JP4283202B2 - Recording medium transport mechanism and image forming apparatus provided with the recording medium transport mechanism - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a copier, a printer, a facsimile machine, a recording medium conveyance mechanism provided in a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions, and an image forming apparatus provided with the recording medium conveyance mechanism. In particular, the present invention relates to a measure for improving the practicality of a recording medium transport mechanism having a recording medium supply function.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multi-function machine having a plurality of functions, paper is fed to an image forming unit (printing unit) including a photosensitive drum. A paper cassette and a manual feed tray are provided as storage units for storing the recording paper. For example, when a number of recording sheets are stored in a sheet cassette and a print request is received, the recording sheets are sequentially taken out from the sheet cassette one by one and fed to the image forming unit. On the other hand, when the user places a recording sheet (for example, a postcard) on the manual feed tray and starts a printing operation, the recording sheet on the manual feed tray is fed to the image forming unit.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an internal configuration of a general multifunction machine. The multifunction device shown in this figure is configured by integrally assembling a scanner unit a, a printer unit b, and a paper feeding unit c. The scanner unit a reads an original image. The printer unit b performs a predetermined printing operation on the recording paper fed from the paper feeding unit c. The paper feeding unit c stores the recording paper and supplies the recording paper to the printer unit b one by one in response to a print request. The paper supply unit c includes a plurality of (two in FIG. 10) paper cassettes d1 and d2 and a manual feed tray e on the side surface. Each of the paper cassettes d1 and d2 has a different recording paper size. For example, A4 size paper is stored in the upper paper cassette d1, and B5 size paper is stored in the lower paper cassette d2. The paper cassettes d1 and d2 and the manual feed tray e communicate with a paper conveyance path f extending toward the printer unit b. The paper conveyance path f is fed to the scanner unit a via the printer unit b. It is open to a paper discharge space g formed between the unit c. That is, the upper surface of the paper feeding unit c is configured as a paper discharge tray g1.

  For this reason, for example, during a copying operation, an original is placed on the scanner unit a and an image of the original is read, and one recording sheet taken out from one paper cassette d1 (d2) in the paper supply unit c. Is supplied to the printer unit b, and a printing operation based on the image data created by the scanner unit a is performed. Thereafter, the printed matter on which this printing has been performed is discharged from the printer unit b to the discharge tray g1.

  Further, in this type of image forming apparatus, when there is no recording paper in the paper cassette d1 (d2), the user needs to perform paper supply work. For example, the paper cassette d1 (d2) is configured to be able to be pulled out from the apparatus main body, and when the paper is replenished, after the user pulls out the paper cassette d1 (d2), the recording paper is replenished to the paper cassette d1 (d2). It will be.

  However, in this case, it is necessary to secure a space for drawing out the paper cassettes d1 and d2 around the image forming apparatus in advance, and since the drawing mechanism is provided, the configuration of the apparatus is complicated and the cause of the failure is generated. Was inviting.

In consideration of this point, Patent Document 1 below has been proposed. In this document, a replenishment conveyance path branched from a reading conveyance path extending between a document table and a document discharge tray is provided, and a downstream end of the replenishment conveyance path is connected to a paper cassette. As a result, when there is no recording paper in the paper cassette, the recording paper is placed on the document table, the recording paper is taken out from the document table one by one, and conveyed to the paper cassette through the replenishment conveyance path. Can do. For this reason, the conventional work of pulling out the paper cassette and supplying the recording paper is not necessary, and the paper supply can be automated.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-221535

However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, since the recording paper is supplied to the paper cassette using the document table, there are the following problems.
(1) First, the paper conveyance path for replenishing the recording paper is lengthened. That is, as shown in Patent Document 1, in a general image forming apparatus, the document table is disposed near the upper end of the apparatus from the viewpoint of user operability. On the other hand, the paper cassette is disposed at the lower end of the apparatus. For this reason, a long replenishment conveyance path for conveying the recording paper placed on the document table to the paper cassette is required (a replenishment conveyance path having a length of about the height of the image forming apparatus is required). As a whole, the length of the sheet conveyance path becomes longer. As a result, not only the overall size of the apparatus is increased, but also the cause of occurrence of paper jam increases.
(2) Since the original is placed on the original table during the original reading operation, the recording paper supply operation cannot be performed until the reading operation of all the originals is completed. For this reason, for example, when a large number of originals are to be copied in a situation where only a small number of recording sheets remain in the paper cassette, the recording sheets run out during the copying operation, and the subsequent copying operation cannot be performed. End up. In such a situation, only the original reading operation is continued, the original image data is accumulated in the memory in the apparatus, and after the recording paper is replenished, the original image data is read from the memory and the printing operation is resumed. It is possible to make it. However, since the memory capacity is limited, it is impossible to cope with the case where the document image data amount exceeds the memory capacity.
(3) During the recording paper supply operation, since the recording paper is placed on the document table, the original cannot be copied until all the recording paper supply operations are completed. For this reason, for example, even when an urgent copying operation is necessary, it is necessary to wait until all the recording paper supply operations are completed, which is not convenient for the user. In addition, when this urgent copying operation is necessary, it is possible to interrupt the replenishment operation and remove the recording paper from the document table to perform the copying operation, but in such a situation where the replenishment operation is not completed, There is a possibility that a sufficient number of recording sheets are not stored in the sheet cassette, and as in the case of (2) above, the recording sheet runs out during the copying operation, and the subsequent copying operation cannot be performed. There is a possibility that.
(4) Since this document uses a document table, it cannot be applied to an image forming apparatus that does not include this document table. That is, the technique cannot be applied to a printer-dedicated machine and has low versatility.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium transport mechanism having a function of automatically supplying recording paper to a paper cassette. The object is to provide a configuration for improvement.

