JP2016186586A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that photographs a subject on a sheet while performing image formation on the sheet by using common loading means, and can reliably regulate an entry of the subject to feeding means irrespective of the position of the loading means.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises: a loading tray 11a that is supported by an apparatus body 1a and can be used both for loading of a subject S and loading of sheets P to be fed to an image forming part; and a feeding roller 11b that feeds the sheets loaded on the loading tray 11a to the image forming part. The image forming apparatus 1 further comprises: a reading unit 231 that is supported by the apparatus body 1a and can photograph the subject loaded on the loading tray 11a; and a subject entry regulation lever 70 that is arranged to lock a sheet loading surface of the loading tray 11a or the subject loaded on the sheets on the sheet loading surface to regulate an entry of the subject to the feeding roller 11b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, and a multifunction machine of these.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus provided with a document reading unit has been proposed which includes a document reading means (imaging means) for reading a document from above for the purpose of reducing the size of the image forming apparatus body (hereinafter referred to as the apparatus body). (See Patent Document 1). The image forming apparatus includes an upper surface discharge unit that discharges a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit to the upper surface of the apparatus main body, and an upper surface discharge that can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body that receives the sheet discharged by the upper surface discharge unit With a tray. Further, the image forming apparatus includes a subject stacking unit on which a subject stacking surface on which a subject such as a document or a book is stacked by exposing the top discharge tray, and the document capturing an image of the subject stacked on the subject stacking plate. And a two-dimensional sensor as reading means. The opened upper discharge tray also serves as a support for the two-dimensional sensor. As a result, not only a flat document but also a three-dimensional subject can be imaged. The two-dimensional sensor refers to an image sensor that is two-dimensionally arranged.

  However, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which the subject stacking surface is exposed by opening the top discharge tray on which the two-dimensional sensor that captures (reads) the subject is supported. Therefore, there is a possibility that the upper discharge tray may be enlarged corresponding to the size of the readable subject, and a flat surface as the subject stacking surface is required on the upper surface of the apparatus main body. There is a risk that the main body of the device becomes large. Further, it is necessary to open the upper discharge tray each time the subject is read. For this reason, even if a jam (paper jam) does not occur when a sheet is discharged from the main body of the apparatus, if the sheet is opened in a state where the sheet is stacked on the upper discharge tray, the stacked sheet is shifted in one direction. The sheet stackability is impaired.

  In view of this, an image forming apparatus configured to capture an image of a subject with an image capturing unit but not to increase the size of the apparatus main body and impair sheet stackability has been proposed by the present applicant (this application). (Unpublished at the time of application).

  On the other hand, there is known an image forming apparatus that includes a swingable sheet stacking plate on the upstream side of the sheet feeding direction of the feed roller in the manual feed tray, and a sheet entry prevention member above the sheet stacking plate. Yes. In this image forming apparatus, it is possible to restrict the entry of a sheet to the feeding roller side when a sheet is set without pushing down a sheet stacking plate by simply adding a sheet entry prevention member (Patent Document). 2).

  The sheet stacking plate described in Patent Document 2 has a first state in which a part on the downstream side in the sheet feeding direction is at a height position in contact with the feeding roller, and the above part is a height below the feeding roller. It is supported so as to be swingable in the vertical direction between the second state as the position. When the sheet stacking plate is in the first state, the lower end of the sheet entry preventing member abuts on the upper surface of the sheet stacking plate, and when the sheet stacking plate is in the second state, the lower end and the upper surface of the sheet stacking plate. A space is formed between

JP 2006-317863 A JP 2013-49536 A

  Incidentally, in Patent Document 2, the sheet entry preventing member is originally intended to prevent sheets from being stacked at an incorrect position with respect to the sheet stacking surface of the manual feed tray. And the structure which applies this sheet | seat approach prevention member to the said image forming apparatus proposed by the present applicant can be considered. In that case, when a subject is stacked on a sheet using a sheet stacking plate that can be used for both stacking a subject such as a document and a sheet for forming an image, a feed roller is provided by the sheet entry prevention member when the subject is stacked on the sheet. Restrict entry to the side. However, in that case, the following problems may occur.

  In other words, with the combination of both technologies, an image forming sheet and an image reading subject are stacked on the sheet stacking plate, and the subject on the sheet stacking plate is detected when the feeding operation is continuously performed after the reading of the subject. It is conceivable that the sheet entry prevention member restricts the sheet from entering the feeding roller side. However, according to this, if the sheet and the subject are stacked on the sheet stacking plate and the sheet feeding operation is continuously performed after the subject is read, there is a possibility that the following occurs. That is, when the sheet stacking plate is in the second state, the subject superimposed on the sheet enters the feeding roller side from the space between the sheet entry prevention member and the sheet stacking surface, and an image is formed on the subject. The subject may get dirty.

  According to the present invention, in a configuration in which an image of a subject on a sheet is captured while image formation is performed on a sheet using a common stacking unit, the entry of the subject to the feeding unit side is reliably regulated regardless of the position of the stacking unit. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can perform the above-described process.

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and a stack of sheets supported by the image forming unit and fed to the image forming unit. Possible stacking means, feeding means for feeding sheets stacked on the stacking means to the image forming means, imaging means supported by the apparatus main body and capable of capturing an image of a subject stacked on the stacking means, A subject entry regulating means arranged to lock a subject stacked on a sheet stacking surface of the stacking means or a sheet on the sheet stacking surface and restrict entry of the subject to the feeding means side; It is characterized by providing.

