JP2016105143A - Image forming apparatus and conveyance control method of recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a difficulty in post-processing when a paper jam is generated across two devices.SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus comprising an image forming part and a post-processing part that performs post-processing on a recording medium having an image formed thereon, conveyance control of the recording medium is executed as follows. First conveyance means provided in the image forming part holds the recording medium having the image formed thereon while conveying the recording medium from the image forming part to the post-processing part. Second conveyance means provided in the post-processing part holds the recording medium that has been conveyed thereto while conveying the recording medium to the outside of the apparatus after post-processing. When generation of a jam is detected during the conveyance, the conveyance by the first and second conveyance means is stopped. Then, on the basis of the detection results of first and second detection means that are provided along the conveyance path of the recording medium in the image forming part and the post-processing part and each detect the recording medium, the holding state by the first and second conveyance means of the recording medium where the jam has been generated is determined. Finally, the conveyance of the first conveyance means is controlled on the basis of the determination result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a recording medium conveyance control method, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium in accordance with an electrophotographic method and a recording medium conveyance control method in the apparatus.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus incorporated in a copying machine, printer, FAX, etc. that forms an image on a recording medium such as recording paper, when the jam occurs during the conveyance of the recording medium, the image forming apparatus is stopped. It is necessary to remove the recording paper on which the jam has occurred. In particular, in the case of a large image forming apparatus that forms an image on a large size recording sheet, since a large number of sheets exist on the recording sheet conveyance path, the conveyance operation is stopped immediately when a jam occurs. As a result, the conveying operation of the recording sheet that is normally conveyed is also stopped. Therefore, depending on the place where the jam occurs, a large number of recording sheets remain on the conveyance path, and the operator has to find all these recording sheets and remove them. This is a very time consuming task.

  For this reason, conventionally, in order to reduce such troublesome work, various measures have been taken to easily remove the recording paper on which the jam remaining on the recording paper conveyance path when the jam occurs.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, in order to perform a return operation when a jam occurs in an image forming apparatus in a short time and easily, the recording paper that is being transported downstream in the transport direction from the recording paper on which a jam has occurred is disclosed. It has been proposed to continue the transport operation and stop the transport operation after the discharge.

JP 2000-289886 A

  However, in the technique proposed in Patent Document 1, when the most downstream recording sheet is jammed in the conveyance direction, the conveyance of all the recording sheets being conveyed is stopped. Processing is never executed. In particular, when the position where the conveyance of the recording paper is stopped is between a plurality of apparatuses such as between the image forming apparatus and the post-processing apparatus, the conveyance is stopped while being sandwiched between the conveyance rollers of the plurality of apparatuses. Jam processing becomes more difficult.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional example, and even when a recording medium being conveyed stops across a plurality of apparatuses due to the occurrence of a jam, it is possible to perform an appropriate jam process and reduce the load related to the jam handling work. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus and a recording medium conveyance control method.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration.