In order to achieve the above object, the solution of the present invention includes a recording medium accommodating portion for accommodating a recording medium, a manual feed tray on which the recording medium can be placed, and a recording medium accommodating portion or a manual tray. In the recording medium transport mechanism having a recording medium transport path for transporting the recorded recording medium toward the image forming unit, the recording medium transport mechanism is formed to serve as a part of the recording medium transport path and is placed on the manual feed tray. The recording medium replenishment transport path for transporting the recording medium toward the recording medium storage section and a part of the recording medium transport path as a recording medium replenishment transport path can be used as a recording medium replenishment transport path. Switching means for switching the feeding direction, size recognition means for recognizing the size of the recording medium placed on the manual feed tray, and transporting the recording medium placed on the manual feed tray toward the recording medium storage unit And the size of the recording medium conveyed toward the image forming unit is recognized by the size recognition unit when the recording medium accommodated in the recording medium accommodating unit is simultaneously conveyed toward the image forming unit. If it matches the size of the recording medium on the manual feed tray, control means for controlling the switching means to transport the recording medium on the manual feed tray toward the image forming unit is provided.

When there is no recording medium in the recording medium storage unit due to this specific matter, or when the remaining number of recording media becomes small and replenishment is necessary, the recording medium is set (placed) on the manual feed tray. Is conveyed toward the recording medium accommodating portion through the recording medium supply conveyance path .

  Further, as a specific configuration of the recording medium replenishment transport path, a part of the recording medium transport path is configured to also serve as at least a part of the recording medium replenishment transport path. According to this, the overall length of the transport path inside the apparatus can be significantly shortened, and the apparatus can be further reduced in size and the number of paper jam occurrence factors can be reduced.

In addition, a plurality of recording medium storage units are provided, and a size recognition unit for recognizing the size of the recording medium placed on the manual feed tray is provided, and a recording medium having a size matching the size recognized by the size recognition unit is stored. Switching means for switching the recording medium replenishment conveyance path so as to convey the recording medium on the manual feed tray toward the recording medium accommodating portion for the purpose. According to this, the user automatically enters a predetermined recording medium accommodating unit (conforming to the size of the recording medium placed on the manual feed tray) without performing an operation of designating the recording medium accommodating unit to be replenished. On the other hand, the recording medium is supplied.

  In this case, when there is no recording medium storage unit for storing a recording medium having a size that matches the size recognized by the size recognition means, the recording medium supply operation is stopped. As a result, there is no possibility of an erroneous replenishment operation being performed, and it is possible to avoid a situation in which a paper jam occurs or an image is formed on a recording medium of an unexpected size.

Further, when the recording medium placed on the manual feed tray is transported toward the recording medium storage unit, when the recording medium stored in the recording medium storage unit is taken out and image formation is performed in the image forming unit, The conveyance operation of the recording medium from the manual feed tray is interrupted, and the image formation is preferentially performed. By preferentially performing image formation in this way, it is possible to quickly respond to a user's image formation request and to improve the practicality of the image forming apparatus.

  Note that an image forming apparatus including any one of the above-described solutions is also within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. That is, the image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms a predetermined image on a recording medium that has been taken out of the recording medium storage unit and conveyed through the recording medium conveyance path.

In the present invention, when there is no recording medium in the recording medium container or when the remaining number of recording media is reduced and replenishment is required, the recording medium is set (placed) on the manual feed tray. The recording medium is transported toward the recording medium accommodating portion through the recording medium supply conveyance path. Further, a part of the recording medium conveyance path is configured to also serve as at least a part of the recording medium supply conveyance path. According to this, the overall length of the transport path inside the apparatus can be significantly shortened, and the apparatus can be further reduced in size and the number of paper jam occurrence factors can be reduced. Further, if the size of the recording medium conveyed toward the image forming unit matches the size of the recording medium on the manual tray recognized by the size recognition unit, the recording medium on the manual tray is conveyed toward the image forming unit. Therefore, it is possible to quickly respond to the user's image formation request.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a multifunction machine having a copy function, a print function, a facsimile function, and the like will be described.

(First embodiment)
-Description of overall configuration of MFP-
FIG. 1 schematically shows an internal configuration of a multifunction machine 1 as an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 1 includes a scanner unit 2, a printer unit 3 as an image forming unit, and a paper feeding unit 4. Hereinafter, each unit will be described.

