JP2007078994A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact apparatus effectively utilizing a space. <P>SOLUTION: A document conveying path 15 and a discharge and conveyance path 21 along which transfer paper is discharged are joined on the downstream side. Both sheets of transfer paper and documents are discharged onto an ejection tray 13. The image forming apparatus has an image reading element 16a disposed on downstream side of the junction between the document conveying path 15 and the discharge and conveyance path 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet.

  In recent years, networking by LAN in offices has progressed, and there is an increasing number of image forming apparatuses in which conventional copiers, printers, fax machines, and scanners are combined into one. For this reason, the use area of the OA equipment is reduced compared to the conventional case, and the office space can be used effectively. However, in recent years, the functions of the image forming apparatus (copy, scan, FAX, print) that can obtain a good image with few image defects and the like have been wasted on and around the image forming apparatus. Many requests for effective use of space are beginning to be heard.

  In order to solve the above problem, the proposal of Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-309467) proposes a configuration in which space is effectively used by sharing a document reading tray and a recording image discharge tray. Yes.

  Further, in the proposal of Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-209055), a document image is read out to determine whether or not it is a defective image, and only a good image is discharged. The structure which shares a path is proposed.

  Further, in the proposal of Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-214649), as shown in FIG. 7, a high-quality feeling is improved by projecting wing-like tables 25 and 26 on the upper left and right sides of the apparatus main body. A configuration has been proposed in which the office space is used effectively.

Also, in the proposal of Patent Document 4 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-254788), as shown in FIG. 8, a configuration is proposed in which a top plate is provided on the upper surface of the printer so that the space above the printer can be used effectively.
JP 2000-309467 A JP 2002-209055 A JP 2000-214649 A JP 11-254788 A

  However, as shown in FIG. 6, the conventional image forming apparatus has an image reading unit at the top, and objects, paper materials, etc. can be placed on the image forming apparatus so as not to interfere with image reading. I could not do it. For this reason, the space above the image forming apparatus cannot be utilized effectively.

  In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-309467, the proposal of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-209555 has a problem that it is possible to discriminate a recording sheet having an image defect but cannot feed back to the next image formation value. At the same time, there is a problem that the image forming apparatus cannot be effectively used.

  In addition, the system in which the wing-like table is extended to the upper left and right sides of the apparatus main body shown in FIG. 7 can effectively use the periphery of the image forming apparatus, but the ADF is on the upper part of the table, so the upper part of the image forming apparatus cannot be effectively used. There was a problem. In addition, since a wing-shaped table is arranged at the upper part of the paper discharge unit, there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to notice the discharged paper.

  8 can be used as a desk in the system where the top plate is arranged on the upper part of the printer, but it is a copy only when a copy of a paper manuscript or book is required for a meeting or the like only with the function of the printer alone. Even when a function, a send function for converting a paper document into electronic data, and a FAX function are required, a separate image forming apparatus is required, so that space cannot be effectively used after all. There was a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to effectively use the space including the upper space of the image forming apparatus including the image reading unit, and also as a desk in a meeting space or the like. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be used effectively and that can efficiently scan and print paper information and image information at the time of meeting.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image reading apparatus that reads an image of a document, a document transport path through which the document is transported, a fixing device that fixes an image on a sheet, and the fixing device. A paper discharge unit that discharges the sheet on which the image is fixed; and a paper discharge conveyance path that conveys the sheet that has passed through the fixing device to the paper discharge unit. The image reading device has a first image reading unit on the document conveying path upstream of the merging point and a discharge conveying path on the downstream side of the merging point. A second image reading unit, and the first image reading unit and the second image reading unit respectively read images on the front side and the back side of the document conveyed on the document conveyance path. 2 is an image forming surface of a sheet fixed by the fixing device. Comprising an image reading device, a document read by the image reading apparatus is the sheet discharge to the discharge unit through a portion of the sheet discharging path.

