JP5352549B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which moves an image forming object medium exceeding an appropriate position in a conveyance direction toward a housing unit. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device includes: a position detection part for detecting that paper sheets reach an adjustment position and a paper feed position, respectively, when a mounting plate 60 is lifted; a mounting plate drive control part 121 for controlling a mounting plate drive part 111 to lift the mounting plate 60 until the position detection part detects that a paper sheet reaches the adjustment position when it is detected that a housing unit is mounted on an image forming device body; a paper detection sensor 100 for detecting that paper to be housed in the housing unit exceeds an appropriate position in the conveyance direction; and a forward feed roller drive control part 120 for controlling a forward feed roller drive part 110 to reverse a forward feed roller 61 when the paper detection sensor 100 detects that paper exceeds the appropriate position in the conveyance direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copier.

  An image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copier includes a paper feed cassette (container) that accommodates a plurality of sheets (image forming medium), an image forming unit that forms a toner image on a photosensitive drum or an intermediate transfer belt, The image forming apparatus includes a transfer unit that transfers a toner image formed by the image forming unit to a sheet that is conveyed from the sheet feeding cassette one by one through the conveyance path, and a fixing unit that fixes the toner image on the sheet.

  In such an image forming apparatus, a feed roller that feeds paper stored in a paper feed cassette to a conveyance path, and when paper is double fed from the paper feed cassette, the feed roller rotates in the opposite direction. There is also a reverse roller that returns the double-fed lower sheet to the paper feed cassette (see Patent Document 1). Further, in the image forming apparatus, when the paper stored in the paper feed cassette is supplied to the conveyance path by the feed roller, it is determined whether the paper is double-fed and the paper is double-fed. In some cases, when the determination is made, the feed roller is reversely rotated to return the double-fed paper to the paper feed cassette (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2000-309434 A JP 2004-284805 A

  The inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above prevent the double fed paper from being supplied to the conveyance path when the paper is double fed from the paper feed cassette. However, in the image forming apparatus, when the paper cassette is pulled from the apparatus main body (open state) to the state where the paper cassette is attached to the apparatus main body (closed state), the sheet is loaded by the momentum when the paper cassette is closed. It may jump out of the paper cassette. As described above, when the paper jumps out of the paper feed cassette, the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 cannot return the paper jumped out of the paper feed cassette to the paper feed cassette.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that moves an image forming medium arranged beyond an appropriate position in a transport direction to a container side.

  The present invention includes an image forming apparatus main body, an engine unit that is disposed inside the image forming apparatus main body and forms an image on the image forming medium, a conveyance path that conveys the image forming medium to the engine unit, A container for accommodating an image forming medium, which is detachably disposed on the image forming apparatus body, a mounting detection sensor for detecting that the container is mounted on the image forming apparatus body, and a container for storing the container. A rotating roller capable of supplying the image forming medium to be conveyed to the conveying path, and a direction opposite to the direction in which the rotating roller is rotated forward or rotated forward so that the image forming medium is supplied to the conveying path A rotating roller driving unit that reversely rotates the rotating roller in the direction and an image forming medium accommodated in the container are placed, and the image forming medium is brought into contact with the rotating roller with a first pressure, thereby Before spinning The image forming medium is brought into contact with the rotating roller at a feeding position where the image forming medium can be supplied to the conveyance path by the rotating roller, and the second pressure is weaker than the first pressure. A mounting plate capable of moving the image forming medium upward to an adjustment position where the image forming medium can be moved toward the container by the rotating roller; and the mounting plate is raised. A mounting plate driving unit capable of moving the image forming medium, a position detection unit that detects that the image forming medium has reached the adjustment position and the paper feeding position by raising the mounting plate, and the mounting detection sensor. When it is detected that the container is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, the mounting plate is raised until the position detection unit detects that the image forming medium has reached the adjustment position. The mounting plate drive control unit that controls the mounting plate drive unit to stop the mounting plate and the mounting plate drive control unit to raise and stop the mounting plate until the image forming medium reaches the adjustment position. An image forming medium detection sensor for detecting that an image forming medium accommodated in the container is disposed beyond an appropriate position in the transport direction when the platen drive unit is controlled, and the image forming A rotation roller drive control unit that controls the rotation roller drive unit to reversely rotate the rotation roller when the medium detection sensor detects that the image forming medium is disposed beyond an appropriate position in the transport direction. And an image forming apparatus.