<Description of scanner unit 2>
The scanner unit 2 is a part that reads an image of a document placed on a document table (not shown) made of transparent glass or the like and creates image data. For this reason, the scanner unit 2 includes an exposure light source, a plurality of reflecting mirrors, an imaging lens, a photoelectric conversion device (CCD: Charge Coupled Device), and the like (not shown). Then, the photoelectric conversion element receives reflected light of the light emitted from the exposure light source to the original, and original image data as an electrical signal is created in the photoelectric conversion element. Further, the scanner unit 2 may be provided with an automatic document feeder that sequentially conveys a plurality of set documents so that each document image can be read sequentially. According to this, there is a sheet fixing type reading operation in which an original is placed on the original platen and an image is read, and a sheet moving type in which the image is read while being conveyed by the automatic document feeder. Reading operation can be performed.

<Description of Printer Unit 3>
The printer unit 3 has, for example, an electrophotographic printing mechanism (not shown). The printing mechanism includes a photosensitive drum (not shown), and a laser beam based on the original image data created by the photoelectric conversion element is irradiated onto the surface of the photosensitive drum to form an electrostatic latent image. After the latent image is developed into a visible image with toner (visualizing substance), the toner image is transferred to a recording sheet (recording medium) supplied from a sheet feeding unit 4 described later. Thereafter, the transferred toner image is fixed on the recording paper by heating of the fixing roller. As a result, a predetermined printing operation is performed on the recording paper. The printing mechanism in the printer unit 3 is not limited to the electrophotographic method, and other methods (thermal transfer method, ink jet method, etc.) may be adopted.

<Description of Paper Feed Unit 4>
Next, the paper feeding unit 4 will be described. The paper feed unit 4 includes two paper cassettes 5A and 5B as recording paper storage portions (recording medium storage portions) and one manual feed tray 5C, and a main transport path (recording path) as a paper transport path. A medium conveyance path) 6 and a replenishment conveyance path (recording medium replenishment conveyance path) 7.

  The main conveyance path 6 is branched at one end side, and each of the branch paths 6A, 6B, 6C is opposed to the discharge side of the sheet cassettes 5A, 5B and the manual feed tray 5C. The other end of the main transport path 6 is opened to the paper discharge space A formed between the scanner unit 2 and the paper feed unit 4 via the printer unit 3. That is, the upper surface of the paper feed unit 4 is configured as a paper discharge tray 41.

  A paper feed roller 61 is disposed at the upstream end of the main transport path 6 (a portion facing the paper cassettes 5A and 5B and the manual feed tray 5C). Further, in each of the paper cassettes 5A and 5B, only the uppermost one of the many recording papers stored in the paper cassettes 5A and 5B is sent out to the main transport path 6. A paper feed mechanism 51 is provided. This paper feed mechanism 51 is rotatably mounted around the horizontal axis (see the state shown by the solid line and the state shown by the broken line in FIG. 1), and is rotatably attached to the tip of this arm 51a. A pull-in roller 51b. The arm 51a is applied with an urging force (the urging force in the clockwise direction in FIG. 1) so that the drawing roller 51b contacts the upper surface of the recording paper in the paper cassettes 5A and 5B. The outer surface comes into contact with the recording paper with a predetermined pressing force. In this state, the drawing roller 51b rotates, so that only the uppermost one of the many recording sheets stored in the sheet cassettes 5A and 5B is sent out to the main conveyance path 6. .

  Further, the recording paper taken out from the paper cassettes 5A and 5B and the manual feed tray 5C is conveyed to a plurality of locations on the main conveyance path 6 toward the printer unit 3, and the printed recording paper is directed to the paper discharge tray 41. A plurality of conveying roller pairs 62, 62,. Further, at the downstream end of the main transport path 6, a paper discharge roller pair 63 for discharging the recording paper transported through the main transport path 6 to the paper discharge tray 41 is provided. Further, a plurality of locations on the main transport path 6 are provided with transport path paper sensors 64, 64,... For detecting the presence or absence of the recording paper at each location of the main transport path 6.

  Inside each of the paper cassettes 5A and 5B, a metal rotating plate 52 is rotatably supported. The rotation plate 52 is supported so as to be rotatable up and down around a rotation axis extending in the width direction of the paper cassettes 5A and 5B (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1). A recording sheet is placed on the upper surface. A lift plate 53 is in contact with the lower side of the rotating plate 52. The lift plate 53 is also supported so as to be rotatable up and down around a rotation axis extending in the width direction of the paper cassettes 5A and 5B (a direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 1). ) Can be turned upward. For this reason, when the lift plate 53 is rotated upward, an upward biasing force is applied to the rotation plate 52 (see the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 1), thereby the paper cassettes 5A and 5B. The height position of the uppermost recording paper among the many recording papers accommodated therein is always maintained at a constant height (height facing the branch paths 6A and 6B) regardless of the number of the recording papers. It has become. In this embodiment, a coil spring may be provided instead of the lift plate 53, and an upward biasing force may be applied to the rotating plate 52 by the biasing force from the coil spring.

