JPH1026906A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of efficiently achieving jamming processing. SOLUTION: Jaming sensors S1 to S6 and SA to SC arranged at specified positions in a carrying path are connected to a CPU 300 through an input circuit 302. LED lamps 211 and 220 informing of a jamming occurring position are connected to the CPU 300 through an LED driving circuit 304. The CPU 300 discriminates the jamming occurring position based on an output signal outputted from the jamming sensor and drives the LED lamp corresponding to the jamming occurring position. In the case jamming occurs simultaneously at plural spots or in the case the jamming processing must be performed at plural spots, the CPU 300 flickers the LED lamp corresponding to the position where the processing must be performed most preferentially, and then turns on the LED lamp corresponding to other position so as to efficiently inform a user of jamming processing procedure.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a photosensitive member by an electrophotographic process,
In particular, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that allows a user to efficiently perform processing when a paper jam occurs during an image forming operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus using an electrostatographic process, for example, an electrostatic copying machine, has an image reading section for reading an image of an object to be copied, and an image read through the image reading section. An image forming unit for forming a copy image based on the image and outputting the copy image on a transfer material. The image forming section has a transport path for taking out the material to be transferred, that is, sheets, one by one from the storage section and transporting the sheets, and guiding the sheet on which the copy image is transferred and fixed to the discharge port.

The above-described electrostatic copying apparatus has an LED unit for notifying a user of a location where a jam occurs when paper jams in a conveyance path of an image forming unit during image forming operation. And an operation panel including:

[0004] The LED unit is arranged in a schematic sectional view of the copying apparatus in the operation panel. The LED unit is turned on when a jam is detected in accordance with an output signal from a jam sensor arranged at a predetermined interval in the transport path.

[0005] This LED unit corresponds to a plurality of jam occurrence places or a place requiring jam treatment when a jam occurs at a plurality of places at the same time or when a jam treatment is required at a plurality of places. The user is notified by turning on all the LEDs at the same time.

[0006]

However, by simultaneously illuminating all the LEDs corresponding to a plurality of jam occurrence locations or a plurality of locations requiring jam processing in this manner, the user is required to perform jam processing. Procedures cannot be announced.

That is, a unit that can be pulled out from the copying apparatus main body, for example, a paper cassette for storing paper, an automatic double-sided unit (ADU) including a paper reversing mechanism for forming an image on both sides of the paper, and a photoconductor drum peripheral If the corresponding LEDs are simultaneously turned on when a jam occurs in the transport path, the user draws out the paper cassette or the ADU from the copying apparatus main body. When the paper that caused the jam is hung on both the unit that can be pulled out and the device main body, the drawable unit is pulled out, so that the paper may be torn and scattered, or the inside of the device main body may be stained with a piece of paper. .

For this reason, it takes a long time to recover from the occurrence of a jam, and it may be difficult to efficiently perform the jam processing. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently performing jam processing.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made on the basis of the above problems, and has an image forming means for forming an image corresponding to image data on a recording medium conveyed on a conveyance path; It has a detecting means for detecting clogging of the recording medium being conveyed on the road, and a plurality of lamps, and turns on the lamp at a position where the clogging of the recording medium has occurred based on the detection result detected by the detecting means. Providing an image forming apparatus, comprising: a notifying unit for notifying by a notification, and a control unit for turning on a lamp of the notifying unit so as to guide the processing of the clogging of the recording medium in descending order of priority. It is.

According to the invention, there is provided an image forming means for forming an image corresponding to image data on a recording medium conveyed on a conveyance path, and detecting a jam of the recording medium conveyed on the conveyance path. And a notifying unit having a plurality of lamps, the notifying unit flashing and notifying the lamp of the position where the clogging of the recording medium has occurred based on the detection result detected by the detecting unit, and the clogging of the recording medium. And control means for changing the blinking cycle of the lamp corresponding to the position with the highest priority to control the processing so as to guide the processing places in descending order of the priority. You.

Further, according to the present invention, an image forming means for forming an image corresponding to image data on a recording medium conveyed on the conveyance path, and detecting a clogging of the recording medium conveyed on the conveyance path. A detecting unit having a plurality of lamps, a notifying unit that flashes the lamp to notify a position where the clogging of the recording medium has occurred based on a detection result detected by the detecting unit, and a clogging of the recording medium. When a plurality of units are generated, the lamps corresponding to the plurality of units in which the recording medium is clogged are simultaneously blinked, and the blinking cycle of the lamps is changed to guide processing locations in descending order of priority. Control means for controlling the image forming apparatus.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an image forming means for forming an image corresponding to image data on a recording medium conveyed on a conveyance path, and a clogging of the recording medium conveyed on the conveyance path. Detecting means for detecting, a plurality of lamps, a notifying means for turning on or blinking the lamps to notify a position where a recording medium is clogged based on a detection result detected by the detecting means, and the recording When a media jam occurs across multiple units,
Control means for flashing the lamp corresponding to the unit having the highest priority for processing the clogging of the recording medium, and turning on the lamp corresponding to the other unit to guide the processing location. An image forming apparatus is provided.

