JP2571630B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having two exposure optical systems and capable of handling different types of originals.

[Conventional technology]

Some conventional image forming apparatuses obtain an image by irradiating a photosensitive material with a light image. Various types of image forming apparatuses of this type are known, for example,
Electrophotography in which an electrostatic latent image is formed by exposing a photosensitive member charged to a predetermined potential to an image, the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner, and the obtained toner image is transferred onto paper and then fixed. There are devices by the method. As another example, as disclosed in JP-A-58-88739 and JP-A-59-30537, a photosensitive sheet in which a large number of photocurable microcapsules are coated on a support is subjected to image exposure. Then, by applying pressure with the image receiving sheet overlaid on the photosensitive sheet, the uncured microcapsules that have not been irradiated with light are destroyed, and the dye contained in the microcapsules flows out to color the image receiving sheet. There is a device for obtaining an image.

In recent years, for the above-described image forming apparatus, not only a normal sheet-shaped original made of paper, for example,
For example, there has been a demand for a configuration capable of copying a special type of original such as a slide film, and various attempts have been made in response to such a demand.

For example, JP-A-58-182629 and JP-A-59-19
No. 8442 discloses that when copying a slide film, an image on the image receiving sheet is projected by projecting an image of the slide film onto a projection member such as a full-nel lens or a screen, and further exposing the projected image to a photoconductor. A configuration for obtaining a desired image is disclosed above.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-1003023 discloses that a plurality of document placing portions are provided at different positions, and a position of a switching mirror provided in an optical path between the document and the photosensitive member is switched, whereby either of them is switched. There is disclosed a configuration that can easily copy a document placed on the document placing portion.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, JP-A-58-182629 and JP-A-59-182629
In the configuration disclosed in 198442, when copying a slide film of a type different from a sheet-shaped original,
It is necessary to arrange a full-lens lens or a screen and a slide film projector on the platen, and it is not easy to switch between a copy mode for a sheet-shaped document and a copy mode for a slide film. In addition, in a copy mode of a sheet-like original which does not use the above-mentioned full-lens lens or screen and a projector, each unit such as the above-mentioned full-nel lens must be removed from the original table, and Is difficult to secure.

On the other hand, in the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-1003023, by switching the position of a switching mirror provided in the optical path, a sheet-shaped original and a slide film arranged on different Although the optical path can be selected according to each copy mode, no configuration for properly switching the switching mirror is considered. For this reason, there is a problem that it is not possible to sufficiently cope with copying of different types of originals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to be able to cope with a sheet-shaped document and a document of a type different from the sheet-shaped document with a simple operation and structure, and to select such a different type of document when copying errors. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the occurrence of an image.

[Means for solving the problem]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: a first exposure optical system for exposing a document held by a first document holding portion to a photosensitive material; A second exposure optical system for exposing a document held in the document holding unit to a photosensitive material, wherein the first exposure optical system is provided when an image forming operation start command is issued from an image forming operation start command unit. In an image forming apparatus for obtaining an image corresponding to a document on an image receiving sheet by operation of one of the first and second exposure optical systems, the following means is taken.

On the optical path between the first exposure optical system and the second exposure optical system, an optical unit that constitutes a part of at least one of the first exposure optical system and the second exposure optical system, for example, a mirror Is provided movably at a position corresponding to the first exposure optical system and a position corresponding to the second exposure optical system, and a document detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a document in the second document holding unit; Means for selecting the operation of the first exposure optical system when a state in which there is no document in the second document holding unit, and selecting a second exposure in the case where a state in which a document is present in the second document holding unit is detected. A mode selection means for selecting the operation of the optical system, and when the image formation operation start command is issued from the image formation operation start command means, the above-mentioned optical means is positioned at a position corresponding to the exposure optical system selected by the mode selection means. Light switching position And a means switching means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first exposure optical system for exposing a document held by a first document holding unit to a photosensitive material; (2) a second exposure optical system for exposing the original held by the original holding unit to the photosensitive material, and operating one of the first exposure optical system and the second exposure optical system to operate the image receiving sheet In an image forming apparatus for obtaining an image corresponding to a document above, the following measures are taken.

