JP2012155069A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem of an image forming apparatus including a main body provided with a working table and an openable door cover disposed below the working table in which the inside of the main body is difficult to visually check because it is behind the working table.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 of the invention comprises: a working table 10 provided to extend outward on one side of a main body 2; and a door cover 12 for openably covering an opening 11 disposed in a portion on the side of the main body 2 below the working table 10. Lighting means 26 that is turned on by opening the door cover 12 for lighting a portion below the working table 10 is provided on a lower face of the working table 10.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a working table is attached to an apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus includes various apparatuses such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine having these functions in combination.

  Conventional image forming apparatuses having a working table on one side of the apparatus main body are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). By providing the working table in the image forming apparatus, a document or the like can be temporarily placed on the working table, and convenience when using the image forming apparatus is improved.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-112632 JP 2009-288398 A

  By the way, a door cover that opens and closes at the time of jam processing or replacement of consumables is generally provided on the side of the apparatus main body, and this type of door cover also exists below the working table. In this case, even if the door cover is opened, the opening and the inside of the device main body facing the opening are behind the working table, and it is difficult for the user to visually recognize the inside of the device main body. There was a problem that the performance decreased.

  This invention makes it a technical subject to improve such a present condition.

  The invention of claim 1 is capable of opening and closing a working table attached to one side of the apparatus main body so as to project outward and an opening formed below the working table in one side of the apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus including a door cover for closing, and having an illuminating unit on the lower surface side of the working table, which is turned on when the door cover is opened to illuminate the lower side of the working table.

  The invention according to claim 2 is capable of opening and closing a working table attached so as to project outward from one side portion of the apparatus main body and an opening formed below the working table in one side portion of the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus includes a closing door cover, and has an illuminating unit on the lower surface side of the working table that is turned on when a jam is detected and illuminates the lower side of the working table.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the opening faces a fixing device that fixes the toner image to a recording material onto which the toner image has been transferred. The illuminating means is set so as to be able to irradiate light around the fixing device and its downstream side with the door cover opened.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the illumination unit is provided at a base portion of the working table.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the illuminating means is disposed away from a pivotal fulcrum of the door cover.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein a plurality of the illumination means are provided.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the illuminating unit includes a USB cable inserted into the main body of the apparatus, and a tip of the USB cable. Is connected to a USB connector of a USB connector disposed inside the apparatus main body, thereby supplying power to the illumination means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when performing jam processing near the door cover or exchanging consumables, the illumination means is turned on simply by opening the door cover. The interior of the main body of the device can be illuminated brightly, and the visibility of these parts can be improved. Therefore, the workability of jam processing and consumable replacement is improved while maintaining the convenience when using the image forming apparatus due to the presence of the working table.

  According to the invention of claim 2, when the jam occurs in the vicinity of the door cover, the lighting means is turned on, and the user is notified of the occurrence of the jam by the lighting of the lighting means to alert the user. it can. Thereafter, if the door cover is opened, the opening behind the working table and the inside of the apparatus main body facing the opening can be illuminated brightly, and the visibility of these parts can be improved. Therefore, similarly to the first aspect of the invention, the presence of the working table improves the workability of jam handling and consumable replacement while maintaining convenience when using the image forming apparatus.

1 is an external perspective view of an MFP. It is front sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of an apparatus main body. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the open state of a door cover. It is a principal part expanded front sectional view which shows the relationship between the door cover and LED lamp of an open state. FIG. 3 is a side view of the MFP as seen from the working table side. It is a functional block diagram of a controller. It is a flowchart which shows 1st Embodiment of illumination control. It is a flowchart which shows 2nd Embodiment of illumination control. FIG. 10 is a side view of an MFP according to a third embodiment. It is a side view of MFP in 4th Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a side view of an MFP according to a fifth embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1). Overview of MFP A multifunction device 1 (hereinafter referred to as an MFP) as an example of an image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 has many functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, a printer function, and a fax function. Data can be transmitted and received via a network (communication network) such as a line. That is, the MFP 1 outputs image data read from a document to another computer via a network, inputs image data from another computer via a network, executes printing based on the image data, or transmits FAX data. It can send and receive.