  Further, the mounting plate drive control unit detects the image forming medium detection in a state where the mounting plate is raised until the position detection unit detects that the image forming medium has reached the adjustment position. Before the position detection unit detects that the image forming medium has reached the paper feeding position when the sensor does not detect that the image forming medium is positioned beyond the proper position in the transport direction. It is preferable to control the mounting plate driving unit described above so as to raise the mounting plate.

  The image forming apparatus detects that the image forming medium is disposed beyond an appropriate position in the transport direction by the image forming medium detection sensor, and reversely rotates the rotating roller by the rotating roller drive control unit. In order to control the rotation roller drive unit as one cycle, a counting unit that counts the number of times that cycle is repeatedly performed, and whether the number of times counted by the counting unit has reached the predetermined number of times A determination unit for determining the notification, a notification unit for performing notification, and controlling the notification unit to perform notification when the determination unit determines that the number of times counted by the counting unit has reached the predetermined number of times It is preferable to further include a notification control unit.

  The present invention can provide an image forming apparatus that moves an image forming medium arranged beyond an appropriate position in the transport direction to the container side.

FIG. 5 is a left side view for explaining the arrangement of each component in the printer according to the embodiment of the invention. It is a figure for demonstrating a paper feed cassette. It is a figure for demonstrating the adjustment position P1 and the paper feed position P2. It is a figure for demonstrating a 1st sensor. It is a figure for demonstrating the functional block of a printer. It is an enlarged view of a portion where a forward feed roller is arranged. It is a flow for demonstrating operation | movement of a printer.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the overall structure of the printer 1 as an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a left side view for explaining the arrangement of components in a printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the side in the direction in which the paper T is discharged from a paper discharge unit 50 described later (the right side in FIG. 1) is the front side of the printer 1.

  The printer 1 includes a printer main body 1a as an image forming apparatus main body. The printer 1 also includes an engine unit 90, a paper supply / discharge unit, and a paper feed cassette 52 as a container. The engine unit 90 is disposed inside the printer main body 1a and forms an image on a sheet T as an image forming medium. The engine unit 90 includes an image forming unit, a transfer unit 8, and a fixing unit 9, which will be described later. The paper supply / discharge unit supplies the paper T to the engine unit 90 and discharges the paper T on which an image is formed. The paper feed cassette 52 is detachably disposed on the printer main body 1 a and accommodates paper T.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit includes a photosensitive drum 2, a charging unit 10, a laser scanner unit 4, and a drum cleaning device 11.
The paper supply / discharge unit includes a paper feed cassette 52, a registration roller pair 80, and a conveyance path L (first conveyance path L1, second conveyance path L2, and third conveyance path L3) for conveying the paper T to the engine unit 90. And a fourth transport path L4).

  The photosensitive drum 2 is made of a cylindrical member and functions as an image carrier. The photosensitive drum 2 is disposed in the apparatus main body M in such a manner that it can rotate around a rotation axis perpendicular to FIG. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

  The charging unit 10 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 2. The charging unit 10 uniformly charges, for example, positive (plus polarity) the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

The laser scanner unit 4 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 2 and spaced from the photosensitive drum 2. The laser scanner unit 4 includes a laser light source (not shown), a polygon mirror, a polygon mirror driving motor, and the like.
The laser scanner unit 4 scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 based on image information output from an external device such as a personal computer. By scanning exposure by the laser scanner unit 4, the electric charge charged on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is removed. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

  The developing device 16 is disposed in front of the photosensitive drum 2 (on the right side in FIG. 1). The developing device 16 develops a monochrome (usually black) toner image on the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2. The developing device 16 includes a developing roller 17 that can be disposed facing the photosensitive drum 2 and a stirring roller 18 for stirring the toner.

The toner cartridge 5 stores toner supplied to the developing device 16.
The toner supply device 6 supplies the toner stored in the toner cartridge 5 to the developing device 16.

  The drum cleaning device 11 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 2. The drum cleaning device 11 removes toner and deposits remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

  The transfer unit 8 includes a transfer roller 8a. The transfer roller 8 a transfers the toner image developed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 onto the paper T. A transfer bias for transferring the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 2 to the paper T is applied to the transfer roller 8a by a voltage application unit (not shown).