Document holding state detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a document in the second document holding section and whether the document holding direction is correct, and a state in which there is no document in the second document holding section is detected by the document holding state detecting means. Mode selection means for selecting the operation of the first exposure optical system, and selecting the operation of the second exposure optical system when a state in which a document is present in the second document holding unit is detected, and a document holding state detection means And a warning means for issuing a warning when an error in the document holding direction in the second document holding section is detected.

(Operation)

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a document is not placed in the second document holding unit when copying is performed by the image forming apparatus, if this state is detected by the document detection unit, the mode selection is performed. The means selects operation of the first exposure optical system. When the image forming operation start command is issued from the image forming operation start command unit, the optical unit switching unit sets the position of the optical unit to the position corresponding to the exposure optical system selected by the mode selection unit, that is, the first exposure optical system. Switch to the position corresponding to. Thus, an image forming operation is performed using the first exposure optical system.

On the other hand, when a document is placed in the second document holding unit and this state is detected by the document detection unit, the mode selection unit selects the operation of the second exposure optical system. When the image forming operation start command is issued from the image forming operation start command unit, the optical unit switching unit sets the position of the optical unit to the position corresponding to the exposure optical system selected by the mode selection unit, that is, the second exposure optical system. Switch to the position corresponding to. Thus, an image forming operation is performed using the second exposure optical system.

In the present image forming apparatus, as described above, the operating optical system is automatically selected according to the presence or absence of a document in the second document holding unit of the second exposure optical system.
Useless copying operation due to forgetting to select an exposure optical system is avoided. Further, since the first and second exposure optical systems are provided for the first and second original document holding units, respectively, the switching between these exposure optical systems is simplified.

Further, in the present image forming apparatus, the optical unit includes a part of at least one of the first exposure optical system and the second exposure optical system on the optical path of the first exposure optical system and the second exposure optical system. Therefore, the optical path of the first exposure optical system and the second exposure optical system at the position of the optical unit may be partially common, or the optical unit may be connected to the first exposure optical system and the second exposure unit. By sharing the optical system with the optical system, the size of the apparatus is reduced and the configuration is simplified. The optical unit moves to a position corresponding to the exposure optical system selected by the mode selection unit according to the presence or absence of a document in the second document holding unit, so that switching of the exposure optical system is not prevented. Further, since the switching of the optical unit is performed when an image forming operation start command is issued from the image forming operation start command unit, the image forming operation is started after the document is placed in the second document holding unit. Useless switching operation of the optical means due to a change of the document or the like until the command is issued is avoided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when copying is performed by the image forming apparatus, if the document holding state detecting unit detects that no document is placed in the second document holding unit, the mode selecting unit Selects the operation of the first exposure optical system, and the image forming operation is performed using the first exposure optical system. On the other hand, when it is detected by the document holding state detecting means that the document is placed in the second document holding section, the mode selecting means selects the operation of the second exposure optical system and uses the second exposure optical system. Thus, an image forming operation is performed. When the document holding state detection unit detects an error in the document holding direction, the warning unit issues a warning.

In the present image forming apparatus, as described above, the document holding state detecting means determines whether the document holding direction is correct or not, that is, whether the document is correctly set at the predetermined placing position, Is detected, and the warning unit issues a warning, so that the document is held in a predetermined direction corresponding to the shape of the image receiving sheet, etc., and is securely held without inclination. Since the copying operation is performed only on the image data, useless copying operation is avoided.

Embodiment 1 An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention, as shown in FIG.
A media cartridge 1 having a media sheet supply shaft 1a and a media sheet take-up shaft 1b is provided substantially at the center. The media cartridge 1 is provided detachably with respect to the apparatus main body. A media sheet 2 as a photosensitive material in the form of a roll is attached to a media sheet supply shaft 1a of the media cartridge 1. The media sheet 2 is wound by the media sheet winding shaft 1b at a constant speed via the exposure unit 16, the pressure developing device 17, various guide rollers, and the like when the image forming apparatus is operated. The above-mentioned media sheet 2 is formed by applying a large number of photosensitive and pressure-sensitive microcapsules containing a coloring dye on a sheet made of aluminum. This configuration is disclosed in
It is also disclosed in JP-A-88739 and JP-A-59-30539. The media cartridge 1 is replaced when the media sheet 2 is completely wound up by the media sheet winding shaft 1b.