  Next, the characteristic part of this embodiment is demonstrated. The feature of this embodiment is that the recording paper can be supplied to the paper cassettes 5A and 5B without pulling out the paper cassettes 5A and 5B from the apparatus main body. Hereinafter, the configuration for supplying the paper will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a replenishment tray 8 serving as a recording medium placement portion is provided on the side surface (the right side in FIG. 1) opposite to the side surface on which the manual feed tray 5 </ b> C is disposed in the paper feeding unit 4. It is arranged. A paper size sensor for recognizing the size of the loaded recording paper is provided on the supply tray 8. As a specific configuration of this paper size sensor, the paper size can be recognized by detecting the position of the movable guide for aligning (aligning) the edges in the width direction of the recording paper placed on the supply tray 8. Something like that is listed. Alternatively, the paper size may be recognized by optically detecting the position of one or both edges of the recording paper placed on the supply tray 8.

  One end of the replenishment conveyance path 7 is open toward the replenishment tray 8, while the other end is branched so that the branch paths 7A and 7B communicate with the paper cassettes 5A and 5B, respectively. Yes. The locations where these branch paths 7A and 7B communicate with the paper cassettes 5A and 5B are the locations where the branch paths 6A and 6B of the main transport path 6 communicate with the paper cassettes 5A and 5B (the left side surface in FIG. 1). Is the opposite side (right side surface in FIG. 1).

  Further, a replenishment take-out roller 71 is disposed in a portion facing the replenishment tray 8 in the replenishment conveyance path 7, while a replenishment feed roller pair 72 is disposed in a portion opposed to each of the paper cassettes 5A and 5B. Has been. As a result, the uppermost one of the recording sheets placed on the replenishment tray 8 is sent to the replenishment conveyance path 7 as the replenishment take-out roller 71 rotates, and passes through one branch path 7A (7B). One of the paper cassettes 5A and 5B can be selectively supplied to one. Further, a plurality of conveyance path sheet sensors 65 and 65 are provided at a plurality of locations on the replenishment conveyance path 7 to detect the presence or absence of the recording sheet at each position on the replenishment conveyance path 7.

  Further, a replenishment switching gate 73 is provided at a branching portion of each of the branch paths 7A and 7B in the replenishment conveyance path 7 as a switching means that can be rotated around a horizontal axis. The supply switching gate 73 can be switched between a first switching state indicated by a solid line in the drawing and a second switching state indicated by a broken line in the drawing. In the first switching state, the branch path 7A to the upper paper cassette 5A is blocked, and when a paper supply operation is performed in this state, paper supply to the lower paper cassette 5B is performed. On the contrary, in the second switching state, the branch path 7B to the lower paper cassette 5B is blocked, and when the paper supply operation is performed in this state, the paper supply to the upper paper cassette 5A is performed. Become.

-Explanation of the control unit of the MFP-
FIG. 2 is a control block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control unit for controlling the operation of the multi function device 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the copying machine 1 is provided with a CPU 9 for comprehensively controlling each device (a scanner unit 2, a printer unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4 and the like) installed therein. Connected to the CPU 9 are the conveyance path paper sensors 64 and 65, the roller control unit 91, the gate control unit 92, the paper size sensor 93 as a size recognition means, the lift plate control unit 94, and the printer unit control unit 95. Has been.

  As described above, the conveyance path paper sensors 64 and 65 detect the presence or absence of a sheet in each of the main conveyance path 6 and the replenishment conveyance path 7, and outputs from the respective conveyance path sheet sensors 64 and 65 to the CPU 9. Is received, it is possible to grasp the sheet conveyance state in the main conveyance path 6 and the replenishment conveyance path 7.

  The roller control unit 91 controls the driving / stopping of the rollers 61, 62, 63, 71, 72 provided in the main transport path 6 and the replenishment transport path 7, thereby controlling the operation of the multifunction device 1 instructed by the user. Corresponding recording paper conveying operation can be obtained.

  The gate control unit 92 operates the actuator of the replenishment switching gate 73 provided in the replenishment conveyance path 7 to change the posture of the replenishment switching gate 73 to the first switching state (solid line state in FIG. 1) and the second switching state ( It is possible to switch between them (the broken line state in FIG. 1).

  The sheet size sensor 93 recognizes the size of the recording sheet placed on the supply tray 8 as described above, and transmits a recognition signal to the CPU 9.

  The lift plate control unit 94 controls the rotation posture of the lift plate 53 by controlling an actuator for rotating the lift plate 53.

  The printer unit control unit 95 comprehensively controls the printing operation in the printer unit 3.

-Basic operation of MFP-
As an operation of the MFP 1 configured as described above, first, when the MFP 1 functions as a printer, it receives print data (image data or text data) transmitted from a host device such as a personal computer. The received print data (print data) is temporarily stored in a buffer (memory) (not shown). Along with storing the print data in the buffer, the print data is sequentially read from the buffer, and printing is performed on the recording paper by the printing operation of the printer unit 3 described above based on the read print data. The recording paper used here is sent to the main transport path 6 by the operation of the paper feeding mechanism 51 of the paper cassette 5A (5B) containing the recording paper of the size matching the paper size data in the print data. It is. For example, when A4 size paper is stored in the upper paper cassette 5A and B5 size paper is stored in the lower paper cassette 5B, if the A4 size is specified as the paper size data in the print data, the upper paper cassette 5A The paper feeding operation from the paper cassette 5A is performed. When a recording sheet (for example, a postcard) is set on the manual feed tray 5C, the recording sheet on the manual feed tray 5C is sent to the main conveyance path 6 by the execution of the printing operation, and the printing operation is performed. It will be.