  The transfer roller 8 a is brought into contact with and separated from the photosensitive drum 2. Specifically, the transfer roller 8 a is configured to be movable between a contact position where the transfer roller 8 a is in contact with the photosensitive drum 2 and a spaced position where the transfer roller 8 a is separated from the photosensitive drum 2. Specifically, the transfer roller 8a is moved to the contact position when the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 2 is transferred to the paper T, and is moved to the separation position in other cases.

  The paper T is sandwiched between the photosensitive drum 2 and the transfer roller 8a and pressed against the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 (the side on which the toner image is developed). In this way, the transfer nip N is formed, and the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 2 is transferred onto the paper T.

  The fixing unit 9 melts the toner constituting the toner image transferred onto the paper T and fixes it on the paper T. The fixing unit 9 includes a heating roller 9a heated by a heater and a pressure roller 9b pressed against the heating roller 9a. The heating roller 9a and the pressure roller 9b convey the paper T onto which the toner image has been transferred so as to sandwich the paper T. By transporting the paper T so as to be sandwiched between the heating roller 9a and the pressure roller 9b, the toner transferred onto the paper T is melted and fixed.

The paper feed cassette 52 is disposed below the apparatus main body M. The paper feed cassette 52 is disposed on the front side (right side in FIG. 1) of the apparatus body M so as to be able to be pulled out in the horizontal direction. The paper feed cassette 52 includes a placement plate 60 on which the paper T is placed. In the paper feed cassette 52, the paper T is stored in a state where the paper T is stacked on the placement plate 60. The cassette paper feed unit 51 is disposed at the end of the paper feed cassette 52 on the paper feed side. The cassette paper feed unit 51 sends out the paper T stored in the paper feed cassette 52 to the transport path L. Details of the paper feed cassette 52 will be described later.
The cassette paper feed unit 51 includes a forward feed roller 61 (rotary roller) that can supply the paper T stored in the paper feed cassette 52 to the transport path L, and a roller that feeds the paper T to the transport path L one by one. A double feed prevention mechanism comprising a pair 63 is provided.

A conveyance path L for conveying the paper T is formed between the cassette paper feeding unit 51 and the paper discharge unit (discharge unit) 50. The conveyance path L includes a first conveyance path L1 from the cassette paper feeding unit 51 to the registration roller pair 80, a second conveyance path L2 from the registration roller pair 80 to the transfer roller 8a, and a transfer roller 8a to the fixing unit 9. A third conveyance path L3 and a fourth conveyance path L4 from the fixing unit 9 to the paper discharge unit 50 are provided.
The first transport path L1, the second transport path L2, the third transport path L3, and the fourth transport path L4 all extend substantially from below to above.

  Here, a registration roller pair 80 is arranged on the upstream side (lower side in FIG. 1) of the transfer direction of the paper T in the transfer roller 8a. In the stopped state, the registration roller pair 80 is a roller pair that is driven to rotate after the leading end portion of the paper T fed from the roller pair 63 is brought into contact, and sends the paper T downstream in the transport direction. is there. The registration roller pair 80 is a roller pair for correcting skew (oblique feeding) of the paper T and adjusting timing with the toner image.

  A paper discharge unit 50 is formed at the end of the fourth transport path L4. The paper discharge unit 50 is disposed on the upper side of the apparatus main body M. The paper discharge unit 50 opens toward the front of the apparatus main body M (to the right in FIG. 1). The paper discharge unit 50 discharges the paper T on which the toner is fixed by the fixing unit 9 to the outside of the apparatus main body M.

  On the opening side of the paper discharge unit 50, a paper discharge stacking unit M1 is formed. The paper discharge stacking unit M1 is formed on the upper surface (outer surface) of the apparatus main body M. The paper discharge stacking unit M1 is a part formed by the upper surface of the apparatus main body M being depressed downward. The bottom surface of the paper discharge stacking unit M1 constitutes a part of the top surface of the apparatus main body M. In the paper discharge stacking unit M1, the paper T discharged from the paper discharge unit 50 and having a predetermined image transferred thereon is stacked and stacked.

