JP2010156918A - Image forming apparatus, control method of image forming apparatus, and control program of image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently cooling sheets. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: an image reading device 9 mounted in the upper part of the main unit of the image forming apparatus; a sheet ejection part 8 disposed inside the body formed by the main unit of the image forming apparatus and the image reading device 9 for ejecting sheets on which images are formed and stacking them; a cooling fan 10; and a louver 12 for controlling the direction of air from the cooling fan 10 according to the movement of a rocking lever 11 that moves by touching the sheet ejected to the sheet ejection part 8. When sheets are ejected to the sheet ejection part 8, the air is directed toward the sheets. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus control method, and an image forming apparatus control program, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of cooling discharged paper, an image forming apparatus control method, and an image forming apparatus. Related to the control program.

  An image forming apparatus (MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), facsimile machine, copier, etc.) includes an image reading device (scanner) that reads an image from a document. The image reading apparatus is usually disposed above the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus. Regarding the configuration and control of a cooling device for cooling an image reading apparatus and a recording medium (paper (including OHP paper) after toner image fixing), the following documents exist.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a method of efficiently cooling only the recording medium of the paper discharge unit without cooling the fixing unit by taking a distance between the fixing unit and the paper discharge unit. In this configuration, a control method has been proposed in which the number of rotations of the cooling fan is increased during and before image formation.

  Patent Document 2 proposes a method of cooling the image reading unit and the reverse paper discharge unit by the same cooling device.

  Patent Document 3 proposes a technique for cooling a discharged sheet by blowing air only while the sheet is held between conveyance rollers. The blower fan is operated only while the paper to be discharged is held between the paper discharge rollers.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-340988 JP 2005-196079 A JP 2006-330398 A

  However, the conventional cooling method described above has a problem that the sheet cannot be efficiently cooled.

  In the case where the apparatus configuration in which the image reading apparatus is provided on the upper part of the discharge unit of the image forming apparatus is employed, if the sheet cannot be efficiently cooled, the distance between the image reading apparatus and the discharge unit of the image forming apparatus is reduced. (Because it is necessary to prevent the influence of heat on the image reading apparatus). As a result, there is a problem that it is difficult to downsize the apparatus.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and provides an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently cooling a sheet, a control method for the image forming apparatus, and a control program for the image forming apparatus. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes an image reading device mounted on an upper portion of an image forming device main body, and an interior of a body formed by the image forming device main body and the image reading device. Control unit for controlling the wind direction of the cooling device according to the movement of the paper discharge unit for discharging and stacking the paper on which the image is formed, the cooling device, and the paper discharged to the paper discharge unit. Means.

  Preferably, the cooling device is a cooling fan for preventing a temperature rise of the image reading device.

  Preferably, the control means controls the air volume of the cooling fan.

  Preferably, the control means changes the air direction of the cooling fan in conjunction with the movement of the paper.

  Preferably, the control unit changes the air direction of the cooling fan in conjunction with at least one of the amount and posture of the stacked sheets.

  Preferably, the control means controls the operating time of the cooling fan.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, an image is formed which is provided inside an image reading apparatus mounted on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body and a body formed by the image forming apparatus main body and the image reading apparatus. A control method of an image forming apparatus including a paper discharge unit for discharging and stacking paper and a cooling device is a control for controlling the air direction of the cooling device according to the movement of the paper discharged to the paper discharge unit. Comprising steps.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, an image is formed which is provided inside an image reading apparatus mounted on an upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body and a body formed by the image forming apparatus main body and the image reading apparatus. A control program for an image forming apparatus including a paper discharge unit for discharging and stacking the discharged paper and a cooling device controls the air direction of the cooling device according to the movement of the paper discharged to the paper discharge unit. Causes the computer to execute control steps.

  According to these inventions, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently cooling a sheet, a method for controlling the image forming apparatus, and a control program for the image forming apparatus.

It is a figure which shows the cross section of the 4-cycle image forming apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a cooling device provided in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of a cooling device executed by the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the ON time of the paper detection sensor 11, and the set time of the timer which drives a fan. It is a figure which shows the cross section of the 4-cycle image forming apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the air direction switching mechanism of the cooling device with which the image forming apparatus of FIG. 5 is provided.