  When the multifunction machine 1 functions as a scanner, scanned image data of a document read by the scanner unit 2 is temporarily stored in a buffer. Along with storing the scan image data in the buffer, the scan image data is sequentially transmitted from the buffer to the host device, and the image is displayed on the display or the like of the host device. When the multifunction machine 1 functions as a facsimile, the transmission destination of the scanned image data is a general public line.

  Further, when the multifunction machine 1 functions as a copying machine, printing is performed on recording paper by the printing operation of the printer unit 3 based on the document image data read by the scanner function. In this case, the recording paper feed operation from the paper supply unit 4 is the same as that when the printer functions as described above, and the recording paper of the size set by the user is included in each of the paper cassettes 5A and 5B and the manual feed tray 5C. And is supplied to the printer unit 3 to perform a printing operation.

-Paper supply operation-
Next, a paper replenishing operation that is a characteristic feature of this embodiment will be described. This operation is performed, for example, by displaying on the display unit provided on the operation panel of the multifunction device 1 that there is no recording paper in the paper cassette or that the remaining number of recording paper in the paper cassette has decreased. It is an operation that is executed in response to

  First, when the recording paper is replenished in a state where the printing operation is not performed, the user sets a bundle of recording papers P on the replenishment tray 8 as shown in FIG. At this time, the paper size sensor 93 recognizes the size of the recording paper P placed on the supply tray 8 and transmits a recognition signal to the CPU 9. Upon receiving this recognition signal, the CPU 9 transmits a switching signal to the gate control unit 92, and the gate control unit 92 switches the posture of the replenishment switching gate 73 according to the switching signal. For example, as described above, when A4 size paper is stored in the upper paper cassette 5A and B5 size paper is stored in the lower paper cassette 5B, replenishment is performed when the B5 size paper is recognized by the paper size sensor 93. The posture of the switching gate 73 becomes the first switching state (the state shown in the solid line in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3). On the other hand, when the A4 size paper is recognized by the paper size sensor 93, the posture of the replenishment switching gate 73 becomes the second switching state (the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. 1).

  Thereafter, when the user presses a paper supply switch provided on the operation panel, the recording paper P supply operation is started. In this replenishment operation, the replenishment take-out roller 71 and the replenishment feeding roller pair 72 rotate. As a result, one of the uppermost recording sheets P in the bundle of recording sheets P is taken out from the supply tray 8 and sent out to the supply conveyance path 7. Then, one recording paper P is supplied to a predetermined paper cassette 5B (5A) according to the posture of the supply switching gate 73. For example, when the recording paper P is supplied to the lower paper cassette 5B, the recording paper P taken out from the supply tray 8 is directed to the lower paper cassette 5B as shown by the solid arrow in FIG. Will be transported. In this case, when the recording paper P is accommodated in the paper cassette 5B and the leading end (the downstream end in the conveyance direction of the recording paper P) comes into contact with the drawing roller 51b in the paper cassette 5B, the drawing roller 51b rotates to record. The paper pulling operation is performed until the leading edge of the paper P reaches a position near the paper feed roller 61.

  When one sheet of recording paper P is taken out from the replenishment tray 8 and sent out to the replenishment conveyance path 7, the next recording paper P on the replenishment tray 8 is taken out from the replenishment tray 8 and sent out to the replenishment conveyance path 7. It is. In this way, the recording paper P is sequentially supplied to the paper cassette 5B one by one until the recording paper P runs out on the supply tray 8.

  When the recording paper P is replenished to the upper paper cassette 5A, only the posture of the replenishment switching gate 73 is switched (the second switching state indicated by a broken line in FIG. 1), and the replenishment is performed. The operation of is the same as described above.

  However, when the paper size recognized by the paper size sensor 93 does not correspond to any of the paper cassettes 5A and 5B (for example, when a B4-size recording paper P is set on the supply tray 8). Without displaying the replenishment operation of the recording paper P, a warning that there is no paper cassette corresponding to the size of the set recording paper is displayed on the display unit on the operation panel.

  In the case of this embodiment, it is possible to execute a printing operation in parallel with the above-described paper supply operation. For example, when the recording paper P is supplied to the lower paper cassette 5B (when B5 size paper is supplied), a print request for the recording paper P stored in the upper paper cassette 5A (to A4 size paper) 3), the paper is fed from the upper sheet cassette 5A to the main transport path 6 as shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. As shown by the solid line arrow, the paper supply operation from the supply tray 8 to the lower paper cassette 5B is performed. As described above, in the present embodiment, the paper transport path (main transport path 6) used during the printing operation and the paper transport path (supplement transport path 7) used during paper replenishment are configured as independent paths. The paper supply operation and the printing operation can be performed in parallel. This is because when the recording paper P is supplied to the upper paper cassette 5A (when A4 size paper is supplied), a print request for the recording paper P stored in the lower paper cassette 5B (B5 size paper). The same applies when a print request is made.