  By using the sheet discharge conveyance path of the sheet on which the image is formed as the document conveyance path, it is possible to effectively use the space and provide a more compact apparatus.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view from the front side showing an image forming apparatus A which is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus A of this embodiment will be described.

  In FIG. 1, A is an image forming apparatus, 1 is a paper feed cassette, and transfer paper (sheet) in the cassette is separated and fed one by one by the action of the separation claw and the paper feed roller 2 and guided to the registration roller 3. It is burned.

  26 is a laser scanner, 4 is a photosensitive drum, 5 is a developing device, 6 is a transfer roller, and 7 is a cleaning device, and constitutes an image forming unit.

  Reference numeral 8 denotes a fixing device that fixes the toner image on the transferred transfer paper S as a permanent image. Reference numeral 9 denotes a first paper discharge roller 10. A finisher 11 bundles a plurality of transfer sheets S discharged by the first discharge roller 9 or the second discharge roller 10 and performs post-processing such as stapling or sorting, and then the first discharge tray. 12 and the second paper discharge tray 13 are discharged.

  The finisher 11 includes a receiving roller 11d that receives the transfer paper discharged from the first discharge roller 10, and a processing tray 11a on which sheets to be post-processed are stacked. Further, the finisher 11 includes an alignment plate 11b that aligns transfer sheets loaded on the processing tray 11a, a stapler 11c, and a discharge roller 11e that discharges the discharge paper to the discharge tray 13. The finisher performs processing not only on the transfer paper on which the image is formed by the image forming unit, but also on the original that has passed through the original transport path. The finisher 11 provided in the upper part has been described, but the lower finisher has the same configuration.

  The paper discharge conveyance path 21 is a conveyance path that guides the transfer paper that has passed through the fixing device to the discharge tray 12 or the paper discharge tray 13 that is a discharge portion.

  When the image on the transfer sheet S is transferred on both sides, the transfer sheet S on which the single-sided image is placed once passes through the fixing device 8 and then reaches the first discharge roller 9 or the second discharge roller 10. The transfer paper S is reversely conveyed. Then, the first double-sided conveyance roller 18 and the second double-sided conveyance roller 19 are conveyed to a double-sided conveyance path, and the transfer paper S is reversed. Thereafter, the transfer paper S is again guided to the registration roller 3, and the image is transferred to the second surface of the transfer paper S. As will be described later, when reading the image information of the transfer paper S, the second image reading element 16a is made to reach the second paper discharge roller 10 side.

  In the present embodiment, a transparent top plate 14 is attached directly above the image forming apparatus A. The top plate 4 is approximately the same size as connecting the four corners of the image forming apparatus A. Since the top plate 4 is transparent, the transfer paper S discharged to the first paper discharge tray 12 and the second paper discharge tray 13 from the diagonally upper front of the image forming apparatus A can be viewed through the transparent top plate 4. Further, a part of the top plate 14 is provided with a document insertion opening 17 for inserting the document G when the document is read.

  After the document G is set in the document insertion port 17, it is transported to the image reading device 16 through the document transport path 15 by a document transport roller (not shown), and is sheet-through by the first image scanning unit (16c, 16d). The image of the original G is read by the method. Thereafter, the document G is transported to the second paper discharge roller 10 through the document transport path 15 and the first junction 20 of the paper discharge transport path 21 and the second image reading units (16a, 16b). The sheet-through method is a method of reading an image of a document while conveying the document.

  Here, after the first merging point 20, the paper discharge conveyance path 21 that is the transfer paper conveyance path and the document conveyance path 15 are common. Therefore, both the document that has passed through the document transport path 15 and the transfer sheet that has passed through the paper discharge transport path 21 are discharged to the paper discharge tray 13.

  For a single-sided original, the original image is read by the second image reading element 16a of the second image reading unit. For a double-sided original, the first image reading element 16c of the first image reading unit and the second image of the second image reading unit. A document image is read by the reading element 16a. Reference numeral 16d denotes a first platen roller that is provided in the first image reading unit and conveys a document. Reference numeral 16b denotes a second platen roller that is provided in the second image reading unit and conveys the document.