Still further, according to the present invention, an image forming means for forming an image corresponding to image data on a recording medium conveyed on a conveying path, and the image forming means includes the image forming means, and the conveying path can be opened. And a second unit including a part of the conveyance path, the second unit being detachably provided to the first unit, and a recording medium conveyed on the conveyance path. Detecting means for detecting clogging, a plurality of lamps, notifying means for illuminating the lamp to notify a position where a clogging of a recording medium has occurred based on a detection result detected by the detecting means, and the recording When a medium jam occurs in one of the first and second units, only the lamp corresponding to the unit in which the recording medium has jammed is turned on to induce processing. When the recording medium is clogged over the first and second units, first, only the lamp corresponding to the first unit is turned on to guide the processing, and then the processing corresponding to the first unit is performed. An image forming apparatus is provided, comprising: control means for turning off a lamp and turning on a lamp corresponding to the second unit so as to guide processing.

Still further, according to the invention, there is provided an image forming means for forming an image corresponding to image data on a recording medium conveyed on a conveying path, and the image forming means, wherein the conveying path can be opened. And a second unit including a part of the conveyance path, the second unit being detachably provided to the first unit, and a recording medium conveyed on the conveyance path. Detecting means for detecting clogging; a plurality of lamps; a notifying means for flashing the lamp to notify a position where the clogging of the recording medium has occurred based on a detection result detected by the detecting means; and If a medium jam occurs in one of the first and second units, only the lamp corresponding to the unit in which the recording medium has jammed is turned on and off, and the process is guided. When the recording medium is clogged in the first and second units, first, only the lamp corresponding to the first unit is turned on and off, and the process is guided to the first unit. Control means for turning off the lamp and blinking the lamp corresponding to the second unit so as to guide the processing to guide the image forming apparatus.

Further, according to the present invention, an image forming means for forming an image corresponding to image data on a recording medium conveyed on a conveying path, and the image forming means includes the image forming means, and the conveying path can be opened. And a second unit including a part of the conveyance path, the second unit being detachably provided to the first unit, and a recording medium conveyed on the conveyance path. Detecting means for detecting clogging; a plurality of lamps; a notifying means for flashing the lamp to notify a position where the clogging of the recording medium has occurred based on a detection result detected by the detecting means; and If a medium jam occurs in one of the first and second units, only the lamp corresponding to the unit in which the recording medium has jammed is turned on and off, and the process is guided. If the clogging of the first and second unit over the recording medium is generated, the first
And controlling the lamp corresponding to the second unit to blink at the same time, and controlling the lamp corresponding to the first unit to blink at a faster cycle than the lamp corresponding to the second unit to induce processing. Means,
An image forming apparatus characterized by having:

Still further, according to the present invention, an image forming means for forming an image corresponding to image data on a recording medium conveyed on a conveying path, and the image forming means includes the image forming means, and the conveying path can be opened. And a second unit including a part of the conveyance path, the second unit being detachably provided to the first unit, and a recording medium conveyed on the conveyance path. Detecting means for detecting clogging, and a plurality of lamps, and a notifying means for notifying the position where the clogging of the recording medium has occurred based on the detection result detected by the detecting means by lighting or blinking the lamps, When the clogging of the recording medium occurs in one of the first and second units,
Only the lamp corresponding to the unit in which the recording medium is clogged is turned on or blinking to guide the processing, and when the recording medium is clogged across the first and second units, the first unit is sent to the first unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls a lamp corresponding to the second unit to be turned on and a lamp corresponding to the second unit to be turned on.

[0017]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus, that is, an electrophotographic digital copying apparatus 2 includes an image reading unit 4 functioning as a reading unit.
And an image forming unit 6 functioning as an image forming unit. In addition, an upper portion of the image reading unit 4 is formed so as to be openable and closable with respect to a document table of the image reading unit 4 described later, and feeds an object to be read, ie, a document D one by one toward the document table. An automatic document feeder (hereinafter, referred to as an ADF) 8 which functions as a document press for bringing the document D placed on the document table into close contact with the document table is set.

This electrophotographic digital copying machine 2
The housing 3 has a rotating shaft 5 provided along one side surface, that is, the right side surface in FIG. 1, and is rotatable around the rotating shaft 5 in a direction of an arrow shown in the drawing (a so-called housing 3). Clamshell). As the housing 3 rotates, the apparatus main body is separated along the broken line A in the figure, and the image forming unit 6
In particular, a transport path around a photosensitive drum, which will be described later, can be opened.

The image reading section 4 has a document table 11 made of a transparent glass on which the document D is set, which is opposed to the ADF 8 in a closed state. And a size plate 12 indicating a reference position when the document D is set on the reference numeral 11. The platen 11
An operation panel 200 as shown in FIG. 2 is arranged in the vicinity of the document table 11 surrounding.

Below the platen 11, an image reading unit 4 is configured to expose a document D placed on the platen 11 with an exposure lamp 13 and to collect light from the exposure lamp 13 onto the document D. And a first mirror 15 that bends reflected light from the document D to the left in the figure. Exposure lamp 13, auxiliary reflector 14, and first
The mirror 15 is fixed to the first carriage 16,
It is arranged so as to be movable in parallel with the document table 11 with the movement of the first carriage 16. The driving force of a pulse motor (not shown) is transmitted to the first carriage 16 via a toothed belt or the like (not shown), and the first carriage 16 is moved in parallel along the document table 11.

The left side of the platen 11 in the drawing, in the direction in which the reflected light reflected by the first mirror 15 is guided, is parallel to the platen 11 via a drive mechanism (not shown) such as a toothed belt and a DC motor. A second carriage 20 movably formed is provided.

