JP3854756B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the stacked sheets are separated and taken out one by one, conveyed on a predetermined conveyance path, and formed in an image forming unit that forms an image by electrophotography. Supply. In this case, a registration operation for aligning the paper and the image position is performed by the registration roller immediately before the image forming unit.
[0003]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-289453 discloses a technique for shortening a sheet interval with a sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming unit by conveying the sheet at a predetermined speed on a conveyance path.
[0004]
In JP-A-8-259045, JP-A-8-20106, and JP-A-5-97305, after an image is formed on one side of a sheet by an image forming unit, the sheet is guided to a switchback path, and the switchback path A technique is disclosed in which an image can be formed on the back side of a sheet by switching back the sheet and returning it to the image forming unit.
[0005]
Japanese Patent No. 2777826 discloses a double-sided device that reverses and re-feeds paper after image formation on one side, and includes means for switching the transport path before the means for reversing the paper, and when a paper jam occurs, A technique for discharging the paper other than the normal conveyance path is disclosed.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional image forming apparatus that performs the registration operation immediately before the image forming unit, variation in the leading end position of the paper when separated from the stacked paper, fluctuation of the paper conveyance speed with time, environment, Due to factors such as the stop time for performing the registration operation, image formation performed by continuously supplying paper to the image forming unit is generally performed with a paper interval of several tens of millimeters.
[0007]
The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-289453 is a technique for improving the efficiency of continuous image formation without increasing the speed of the electrophotographic process by shortening the sheet interval. However, since the paper interval is to be shortened by accelerated transport, if the transport path to the speed increasing position is long, it is necessary to speed up and transport all the paper existing on this path to the same speed. In addition, there is a problem that the shift control of the apparatus becomes large and the configuration becomes complicated and noise increases.
Further, when a paper jam (jam) occurs on the paper transport path, conventionally, the paper transport operation in the image forming apparatus is stopped in order not to further deteriorate the paper jam. For this reason, when the paper cassette storing and stacking paper is one that replenishes paper by the front loading method, the paper cassette and the paper in the paper cassette are taken out and conveyed to the image forming unit. If the paper stops across the transport path of the transport device, if the paper cassette is pulled out incorrectly, the paper will be sheared in the width direction, causing damage to the device or torn paper fragments remaining in the device, causing paper jams. There is a problem that becomes.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving the productivity of image formation by reducing the interval between sheets continuously conveyed to an image forming unit.
[0009]
Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that does not cause damage to the apparatus or another paper jam due to a torn paper piece due to the occurrence of a paper jam in the path for transporting paper. is there.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which post-processing work after a paper jam is easy.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image forming unit for forming an image on the sheet and the stacking storage unit in which the sheet is stacked and stored are separated and taken out one by one, and the image is taken out. A sheet feeding device that transports the sheet to the forming unit, and is a front loading type image forming apparatus that replenishes the sheet to the stacking unit. A temporary storage unit that temporarily stores the paper, and the temporary storage unit that stores the paper transported from the stacked storage unit from a leading edge, and the paper stored in the temporary storage unit. The paper reversing device that switches back the paper so that the trailing edge is the leading edge and sends the paper toward the image forming unit, and the occurrence of a paper jam in the conveyance path or the conveyance path that conveys the paper to the end thereof are detected. A paper jam detection sensor, an operation stop unit for stopping the operation of the image forming unit and the paper feeding device when the paper jam is detected, and the stacking storage unit and the temporary storage unit even when the operation is stopped. An image forming apparatus comprising: a storage unit configured to maintain the transport by the paper feeding device and store the paper in the temporary storage unit with respect to the paper that is being transported on the transport path connecting the two.
