JP2007047614A

JP2007047614A - Image forming apparatus

Info

Publication number: JP2007047614A
Application number: JP2005233797A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Takeshi Yamamoto; 武志山本; Shinichi Namekata; 伸一行方; Masanao Ebara; 正尚江原; Hiroshi Yoshinaga; 洋吉永; Hiroshi Ogawa; 博史小川; Hiroyuki Shimada; 浩幸島田
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 2005-08-11
Filing date: 2005-08-11
Publication date: 2007-02-22

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing burning due to a discharged recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus having a heating system fixing device 4 has a temperature detecting means 10 detecting a temperature near a paper discharge tray 6 and an announcing means 9 alarming that it is dangerous to take out recording paper, when the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means 10 is a predetermined value or higher. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、複写機、ファクシミリ装置、プリンタ等の画像形成装置に関し、特に加熱定着済みの記録媒体取り出し時の安全対策技術に特徴のある画像形成装置に関するものである。 The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a printer, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus characterized by a safety measure technique when taking out a heat-fixed recording medium.

近年、画像形成装置には省エネルギー化、省スペース化が求められている。その結果、省エネモードからの復帰時間（ウォームアップ時間）の短縮化や、記録媒体の搬送距離の短縮化など様々な改善がなされている。このような状況において定着部から記録媒体トレイまでの搬送距離を短く設計することが多くなり、印刷スピードの高速化が進んでいることと相俟って、排紙された記録媒体の温度が高い状態になっている。
高温状態で記録媒体が大量に積載されると、溶融トナーによって記録媒体同士がくっついてしまうブロッキングという現象が生じる。従来は排紙された記録媒体の温度を下げるためにファン、その他の冷却手段を設けていた。 In recent years, image forming apparatuses are required to save energy and save space. As a result, various improvements have been made, such as shortening the return time (warm-up time) from the energy saving mode and shortening the conveyance distance of the recording medium. Under such circumstances, the conveyance distance from the fixing unit to the recording medium tray is often designed to be short, and coupled with the increase in printing speed, the temperature of the discharged recording medium is high. It is in a state.
When a large number of recording media are stacked in a high temperature state, a phenomenon of blocking in which the recording media adhere to each other due to molten toner occurs. Conventionally, a fan and other cooling means have been provided in order to lower the temperature of the discharged recording medium.

しかしながら、画像形成装置において、前述したように、省スペース化、省エネルギー化が重要課題として挙げられる近年では、従来機のような部品を設けることは困難となってきた。また、排紙された記録媒体の高温化がさらに進むと、ユーザの火傷対策を講じる必要が生じる。
本発明は、このような背景に鑑みてなされたもので、排紙された記録媒体による火傷を防止することができる画像形成装置を提供することを目的とする。 However, in the image forming apparatus, as described above, in recent years where space saving and energy saving are important issues, it has been difficult to provide parts as in the conventional machine. Further, as the temperature of the discharged recording medium further increases, it is necessary to take measures against burns by the user.
The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a burn caused by a discharged recording medium.

上記目的を達成するために、請求項１記載の発明は、加熱方式の定着装置を備える画像形成装置において、排紙トレイ近傍の温度を検出する温度検出手段と、温度検出手段で検出された温度が所定値以上であった場合、記録紙取り出しは危険である旨の警報を出力する報知手段とを備えた画像形成装置を最も主要な特徴とする。
請求項２記載の発明は、請求項１記載の画像形成装置において、温度検出手段で検出された温度が所定値未満であった場合、報知手段は、記録紙取り出しを行ってもよい旨の報知を行う画像形成装置を主要な特徴とする。 In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising a heating type fixing device, a temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature in the vicinity of the paper discharge tray, and a temperature detected by the temperature detecting means. The image forming apparatus having an informing means for outputting an alarm indicating that it is dangerous to take out the recording paper when the value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is the main feature.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, when the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit is less than a predetermined value, the notification unit may take out the recording paper. The main feature is an image forming apparatus that performs the above.

本発明は、加熱方式の定着装置を備える画像形成装置において、排紙トレイ近傍の温度を検出する温度検出手段と、温度検出手段で検出された温度が所定値以上であった場合、記録紙取り出しは危険である旨の警報を出力する報知手段とを備えたので、排紙された記録媒体による火傷を防止することができる。 The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a heating type fixing device, and a temperature detection unit that detects a temperature in the vicinity of the paper discharge tray, and the recording paper is removed when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. Is provided with an informing means for outputting an alarm indicating that it is dangerous, so that burns caused by the discharged recording medium can be prevented.