The second carriage 20 has a first mirror 15
The second mirror 21 that bends the reflected light from the document D guided by the downward direction and the third mirror 22 that bends rightward in the figure are arranged at right angles to each other. Second carriage 2
0 is driven by the first carriage 16 by a toothed belt or the like (not shown) that drives the first carriage 16 and is moved in parallel with the first carriage 16 along the document table 11 at a half speed. You.

The light reflected from the second carriage 20 is imaged at a predetermined magnification on a plane below the first carriage 16 and including the optical axis of the light turned back through the second carriage 20. An imaging lens 23 and a CCD image sensor 24 for converting the reflected light provided with the converging property by the imaging lens 23 into an electric signal, that is, image data, are arranged.

The image forming section 6 includes a photosensitive drum 3 serving as an image carrier rotatably positioned substantially at the center of the copying apparatus 2.
It has 0. The photoconductor drum 30 is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed by a motor (not shown).

At a predetermined position around the photosensitive drum 30, a charging charger 31 for charging the surface of the drum to a predetermined charge, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 is exposed by exposing a laser beam corresponding to image data to the surface. Body drum 30
An optical scanning device that forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 30, that is, a laser exposure device 32, which supplies toner as a developer to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 by exposure by the laser exposure device 32 Developing device 33 having a developing roller 33a for developing the image at a desired image density, and a transfer material, that is, a copy sheet P fed from a sheet cassette described later.
The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 30 is transferred to the photosensitive drum 30 and the sheet P on which the toner image is transferred is transferred to the photosensitive drum 30.
Transfer / separation charger 34 for separating paper, separation claw 35 for separating copy paper P from the surface of photoconductor drum 30, cleaning device 36 for cleaning toner remaining on the surface of photoconductor drum 30, and photoconductor drum A static eliminator 37 for neutralizing the potential remaining on the surface of the surface 30 is arranged in order.

At the bottom of the copying machine 2 located below the photosensitive drum 30, a multi-stage paper feeding device as a paper feeding means detachably mounted in a plurality of upper and lower stages from the front side of the copying machine 2 is provided.
(Hereinafter referred to as PFP) 40 is provided integrally with the copying apparatus 2.

The PFP 40 includes an upper cassette 41, a middle cassette 42, and a lower cassette 43 for accommodating a plurality of types of copy paper P of various sizes. A4 size copy paper, B4 size copy paper, and A3 size copy paper placed so as to be conveyed along with each other are formed so as to be able to store about 500 sheets.

At predetermined positions of the upper cassette 41, the middle cassette 42 and the lower cassette 43, pick-up rollers 44a, 44b and 44c for taking out the sheets P one by one from the respective cassettes 41, 42 and 43 are arranged.

Each pickup roller 44a, 4
4b and 44c, the respective cassettes 41, 42 and 4
The conveyance rollers 45 for separating the sheets P one by one are located at positions where the leading end of the sheets P taken out of the sheet P 3 pass.
a, 45b and 45c, and separation rollers 46a, 46b and 46 disposed integrally with the respective transport rollers.
c is arranged. The separation rollers 46a, 46b, and 46c are arranged so that their axes are in parallel with the mutually combined transport rollers and are in contact with a predetermined pressure, and rotate in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the transport rollers. As a result, only the uppermost one of the sheets P taken out of each cassette is sent out to a transport path described later.

On the right side of the PFP 40 in the figure, three sheets of frequently used paper P, for example, A4 size paper P, are placed.
A large-capacity feeder (hereinafter, referred to as LCF) 47 formed to store about 000 sheets is provided. LCF47
The sheet P stored in the LCF 47 is
A pickup roller 48 for taking out one sheet at a time is arranged. Between the pickup roller 48 and the photosensitive drum 30, a separation mechanism 49 including a transport roller 49a and a separation roller 49b combined in a pair at the top and bottom is arranged. The separation mechanism 49 rotates the separation roller 49b in a direction opposite to the direction in which the conveyance roller 49a is rotated, so that only the top sheet of the paper P taken out of the LCF 47 by the pickup roller 48 is conveyed as described later. To the road.

At the top of the LCF 47, each cassette 41,
42, 43 and LCF 47 independently of copy paper P
Is formed. Between the manual feeder 50 and the photosensitive drum 30, a manual pickup roller 51 for taking in the paper P inserted in the manual feeder 50, a manual guide 52 for guiding the paper P taken by the pickup roller 51,
Further, a transport roller 53 that transports the sheet P guided toward the photosensitive drum 30 via the manual feed guide 52 is provided.

The respective cassettes 41, 42 and 43
And between the LCF 47 and the photosensitive drum 30, a transport path 5 for guiding the paper P from each of the cassettes 41, 42 and 43 and the LCF 47 toward the photosensitive drum 30.
4 are formed. The transport path 54 further extends to the outside of the copying apparatus 2 through a transfer area defined between the photosensitive drum 30 and the transfer / peeling charger 34. Further, the paper P fed from any cassette, LCF or manual feed guide is
Are provided with a plurality of transport rollers 55 for transporting the toner toward the photosensitive drum 30.

In the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 30 on the transport path 54 and on the upstream side, the copy paper P guided along the transport path 54
Of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 30 and the leading end of the copy sheet P, and the copy sheet P is transferred to the transfer area at the same speed as the moving speed of the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30. An aligning roller 56 for feeding paper is provided. In addition, before the aligning roller 56, that is, on the side of the transport roller 55, the aligning roller 56 is provided.
An aligning sensor 56a for detecting the arrival of the copy sheet P to the printer is provided.