  [First Embodiment]

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a cross section of a four-cycle image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The outline of the image forming process will be described with reference to FIG. The paper feed cassette 2 contains paper for forming an image. The presence or absence of paper is detected by a sensor (not shown), and when the paper is not set or when the paper runs out during printing, the user is notified by a display panel (not shown). In front of the paper feed cassette 2 (on the right side in the drawing), a paper feed unit 3 for sending out the paper in the paper feed cassette 2 to the image forming unit is provided.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is used alone or connected to a computer directly or via a network. Hereinafter, a case where the printer is connected to a computer and operates as a printer will be described as an example.

  Image data to be printed on paper is transferred to a controller (control unit) C from a computer (not shown). A latent image is formed on the photoconductor 4 by the image writing unit based on the transferred image data. In the developing unit, an image of a developer is formed on the photoreceptor 4 according to the latent image.

  The developer on the photoreceptor 4 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 5. In the color mode, image formation and development operation on the photoreceptor 4 and transfer onto the intermediate transfer belt 5 are performed in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and the images of the respective colors are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 5. A full-color image is formed at the same time.

  The image on the intermediate transfer belt 5 is transferred to the paper in the secondary transfer unit 6. After the sheet is sent out from the sheet feeding unit 3, the sheet is transported to the secondary transfer unit 6 by controlling the position of the image with respect to the sheet to be appropriate. The sheet onto which the developer has been transferred by the secondary transfer unit 6 is sent to the fixing unit 7, and after being applied with heat and pressure, it is discharged to the paper discharge unit 8. By passing through the fixing unit 7, the developer on the paper is colored as soon as it is fixed on the paper, and image formation is completed.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading device 9 on the top thereof. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can be used as a so-called copying machine. In that case, the data read by the image reading device 9 is used as the above-mentioned image data, not the data transferred from the computer.

  The image forming process is as described above. The image reading device 9 has a method of reading image information by placing a document on a platen and moving a reading optical system, and a method of reading image information while moving a document, and which method is adopted here. You may have both. The point that an image is formed based on the read image data is the same as described above.

  The fixing unit 7 fixes the developer on the paper by applying heat. Accordingly, the sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 7 becomes high temperature. On the other hand, the image reading device 9 includes an optical system and a reading element for reading image information on a document. When heat is applied to these, the quality of the read image is deteriorated.

  Therefore, it is necessary to cool the image reading device 9, but in cooling, it is more effective to cool the sheet immediately after printing. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a cooling fan 10 as a cooling device for cooling the vicinity of the paper discharge unit 8 and has a wind direction changing mechanism for changing the direction of the wind. The air direction of the cooling fan 10 is adjusted so as to cool the image reading device 9 in a state where the image reading device 9 is reading an image.

  When the paper detection sensor 11 for detecting that the printed paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit 8 is turned on, the air direction of the cooling fan 10 is adjusted so as to be in the direction of cooling the paper. When the paper detection sensor 11 is turned off, it is detected that the paper has been completely discharged. Thereafter, the air direction of the cooling fan 10 is changed so that the image reading device 9 is cooled after a predetermined time has elapsed. When a plurality of sheets are continuously printed, the wind direction of the cooling fan 10 is changed to the image reading device 9 side after elapse of the time set by the timer after the last sheet is discharged. The change timing of the air direction of the cooling fan 10 is changed according to the number of sheets to be printed.

  The air direction of the cooling fan 10 can be switched using an actuator such as a motor or a solenoid. The wind direction may be switched between at least two directions, that is, a direction for cooling the sheet and a direction for cooling the image reading device 9. The wind direction may be finely adjusted according to the paper size and the number of printed sheets. In that case, the apparatus may be configured so that the wind direction can be changed in multiple stages or continuously. For example, control is performed so that the wind direction is directed toward the center of the paper.

  Note that sensors SE1 and SE2 for detecting the passage of the paper may be provided in the paper passage path of the paper on which the image is formed. Further, a sensor SE3 for detecting the presence (or amount) of paper in the paper discharge unit 8 may be provided.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a cooling device provided in the image forming apparatus of FIG.

  Referring to the drawing, the cooling device includes a paper detection sensor 11 that detects discharge of paper to the paper discharge unit 8, and the air volume (wind intensity) of the cooling fan 10 based on the detection of the paper detection sensor 11. The control unit 20 that controls the wind direction, the cooling fan 10 that is rotationally driven by a motor, and the wind direction switching unit 30 that switches the wind direction of the fan are provided.