  Thereafter, the document G passes through the finisher 11 and is discharged onto the second discharge tray 13. When there are a plurality of documents, post-processing such as document stapling can be performed in the finisher 11 according to user settings. As a result, when reading a document that is normally bound into one bundle with a staple, the staple is removed, and a plurality of documents are stapled again after reading the document. Stapling can be performed, and the user can omit the act of stapling the document again.

  The second image reading element 16a reads the image of the original G and simultaneously reads the image information of the transfer sheet S. Based on the information, the second image reading element 16a and the next transfer sheet S are read by the control device C. Feedback is performed after the next image formation to adjust the image formation value.

  Accordingly, it is possible to correct a subtle image shift or the like of the image forming apparatus A, and it is possible to always provide a good image to the user.

  The top plate 14, except for the document insertion opening 17, has a flat surface with no irregularities at all. Therefore, the table can be used as a user-friendly table, and an object can be placed on the top board 14 or filled in with a pen. Therefore, it is possible to effectively utilize the wasted space on the image forming apparatus A until now. Further, as a result of storing the document insertion opening 17 in the top plate 14, all functions such as a table, image reading, and image information input can be accommodated in the installation space of the image forming apparatus A, and the space can be effectively utilized. Is possible.

  In addition, by adopting a configuration in which a paper feeding unit (not shown) with casters is attached under the paper feeding unit 1, it is possible to increase the number of papers to be fed and the types of papers and to change the height of the top plate. Therefore, the configuration can be used according to various uses such as when the user stands and uses the table.

  FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which a first image reading unit (16c, 16d) and a second image reading unit (16a, 16b) are provided on the downstream side of the first junction 20. As a result, when the transfer sheet S having images formed on both sides is read, it can be read at once using both the first image reading unit (16c, 16d) and the second image reading unit (16a, 16b). Therefore, the transfer paper can be efficiently conveyed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, instead of providing the document insertion port 17 on the top plate, a document placing table 25 may be provided on the side surface of the image forming apparatus A, and a document may be inserted therefrom. The document placing table 25 has a two-stage system, and is stored in one stage as shown in FIG. 4 except when reading the document, and is further folded and accommodated in the image forming apparatus A. For this reason, the document placement table does not protrude from the image forming apparatus A and the top plate except during document reading.

  If the configuration as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is adopted, the user can use everything on the top board as a table without unevenness. Further, when placing the document, the document placing table 25 is placed outside the top plate, so that it becomes easier for the user to place the document.

  In FIG. 5, the first image forming apparatuses (16 a and 16 b) are provided downstream of the first junction 20. Further, a reverse conveyance path 22 for reversing the original G and a second junction point 27 that is the junction point are provided in the paper discharge conveyance path 21. As a result, when the double-sided original is read, the original G is read by the first image reading element 16a, once transported to the second paper discharge roller 10, and then reversely transported to be reversed by a flapper (not shown) at the second junction. Guided to the paper discharge path 23. As a result, the original G has its image reading surface reversed, and is conveyed to the image reading device 16 by the reverse conveying roller 24, and the second image of the original G is read by the first image reading element 16a. As a result, it is possible to automatically read an image of a double-sided document without causing the user to operate. In order to read not only the original but also both sides of the transfer paper on which the image is formed by the image forming unit, the transfer paper is reversed using the reverse conveyance path 22.

  As described above, by using the discharge conveyance path 23 for the transfer sheet S as the conveyance path for the original G, it is possible to effectively use the space and provide a more compact apparatus. At the same time, it has functions such as stapling of a plurality of originals and automatic reading of double-sided originals, which makes the product very convenient for the user.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus A of the present embodiment has functions as an image forming apparatus that can be copied from the top 4 and has a send function, a FAX function, etc. while satisfying the function as an office table. It becomes possible to provide a certain product. In addition, since input / output devices such as a personal computer and a projector can be placed on the top board 14, a new office environment linked with the image forming apparatus can be created, and the space can be reduced. It can be even better.