  That is, the image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium and a post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the recording medium on which the image is formed, and the image forming unit and the post-processing unit can be separated. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming unit conveys the recording medium on which the image is formed from the image forming unit to the post-processing unit, and the image forming unit. A second conveying means for conveying the recording medium conveyed from the recording medium to the outside of the apparatus after post-processing by the post-processing unit, and jamming of the recording medium during conveyance of the recording medium Detecting means for detecting the occurrence of the recording medium, and stopping means for stopping the conveyance by the first conveying means and the second conveying means when the detecting means detects the occurrence of jam of the recording medium, The above description of the image forming unit First detection means provided along the medium conveyance path for detecting the recording medium, and second detection means provided along the recording medium conveyance path for the post-processing unit to detect the recording medium. Based on the detection results by the first detecting means and the second detecting means, the holding state of the recording medium in which the jam has occurred by the first conveying means and the second conveying means is determined. It has a judgment means and a transport control means for controlling the transport of the first transport means based on the result of the judgment by the judgment means.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the image forming unit includes: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; and a post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the recording medium on which the image is formed. A recording medium conveyance control method in an image forming apparatus configured to be separable from a processing unit, wherein the recording medium on which the image is formed is sandwiched by a first conveyance unit provided in the image forming unit. However, the recording medium transported from the image forming unit by the first transporting process transported from the image forming unit to the post-processing unit and the second transporting unit provided in the post-processing unit is sandwiched. However, after the post-processing by the post-processing unit, a second transport step for transporting the device out of the apparatus, a detection step for detecting occurrence of a jam in the recording medium during the transport of the recording medium, and the detection In the process, the recording medium When the occurrence of a jam is detected, the conveyance operation by the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit is stopped, and the recording medium is provided along the conveyance path of the recording medium of the image forming unit. Based on detection results by a first detection means for detecting the recording medium and a second detection means for detecting the recording medium provided along the recording medium conveyance path of the post-processing unit. A determination step of determining a jamming state of the recording medium in which the jam has occurred, and a conveyance control for controlling the conveyance of the first conveyance unit based on a result of the determination in the determination step And a recording medium conveyance control method.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, when a jam occurs, the holding state of the recording medium by the first conveying unit of the image forming unit and the second conveying unit of the post-processing unit is determined, and the first conveying unit is determined according to the determination result. Controls the conveyance of the recording medium. As a result, the recording medium located on the upstream side of the transport path is discharged out of the image forming unit, so that it is possible to reduce the load of jam processing by the user.

  This also prevents the user from forcibly pulling out the recording medium and damaging the mechanical parts (for example, rollers, gears, etc.) of the apparatus or tearing the recording medium to cause further troubles.

1 is a side sectional view of a copying machine including an image forming unit that forms an image in accordance with an electrophotographic system that is a representative embodiment of the present invention. It is a sectional side view which shows the structure of the post-processing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1. 4 is a flowchart showing basic operations of jam processing of the image forming unit and the post-processing apparatus 100. 6 is a flowchart illustrating details of a sheet position detection process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of jam processing (user assistance). FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a recording sheet is held in a state 1; FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where a recording sheet is held in a state 2; FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where a recording sheet is held in a state 3; FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where a recording sheet is held in a state 4;

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described more specifically and in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In this specification, “recording” (sometimes referred to as “printing”) is not limited to the case of forming significant information such as characters and graphics, but may be significant. Furthermore, it also represents a case where an image, a pattern, a pattern, or the like is widely formed on a recording medium or a medium is processed regardless of whether or not it is manifested so that a human can perceive it visually.

  “Recording medium” refers not only to paper used in general recording apparatuses but also widely to cloth, plastic film, metal plate, glass, ceramics, wood, leather, and the like that can accept ink. Shall.

  In the following embodiments, as an example of an image forming apparatus, an image forming section of a copier equipped with an image reading section (scanner) will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the above-described image forming unit may be an independent image forming apparatus (printer apparatus) as a single-function apparatus, or a multi-function machine in which a facsimile function is added to a copying machine. Furthermore, the image forming unit may be an apparatus including a printer engine that employs an inkjet recording system as well as a printer engine that conforms to an electrophotographic system.

  Further, although the example in which the post-processing apparatus is externally attached to the main body of the copying machine is shown, a form in which the post-processing apparatus is built in the main body may be employed.

<Description of copier (FIG. 1)>
FIG. 1 shows an image forming unit (image forming apparatus) and an image reading unit (scanner) for forming an image on a recording medium such as a recording sheet according to an electrophotographic system which is a typical embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a copying machine including a processing device. A post-processing device having a binding function including a stapler for binding a bundle of sheets is externally connected to the copying machine. In addition, as a function of the post-processing apparatus, instead of or in addition to the stapler, a punching function for making a hole in the recording paper, a folding function for folding the recording paper, or the like may be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the copying machine 1 includes a post-processing device 100 that performs post-processing of a recording sheet on which an image is formed, an image forming unit 200 that forms an image on a recording sheet in accordance with an electrophotographic method, and an original image. And an image reading unit 300 for optically reading. The image forming unit 200 includes a cassette 210 under which a plurality of recording sheets having different sizes are stacked. In addition, the image reading unit 300 includes an automatic document feeding unit (ADF) 310 that automatically feeds a plurality of documents placed on the image reading unit one by one.