  An image reading unit 5 including a scanner unit 3 and an automatic document conveying unit 4 (hereinafter referred to as ADF) is provided on the upper part of the apparatus main body 2 in the MFP 1. The image reading unit 5 is configured to operate the scanner unit 3 and the ADF 4 in synchronization, and to acquire image data by optically reading an image from each document set on the ADF 4. That is, the ADF 4 conveys originals one by one toward the scanner unit 3, and the scanner unit 3 is configured to read an image and acquire image data when the original passes a predetermined reading position. .

  A paper feeding unit 7 that accommodates the recording material P is provided in the lower part of the apparatus main body 2. An image forming unit 6 that prints a toner image on the recording material P is provided between the image reading unit 5 and the paper feeding unit 7 in the apparatus main body 2. The paper feeding unit 7 supplies the recording material P to the image forming unit 6 one by one, and the image forming unit 6 prints a toner image on the recording material P based on the image data acquired via the image reading unit 5 or the network. Is configured to do. A recessed space between the image reading unit 5 and the image forming unit 6 in the apparatus main body 2 is a paper discharge storing unit 8. The recording material P on which the toner image is printed by the image forming unit 6 is discharged to the paper discharge storage unit 8.

  An operation panel 9 having a plurality of keys (buttons) is provided on the front side (front side) of the apparatus body 2. The user can perform a setting operation for a function selected from the various functions of the MFP 1 or instruct the MFP 1 to perform work by performing key operations while viewing the display screen of the operation panel 9.

  As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the working table 10 is attached to one side part of the apparatus main body 2 so as to stick outward. The working table 10 is an optional part of the MFP 1 and can be attached to and detached from one side of the apparatus main body 2. The top surface of the working table 10 is substantially flat and can be used as a work space for temporarily placing a document or the like. The working table 10 is provided at substantially the same height as the scanner unit 3 in consideration of convenience when using the MFP 1.

  A rectangular opening 11 is formed below the working table 10 on one side of the apparatus body 2. The opening 11 is closed by a door cover 12 that can be pivoted up and down about a pivot point 13 (see FIG. 2) on the lower end side. In this case, the axial direction of the rotation fulcrum portion 13 extends in the front-rear horizontal direction. As the door cover 12 opens and closes, the inside of the apparatus main body 2 is exposed or covered. When jamming or exchanging consumables, the door cover 12 is opened and various operations are performed by inserting a hand into the apparatus main body 2 from the outside.

(2). Next, the internal structure of the apparatus main body 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the case of single-sided printing, the recording material P fed out from the paper feeding unit 7 is conveyed to the image forming unit 6 along the main conveyance path 15. In the image forming unit 6, toner images composed of four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 16, and the recording material P moves the transfer unit 17. When passing, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 16 is secondarily transferred collectively to one side of the recording material P. The recording material P on which the unfixed toner image is placed on one side is heated and pressurized when passing through the fixing unit 18 to fix the unfixed toner image. The recording material P after the toner image is fixed (after single-sided printing) is discharged from the paper discharge port 19 to the paper discharge storage unit 8. In the case of double-sided printing, the recording material P after single-sided printing is conveyed to the circulation conveyance path 20 for double-sided printing, turned over, and returned to the main conveyance path 15 to transfer the toner image to the other side of the recording material P.・ It will be fixed.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the inner surface of the door transport 12 on the main transport path side 15 functions as a part of the main transport path 15 with the door cover 12 closed. The door cover 12 is unitized in a state in which the secondary transfer roller 21 of the transfer unit 17, one of the registration roller pair 22 on the upstream side of transfer of the transfer unit, and the circulation transfer path 20 are assembled. By opening and closing the door cover 12, the conveyance downstream side range after the registration roller pair 22 in the main conveyance path 15 is exposed or covered.

  An opening / closing detection sensor 23 as an opening / closing detection means for detecting the opening / closing state of the door cover 12 is disposed in the vicinity of the opening 11 in the apparatus main body 2 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). The open / close detection sensor 23 is, for example, a limit switch type that turns off when the door cover 12 is closed and turns on when the door cover 12 is opened, and outputs a control signal indicating opening to the controller 30 (see FIG. 7) described later. belongs to. When the opening / closing detection sensor 23 detects the opening of the door cover 12, the MFP 1 prohibits execution of all jobs and displays a screen indicating the opening of the door cover 12 on the operation panel 9. In addition, as an opening / closing detection means, you may employ | adopt the encoder which detects the rotation angle of the door cover 12 (rotation fulcrum part 13).

  A registration sensor 24 that detects the leading edge position and the trailing edge position of the recording material P is disposed on the upstream side of the main conveyance path 15 where the registration roller pair 22 is conveyed. The registration sensor 24 is basically used for adjusting the conveyance timing of the recording material P to the transfer unit 17, but is also used to detect a jam of the recording material P before the transfer unit 17. A fixing paper discharge sensor 25 for detecting the leading edge position and the trailing edge position of the recording material P is disposed in the main conveyance path 15 on the conveyance downstream side of the fixing unit 18. The fixing paper discharge sensor 25 is basically used for determining the completion of image formation for each recording material P, but is also used for detecting a jam of the recording material P before and after the fixing unit 18. Note that the registration sensor 24 and the fixing paper discharge sensor 25 are configured to be turned on when the recording material P passes over the sensors 24 and 25, and to be turned off in other cases. These sensors 24 and 25 correspond to jam detecting means.

(3). Next, the illumination unit and the related structure of the illumination control according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the working table 10 attached to one side of the apparatus body 2 is formed in a box shape with a downward opening. An LED lamp 26 is provided on the lower surface side of the working table 10 as an example of an illuminating unit that illuminates the lower side of the working table 10. Although details will be described later, the LED lamp 26 in this case is configured to be turned on when the door cover 12 is opened and turned off when the door cover 12 is closed. The LED lamp 26 is provided on the inner surface center side of the base portion 10 a that is abutted against one side portion of the apparatus main body 2 in the working table 10. For this reason, for example, when the door cover 12 is opened to perform jam processing or replacement of consumables, it is possible to reduce a possibility that a user's hand or the like blocks light from the LED lamp 26 toward the inside of the apparatus main body 2.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the LED lamp 26 has a USB cable 27 that passes through the base 10 a of the working table 10 and one side of the apparatus main body 2 and is inserted into the apparatus main body 2. By connecting a USB connector 27a provided at the distal end of the USB cable 27 to a USB connector 28a of a USB interface unit 28 disposed inside the apparatus main body, power is supplied to the LED lamp 26. The USB interface unit 28 is electrically connected to a controller 30 described later (see FIG. 7). Since the USB cable 27 of the LED lamp 26 is wired inside the apparatus main body 2, the USB cable 27 is not exposed and viewed outside the apparatus main body 2, and the appearance of the MFP 1 is good and contributes to the improvement of the aesthetics.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the irradiation part 26 a of the LED lamp 26 is inclined so that the irradiation surface 26 b side faces the opening 11 of the apparatus main body 2. For this reason, the LED lamp 26 can irradiate light around the fixing unit 18 and its downstream side with the door cover 12 opened. As can be seen from FIGS. 2 to 4, the rotation fulcrum portion 13 of the door cover 12 is located on the lower end side of the door cover 12 and is far away from the LED lamp 26 on the lower surface side of the working table 10. In other words, the LED lamp 26 is disposed away from the pivot point 13 of the door cover 12. For this reason, the door cover 12 in an open state does not block the light from the LED lamp 26 toward the inside of the apparatus main body 2, and the opening 11 and the inside of the apparatus main body 2 facing the opening 11 can be illuminated brightly.