[0011]
Accordingly, since the paper can be temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit, it is possible to absorb variations in the front end position of the paper when the paper is separated from the loaded and stored state, and the paper transport speed can be changed transiently. The image forming productivity can be improved by reducing the interval between the sheets continuously conveyed to the image forming unit without accelerating. Even if a paper jam occurs in the paper transport path for transporting the paper in the image forming apparatus, the paper being transported in the transport path connecting the temporary storage unit and the temporary storage unit is stored in the temporary storage unit. Even if the stacked storage portion is pulled out, the paper is not sheared, and it is possible to prevent the apparatus from being damaged or causing another paper jam.
[0012]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the storage unit can store a plurality of sheets by stacking the sheets, and the storage unit stores the temporary storage unit and the temporary storage unit. Even if there are a plurality of sheets being conveyed on the conveyance path connecting the two, all of them can be stored in the temporary storage unit.
[0013]
Therefore, even if there are a plurality of sheets being transported in the transport path connecting the temporary storage section and the temporary storage section, all the sheets are stored in the temporary storage section, so that even if the stacked storage section is pulled out, the sheets are not sheared, It is possible to prevent the apparatus from being damaged or causing another paper jam.
[0014]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, a housing that covers the main body of the image forming apparatus and the housing is provided so as to be openable and closable. And a cover that covers both the transport path for transporting the paper and the temporary storage unit.
[0015]
Accordingly, since the paper jammed in the image forming unit and the paper conveyed to the temporary storage unit can be removed at a time by simply opening the single lid, the post-processing work after the paper jam is easy.
[0016]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the image forming unit and the temporary storage unit are disposed adjacent to each other in the vertical direction.
[0017]
Accordingly, since the paper jammed in the image forming unit and the paper conveyed to the temporary storage unit are close to each other, the post-processing operation after the paper jam is further facilitated.
[0018]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect, the image forming unit and the temporary storage unit can be integrally pulled out of the apparatus main body by opening the lid. Features.
[0019]
Accordingly, since the image forming unit and the temporary storage unit can be pulled out integrally from the image forming apparatus by opening the lid, it is easy to remove the paper jammed in the image forming unit and the paper transported to the temporary storage unit, and the paper jam occurs. Subsequent post-processing work is even easier.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is a stacked storage unit that stores an image forming unit 2 that performs image formation by electrophotography and a sheet 3 that is supplied to the image forming unit 2 in a stacked manner. A sheet cassette 4 and a sheet feeding device 5 that separates the stacked sheets 3 one by one and conveys them to the image forming unit 2 are provided.
[0021]
The image forming unit 2 includes a photoconductor 6, a charger 7 for charging the photoconductor 6, a digital optical writing device 8 for optically writing an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 6, and an electrostatic on the photoconductor 6. A developing device 9 that develops the latent image with toner, a transfer device 10 that transfers the developed toner image onto the paper 3, and a cleaning device 11 that removes residual toner on the photoreceptor 6 are provided. An image is formed on the paper 3 by a photographic process. The fixing device 12 fixes the toner image transferred onto the paper 3, and the paper 3 after the fixing is discharged out of the image forming unit 2 by a paper discharge roller 13.
[0022]
A plurality of paper cassettes 4 are arranged in the vertical direction, four in this example, and are of a front loading type in which paper is replenished by being pulled out to the front.
