JP3606504B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser printer, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that performs predetermined control in accordance with the conveyance state of a paper feed tray that feeds paper.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-10366, a plurality of paper feed trays that are detachably attached to the main body are provided, and each paper feed tray conveys a series of sheets reaching the main body. An image forming apparatus having a path is known.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described image forming apparatus cannot feed paper when a specific paper feed tray is performing a paper feed operation and the paper feed tray above the specific paper feed tray is detached. In addition, when a paper feed tray above the specific paper feed tray is removed by the user while a specific paper feed tray is feeding, the paper transport path is blocked and a jam occurs. . As described above, since the paper cannot be fed or a jam occurs, there is a problem that the working efficiency of the image forming apparatus is not sufficient.
[0004]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus with excellent work efficiency.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1, a paper feed tray of a plurality of stages which overlap each vertically continuous and to have a conveying path in the conveying path connected vertically extending into the body located above, each of the sheet Image forming apparatus comprising: detecting means for detecting presence / absence of conveyance of paper in the paper tray; control means for controlling according to information from each detection means; and display means for displaying presence / absence of conveyance by a signal from the control means. Each of the sheet feeding trays includes the display unit, and when the sheet feeding is performed from a specific sheet feeding tray among the sheet feeding trays, the detection unit detects whether or not the specific sheet feeding tray is conveyed. And the control means displays on the display means of the specific paper feed tray and all the paper feed trays located above the specific paper feed tray that the paper is being conveyed. .
[0006]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a specific paper feed tray among the plurality of paper feed trays feeds, the control means is positioned above the specific paper feed tray and the specific paper feed tray. Since it is displayed on each display means of all the paper feed trays that it is carrying, it can be easily determined which paper feed tray is being carried. In addition, a display can be performed by lighting of LED, for example. Further, since the paper feed tray being transported can be easily determined, the user is prevented from opening the paper feed tray being transported during paper transport, and the paper transport path is not blocked. As a result, the sheet feeding operation is not interrupted, and the work efficiency is improved.
[0007]
The invention according to claim 2, a paper feed tray of a plurality of stages which overlap each vertically continuous and to have a conveying path in the conveying path connected vertically extending into the body located above, each of the sheet An image forming apparatus comprising: a detecting unit that detects whether or not a sheet is conveyed in a paper tray; a control unit that performs control according to information from the detecting unit; and a display unit that displays whether or not the sheet is conveyed according to a signal from the control unit Each of the paper feed trays includes the display unit, and when the paper is fed from a specific paper feed tray among the paper feed trays, the detection unit detects whether or not the specific paper feed tray is conveyed. Then, the control means displays on the display means of all the paper feed trays located below the specific paper feed tray that it is not conveyed.
[0008]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when a specific paper feed tray among the plurality of paper feed trays feeds, the control means controls all the paper feed trays positioned below the specific paper feed tray. Since each display means displays that it has not been transported, it can be easily determined which paper feed tray is not transported. The display can be performed by turning off the LED, for example. In addition, since it is possible to easily determine the unconveyed paper feed tray, the user can perform operations such as paper replenishment by opening the unconveyed paper feed tray while the paper is being transported, thereby further improving work efficiency.
[0009]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the detection unit is provided in each of the plurality of paper feed trays, and any one of the detection units is a jam of a sheet. When a paper jam is detected, a paper jam is displayed on the display means of the paper feed tray corresponding to the detection means.
[0010]
In this invention, when a paper jam is detected, the display means of the paper feed tray displays the fact, for example, by blinking the LED, and which paper feed tray contains the jammed paper. Can be easily determined. Thereby, maintenance can be performed promptly, and work efficiency is further improved.
[0011]
Note that jam detection is performed by, for example, detecting a sheet from a detection unit of a specific sheet feeding tray (referred to as an n-th sheet feeding tray) and then feeding the (n + 1) th sheet above the n-th sheet feeding tray. If the tray detection means does not detect a sheet even after a lapse of a certain time, it detects that the n-th sheet feeding tray is jammed.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a laser printer 17 (see FIG. 2) as an image forming apparatus. As illustrated, the laser printer 17 includes a host computer 16 that transmits and receives data, and the laser printer main body 1. The laser printer main body 1 includes a controller 2 that performs image processing, an engine 3 that performs image formation, an engine board 4 that controls the engine 3, and an operation panel 5 on which a user performs input.