  A caster 80 is attached to the lower part of the copying machine 1 so as to be movable. A folding machine unit or a mounting base 70 that supports the post-processing apparatus 100 is disposed below the post-processing apparatus 100.

  Next, the copying function will be described.

  The digital copying machine as in this embodiment includes an image reading unit (scanner) that reads an image of a document and an image forming unit that forms an image as described above. Is also possible.

  The image reading unit irradiates the original with a lamp (light source), decomposes the reflected light into small dots (pixels) with a light receiving element, and simultaneously converts (photoelectrically converts) the electric signal according to the density of the original. The image forming unit irradiates the photosensitive drum with laser light based on the electrical signal (image signal) sent from the image reading unit, forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum, and develops, transfers, A copy image is formed through fixing.

  When copying using the ADF, the pickup roller 304 feeds the documents one by one from the lowermost sheet of the document bundle 302 made up of a plurality of documents set downward on the stacking tray 301 of the ADF 310, and enters the apparatus. Introduce. At this time, when a plurality of documents are fed out, the lowermost sheet is sent out one by one by the separation roller 305, and the leading edges of the separated documents are aligned by the registration roller pair 306. Note that the image of the document that has passed through the registration roller pair 306 is read by the reading unit 307 with the mirror table 106 fixed, and so-called flow reading is performed. Thereafter, the document is discharged to the discharge tray 309 through the discharge roller 308 and stacked.

  On the other hand, when copying a document placed on the platen glass 101, the reading unit 307 reads an image while moving from the left to the right of the paper surface. In this case, the optical path of the reflected light obtained by irradiating the document from the light source of the mirror stage 106 having the illumination lamp and the mirror is changed by the scanning reflection mirrors (scanning mirrors) 103 and 104, respectively. Then, an image is formed on a light receiving element inside the lens unit 105 having a focusing and zooming function. Here, the reflected light image from the document is converted into an image signal by the light receiving element and sent to an image processing unit (not shown).

  In any case, image data (image signal) based on the obtained document image is transferred to the image forming unit 200 and subjected to image processing in an image processing unit (not shown).

  Now, the recording paper set in the cassette 210 or the manual feed tray 120 is conveyed into the image forming unit 200 by the conveying rollers 118, 119, 201 and the intermediate roller 202. Further, the registration roller 107 feeds the photosensitive drum 108 toward the photosensitive drum 108 with accurate timing so that the leading edge of the latent image coincides with the leading edge of the recording paper.

  On the other hand, the image processing unit performs predetermined image processing on the image data obtained from the reading unit 307, and drives the laser unit 122 by the image signal obtained as a result. The laser unit 122 irradiates a laser beam based on the image signal, and the laser beam scans the photosensitive drum 108 through the polygon mirror 123 rotated by the motor 124 and the mirror 125 that changes the optical path, and is statically moved on the photosensitive drum 108. An electrostatic latent image is formed. The surface of the photosensitive drum 108 is composed of a photoconductor and a seamless photosensitive member using a conductor. The photosensitive drum 108 is pivotally supported so as to operate in response to an instruction to start copying (non-rotating). Rotation is started by (shown). When the predetermined rotation control and potential control processing (pre-processing) of the photosensitive drum 108 are completed, the image reading of the document as described above is executed.

  Next, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 108 is visualized by the toner supplied from the toner bottle 109. Thereafter, the recording sheet on which the leading edge of the electrostatic latent image is aligned passes between the photosensitive drum 108 and the pressure roller 110, whereby the toner image is transferred onto the recording sheet.

  Thereafter, the recording paper is separated from the photosensitive drum 108, guided to the fixing device 112 by the transport belt 111, and fixed by pressurization and heating. The recording sheet on which the image has been formed in this manner is conveyed by the conveying roller 113, enters the reverse path 116 by the flapper 114, and the conveying roller 117 indicates the arrow shown when the trailing edge of the recording sheet passes through the flapper 114. Rotate in the opposite direction. Therefore, the recording paper is conveyed in the reverse direction in the reverse path 116, and the leading edge thereof advances toward the discharge roller 115 by the flapper 114, and is output to the post-processing device 100 with the recording surface facing downward.