[0023]
Each paper cassette 4 includes a paper feed roller 14 that takes out the paper 3 stacked in the paper cassette 4 one by one and a separation roller 15 that separates the paper 3 taken out one by one. ing. Further, the paper feeding device 5 includes a conveyance path 16 for conveying the paper 3 taken out from each paper cassette 4 using the paper feeding roller 14 and the separation roller 15 to the image forming unit 2. From the intermediate position of the transport path 16, the innermost part is a dead end, and a switchback path 17 serving as a temporary storage unit for temporarily storing the paper 3 is branched. The transport path 16 is divided into transport paths 18 and 19 by a switchback path 17. The conveyance path 18 is a path connecting the sheet cassette 4 and the entrance / exit of the switchback path 17, and is provided with a conveyance roller 20 that is driven by a motor 26 (see FIG. 2) and conveys the sheet 3. The conveyance path 19 is a path connecting the entrance / exit of the switchback path 17 and the image forming unit 2, and is provided with a conveyance roller 21 that is driven by a motor 28 (see FIG. 2) and conveys the sheet 3. The conveyance roller 22 which is a sheet reversing device is a roller pair which is driven by a motor 30 (see FIG. 2) and can rotate forward and backward, and is provided in the switchback path 17. The conveyance roller 22 nips the sheet 3 and rotates forward and backward to store the sheet 3 conveyed from the sheet cassette 4 in the conveyance path 18 into the switchback path 17 from the tip, and in the switchback path 17. The paper 3 stored in the paper 3 is switched back so that the rear end of the paper 3 is the leading edge, and sent to the conveyance path 19 toward the image forming unit 2. The switchback path 17 is provided with a paper detection sensor 23 that detects the paper 3 in order to take the timing of the switchback operation of the paper 3. A registration sensor 24 that detects the sheet 3 and takes the timing of the registration operation performed by the image forming apparatus 1 is provided at a position before the conveyance roller 21 in the conveyance path 19. A fixing sensor 35, which is a paper jam sensor for detecting the paper 3, is provided in the path between the fixing device 12 and the paper discharge roller 13.
[0024]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing electrical connections in the control system of the image forming apparatus 1. This control system rotates the image forming unit 2, the motor driver 27 that drives the motor 26 that rotates the conveying roller 20, and the conveying roller 21 in the microcomputer 25 that centrally controls the entire image forming apparatus 1. A motor driver 29 that drives the motor 28, a motor driver 31 that drives the motor 30 that rotates the transport roller 22, a solenoid driver 33 that drives a solenoid 32 that opens and closes the transport roller 22, a paper detection sensor 23, and a resist A sensor 24 and a fixing sensor 35 are connected. In addition, various actuators and sensors not shown are connected.
[0025]
In the image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above, the sheet 3 enters the switchback path 17 by the rotation of the separation roller 15 and the conveyance roller 20, and the detection timing of the end of the sheet 3 by the sheet detection sensor 23 is determined. The approach operation is completed by calculating the timing of completion of entry into the switchback path 17 by the microcomputer 25 (see FIG. 2).
[0026]
The sheet 3 is sent out from the switchback path 17 by rotating the transport rollers 22 and 21. Further, the registration operation conventionally performed by the registration rollers is performed by the transport rollers 21 and 22.
[0027]
The leading end of the sheet 3 is always guided to the image forming unit 2 side by a guide member (not shown) at a branching portion of the conveyance path 16. For example, the leading end of the sheet 3 may be guided upward by a flexible guide member, or may be forcibly switched from the transport path 18 to the transport path 19 by a gate having a driving unit such as a solenoid. Good.
[0028]
In the prior art, the switchback path 17 or the like is not provided, and the rear end of the sheet 3 waiting by the registration operation is stopped in a state of being sandwiched between the transport rollers 20 and 21 and the separation roller 15. Therefore, it has been impossible to perform operations such as starting separation / feeding of the next sheet 3 and pre-adjusting variations in the leading end position of the sheet 3. In addition, it has been necessary to design the conveyance rollers 20 and 21 and the separation roller 15 so as to be able to stop and start feeding in a state where the sheet is sandwiched. In addition, when the paper 3 is stopped or when feeding is started, the transfer load of the registration roller may occur. The driving force of the registration roller is designed to be strong enough so that the transfer speed does not change. I needed to increase my strength. In addition, such load fluctuations sometimes cause image defects such as horizontal line-shaped image defects called shock jitter and density changes before and after the conveyance speed fluctuations.
[0029]
In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the switchback path 17 is used as a part for temporarily storing the paper 3 so that the paper 3 waiting for the start of the image forming operation by a registration operation or the like can be obtained. Since the trailing edge does not stay on the transport roller 20 or the separation roller 15, it is possible to perform operations such as starting feeding of the next sheet 3 and correcting variations. Accordingly, the productivity of image formation can be improved by reducing the interval between the sheets 3 and 3 continuously conveyed to the image forming unit 2 without transiently increasing the conveyance speed of the sheet 3 as in the prior art. .