  According to the present invention, in a configuration in which an image of a subject on a sheet is imaged while forming an image on a sheet using a common stacking unit, the entry of the subject to the feeding unit side is reliably controlled regardless of the position of the stacking unit. It becomes possible to do.

1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment with a stacking tray opened. The perspective view which shows the state at the time of the imaging by the reading unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment with a stacking tray opened. 3 is an enlarged side view showing a state where there is no sheet and there is a subject in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view illustrating a state where there is a sheet and a subject in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view illustrating a retracted state of a document entry restriction lever in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a reading operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The perspective view which shows the state which loaded the to-be-photographed object on the stacking tray of the open state which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view illustrating a restriction state of a document entry restriction lever according to a second embodiment. The side view which expands and shows the state with a sheet | seat and a to-be-photographed object which is a movable example of the reading unit which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The side view which expands and shows the state with a sheet | seat which is a movable example of the reading unit which concerns on 3rd Embodiment, and a subject exists.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment can be composed of an electrophotographic recording type copying machine, a printer, a multifunction machine, and the like. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 of FIG.

[Image forming apparatus]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 1a. On the front surface (right side in FIG. 1) of the apparatus main body 1a, a stacking tray 11a as stacking means is supported so as to be openable and closable. The stacking tray 11a is rotatably supported on the right side of FIG. 1 in the apparatus main body 1a, and can be rotated between a storage position stored on the apparatus main body side and a stacking position on which sheets P (subject S) can be stacked ( It is configured to be movable).

  On the apparatus main body side of the stacking tray 11a, a feeding roller 11b is disposed as a feeding unit that feeds sheets P stacked on the stacking tray 11a to an image forming unit 10 described later. Further, a reading unit 231 serving as an imaging unit, which will be described later, is rotatably supported above the stacking tray 11a on the right side of the apparatus main body 1a in FIG.

  In the upper center of the apparatus main body 1a, a discharge stacking unit 51 on which sheets P discharged after printing are stacked is provided. The discharge stacking portion 51 is provided with a discharge extension tray 52. The discharge extension tray 52 is configured to extend rightward in FIG. 1 from the vicinity of the front end of the discharge stacking portion 51 so as to improve the stackability when the length of the discharged sheet P is long.

  An operation unit 61 having various operation buttons and the like is disposed at a position adjacent to the discharge stacking unit 51 at the top of the apparatus main body 1a. The operation unit 61 is configured to display the power state of the image forming apparatus 1, the presence / absence of a job, an error state, or the like, or to perform network setting, job deletion, various settings, operations, and the like. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the apparatus main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1, an image forming unit 10 as an image forming unit is disposed at a substantially central portion inside, and a sheet feeding cassette 211a as a sheet storage unit is provided at the bottom. Are arranged so that they can be mounted and pulled out. A sheet P fed to the image forming unit 10 is stored in the sheet feeding cassette 211a. A feeding roller 211b is disposed downstream of the sheet feeding cassette 211a in the sheet feeding direction. The feeding roller 211b is formed in a substantially half moon shape, and its rotation is controlled so that the sheet P stored in the sheet feeding cassette 211a is fed to the image forming unit 10.

  The image forming unit 10 includes a photosensitive drum 21 as an image carrier, a developing device (not shown), a laser scanner 201 that exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum, and a charging roller (not shown). And a transfer portion 22 for transferring the toner image to the sheet P. Further, the image forming unit 10 includes a fixing unit 31 that fixes the transferred toner image to the sheet P by heating and pressing. The transfer unit 22 includes a photosensitive drum 21 and a transfer roller 22a, and a transfer nip portion is formed by pressure contact between the photosensitive drum 21 and the transfer roller 22a. The fixing unit 31 includes a fixing belt 31a having a heating source and a pressure roller 31b pressed against the fixing belt 31a.

  On the downstream side of the fixing unit 31 in the sheet conveyance path 39, a conveyance roller pair 45 that conveys the sheet P on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 10 and fixed by the fixing unit 31 is disposed. Further, a discharge roller (discharge unit) 41 that discharges the sheet P to a discharge stacking unit 51 serving as a common stacking unit is disposed downstream of the conveyance roller pair 45.

  The discharge stacking unit 51 is fed from the stacking tray 11 a by the feeding roller 11 b and formed with the image P at the image forming unit 10, and is fed from the paper feeding cassette 211 a and imaged at the image forming unit 10. The sheets P are configured to be stacked in common. With this configuration, there is no need to separately prepare a stacking unit that stacks sheets formed with images sent from the stacking tray 11a and a stacking unit that stacks sheets formed with images sent from the sheet feeding cassette 211a. Therefore, the device configuration can be simplified.

  Further, the feeding roller 11b extends in the width direction (FIG. 1: the direction of arrow I) orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction (FIG. 1: the direction of arrow H) in the opening 210 (FIG. 1) of the apparatus main body 1a. The feed roller shaft 11g (FIG. 2) is fixedly supported at the center in the axial direction. Feeding cams (not shown) are respectively fixed to both ends of the feeding roller shaft 11g in the axial direction, and the pair of feeding cams are positioned so as to have the same phase.

  The feeding roller shaft 11g is rotated in the direction of feeding a sheet under the control of the control unit 46 (see FIG. 8) while supporting the feeding roller 11b and a feeding cam (not shown). That is, the rotation of a drive motor (not shown) driven by the control of the control unit 46 is transmitted to the feed roller shaft 11g, and the feed roller 11b and the feed cam (not shown) are integrated with the feed roller shaft 11g. To be rotated.