  The air direction switching unit 30 may be a mechanism that changes the direction of the cooling fan 10 itself by an actuator such as a motor or a solenoid, or the direction of a louver provided in front of the cooling fan 10 by an actuator such as a motor or a solenoid. It may be a mechanism.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the cooling device executed by the image forming apparatus.

  When printing starts (S101), the output of the paper detection sensor 11 for detecting whether or not the paper reaches the paper discharge unit 8 is checked (S102). When it is detected that the sensor is turned on, the air direction of the cooling fan 10 is set to the direction for cooling the paper (S103), and at the same time, measurement of the time during which the sensor is turned on (sensor ON time) is started (S104).

  Thereafter, it is checked whether or not the paper detection sensor 11 is OFF for a predetermined time interval (a time longer than the paper passing interval) (S105). If YES, the sensor ON time measurement is terminated (S106). Then, the time during which the paper detection sensor 11 is ON (sensor ON time) is calculated, and the timer time is set based on the result (S107).

  Thereafter, it is checked whether or not the set time has passed (S108). When the set time has passed, the air direction of the cooling fan 10 is set to the direction for cooling the image reading device 9, and the air volume is returned to the original state. It returns (S109), and a series of operation | movement is complete | finished (S110).

  While NO is determined in step S105, the air volume of the cooling fan 10 is increased in step S120, and the process returns to step S105. The process of step S120 may not be performed.

  If the number of copies or prints to be set is small, the air direction of the cooling fan 10 may be switched to the direction in which the image reading device 9 is cooled simultaneously with turning off the paper detection sensor 11 (YES in S105). Further, a sensor that detects the temperature in the vicinity of the paper discharge unit 8 or the image reading unit 9 may be provided in the apparatus, and the air direction of the cooling fan 10 may be switched depending on the detection result.

  In the case of continuous copying or continuous printing (when a plurality of sheets after image formation are continuously discharged), the output of the sheet detection sensor 11 is switched from ON to OFF and then switched to ON again in a short time. It will be. Since it is cumbersome to switch the air direction of the cooling fan 10 during that time, the air direction switching timing of the cooling fan 10 detects that the output of the paper detection sensor 11 has been turned off for a predetermined time or more, as in step S105 of FIG. Thereafter, it is desirable that the timer time elapses.

  That is, when the timing of switching the airflow direction of the cooling fan 10 is set after a certain time has elapsed after the sensor is turned off, the certain time is preferably longer than the paper discharge interval for continuous printing.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the on time of the paper detection sensor 11 and the set time of the timer for driving the fan.

  If the “sensor ON time” of the paper detection sensor 11 is long, the set time of the timer is lengthened. The “sensor ON time” is the time until YES is determined in step S105 in FIG.

  Further, the sensor ON time and the timer set time may be proportional to each other, or as shown in FIG. 4, even when the sensor ON time is shorter than the predetermined time, a certain time may be set in the timer. Of course, if the sensor ON time is shorter than the predetermined time, the direction of the fan may be switched immediately after the paper discharge is completed without setting the timer.

  Note that the air volume of the cooling fan 10 may be variable, and the air volume may be changed according to the switching of the air direction, the operation of the image reading apparatus, the number of printed sheets, etc. (in the flowchart of FIG. Shows an example of increasing the air volume).

  Further, when the user removes the paper immediately after being discharged by providing the apparatus with a sensor or the like that detects whether there is paper in the paper discharge unit 8 or whether the user has accessed the paper discharge unit 8. In other words, unnecessary air flow to the paper discharge unit 8 can be prevented by switching the air direction of the cooling fan 10 to a direction in which the image reading device 9 is cooled or changing (weakening) the air volume. is there. Whether or not there is paper in the paper discharge unit 8 can be detected by, for example, the sensor 11 in FIG.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 3, the loop of step S105 is exited based on the output of the paper detection sensor. However, the loop of step S105 is exited based on the output of the job end signal output from the control unit C when the job ends. It is good as well.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 3, the loop of step S105 is exited based on the output of the paper detection sensor. However, in step S105 based on the output of any of the paper detection sensors SE1 to SE3 or the jam detection sensor. It is also possible to exit the loop.

  Further, when the wind is sent in the direction of the normal image reading device 9, the air volume may be relatively reduced, and when the wind direction is directed in the direction of the sheet in step S103, the air volume may be increased (step S109). You can also reduce the air volume.)

  Alternatively, the amount of paper that is continuously output may be counted, and the air volume may be increased based on the count value.

  In step S109, the fan may be stopped. In step S103, the fan may be operated.