[0030]
Further, since generation of a separation load on the separation roller 15 can be avoided, the conveyance speed of the paper 3 on which an image is formed can be stabilized, and image deterioration due to fluctuations in the conveyance speed can be avoided.
[0031]
A conventional registration roller is not provided near the image forming unit 2 in the conveyance path 16. Instead, the transport roller 21 also functions as a registration roller. The transport roller 21 has a nip shape capable of correcting the skew of the leading edge of the sheet 3 and can perform a registration operation. With such a configuration, a pair of rollers (registration rollers) and parts necessary for driving the rollers can be reduced, and the apparatus can be downsized and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0032]
That is, the sheet 3 conveyed by the conveyance roller 22 is stopped by the conveyance roller 22 after a certain interval after the leading edge is detected by the registration sensor 24 at a position before the conveyance roller 21 in the conveyance path 19. Then, it is abutted against the conveying roller 21 and performs a registration operation. In this state, since the conveyance roller 22 holds the sheet 3, the subsequent sheet 3 starts feeding the preceding sheet 3 at a timing when the leading edge of the sheet 3 does not arrive at the conveyance roller 22 until this operation is completed. There is a need to. As described above, since the registration operation is performed using the transport rollers 21 and 22, the conventional registration roller is not required and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0033]
FIG. 3 shows a state where a paper jam has occurred in the image forming apparatus 1. When image formation is performed by the image forming apparatus 1, the leading sheet a (hereinafter, the sheet 3 continuously conveyed to the image forming unit 2 by the sheet feeding device 5 is the leading sheet a and the rear of the sheet a. If the leading edge of the paper sheet B and the trailing paper sheet c) do not enter the fixing device 12 well and become jammed, this is because the leading edge of the paper sheet a is not detected even after a predetermined time has passed. Is detected by not arriving. The following paper b is in the middle of conveyance from the paper cassette 4 to the switchback path 17 at this time. In the prior art, when the occurrence of a paper jam is detected, the paper conveyance operation of the apparatus is immediately stopped in order not to deteriorate the paper jam. For this reason, when the paper jam is post-processed, if the paper cassette 4 is pulled out by mistake and the paper 3 is removed, the paper 3 in the middle of conveyance is separated from the side fence 36 and the separation roller in the paper cassette 4 as shown in FIG. The torn sheet 3 is torn in the width direction while being constrained by the sheet 15, the jamming mechanism of the sheet cassette 4 and the separation roller 15 are clogged, and the three sheets of paper remain in the vicinity of the separation roller 15, This caused problems such as paper jams at the start of the operation, and the suspension of operation. In order to avoid this, the conveyance path 16 of the paper feeding device 5 can be opened from the right side of the image forming apparatus 1 as well as the paper cassette 4 drawing direction, and the paper 3 can be removed from the side surface without tearing. In general, the right side surface of the lower part of the image forming apparatus 1 is in a low posture, and the paper is jammed while avoiding fixtures arranged adjacent to the image forming apparatus 1. Must be processed, and the operability is very poor.
[0034]
As described above, when the fixing sensor 35 detects a paper jam, the microcomputer 25 stops driving the image forming unit 2 and the motors 28 and 30 and immediately stops the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. Thereby, the operation stop means is realized. However, the operation of the transport rollers 20 and 22 and the separation roller 15 is maintained, and the transport of the paper b is continued until it is stored in the switchback path 17. Thereby, the storage means is realized. Then, after the arrival of the sheet b is detected by the sheet detection sensor 23, the conveyance of the sheet b is stopped (see FIG. 5).