  In addition, lift cam followers 91 (FIG. 2) are installed at positions facing the feeding cam (not shown) at both ends in the width direction of the lift tray section 90 (FIG. 2) provided on the stacking tray 11a. . The pair of elevating cam followers 91 is urged by a pressing spring (not shown) together with the elevating tray portion 90 against a feeding cam (not shown) at both ends of the feeding roller shaft. Thereby, the raising / lowering tray part 90 of the stacking tray 11a is pushed up toward the feeding roller 11b.

  At the time of sheet feeding standby, the sheet P and the feeding roller 11b are separated because a feeding cam (not shown) presses the lifting cam follower 91 of the lifting tray 90 against the urging force of the pressing spring. It is in the standby position. At the time of feeding, the elevating cam follower 91 is engaged with a feeding cam (not shown) that rotates integrally with the feeding roller 11b, so that the raising / lowering tray section 90 approaches the feeding roller 11b. It is raised and lowered so as to be separated.

  That is, when the rotation is transmitted to the feed roller 11b, a feed cam (not shown) rotates together with the feed roller 11b to cause the lift cam follower 91 to follow. Therefore, the sheet P on the elevating tray unit 90 is pressed against the feeding roller 11b by a pressing spring (not shown), and is sent out by the rotating feeding roller 11b. The sheets P are separated and fed one by one by a separation action by a separation pad (not shown) and the feeding roller 11b, and are fed to the downstream registration roller pair 43.

  During the feeding operation, the feeding roller shaft 11g rotates to rotate the feeding roller 11b, and the lifting cam follower 91 of the stacking tray 11a that has been pushed down by the feeding cam (not shown) is released. Thereby, the raising / lowering tray part 90 of the stacking tray 11a moves suddenly in a direction in which the sheet P is brought into contact with the feeding roller 11b by a biasing force of a pressing spring (not shown).

  When the elevating tray unit 90 of the stacking tray 11a moves to the feeding position where the sheet P and the feeding roller 11b contact each other, the uppermost sheet P on the elevating tray unit is fed by the rotation of the feeding roller 11b. The sheets are separated one by one by a separation pad (not shown). When the feed roller 11b rotates once, the elevating tray unit 90 is returned to the standby position again by a feed cam (not shown).

  In this way, the sheet stacking surface 11e of the stacking tray 11a has a feeding cam provided coaxially with the feeding roller shaft 11g with a shaft portion (not shown) supporting the rear end side as a fulcrum during a sheet feeding operation. A vertical movement is performed in accordance with a rotation operation (not shown). As a result, the sheet P on the elevating tray portion 90 of the stacking tray 11a is fed while contacting the feeding roller 11b.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 having the above configuration, at the time of image formation, the sheet P fed from the stacking tray 11a by the feeding roller (feeding unit) 11b according to the control of the control unit 46 (FIG. 8). The image is sent to the image forming unit 10 via the registration roller pair 43. Further, the sheet P fed from the sheet feeding cassette 211 a by the feeding roller 211 b is fed into the image forming unit 10 through the conveying roller pair 44 and the registration roller pair 43.

  The registration roller pair 43 temporarily receives the fed sheet P at the nip portion, corrects its skew, and sends it to the transfer unit 22 at a predetermined timing in accordance with the toner image on the photosensitive drum 21. Then, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred to the sheet P in the transfer unit 22.

  Thereafter, the sheet P on which the toner image is transferred by the transfer unit 22 is conveyed to the fixing unit 31 and is heated and pressed when passing through the fixing nip portion between the fixing belt 31a and the pressure roller 31b. Is fixed. Further, the sheet P passes through the conveying roller pair 45 and is discharged to the discharge stacking unit 51 via the discharge roller 41.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes two feeding units, that is, the feeding roller 11b that feeds from the stacking tray 11a and the feeding roller 211b that feeds the sheet P from the sheet feeding cassette 211a. It has.

  In the sheet feeding cassette 211a, sheets P that are usually most frequently used are stored as sheet sizes and types. In addition, the stacking tray 11a is normally stored in a folded state on the front surface (right side in FIG. 2) of the image forming apparatus 1. The stacking tray 11a stacks the sheets P in the state of being pulled out as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 when recording on the size and type of sheets P that are not stored in the sheet feeding cassette 211a. .

  When it is desired to read information from the subject S such as a document or a book, the subject S is stacked on the stacking tray 11a opened at the position shown in FIGS. The reading unit 231 can read the entire area of the subject S in a state where the reading unit 231 faces the stacking tray 11a extending to the upper right from the center in the vertical direction in FIG. 2 on the front surface of the apparatus main body 1a. Then, the stacking tray 11a is stood up so as to face from above.

  As described above, the stacking tray (stacking unit) 11 a according to the present embodiment is used for both stacking the sheets P fed to the image forming unit 10 and stacking the subject S imaged by the reading unit (imaging unit) 231. Configured to be possible. For this reason, in this embodiment, since a flat surface that is a subject stacking surface is not required on the upper surface of the apparatus main body, the image forming apparatus 1 that does not impair the stackability of the sheets P without increasing the size of the apparatus main body 1a can be realized. Become.