以下、本発明の実施形態を図面に従って説明する。
図１は本発明の一実施形態に係る画像形成装置の構成図である。感光体ベルトを中心に、帯電、露光、現像、中間転写の各ユニットを有するトナー像形成システム１が配置されている。
トナー像形成システム１の下方には本体給紙装置２−１、２−２が設けられ、側方には手差し給紙装置２−３が設けられる。トナー像形成システム１により４色現像され形成されたカラートナー像は、いずれかの給紙装置２から鉛直方向上向きに搬送された記録媒体に、転写装置３の作用を受けて転写される。
転写装置３を通過した記録媒体は、加熱方式の定着装置４に進入する。図２に定着装置の詳細を示す。定着装置４は熱源を内蔵した加熱ローラ４−１、芯金の上にシリコンスポンジやシリコンゴムの表層を設けた定着ローラ４−２、加熱ローラ４−１、定着ローラ４−２と不図示のテンションローラに張架され回転走行するシームレスベルト４−３、定着ニップを形成するためシームレスベルト４−３を介して定着ローラ４−２を加圧する加圧ローラ４−４、記録媒体の定着ニップ進入ガイド４−５、定着ニップ出口ガイド４−６を備える。
定着ニップを通過しトナー像が加熱溶融し定着された記録媒体は、排紙ローラ５へ搬送され、排紙トレイ６に排紙される。そのとき排紙された記録媒体束７は、熱を発散させることにより温度が徐々に低下していく。また、排紙トレイ６の上方にはユーザが排紙された記録媒体を取り出しやすいように大きなスペース８が設けてある。スペース８の上面には光源９を設ける。この作用については後述する。
また本実施形態では、排紙トレイ６の近傍に、図では模式的に示す温度センサ１０を設けている。排紙ローラ５から排紙される途中の記録媒体Ｐや記録媒体束７が高熱を帯びていると、それを取り出そうとするユーザが火傷するおそれがある。温度センサ１０は記録媒体Ｐや記録媒体束７の温度(表面温度)を検知するために設けてある。
なお、上記構成要件は、図示しない制御手段（ＣＰＵ）による制御を受ける。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. A toner image forming system 1 having charging, exposing, developing, and intermediate transfer units is disposed around a photosensitive belt.
Below the toner image forming system 1, main body paper feeding devices 2-1 and 2-2 are provided, and a manual paper feeding device 2-3 is provided on the side. A color toner image formed by developing four colors by the toner image forming system 1 is transferred to a recording medium conveyed vertically upward from any of the paper feeding devices 2 by the action of the transfer device 3.
The recording medium that has passed through the transfer device 3 enters the heating type fixing device 4. FIG. 2 shows details of the fixing device. The fixing device 4 includes a heating roller 4-1 having a built-in heat source, a fixing roller 4-2 provided with a silicon sponge or silicon rubber surface layer on a core, a heating roller 4-1, and a fixing roller 4-2 (not shown). A seamless belt 4-3 that is stretched around a tension roller and rotates, a pressure roller 4-4 that presses the fixing roller 4-2 through the seamless belt 4-3 to form a fixing nip, and a recording medium entering the fixing nip A guide 4-5 and a fixing nip exit guide 4-6 are provided.
The recording medium that has passed through the fixing nip and has been fixed by heating and melting the toner image is conveyed to the paper discharge roller 5 and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 6. The temperature of the recording medium bundle 7 discharged at that time gradually decreases by dissipating heat. A large space 8 is provided above the paper discharge tray 6 so that the user can easily take out the discharged recording medium. A light source 9 is provided on the upper surface of the space 8. This effect will be described later.
In the present embodiment, a temperature sensor 10 schematically shown in the figure is provided in the vicinity of the paper discharge tray 6. If the recording medium P or the recording medium bundle 7 in the middle of being discharged from the paper discharge roller 5 is heated, there is a risk that the user who takes out the recording medium P will be burned. The temperature sensor 10 is provided to detect the temperature (surface temperature) of the recording medium P and the recording medium bundle 7.
In addition, the said structural requirement receives control by the control means (CPU) which is not shown in figure.