  When the paper supply operation and the printing operation are executed in this way, when there is a request to execute the paper supply operation and the printing operation for the same paper cassette (for example, a print request for A4 size paper and an A4 size paper). When the replenishment request is made), the printing operation is preferentially performed while the recording paper P is present in the paper cassette 5A. That is, the recording paper P is taken out and printed as shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 4, and after the printing operation is completed, the paper supply operation shown by the solid arrow in FIG. 4 is started. Become. However, if there is no recording paper P in the paper cassette 5A before this printing operation is completed, the recording paper P is switched to the paper supply operation at that time, and after this paper supply operation is completed, or the remaining printing operations. Thus, the printing operation is started again after the recording paper P is supplied to the paper cassette 5A by the required number of sheets.

  Further, when the recording paper P runs out during the printing operation in this way, one recording paper P conveyed from the replenishment tray 8 to the paper cassette 5A is sent to the main conveyance path 6 as it is, and is output from the printer unit 3. You may make it provide for printing operation. That is, the recording paper P to be supplied is passed through the paper cassette 5A and sent to the printer unit 3.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the replenishment tray 8 and the replenishment conveyance path 7 capable of replenishing paper from the replenishment tray 8 to the paper cassettes 5A and 5B are provided. For this reason, the following effects can be obtained with respect to the conventional method of supplying the recording paper to the paper cassette using the document table.

  First, it is possible to shorten the paper conveyance path (replenishment conveyance path 7) for replenishing the recording paper P. That is, since the supply tray 8 is a tray dedicated to the recording paper to be supplied, the degree of freedom in arrangement is high. Therefore, the supply tray 8 can be arranged in the vicinity of the paper cassette 5A. Accordingly, the path length of the replenishment transport path 7 can be shortened, and thereby the situation where the sheet transport path length of the entire multifunction device 1 is significantly increased can be avoided. As a result, it is possible to avoid an increase in the size of the multifunction device 1, and it is not possible to increase the number of paper jam occurrence factors.

  As described above, the document reading operation, the printing operation, and the paper supply operation can be performed in parallel. In other words, the paper supply operation cannot be started without waiting for completion of the document reading operation or printing operation, or the document reading operation or printing operation cannot be started without waiting for completion of the paper supply operation. The operation can be performed efficiently. For example, even when a situation requiring an urgent copying operation occurs during a paper replenishing operation, the copying operation can be performed quickly, and the multifunction device 1 that is extremely easy to use can be provided. it can.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the manual feed tray 5C also functions as a replenishment tray (recording medium placement unit) 8, and the configuration of the replenishment conveyance path 7 is different from that of the first embodiment described above. . Therefore, here, only differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 5 shows an outline of the internal configuration of the multifunction machine 1 as the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 5, members having the same functions as those of the members of the multifunction machine 1 according to the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the main transport path 6 in the multi-function machine 1 includes each paper cassette 5A in addition to the above-described branch paths 6A, 6B, and 6C extending toward the paper cassettes 5A and 5B and the manual feed tray 5C. , 5B and the manual feed tray 5C are provided with a replenishment conveyance path 7 '. One end of the replenishing conveyance path 7 ′ communicates with the manual feed tray 5 </ b> C, and the other end is opened near the branch point of the branch paths 6 </ b> A and 6 </ b> B. For this reason, the recording paper set on the manual feed tray 5C is transported to the main transport path 6 through the branch path 6C toward the printer unit 3 (printing operation is performed on the recording paper set on the manual feed tray 5C. (Conveying form in the case of carrying out), as well as conveying from the replenishing conveying path 7 ′ via the branch path 6A to the upper sheet cassette 5A, or conveying from the replenishing conveying path 7 ′ via the branch path 6B to the lower sheet cassette 5B. The form (conveyance form for paper supply) is possible.

  In addition, a first gate 74 is connected to the branch path 6C from the manual feed tray 5C toward the printer unit 3 and the replenishment transport path 7 ′, and the first gate 74 extends to the upper sheet cassette 5A and the replenishment transport path. A second gate 75 is provided at the joining position with 7 ', and a third gate 76 is provided at the joining position between the branch path 6B extending toward the lower sheet cassette 5B and the replenishment transport path 7'. Each gate (switching means) 74, 75, 76 can be switched between a first switching state indicated by a solid line in the figure and a second switching state indicated by a broken line in the figure. The switching operation of each of the gates 74, 75, 76 is controlled by the gate control unit 92.

  The paper take-out operation during the printing operation includes taking out the recording paper from the upper paper cassette 5A, taking out the recording paper from the lower paper cassette 5B, and taking out the recording paper from the manual feed tray 5C. In response to these, the gates 74, 75, and 76 are switched. That is, when the recording paper is sent from the upper paper cassette 5A to the printer unit 3, the second gate 75 is in the second switching state and the third gate 76 is in the first switching state. When the recording paper is sent from the lower paper cassette 5B to the printer unit 3, both the second gate 75 and the third gate 76 are in the second switching state. Further, when recording paper is sent from the manual feed tray 5C to the printer unit 3, the first gate 74 is switched to the second switching state.