Next, details of the paper feed cassette 52 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the paper feed cassette 52. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the adjustment position P1 and the paper feed position P2. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the first sensor 101.
As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feed cassette 52 includes the mounting plate 60, the mounting plate driving unit 111 (see FIG. 5), the paper detection sensor 100, the first sensor 101, and the second sensor 102. With.

  In detail, for example, the mounting plate 60 has an end (on the right side in FIG. 2) opposite to the transport direction of the paper T as a fulcrum (for example, an end on the transport direction side of the paper T in FIG. 2). It is arranged on the bottom surface of the paper feed cassette 52 so that the left end portion can be moved up and down.

  On the placement plate 60, the paper T stored in the paper feed cassette 52 is placed, the paper T is brought into contact with the forward feed roller 61 with the first pressure, and the paper T is conveyed by the forward feed roller 61 that rotates forward. The paper T can be moved up to the paper feed position P2 (see FIG. 3B) that can be supplied to the path L. Further, the loading plate 60 causes the paper T to contact the front feed roller 61 with a second pressure that is lower than the first pressure, and moves the paper T to the paper feed cassette 52 by the reverse feed roller 61 that rotates in reverse. The sheet T can be moved up to the adjustment position P1 (see FIG. 3A).

  If the paper T placed on the placement plate 60 comes into contact with the forward feed roller 61 due to the rise of the placement plate 60, the paper T is pressed against the forward feed roller 61 by the placement plate 60. When the paper T is placed at the paper feed position P <b> 2 by the placement plate 60, the first pressure is applied by being sandwiched between the placement plate 60 and the forward feed roller 61. On the other hand, when the paper T is disposed at the adjustment position P1 that is lower in the vertical direction than the paper feeding position P2 by the placement plate 60, the second pressure is applied by being sandwiched between the placement plate 60 and the forward feed roller 61. Join.

  The mounting plate driving unit 111 can raise the mounting plate 60. In the present embodiment, the mounting plate driving unit 111 includes a motor that outputs a rotational driving force and a plurality of gears that transmit the rotational driving force output from the motor to the mounting plate 60. The mounting plate driving unit 111 transmits the rotational driving force output from the motor to the mounting plate 60 via a plurality of gears, thereby rotating the mounting plate 60 in the direction of the arrow R1 with the fulcrum as the rotation center. The end of the loading plate 60 on the conveyance direction side of the paper T is moved upward.

  The placement plate drive unit 111 (motor) rotates the placement plate in the direction of arrow R1 based on an instruction from the placement plate drive control unit 121 described later, and the conveyance direction of the paper T on the placement plate 60. Raise the side edge.

  Here, some of the plurality of gears may be arranged on the paper feed cassette 52 side, and other gears of the plurality of gears may be arranged on the printer main body 1a side. With this configuration, the plurality of gears mesh with each other when the paper feed cassette 52 is mounted on the printer main body 1a, and the state where the plurality of gears mesh with each other when the paper feed cassette 52 is pulled out from the printer main body 1a is released. The That is, in such a configuration, the paper feeding cassette 52 is pulled out from the printer main body 1a, so that the meshing state of the plurality of gears is released, and the mounting plate 60 is rotated in the direction of the arrow R2 by gravity (self-weight). Moved. In other words, when configured in this manner, the end of the paper T in the transport direction side of the loading plate 60 is moved downward by pulling out the paper feed cassette 52 from the printer main body 1a.

  The first sensor 101 and the second sensor 102 as the position detection unit detect that the paper T has reached the adjustment position P1 and the paper feeding position P2 as the placement plate 60 moves up. Specifically, the first sensor 101 detects that the paper T (specifically, the paper T arranged at the top of the plurality of papers T) has reached the adjustment position P1 (FIG. 3A). reference). The second sensor 102 detects that the paper T (specifically, the paper T arranged at the top of the plurality of papers T) has reached the paper feed position P2 (see FIG. 3B).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first sensor 101 includes an optical sensor 101a and a blocking member 101d. The optical sensor 101a includes a light emitting unit 101b that emits light and a light receiving unit 101c that receives light emitted from the light emitting unit 101b. The light emitting element (not shown) provided in the light emitting unit 101b is, for example, a laser diode or a light emitting diode. The light receiving element (not shown) provided in the light receiving unit 101c is, for example, a photodiode.