A transport belt 57 for transporting the sheet P is incorporated in the direction in which the sheet P having passed through the transfer area advances. In the direction in which the paper P is transported by the transport belt 57 and at a position where heat is not easily applied to the photosensitive drum 30, a heat roller pair whose roller surfaces are pressed against each other is provided. A fixing device 58 is provided to fix the toner image on the paper P by pressing the toner image and the paper P while melting the toner image by heating the P.

On the side wall of the copying machine 2 facing the fixing device 58, a sheet P on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 58 is provided.
A discharge tray 59 from which is discharged is disposed. Between the fixing device 58 and the discharge tray 59, a discharge switching unit 60 for guiding the copy sheet P on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 58 to a sheet reversing unit or a discharge tray 59 described later is disposed. I have.

The discharge switching unit 60 is disposed between the first and second discharge rollers 61 and 62 for propelling the sheet P passed through the fixing device 58, and between the first and second discharge rollers 61 and 62. Further, there is provided a sorting gate 63 for selectively sorting the copy sheet P passed through the fixing device 58 to either the discharge tray 59 or a sheet reversing section described later.

An automatic double-sided device including a paper reversing mechanism (hereinafter referred to as an
An ADU 64 is a temporary stacking unit 65 for temporarily stacking the copy sheets P that have already passed through the transfer area and the fixing device 58, and a temporary stacking unit that reverses the front and back of the copy sheets P that have passed the fixing device 58. 65, a pickup roller 67a for taking out the copy sheets P accumulated in the temporary accumulation section one by one, a pair of transport rollers 67b and a separation roller 6 arranged to separate the sheets P one by one.
7c, a reversing conveyance path 68 that guides the sheet P stored in the temporary stacking unit 65 again to the aligning roller 56, and a sheet supply that feeds the sheet P guided by the reversing conveyance path 68 toward the aligning roller 56. It has a paper roller 69.

The ADU 64 is compatible with the PFP 40 described above.
Similarly to the above, the copying machine 2 is detachably attached to the copying machine 2 from the front side thereof. The ADF 8 has a cover 71,
The rear edge of the cover 71 is attached to the rear edge of the upper surface of the copying apparatus 2 via a hinge device (not shown), and the entire ADF 8 is rotated and displaced as necessary, as described above. The document reading unit 4 is formed so as to be able to open and close with respect to the document table 11.

On the upper surface of the cover 71 and slightly to the left, a document feeding table 72 for holding a plurality of documents D is provided. Documents D set on the document feeder 72 are sequentially taken out one by one at the left side of the document feeder 72 in the drawing, that is, on one end side of the ADF 8, and the platen 11 of the image reading section 4 is taken out from the left end in the drawing. A pickup roller 73 for supplying to one end of the pickup is provided. At a predetermined position of the document feeder 72, an empty sensor 7 serving as a document detection sensor for detecting whether or not the document D is set on the document feeder 72.
2a is provided. The document feeder 72 may be provided with a document width detection sensor (not shown) that functions in the same manner as the document position detection sensor 17 that detects the position where the document D is set on the document table 11.

In the direction in which the pickup roller 73 takes out the original, the paper feed roller 74 for sending out the original D taken out by the pickup roller 73 toward the original table 11, and the leading end of the original D fed by the paper feed roller 74. An aligning roller 75 for positioning is arranged. A document D is provided between the aligning roller 75 and the paper feed roller 74.
An aligning sensor 75a for detecting the arrival at the aligning roller 75 is provided.

At a position inside the cover 71 and facing the document table 11 of the image reading section 4 with the ADF 8 closed, a size is provided to cover substantially the entire document table 11 and a pickup roller is provided. A transport belt 76 that transports the document D transported from the document feed table 72 via the sheet feed roller 74 and the aligning roller 75 to a predetermined position on the document table 11 is provided. The transport belt 76 is wound around belt rollers 77 arranged in a pair on the left and right sides in the figure, and is rotated by a belt driving mechanism (not shown) in both the right and left directions in the figure.

A transport belt 76 is provided on the right side of the ADF 8.
The reversing roller 78 sends out the original D moved from the left side to the right side in the drawing toward the outside of the cover 71, the pinch roller 79 pressing the original D against the reversing roller 78, and the document D is conveyed by the reversing roller 78 and the pinch roller 79 Original D
8 for returning to the conveyor belt 76 again or discharging it to a predetermined discharge position, that is, the cover 71.
0, when the flapper 80 is switched to the discharge side, a paper discharge roller 81 for discharging the document D conveyed by the reversing roller 78, and a paper jam of the document near the reversing roller 78, that is, a jam is detected. A jam sensor 82 and the like are disposed.

Further, the copying apparatus 2 is provided in a transport path 54 for transporting the sheet P fed from any of the cassettes, the LCF or the manual feed guide to the ADU 64 or the outside of the copying apparatus via the photosensitive drum 30. Is provided with a jam sensor for detecting a jam.

The jam sensor arranged in the transport path 54 is arranged, for example, at a position as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the jam sensor SA includes an upper paper cassette 41 or a middle or lower paper cassette 42,
The sheet taken out of the sheet 43 is arranged in a conveyance path where the sheet is conveyed toward the image forming unit 6.

The jam sensor SB is disposed in a transport path through which the sheets taken out from the middle sheet cassette 42 or the lower sheet cassette 43 are conveyed toward the image forming section 6.