  Note that while the recording paper is being transported by the image forming unit, the paper discharge sensor X detects the passing paper and the staying paper.

  Further, by providing the interface 500, the image signal obtained from the image reading unit 300 is transferred to the facsimile unit (FAX) 501, or the image signal received from the facsimile unit 501 is transferred to the image forming unit 200. It can also be recorded on recording paper. Similarly, an image signal received from a host device such as the personal computer 502 is transferred to the image forming unit 200 via the interface 500 to record an image on a recording sheet, or an image signal obtained from the image reading unit 300 is received. It can also be transferred to the personal computer 502.

  As described above, the copying machine 1 not only reads and copies a document placed on the ADF 310 or the document table glass 101 but also uses it as a printer unit of the facsimile unit 501 or the personal computer 502 via the interface 500. Is also possible.

<Description of Post-Processing Device (FIG. 2)>
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a detailed configuration of the post-processing apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a connection detection sensor 2 is provided on the upper portion of the post-processing apparatus 100. When connected to the main body of the copying machine 1, the protruding member 2 </ b> B formed on the side surface of the post-processing apparatus 100 is pushed inside the main body of the copying machine 1 by a holding member (not shown) formed on the side surface of the main body of the copying machine 1. By being contracted, the connection detection sensor 2 detects the connection of the post-processing device 100.

  When the caster 80 at the lower part of the post-processing apparatus 100 is used to perform jam processing in the vicinity of the discharge section in the main body of the copying machine 1 and jam processing in the transfer section between the post-processing apparatus 100 and the main body of the copying machine 1. The post-processing apparatus 100 can be easily horizontally moved in the left direction. This facilitates jam processing in the vicinity of the discharge unit and the transfer unit. At this time, the connection detection sensor 2 detects the separated state of both.

  When the recording paper discharged from the discharge unit of the main body of the copying machine 1 is processed in the post-processing device 100, the upstream end of the flapper 3 is positioned downward as shown in FIG. The upstream end is positioned upward, and the recording sheet is sent to the conveyance path 6 through the receiving roller pair 5. When the recording paper is conveyed to the folder unit 70, the upstream end of the flapper 3 is positioned upward, and is conveyed in the direction of the broken line arrow through the third conveyance path 7.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a conveyance path (buffer path) 8 that bypasses the conveyance path 6, a buffer roller 9, buffer rollers 14 to 16, a sheet detection sensor 10 that detects a passing sheet and a staying sheet, 12a, 12b, 13 are provided. Further, a discharge roller 17, a presser roller 18 that rotates in contact with the discharge roller 17, and a discharge alignment belt 19 that is sandwiched and rotated between the discharge roller 17 and the presser roller 18 are provided. The discharge alignment belt 19 is configured such that an endless rib (not shown) provided in the vicinity of the central portion on the inner side of the belt engages with a circumferential groove of the discharge roller 17 to prevent belt detachment. Furthermore, an abutting plate 20 is provided that abuts against the rear end of the paper and aligns the paper in the vertical direction during stapling, which will be described later.

  The abutting plate 20 is configured to be able to take a home position for sequentially aligning the rear ends of the recording sheets and a retreat position that does not hinder the movement of the stapler 400. When the stapler 400 moves, the stapler 400 is rotated to a retracted position indicated by a broken line so as not to prevent the stapler 400 from moving.

  Furthermore, the post-processing apparatus 100 includes three stacking trays 23, 24, and 25.

<Description of control configuration (FIG. 3)>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of a control configuration for controlling the driving of the copying machine.

  A printer controller 401 develops image data sent from a host device such as a personal computer 502 as an external device into bit data necessary for recording in the image forming unit, and controls image formation according to internal information of the copying machine. The engine control unit 410 controls each operation of the image forming unit 200 according to instructions from the printer controller 401 and notifies the printer controller 401 or the post-processing control unit 402 of internal information of the image forming unit 200.