  The switching operation of the gates 74, 75, 76 when the recording paper is supplied to the paper cassettes 5A, 5B is as follows. First, when there is no recording paper in the upper paper cassette 5A, or when the remaining number of recording papers is reduced, the user sets, for example, a bundle of A4 size recording paper on the manual feed tray 5C to supply paper. Press the switch. The manual feed tray 5C is provided with the paper size sensor 93. When the paper size sensor 93 recognizes that an A4 size recording paper has been set, as shown in FIG. , 76 are both in the first switching state, and the paper feed roller 61 rotates. The lift plate controller 94 controls an actuator for rotating the lift plate 53 to rotate the lift plate 53 in the paper cassette 5A to the lowest position. This is to prevent the recording paper P in the paper cassette 5A and the supplied recording paper P from colliding when the recording paper P remains in the paper cassette 5A.

  When the sheet replenishment operation is started, as indicated by the solid arrow in FIG. 6, one of the uppermost recording sheets P in the bundle of recording sheets P is taken out from the manual feed tray 5C, and the replenishing conveyance path 7 ′ and The paper is supplied into the upper sheet cassette 5A through the branch path 6A. In this case, when the recording paper P is accommodated in the paper cassette 5A and the leading end (the downstream end in the conveyance direction of the recording paper P) abuts on the drawing roller 51b in the paper cassette 5A, the drawing roller 51b rotates to rotate the paper. A pull-in operation is performed. Further, during this replenishment operation, the arm 51a may be rotated upward so that the drawing roller 51b does not contact the recording paper P. The recording paper P is sequentially supplied to the paper cassette 5A one by one until this operation is sequentially performed until there is no recording paper P on the manual feed tray 5C.

  On the other hand, when there is no recording paper P in the lower paper cassette 5B or when the remaining number of recording papers P is reduced, the user sets, for example, a bundle of B5 size recording paper P on the manual feed tray 5C. Press the paper supply switch. When the paper size sensor 93 provided in the manual feed tray 5C recognizes that the B5-size recording paper P has been set, as shown in FIG. 7, the first gate 74 and the second gate 75 are both switched to the first. The third gate 76 is switched to the second switching state, and the paper feed roller 61 rotates. Also in this case, the lift plate controller 94 controls the actuator for rotating the lift plate 53, and the lift plate 53 in the paper cassette 5B is rotated to the lowest position.

  When the sheet supply operation is started, as indicated by the solid arrow in FIG. 7, one of the uppermost recording sheets P in the bundle of recording sheets P is taken out from the manual feed tray 5C, and is supplied to the supply conveyance path 7 ′ and The paper is supplied into the lower sheet cassette 5B through the branch path 6B. Also in this case, when the recording paper P is stored in the paper cassette 5B and the leading end (the downstream end in the conveyance direction of the recording paper P) comes into contact with the drawing roller 51b in the paper cassette 5B, the drawing roller 51b rotates. The paper pull-in operation is performed. Further, during this replenishment operation, the arm 51a may be rotated upward so that the drawing roller 51b does not contact the recording paper P. The recording paper P is sequentially supplied to the paper cassette 5B one by one until this operation is sequentially performed until there is no recording paper P on the manual feed tray 5C.

  Also in this embodiment, when the paper size recognized by the paper size sensor 93 provided on the manual feed tray 5C does not correspond to any of the paper cassettes 5A and 5B (for example, B4 on the manual feed tray 5C). When the recording paper P of the size is set), the display unit on the operation panel does not have a paper cassette corresponding to the size of the recording paper set without executing the replenishment operation of the recording paper P. Display a warning.

  In the present embodiment, since a part of the main conveyance path 6 also serves as a conveyance path for paper replenishment, when a paper replenishment request and a print request to the paper cassettes 5A and 5B occur at the same time, Can only be executed. The operation procedure in this case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when a paper supply request and a print request to the paper cassettes 5A and 5B are generated at the same time (step ST1), in step ST2, it is determined whether or not the recording paper P is currently present in the supply conveyance path 7 ′. judge. This determination is recognized based on the detection signals of the conveyance path paper sensors 64 and 64 disposed in each part of the main conveyance path 6.

  If the recording paper P does not exist in the replenishment conveyance path 7 '(No is determined in step ST2), the process proceeds to step ST3 as it is. On the other hand, when the recording paper P is present in the replenishment conveyance path 7 ′ (when determined Yes in step ST2), the recording paper P in the replenishment conveyance path 7 ′ is quickly transferred to the paper cassette in step ST4. After sending to 5A and 5B, the process proceeds to step ST3.

  In step ST3, the supply operation of the recording paper P is temporarily stopped, and the size of the recording paper P on the manual feed tray 5C is recognized by the paper size sensor 93. Thereafter, in step ST5, the print request data is confirmed, the size of the recording paper P necessary for the printing operation is grasped from the paper size information in the print request data, and the manual feed tray 5C recognized by the paper size sensor 93 is obtained. The size of the upper recording paper P is grasped.

  If the sizes of the two are different (NO in step ST5), the process proceeds to step ST6, and the printing operation is started in a state where the paper supply operation is stopped. That is, without taking out the recording paper P on the manual feed tray 5C, the paper is fed from the paper cassette containing the recording paper P having a size corresponding to the print request data, and the fed recording paper. A printing operation for P is executed (step ST8).