The jam sensor SC is disposed in a transport path through which the paper taken out of the lower paper cassette 43 is transported toward the image forming section 6. Jam sensor S1
Is disposed in a transport path through which the sheet taken out from the ADU 64 or any of the cassettes 41 to 43 is transported toward the image forming unit 6.

The jam sensor S2 is disposed in a transport path between the ADU 64 and the image forming unit 6, and in particular, the ADU 64
It is arranged near the entrance of the transport path that is transported to the image forming unit 6 from the side. The conveyance path in which the jam sensor S2 is disposed is the manual feeder 50 or the ADU6.
The sheet taken out from the cassette 4 or any one of the cassettes 41 to 43 is conveyed.

The jam sensor S3 is disposed in the transport path between the ADU 64 and the image forming section 6, and is particularly disposed in the transport path on the upstream side near the aligning roller 56 along the sheet transport direction. I have.

The jam sensor S4 is disposed in the downstream transport path near the fixing device 58 along the paper transport direction. The jam sensor S5 is connected to the transport path 66 in the ADU 64.
In particular, it is located at a position downstream of the entrance of the transport path to the ADU 64 by a predetermined distance L downstream.

The jam sensor S 6 is disposed in the temporary accumulation section 65 of the ADU 64. These jam sensors SA
To SC and S1 to S6 each include, for example, a pair of a light emitting element and a light receiving element. Usually, a light beam is emitted from the light emitting element toward the light receiving element, and jamming occurs while the light beam is being received by the light receiving element. The sensor is turned off. And
When the transported sheet is positioned between the light emitting element and the light receiving element, the light beam from the light emitting element is blocked by the sheet, the light beam does not enter the light receiving element, and the jam sensor is turned on.

A plurality of jam sensors arranged in such a conveyance path are sequentially turned on / off at a predetermined timing while the paper taken out of the ADU or any of the cassettes is being conveyed. It is detected whether or not is normally conveyed.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an operation panel incorporated in the copying apparatus shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 200 displays the operation states of the apparatus main body 2 and the document feeder 10, and key areas corresponding to input keys used for inputting various copying conditions or image editing conditions. The liquid crystal display device 201 is provided. The upper surface of the liquid crystal display device 201 is disposed integrally with the liquid crystal display device, and detects that a user's finger has touched to specify input signals corresponding to various key areas displayed on the liquid crystal display device. Touch panel 20
2 are integrally formed. Various display patterns and input key areas are displayed on the liquid crystal display device 201 based on display data stored in a liquid crystal panel font ROM not described in detail.

The operation panel 200 also includes 10 of 0-9.
Numeric keys 203 formed so that input signals corresponding to the numbers can be input, a clear key 204 for clearing the input number of copies, a copy start (print) key 205 for instructing the start of copying, and an interrupt copy Interruption copy key 206 for inputting an interrupt signal, magnification setting key 207 for setting a copy magnification, ADF such as double-sided, single-sided, double-sided
8 and mode setting key 20 for setting the operation of the reversing unit
8 and various input keys such as a cassette switching key 209 for setting a path for sending out a sheet from the cassette in order to set the size of the sheet on which the copy image is to be transferred.

Further, the operation panel 200 has an LED panel 210 for notifying the user of the position of the jam occurring in the copying apparatus main body by turning on and off an LED lamp.

As shown in FIG. 4, the LED panel 210 has a plurality of LED lamps arranged at predetermined positions in a schematic sectional view of the copying apparatus main body. These LEDs
The lamp is turned on and blinks when a jam occurs based on the sensor output of the jam sensor described above. That is, the user is notified of the occurrence of a jam by lighting and blinking the LED lamp at the position corresponding to the location where the jam has occurred. In addition, these LED lamps can flash in different cycles when multiple jams occur simultaneously in multiple locations, or when multiple units need to be cleared, or from where the highest priority needs to be cleared. By sequentially lighting, the user is notified of an efficient jam processing procedure.

As shown in FIG. 4, the LED lamp for notifying the occurrence of a jam is arranged at a position where the frequency of occurrence of the jam is high. That is, A of the LED panel 210
The DF unit 8A includes an LED lamp (DFJ) 211 for notifying a jam occurring on the document feeding side of the ADF 8, an ADF 8
An LED lamp (DEJ) 212 for notifying a jam that has occurred on the original discharge side of the document is disposed.

The paper cassettes 41A, 42A and 43A of the LED panel 210 are provided with the paper cassettes 41 and 4A, respectively.
LED lamps 213, 214, and 215 for notifying a jam that has occurred when a sheet is taken out of the sheets 2 and 43 are disposed, respectively. Further, an LED lamp (T) for notifying a jam that has occurred in the conveyance path when the sheets taken out from the sheet cassettes 41 to 43 are being conveyed along the conveyance path 54.
J) 216 is arranged.

Further, an LED lamp (MJ) 217 is provided in the manual feeder section 50A of the LED panel 210 to notify a jam that has occurred when paper is taken out from the manual feeder 50.

The image forming section 6 of the LED panel 210
A indicates a jam that has occurred in the transport path on the upstream side of the photosensitive drum when the paper taken out of any of the paper cassettes 41 to 43 or the manual feeder 50 or the ADU 64 is transported to the image forming unit 6. LED lamp (RJ) 218 is disposed. This image forming section 6
A is further provided with an LED lamp (EJ) 219 for notifying a jam that has occurred in the transport path on the downstream side of the photosensitive drum.

