JP2588939B2 - Sensor device for copier - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a sensor device for detecting the state of a paper feed cassette device such as an all-paper photocopier, and more particularly, to a paper jam and a door with a single sensor. The present invention relates to a sensor device for a copier that detects opening and closing.

(Background of the Invention) FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electrophotographic copying machine. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a copying machine main body, and reference numeral 2 denotes an image reading section for reading a document image and exposing the image to a drum. The detailed configuration of the image reading unit 2 is omitted. Reference numeral 3 denotes an image forming unit for forming a read image on transfer paper. Reference numeral 4 denotes a drum on which a toner image is formed, 5 a band electrode for uniformly charging the drum 1 by corona discharge, and 6 a charge for erasing the + charge by light so that the toner does not adhere to the non-image portion of the drum 1. An erasing unit (CEL) 7 is a developing device for forming a visible image of toner on an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the drum 4, and 8 is for improving transfer efficiency of toner and separation efficiency of paper. A pre-transfer exposure unit (PTL) for irradiating the drum 1 with light to lower the surface potential, 9 is a transfer pole for transferring the toner on the drum to paper by corona discharge, and 10 is a paper for adhering to the drum 4. A separation pole 11 is separated by AC discharge, a transfer paper transfer unit 11 transfers the paper separated from the drum 4, and a fixing unit 12 fuses the toner to the paper by heat and pressure. Reference numeral 13 denotes a cleaning unit for removing residual toner on the drum 4 with a blade, and reference numeral 14 denotes a pre-charging exposure device (PCL) for irradiating the entire surface of the drum 1 with light to erase a residual potential in preparation for the next copy. Reference numeral 20 denotes a paper feed cassette device (hereinafter, referred to as a cassette module) attached to a lower portion of the copying machine main body 1. The cassette module 20 and the copier main body 1 are used in a state where they are connected. This cassette module contains transfer paper 21
The transfer paper 21 is sent to the copying machine main body 1 side. Reference numeral 22 denotes an opening / closing door for opening when the transfer paper 21 is jammed. Reference numeral 23 denotes a door opening / closing detection sensor for detecting whether the opening / closing door 22 is in an open state or a closed state. Reference numeral 24 denotes a door opening / closing detection actuator for transmitting the state of the opening / closing door 22 to the door opening / closing detection sensor 23. The door opening / closing detection sensor 23 and the door opening / closing detection actuator 24 are mounted at a position where the transfer paper 21 does not obstruct passage (for example, outside the document width). Reference numeral 25 denotes a paper jam detection sensor, and reference numeral 26 denotes a paper jam detection actuator for transmitting the status of the paper jam to the paper jam detection sensor 25. This paper jam detection sensor
25 and the paper jam detecting actuator 26 are arranged at positions where the transfer paper 21 passes.

When there is an instruction to start copying, the transfer paper 21
The sheets are sent out one by one by the rotation of a. At this time, the transferred transfer paper 21 is sent to the copying machine main body 1 through a cylindrical passage in the cassette module 20. Normally,
Paper jam detection sensor 25 and paper jam detection actuator
Although it is in contact with 26 (on state), it does not contact (off state) only when paper is passed. This paper jam detection sensor 25
Is connected to a CPU (not shown) of the copier body 1 via a connector (not shown). Therefore,
If the paper jam detection sensor 25 is always on, it is determined that a paper jam has occurred.

The door open / closed detection sensor 23 and the door open / closed detection actuator 24 are in contact (on state) when the door is normally closed, but do not contact only when the door is open (off state).
Become. The detection result of the door open / close detection sensor 23 is connected to a CPU (not shown) of the copying machine main body 1 via a connector (not shown). Therefore, if the door open / close detection sensor 23 is turned off, it is determined that the door is in the open state.

The transfer paper sent to the copying machine main body 1 side is sent as shown by a broken line in the figure, and the toner image is transferred from the drum 4. Then, the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 12, and the transfer paper is discharged.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a portion related to a sensor in the electrical configuration of the device having this configuration. Door open / close detection sensor
The detection output of the paper jam detection sensor 25 and the paper jam detection sensor 25 is the connector 27 on the cassette module 20 side and the connector on the copier body 1 side.
The information is transmitted to the CPU 29 through 28. The CPU 29 controls the entire copier and also detects opening / closing of a door of the cassette module 20 and paper jam. 3 to CPU29
Two of the signal lines are from the door open / close detection sensor 23 and the paper jam detection sensor 25, and the other is for detecting the connection state of the connector.

For example, when the cassette module 20 is optionally connected to the copying machine main body, the copying machine main body side needs to detect whether or not the cassette module is connected. Therefore, the CPU 29 is configured to detect the connection state of the connector and display on a display unit (not shown) whether or not the option is mounted.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) The apparatus having the configuration shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 requires a paper jam detection sensor and a door open / close detection sensor.
Also, connection for detecting the connection state of the connector is required. As a result, three input ports of the CPU 29 had to be used.