  The reading unit 231 is supported by the apparatus main body 1a and configured to be able to image the subject S on the stacking tray 11a (on the stacking unit) facing the stacking tray 11a at the stacking position. The reading unit 231 is configured to be positioned so that the optical axis O at the time of imaging is perpendicular to the subject S on the stacking tray 11a when standing. When the optical axis O is positioned substantially at the center of the subject S by adjusting the tilt angle of the reading unit 231 in the standing state, the entire range of the subject S in the reading range H (the range indicated by the arrow) is in focus. Come to fit.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, details of the reading unit 231 serving as an imaging unit that reads the subject S will be described. 3 is a perspective view for explaining the reading unit 231 when reading the subject S, and FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment with the stacking tray 11a opened. It is a perspective view.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, an opening / closing cover 11 c is supported on the front portion of the image forming apparatus 1 via a support mechanism (not shown) so as to be openable and closable with respect to the apparatus main body 1 a. The stacking tray 11a is supported via a support mechanism (not shown) so as to be positioned inside the closed opening / closing cover 11c and to be openable / closable with respect to the apparatus main body 1a.

  At the leading end of the stacking tray 11a, a stacking extension tray 11d supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the tray body is provided so as to extend outward from the tray body. When the stacking tray 11a is stored in the opening / closing cover 11c, the stacking extension tray 11d is rotated toward the apparatus main body 1a together with the tray main body while being folded with respect to the tray main body. In this state, the open / close cover 11c accommodates and covers the folded stacking tray 11a on the apparatus body 1a side.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the reading unit (imaging means) 231 is formed with a pair of support convex portions 239 so as to protrude from both sides in the central portion of the front upper portion of the apparatus main body 1a. The reading unit 231 is connected to the reading unit 231c, the first arm unit 231a that supports the reading unit 231c, and the first arm unit 231a by a connecting shaft 237, and is rotatable relative to the first arm unit 231a. And a second arm portion 231b.

  The lower second arm portion 231b is provided at its lower portion with a shaft portion 238 that protrudes in the axial direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3). In the second arm portion 231b, both end portions of the shaft portion 238 are rotatably supported by the pair of support convex portions 239, and are rotatably supported by the apparatus main body 1a. The first and second arm portions 231a and 231b are configured such that the reading unit 231c can be moved and adjusted to a position where the entire subject S stacked on the stacking tray 11a can be imaged. Note that reference numeral 240 in FIG. 3 indicates a concave portion that makes it easy for the user to hook a finger or the like when opening the opening / closing cover 11c from a state where the opening / closing cover 11c is closed on the apparatus main body 1a.

  FIG. 3 shows a state in which the reading unit 231 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 1a and set to the reading mode position (image pickup possible position). In this case, the shaft portion 238 and the connecting shaft 237 are fixed by a light lock mechanism (not shown). This light lock mechanism (not shown) is configured so as to suppress the rotation of the shaft portion 238 and the connecting shaft 237 like a ratchet, and does not rotate until a certain rotational moment is applied. Held in position. Accordingly, the reading unit 231 is maintained in an upright state in which the reading unit 231 does not rotate toward the discharge stacking unit 51 from the position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 at the image pickup possible position, and is maintained in a folded state at the image pickup storage position. The

  The reading unit 231c is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction in FIG. 3, and a knob operation unit 231d is formed on the upper portion so as to protrude. Inside the reading unit 231c, a two-dimensional sensor 50 configured by two-dimensionally arranged image sensors for reading information on the subject S is fixed in a state along the longitudinal direction of the reading unit 231c cylinder. A lens 232 is attached to the center of the surface of the reading unit 231c that can face the stacking tray 11a, and LED lights (light sources) 233 as illumination units are attached to the left and right sides of the lens 232, respectively.

  The lens 232 forms an optical axis O (see FIG. 2), and is configured to form an image of the subject S on the two-dimensional sensor 50. The two-dimensional sensor 50 performs so-called photoelectric conversion, which converts the image of the formed subject S into electronic information, and outputs the signal to the control unit 46 (see FIG. 8). LED lights 233 provided integrally on both sides of the lens 232 in the reading unit 231c emit light under the control of the control unit 46 to illuminate the subject S stacked on the stacking tray 11a.

  The reading unit 231 described above is capable of capturing an image of the subject S on the stacking tray (on the stacking unit) facing the stacking tray 11a at the stacking position and the imaging storage position stored on the apparatus main body side (FIG. 1). , Refer to FIG. 2). A reading display lamp 235 serving as a display means (light emitting unit) is provided at a position covered by a reading unit 231 folded at an imaging storage position stored on the apparatus main body side on the front side of the upper front portion of the apparatus main body 1a. A reading operation start button 236 is arranged.

  The reading display lamp 235 is exposed when the reading unit 231 moves to the imageable position where the subject S stacked on the sheet stacking surface 11e of the stacking tray 11a at the stacking position can be imaged, and can be imaged by the reading unit 231. It emits light to indicate that there is something. The reading display lamp 235 emits light under the control of the control unit 46 to indicate that the image can be captured, and the reading unit 231 controls the control unit 46 so that imaging can be performed while the reading display lamp 235 is displayed. Controlled by In other words, the reading display lamp 235 is turned on when the reading unit 231 is at the loading position (FIG. 2) and can perform a reading operation, and is turned off when the reading unit 231 is in an imaging storage position where the reading operation cannot be performed. Controlled to fulfill.

  Whether or not the reading unit 231 is in the reading mode position is determined based on the detection of the position of the reading unit 231 by the reading mode position detection sensor 49 (see FIG. 8), and a control unit 46 having a CPU, RAM, and ROM (FIG. 8). See). The reading mode position detection sensor 49 can be composed of a switch (not shown), a photo interrupter (not shown), and the like that are turned on and off as the shaft 238 of the second arm 231b rotates. If the reading mode position detection sensor 49 is on, the reading unit 231 is in the image pickup possible position, and if the reading mode position detection sensor 49 is off, the reading unit 231 is in the image pickup storage position. That is.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the subject entry restriction lever 70 and its peripheral structure in the present embodiment will be described. 5 is an enlarged side view showing a state where there is no sheet and a subject in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a state where the sheet is present and the subject is present in the image forming apparatus 1. FIG.