  The high voltage control unit 405 executes each high voltage output control in each process such as charging, development, and transfer in the image forming process in accordance with an instruction from the engine control unit 410. The fixing control unit 406 controls driving / stopping of energization to the heater of the fixing device 112 according to an instruction from the engine control unit 410. The optical system control unit 407 controls driving / stopping of a motor built in the image reading unit 300 and lighting of the laser beam of the laser unit 122 according to an instruction from the engine control unit 410. A sensor input unit 408 inputs information (paper discharge information, paper presence / absence information, paper feed information, etc.) detected from various sensors arranged in the copier and notifies the engine control unit 410 of the information.

  A motor drive unit 409 drives / stops a motor / roller and the like for paper conveyance in accordance with an instruction from the engine control unit 410. Specifically, it drives / stops the feed roller, transport roller, pre-transfer roller, fixing roller, discharge roller, double-sided introduction roller, etc., and drives the double-sided transport roller as well as forward / reverse driving of the discharge reverse roller. To do. Further, the post-processing control unit 402 executes processing such as alignment and stapling processing on the recording sheet conveyed in accordance with an instruction from the engine control unit 410.

  Next, an example of the conveyance control corresponding to the jam processing executed by the copying machine having the above-described configuration will be described.

<Description of jam handling processing (FIGS. 4 to 10)>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of basic operations of the image forming unit 200 and the post-processing device 100.

  In step S10, when a jam is detected during the conveyance of the recording paper used for image formation based on the print job, the driven conveyance motor is stopped in step S11. Further, in step S12, it is checked whether or not the jam has occurred in the post-processing apparatus 100. If it is determined that the occurrence location is not a jam that has occurred in the post-processing apparatus, the process proceeds to step S16, and normal jam processing without user assistance is performed when performing jam processing. In the normal jam processing, for example, when a separation between the main body of the copying machine 1 and the post-processing apparatus 100 is detected, a procedure for removing a recording sheet according to a jam occurrence position is displayed on a display of an operation panel (not shown). This is a process of displaying and removing the recording process by the user according to the procedure. The user assist is a process for changing the position of the recording sheet so that the user can easily remove the recording sheet.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the jam has occurred in the post-processing apparatus 100, the process proceeds to step S13 to check whether the jammed recording paper is large paper. Here, the large paper refers to a recording paper having a long length in the transport direction such as A3 size. If it is determined that the jammed recording paper is not large paper, the process proceeds to step S16, and normal jam processing is performed.

  Since the large paper is nipped by many conveyance rollers during the conveyance, it is not easy to take out the recording paper only by separating the main body of the copying machine 1 from the post-processing apparatus 100. Therefore, a jam processing assist is necessary. For this reason, if it is determined that the jammed recording sheet is a large sheet, the process proceeds to step S14, and the sheet position is detected in order to determine the stop position of the jammed recording sheet.

  In step S15, based on the detection result, it is checked whether or not the sheet position is a position (state 4) that is not pinched by any of the conveyance rollers of the main body of the copying machine 1 and the post-processing apparatus 100. Here, if it is determined that the paper position is in state 4, the process proceeds to step S16, and normal jam processing is executed. On the other hand, if the state is not in the state 4 but in other cases, the process proceeds to step S17, and the user assist is executed during the jam processing of the user. When the jam processing ends in step S16 or step S17, the processing cancels the jam state in step S18, and then the copier becomes a standby for continuing jam monitoring.

  In the above processing, the paper size of large paper is used as the user assistance determination criterion. However, the length in the conveyance direction of the recording paper and the number and positional relationship of the conveyance rollers that hold the paper may be used as the determination criterion. For example, it may be determined that user assistance is required when the recording paper is sandwiched between three pairs of conveying rollers.

  Next, details of the sheet position detection in step S14 will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of the paper position detection process.

