JP5899156B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that transmits and receives communication signals via a network.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus is connected to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), through which an instruction for image forming processing is input from a user terminal such as a personal computer, and data such as a read image is transmitted to a user. Some are configured to transmit and receive communication signals via a network, such as outputting to a terminal. For example, the image forming apparatus includes a LAN terminal to which a LAN cable can be connected, and is connected to a LAN by being connected to a communication device such as a LAN router by a LAN cable.

  Accordingly, when the connection with the network is interrupted, the image forming apparatus cannot input instructions or output data with the user terminal, and thus a function for confirming the connection state with the network is required. For example, the LAN terminal provided in the image forming apparatus includes a light emitting unit such as an LED in the vicinity thereof, and the image forming apparatus and the LAN are connected (linked up) by a LAN cable connected to the LAN terminal. In some cases, the light-emitting unit is turned on and turned off when not connected.

  Moreover, in patent document 1, in the electronic device system, when a controller connected to a network performs communication between electronic devices, the connection information is requested from all the connected devices, and the connection information is used as a target. The communication route between the electronic devices is detected, and the electronic device on the detected communication route is notified to the user as a device that should not be removed from the network using the notification means. This prevents an accident in which a user inadvertently disconnects the network and disconnects the network from electronic devices that should not be removed from the network.

Table 00/0700829

  However, in general, the image forming apparatus is configured to provide a network cable such as a LAN cable or a connection port such as a LAN terminal at a position where it is difficult for a user to see so as not to impair the appearance. Therefore, the user cannot confirm the removal of the network cable from the connection port at a glance. The image forming apparatus may include optional accessory devices such as a paper post-processing device and a paper feeding device. If these accessory devices are arranged so as to cover the connection port of the network cable, It becomes more difficult for the user to confirm removal from the connection port.

  Further, in the electronic device system of Patent Document 1, the notification unit notifies the user of a device that should not be removed from the network. However, even if this notification can confirm that the electronic device is disconnected from the network. Unable to confirm if the cause of the disconnection is removal from the network cable connection

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it enables a user to easily check a connection state of an image forming apparatus to a network.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is connectable to a network, and has a connection main body having a connection state indicator that indicates a connection state to the network by light emission, and is detachable from the main body of the apparatus. And it is provided with the attached apparatus which has a light guide mechanism which guides the light which the said connection status indicator emits to an outer surface when it attaches to the said apparatus main body.

  According to this configuration, even when the connection status indicator of the device main body is covered by the accessory device attached to the device main body and cannot be visually recognized outside, the light emitted from the connection status indicator is guided by the light guide mechanism. Is guided to the outside of the accessory device and can be visually recognized outside the accessory device. Therefore, the user can confirm at a glance whether the apparatus main body is communicably connected to the network, that is, the connection state of the apparatus main body to the network, regardless of the arrangement of the accessory devices.

  The light guide mechanism may be formed of a light guide plate or an optical fiber having a light collecting portion on the connection state indicator side and a light emitting portion on the outer surface side of the accessory device.

  According to this configuration, the light emitted from the connection state indicator by the light guide plate or the optical fiber can be condensed and reliably guided to the outer surface of the accessory device.

  The light guide mechanism may include a plurality of reflecting mirrors and a light guide display window that is provided on an outer surface of the accessory device and transmits reflected light from the reflecting mirror.

  According to this configuration, even when the apparatus main body is provided with a confirmation lamp other than the connection status indicator, if a set of a plurality of reflecting mirrors and a light guide display window is provided, the light emitted from these confirmation lamps is guided. be able to. Therefore, the structure of the light guide mechanism can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  The connection status indicator may be provided on one side surface of the apparatus main body, and the accessory device may be an optional paper post-processing apparatus provided on one side surface of the apparatus main body.

  According to this configuration, even when the sheet post-processing device is attached to one side surface of the apparatus main body, the light emitted from the connection state indicator on the one side surface of the apparatus main body is transmitted to the sheet post-processing apparatus via the light guide mechanism. It can be confirmed on the outer surface, and the appearance can be improved.