[0035]
If configured in this manner, even if the preceding paper a becomes jammed, even if the paper cassette 4 is pulled out during the paper jam processing, no new problems occur, which is very suitable for improving operability. is there. In addition, the part where the paper jam is post-processed is a position where the center of the image forming apparatus 1 is easily operated, which is preferable from the viewpoint of the working posture. In addition, in an apparatus provided with the switchback path 17 in advance for the purpose of shortening the interval between the sheets 3 and 3, no additional parts are required to improve the operability as described above, which increases costs and increases the size of the apparatus. Is not invited.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 6, when the paper jam as described above is detected by the fixing sensor 35, when the paper is continuously conveyed from the lowermost paper cassette 4, the conveyance to the switchback path 17 is performed. Since the path 18 is long, there are two sheets of paper b and c in the transport path 18. The conveyance roller 22 is opened and closed by driving a solenoid 32. By this opening and closing, the sheet 3 can be clamped by the transport roller 22 and the clamping can be released. Therefore, if the transport roller 22 is opened and the paper b is transported to the switchback path 17 and then the paper c is transported to the switchback path 17, the paper c is stacked while following the lower surface of the paper b. It is possible to transport to the switchback path 17.
More specifically, when the rear end of the paper b is separated from the conveying roller 201, the rear end of the paper b jumps horizontally and linearly due to the rigidity of the paper b itself, and a direction suitable for stacking the front ends of the next paper c. Therefore, the sheets b and c can be conveyed while being stacked without colliding (see FIG. 7).
[0037]
In this way, a plurality of sheets 3 can be stored in the switchback path 17, and after all the sheets a and b being conveyed in the section from the sheet cassette 4 to the switchback path 17 are conveyed to the switchback path 17, Since the conveyance is stopped, the sheet cassette 4 having a long conveyance path can be reliably conveyed to the switchback path 17 even when the sheet is being fed, and the sheet cassette 4 is pulled out for the paper jam processing. However, it is very suitable for improving the operability without causing any new problems. In the prior art, it is necessary to perform the removal operation on the paper b and the paper c independently. However, according to the image forming apparatus 1, the papers b and c are removed together in a stacked state. Further, the number of operations to be removed can be reduced, and it is possible to avoid the trouble of forgetting the removal operation and being confused by the paper jam processing method. This is also very effective in improving the operability.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 8, an openable / closable lid 38 is provided on the front surface of the casing 37 of the image forming apparatus 1. The lid 38 covers the image forming unit 2 and the switchback path 17 when closed, and opens them when opened. In this way, it is possible to perform the operation of removing the paper b from the switchback path 17 and the operation of removing the paper a from the image forming unit 2 by simply opening the single lid 38. Easy.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 9, the image forming apparatus 1 has an image forming unit 2 having a transport path for transporting the paper 3 horizontally and a switchback path 17 for switching back the paper 3 horizontally, vertically adjacent to each other. In the meantime, a space 39 for paper jam processing is provided. With this configuration, when the paper b is removed from the switchback path 17, work is performed by reaching out the space 39 as shown in FIG. 9, and when the paper a is removed from the image forming unit 2, FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to move a part of the image forming unit 2 (in this example, the transfer device 10) to the space 39 and reach out to the newly created space 40 to perform the work. Accordingly, the positions of the sheets a and b can be brought close to each other, and the work space can be expanded and the operation can be facilitated without increasing the size of the apparatus. Post-processing work is easy.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 11, the image forming apparatus 1 has a mechanism that allows a part of the image forming unit 2 to be drawn forward in a pull-out manner in order to facilitate maintenance and inspection operations of the image forming unit 2. Conventionally, the image forming apparatus 1 having such a mechanism exists. However, the image forming apparatus 1 is configured such that a part of the image forming unit 2 and the switchback path 17 can be pulled out integrally. Therefore, even when the paper 3 stops at a position straddling the image forming unit 2 from the switchback path 17 when the paper jam occurs, the paper 3 is torn in the paper width direction even if the image forming unit 2 is pulled out. There is no end. Therefore, there is no possibility that the torn sheet 3 is jammed in the transport rollers 21 and 22 to cause damage to the apparatus, causing a sheet jam at the start of the next operation, and causing a problem of stopping the operation again.