図３は本発明の画像形成装置の動作フローチャートである。温度センサ１０の出力に基き排紙トレイ６近傍の温度(記録媒体Ｐや記録媒体束７の温度に起因する)が所定値以上か判断し(Ｓ１)、所定値以上であった場合、すぐに記録媒体を取り出すのは危険なのでその旨ユーザに警報(危険報知)する(Ｓ２)。所定値未満であった場合、すぐに記録媒体を取り出しても安全なのでその旨ユーザに安全報知する。また排紙ローラ５から排紙される途中の記録媒体Ｐを図示しない排紙センサで検知して、報知してもよい。
報知は、例えば光源９を点灯／点滅することで行う。その他、装置本体が有する図示を省力した操作パネルに表示することで行ってもよいし、外部から見えやすい箇所に発色ＬＥＤランプを設置しておき、発色ＬＥＤランプを点灯／点滅することで行ってもよい。発色ＬＥＤランプの場合、例えば危険状態(記録媒体の温度が高い状態)は赤色、安全状態(記録媒体の温度が低い状態)は緑色を点灯させる。音声出力でもよい。 FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. Based on the output of the temperature sensor 10, it is determined whether the temperature in the vicinity of the paper discharge tray 6 (due to the temperature of the recording medium P or the recording medium bundle 7) is a predetermined value or more (S1). Since it is dangerous to take out the recording medium, the user is warned (danger notification) (S2). If it is less than the predetermined value, it is safe to take out the recording medium immediately, so that the user is informed of the safety. The recording medium P being discharged from the paper discharge roller 5 may be detected by a paper discharge sensor (not shown) and notified.
The notification is performed, for example, by turning on / flashing the light source 9. In addition, it may be performed by displaying the illustration of the device main body on a labor-saving operation panel, or by installing a color LED lamp in a place where it can be easily seen from the outside, and turning on / flashing the color LED lamp. Also good. In the case of a color LED lamp, for example, red is turned on in a dangerous state (a state where the temperature of the recording medium is high), and green is turned on in a safe state (a state where the temperature of the recording medium is low). Audio output may be used.

ここで温度センサ１０を用いて、排紙トレイ６近傍の温度、即ち排紙された記録媒体の温度を直に検出しなくても、記録媒体の表面温度を予測して安全、非安全を報知しても良い。記録媒体の表面温度は、定着設定温度により異なるので、前もって定着設定温度と記録媒体の表面温度の関係を掴んでおき、安全状態の報知は、定着設定温度が高いときは遅くなるように制御すれば安全性はより高まる。定着温度が低いときは早く安全状態を報知すれば、速やかに印刷された画像を提供できることになる。
記録媒体の表面温度は記録媒体によっても異なる。例えば、厚さ、種類(フィルム、紙)、サイズによって異なる。また、連続排出枚数によっても異なってくる。これらも、前もって定着温度との関係をつかんでおき、安全状態の報知時間を最短なものにする。記録媒体の情報は給紙トレイや印刷開始時の自動設定値、手動設定値によるのがよい。 Here, the temperature sensor 10 is used to predict the surface temperature of the recording medium and notify safety and non-safety without directly detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the paper discharge tray 6, that is, the temperature of the discharged recording medium. You may do it. Since the surface temperature of the recording medium varies depending on the fixing set temperature, the relationship between the fixing set temperature and the surface temperature of the recording medium is grasped in advance, and the notification of the safe state is controlled to be delayed when the fixing set temperature is high. The safety will be higher. If the safety state is notified early when the fixing temperature is low, a printed image can be provided promptly.
The surface temperature of the recording medium varies depending on the recording medium. For example, it varies depending on the thickness, type (film, paper), and size. It also depends on the number of continuous discharges. These also grasp the relationship with the fixing temperature in advance and minimize the notification time of the safe state. The information on the recording medium is preferably based on a paper feed tray, an automatic setting value at the start of printing, or a manual setting value.

本発明の一実施形態に係る画像形成装置の構成図である。1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 図１に示す定着装置の詳細構成図である。FIG. 2 is a detailed configuration diagram of the fixing device shown in FIG. 1. 本発明の画像形成装置の動作フローチャートである。3 is an operation flowchart of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

４定着装置、６排紙トレイ、９光源(報知手段)、１０温度センサ(温度検出手段) 4 fixing device, 6 discharge tray, 9 light source (notification means), 10 temperature sensor (temperature detection means)

Claims

In an image forming apparatus comprising: a heating type fixing device; and a paper discharge tray for stacking recording paper that has been subjected to thermal fixing by the fixing device, a temperature detection unit that detects a temperature in the vicinity of the paper discharge tray; An image forming apparatus comprising: an informing unit that outputs an alarm indicating that the removal of the recording paper is dangerous when the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is less than a predetermined value, the notification unit notifies that the recording paper may be taken out. Image forming apparatus.