A first exposure optical system 3 is provided above the media cartridge 1.
And a second exposure optical system 4. The first exposure optical system 3 is used when exposing an image of a sheet-shaped document made of, for example, paper or a thick document placed on a document table 5 as a first document holding unit to the media sheet 2. You. The second exposure optical system 4 is used when exposing an image of a translucent original such as a slide film to the media sheet 2.

The first exposure optical system 3 includes an optical unit 6 including an exposure lamp 6a, a first mirror 6b, and an exposure slit 6c.
Optical unit 7 including second and third mirrors 7a and 7b
, A zoom lens 8, and a fourth mirror 9 as optical means
And The optical unit 6 moves in the AB direction, and the optical unit 7
Similarly, it moves in the AB direction at half the speed. The zoom lens 8 is provided with a color correction filter (not shown) for correcting the color of an image to be formed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the fourth mirror 9 is mounted on a rotating shaft 73, and the rotating shaft 73 is driven by a mirror switching motor 65 via gears 74 and 75, so that the operating position in the P direction is established. And the retracted position in the Q direction to be positioned. The detection of the position of the fourth mirror 9 between the operating position and the retracted position is performed by the operating position sensor 76 and the retracted position sensor 77, respectively, and the fourth mirror 9 is operated when the first exposure optical system 3 is selected. When the second exposure optical system 4 is selected, it is turned to the retracted position when the second exposure optical system 4 is selected.

In the first exposure optical system 3 described above, light emitted from the exposure lamp 6a emits a document on the document table 5, an exposure slit 6c,
The light is guided onto the media sheet 2 of the exposure unit 16 via the first mirror 6b, the second and third mirrors 7a and 7b, the zoom lens 8, and the fourth mirror 9.

The second exposure optical system 4 is provided in a casing 18 protruding from the apparatus main body, and includes an exposure lamp 10, an exposure slit 11 for regulating a light irradiation range of the exposure lamp 10, and a translucent document 12.
A document holding member 13 serving as a second document holding unit for holding the image, a lens 14 for forming an image of the translucent document 12 on the media sheet 2, and a cooling fan for cooling the vicinity of the exposure lamp 10.
It has 15 mag. On the top wall of the above casing 18,
A document insertion port 18a for inserting the translucent document 12 and attaching it to the document holding member 13 is formed. Note that the document insertion port 18a may be closed except when the document holding member 13 is at the upper limit position described later. In such a second exposure optical system 4, after the light emitted from the exposure lamp 10 passes through the lens 14, the same optical path as the optical path from the fourth mirror 9 to the media sheet 2 in the first exposure optical system 3 is applied. Through the media sheet 2 of the exposure unit 16.

The second exposure optical system 4 has a configuration shown in FIG. 4 specifically. That is, a slit plate 20 in which an exposure slit 11 is formed is provided in front of an exposure lamp 10 (not shown) surrounded by a reflection plate 19, and in front of the slit plate 20, standing portions 13a and 13a and a horizontal portion 13b are provided. Document holding member 13 consisting of
Is provided. The document holding member 13 is provided in the document section 12a.
And a translucent document 12 including a mounting frame portion 12b. The document section 12a is made of, for example, a slide film.

The document holding member 13 is connected to a slide block 22 slidably fitted on a slide rail 21 extending vertically, and can be moved up and down. This slide block 22
Is connected to an annular wire 24 wound around pulleys 25, 26 and 27, and the driving force of the original driving motor 28 is
The translucent document 12 arranged on the document holding member 13 is raised and lowered by being transmitted to the slide block 22 via 30, the pulleys 25 to 27 and the wire 24. The slide block 22 is provided with a shielding plate 31, and the shielding plate 31 is composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element and is fixed at an upper and lower position.
By interrupting the optical path of the original document, the upper limit position or the lower limit position of the translucent document 12 is detected, and the operation of the document drive motor 28 is controlled according to the detection signals of the sensors 32 and 33. I have. When the translucent document 12 is attached, that is, when the translucent document 12 is not attached, the document holding member 13 is arranged at the upper limit position detected by the upper limit position sensor 32. .