[0013]
The engine 3 includes a writing unit 12 including an LD and a polygon motor, a sequence device group 13 that controls the engine sequence of the fixing system, the image system, and the drive system, and sensors 14 (on the paper path and the sequence state) This includes all sensors described later).
[0014]
The engine board 4 is a memory (ROM) 9 in which a control program for the engine 3 is stored, and a control means for controlling the entire engine 3 by a program in the memory 9, a mode instruction from the operation panel 5, and a command from the controller 2. A central processing unit (CPU) 7, a work memory of the CPU 7, an input buffer (RAM) 8 for input data, a non-volatile memory for storing an error history of the engine 3, contents of mode instructions from the operation panel 5, and the like (EEPROM) 10 and a DIP switch (DIP-SW) 11 for setting the engine 3 control mode. The laser printer main body 2 has an input / output interface (I / O) 15 between the host computer 15 and the controller 2.
[0015]
FIG. 2 schematically shows an internal structure of the laser printer 17, and the laser printer 17 includes the laser printer main body 1 and a multistage paper feeding unit 19. As shown in the figure, the laser printer body 1 includes a reading unit that irradiates light on a document loaded on a contact glass and reads reflected light (image information), and a laser based on image information read by the reading unit. A laser optical system 21 having a writing unit for outputting a beam and a mirror for guiding the laser beam in a predetermined direction is disposed.
[0016]
A photoconductor unit 23 is disposed in the vicinity of the laser optical system 21, and the photoconductor unit 23 includes a photoconductor drum 25 and a developing device 27. The photosensitive drum 25 is irradiated with a laser beam from the laser optical system 21, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to image information is formed on the surface thereof. The developing device 27 supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 25 and visualizes the electrostatic latent image, thereby forming a toner image on the photosensitive drum 25.
[0017]
A transfer charger 29 is disposed at a position facing the photoconductor drum 25. The transfer charger 29 transfers the toner image on the photoconductor drum 25 onto a sheet. A fixing device 31 for fixing the toner image transferred onto the sheet by the transfer charger 29 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 25.
[0018]
On the fixing device 31 side, a discharge roller group 33 for discharging the sheet fed from the fixing device 31 to the outside of the apparatus main body is disposed. Above the discharge roller group 33, a paper discharge sensor 35 for detecting the discharge of the paper is disposed. The paper discharge sensor 35 can determine the end of paper feed.
[0019]
A detachable first paper feed tray 37 is provided below the laser printer main body 1, and the first paper feed tray 37 includes a first paper stacking unit 39, a first tray set sensor 41, and the like. The first conveying roller 43, the first registration roller group 45, the registration sensor 47, and a first LED (light emitting element) 49 as a display means.
[0020]
The first paper stacking section 39 is a place for stacking paper, and the paper drawn from the first paper stacking section 39 is transported in the direction of the first registration roller group 45 by the first transport roller 43. The first registration roller group 45 sends the paper fed by the first transport roller 43 to the photosensitive unit 23.
[0021]
The first tray set sensor 41 is located between the first paper stacking unit 39 and the first transport roller 43 and detects whether the first paper feed tray 37 is attached or detached.
[0022]
The registration sensor 47 is a sensor that detects a sheet fed to the first registration roller group 45 across the nip of the registration roller group 45.
[0023]
The first LED 49 is provided on the side surface of the first paper feed tray 37 and emits light (lights up) to indicate that the paper is being fed when the first paper feed tray 37 performs a paper feeding operation. To do. Further, the first LED 49 is configured to blink in conjunction with the registration sensor 47 when the registration sensor 47 detects the jammed paper (when the registration sensor 47 is ON) when the jam occurs. Further, when a jam occurs, if the registration sensor 47 does not detect the jammed paper (the registration sensor is OFF), it is turned off.
[0024]
As a jam detection method, for example, if a sheet is detected after a predetermined time has elapsed after the registration sensor 47 detects the sheet, the sheet is detected as jammed paper (the registration sensor 47). Is ON) method. Also, there is a method of detecting that the paper is jammed paper when a paper is interposed between a first conveyance sensor 69 and a registration sensor 47, which will be described later, and one of the two methods described above. May be applied.
[0025]
A manual paper feed tray 51 is disposed above the first LED 49, and the paper stacked on the manual paper feed tray 51 is sent to the main body by a pickup roller 53.