  In step S21, it is checked whether or not the sheet detection sensor 13 is ON and a recording sheet is detected. If the paper detection sensor 13 is ON, the process proceeds to step S22, and whether or not the paper discharge sensor X (see FIG. 1) provided in the main body of the copying machine 1 is ON to detect the recording paper. Check out. If the paper discharge sensor X is ON, the process proceeds to step S23. In step S23, it is determined that the recording sheet is sandwiched between the conveyance rollers of both the main body of the copying machine 1 and the post-processing apparatus 100 (state 1), and the state is stored in the internal memory of the engine control unit 410. Is stored as data.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the recording paper is held in state 1. Here, it is assumed that a jam has occurred inside the post-processing apparatus 100 before the nip portion between the discharge roller 17 and the presser roller 18 on the downstream side of the receiving roller pair 5 in the conveyance direction of the recording paper. doing.

  In FIG. 7, FIG. 7A shows a state where the recording paper is sandwiched in a state where the post-processing apparatus 100 and the main body (image forming unit 200) of the copying machine 1 are coupled. In this case, the receiving roller pair 5 is disposed inside the post-processing apparatus 100, and the discharge roller 115, the transport roller 113, and the upstream fixing device 112 are disposed inside the main body of the copying machine 1 (image forming unit 200). It is pinched.

  Although FIG. 7B will be described later, FIG. 7B shows a state where the post-processing apparatus 100 and the main body (image forming unit 200) of the copying machine 1 are separated.

  Returning to FIG. 5 and continuing the description, if the paper discharge sensor X is OFF in step S22, the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24, it is determined that the recording sheet is held only by the conveyance roller of the post-processing apparatus 100 (state 2), and the state is stored as data in the internal memory of the engine control unit 410.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the recording paper is held in the state 2. In FIG. 8, the jam occurrence location is the same as in FIG.

  In FIG. 8, FIG. 8A shows a state in which the recording paper is sandwiched in a state where the post-processing apparatus 100 and the main body (image forming unit 200) of the copying machine 1 are coupled. In this case, the receiving roller pair 5 holds the recording paper inside the post-processing apparatus 100, but the recording paper is not held at all inside the main body (image forming unit 200) of the copying machine 1, or at most the discharge roller. 115 is slightly pinched.

  Although FIG. 8B will be described later, FIG. 8B shows a state where the post-processing apparatus 100 and the main body (image forming unit 200) of the copying machine 1 are separated.

  Returning to FIG. 5 again, if the paper detection sensor 13 is OFF in step S21, the process proceeds to step S25 to check whether the paper discharge sensor X is ON and a recording paper is detected. If the paper discharge sensor X is ON, the process proceeds to step S26, where it is determined that the recording paper is being held by the conveyance roller of the copying machine 1 (state 3), and the engine control unit 410 The state is stored as data in the internal memory.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the recording paper is held in the state 3. Here, it is assumed that a jam has occurred in the post-processing apparatus 100 in front of the nip portion of the receiving roller pair 5 with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording paper.

  In FIG. 9, FIG. 9A shows a state in which the recording paper is held in a state where the post-processing apparatus 100 and the main body (image forming unit 200) of the copying machine 1 are coupled. In this case, in the main body (image forming unit 200) of the copying machine 1, the recording paper is sandwiched between the discharge roller 115, the transport roller 113, and the fixing device 112 upstream thereof.

  Although FIG. 9B will be described later, FIG. 9B shows a state where the post-processing apparatus 100 and the main body (image forming unit 200) of the copying machine 1 are separated.

  Further returning to FIG. 5 and continuing the description, if the paper discharge sensor X is OFF in step S25, the process proceeds to step S27. In step S27, it is determined that the recording sheet is not sandwiched between any rollers of the post-processing apparatus 100 and the main body (image forming unit 200) of the copying machine 1 (state 4), and the engine control unit 410 is determined. The state is stored as data in the internal memory.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state where the recording paper is held in the state 4. Here, with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording paper, after the recording paper passes the discharge roller 115 of the main body (image forming unit 200) of the copying machine 1, it is in front of the nip portion of the receiving roller pair 5 inside the post-processing apparatus 100. Assume that a jam has occurred.

  Finally, details of the jam processing (user assist) in step S17 of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the jam processing (user assist).