In addition, when a paper jam is detected, even if there is a paper 3 that extends between the switchback path 17 and the paper cassette 4, the paper 3 always moves to the switchback path 17 and stops after the movement. Thus, even if the image forming unit 2 is pulled out, there is no fear that the paper 3 straddling between the paper cassette 4 and the switchback path 17 is torn, and this is very suitable for avoiding this problem.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the paper can be temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit, it is possible to absorb variations in the leading edge position of the paper when the paper is separated from the loaded and stored state. The image forming productivity can be improved by reducing the interval between sheets continuously conveyed to the image forming unit without transiently accelerating the conveying speed. Even if a paper jam occurs in the paper transport path for transporting the paper in the image forming apparatus, the paper being transported in the transport path connecting the temporary storage unit and the temporary storage unit is stored in the temporary storage unit. Even if the stacked storage portion is pulled out, the paper is not sheared, and it is possible to prevent the apparatus from being damaged or causing another paper jam.
[0042]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, even if there are a plurality of sheets being conveyed on the conveyance path connecting the temporary storage unit and the temporary storage unit, all the sheets are stored in the temporary storage unit. Therefore, even if the laminated storage portion is pulled out, the paper is not sheared, and it is possible to prevent the apparatus from being damaged or causing another paper jam.
[0043]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, both the paper jammed in the image forming unit and the paper conveyed to the temporary storage unit are opened once by opening a single lid. Therefore, the post-processing work after a paper jam is easy.
[0044]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the post-processing operation after the paper jam occurs because the paper jammed in the image forming unit and the paper conveyed to the temporary storage unit are close to each other. Is even easier.
[0045]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect, the image forming unit and the temporary storage unit can be pulled out integrally from the image forming apparatus by opening the lid. It is easy to remove the paper jammed and the paper transported to the temporary storage unit, and the post-processing work after the paper jam is easier.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection of a control system of a sheet feeding device of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Image forming device
2 Image forming unit
3 paper
4 Stacking storage
5 Paper feeder
16 Transport route
17 Temporary storage
18 Transport route
19 Transport route
22 Paper reversing device
23 Paper detection sensor
37 housing
38 lids

Claims (5)

An image forming unit for forming an image on paper;
A stack storage section in which sheets are stacked and stored;
A sheet feeding device that separates the stacked sheets one by one and conveys them to the image forming unit;
In the image forming apparatus in which the replenishment of the sheet to the stacking storage unit is a front loading system,
A temporary storage unit that is provided on a transfer path for performing the transfer and temporarily stores the paper taken out from the stacked storage unit; and
The paper transported from the stacked storage unit is stored in the temporary storage unit from the leading edge, and the paper is switched back so that the trailing edge of the paper stored in the temporary storage unit is the leading edge. A sheet reversing device for sending out toward the image forming unit;
A paper jam detection sensor for detecting occurrence of a paper jam in the conveyance path or a conveyance path for conveying the paper to the end of the conveyance path;
An operation stopping means for stopping operation of the image forming unit and the paper feeding device when the paper jam is detected;
Storage means for maintaining the transport by the paper feeding device and storing the paper in the temporary storage section for the paper being transported in the transport path connecting the stacked storage section and the temporary storage section even when the operation is stopped. An image forming apparatus comprising the image forming apparatus. The storage section can store a plurality of sheets by stacking the sheets, and even if there are a plurality of sheets being transported in the transport path connecting the temporary storage section and the temporary storage section by the storage means, all of them are stored. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus can be stored in the temporary storage unit. A housing covering the device body;
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a cover that is openable and closable in the casing and that covers the paper path of the image forming unit when the paper is closed and a cover that covers both the temporary storage unit. The image forming apparatus described in 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming unit and the temporary storage unit are disposed adjacent to each other in the vertical direction. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming unit and the temporary storage unit can be integrally pulled out from the apparatus main body by opening the lid.

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