  As described above, the above-described embodiment has the following effects.

  By using the paper discharge conveyance path 23 of the transfer paper S as the conveyance path of the original G, it is possible to effectively use the space. Therefore, it is possible to provide a more compact device. At the same time, it has functions such as stapling of a plurality of originals and automatic reading of double-sided originals, which makes the product very convenient for the user.

  While fulfilling the function as an office table, it can also be copied from the top 4 and also has the functions of an image forming apparatus having a send function, a FAX function, etc., so that it is possible to provide a product with high added value. . In addition, since input / output devices such as personal computers and projectors can be placed on the top board 14, a new office environment linked with the image forming apparatus can be created and space can be reduced. It can be even better.

  Further, since the top plate is larger than the occupied area of the recording device and the reading device, it can be used widely and effectively as a desk.

  Further, the top plate is made smaller than the occupied area of the image forming apparatus considering the cover area to be opened and closed. Since the top plate fits within the occupied area, the image forming apparatus can be installed without worrying about the size of the top plate.

  By providing a top plate, it can be used as a next-generation office machine that can meet the demands of a new office environment, such as being able to be placed in a meeting space as a meeting machine, instead of using as a conventional office machine. .

  Further, depending on the image reading apparatus, image reading of the original G is performed at the same time that image information on the transfer sheet S is read, and feedback is made after the next transfer sheet S based on the information to adjust the image formation value. It becomes possible. Accordingly, it is possible to correct a subtle image shift or the like of the image forming apparatus A, and it is possible to always provide a good image to the user.

Sectional drawing from the front side which shows the image forming apparatus which is embodiment of the image recording device based on this invention Sectional drawing from the front side which shows the image forming apparatus which is embodiment of the image recording device based on this invention Sectional drawing from the front side which shows the image forming apparatus which is embodiment of the image recording device based on this invention Sectional drawing from the front side which shows the image forming apparatus which is embodiment of the image recording device based on this invention Sectional drawing from the front side which shows the image forming apparatus which is embodiment of the image recording device based on this invention Sectional view from the front side showing a conventional image forming apparatus A perspective view from the front side showing a conventional image forming apparatus A perspective view from the front side showing a conventional image forming apparatus

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper feed cassette 2 Paper feed roller 3 Registration roller 4 Photosensitive drum 5 Developing device 6 Transfer roller 7 Cleaning device 8 Fixing device 9 First paper discharge roller 10 Second paper discharge roller 11 Finisher 12 First paper discharge tray 13 Second discharge Paper tray 14 Top plate 15 Document transport path 16 Image reading device 16a First image reading element 16b First image reading and conveying roller 16c First image reading element 16d First image reading and conveying roller 17 Document insertion port 18 First double-sided conveying roller DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 2nd double-sided conveyance roller 20 1st junction point 21 Discharge conveyance path 22 Original reversal conveyance path 23 Original conveyance roller 24 Reverse conveyance roller 25 Original mounting stand 26 Laser scanner 27 Second convergence point A Image forming apparatus S Transfer paper G Original

Claims (13)