At the front and rear positions of the translucent original 12 held by the original holding member 13, an original sensor 34 is provided as original detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the translucent original 12 in the original holding member 13. The document sensor 34 includes a light emitting element 34a and a light receiving element 34b. The original sensor 34 detects when the original holding member 13 has been moved to the upper limit position and the translucent original 12
However, as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b),
When held in the correct direction, the optical path between the light emitting element 34a and the light receiving element 34b is
Therefore, the output of the light receiving element 34b is turned off. On the other hand, when the translucent document 12 is not held by the document holding member 13 or when the translucent document 12 is held in the wrong direction as shown in FIGS.
Since the light from the light emitting element 34a enters the light receiving element 34b, the light receiving element 34b is turned on. Accordingly, the document sensor 34 determines whether the translucent document 12 is held in the correct direction on the document holding member 13, the state in which the translucent document 12 is not held, or the state in which the translucent document 12 is held in the wrong direction. It can be detected.

A lens 14 is provided in front of the translucent document 12. The lens 14 is provided with two color correction filters 35 and 36. These color correction filters 35 and 36 are driven by motors 37 and 38, respectively, and are appropriately arranged in the optical path.

A guide plate 39 is provided on the back side of the media sheet 2 in the exposure section 16 shown in FIG. 2, as also shown in FIG. A heater 40 for heating the media sheet 2 in the exposure unit 16 is provided on the back surface of the guide plate 39.
On the back side of the thermistor for detecting the temperature of the heater 40
41 are provided. In the heater 40, a heater wire 40b is provided between a heat insulating rubber member 40a, and ON / OFF control is performed according to the temperature detected by the thermistor 41.

The heater 40 is provided to obtain an image having a constant density and color tone characteristics. That is, since the sensitivity characteristics of the photosensitive pressure-sensitive microcapsules of the media sheet 2 change depending on the temperature, the density and the color tone of the formed image differ due to variations in the temperature. Therefore, in order to keep the density and color tone characteristics of the formed image constant regardless of the temperature, the exposure unit 16
, The media sheet 2 is kept at a constant temperature.
In this embodiment, the temperature of the media sheet 2 is about 35
It is set to a predetermined temperature in the range of ~ 45 ° C. In addition, temperature-sensitive photosensitive materials other than the above-described media sheet 2, for example, electrophotographic photosensitive materials used in electrophotographic copying machines include amorphous silicon, selenium, cadmium sulfide, zinc oxide, and organic materials. And the like.

An image receiving sheet cassette 43 is provided below the media cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 2 on the paper input side, and a paper output tray 51 is provided on the paper output side. Above the image receiving sheet cassette 43, a suction device 52 is provided. Between the image receiving sheet cassette 43 and the discharge tray 51, a sheet feeding roller 44, a timing roller 4
5, a pressure developing device 17, a transport belt 46, a heat treatment device 47 having a blower 48, a transport roller 49, and a paper discharge roller 50 are provided.

The image receiving sheet cassette 43 accommodates the image receiving sheet 42 and is provided detachably. The image receiving sheet 42 is coated with a developing material having a function of developing the color-forming dye enclosed in the photosensitive pressure-sensitive microcapsules of the media sheet 2. The suction device 52 has a fan inside and sucks and conveys the image receiving sheet 42 in the image receiving sheet cassette 43. The pressure developing device 17 is composed of a metal pressure roller, breaks the uncured photosensitive pressure-sensitive microcapsules in the media sheet 2, attaches the coloring dye enclosed therein to the image receiving sheet 42,
The image on 42 is formed. The heat treatment device 47 heats the image receiving sheet 42 to promote color development, and also melts and homogenizes the resin on the image receiving sheet 42 to impart gloss to the surface.

The image receiving sheet cassette 43 is provided with a sensor 81 for detecting the presence or absence of the image receiving sheet 42 in the image receiving sheet cassette 43. The sensor 81 is located behind the timing roller 45 in the transport direction of the image receiving sheet 42, in front of the transport belt 46, and in the discharge direction. Paper roller 50
The sensors 82, 83, and 84 for detecting the jam that detect the passage of the image receiving sheet 42 are provided behind the image receiving sheet 42, respectively.

The image forming apparatus has a display unit shown in FIG.
An operation unit 68 including a key input unit 67 and a key input unit 67 is provided. The display unit 66 is a translucent original mode lamp for displaying that the copy mode is the translucent original mode, and a translucent original for displaying that the holding direction of the translucent original 12 in the original holding member 13 is wrong. It is equipped with a holding abnormality lamp and the like. Key input section
Reference numeral 67 denotes a mode selection key for selecting one of the first exposure optical system 3 and the second exposure optical system 4, a copy density setting key, a copy magnification setting key, a copy number setting key, and a start of a copy operation. There are provided a number of keys for inputting various copy conditions, such as a print switch as an image forming operation start instruction means for instructing, and an interruption instruction key for instructing interruption of the copying operation. In the present apparatus, the first exposure optical system 3 and the first exposure optical system 3 are controlled by the presence or absence of the translucent original 12 in the original holding member 13 of the second exposure optical system 4 as described later, regardless of the operation of the mode selection key. The second exposure optical system 4 can be switched.