[0026]
In addition to the first paper feed tray 37 described above, a multi-stage paper feed unit 19 is attached to the laser printer main body 1 as indicated by arrows in the drawing. The multi-stage sheet feeding unit 19 includes a second sheet feeding tray 55 and a third sheet feeding tray 57.
[0027]
The second paper feed tray 55 includes a second paper stacking unit 59, a first paper feed stage set sensor 61, a second tray set sensor 63, a second transport roller 65, a second registration roller 67, A vertical conveyance sensor 69, a second LED 71, and a first lock 73 are configured.
[0028]
The paper fed out from the second paper stacking portion 59 is sent out to the laser printer main body 1 through the second conveyance roller 65 and the second registration roller 67.
[0029]
The first paper feed stage set sensor 61 is a sensor that is disposed above the second paper stacking unit 59 and detects the first paper feed tray 37 above the second paper feed tray 55. The CPU 7 recognizes that the lowermost sheet feed tray is the second sheet feed tray based on signals from the sensor 61 and a second sheet feed stage set sensor 77 described later.
[0030]
The second tray set sensor 63 is a sensor that detects the attachment / detachment state of the second paper feed tray 55, and the first vertical conveyance sensor 69 is a sensor that detects paper fed to the second registration roller 67.
[0031]
The second LED 71 is disposed on one side surface of the second paper feed tray 55. When the second paper feed tray 55 is performing a paper feed operation, the second LED 71 emits light to indicate that paper is being fed. In addition, the second LED 71 is blinked or turned off in conjunction with the first vertical conveyance sensor 69 in the same manner as the first LED 49 described above.
[0032]
The first lock 73 is provided on the upper surface of the second paper feed tray 55, and the CPU 7 moves the first lock 73 up and down. That is, the first lock 73 locks the second paper feed tray 55 and the first paper feed tray 37 so that they cannot be detached or can be detached.
[0033]
Similar to the second paper feed tray 55 described above, the third paper feed tray 57 includes a third paper stacking unit 75, a second paper feed stage set sensor 77, a third tray set sensor 79, and a third transport roller. 81, a third registration roller 83, a second vertical conveyance sensor 84, a third LED 85, and a second lock 87. The description of the configuration of the third paper feed tray 57 is omitted because it is the same as each member of the second paper feed tray 55 described above. Each of the trays 55 and 57 has a series of conveyance paths to the laser printer main body 1, and a one-dot chain line in the drawing indicates a conveyance path of the paper.
[0034]
Next, various controls performed by the CPU 7 with the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4. The various controls include a first control performed when normal paper feeding is performed and a second control performed when a jam occurs. The description of these controls will be made assuming that the first paper feed tray 37 arranged in the main body is the first stage, the arbitrary paper feed tray is the nth stage, and the final stage is the Nth stage.
[0035]
First, the first control will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. In step S1, it is determined whether or not the n-th stage is a paper feed tray. If the n-th stage is not a paper feed tray, the process proceeds to step S3. If the n-th stage is a paper feed tray, the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, the LEDs of the first to n-th stage paper feed trays are turned on, and the control is terminated.
[0036]
In step S3, it is determined whether or not the (n + 1) th stage is a paper feed tray. If the (n + 1) th stage is not a paper feed tray, the process proceeds to step S5. If the (n + 1) th stage is a paper feed tray, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the LEDs on the 1st to (n + 1) th stage paper feed trays are turned on to end the control.
[0037]
In step S5, it is determined whether or not the (n + 2) th stage is a paper feed tray. If the (n + 2) th stage is not a paper feed tray, the process proceeds to the next step. Thereafter, the same control is repeated, and the process proceeds to step Sn. If the n + 2 stage is the paper feed tray, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the LEDs of the 1st to n + 2 stage paper feed trays are turned on and the control is terminated.
[0038]
In step Sn, it is determined whether or not the N-th stage is a paper feed stage. If the N-th stage is not a paper feed tray, the control is terminated. Proceed to Sn + 1.
[0039]
In step Sn + 1, the LEDs of the first to N-th feed trays are turned on, and the control is terminated.
[0040]
In the first embodiment, if the second paper feed tray 55 is the nth paper feed tray, it is determined in step S1 that the second paper feed tray 55 is the nth paper feed tray. Then, the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, the LEDs 49 and 71 of the first paper feed tray 37, the second paper feed tray 55, and (first to nth stages) are turned on, and the control is finished.