Further, the ADU section 6 of the LED panel 210
4A, the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 6 is A
An LED lamp (AD) that notifies a jam that has occurred in the transport path in the ADU 64 while being transported toward the DU 64
UJ) 220 is disposed.

These LED lamps 211 to 220 are
Each of them is driven independently based on a control system as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the copying apparatus 2 has a CPU 300 that controls each mechanism of the apparatus main body such as the image reading unit 4 and the image forming unit 6. A plurality of jam sensors S1 to S6 and S arranged in each part of the copying apparatus 2
A to SC are connected to the CPU 300 via the input circuit 302.

The plurality of LEDs arranged on the LED panel 210
The ED lamps 211 to 220 are connected to an LED drive circuit 304 that can independently drive each LED lamp. The LED driving circuit 304 is connected to the CPU 300 to which a driving signal for driving each LED lamp is supplied.

Jam sensors S1 to S6 and SA to SC
Is output from the input circuit 302 through the input circuit 302.
It is supplied to the PU 300. The CPU 300 determines whether or not a jam has occurred based on an output signal from the jam sensor. If a jam has occurred, the CPU 300 sends an LED to the LED driving circuit 304 to drive the LED lamp corresponding to the jam occurrence position. To output a drive signal.

That is, the CPU 300 has a timer function of counting a clock signal, and the time during which an output signal from a certain jam sensor is being output, or after the output signal from a certain jam sensor has been output, the next time the jam sensor is output. By counting the time until an output signal is output from the printer, it is possible to determine whether or not a jam has occurred in the transport path. When it is determined that a jam has occurred, a driving signal is supplied to the LED driving circuit 304.

The LED drive circuit 304 turns on or blinks a predetermined LED lamp according to the drive signal output from the CPU 300 to urge the user to clear the jam, and when a jam occurs at a plurality of places, or When it is necessary to clear the jam at the location, the user is notified of the jam processing procedure so that the jam can be efficiently processed.

Next, an example of a processing procedure when a jam occurs will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an LED panel control method based on the output signal of the jam sensor. This flowchart shows a processing procedure for a jam that occurs between the downstream side of the image forming unit and the ADU.

In a duplex copying mode in which an image is formed on both sides of a sheet using the ADU, the sheet on which an image is formed on one side is conveyed to the downstream side of the photosensitive drum. The conveyed sheet is detected by the jam sensor S4 after passing through the fixing device 58, and the jam sensor S4 is turned on. When the jam sensor S4 is turned on, an output signal from the jam sensor S4 is transmitted to the CPU 30 via the input circuit 302.
0 is supplied. The CPU 300 activates the timer function based on the output signal from the jam sensor S4, and the time until the jam sensor S4 is turned off, that is, the continuation time t during which the output signal from the jam sensor S4 is continuously output.
Count one.

When the jam sensor S4 is not turned off and the duration t1 of the output signal is output to the CPU 300 for more than a predetermined time, for example, 2.5 seconds, the CPU 300 determines that a jam has occurred near the jam sensor S4. , LE
A driving signal is supplied to the D driving circuit 304 to make the LED lamp (EJ) 219 blink.

The user is notified that a jam has occurred in the copying machine main body, and is conscious of opening the clamshell to remove the jammed sheet from the copying machine main body.

On the other hand, if the continuation time t1 of the output signal is within the predetermined time because the jam sensor S4 is turned off, the CPU 300 determines that the sheet has passed the jam sensor S4. Then, the timer included in the CPU 300 is reset, and the time from when the jam sensor S4 is turned off to when the jam sensor S5 is turned on, that is, the sheet transport time t2 from the jam sensor S4 to the jam sensor S5 is counted. .

When the jam sensor S5 is not turned on and the transport time t2 is counted over a predetermined time, for example, 2.7 sec, the CPU 300 determines that the sheet is jammed by the jam sensor S4.
It is determined that a jam has occurred between and S5. That is, the CPU 300 determines that the paper has jammed in both units between the main body side of the copying apparatus and the ADU. At this time, if the ADU is first pulled out to the front side of the copying apparatus main body and the jam is to be cleared, the jammed paper may be torn between the copying apparatus main body and the ADU.
Therefore, the user is conscious of giving priority to the jam processing on the copying apparatus main body side, and first opens the clamshell to guide the user to perform the jam processing from the main body side.
The PU 300 supplies a drive signal to the LED drive circuit 304 to make the LED lamp (EJ) 219 blink and turn on the LED lamp (ADUJ) 220.

When the clamshell is opened by the user, the blinking of the LED lamp (EJ) 219 is stopped.
When jammed paper cannot be found on the main body side when the crumble is opened, that is, when the jammed paper is transported from the main body side to the ADU to a position where the jammed paper cannot be processed, only the LED lamp (ADUJ) 220 is turned on. Therefore, it is possible to notify the user that the ADU is pulled out and the jam is cleared.

On the other hand, when the jam sensor S5 is turned on, if the transport time t2 is within a predetermined time, C
The PU 300 counts the time from when the jam sensor S5 is turned on to when it is turned off, that is, the duration t3 of the output signal from the jam sensor S5, in addition to the reset of the timer.

After the jam sensor S5 is turned on, it is not turned off, and the output signal from the jam sensor S5 continues for a time t3.
Is counted for more than a predetermined time, for example, 2.5 seconds, the CPU 300 determines the jam occurrence position based on the size of the sheet being conveyed.