An image reading device for reading an image of a document;
A document transport path through which the document is transported, and
A fixing device for fixing an image on a sheet;
A paper discharge unit for discharging a sheet on which an image is fixed by the fixing device;
A paper discharge conveyance path for conveying the sheet that has passed through the fixing device to the paper discharge unit,
The paper discharge conveyance path has a merging point that merges with the document conveyance path,
The image reading device includes: a first image reading unit on the document conveyance path upstream of the merging point; and a second image reading unit on the discharge conveyance path downstream of the merging point. Have
The first image reading unit and the second image reading unit respectively read images on the front side and the back side of a document conveyed on the document conveyance path,
The second image reading device includes an image reading element on the image forming surface side of the sheet fixed by the fixing device.
An image forming apparatus, wherein a document read by the image reading apparatus is discharged to the discharge section through a part of the discharge conveyance path. An image reading device for reading an image of a document;
A document transport path through which the document is transported, and
A fixing device for fixing an image on a sheet;
A paper discharge unit for discharging a sheet on which an image is fixed by the fixing device;
A discharge conveyance path for conveying the sheet that has passed through the fixing device to the discharge section,
The paper discharge conveyance path has a merging point that merges with the document conveyance path,
The image reading device is provided with two locations, a first image reading unit and a second image reading unit, on the paper discharge conveyance path downstream of the junction.
The first image reading unit is provided with an image reading element on the side opposite to the image forming side of the sheet fixed by the fixing device,
The second image reading unit includes an image reading element on the image forming surface side of the sheet fixed by the fixing device,
An image forming apparatus, wherein a document read by the image reading device is discharged to a paper discharge portion through a part of the paper discharge conveyance path. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The first image reading device and the second image reading device read a document image with one of the first image reading device and the second image reading device when reading a single-sided image document,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a first image reading device and a second image reading device for reading a document image when reading a double-sided image. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The recorded image data of the sheet is based on document image data at the time of document reading by the image reading device,
The second image reading unit reads recorded image data formed on the sheet,
An image forming apparatus comprising a function of adjusting an image formation value after the next image formation based on a result of comparing the original image data and the recorded image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 or 3,
The recorded image data of the sheet is based on document image data at the time of document reading by the image reading device,
The first image reading unit and the second image reading unit respectively read recorded image data on each side of a double-sided sheet on which a double-sided image is formed, and compared the document image data with the recorded image data An image forming apparatus having a function of adjusting an image formation value after the next image formation based on a result. An image reading device for reading an image of a document;
A document transport path through which the document is transported, and
A fixing device for fixing an image on a sheet;
A paper discharge unit for discharging a sheet on which an image is fixed by the fixing device;
A discharge conveyance path for conveying the sheet that has passed through the fixing device to the discharge section,
The paper discharge conveyance path has a merging point that merges with the document conveyance path,
The image reading device is provided on the discharge conveyance path on the downstream side of the confluence,
The image reading device is provided with an image reading element on the image forming surface side of the sheet fixed by the fixing device,
The paper discharge conveyance path joins with a document reversal conveyance path for reversing a document, reversely conveys a document whose image has been read by the image reading device when reading a double-sided document, and reverses the document on the document reversal conveyance path. Is possible,
The image reading apparatus is provided with a double-sided document reading function for transporting a document reversed by the document reversing conveyance path to the document conveyance path and reading the document by the image reading element,
An image forming apparatus, wherein a document read by the image reading device is discharged to the paper discharge unit through the paper discharge conveyance path. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.
The recorded image data of the sheet is based on document image data at the time of document reading by the image reading device,
The image reading device reads recorded image data of the sheet,
An image forming apparatus comprising a function of adjusting an image formation value after the next image formation based on a result of comparing the original image data and the recorded image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A post-processing device that performs post-processing such as stapling and sorting the sheets discharged to the paper discharge unit on the downstream side of the paper discharge unit;
An image forming apparatus, wherein the post-processing device performs post-processing of a document discharged to the paper discharge unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An image forming apparatus, comprising a top plate having an upper surface that is a smooth surface having no irregularities above the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9.
An image forming apparatus, wherein a transparent portion capable of visually recognizing a lower portion of the top plate is provided on at least a part of the top plate. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein:
The top plate is provided with a document insertion portion for inserting a document to be transported to a document from at least a part of the top surface of the top plate into the document transport path on the bottom surface of the top plate. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a document placing table that is provided below the top plate and capable of transporting a document from a side surface of the image forming apparatus to the document transport path. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the exclusive area of the image forming apparatus including the original placing table is stored so as to be included in an occupied area as viewed from above the top plate at least except when reading the original.

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