In addition, as shown in FIG.
3, a control device 58 including a ROM 54, a RAM 55, an input interface 56, and an output interface 57. The output interface 57 includes a first exposure optical system 3, a second exposure optical system 4, a main motor 59, and a media take-up clutch 6.
0, media rewind clutch 61, paper feed roller clutch 6
2. The timing roller clutch 63, the image receiving sheet conveying clutch 64, the suction device 52, the heat treatment device 47, the heater 40, the mirror switching motor 65, and the display unit 66 are connected.
On the other hand, sensors 81 to 84, thermistor 41, upper limit position sensor 32, lower limit position sensor 33, document sensor 34, operating position sensor 76, and retreat position sensor 77 are connected to input interface 56.

The CPU 53 controls the operation of each unit connected to the output interface 57 on the basis of the input from each unit connected to the input interface 56 and the control program stored in the ROM 54, and also controls the operation of each unit shown in FIG. The control operation shown in the flowchart is performed.

The main motor 59 includes a media sheet supply shaft 1a, a media sheet take-up shaft 1b, a pressure developing device 17, a paper feed roller 44,
A timing roller 45 and a transport belt 46 as an image receiving sheet transport system, a heat treatment device 47, a transport roller 49, a paper discharge roller 50, and the like are driven. The media take-up clutch 60, the media rewind clutch 61, the paper feed roller clutch 62, the timing roller clutch 63, and the image receiving sheet transport clutch 64 disconnect and connect the power transmission from the main motor 59 to the corresponding means. ing.

A mode selecting means is constituted by the control device 58, and the control device 58 and the mirror switching motor shown in FIG.
Optical means switching means is constituted by the gear 65, the gears 74 and 75, and the rotating shaft 73.

In the above configuration, first, the entire image forming operation in the present image forming apparatus will be described.

When copying a sheet document using the first exposure optical system 3, the sheet document is placed on the document table 5. At this time, the fourth mirror 9 is driven by the mirror switching motor 65 and arranged at the operating position in the P direction. Next, when the print switch is turned on, the sheet-shaped document is scanned by the exposure lamp 6a, and the reflected light from the document is exposed to the exposure slit 6c.
The light is guided to the media sheet 2 in the exposure unit 16 via the first mirror 6b, the second and third mirrors 7a and 7b, the zoom lens 8, and the fourth mirror 9.

On the other hand, when copying the translucent original 12 using the second exposure optical system 4, the translucent original 12 is inserted from the original insertion opening 18 a of the casing 18 and attached to the original holding member 13.
At this time, the document holding member 13 is driven by the document drive motor 28 and is located at the upper limit position. The movement to the upper limit position is detected by the upper limit position sensor 32. The state in which the translucent original 12 is attached to the original holding member 13 is detected by the original sensor 34.

Next, when the print switch is turned on, the document holding member
13 is driven by the document drive motor 28 to move to the lower limit position. This movement is detected by the lower limit position sensor 33.
In this state, the position of the document portion 12a of the translucent document 12 is below the exposure slit 11 of the slit plate 20. At the same time, the fourth mirror 9 of the first exposure optical system 3 is driven by the mirror switching motor 65 and moves to the retreat position in the Q direction.
Thereafter, the exposure lamp 10 is turned on, and the translucent original 12 is driven by the original drive motor 28 to move upward at a predetermined speed.
As a result, the light of the exposure lamp 10 that has passed through the exposure slit 11 passes through the ascending translucent document 12 and is guided to the exposure unit 16 via the lens 14 and predetermined color correction filters 35 and 36.

A light image corresponding to the original image guided by the first exposure optical system 3 or the second exposure optical system 4 is irradiated on the media sheet 2 in the exposure unit 16 and the media sheet 2 is rotated at a constant speed. It is wound by 1b and moves in the C direction in the exposure unit 16. In the media sheet 2, only the light-sensitive and pressure-sensitive microcapsules irradiated with light are cured, and a selectively cured image is formed.