[0041]
Thus, when the second paper feed tray 55 feeds, the CPU 7 sets the LEDs 49 and 71 of the second paper feed tray 55 and the first paper feed tray 37 located above the second paper feed tray. By turning on the light, the user can easily determine which paper feed tray is being conveyed. Further, since it can be easily determined that the second paper feed tray 55 is being transported, the user is prevented from opening the paper feed trays 37 and 55 during the transport of paper. Furthermore, since the paper feed trays 37 and 55 that are being fed are prevented from being opened, the paper transport path is prevented from being blocked. This also improves work efficiency because the paper feeding operation is not interrupted.
[0042]
The above-described control is control in a normal sheet passing state, but a jam may occur in the laser printer 17. In this case, when any one of the conveyance sensors detects jammed paper, the LED corresponding to each conveyance sensor detecting the jammed paper blinks. For example, when the first vertical conveyance sensor 69 of the second paper feed tray 55 detects jammed paper (ON state), the second LED 71 blinks.
[0043]
The second control performed by the CPU 7 in this case will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
[0044]
In step S21, it is determined whether or not a jam has occurred. If a jam has occurred, the process proceeds to step S23. If no jam has occurred, the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, normal paper feeding is performed as it is, and the control is terminated.
[0045]
In step S23, it is determined whether or not the registration sensor 47 is detecting jammed paper (ON). If not detected, the process proceeds to step S25. If it is detected, the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24, the LED 49 of the first paper feed tray (first tray) 37 in which the registration sensor 47 is arranged blinks, and the control is terminated.
[0046]
In step S25, it is determined whether or not the nth stage conveyance sensor detects jammed paper. If not detected, the process proceeds to step S27. If it is detected, the process proceeds to step S26. In step S26, the LED of the n-th sheet feeding tray is blinked, and the control is terminated.
[0047]
In step S27, it is determined whether or not the n + 1 stage transport sensor detects jammed paper. If not detected, the process proceeds to the next step, and thereafter the same control is repeated, and the process proceeds to step Sn. If it is detected, the process proceeds to step S28, and in step S28, the LED of the (n + 1) -th sheet feeding tray is blinked and the control is terminated.
[0048]
In step Sn, it is determined whether or not the Nth stage conveyance sensor detects jammed paper. If not detected, the process proceeds to step Sn + 2. If it is detected, the process proceeds to step Sn + 1. In step Sn + 1, the LED of the N-th sheet feeding tray is blinked, and the process proceeds to step Sn + 2.
[0049]
In step Sn + 2, the LEDs other than the blinking LED are turned off to end the control.
[0050]
In the first embodiment, if the first vertical conveyance sensor 69 is an n-th conveyance sensor, the first conveyance sensor 69 detects jammed paper in step S25 through step S21 and step S23. (ON) is determined, and in step S26, the second LED 71 is blinked and the control is terminated.
[0051]
As described above, when the first vertical conveyance sensor 69 detects jammed paper, the LED 71 of the second paper feed tray 55 blinks, so that it is easily determined that there is jammed paper in the second paper feed tray 55. be able to. This facilitates the removal of jammed paper from the second paper feed tray 55, further improving work efficiency.
[0052]
Next, although 2nd embodiment is described sequentially, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as the above-mentioned member and site | part, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0053]
In the second embodiment, each LED 49, 71, 85 is not always lit when feeding paper, as in the first embodiment, but only lit constantly. It is different from the form.
[0054]
Control performed by the CPU 7 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0055]
In step S11, it is determined whether or not the nth stage is a paper feed tray. If the nth stage is not a paper feed tray, the process proceeds to step S13. If the n-th stage is a paper feed tray, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the LEDs of the n + 1 to N-th paper feed trays are turned off, and the control is terminated.
[0056]
In step S13, it is determined whether or not the (n + 1) th stage is a paper feed tray. If the (n + 1) th stage is not a paper feed tray, the process proceeds to step S15. If the (n + 1) -th stage is the paper feed tray, the process proceeds to step S14, and in step S14, the LEDs of the n + 2-th stage paper feed trays are turned off, and the control is terminated.