  The blocking member 101d is disposed so as to be able to block the optical path of light traveling from the light emitting unit 101b to the light receiving unit 101c. That is, the blocking member 101d is rotatably arranged with the central portion as a fulcrum. The blocking member 101d is arranged along the vertical direction during normal operation (see FIG. 4B). In this case, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 101b is received by the light receiving unit 101c (see FIG. 4A). On the other hand, when the sheet T comes into contact with the lower end, the blocking member 101d rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 4D, and the upper end blocks the optical path of light from the light emitting unit 101b to the light receiving unit 101c. (See FIGS. 4C and 4D).

  The second sensor 102 has the same configuration as the first sensor 101. That is, in the second sensor 102, the lower end of the blocking member is disposed above the lower end of the blocking member 101d in the first sensor 101, and the other components are the same as those of the first sensor 101. By disposing the blocking member in the second sensor 102 above the blocking member 101d in the first sensor 101, the second sensor 102 has the uppermost surface of the paper T placed on the placing plate 60 as the first sensor. It is possible to detect that the position reached above the position in the height direction detected by 101 is reached.

  The paper detection sensor 100 as the image forming medium detection sensor is placed so that the placement plate drive control unit 121 raises the placement plate 60 and stops until the paper T reaches the adjustment position P1, as will be described later. When the plate driving unit 111 is controlled, it is detected that the paper T accommodated in the paper feed cassette 52 is disposed beyond an appropriate position in the transport direction. The paper detection sensor 100 is disposed on the loading plate 60 on the transport direction side of the paper T with respect to the forward feed roller 61. Here, for example, when the state is changed from a state in which the paper feeding cassette 52 is pulled out from the printer main body 1a (open state) to a state in which the paper feeding cassette 52 is attached to the printer main body 1a (closed state), the paper T is stored in the paper feeding cassette 52. May move out of the proper position in the moving direction of the paper feed cassette 52 (here, it coincides with the transport direction of the paper T) due to the momentum of the movement (see FIG. 6A). The proper position is a position where the paper T placed on the placement plate 60 can be conveyed to the conveyance path L one by one by the forward feed roller 61 in order. The paper detection sensor 100 detects the paper T that is shifted in the transport direction as described above.

  In order to detect that the paper feed cassette 52 is mounted on the printer main body 1a, a mounting detection sensor 103 is provided on the printer main body 1a. The mounting detection sensor 103 feeds paper to the printer main body 1a when the paper feeding cassette 52 described above transitions from a state where the paper feeding cassette 52 is pulled out from the printer main body 1a (open state) to a state where it is mounted on the printer main body 1a (closed state). It is detected that the cassette 52 is mounted.

Next, functional blocks of the printer 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining functional blocks of the printer 1. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion where the forward feed roller 61 is disposed.
The printer 1 includes a mounting detection sensor 103, a first sensor 101, a second sensor 102, and a paper detection sensor 100. The printer 1 includes a forward feed roller 61, a forward feed roller driving unit 110, a mounting plate 60, a mounting plate driving unit 111, and a notification unit 112. Further, the printer 1 includes a forward roller drive control unit 120, a placement plate drive control unit 121, a counting unit 122, a determination unit 123, and a notification control unit 124 as control units. The mounting detection sensor 103, the first sensor 101, the second sensor 102, the paper detection sensor 100, the forward feed roller 61, the mounting plate 60, and the mounting described with reference to FIGS. Description of the plate driving unit 111 is omitted.

  The forward roller driving unit 110 as the rotating roller driving unit rotates the forward roller 61 forward so that the paper T is supplied to the transport path L, or reverses the forward roller 61 in the direction opposite to the normal rotation direction. Rotate. The forward feed roller driving unit 110 is configured by a motor or the like. The forward feed roller 61 rotates forward or backward based on the drive of the forward feed roller driving unit 110.

  When the loading plate driving control unit 121 detects that the paper feed cassette 52 is mounted on the printer main body 1a by the mounting detection sensor 103, the first sensor 101 (position detection unit) moves the paper T to the adjustment position P1. The mounting plate driving unit 111 is controlled so as to raise and stop the mounting plate 60 until it is detected that it has arrived. When the signal indicating that the paper feed cassette 52 is mounted on the printer main body 1 a is input from the mounting detection sensor 103, the mounting plate drive control unit 121 causes the mounting plate driving unit 111 to raise the mounting plate 60. To control. When the paper T accommodated in the paper feed cassette 52 reaches the adjustment position P1 as the mounting plate 60 moves up, the blocking member 101d constituting the first sensor 101 is brought into contact with the paper T and the first sensor The upper end is moved between the light emitting unit 101b and the light receiving unit 101c constituting the 101. The mounting plate drive control unit 121 is mounted when, for example, a signal indicating that the light receiving unit 101c configuring the first sensor 101 does not receive light from the light emitting unit 101b is input from the first sensor 101. The mounting plate driving unit 111 is controlled so as to stop the rising of the plate 60.

  In addition, the placement plate drive control unit 121 moves the placement plate 60 until the first sensor 101 (position detection unit) detects that the paper T has reached the adjustment position P1. When it is not detected by 100 that the paper T is disposed beyond the proper position in the transport direction, until the second sensor 102 (position detection unit) detects that the paper T has reached the paper feed position P2. The mounting plate driving unit 111 is controlled to raise the mounting plate 60. For example, when the signal indicating that the paper T is detected is not input from the paper detection sensor 100, the placement plate drive control unit 121 controls the placement plate drive unit 111 to raise the placement plate 60. When the paper T accommodated in the paper feed cassette 52 reaches the paper feed position P2 as the mounting plate 60 moves up, the blocking member constituting the second sensor 102 is brought into contact with the paper T and the second sensor The upper end is moved between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit constituting 102. For example, when a signal indicating that the light receiving unit that configures the second sensor 102 does not receive light from the light emitting unit is input from the second sensor 102, the mounting plate drive control unit 121 receives the mounting plate 60. The mounting plate driving unit 111 is controlled so as to stop the ascent.

  The forward feed roller drive control unit 120 as the rotation roller drive control unit is detected when the paper detection sensor 100 detects that the paper T is disposed beyond an appropriate position in the transport direction (see FIG. 6A). Further, the forward feed roller driving unit 110 is controlled so as to reversely rotate the forward feed roller 61. When a signal indicating that the paper T is detected is input from the paper detection sensor 100, the forward roller driving control unit 120 controls the forward roller driving unit 110 to reversely rotate the forward roller 61 for a predetermined time. To do. By the reverse rotation of the forward feed roller 61, the paper T disposed beyond the proper position in the transport direction is returned to the proper position (see FIG. 6B).

  The counting unit 122 detects that the paper T is disposed beyond the proper position in the transport direction by the paper detection sensor 100, and performs the forward feed in order to reversely rotate the forward feed roller 61 by the forward feed roller drive control unit 120. Controlling the roller driving unit 110 is one cycle, and the number of times that the cycle is repeated is counted.

  The determination unit 123 determines whether the number of times counted by the counting unit 122 has reached a predetermined number. The predetermined number of times is set as appropriate. As an example, the predetermined number of times is set to three. In other words, the determination unit 123 determines whether or not the detection of the paper arranged beyond the proper position in the transport direction has been performed a predetermined number of times or more by the paper detection sensor 100.

  The notification unit 112 performs notification. That is, the notification unit 112 performs a predetermined notification indicating that the paper T is disposed beyond an appropriate position in the transport direction. Specifically, the notification unit 112 includes, for example, a speaker, a touch panel, and the like. When the notification unit 112 includes a speaker, the speaker outputs a predetermined sound or a predetermined sound as a notification. On the other hand, when the notification unit 112 includes a touch panel, the speaker performs a predetermined display as a notification.

  The notification control unit 124 controls the notification unit 112 to perform notification when the determination unit 123 determines that the number of times counted by the counting unit 122 has reached a predetermined number.

  Next, the operation of the printer 1 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printer 1.

  In step ST <b> 1, the mounting detection sensor 103 detects the mounting of the paper feed cassette 52. That is, the mounting detection sensor 103 detects that the paper feeding cassette 52 has transitioned from a state where the paper cassette 52 is pulled out from the printer body 1a (open state) to a state where the paper feeding cassette 52 is mounted on the printer body 1a (closed state).

  In step ST2, the placing plate drive control unit 121 determines that the light receiving unit 101c constituting the first sensor 101 is moved from the light emitting unit 101b until the paper T placed on the placing plate 60 reaches the adjustment position P1. The mounting plate driving unit 111 is controlled to raise the mounting plate 60 until a signal indicating that the light is no longer received is input.

  In step ST3, the forward feed roller drive control unit 120 determines whether or not the paper T placed on the placement plate 60 is disposed beyond an appropriate position in the transport direction. That is, the forward feed roller drive control unit 120 determines whether or not a signal indicating that the paper T has been detected is input from the paper detection sensor 100. If the paper T is not disposed beyond the proper position (No), that is, if no signal is input, the process proceeds to step ST4. If the paper T is disposed beyond the proper position (Yes), that is, if a signal is input, the process proceeds to step ST5.

  In step ST4, the placement plate drive control unit 121 determines that the light receiving unit constituting the second sensor 102 from the light emitting unit until the paper T placed on the placement plate 60 reaches the paper feed position P2. The mounting plate drive unit 111 is controlled to raise the mounting plate 60 until a signal indicating that light is no longer received is input. As a result, the copier can form an image on the paper T by the engine unit 90.

  In step ST5, the determination unit 123 determines whether or not the number of times counted by the counting unit 122 has reached a predetermined number. That is, the determination unit 123 detects the paper T by the paper detection sensor 100 and controls to reversely rotate the forward feed roller 61 as one cycle, and the number of repeated cycles is a predetermined number of cycles. Determine if it has been reached. If the number counted by the counting unit 122 has not reached the predetermined number (No), the process proceeds to step ST6. If the number counted by the counting unit 122 has reached a predetermined number (Yes), the process proceeds to step ST7.

  In step ST <b> 6, the forward feed roller drive control unit 120 controls the forward feed roller drive unit 110 to reversely rotate the forward feed roller 61. Thereby, even when the paper T exceeds the proper position in the transport direction, it is expected that the paper T is moved to the proper position.

  In step ST7, the notification control unit 124 controls the notification unit 112 to perform notification.

  After the process of step ST7 is completed, the mounting plate drive control unit 121 can maintain the position of the mounting plate 60 in the height direction without raising the mounting plate 60. In addition, the mounting plate 60 can be lowered according to gravity by operating a mechanism (not shown). As a result, the printer 1 cannot form an image on the paper T by the engine unit 90.

As described above, according to the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the following effects are exhibited.
That is, when the printer 1 detects that the paper feed cassette 52 is mounted on the printer main body 1a by the mounting detection sensor 103, the printer 1 until the first sensor 101 detects that the paper T has reached the adjustment position P1. The mounting plate 60 is raised. Further, the printer 1 reversely rotates the forward feed roller 61 when the paper detection sensor 100 detects that the paper T is disposed beyond the proper position in the transport direction. Accordingly, the printer 1 can move the paper T to the proper position even when the paper T is disposed beyond the proper position in the transport direction. Further, it is possible to prevent a paper jam (JAM) from being generated by transporting the paper T arranged beyond the proper position in the transport direction to the engine unit 90, and preventing an image from being formed on the paper T in a shifted manner. it can.

  Further, when the forward feed roller 61 rotates in the reverse direction, the paper T is applied with a second pressure that is weaker than the first pressure pressed by the placing plate 60 when being fed to the transport path L, so that the forward feed roller 61 is rotated. 61 abuts. Thus, even when the forward feed roller 61 rotates in the reverse direction even after the paper T is moved to an appropriate position, wrinkles or the like do not occur on the paper T.

  Further, in the printer 1, in a state where the loading plate 60 is raised until the first sensor 101 detects that the paper T has reached the adjustment position P <b> 1, the paper T is detected by the paper detection sensor 100 at an appropriate position in the transport direction. If the second sensor 102 does not detect that the paper T has reached the paper feed position P2, the placement plate 60 is raised. As a result, when the forward feed roller 61 rotates in the reverse direction, the paper T is moved to an appropriate position in the transport direction, and until the first sensor 101 detects that the paper T has reached the adjustment position P1. If the paper T is not detected by the paper detection sensor 100 when the placement plate 60 is raised, the printer 1 continues until the second sensor 102 detects that the paper T has reached the paper feed position P2. Since the mounting plate 60 is raised, an image can be formed on the paper T conveyed from the paper feed cassette 52.

  Further, the printer 1 detects that the paper T is disposed beyond the proper position in the transport direction by the paper detection sensor 100, and in order to reversely rotate the forward feed roller 61 by the forward feed roller drive control unit 120, Controlling the feed roller driving unit 110 as one cycle counts the number of times the cycle is repeatedly performed, and performs notification when the determination unit 123 determines that the counted number has reached a predetermined number. The notification unit 112 is controlled by the notification control unit 124. Accordingly, the printer 1 can prompt the user to correct the position of the paper T.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the position detection unit includes the first sensor 101 and the second sensor 102 has been described. However, the position detection unit of the present invention is not limited to this form, and may be configured by one sensor that detects that the paper T has reached the adjustment position P1 and the paper feed position P2, respectively.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the printer 1 described above. In other words, the image forming apparatus of the present invention may be a copier having a copy function, a multifunction machine having a copy function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and a scanner function, or may be a facsimile.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer (image forming apparatus), 1a ... Printer main body (image forming apparatus main body), 52 ... Paper feed cassette (container), 60 ... Loading plate, 61 ... Forward feed roller (rotating roller), 90 ... Engine part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Paper detection sensor (image forming medium detection sensor) 101 ... 1st sensor (position detection part), 102 ... 2nd sensor (position detection part), 103 ... Installation detection sensor, 110 ... Forward feed roller drive part (Rotating roller driving unit), 111... Mounting plate driving unit, 120... Feed roller driving control unit (rotating roller driving control unit), 121.

Claims (3)

An image forming apparatus main body;
An engine unit disposed inside the image forming apparatus main body and forming an image on an image forming medium;
A conveyance path for conveying an image forming medium to the engine unit;
A container for detachably arranged in the image forming apparatus main body, for accommodating an image forming medium;
An attachment detection sensor for detecting that the container is attached to the image forming apparatus body;
A rotating roller capable of supplying the image forming medium accommodated in the container to the conveyance path;
A rotating roller driving unit that rotates the rotating roller forward so that the image forming medium is supplied to the conveyance path, or reversely rotates the rotating roller in a direction opposite to the normal rotating direction;
The image forming medium accommodated in the container is placed, the image forming medium is brought into contact with the rotating roller with a first pressure, and the image forming medium is moved to the transport path by the rotating roller rotating forward. The image forming medium is brought into contact with the rotating roller by a feeding position where the image forming medium can be fed and a second pressure that is weaker than the first pressure, and the rotating roller rotates in the reverse direction. A mounting plate that can move the image forming medium upward to an adjustment position that can be moved to the container;
A mounting plate driving unit capable of raising the mounting plate;
A position detection unit that detects that the image forming medium has reached the adjustment position and the paper feeding position by raising the mounting plate,
When the attachment detection sensor detects that the container is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the position detection unit detects that the image forming medium has reached the adjustment position. A mounting plate drive control unit for controlling the mounting plate drive unit to raise and stop the plate;
When the mounting plate drive unit is controlled by the mounting plate drive control unit to raise and stop the mounting plate until the image forming medium reaches the adjustment position, the image forming medium stored in the container An image forming medium detection sensor for detecting that is disposed beyond an appropriate position in the transport direction;
Rotation that controls the rotation roller drive unit to reversely rotate the rotation roller when the image formation medium detection sensor detects that the image formation medium is disposed beyond an appropriate position in the transport direction. A roller drive control unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: In the state where the mounting plate is raised until the position detecting unit detects that the image forming medium has reached the adjustment position, the mounting plate drive control unit is configured to detect the image forming medium by the image forming medium detection sensor. If it is not detected that the image forming medium is disposed beyond the proper position in the transport direction, the above described setting is performed until the position detecting unit detects that the image forming medium has reached the paper feeding position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mounting plate driving unit is controlled to raise the plate. The image forming medium detection sensor detects that the image forming medium is disposed beyond an appropriate position in the transport direction, and drives the rotating roller to reversely rotate the rotating roller by the rotating roller drive control unit. A counting unit that counts the number of times the cycle is repeatedly performed,
A determination unit for determining whether the number of times counted by the counting unit has reached the predetermined number of times;
An informing unit for informing;
A notification control unit that controls the notification unit to perform notification when it is determined by the determination unit that the number of times counted by the counting unit has reached the predetermined number of times;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

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