On the other hand, the image receiving sheet 42 is sent out from the image receiving sheet cassette 43 by the suction device 52, and the image receiving sheet 42 reaches the pressure developing device 17 via the paper feed roller 44 and the timing roller 45. In the pressure developing device 17, pressure is applied in a state where the media sheet 2 on which the selectively cured image is formed and the image receiving sheet 42 are overlapped. As a result, the uncured photosensitive pressure-sensitive microcapsules in the media sheet 2 are destroyed, and the color-forming dye flowing out of the microcapsules reacts with the developing material of the image receiving sheet 42, and
A color image is formed on 42.

After this pressurizing and developing step, the media sheet 2 is wound around the media sheet take-up shaft 1b, while the image receiving sheet 42 on which the color image is formed is heated by the heat treatment device 47 so that the color developing speed is increased and gloss is imparted. After the heat treatment, the sheet is cooled by the blower 48 and discharged onto the discharge tray 51 via the transport roller 49 and the discharge roller 50.

Next, the control operation of the control device 58 for the first exposure optical system 3 and the second exposure optical system 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the second exposure optical system 4 is controlled by the output of the original sensor 34.
It is determined whether the translucent document 12 is held by the document holding member 13 (S1). If the translucent document 12 is not held, 1 is input to the variable mode of the RAM 55 (S2). At this time, the document holding member 13 is driven by the document drive motor 28 to move to the upper limit position. Next, the translucent original mode lamp of the display unit 66 in the operation unit 68 is turned off (S3),
Move to S6.

On the other hand, in the above S1, if the translucent original 12 is held by the original holding member 13, the numerical value 2 is input to the variable mode (S4), and the translucent original mode lamp is turned on (S5).
Move to S6.

Next, after the copy condition is input by operating the key input unit 67 of the operation unit 68 (S6), the print switch is turned on.
It is determined whether the switch has been turned on (S7), and the print switch is turned on.
If not, return to S1. On the other hand, the print switch
If it is ON, it is determined whether the variable mode is 1 or 2 (S
8) If the variable mode is 1, the fourth mirror 9 of the first exposure optical system 3 is turned to the operating position in the P direction by the mirror switching motor 65 (S9). Then, the exposure operation by the first exposure optical system 3 is performed (S10).

On the other hand, if the variable mode is 2 in S8, the fourth mirror 9 is rotated to the retracted position in the Q direction (S11), and the exposure operation by the second exposure optical system 4 is performed (S12).

As described above, in the present image forming apparatus, the first exposure optical system 3 for exposing the medium sheet 2 by irradiating a normal sheet-like original made of paper, for example, and the light-transmitting original 12 such as a light film are irradiated. And a second exposure optical system 4 for exposing the media sheet 2 by means of the first exposure optical system 3 and the second exposure optical system 4. When the selection is made, the exposure optical systems 3.4 are automatically switched, so that useless copying operation due to forgetting to select the exposure optical systems 3.4 can be prevented.

Further, the first exposure optical system 3 and the second exposure optical system 4 share a common optical path to the media sheet 2 immediately before the media sheet 2, and the first exposure optical system 3 and the second exposure optical system 4 are selected according to the selection. Then, the fourth mirror 9 moves to an operating position for guiding the reflected light from the sheet-shaped document to the media sheet 2 and to a retreat position where the optical path between the translucent document 12 and the media sheet 2 is not interrupted. Therefore, switching between the first exposure optical system 3 and the second exposure optical system 4 is reliable and easy, and
The heater 40 of the exposure unit 16 may be small, and the apparatus itself can be downsized. Further, since the movement of the fourth mirror 9 is performed after the print switch is turned on, useless movement of the fourth mirror 9 due to a change of the translucent document 12 attached to the document holding member 13 is avoided.

Further, the second exposure optical system 4 can be easily added to an image forming apparatus having only the first exposure optical system 3.