  On the other hand, if the size of the recording paper P necessary for the printing operation matches the size of the recording paper P on the manual feed tray 5C in step ST5 (step ST5: Yes), step ST7 is performed. Then, the printing operation is started using the recording paper P on the manual feed tray 5C. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the first gate 74 is in the second switching state. Then, as indicated by solid arrows in FIG. 9, the recording paper P on the manual feed tray 5C is conveyed toward the printer unit 3 via the branch path 6C, and a printing operation for the recording paper P is executed (step ST8). ).

  After the printing operation is executed in this way, it is determined in step ST9 whether or not the printing operation is completed, and the operations in steps ST5 to ST8 are repeated until the printing operation is completed. When the printing operation is completed and a Yes determination is made in step ST9, the process proceeds to step ST10, and the replenishment operation for conveying the recording paper P on the manual feed tray 5C toward a predetermined paper cassette is resumed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when a paper supply request to the paper cassettes 5A and 5B and a print request are generated at the same time, if the paper sizes used in both requests are the same, the recording paper for supply is supplied. P is used as it is (without being supplied to the paper cassettes 5A and 5B) and supplied to the printer unit 3. Therefore, it is possible to perform a printing operation that quickly responds to a user's print request.

  In the present embodiment, the manual feed tray 5C also functions as a supply tray, and a part of the main transport path 6 also functions as a paper supply transport path. In addition, there is no need to provide a dedicated replenishment path that leads to this, space in the multifunction device 1 can be saved, and the overall configuration can be simplified and made compact.

-Other embodiments-
In each of the embodiments described above, the case where the present invention is applied to the multifunction machine 1 has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and the like.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to the multi-function device 1 including the two paper cassettes 5A and 5B and the one manual feed tray 5C has been described. The number of these paper cassettes and manual feed trays is not limited to this.

1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an internal configuration of a multifunction machine according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of the multifunction machine. FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 for describing a sheet supply operation in the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 for explaining an operation when a paper supply operation and a printing operation are executed in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline of the internal structure of the multifunctional device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 for explaining a replenishment operation to the upper sheet cassette in the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 for explaining the replenishment operation to the lower paper cassette in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure when a paper supply request to a paper cassette and a print request are generated simultaneously. FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 for explaining a sheet conveying operation when a sheet supply request to the sheet cassette and a print request are generated at the same time and the sheet sizes used in both requests are the same. It is a figure which shows the outline of the internal structure of the multifunctional device in a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP (image forming device)
3 Printer unit (image forming unit)
5A, 5B Paper cassette (recording medium container)
5C Bypass tray (recording medium placement section)
6 Main transport path (recording medium transport path)
7, 7 'replenishment conveyance path (recording medium replenishment conveyance path)
73 Supply switching gate (switching means)
74, 75, 76 Gate (switching means)
8 Replenishment tray (recording medium placement section)
93 Paper size sensor (size recognition means)
P Recording paper (recording medium)

Claims (5)

A recording medium accommodating portion for accommodating a recording medium, a manual feed tray on which the recording medium can be placed, and a recording medium conveying path for conveying the recording medium taken out from the recording medium accommodating portion or the manual feeding tray toward the image forming portion In a recording medium transport mechanism comprising:
A recording medium replenishment conveyance path that is formed also as a part of the recording medium conveyance path and conveys the recording medium placed on the manual feed tray toward the recording medium accommodation unit;
Switching means for switching the feeding direction of the recording medium at the branch path of each of the conveying paths in order to share a part of the recording medium conveying path as a recording medium supply conveying path;
Size recognition means for recognizing the size of the recording medium placed on the manual feed tray;
When the recording medium placed on the manual feed tray is transported toward the recording medium storage unit and the recording medium stored in the recording medium storage unit is transported toward the image forming unit at the same time, If the size of the recording medium conveyed toward the image forming unit matches the size of the recording medium in the manual tray recognized by the size recognition unit, the switching unit is controlled so that the recording medium in the manual tray is transferred to the image forming unit. And a control means for transporting the recording medium toward the recording medium. In the recording medium conveying mechanism according to claim 1 ,
Comprising a plurality of recording medium storage units,
The switching means switches the recording medium delivery direction at a branch path of the recording medium replenishment conveyance path in order to send the recording medium placed on the manual feed tray to any one of the recording medium storage units,
The control means controls the switching means so that the recording medium on the manual feed tray is conveyed toward a recording medium accommodating portion for accommodating a recording medium having a size that matches the size recognized by the size recognizing means. A recording medium transport mechanism. In the recording medium transport mechanism according to claim 2 ,
The control means, when the recording medium accommodating portion for accommodating a recording medium of a size that matches the size of the size recognizing means recognizes does not exist, a recording medium, characterized in that stops the recording medium supply operation Transport mechanism. In the recording medium transport mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The control unit simultaneously transports the recording medium placed on the manual feed tray toward the recording medium storage unit and transports the recording medium stored in the recording medium storage unit toward the image forming unit. In such a case, the recording medium conveying mechanism is characterized in that the recording medium conveying operation from the manual feed tray toward the recording medium accommodation unit is interrupted and the recording medium conveying operation toward the image forming unit is preferentially performed . A recording medium transport mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is provided, and a predetermined image is formed on a recording medium that has been taken out of the recording medium container and transported through the recording medium transport path. An image forming apparatus comprising an image forming unit for performing the operation.

Images