  When it is desired to feed the sheet P by the feeding roller 11b to form an image or to read the image information of the subject S, the stacking tray 11a is opened and the sheet P or the like is placed on the sheet stacking surface 11e. The subject S is loaded.

  The sheet stacking surface 11e of the stacking tray 11a is configured to be able to swing up and down as the lifting tray unit 90 moves up and down. Normally, in the stopped state, the sheet stacking surface 11e is at a standby position spaced downward from the feeding roller 11b, and the stacking operation of the sheet P on the sheet stacking surface 11e is easy. Further, when an image is formed on the sheet P, the sheet P is fed by the feeding roller 11b, so that the sheet stacking surface 11e rises until it contacts the feeding roller 11b and then returns to the original standby position. I do. When the subject S is stacked on the sheet stacking surface 11e of the stacking tray 11a and an image is read, the sheet stacking surface 11e is at the standby position spaced downward from the feeding roller 11b.

  After reading the image information of the subject S stacked on the sheet stacking surface of the stacking tray 11a, the sheets P stacked on the sheet stacking surface 11e are continuously fed by the feeding roller 11b. When so-called copying is performed in which a copy image of the image of the subject S is formed on the sheet P, the sheet P is stacked on the sheet stacking surface 11e of the stacking tray 11a, and the subject S is stacked on the sheet.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, after the image information of the subject S is read by the reading unit 231, when the sheet P is fed by the feeding roller 11b, the subject S on the sheet is moved along with the feeding of the sheet. This prevents entry to the feed roller side (feed means side). Therefore, a subject entry restriction lever 70 as a subject entry restriction means is disposed above the stacking tray 11a. The subject entry restriction lever 70 locks the subject S stacked on the sheet stacking surface 11e of the stacking tray 11a or the sheet P on the sheet stacking surface, and the subject S is placed on the feeding roller 11b side (feeding roller side). It is arranged to restrict entry. In the present embodiment, the rotary shaft 74 is rotated in the same phase at both ends of the rotary shaft 74 with a predetermined interval in the width direction (arrow I direction) orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction. Although comprised from a pair of arm-shaped member supported (refer FIG. 1, FIG. 4), it is not restricted to this. That is, the pair of arm-shaped members can be three or more arm-shaped members, and the mutual interval between the arm-shaped members can be adjusted. This configuration can be similarly applied to second and third embodiments described later.

  The contact portion 70a of the subject entry restriction lever 70 is positioned upstream of the feeding roller 11b in the sheet feeding direction (arrow H direction), and the end surface of the side facing the feeding roller 11b of the subject S and its end surface. The contact portion 70a is shaped to receive the lower surface. In addition, when the lower surface of the front end portion 70b, which is the front end of the contact portion 70a, is stacked on the sheet stacking surface 11e or the sheet P, the subject S is in close contact with the upper surface of the sheet P so that the subject S is fed. 11b is prevented from entering.

  In other words, the subject entry restriction lever 70 contacts the sheet stacking surface 11e or the sheet P on the sheet stacking surface on the upstream side of the feeding roller 11b in the sheet feeding direction in which the sheet P is fed by the feeding roller 11b. The contact part 70a which can be contacted is provided. A bracket 73 is fixed on the apparatus main body 1a side so as to protrude from the support portion 71 on both axial sides of the rotation shaft 74. The subject entry restricting lever 70 is pivotally supported by the pivot shaft 74 at the tip end of the bracket 73 so that the contact portion 70a on the lever tip side pivots in a substantially vertical direction with respect to the sheet stacking surface 11e. It is configured.

  That is, the subject entry restriction lever 70 is pivotally supported by the bracket 73 positioned in the vicinity of the feeding roller 11b so that the one end portion 70c can be rotated by the rotation shaft 74, and extends from the one end portion 70c to the upstream in the sheet feeding direction. And a restricting member having the contact portion 70a at the tip. The contact portion 70a is urged clockwise in FIG. 5 by a torsion coil spring 84 (FIG. 5) so as to follow the sheet stacking surface 11e or the sheet P on the sheet stacking surface.

  The front end portion 70b of the abutting portion 70a is urged by a torsion coil spring 84 as a biasing means so that the lower surface of the front end portion 70b can always be in contact with the upper surface of the sheet stacking surface 11e or the sheet P at all times. Is working. For example, regardless of the number of sheets P stacked on the stacking tray 11a and the vertical position of the swinging sheet stacking surface 11e during the feeding operation, the subject S is prevented from entering the feeding roller 11b. For this reason, the lower surface of the leading end portion 70b is always in contact with the upper surface of the sheet stacking surface 11e or the sheet P, thereby further enhancing the effect of preventing the subject S from entering the feeding roller 11b (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

  As described above, regardless of the height displacement of the sheet stacking surface 11e during the feeding operation and the number of sheets P on the sheet stacking surface 11e, the lower surface of the contact portion 70a is placed on the sheet stacking surface 11e or the sheet stacking surface. It can follow so that it may always contact the upper surface of the sheet | seat P reliably. Thereby, after the image information of the subject S is read, a plurality of copies can be made in which the sheet P is fed from the feeding roller 11b.