  [Effect in the first embodiment]

  According to the above configuration, the image forming apparatus has the image reading apparatus mounted on the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body, and the image is formed on the paper discharge unit provided in the body formed by the image forming apparatus main body and the image reading apparatus. The paper on which is formed is discharged and stacked. The image forming apparatus has a cooling device for preventing a temperature rise of the image reading apparatus. The cooling device is controlled according to the amount of paper discharged to the paper discharge unit.

  More specifically, the control unit of the cooling device controls at least one of the air volume and the air direction of the cooling fan.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus includes a paper detection unit that detects that the paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit, and the control unit of the cooling device controls the air volume and the air direction of the cooling fan according to the detection result of the paper detection unit. To do.

  Further, the control unit of the cooling device controls the operation time of the cooling fan (the time during which the sheet is cooled).

  In this way, the air volume and direction of the cooling device are controlled according to the state of the recording medium to be discharged. More specifically, the flow of air (air volume and direction) is controlled according to the amount of printed paper. By controlling the air volume and direction of the cooling device according to the state of the discharged recording medium, efficient cooling can be performed. In addition, since the adverse effect of heat on the image reading apparatus can be prevented, the image reading apparatus can be arranged close to the image forming apparatus main body side. Thereby, there exists an effect that an apparatus can be reduced in size.

  [Second Embodiment]

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a cross section of a four-cycle image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the difference between the image forming apparatus of FIG. 5 and that of FIG. 1 will be described. The image forming apparatus of FIG. 5 includes a wind direction switching mechanism of a cooling device.

  FIG. 6 is a view showing a wind direction switching mechanism of a cooling device provided in the image forming apparatus of FIG.

  As described above, it is necessary to cool the image reading device 9 in the image forming apparatus. When the printed paper is discharged, it is more effective to cool the paper immediately after printing than to cool the image reading device 9.

  For this reason, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a cooling fan 10 as a cooling device for cooling the vicinity of the paper discharge unit 8, and the direction of the wind changes in conjunction with the paper. A paper detection sensor (swing lever) 11 that is linked to the movement of the paper is disposed in the vicinity of the paper discharge unit 8. The louver 12 is interlocked with the swing lever 11. By moving the louver 12 in this way, the air direction of the cooling fan 10 is changed.

  More specifically, when the paper is pushing the swing lever 11, control is performed so that the wind direction is the direction to cool the paper. The position of the louver 12 indicated by a broken line in FIGS. 5 and 6 indicates that the wind direction is the direction in which the sheet is cooled. When the swing lever 11 is in the initial position (the state where there is no paper), the cooling fan 10 is set to have a wind direction so as to cool the image reading device 9. The position of the louver 12 indicated by a solid line in FIGS. 5 and 6 indicates that the wind direction is the direction in which the image reading apparatus 9 is cooled.

  As the swing lever 11, a lever for pressing the rear end of the discharged paper or a detection sensor lever for detecting the paper can be used. Alternatively, the tray angle of the paper discharge unit 8 may be changed, and the louver 12 may be moved in conjunction with the tray angle (that is, the amount or posture of stacked sheets after printing). The louver 12 may be moved in conjunction with both the swing lever 11 and the tray angle.

  With reference to FIG. 6, the air direction switching operation of the cooling device in more detail will be described.

  The paper that has passed through the fixing unit 7 is discharged to the paper discharge unit 8 by the paper discharge roller 13. The swing lever 11 is disposed at the position of the paper immediately after exiting the paper discharge roller 13. The swing lever 11 is in a position indicated by a solid line in a state where the sheet is not immediately after the sheet discharge roller 13, and gradually moves to a broken line position when the sheet is discharged. Since the force applied to the swing lever 11 varies depending on the thickness and rigidity of the sheet, the position of the broken line slightly varies.

  In front of the cooling fan 10, a louver 12 for controlling the air direction is disposed. The louver 12 is rotatably supported like the swing lever 11. The swing lever 11 and the louver 12 are connected by a link mechanism (not shown). Thereby, the positions of the solid line and the broken line of the louver 12 correspond to the positions of the solid line and the broken line of the swing lever 11. That is, when the louver 12 is at the solid line position, the swing lever 11 is at the solid line position, and when the louver 12 is at the dotted line position, the swing lever 11 is at the dotted line position.

  In a state where the paper pushes up the swing lever 11, the louver 12 is controlled so that the wind of the cooling fan 10 is directed in the direction of cooling the paper.

  In addition to the link mechanism, a cam mechanism or the like can be used to connect the swing lever 11 and the louver 12.

  Further, the air volume of the cooling fan 10 may be variable, and the air volume may be changed according to the switching of the air direction or the operation of the image reading apparatus. For example, as in the first embodiment, the air volume is increased until the paper detection sensor (swing lever) 11 is turned OFF for a predetermined time or more.

  The air volume of the fan may be increased according to the number of times the paper detection sensor (swing lever) 11 is turned on / off within a predetermined time. The air volume of the fan may be increased when the paper detection sensor (swing lever) 11 is turned on.

  The air volume control in the first embodiment may be employed in the second embodiment.

  [Effects of Second Embodiment]

  As described above, the image forming apparatus has the image reading apparatus mounted on the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body, and the image is placed on the paper discharge unit provided in the body formed by the image forming apparatus main body and the image reading apparatus. It is configured to discharge and stack the formed sheets. The image forming apparatus has a cooling device for preventing a temperature rise of the image reading device, and controls the cooling device in conjunction with the paper discharged to the paper discharge unit.

  The control unit of the cooling device controls at least one of the air volume and the air direction of the cooling fan.

  Preferably, the control unit of the cooling device includes a mechanism in which the air direction of the cooling fan is interlocked with the movement of the paper.

  The air direction of the cooling fan can be configured to be linked to at least one of the amount and posture of the stacked sheets.

  Moreover, the control part of a cooling device is good also as controlling the operating time of a cooling fan.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to control the air volume and direction of the cooling device in conjunction with the state of the recording medium to be ejected. More specifically, the flow of wind (air volume and direction) can be controlled in conjunction with the movement of the printed paper. The effective cooling can prevent the influence (adverse effect) of the heat on the image reading apparatus, so that the distance between the image forming apparatus and the image reading apparatus can be reduced. Thereby, size reduction of the whole apparatus can be achieved at low cost.

  [Others]

  In the above embodiment, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black images are sequentially formed on the intermediate transfer belt one by one, and then transferred onto a sheet of paper (secondary transfer). Although the developing system is shown, the present invention can also be used in a tandem image forming apparatus provided with a photoconductor corresponding to each color, and a direct transfer image forming apparatus that directly transfers an image to a sheet.

  Further, the present invention can be implemented for an image forming apparatus such as an MFP, a facsimile machine, and a copying machine.

  Further, the processing in the above-described embodiment may be performed by software or by using a hardware circuit.

  In addition, a program for executing the processing in the above-described embodiment can be provided, and the program is recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, and a memory card and provided to the user. You may decide to do it. The program may be downloaded to the apparatus via a communication line such as the Internet.

  In addition, it should be thought that the said embodiment is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Paper feed cassette 3 Paper feed part 4 Photoconductor 5 Intermediate transfer belt 6 Secondary transfer part 7 Fixing part 8 Paper discharge part 9 Image reading apparatus 10 Cooling device (cooling fan)
11 Paper detection sensor (swing lever)
12 louvers 13 Paper discharge rollers

Claims (8)

An image reading device mounted on the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body;
A paper discharge unit provided inside a body formed by the image forming apparatus main body and the image reading device for discharging and stacking sheets on which images are formed;
A cooling device;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls a wind direction of the cooling device according to a movement of the sheet discharged to the sheet discharge unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cooling device is a cooling fan for preventing a temperature rise of the image reading device.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls an air volume of the cooling fan.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit changes the air direction of the cooling fan in conjunction with the movement of the sheet.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit changes the air direction of the cooling fan in conjunction with at least one of the amount and posture of stacked sheets.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls an operation time of the cooling fan. An image reading device mounted on the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body;
A paper discharge unit provided inside a body formed by the image forming apparatus main body and the image reading device for discharging and stacking sheets on which images are formed;
A control method for an image forming apparatus comprising a cooling device,
A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a control step for controlling a wind direction of the cooling device according to a movement of a sheet discharged to the sheet discharge unit. An image reading device mounted on the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body;
A paper discharge unit provided inside a body formed by the image forming apparatus main body and the image reading device for discharging and stacking sheets on which images are formed;
A control program for an image forming apparatus comprising a cooling device,
A control program for an image forming apparatus, which causes a computer to execute a control step for controlling a wind direction of the cooling device in accordance with a movement of a sheet discharged to the sheet discharge unit.

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