  In the apparatus main body 2, a controller 30 is disposed as a control unit that performs overall control of the MFP 1. The controller 30 includes a CPU 31 for executing various arithmetic processes and controls, a communication interface (I / F) unit 32 for connection with an external terminal, a USB interface unit 28, a storage unit 33 such as an EEPROM or a flash memory, and a control program. And a RAM 34 for temporarily storing data. The controller 30 is electrically connected to the scanner unit 3, the ADF 4, the image forming unit 6, the paper feeding unit 7, and the operation panel 9. The controller 30 is also electrically connected to the open / close detection sensor 23, the registration sensor 24, and the fixing paper discharge sensor 25 described above. The controller 30 is configured to execute illumination control for turning on / off the LED lamp 26 by opening and closing the door cover 12.

(4). First Embodiment of Lighting Control Next, a first embodiment of lighting control will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the first embodiment of illumination control. Here, the algorithm shown in the flowchart disclosed below is stored as a program in the storage means 33 of the controller 30, and is read by the RAM 34 and then executed by the CPU 31. The illumination control of the first embodiment is executed as an interrupt process for checking the detection result of the open / close detection sensor 23 at appropriate time intervals.

  In the illumination control of the first embodiment, first, the detection result of the open / close detection sensor 23 is acquired (S01), and it is determined whether or not the open / close detection sensor 23 is in an on state (S02). If the open / close detection sensor 23 is in an off state (S02: NO), it means that the door cover 12 is in a closed state, and thus the illumination control is finished as it is. If the open / close detection sensor 23 is in the ON state (S02: YES), it means that the door cover 12 is in the open state, so the LED lamp 26 is turned on (S03). Next, it is determined again whether or not the open / close detection sensor 23 is in an on state (S04), and if it is in an on state (S04: YES), the process returns to step S03 and continues the lighting state of the LED lamp 26. If the open / close detection sensor 23 is off (S04: NO), it means that the door cover 12 is closed, so the LED lamp 26 is turned off (S05), and the illumination control is terminated.

  As is clear from the above description, according to the first embodiment, when the jam processing near the door cover 12 or the replacement of consumables, the LED lamp 26 is lit only by opening the door cover 12. The opening 11 behind the working table 10 and the inside of the apparatus main body 2 facing the opening 11 can be illuminated brightly, and the visibility of these parts can be improved. Therefore, the workability of jam processing and consumable replacement is improved while maintaining convenience when using the MFP 1 due to the presence of the working table 10. Further, since the LED lamp 26 can be turned on / off in conjunction with the opening / closing of the door cover 12, there is no need to provide a dedicated switch for the operation of turning on / off the LED lamp 26 (the LED lamp 26 is convenient). The user's hand is not bothered for turning on / off the light).

(5). Second Embodiment of Lighting Control FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of lighting control. In the second embodiment, the control is performed such that the turning on / off of the LED lamp 26 is not linked to the opening / closing of the door cover 12 but linked to the occurrence / dissolution of the jam. Whether or not a jam has occurred in the second embodiment is determined by whether or not the recording material P that has passed through the registration sensor 24 passes through the fixing paper discharge sensor 25 within a predetermined time. Whether or not the jam has been resolved is determined by whether or not both the registration sensor 24 and the fixing paper discharge sensor 25 are off.

  In this case, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, when the registration sensor 24 is turned on by the passage of the recording material P (S11), the time required for the recording material P to reach the fixing paper discharge sensor 25 is set as a timer. Set (S12). Next, when the fixing paper discharge sensor 25 is not switched and remains off (S13: NO), and the timer set in step S12 times out (S14: YES), the LED lamp 26 is turned on (S15). ). Next, it is determined whether or not both the registration sensor 24 and the fixing paper discharge sensor 25 are in an off state (S16). If at least one of them is in an on state (S16: NO), the process returns to step S15 and the LED lamp 26 Continue lighting. If both are in the off state (S16: YES), this means that jamming is eliminated, so the LED lamp 26 is turned off (S17), and the illumination control is terminated.

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the second embodiment, when a jam occurs in the vicinity of the door cover 12, the LED lamp 26 is lit, and the user is notified of the jam by the lighting of the LED lamp 26. Yes, it can alert the user. After that, if the door cover 12 is opened, the opening 11 that is behind the working table 10 and the inside of the apparatus main body 2 facing this can be illuminated brightly, and the visibility of these parts can be improved. Accordingly, as in the case of the first embodiment, the presence of the working table 10 improves the workability of jam processing and consumable replacement while maintaining convenience when using the MFP 1.