Embodiment 2 Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12. For the sake of convenience of explanation, means having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of the above-mentioned embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is shown in FIGS.
As shown in the figure, the second exposure optical system 4
And a first light receiving element 71b, and a second document sensor 72 including a second light emitting element 72a and a second light receiving element 72b. The first document sensor 71 and the second document sensor 72 constitute a document holding state detecting unit. The first and second original sensors 71 and 72 are provided up and down, and when the original holding member 13 is at the upper limit position, the translucent original 12 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
(B) is a state in which the original is held in the correct direction as shown by a solid line (good), and as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 11 (a) and (b), as shown in FIGS.
Can be detected in a state where is held in the wrong direction (wrong direction) and a state where the translucent document 12 is not held by the document holding member 13 (not held). The ON / OFF states of the first and second light receiving elements 71b and 72b of the first and second document sensors 71 and 72 in each of the above states are as shown in Table 1 below. The holding state of the document 12 can be known.

A control device 79 having a CPU 78 shown in FIG. 12 controls the light transmission of the display unit 66 in the fourth mirror 9 and the operation unit 68 based on the output signals of the first and second original sensors 71 and 72. The operation of a translucent original mode lamp, a translucent original document holding abnormality lamp, and the like is controlled. The controller 79 and the translucent document holding abnormality lamp constitute a warning unit. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In the above configuration, the control operation of the control device 79 for the first exposure optical system 3 and the second exposure optical system 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When a copy condition is input by operating the key input unit 67 of the operation unit 68 (S71), the first and second original sensors 71 are operated.
The document holding member 13 of the second exposure optical system 4 by the output of 72
It is determined whether the translucent document 12 is held in the
2) If the translucent document 12 is not held, 1 is input to the variable mode of the RAM 55 (S73). Then, the translucent original mode lamp on the display unit 66 of the operation unit 68 is turned off (S74), the translucent original document holding abnormality lamp is turned off (S75), and the process proceeds to S81.

On the other hand, in S72, if the translucent original 12 is held by the original holding member 13, the first and second original sensors 71
The holding state of the translucent document 12 is determined based on the output of 72 (S7
6) If the holding state is good, that is, the holding direction is correct,
If it is in the complete holding state, enter the numerical value 2 in the variable mode (S77) and turn on the translucent original mode lamp (S77).
78) Turn off the translucent document holding error lamp (S7
9), proceed to S81.

If it is determined in step S76 that the translucent document 12 is held abnormally, such as an error in the holding direction of the translucent document 12 or the incomplete holding state, the translucent document holding abnormality lamp is turned on (S80).
Return to

Next, in S81, if the print switch is not turned on, the process returns to S1, and if the print switch is turned on, it is determined whether the variable mode is 1 or 2 (S82). , Fourth mirror 9 of first exposure optical system 3
Is rotated to the operating position in the P direction by the mirror switching motor 65 (S83). Then, an exposure operation is performed by the first exposure optical system 3 (S84).

On the other hand, if the variable mode is 2 in S82 above,
The fourth mirror 9 is turned to the retracted position in the Q direction (S85),
The exposure operation by the second exposure optical system 4 is performed (S86).

In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, as described above, the first and second original holding state sensors 71 and 72 transmit the transparent original.
Since the holding state of the document 12 is detected, and if there is a holding error, a warning can be issued by the translucent document holding abnormality lamp, useless copying due to a mistake in setting the translucent document 12 can be avoided.

〔The invention's effect〕

The image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, as described above, includes an optical path between the first exposure optical system and the second exposure optical system.
Optical means forming a part of at least one of the first exposure optical system and the second exposure optical system is located at a position corresponding to the first exposure optical system and a position corresponding to the second exposure optical system. A document detecting means movably provided for detecting the presence or absence of a document in the second document holding unit; and a first exposure optical system when the document detecting means detects that there is no document in the second document holding unit. While selecting the operation of the system, the second
A mode selecting means for selecting the operation of the second exposure optical system when the presence of a document in the document holding unit is detected, and a mode selecting means when an image forming operation start command is issued from the image forming operation start command means Optical means switching means for switching the position of the optical means to a position corresponding to the exposure optical system selected by the above.

This makes it possible to automatically select an optical system that operates according to the presence or absence of a document in the second document holding unit, and to avoid useless copying operation due to forgetting to select an exposure optical system. Further, since the first and second exposure optical systems are provided respectively corresponding to the first and second document holding units, it is possible to easily switch between these exposure optical systems. Furthermore, the optical means may constitute a part of at least one of the first exposure optical system and the second exposure optical system on the path between the first exposure optical system and the second exposure optical system. , The size of the device can be reduced and the configuration can be simplified.