  When a jam occurs and the jam processing wait state is entered, in step S31, the connection state of the connection detection sensor 2 is monitored to check whether the main body of the copying machine 1 and the post-processing apparatus 100 are separated. If the separation is confirmed, it is checked in step S32 whether the output of the paper discharge sensor X is OFF. If the output is OFF, the recording paper is in state 2 and the process proceeds to step S33, and the discharge roller 115 is driven for a predetermined time. As a result, the trailing edge of the recording sheet can completely pass through the discharge roller 115 in the transport direction. Thereafter, in step S34, the motor that drives the discharge roller 115 is stopped when the recording sheet comes out of the discharge roller 115.

  FIG. 8B shows a state of the recording paper after the jam processing (user assist) operation is performed in the state 2. As shown in FIG. 8B, the recording paper is completely discharged from the discharge roller 115 and is held only by the receiving roller pair 5 of the post-processing device 100, so that the user takes out the recording paper. Becomes easier.

  Returning to FIG. 6 and continuing the description, if the output of the paper discharge sensor X is ON in step S32, the recording paper is assumed to be in state 1 or state 3, and the process proceeds to step S35. In step S35, the discharge roller 115, the conveyance roller 113, and the fixing unit 112 in the main body of the copying machine 1 are driven. In step S36, the output of the paper discharge sensor X is monitored, and this drive is continued until the output of the paper discharge sensor X is turned off. When it is confirmed that the output from the paper discharge sensor X has been turned off, the process proceeds to step S37.

  In step S37, it is checked whether or not the output of the paper detection sensor 13 is OFF. If the output of the paper detection sensor 13 is ON, the recording paper is in state 1 and the process proceeds to step S38, and the rollers of the discharge roller 115, the conveyance roller 113, and the fixing device 112 are driven for a predetermined time. To do. As a result, the trailing edge of the recording paper can pass completely through the discharge roller 115. In step S34, the motor driving the roller related to step S38 is stopped when the recording sheet comes out of the discharge roller 115.

  FIG. 7B shows the state of the recording paper after the jam processing (user assist) operation in state 1. As shown in FIG. 7B, the recording paper is discharged from the main body of the copying machine 1 by driving the fixing device 112, the conveyance roller 113, and the discharge roller 115, and the receiving roller of the post-processing device 100. It is in a state of being sandwiched only by the pair 5. This makes it easy for the user to take out the recording paper.

  Returning to FIG. 6 and continuing the description, if the output of the sheet detection sensor 13 is OFF in step S37, the recording sheet is in state 3, and the process proceeds to step S34, where the motor driving the roller is selected. Stop.

  FIG. 9B shows the state of the recording paper after the jam processing (user assist) operation in state 3. As shown in FIG. 9B, since the drive of the discharge roller 115 stops when the output of the paper detection sensor 13 is turned off, the recording paper stops in a state where the discharge roller 115 is nipped. . In the state 3, if the recording sheet is completely discharged from the main body of the copying machine 1, the floor or the like may be stained with unfixed toner. Therefore, the recording sheet is stopped with the discharge roller 115 being sandwiched. However, since the recording sheet is held only by the discharge roller 115, the user can easily pull it out.

  Therefore, as described above, according to the embodiment, since the driving of the various rollers is controlled according to the state of the recording sheet when a jam occurs, the recording sheet is kept stationary so that the user can easily remove it from the apparatus. It becomes possible. As a result, it is possible to reduce the load of jam processing by the user.

  Although the above-described embodiment has been described as a system configuration in which a post-processing device configured as a separate independent casing is externally attached to the main body of the copying machine, the present invention is not limited thereto. . For example, the present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which a post-processing device is built in a single housing as a post-processing unit in the housing of the main body, or when a system is configured by combining relay path devices. Further, the present invention can be applied to a system having a configuration in which the plurality of devices are connected.

  In the embodiment described above, in step S21, step S22, and step S25 in FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not the recording sheet is sandwiched between the main body of the copying machine and the roller of the post-processing apparatus by each sensor. The invention is not limited thereby. Depending on the system configuration and the size of the jammed paper, it is also possible to perform a sensor for determining the position detection of the recording paper by using sensors arranged at other positions on the conveyance path.