  Further, since the LED lamp 26 is turned off when the jam is eliminated, the user can easily be notified of the jam elimination. Further, since the LED lamp 26 can be turned on / off in conjunction with the occurrence / removal of a jam, there is no need to newly provide a dedicated switch for turning on / off the LED lamp 26 (the LED lamp 26 is easy to use). The user's hand is not bothered for turning on / off the light).

(6). Another embodiment of illumination means (third, fourth and fifth embodiments)
In 1st and 2nd embodiment, although the rotation fulcrum part 13 of the door cover 12 was provided in the lower end side of the door cover 12, it is not limited to this. For example, as in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the rotation fulcrum portion 13 may be provided on the rear end side of the door cover 12 and the door cover 12 may be horizontally opened and closed. In this case, since the LED lamp 26 is separated from the rotation fulcrum portion 13 of the door cover 12, the LED lamp 26 is disposed at a front portion of the inner surface of the base portion 10 a of the working table 10. Further, as in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the rotation fulcrum portion 13 may be provided on the front end side of the door cover 12 and the door cover 12 may be horizontally opened and closed. In this case, the LED lamp 26 is disposed at a rear portion of the inner surface of the base portion 10 a of the working table 10 in order to be separated from the rotation fulcrum portion 13 of the door cover 12. In any case, since the LED lamp 26 is separated from the rotation fulcrum portion 13 of the door cover 12, the opened door cover 12 does not block the light from the LED lamp 26 toward the inside of the apparatus main body 2, and is accurately opened. The part 11 and the inside of the apparatus main body 2 facing this can be illuminated brightly.

  Furthermore, the number of the LED lamps 26 in the first to fourth embodiments is one, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the LED lamp is provided on the lower surface side of the working table 10 as in the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. A plurality (26 in FIG. 11) 26 may be provided. With this configuration, when the door cover 12 is opened and a hand is inserted into the apparatus main body 2 from the outside, the portion that is shaded by the user's hand or the like can be reduced, and the opening 11 or the apparatus facing the opening 11 can be reduced. The inside of the main body 2 can be illuminated brightly.

(7). Others The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in various forms. For example, although the MFP 1 has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a printer or the like may be used. The illumination means is not limited to the LED lamp 26 but may be any member that emits light such as a fluorescent lamp or a light bulb. In addition, the structure of each part is not limited to embodiment of illustration, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.

1 MFP (image forming device)
2 Main body 10 Working table 12 Door cover 13 Rotating fulcrum 15 Main transport path 23 Opening / closing detection sensor 24 Registration sensor 25 Fixing discharge sensor 26 LED lamp (illumination means)
27 USB cable 28 USB interface unit 30 Controller

Claims (7)

A working table attached to one side of the apparatus main body so as to project outward, and a door cover that closes an opening formed below the working table in one side of the apparatus main body so as to be opened and closed. An image forming apparatus comprising:
On the lower surface side of the working table, there is an illuminating means that is lit by opening the door cover and illuminates the lower side of the working table.
Image forming apparatus. A working table attached so as to project outward from one side of the apparatus main body, and a door cover that closes an opening formed below the working table in one side of the apparatus main body so as to be opened and closed. An image forming apparatus comprising:
On the lower surface side of the working table, there is an illumination means that illuminates and detects the lower side of the working table by detecting a jam.
Image forming apparatus. In the opening, a fixing unit that fixes the toner image onto the recording material onto which the toner image has been transferred is exposed, and the illumination unit opens the door and the periphery of the fixing unit and the conveyance thereof. It is set to irradiate light on the downstream side,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The illumination means is provided at the base of the working table;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The illuminating means is disposed away from the rotation fulcrum portion of the door cover,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A plurality of illumination means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The illuminating means has a USB cable inserted into the apparatus main body,
By connecting a USB connector provided at the tip of the USB cable to a USB connector of a USB interface unit disposed inside the apparatus main body, power is supplied to the illumination means.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

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