Further, since the switching of the optical unit is performed when the image forming operation start command is issued, unnecessary switching operation of the optical unit can be avoided even when the document is changed, and even when the copying operation is not performed. Regardless, undesired operation noise does not occur.

An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention provides a document holding state detecting means for detecting the presence / absence of a document in the second document holding unit and whether the document holding direction is correct, Means for selecting the operation of the first exposure optical system when a state in which there is no document in the second document holding unit, and selecting a second exposure in the case where a state in which a document is present in the second document holding unit is detected. A mode selecting means for selecting the operation of the optical system, and a warning means for issuing a warning when an error in the document holding direction in the second document holding unit is detected by the document holding state detecting means.

With this, a warning is issued in accordance with not only whether the document is held correctly but also whether or not the document is completely placed, so that useless copying operation can be avoided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 to 8 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a control operation for the first exposure optical system and the second exposure optical system. FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the drive system and position detection of the fourth mirror shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the second exposure optical system shown in FIG. FIG. 5A is a front view showing a state in which a translucent document is held in a correct direction by a document holding member. FIG. 2B is a longitudinal sectional view of the same. FIG. 6A is a front view showing a state in which the translucent document is held in the wrong direction by the document holding member. FIG. 2B is a longitudinal sectional view of the same. FIG. 7 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration near the exposure unit shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control system in the image forming apparatus. 9 to 12 show another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control operation for the first exposure optical system and the second exposure optical system. FIG. 10 (a) is a front view showing a state where the translucent original is properly held by the original holding member and a state where it is incompletely held. FIG. 2B is a longitudinal sectional view of the same. FIG. 11 (a) is a front view showing a state in which the translucent original is held in the wrong direction by the original holding member. FIG. 2B is a longitudinal sectional view of the same. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a control system in the image forming apparatus. 1 is a media cartridge, 2 is a media sheet, 3 is a first exposure optical system, 4 is a second exposure optical system, 5 is a document table (first document holding unit), 9 is a fourth mirror (optical means), 12 is 13 is a document holding member (second document holding portion), 16 is an exposure portion, 34 is a document sensor (document detecting means), 40 is a heater, 42 is an image receiving sheet, and 58 is a control device (mode selecting means). ,
Optical means switching means), 65 is a mirror switching motor (optical means switching means), 71 is a first document sensor, 72 is a second document sensor, and 79 is a control device (mode selection means, optical means switching means, warning means). is there.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A first exposure optical system for exposing a photosensitive material to a document held by a first document holding unit; and a first exposure optical system for exposing a document held by a second document holding unit to a photosensitive material. A second exposure optical system, and when an image forming operation start command is issued from the image forming operation start command means, the image forming sheet is placed on the image receiving sheet by operation of one of the first exposure optical system and the second exposure optical system. In an image forming apparatus for obtaining an image corresponding to a document, at least one of the first exposure optical system and the second exposure optical system is provided on the optical path of the first exposure optical system and the second exposure optical system. Optical means constituting a part of the system is movably provided at a position corresponding to the first exposure optical system and a position corresponding to the second exposure optical system, and detects presence / absence of a document in the second document holding unit. Original detecting means, and the original detecting means The operation of the first exposure optical system is selected when the absence of a document is detected in the second document holding unit, while the second exposure optical system is selected when the presence of a document in the second document holding unit is detected. A mode selection means for selecting the operation of the system, and a position of the optical means at a position corresponding to the exposure optical system selected by the mode selection means when an image formation operation start command is issued from the image formation operation start command means. An image forming apparatus comprising: an optical unit switching unit for switching between the two. A first exposure optical system for exposing a document held in a first document holding portion to a photosensitive material; and a first exposure optical system for exposing a document held in a second document holding portion to a photosensitive material. A second exposure optical system, and the first exposure optical system and the second
An image forming apparatus that obtains an image corresponding to a document on an image receiving sheet by operating one of an exposure optical system, the document detecting presence or absence of a document in the second document holding unit and correctness of the document holding direction. Holding state detecting means, when the state in which there is no document in the second document holding unit is detected by the document holding state detecting means, the operation of the first exposure optical system is selected; Mode selecting means for selecting the operation of the second exposure optical system when the state of the document is detected, and a warning for issuing a warning when the document holding state detecting means detects an error in the document holding direction in the second document holding section. And an image forming apparatus.