Therefore, the number of parts and the number of wirings are increased, and the mounting is complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to realize a sensor device of a copying machine having a simple configuration and a plurality of sensing functions with a single sensor.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems includes a sensor disposed in a paper passage path of a paper feed cassette device, and a sheet jam handling door at a position facing the sensor. Placed on the side,
An actuator for turning on / off the sensor means according to the open / close state of the paper passing and paper jam handling door is connected to an on / off output of the sensor means via a connector, and the output of the sensor means is turned on / off by the connector. Detecting means for detecting the open / closed state of the paper-feeding / paper-jam removal door and the connection state of the connector, wherein the sensor means and the actuator are connected when the paper-feeding / paper-jam removal door is opened and in other states. The output of the sensor means is reversed so that the output of the sensor means obtained from the positional relation between the sensor means and the actuator determines the connection state of the connector, the paper passing state, and the open / close state of the paper jam handling door. It is a sensor device of a copying machine for detecting.

(Operation) The detecting means monitors the output of the sensor means, and according to the output state of the sensor means installed in the paper feed conveyance path of the paper feed cassette device, opens / closes the paper feeding / paper jam handling door and connects the connector. Detect the state.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a mechanical configuration of a main part of one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an electrical configuration of a main part of one embodiment of the present invention. In these figures, the fourth
5 and FIG. 5 are assigned the same reference numerals. twenty two
Denotes an opening / closing door of the cassette module 20. This door 22
Is a door for clearing paper jams. Reference numeral 22a denotes an axis serving as a center when the door 22 is opened and closed. Reference numeral 30 denotes a sensor for detecting a paper jam, door opening and closing, and connector connection. 31 is
This is an actuator rotatably mounted in the paper transport path on the side of the opening / closing door 22. This actuator 31 is the sensor 30
By pressing, the sensor 30 is turned on.
At the time of sheet passing, the actuator is pushed up by the transfer sheet, and the sensor is turned off. Further, even when the door 22 is opened, the sensor 30 is turned off.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an abnormality detection routine in the operation of the apparatus of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the operation of the device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The CPU 29, which is built in the copying machine and controls each section, executes an abnormality detection routine shown in FIG. 3 during operation. Then, first, it is checked whether the output of the sensor 30 is at a high (H) level or a low (L) level (step). H
If the level remains, it means that the connector is not connected, as is apparent from FIG. If it is at the L level, the connector is connected and the sensor 30
Means the state shown in FIG. 1,
The display unit indicates that the optional cassette module 20 has been mounted (step). Here, it is checked whether copying is in progress (step), and abnormality detection is performed according to each state.

If normal except during copying, that is, during idling, the sensor 30 is turned on by the actuator 31. Therefore, the input voltage to the CPU 29 should be at a low (L) level. Therefore, the output of the sensor 30 is checked (step), and if it is at a high level, a door open process is performed (step). That is, it is determined that the open / close door 22 is in the open state, and a display to that effect is displayed.

When the copying machine is copying, the transfer paper is being sent from the cassette module 20 to the copying machine body 1 side. At this time,
The output of the sensor 30 should change from L (before paper passing) → H (during paper passing) → L (after paper passing). The time T during which the H level is maintained is equal to a predetermined time A determined by the paper size. Therefore, the sensor 30 counts the time T during which the sensor 30 is at the H level (steps to). If the time T is substantially equal to the predetermined time A, it is determined that the paper is passed normally (step). If the counted time T is a value other than A, a door open process is performed (step). That is,
Since the opening / closing door 22 is open or a paper jam has occurred, this display is performed on the display unit.

As described above, the connection confirmation of the connectors 27 and 28, the paper passing detection, and the opening / closing confirmation of the door can be performed by one sensor.
Further, only one input port of the CPU 29 is required.

In the above description, CPU (microcomputer)
Although the output of the sensor 30 is detected in the program processing described above, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the output of the sensor 30 can be processed by the hard logic circuit.

(Effects of the Invention) As described in detail above, in the present invention, a single sensor is arranged in the conveyance path of the paper feed cassette device, and this output is
U, and the state of the paper cassette unit is determined based on the output state of the sensor. Therefore, a sensor device of a copying machine having a plurality of sensing functions with a single sensor can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a mechanical configuration of a main part of one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an electrical configuration of a main part of one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional copying machine, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a main part of a conventional apparatus. 1 ... Copier body, 22 ... Opening door 20 ... Cassette module 27,28 ... Connector, 29 ... CPU 30 ... Sensor, 31 ... Actuator

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Satoshi Watanabe 2970 Ishikawa-cho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation (56) References Japanese Utility Model Sho-62-84051 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Sho-63-19278 (JP) , U) Japanese Utility Model Showa 62-56536 (JP, U)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A sensor device for detecting a state of a paper cassette device having a paper jam handling door, wherein the sensor device is disposed in a paper passing path of the paper cassette device, and a position facing the sensor device is provided. An actuator disposed on the side of the paper jam handling door, for turning on / off the sensor means in accordance with the open / close state of the paper passing and paper jam handling door; and an on / off output of the sensor means via a connector. Detecting means for detecting the paper passing, the open / close state of the paper jam handling door, and the connection state of the connector by turning on / off the output of the sensor means. There is a positional relationship such that the output of the sensor means is inverted when the paper jam handling door is opened and in other states, and is obtained by the positional relationship between the sensor means and the actuator. A sensor device for a copying machine characterized by detecting a connection state of a connector, a paper passing state, and an open / closed state of a paper jam handling door based on an output of a sensor means.