  In this embodiment, the torsion coil spring 84 is used to urge the subject entry restriction lever 70 in the direction approaching the stacking tray 11a. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. That is, the subject entry restriction lever 70 may be configured to be biased in the direction approaching the stacking tray 11a by the weight of the subject entry restriction lever 70.

  Here, FIG. 7 shows a state in which the subject entry restriction lever 70 is further retracted upward from the stacking tray 11a. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the subject entry restriction lever 70 is supported so as to be movable between a restriction position (a position indicated by a broken line in FIG. 7) and a retracted position (a position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 7). The restricting position is a position (broken line position) where the contact portion 70a follows the sheet stacking surface 11e or the sheet P on the sheet stacking surface, and the retracted position is a position where the contact portion 70a retracts from the sheet stacking surface 11e ( Solid line position).

  If the subject entry restriction lever 70 is retracted to the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 7, the subject entry restriction lever 70 supported by the shaft is retracted upward from the stacking tray 11a when the reading operation of the subject S is unnecessary. Thus, the operation of stacking sheets on the stacking tray 11a is facilitated.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a lever detection sensor 80 as a detection unit that detects the position of a subject entry restriction lever (regulation member) 70 (see FIG. 8). The lever detection sensor 80 is attached to the support portion 71 in FIG. 7 and the subject entry restriction is applied when the distal end portion 70b comes into contact with the holding portion 72 that holds the vicinity of the distal end portion 70b of the subject entry restriction lever 70 rotated upward. It is detected that the lever 70 is in the retracted position. When the lever detection sensor 80 detects that the subject entry restriction lever 70 is in the retracted position, the control unit 46 does not turn on the reading display lamp 235 based on this signal, and the reading unit 231 reads the image of the subject S. Control to not perform.

  That is, the control unit 46 as the control unit limits the imaging operation by the reading unit (imaging unit) 231 when it is determined that the subject entry restriction lever 70 is in the retracted position based on the detection by the lever detection sensor 80. For this reason, even if the user stacks the subject S on the stacking tray 11a and the reading operation start button 236 is erroneously pressed while the subject entry restriction lever 70 is in the retracted position, reading by the reading unit 231 is not started. No sheet feeding operation for copying is performed. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the subject S stacked on the sheet stacking surface 11e of the stacking tray 11a from being fed by the feeding roller 11b and forming an image on the subject S and being contaminated.

[Control system]
Next, a reading operation control system in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a control system for the reading operation of the image forming apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 46 provided in the apparatus main body 1a includes a lever detection sensor 80, a reading unit 231, an operation unit 61, a reading mode position detection sensor 49, and a reading operation start button 236. Each signal is input. Further, the control unit 46 outputs each signal to the reading unit 231, the USB memory 48, the image forming unit 10, the feeding roller 11b, the feeding roller 211b, and the reading display lamp 235. The reading operation start button 236 functions under the control of the control unit 46 so that the reading operation can be instructed only when the reading display lamp 235 emits light.

  The control unit 46 determines whether a reading operation (imaging operation) by the reading unit 231 is possible based on the on / off state of the reading mode position detection sensor 49. Further, the control unit 46 outputs a lighting command to the reading display lamp 235 in the on state based on the on / off state of the reading mode position detection sensor 49, and the reading display lamp in the off state. A non-lighting command is output to 235.

  When the signal from the reading operation start button 236 is transmitted, the control unit 46 outputs an operation command to the reading unit 231, and information from the reading unit 231 according to the input status (setting) from the operation unit 61. Is input to the USB memory 48. Alternatively, the control unit 46 outputs a command for inputting information from the reading unit 231 to the image forming unit 10 and outputs an operation command to the image forming unit 10.

  In the above-described embodiment, the reading unit 231 that can be stored in the apparatus main body 1a is in a reading mode position where the subject S stacked on the stacking tray 11a can be imaged when pulled out from the apparatus main body 1a to the imageable position. In this state, the reading display lamp 235 emits light to indicate that reading is possible, and the reading operation start button 236 is operatively exposed so that the user can support the start of the reading operation. When the reading operation start button 236 is pushed in while the reading display lamp 235 is lit, the reading operation of the subject S can be started.

  Next, the reading operation in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the reading operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.

  That is, when the lever detection sensor 80 detects that the subject entry restriction lever 70 is in the retracted position (solid line position in FIG. 7) (S1: YES), the reading display lamp 235 is turned off by a command from the control unit 46 ( S7). In this state, even if the reading operation start button 236 is pressed (S8), the control unit 46 does not accept the operation (S9).

  On the other hand, when it is detected by the lever detection sensor 80 that the subject entry restriction lever 70 is not in the retracted position, the control unit 46 issues a command and turns on the reading display lamp 235. When the reading operation start button 236 is pressed in this state, the control unit 46 accepts the input and causes the subject reading operation to be executed. Thereafter, according to the setting of the operation unit 61, the number of copies, the feeding means to be used (feeding roller 11b or feeding roller 211b), etc. are determined, and the image forming operation is executed.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the subject entry restriction lever 70 has the contact portion 70a that contacts the end surface and the lower surface of the loaded subject S. The abutting portion 70a is rotatable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet stacking surface 11e. The abutting portion 70a is configured so that the lower surface of the abutting portion 70a is the sheet stacking surface regardless of the height displacement of the sheet stacking surface 11e during the feeding operation by the feeding roller 11b and the number of stacked sheets on the sheet stacking surface. 11e or is operated so as to always contact the upper surface of the stacked sheets P.

