operation unit 60 shown in FIG. 5 is provided in the image forming apparatus 1, and a command to start copying or the like is given to the image forming apparatus 1 by pressing a key 61 or a button 62 of the operation unit 60. The operation unit 60 is provided with a display 63. The warning and error indications described above are displayed on the display unit 63 and notified to the operator. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, “warning: poor connector connection” is displayed. In addition, a separate indicator may be provided in addition to the operation unit 60, and a warning may be given by the indicator. Further, a speaker that generates sound, a blinking or lighting light, etc. are provided to notify the operator of a poor fitting. You may do it. The operator can turn off the power of the image forming apparatus 1 by the warning and error display to stop the operation, and can continue the operation according to the situation. Further, the warning may be displayed and the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 may be automatically stopped under the control of the control unit 5.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the main power supply of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on, a current is supplied to the light emitting diode D1 to detect a connector fitting failure. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, when the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a copying machine, it is possible to detect a fitting failure at the start of copying. In this case, when a copy start button (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 1 is pressed, a signal corresponding to the start of copying is output to the control unit 5, and the control unit 5 receives the signal and receives the signal. Control of each part in 1 is started. Further, when receiving a signal corresponding to the start of copying, the control unit 5 supplies a high level voltage from the output port OP5b, and causes a current to flow through the light emitting diode D1. And the voltage level of input port IP5c of the control part 5 is measured, and the fitting failure of a connector is detected.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where only one pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) is provided as in the connector 3 shown in FIG. 2 is described. However, as in the connector 3 shown in FIG. A unit 2 provided with a plurality of pre-exposure lamps (PCL) may be used. In this case, a current is passed from the image forming apparatus 1 to the light emitting diode constituting the precharge exposure lamp (PCL) 36a via the terminals 4c and 3c, and further, the precharge exposure lamp is connected via the terminals 3a and 4a. (PCL) A current is caused to flow from the light emitting diode constituting the 36 a to the input port of the control unit 5 of the image forming apparatus 1. Further, a current is passed from the image forming apparatus 1 to the light emitting diode constituting the pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) 36b via the terminal 4d and the terminal 3d, and the pre-charge exposure lamp (via the terminal 3b and the terminal 4b). PCL) A current is passed from the light emitting diode constituting the b to the input port of the control unit 5 of the image forming apparatus 1.

  Then, the voltage level of the input port is measured to determine whether a current is flowing through the light emitting diodes constituting the pre-charge exposure lamps (PCL) 36a and 36b. When the input port voltage is at a low level, no current flows through the light emitting diodes of the pre-charge exposure lamps (PCL) 36a and 36b, so that the fitting state between the connector 3 and the connector 4 is determined to be defective. The That is, when no current flows, at least one of the connection between the terminal 3a and the terminal 4a, the connection between the terminal 3c and the terminal 4c, the connection between the terminal 3b and the terminal 4b, and the connection between the terminal 3d and the terminal 4d. Since a connection failure occurs in one connection, the fitting state between the connector 3 and the connector 4 is determined to be defective.

  In this way, the number of parts such as the pre-charge exposure lamp (PCL) in the unit 2 is increased, and operation signals for operating them are arranged at both ends of the connector, thereby detecting the connector fitting failure. It is possible to perform reliably.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows the wiring in the connector which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the wiring in the connector which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a wiring diagram illustrating a wiring state between the image forming apparatus main body and the unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating a schematic configuration of an operation unit provided in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus main body and a tray unit. FIG. 3 is an enlarged top view of the connector for explaining a poor fitting between the connector of the image forming apparatus main body and the connector of the unit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Unit 3, 4 Connector 5 Control part 6a, 6b Inverter 36 Pre-charging exposure lamp (PCL)

Claims (3)

An apparatus main body including a first connector in which a plurality of terminals are arranged;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a second connector in which a plurality of terminals are arranged and fitted with the first connector; and a unit that is detachable from the apparatus main body.
An operation signal transmitted between the apparatus main body and the unit to operate the unit is transmitted through terminals arranged at both ends of the row among the plurality of terminals of the first connector and the second connector. Communicated,
An image forming apparatus that detects a fitting failure between the first connector and the second connector based on the operation signal. The operation signal is transmitted from the apparatus main body to the unit each time the apparatus main body is turned on to detect a fitting failure between the first connector and the second connector. The image forming apparatus according to 1. The operation signal is transmitted from the apparatus main body to the unit every time the apparatus main body starts image formation, and a fitting failure between the first connector and the second connector is detected. Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1.

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