  Further, in the embodiment described above, the separation between the main body of the copying machine and the post-processing apparatus is determined in step S31 in FIG. 6, and the processing is started thereafter. Such a detection result may be the start of the jam processing start.

1 copy machine, 5 receiving roller pair, 10, 12a, 12b, 13 paper detection sensor,
17 discharge roller, 18 presser roller, 23, 24, 25 stacking tray, X discharge sensor,
100 Post-processing device, 112 Fixing device, 113 Conveying roller, 115 Discharging roller,
200 image forming unit, 300 image reading unit

Claims (10)

An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium and a post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the recording medium on which the image is formed are configured such that the image forming unit and the post-processing unit can be separated. An image forming apparatus,
A first conveying unit that conveys the recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming unit from the image forming unit to the post-processing unit;
Second conveying means for conveying the recording medium conveyed from the image forming unit to outside the apparatus after post-processing by the post-processing unit;
Detecting means for detecting occurrence of jam in the recording medium during conveyance of the recording medium;
A stop means for stopping the conveyance by the first conveyance means and the second conveyance means when the detection means detects the occurrence of a jam of the recording medium;
A first detection unit that is provided along a conveyance path of the recording medium of the image forming unit and detects the recording medium;
A second detection unit that is provided along a conveyance path of the recording medium of the post-processing unit and detects the recording medium;
Determining means for determining a jamming state of the recording medium in which the jam has occurred by the first conveying means and the second conveying means, based on detection results by the first detecting means and the second detecting means; ,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a conveyance control unit that controls conveyance of the first conveyance unit based on a result of determination by the determination unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing unit is configured as a separate and independent housing with respect to the image forming unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit and the post-processing unit are built in a single housing.   4. The image according to claim 1, wherein the determination by the determination unit is performed when the detection unit detects the occurrence of a jam of the recording medium in the post-processing unit. 5. Forming equipment.   The determination by the determination unit is performed when the size of the recording medium is equal to or longer than a predetermined length along a conveyance direction by the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit. Item 5. The image forming apparatus according to Item 4. The holding state of the recording medium in which the jam occurs is as follows:
A first state sandwiched between both the roller of the first transport unit and the roller of the second transport unit;
A second state of being sandwiched only by the rollers of the second conveying means;
A third state that is sandwiched only by the rollers of the first conveying means;
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a fourth state in which the roller of the first transport unit and the roller of the second transport unit are not sandwiched between the rollers. Image forming apparatus. A third detecting means for detecting a connection state between the image forming unit and the post-processing unit;
The conveyance control unit is configured to detect the first conveyance unit when the third detection unit detects that the image forming unit and the post-processing unit are separated after the conveyance is stopped by the stop unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the roller is controlled to rotate.   The conveyance control unit determines whether the jamming state of the recording medium in which the jam has occurred is the first state or the third state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the recording medium is discharged from the image forming unit by controlling to rotate a roller.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit forms an image according to an electrophotographic method. An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium and a post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the recording medium on which the image is formed are configured such that the image forming unit and the post-processing unit can be separated. A method for controlling conveyance of a recording medium in an image forming apparatus,
A first conveying step of conveying the recording medium on which the image is formed by the first conveying unit provided in the image forming unit from the image forming unit to the post-processing unit;
A second transport unit that transports the recording medium transported from the image forming unit by the second transport unit provided in the post-processing unit to the outside of the apparatus after the post-processing by the post-processing unit. The transport process of
A detection step of detecting the occurrence of a jam in the recording medium during conveyance of the recording medium;
When the occurrence of jam in the recording medium is detected in the detection step, the conveyance operation by the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit is stopped, and the conveyance path of the recording medium in the image forming unit Detected by the first detection means provided along the recording medium and the second detection means provided along the conveyance path of the recording medium of the post-processing unit. A determination step of determining a jamming state of the recording medium in which the jam has occurred by the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit;
And a conveyance control step of controlling conveyance of the first conveyance means based on a result of the determination in the determination step.

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