  Thus, even when the sheet P is stacked on the stacking tray 11a, the subject S is stacked thereon, and the operation of feeding the sheet P after the operation of reading the information of the subject S is performed, the following is performed. become that way. That is, it is possible to perform a sheet feeding operation for continuously forming an image without the subject S loaded on the stacking tray 11a entering the feeding roller 11b side.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, an arrangement configuration of the subject entry restriction lever 70 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the subject S is loaded on the open stacking tray 11a according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 11 is an enlarged side view showing the restricted state of the subject entry restriction lever 70. In the present embodiment, the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions of components having the same configuration and function are omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the contact portion 70a at the tip of the subject entry restriction lever 70 is located upstream of the feeding roller 11b in the sheet feeding direction. The abutting portion 70a is a side regulating plate (regulating member) that regulates the position of the sheet P stacked on the stacking tray 11a in a direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction and the horizontal direction (a position in the sheet width direction). It is disposed upstream of 11f in the sheet feeding direction.

  That is, the side regulating plates 11f are disposed at both ends in the width direction (the arrow I direction in FIG. 10) orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction (the arrow H direction in FIG. 10). The side regulating plates 11f are supported to be movable in a first direction (for example, one direction in the direction of arrow I) and a second direction (for example, the other direction in the direction of arrow I) opposite to the first direction. Yes. The pair of side regulating plates 11f abuts against the end portion in the width direction (arrow I direction) of the sheets P stacked on the stacking tray (stacking means) 11a and regulates the position of the sheets P. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the contact portion 70a of the subject entry restriction lever 70 is disposed on the upstream side of the side restriction plate 11f in the sheet feeding direction.

  With the above configuration, for example, the width direction dimension of the sheet P and the subject S stacked on the stacking tray 11a is the case where the sheet P> the subject S, or the case where the sheet P <the subject S. The subject S can be stacked. Then, it becomes possible to carry out reduced copy or enlarged copy of the subject S. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the width direction dimension of the subject S stacked on the stacking tray 11a as shown in FIG. It can be arbitrarily selected regardless of the interval.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the height position of the reading unit 231 is changed corresponding to the height position of the contact portion 70 a of the subject entry restriction lever 70 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. An example of the configuration will be described. FIG. 12 is an enlarged side view showing a state in which the reading unit 231 according to the present embodiment is a movable example without the sheet P and the subject S, and FIG. 13 is a side view with the sheet P being a movable example of the reading unit 231. It is a side view which expands and shows a state with subject S. In the present embodiment, the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions of components having the same configuration and function are omitted.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the rotational displacement of the subject entry restriction lever 70 is transmitted to the reading unit 231 as a rotational operation by the moving link mechanism 93. That is, in the moving link mechanism 93, the bent portion 78 a of the lever link member 78 extending in the vertical direction is connected to one end portion on the opposite side of the contact portion 70 a of the subject entry restriction lever 70. The upper end protrusion 78c of the lever link member 78 is engaged with an elongated hole 242a provided at the other end 242c of the lever member 242 that is connected (fixed) to the shaft 238 that supports the reading unit 231. Match.

  The lever member 242 has one end 242b fixed to the lower portion of the shaft portion 238 extending between the support convex portions 239 and 239, and rotates integrally with the second arm portion 231b using the shaft portion 238 as a fulcrum. It is configured to be possible (see FIG. 3). As the lever member 242 rotates, the reading unit 231 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the sheet stacking surface 11e with the shaft portion 238 as a fulcrum in the standing state illustrated in FIG. Is configured to swing in a substantially vertical direction (arrow F direction).

  In other words, the bracket 73 is fixed so as to extend from the vicinity of the feeding roller shaft 11g of the feeding roller 11b to the stacking tray 11a side from slightly above the feeding roller shaft 11g in the support portion 71 extending upward in the drawing. ing. A pivot shaft 74 is rotatably supported at the tip of the bracket 73, and one end portion of the arm portion 70 f is fixed to the projecting end portion of the pivot shaft 74 in the axial direction. A tension spring 94 is provided to be contracted between the protrusion 70 h provided at the other end of the arm portion 70 f and the holding portion 72 of the support portion 71.

  The lever link member 78 located on the back side of the support portion 71 includes a bent portion 78a extending from the lower portion thereof to bend toward the stacking tray, a long hole portion 78b formed at the tip of the bent portion 78a, and a bent portion 78a. And an extending portion 78e that is bent 90 ° from the rear end portion and extends upward. An upper end protrusion 78c is formed at the upper end of the extending portion 78e. An extending portion 70d that extends obliquely upward from a rotating shaft 74 that is pivotally supported by the bracket 73 has a connecting projection 70e at the tip.

  The extending portion 70d moves the bent portion 78a up and down by the connecting projection 70e that is rotated by the rotation operation of the subject entry restriction lever 70 by the connecting projection 70e being slidably engaged with the elongated hole portion 78b. For this reason, when the other end 242c of the lever member 242 is moved up and down via the upper end protrusion 78c on the extension 78e, the lever member 242 rotates clockwise and counterclockwise with the shaft 238 as a fulcrum. Is rotated. The reading unit 231 rotates about the shaft 238 as a fulcrum with respect to the sheet stacking surface 11e as described above by transmitting the rotation of the lever member 242 to the second arm portion 231b on the lower side.

  Here, in the subject entry restriction lever 70, the radial distance from the rotation shaft 74 to the contact portion 70a is r1, and the radial distance from the rotation shaft 74 to the connecting portion (the long hole portion 78b) with the lever link member 78. Is r2. In the reading unit 231, a radial distance from the shaft portion 238 to the center of the lens 232 is r3, and a radial distance from the shaft portion 238 to the upper end protrusion 78c of the lever link member 78 is r4. The ratio between the radial distance r1 and the radial distance r2 and the ratio between the radial distance r3 and the radial distance r4 are set to be equal. In this embodiment, with this configuration, the lens 232 of the reading unit 231 corresponds to the moving length that the contact portion 70a of the subject entry restriction lever 70 approaches and separates (contacts and separates) from the sheet stacking surface 11e. The sheet can be moved toward and away from the sheet stacking surface 11e by the same amount as the moving length.

  In the present embodiment, the subject entry restriction lever 70 is supported so as to be rotatable about the vicinity of the feeding roller, and the reading unit 231 focuses on the subject S on the sheet stacking surface 11e according to the position of the sheet stacking surface 11e. It is supported so that imaging can be performed by moving together. Further, a moving link mechanism (moving means) 93 is provided that moves the reading unit 231 relative to the sheet stacking surface 11e in conjunction with the movement of the contact portion 70a that follows the sheet stacking surface 11e. In the moving link mechanism 93, the contact portion 70a moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet stacking surface 11e (the direction of arrow F in FIG. 12) in response to the change in the number of sheets P stacked on the sheet stacking surface 11e. It operates as follows according to the amount of displacement. That is, the moving link mechanism 93 operates so as to change the distance from the sheet stacking surface 11e to the lens (imaging unit) 232 of the reading unit 231.

  In the above-described embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the lens from the subject S stacked on the sheet stacking surface 11e regardless of the number of sheets P stacked on the sheet stacking surface 11e. The distance up to 232 can be kept constant. And the dispersion | variation in the distance from the lens 232 to the to-be-photographed object S at the time of reading the image of the to-be-photographed S and a lens focus can be suppressed to the minimum.

  In this embodiment, the rotational displacement of the subject entry restriction lever 70 is transmitted to the reading unit 231 by the moving link mechanism 93 as a rotational operation. However, instead of such a mechanical configuration, electrical control is performed. It is also possible to control the rotation operation of the reading unit 231. That is, the shaft portion 238 below the reading unit 231 is configured to be rotated by an actuator such as a motor (not shown). A configuration is used in which the rotation amount of the subject entry restriction lever 70 and the contact portion 70a is detected using a sensor, and the actuator is controlled by the control unit 46 so that the reading unit 231 is rotated according to the rotation amount. Is possible. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to obtain the same effect as when the moving link mechanism 93 is used.

  The first to third embodiments described above have been described using the electrophotographic recording type image forming apparatus 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be used in an image forming apparatus of an ink jet recording system that forms an image on a sheet by discharging ink liquid from a nozzle. In this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus / 1a ... Apparatus main body / 10 ... Image forming part (image forming means) / 11a ... Loading tray (stacking means) / 11b ... Feeding roller (feeding means) / 11e ... Sheet stacking surface / 11f ... Side regulating plate (regulating member) / 46 ... control unit (control unit) / 70 ... subject entry regulating lever (subject entry regulating unit) / 70a ... contact portion / 74 ... rotating shaft / 80 ... lever detection sensor (detecting unit) ) / 93 ... Moving link mechanism (moving means) / 231 ... Reading unit (imaging means) / 232 ... Lens (imaging part) / P ... Sheet / S ... Subject

Claims (8)

An apparatus main body having image forming means for forming an image on a sheet;
A stacking unit supported by the apparatus main body, which can be used for both stacking of a subject and stacking of sheets fed to the image forming unit;
A feeding unit that feeds the sheets stacked on the stacking unit to the image forming unit;
An imaging unit supported by the apparatus body and capable of imaging a subject stacked on the stacking unit;
Subject entry restricting means arranged to lock the subject stacked on the sheet stacking surface of the stacking means or the sheet on the sheet stacking surface and restrict entry of the subject to the feeding means side; Prepare
An image forming apparatus. The subject entry restriction means can contact the sheet stacking surface or a sheet on the sheet stacking surface upstream of the feeding means in the sheet feeding direction in which a sheet is fed by the feeding means. Having a contact portion,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The subject entry restricting means includes a restricting member that is pivotally supported at one end in the vicinity of the feeding means, extends upstream from the one end in the sheet feeding direction, and has the contact portion at the tip. Configured, and the contact portion is biased to follow the sheet stacking surface or the sheet on the sheet stacking surface,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. The subject entry restriction means is movable to a restriction position where the contact portion follows the sheet stacking surface or a sheet on the sheet stacking surface, and a retreat position where the contact portion retracts from the sheet stacking surface. Supported,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. Detecting means for detecting the position of the regulating member;
Control means for restricting an imaging operation by the imaging means when it is determined that the restriction member is in the retracted position based on detection by the detection means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4. It is provided so as to be movable in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, and hits an end in the width direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction of the sheets stacked on the stacking means. A regulation member that contacts and regulates the position of the sheet,
The contact portion of the subject entry restricting means is located upstream of the restricting member in the sheet feeding direction.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The subject entry restricting means is supported so as to be rotatable around a vicinity of the feeding means,
The imaging means is supported so that the subject on the sheet stacking surface moves in focus according to the position of the sheet stacking surface and can be imaged.
Moving means for moving the imaging means relative to the sheet stacking surface in conjunction with the movement of the contact portion following the sheet stacking surface;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The moving means corresponds to the sheet stacking surface with respect to the sheet stacking surface according to a displacement amount in which the contact portion moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet stacking surface in response to a change in the number of sheets stacked on the sheet stacking surface. Changing the distance to the imaging part of the imaging means,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7.

Images