That is, as described above, the jam sensor S5 is disposed on the ADU side which is separated by a predetermined distance L from the boundary between the copying apparatus main body side and the ADU. Therefore,
When a paper jam occurs while the paper jam sensor S5 is turned on and the length of the paper is longer than L, the paper may be jammed on the main body side.
A drive signal is supplied to the D drive circuit 304 to make the LED lamp (EJ) 219 blink, and the LED lamp (ADUJ)
220 is turned on. Then, the user is conscious of giving priority to the jam processing on the copying apparatus main body side, and firstly opens the clamshell to guide the user to perform the jam processing from the main body side.

On the other hand, when the length of the sheet is shorter than L,
Since there is no possibility that the jammed paper is hung on both the main unit and the ADU unit, the CPU 300
04 to supply a drive signal, LED lamp (ADUJ)
Flashes 220. Then, the user is notified that the ADU is pulled out and the jam is cleared.

When the jam sensor S5 is turned off,
When the duration t3 of the output signal from the jam sensor S5 is within the predetermined time, the CPU 300 determines that the sheet has passed the jam sensor S5. And CPU3
The timer included in 00 is reset, and the time from when the jam sensor S5 turns off to when the jam sensor S6 turns on, that is, the sheet transport time t4 from the jam sensor S5 to the jam sensor S6 is counted.

When the jam sensor S6 is not turned on and the transport time t4 is counted over a predetermined time, for example, 3.0 sec, the CPU 300 determines that the sheet is jammed by the jam sensor S5.
It is determined that a jam has occurred between and S6.

Then, the CPU 300 supplies a drive signal to the LED drive circuit 304 to supply an LED lamp (ADUJ).
220 is blinked to notify the user that the ADU is pulled out and the jam is cleared.

On the other hand, if the conveyance time t4 is within the predetermined time by turning on the jam sensor S6, C
PU 300 resets the timer. Further, when a jam occurs in a plurality of places at the same time during a continuous copying operation on a plurality of sheets, it is necessary to light and blink three or more LED lamps. Can be changed. In other words, the blinking cycle of the LED lamp at the place where the jam processing needs to be performed with the highest priority is made the fastest so that the user is conscious of the priority of the jam processing. Also,
Notifying the user of the jam processing procedure by blinking all the LED lamps corresponding to the jam occurrence location and setting only the blinking cycle of the highest priority LED lamp differently from other LED lamps It is also possible.

In the above embodiment, the main body and the AD
U, and a paper jam sensor S4 provided downstream of the fixing roller 58 in the apparatus main body.
And the jam sensor S5 which is separated from the boundary between the device and the ADU by a distance L within the ADU, and is detected.
As another embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The detection may be performed by the jam sensor S4 'arranged at the boundary of U. By doing so, it is possible to clearly indicate the jam processing procedure to the user.

In the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the conveyed sheet is turned on (or after the jam sensor S4 is turned on).
OFF), and the jam occurs when the jam sensor S4 'is OFF (not turned ON), the jam paper is always determined to be in the apparatus main body side, and the LED lamp EJ219 is turned on (or blinks) to perform jam display. .

The transported paper is fed to the jam sensor S
4 is turned OFF and the jam sensor S4 'is ON, and it is determined that the jam paper is straddling both the apparatus body and the ADU, and the LED lamp EJ219 is turned on (flashing) to display the jam. I do. Then, after the jam in the jam sensor S4 is released, the LED on the ADU side
The lamp ADUJ220 is turned on (blinks), and a jam is displayed.

Further, after the conveyed sheet turns off the jam sensor S4 and turns on the jam sensor S4 ',
When the FF is performed and the jam sensor S5 is jammed in the OFF state, the jammed paper is determined to be on the ADU side, and the LED lamp ADUJ220 is turned on (flashes) to perform the jam display.

Thus, it is possible to more accurately perform the jam processing at the boundary position between the apparatus main body and the ADU.
In this way, by changing the combination of the LED lamp lighting or blinking pattern for notifying the occurrence of a jam and, if necessary, changing the blinking cycle, it is possible to notify the user of an efficient jam processing procedure. it can.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sheet from being torn and scattered due to an error in the jam processing procedure, and to prevent the inside of the copying apparatus from being stained with the torn sheet. Then, the jam processing can be efficiently achieved.

Further, according to this image forming apparatus, it is possible to accurately notify the jam occurrence position without increasing the cost by increasing the number of jam sensors or changing the structure of the operation panel, and efficiently. Can be notified of various jam processing procedures.

[0088]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently achieving a jam processing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing an example of an electrophotographic digital copying apparatus according to an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing an example of an operation panel applied to the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view illustrating an example of an arrangement position of a jam sensor incorporated in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing an example of an LED panel incorporated in the operation panel shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a control block for driving an LED lamp of the LED panel shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a jam processing procedure in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the arrangement position of the jam sensor incorporated in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Electrophotographic digital copying apparatus 3 ... Case 4 ... Image reading part 6 ... Image forming part 30 ... Photoreceptor drum 31 ... Transfer charger 32 ... Laser exposure apparatus 33 ... Developing apparatus 34 ... Transfer / peel charger 36 ... Cleaning apparatus 37: Static eliminator 40: Multi-stage paper feeder 50: Manual feeder 54: Transport path 58: Fixing device 64: Automatic duplexer 200: Operation panel 210: LED panels 211-220: LED lamp 300: CPU 302: Input circuit 304: LED drive circuit S1 to S6: Jam sensor SA to SC: Jam sensor