[0057]
In step S15, it is determined whether or not the n + 2 stage is a paper feed tray. If the n + 2 stage is not a paper feed tray, the process proceeds to the next step, and thereafter the same control is repeated, and the process proceeds to step Sn. If the n + 2 stage is a paper feed tray, the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the LEDs of the n + 3 to Nth stage paper feed trays are turned off, and the control is terminated.
[0058]
In step S1n, it is determined whether or not the Nth stage is a paper feed tray. If the Nth stage is not a paper feed tray, the control is terminated. Proceed to Sn + 1.
[0059]
In step Sn + 1, the control is terminated while the LEDs of all the paper feed trays are lit (maintaining the initial state).
[0060]
In the second embodiment, if the second paper feed tray 55 is the nth paper feed tray, it is determined in step S11 that the second paper feed tray 55 is the nth paper feed tray. Then, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the LED 85 of the third paper feed tray 57 is turned off, and the control is terminated.
[0061]
In this way, when the second paper feed tray 55 feeds, the CPU 7 turns off the LED 85 of the third paper feed tray 57 located below the second paper feed tray 55, so which paper feed tray is conveyed. You can easily determine whether it is inside. Further, since it is possible to easily determine the paper feed tray that is not being transported, the user can open the third paper feed tray 57 that is not being transported during paper transport and perform operations such as paper replenishment, which further improves work efficiency. .
[0062]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the Example mentioned above, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary. Although the present invention is applied to a laser printer, the present invention is not limited to the laser printer. For example, the same effects can be obtained even when applied to a copying machine.
[0063]
Moreover, as a display means, the character display by a liquid crystal etc. may be sufficient.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
In the first aspect of the present invention, the control means displays on the specific paper feed tray and the display means of all the paper feed trays located above the specific paper feed tray that the paper is being conveyed. Therefore, it can be easily determined which paper feed tray is being conveyed. Further, it is possible to prevent the user from opening the paper feed tray that is being transported during the transport of paper, and the paper transport path is not blocked, so that the work efficiency is improved.
[0065]
In the second aspect of the invention, the control means causes each display means of all the paper feed trays located below the specific paper feed tray to display that the paper is not conveyed. Whether it is unconveyed can be easily determined, and work efficiency is further improved.
[0066]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, when a paper jam is detected, the paper tray display means displays that fact, so that it can be easily determined which paper tray contains the jammed paper, Efficiency is further improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a laser printer main body to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a laser printer to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing LED operation control by a CPU.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing LED operation control by a CPU.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing LED operation control by a CPU.
[Explanation of symbols]
7 CPU (control means)
17 Laser printer (image forming device)
37 First paper feed tray (paper feed tray)
47 Registration sensor (detection means)
49 1st LED (display means)
55 Second paper feed tray (paper feed tray)
57 Third paper feed tray (paper feed tray)
69 First vertical transport sensor (detection means)
71 Second LED (display means)
84 Second vertical transport sensor (detection means)
85 3rd LED (display means)

Claims (3)

A paper feed tray of a plurality of stages which overlap each connected vertically conveying path continuous vertically perforated to this conveying path to the body located above, the presence or absence of conveyance of the sheet in the paper feed tray An image forming apparatus comprising: a detection unit that detects; a control unit that performs control according to information from each detection unit; and a display unit that displays the presence or absence of conveyance according to a signal from the control unit,
Each of the sheet feeding trays includes the display unit, and when feeding from a specific sheet feeding tray among these sheet feeding trays, the detecting unit detects whether or not the specific sheet feeding tray is conveyed, and the control The image forming apparatus is characterized in that a specific paper feed tray and display means of all the paper feed trays positioned above the specific paper feed tray display that the paper is being conveyed. A paper feed tray of a plurality of stages which overlap each connected vertically conveying path continuous vertically perforated to this conveying path to the body located above, the presence or absence of conveyance of the sheet in the paper feed tray An image forming apparatus comprising: a detection unit that detects; a control unit that performs control according to information from the detection unit; and a display unit that displays presence or absence of conveyance according to a signal from the control unit,
Each paper feed tray is provided with the display means, and when the paper is fed from a specific paper feed tray among the paper feed trays, the detection means detects whether or not the specific paper feed tray is conveyed, and the control The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the display means of all paper feed trays located below a specific paper feed tray displays that the paper is not conveyed. The detection means is provided in each of the plurality of stages of paper feed trays, and when any of the detection means detects a paper jam, the display means of the paper feed tray corresponding to the detection means The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the jam is displayed.

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