  According to the present invention, the user can easily check the connection state of the image forming apparatus to the network.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an outline of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a multifunction machine main body in a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an outline of a main body of a multi-function device in a multi-function device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of a multifunction machine main body in the multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an outline of a LAN terminal of a device main body in a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an outline of an optional sheet post-processing unit in the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an outline of a light guide mechanism of a paper post-processing unit in a multifunction peripheral according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the following embodiments, a case where the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied to the multifunction machine 1 will be described. Hereinafter, the front side in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 is the front side (front side) of the multifunction device 1, and the arrow Fr indicates the front side of the multifunction device 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction device 1 includes a substantially box-shaped multifunction device main body (device main body) 2, removable optional sheet feeding units 3 and 4, and a removable optional relay unit 5. And an optional paper post-processing unit 6 that is detachable. The sheet feeding units 3 and 4 are disposed below and on the right side (one side) of the multifunction machine main body 2. The relay unit 5 is disposed in the paper discharge space at the top of the multifunction machine main body 2. The sheet post-processing unit 6 is disposed on the left side (the other side) of the multifunction machine main body 2.

  First, the multifunction peripheral body 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the lower part of the multifunction machine main body 2, paper feed cassettes 8 and 9 for storing paper (not shown) are provided, and in the upper paper discharge space of the multifunction machine main body 2, a first paper discharge tray 10 is provided. . The paper feed cassettes 8 and 9 and the first paper discharge tray 10 are used for transporting paper on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 23 in the multifunction machine main body 2.

  In the upper part of the multifunction machine main body 2, an image reading device 12 that reads what is displayed on the document as image data is provided above the first paper discharge tray 10. The image reading device 12 includes a reading unit 13 and a document supply unit 14.

  The reading unit 13 is configured to read an image of a document placed on the contact glass 15 by a scanner (not shown).

  The document supply unit 14 includes a paper feed tray 16 on the upper surface and a second paper discharge tray 17 below the paper feed tray 16. The document supply unit 14 supplies a document placed on the paper feed tray 16 onto the contact glass 15 by a supply mechanism (not shown) during image reading, and after reading the image, the document on the contact glass 15 is supplied. The paper is discharged to the second paper discharge tray 17 by a supply mechanism (not shown). That is, the paper feed tray 16 and the second paper discharge tray 17 are used for transporting a document whose image is read by the image reading device 12. The document supply unit 14 is attached as a cover member that covers the contact glass 15 so as to be opened and closed.

  Further, an operation unit 19 is attached to the front side of the upper part of the multifunction machine main body 2. The operation unit 19 includes, for example, operation keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key and a touch panel, and accepts user operation instructions for setting the number of prints, print density, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an intermediate transfer belt 21 is installed between a plurality of rollers in the center of the multifunction machine main body 2, and a laser scanning unit (LSU) is formed below the intermediate transfer belt 21. An exposure device 22 is arranged. In the vicinity of the intermediate transfer belt 21, four image forming units 23 are provided for the toner colors (for example, four colors of magenta, cyan, yellow, and black) along the lower portion of the intermediate transfer belt 21.

  Each image forming unit 23 is rotatably provided with a photosensitive drum 24. Around the photosensitive drum 24, a charger 25, a developing unit 26, a primary transfer unit 27, and a cleaning device 28 are provided. The static eliminator 29 is arranged in the order of the primary transfer process. Above the developing unit 26, four toner containers 30 corresponding to the image forming units 23 are provided for each toner color.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the multifunction device main body 2 has an opening on the front side of the central portion, and a front cover portion 31 capable of opening and closing the opening is attached. The toner container 30 can be exchanged through the front opening.

  A paper transport path 32 is provided on one side (right side in the drawing) of the multifunction machine main body 2. At the upstream end of the transport path 32, paper feed units 33 and 34 are provided for the paper feed cassettes 8 and 9, respectively, and at the midstream part of the transport path 32, a secondary is provided at one end (right end in the drawing) of the intermediate transfer belt 21. A transfer unit 35 is provided, a fixing device 36 is provided at a downstream portion of the conveyance path 32, and a paper discharge port 37 is provided at a downstream end of the conveyance path 32.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the multifunction device main body 2 has an opening on the left side surface, and a side cover 39 that can open and close the opening is attached. An external interface unit 40 and a communication processing unit 41 are mounted in the side opening.

  The side cover 39 is detachably connected to the MFP main body 2 at one side and opens and closes the side opening by rotating around the one side. For example, the side cover 39 is removed from the multifunction machine body 2 when the sheet post-processing unit 6 is attached to the left side surface of the multifunction machine body 2. In addition, the side cover portion 39 includes an engaging convex portion 42 protruding inward on the other side portion, and the engaging convex portion 42 is engaged with an engaging concave portion 41 provided in the multi-function device main body 2. The side cover 39 is fixed to the multifunction machine main body 2 with the side opening of the multifunction machine main body 2 closed. Further, the side cover part 39 has an outlet 44 for drawing out a connection line extending from the external interface part 40 to the outside.

  The external interface unit 40 includes external connection terminals such as a telephone line terminal 45, a USB terminal 46, and a LAN (Local Area Network) terminal 47, and the multifunction device main body 2 is connected to a telephone line, a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or an external terminal. It connects so that it can communicate with.

  The telephone line terminal 45 is a modular jack that can be connected to a telephone line. By connecting the external interface unit 40 and a public telephone line via this telephone line, a communication signal is obtained when the multifunction device 1 functions as a facsimile. Can be sent and received.

  The USB terminal 46 is a modular jack that can be connected to a USB cable. By connecting the external interface unit 40 and a user terminal such as a personal computer via the USB cable, an operation instruction such as printing to the multifunction device 1 is given. It is possible to input from the user terminal and to output the setting state and processing state of the multifunction device 1 to the user terminal.

  The LAN terminal 47 is a modular jack that can be connected to a LAN cable. By connecting the external interface unit 40 and the LAN via the LAN cable, an operation instruction is given from the user terminal connected to the LAN to the multifunction device 1. And the setting state and processing state of the multifunction device 1 can be output to the user terminal connected to the LAN. As shown in FIG. 5, the LAN terminal 47 has a link lamp (connection state indicator) 48. The link lamp 48 is, for example, an LED attached in the vicinity of the modular jack of the LAN terminal 47. When the external interface unit 40 and the LAN are connected (link up) by connecting the LAN cable to the LAN terminal 47, the multifunction device body 2 communicates with the LAN (network). Whether or not the connection is possible is displayed, that is, the connection state is displayed.

  Note that the telephone line connected to the telephone line terminal 45, the USB terminal 46, and the LAN terminal 47, and the connection line such as the USB cable and the LAN cable are drawn out from the outlet 44 to the outside when the side cover 39 is closed. .

  The communication processing unit 41 controls communication processing performed via a telephone line, a USB cable, a LAN cable, or the like connected to the external interface unit 40 as described above.

  Next, an image forming operation of the multifunction machine 1 having such a configuration will be described. When the multifunction device 1 is turned on, various parameters are initialized, and initial setting such as temperature setting of the fixing device 36 is executed. When image data is input from a computer or the like connected to the multifunction machine 1 and an instruction to start printing is given, an image forming operation is executed as follows.

  First, after the surface of the photosensitive drum 24 is charged by the charger 25, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 24 by laser light from the exposure device 22 (see arrow P). Next, the electrostatic latent image is developed with the toner supplied from the toner container 30 into a corresponding color toner image by the developing device 26 using the toner. This toner image is primarily transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 at the primary transfer portion 27. Each image forming unit 23 sequentially repeats the above operation, whereby a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 21. Note that the toner and charge remaining on the photosensitive drum 24 are removed by the cleaning device 28 and the static eliminator 29.

  On the other hand, the paper taken out from the paper feed cassettes 8 and 9 or the hand tray (not shown) by the paper feed units 33 and 34 is sent to the secondary transfer unit 35 in synchronism with the image forming operation described above. The full color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is secondarily transferred onto the paper in the secondary transfer unit 35. The sheet on which the toner image has been secondarily transferred is conveyed downstream in the conveyance path 32 and enters the fixing device 36 where the toner image is fixed on the sheet. The paper on which the toner image is fixed is discharged from the paper discharge port 37 to the first paper discharge tray 10.

  Next, the paper feeding units 3 and 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The paper feed unit 3 is attached to the lower side of the multifunction machine main body 2 and is configured so that the multifunction machine main body 2 can be placed on the upper surface.

  The paper feed unit 3 includes paper feed cassettes 50 and 51 similar to the paper feed cassettes 8 and 9 described above, whereby the multi-function device 1 is provided with upper and lower four-stage paper feed cassettes 8, 9, 50, 51. Thus, four types of paper can be stored. The paper feed cassettes 50 and 51 are provided with a paper feed unit (not shown), and are configured to supply the stored paper to the transport path 32 as necessary.

  The paper feed unit 4 is attached to the right side of the multifunction machine main body 2 and includes paper feed cassettes 52, 53 and 54 similar to the paper feed cassettes 8 and 9 described above. As a result, the multifunction device 1 can store four types of paper in addition to the paper feed cassettes 8, 9, 44, 45.

The paper feed cassettes 8, 9, 50, 51, 52, 53, and 54 may store the same type of paper.
Next, the relay unit 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The relay unit 5 is mounted on the first paper discharge tray 10 in the paper discharge space at the top of the multifunction machine main body 2. The relay unit 5 includes a relay paper feed port 57, a plurality of relay supply rollers 58, and a relay paper discharge port 59. The relay paper feed port 57 and the relay paper discharge port 59 are provided on one side of the relay unit 5. (Right side) and other side (Left side).

  The relay paper feed port 57 is provided at a position corresponding to the paper discharge port 37 of the multifunction device main body 2 when the relay unit 5 is attached to the multifunction device main body 2. The plurality of relay supply rollers 58 constitute a paper relay path 60 from the relay paper feed port 57 to the relay paper discharge port 59. The relay paper discharge port 59 is located on the left side surface of the multifunction device main body 2 when the relay unit 5 is attached to the multifunction device main body 2.

  Next, the paper post-processing unit 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. The sheet post-processing unit 6 is attached to the left side of the multifunction machine main body 2.

  The sheet post-processing unit 6 carries the sheet on which an image is formed by the MFP main body 2 and is discharged from the sheet discharge outlet 37, and is discharged from the relay sheet discharge outlet 57 via the relay unit 5. Then, predetermined post-processing such as stapling, punching, and folding is performed on the paper. The sheet post-processing unit 6 includes, for example, a stapling device that stacks a plurality of sheets and staples them, a punching device that performs predetermined punching processing on the paper, and a sheet folding device that performs folding processing on the paper. It is prepared for.

  The paper post-processing unit 6 includes a carry-in unit 62, a power supply connection unit 63, a light guide mechanism 64, a first discharge tray 65, and a mail box 66.

  The carry-in unit 62 is open on the right side surface of the paper post-processing unit 6 at a position corresponding to the relay paper discharge port 59 of the relay unit 5 when the paper post-processing unit 6 is attached to the multifunction machine main body 2. The paper discharged from the paper discharge port 59 is carried into the paper post-processing unit 6.

  The power supply connection unit 63 is connected to the multifunction peripheral body 2 so as to supply power to the sheet post-processing unit 6 via the multifunction peripheral body 2.

  The light guide mechanism 64 guides light indicating a communication state emitted from the external interface unit 40 of the multifunction machine main body 2 to the outer surface of the paper post-processing unit 6. The light guide mechanism 64 includes, for example, a light guide plate or an optical fiber provided with a light collecting unit 67 at one end and a light emitting unit 68 at the other end. The light condensing unit 67 at one end of the light guide mechanism 64 is arranged at a position corresponding to the link lamp 48 of the LAN terminal 47 in the external interface unit 40 when the paper post-processing unit 6 is attached to the multi-function device body 2. Configured. The light emitting portion at the other end of the light guide mechanism 64 is provided on the outer surface, for example, the upper surface of the sheet post-processing unit 6. In other words, the light guide mechanism 64 makes the light emitted from the link lamp 48 visible outside the paper post-processing unit 6.

  The first discharge tray 65 discharges the paper post-processed by the paper post-processing unit 6.

  The mail box 66 has a plurality of second discharge trays 69, and sheets that have been post-processed for each user by the sheet post-processing unit 6 are discharged to each second discharge tray 69.

  According to the present embodiment, as described above, the light guide mechanism 64 is emitted from the link lamp 48 of the LAN terminal 47 in the external interface unit 40 in a state where the sheet post-processing unit 6 is attached to the multifunction device main body 2. The emitted light is guided to the light emitting unit 68. As a result, even when the link lamp 48 is covered with the paper post-processing unit 6 and cannot be visually recognized outside, the light emitted from the link lamp 48 is external to the paper post-processing unit 6 by the light emitted from the light emitting unit 68. Can be visually recognized. Therefore, the user can confirm at a glance the connection state of the MFP main body 2 to the LAN regardless of the arrangement of the sheet post-processing unit 6.

  Moreover, although the light guide mechanism 64 demonstrated the structure which consists of a light guide plate or an optical fiber in this embodiment, the structure of the light guide mechanism 64 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the light guide mechanism 64 includes a plurality of reflecting mirrors 71 and 72 arranged in the paper post-processing unit 6, and a light guide display window 73 along the outer surface of the paper post-processing unit 6. It may be configured by providing. In this case, the plurality of reflecting mirrors 71 and 72 sequentially reflect the light emitted from the link lamp 48 to the light guide display window 73 in a state where the sheet post-processing unit 6 is attached to the multifunction device main body 2. In such a manner, they are arranged at a predetermined angle. The light guide display window 73 is formed of, for example, a colored transparent light transmitting member that performs light adjustment such as diffusion and radiation on the reflected light from the plurality of reflecting mirrors 71 and 72. The reflected light is softened by the user. It is intended to prevent direct contact with eyes.

  By adopting such a configuration, even if the MFP main body 2 is provided with a confirmation lamp other than the link lamp 48, if a plurality of reflecting mirrors 71 and 72 and a light guide display window 73 are provided, these confirmations can be made. The light emitted from the lamp can be guided. Therefore, the configuration of the light guide mechanism 64 can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the light guide mechanism 64 is provided in the paper post-processing unit 6 has been described. However, the configuration is not limited to this configuration. In other embodiments, the light guide mechanism 64 is used as another optional accessory device. It may be configured to comprise. For example, when the external interface unit 40 is provided on the right side surface of the MFP main body 2, the paper feeding unit 4 may be configured to include the light guide mechanism 64. Further, in the MFP main body 2, when the paper feeding unit 3 and the relay unit 5 are arranged and other confirmation lamps cannot be visually recognized, the light guide mechanism 64 is provided to the paper feeding unit 3 and the relay unit 5. May be provided.

  By adopting such a configuration, any optional accessory devices such as the paper feeding units 3 and 4, the relay unit 5, and the paper post-processing unit 6 can be attached, so that the link lamp 48 and other confirmation lamps are attached. Even when it is covered with the device and cannot be visually recognized, the light emitted from these lamps can be guided to the outer surface of the attached device by the light guide mechanism 64.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the link lamp 48 is an LED attached in the vicinity of the modular jack of the LAN terminal 47 has been described. However, the configuration of the link lamp 48 is not limited to this, and for example, the modular jack of the LAN terminal 47 itself. However, the link lamp 48 may emit light.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the light guide mechanism 64 guides the light emitted from the link lamp 48 of the LAN terminal 47 in the external interface unit 40 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and other embodiments are described. Then, the light guide mechanism 64 may be configured to guide light emitted from other devices. For example, the external interface unit 40 includes another confirmation lamp indicating the connection state of the telephone line terminal 45 and the USB terminal 46, and the light guide mechanism 64 guides light emitted from the other confirmation lamp. It may be configured to. In addition, the communication processing unit 41 may include another confirmation lamp that indicates the communication processing state, and the light guide mechanism 64 may be configured to guide light emitted from the other confirmation lamp. .

  In the present embodiment, the case where the configuration of the present invention is applied to the multi-function apparatus 1 that performs color image formation in a tandem manner has been described. However, in other different embodiments, rotary color image formation and monochrome image formation are performed. The configuration of the present invention may be applied to various multifunction peripherals, various image forming apparatuses such as printers, copiers, and facsimiles.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multifunction device 2 Multifunction device main body 6 Paper post-processing unit 40 External interface part 47 LAN terminal 48 Link lamp (connection status indicator)
64 Light guide mechanism 67 Light condensing part 68 Light emitting part

Claims (4)

An apparatus main body having a connection state indicator that is connectable to a network and that represents a connection state to the network by light emission;
An accessory device that is detachable from the apparatus main body and has a light guide mechanism that guides light emitted from the connection state indicator to the outer surface when attached to the apparatus main body;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the light guide mechanism is configured by a light guide plate or an optical fiber having a light condensing unit on the connection state indicator side and a light emitting unit on an outer surface side of the accessory device. Forming equipment.   The said light guide mechanism is comprised from the some reflective mirror and the light guide display window which is provided in the outer surface of the said accessory apparatus, and permeate | transmits the reflected light from the said reflective mirror. Image forming apparatus. The connection status indicator is provided on one side of the apparatus main body,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the accessory device is an optional sheet post-processing device provided on one side surface of the apparatus main body.

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