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Office reference number FI Technical display location G03G 15/00 550 G03G 15/00 550

Claims (8)

[Claims] An image forming means for forming an image corresponding to image data on a recording medium conveyed on a conveying path; a detecting means for detecting clogging of the recording medium conveyed on the conveying path; Notification means for illuminating the lamp to notify the position where the clogging of the recording medium has occurred based on the detection result detected by the detection means, and processing the clogging of the recording medium with a priority. An image forming apparatus comprising: control means for turning on a lamp of the notification means so as to guide the user in descending order. 2. An image forming means for forming an image corresponding to image data on a recording medium conveyed on a conveying path, a detecting means for detecting clogging of a recording medium conveyed on the conveying path, Notification means for blinking the lamp to notify the position where the clogging of the recording medium has occurred based on the detection result detected by the detection means, and processing the clogging of the recording medium with a priority. An image forming apparatus, comprising: control means for changing a blinking cycle of a lamp corresponding to a high position to control processing points to be guided in descending order of priority. 3. An image forming means for forming an image corresponding to image data on a recording medium conveyed on a conveying path, a detecting means for detecting clogging of the recording medium conveyed on the conveying path, Notification means for flashing the lamp to notify the position where the clogging of the recording medium has occurred based on the detection result detected by the detection means; and clogging of the recording medium has occurred over a plurality of units. Control means for simultaneously flashing the lamps corresponding to the plurality of units in which the recording medium has been clogged, and changing the flashing cycle of the lamps so as to guide processing locations in descending order of priority. An image forming apparatus comprising: 4. An image forming means for forming an image corresponding to image data on a recording medium conveyed on a conveying path, a detecting means for detecting clogging of the recording medium conveyed on the conveying path, And a notifying unit that turns on or blinks the lamp to notify the position where the clogging of the recording medium has occurred based on the detection result detected by the detecting unit. Control means for flashing the lamp corresponding to the unit with the highest priority for processing the clogging of the recording medium and turning on the lamp corresponding to the other unit to guide the processing location An image forming apparatus comprising: 5. A first image forming means for forming an image corresponding to image data on a recording medium conveyed on a conveying path, and a first means including the image forming means and provided so that the conveying path can be opened. A second unit including a part of the transport path and detachably provided to the first unit; and a detecting unit configured to detect a clogging of the recording medium being transported on the transport path. A notifying unit that has a plurality of lamps, and turns on the lamps to notify the position where the clogging of the recording medium has occurred based on the detection result detected by the detecting unit; If the error occurs in any one of the second unit and the second unit, the process is guided by turning on only the lamp corresponding to the unit in which the recording medium is clogged, and the first and second units are turned on. If the recording medium is clogged for a long time, first, only the lamp corresponding to the first unit is turned on to induce the processing, and then the lamp corresponding to the first unit is turned off, and the second lamp is turned off. Control means for controlling a lamp corresponding to the unit to be turned on to induce processing. 6. A first image forming means for forming an image corresponding to image data on a recording medium conveyed on a conveying path, and a first means including the image forming means and provided so that the conveying path can be opened. A second unit including a part of the transport path and detachably provided to the first unit; and a detecting unit configured to detect a clogging of the recording medium being transported on the transport path. A notifying unit that has a plurality of lamps, and that flashes the lamp to notify the position where the clogging of the recording medium has occurred based on the detection result detected by the detecting unit; If the error occurs in either one of the second unit and the second unit, only the lamp corresponding to the unit in which the recording medium is clogged blinks to guide the processing, and the first and second units are guided. If the recording medium is clogged for a long time, first, only the lamp corresponding to the first unit is turned on and off to guide the processing, and then the lamp corresponding to the first unit is turned off, and the second unit is turned off. Control means for causing a lamp corresponding to the unit to blink so as to induce processing, and an image forming apparatus comprising: 7. An image forming means for forming an image corresponding to image data on a recording medium conveyed on a conveying path, and a first means including the image forming means and provided so that the conveying path can be opened. A second unit including a part of the transport path and detachably provided to the first unit; and a detecting unit configured to detect a clogging of a recording medium being transported on the transport path. A notifying unit having a plurality of lamps, and flashing the lamp to notify the position where the clogging of the recording medium has occurred based on the detection result detected by the detecting unit; and If the error occurs in one of the second unit and the second unit, only the lamp corresponding to the unit in which the recording medium is clogged blinks to guide the processing, and the first and second units are activated. When the clogging of the recording medium occurs over a period of time, the lamps corresponding to the first and second units are simultaneously turned on and off, and the lamp corresponding to the first unit is switched from the lamp corresponding to the second unit. Control means for controlling to blink and flash in a fast cycle to induce processing. 8. A first image forming means for forming an image corresponding to image data on a recording medium conveyed on a conveying path, and a first means including the image forming means and provided so that the conveying path can be opened. A second unit including a part of the transport path and detachably provided to the first unit; and a detecting unit configured to detect a clogging of the recording medium being transported on the transport path. A plurality of lamps, a notifying unit that turns on or blinks the lamp to notify the position where the clogging of the recording medium has occurred based on the detection result detected by the detecting unit; and If the error occurs in one of the first and second units, the process is induced by turning on or blinking only the lamp corresponding to the unit in which the recording medium has clogged, When the recording medium is clogged in the first and second units, the control unit controls the lamp corresponding to the first unit to blink and the lamp corresponding to the second unit to be turned on. An image forming apparatus comprising: