JPH10282845A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely let a user to know that recording mediums are used up and to improve the quality of performance. SOLUTION: During an image forming process, the last paper 1 is carried from a paper tray 31 by means of the paper feed roller 32 of a paper feed part 3 and a carrying roller 33, and in response to it a recording-medium sensor 6 detects paper exhaustion. In such a case, when the last paper 1 carried from the paper feed part 3 is stopped in a carrying path 8 by a resist roller 4, the solenoid of a marking part 7 moves a stamping part with paint held in it, and brings it into contact with, for example, the back of the image forming side of the paper 1, thereby putting a mark on it.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention aims to improve the user's confirmation by displaying on a recording medium that an image forming apparatus used in a facsimile machine, a copying machine, etc., in particular, a recording medium for forming an image has run out. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional image forming apparatus used in, for example, a facsimile machine or a copying machine, image data over a plurality of pages sent from a destination facsimile machine or image data read from a plurality of originals by a scanner or the like. When an image is formed on a sheet as a recording medium in accordance with the above, for example, when the absence of the sheet placed on the sheet tray of the sheet feeding unit is detected by the recording medium sensor, the LED lamp provided on the operation display unit is turned on. The user is notified that the paper has run out by turning on the light or generating a buzzer sound or the like.

[0003]

In the above-described image forming apparatus, the user is notified that the paper has run out by using a buzzer sound or the like. However, these notification operations are usually temporary, and the user is sometimes informed. In some cases, even if the user does not notice the notification operation and receives the paper on which the image has already been formed, the user may misunderstand that all the pages have been obtained even though there is image data for the remaining pages.

[0004] The present invention has been made to solve such a disadvantage. By detecting the absence of a loaded recording medium, the last recording medium is marked, and the like.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that reliably informs a user that a recording medium has run out and improves the quality of work.

[0005]

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention has an image forming section for forming a developer image on a photosensitive member according to sent image data, and a paper feeding section for carrying out a loaded recording medium. And a recording medium sensor disposed in the paper supply unit, and a resist that stops the recording medium sent from the paper supply unit in the conveyance path and starts conveyance in synchronization with the developer image formed on the photoconductor. Roller, and a marking section disposed in the transport path, the recording medium sensor detects the absence of the recording medium when the paper supply section discharges the recording medium, and the discharged recording medium is transported by the registration roller to the transport path. The marking unit marks the recording medium when the recording is stopped.

A second image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image forming section for forming a developer image on a photosensitive member in accordance with sent image data, and a sheet feeding section for carrying out a loaded recording medium. A recording medium sensor disposed in the paper supply unit, and a registration roller that stops the recording medium sent from the paper supply unit in the conveyance path and starts conveyance in synchronization with the developer image formed on the photoconductor. And a message sending unit that stores message data indicating that there is no recording medium in advance. The message sending unit is provided when the sheet feeding unit ejects the recording medium and the recording medium sensor detects that there is no recording sheet. Sends message data to the image forming section, and the image forming section forms a developer image on the last recording medium on the photosensitive member according to the sent image data and message data.

Further, a third image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a paper feeding unit for unloading a loaded recording medium, and a marking unit disposed at a position where the recording medium is placed in the paper feeding unit. ,
When the recording medium is placed on the paper feeding unit, the marking unit
It is characterized in that marking is performed in contact with the recording medium that is finally carried out.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is used, for example, in a copying machine or a facsimile machine, and according to image data read from a document by a scanner or image data sent from a facsimile machine of a partner via a line. In order to form an image on a sheet as a recording medium, an image forming unit, a sheet feeding unit, a registration roller, a recording medium sensor, and a marking unit are provided. The image forming unit forms a developer image on a photoconductor in accordance with image data sent from, for example, a scanner. The paper feeding unit is detachable from, for example, the apparatus main body, and includes a paper tray for storing a plurality of sheets, a paper feeding roller and a transport roller held on the apparatus main body side, and the paper feeding roller is a paper tray of a paper tray mounted on the apparatus. Are transported one by one, and the transport rollers carry out the paper separated by the feed roller into the transport path. The registration roller temporarily stops the sheet conveyed by the conveyance roller in the conveyance path, and starts conveyance in synchronization with the developer image formed on the photoconductor by the image forming unit.
The recording medium sensor has an arm that comes into contact with the uppermost surface of the paper stored in the paper tray, and detects the absence of the paper by dropping the arm when the final paper is carried out of the paper tray by the paper feed roller and the transport roller. . The marking unit includes, for example, a stamp unit that holds paint and a solenoid unit that moves the stamp unit. The marking unit is arranged so that the sheet surface in the transport path faces the stamp unit.

When the final sheet is carried out of the sheet tray by the sheet feeding roller and the conveying roller of the sheet feeding section during the image forming process, and the recording medium sensor detects the absence of the sheet, the solenoid of the marking section is turned on. When the final paper conveyed from the paper supply unit is stopped in the conveyance path by the registration roller, the stamp unit holding the paint is moved to make contact with the paper surface to perform marking.

As described above, since the marking section holding the paint is provided in the transport path of the recording medium and the recording medium sensor detects the absence of the recording medium, the marking is performed on the last recording medium. Can check the absence of the recording medium by marking the recording medium,
Business quality can be improved.

In the above description, marking is performed on the final sheet using, for example, a paint. However, the image forming unit may form an image in which a message indicating that there is no sheet is added to the final sheet. In this case, a message sending unit is provided in place of the marking unit. The message sending unit stores message data indicating that there is no paper in advance, and stores the message data from the message memory when the recording medium sensor detects that there is no paper. And a selection sending unit for selecting and sending to the image forming unit. When the recording medium sensor detects that there is no paper due to the final paper being unloaded from the paper tray by the paper feed rollers and the conveyance rollers of the paper feed unit during the image forming process, the selective sending unit sends the message data from the message memory. And sends it to the image forming unit. The image forming unit forms a developer image on the final sheet on the photosensitive member according to image data sent from a scanner or the like and message data sent from the selection sending unit, for example. Thus, the user can surely confirm that there is no paper using the image added with the message formed on the final paper.

Further, a marking portion holding, for example, a paint is provided on the bottom surface of the paper tray which can contact the paper stored in, for example, the paper tray of the paper feeding portion, and the marking portion is finally discharged when storing the paper in the paper tray. The paint may be marked by contacting the paper to be printed. This makes it possible to perform marking on the final sheet with a simple configuration without performing complicated control.

[0013]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, an image forming apparatus is a recording medium that is used in, for example, a copying machine or a facsimile apparatus, according to image data read from a document by a scanner or image data sent from a destination facsimile apparatus via a line. In order to form an image on the sheet 1, the image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit 2, a sheet feeding unit 3, a registration roller 4, a transfer roller 5, a recording medium sensor 6, and a marking unit 7. The image forming unit 2 includes a photoconductor 21, a charging unit 22 and an exposure unit 23 that are arranged around the photoconductor 21 along the rotation direction.
And a developing unit 24. The exposure unit 23 exposes the photoreceptor 21 charged by the charging unit 22 according to image data sent from a scanner or the like to form an electrostatic latent image, and the developing unit 24 applies a developer to the formed electrostatic latent image. A developer image is formed on the photoconductor 21 by being adhered. The paper feed unit 3 is detachable from the apparatus main body, for example, and includes a paper tray 31 storing a plurality of sheets 1, a paper feed roller 32 and a transport roller 33 held on the apparatus main body side, and the paper feed roller 32 is attached to the apparatus. The uppermost sheet 1 pressed from below by the pressure spring 34 via the bottom plate 35 of the sheet tray 31 thus separated is separated one by one, and the transport roller 33
The paper 1 separated in 2 is sandwiched between the pressure rollers 36 and
To be carried out.

The registration roller 4 transfers the developer image formed on the photoreceptor 21 onto the sheet 1 sent from the conveyance roller 33 by the transfer roller 5 without any positional shift. The rotation is controlled together with the transport roller 33 by, for example, the drive controller 9 shown in FIG. The drive control unit 9 causes the paper 1 to be carried out into the transport path 8 by rotating the transport roller 33 as shown in FIG. 2A, and further, the leading edge of the paper passes over the registration sensor 91 shown in FIG. 2B. Then, the resist roller 4 is brought into contact between the resist roller 4 and the pressure roller 41 arranged to face the resist roller 4. Then, when the registration sensor 91 is activated by being pressed against the sheet surface, the rotation of the transport roller 33 is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed. By stopping the rotation of the transport roller 33 after a lapse of a predetermined time, FIG.
As shown in (c), the paper 1 is bent and brought into contact with the inner wall of the conveyance path 8 so that the leading edge of the paper 1 is pressed against the contact surface between the registration roller 4 and the pressure roller 41 to be positioned. Then, the registration roller 4 is started to rotate in synchronization with the developer image formed on the photoconductor 21 by the image forming unit 2, and the sheet 1 is conveyed to the transfer roller 5. The transfer roller 5 transfers the developer image formed on the photoconductor 21 to the sheet 1 fed from the registration roller 4.
Is transferred to a fixing unit (not shown), and the transferred developer image is fixed on the sheet 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the recording medium sensor 6 has an arm 61 which is rotatably held about, for example, an axis and which comes into contact with the uppermost surface of the sheet 1 stored in the sheet tray 31.
When the final sheet 1 is carried out of the sheet tray 31 by the sheet feeding roller 32 and the conveying roller 33 of the sheet feeding unit 3, the arm 6
For example, when no. 1 falls below the opening provided in the bottom plate 35 of the paper tray 31, the absence of paper is detected. For example, as shown in a perspective view of the marking portion in FIG. 3A, the marking portion 7 has a stamp portion 71 holding a paint 73, for example.
And a solenoid unit 72, and the solenoid unit 72 moves the stamp unit 71 as shown in FIG. 3B by an electromagnetic force generated by energization. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the paper feed roller 3 of the paper feed unit 3 is disposed in the conveyance path 8 so that the paper surface and the stamp unit 71 face each other.
2 and the transport roller 33, the final sheet 1 is
When the recording medium sensor 6 detects that there is no sheet by being carried out from the sheet feeding unit 1, the solenoid unit 72 conveys the final sheet 1 carried out from the sheet feeding unit 3 by the registration roller 4 as shown in FIG. When stopped in the road 8, paint 7
The stamp unit 71 holding the sheet 3 is moved, and the marking is performed by, for example, bringing the stamp unit 71 into contact with the back surface of the image forming surface of the sheet 1.

The operation of the image forming apparatus configured as described above when the sheet 1 runs out of the sheet tray 31 of the sheet feeding unit 3 during the image forming process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

For example, when the image forming process is started under conditions such as a copying operation by a user or image data received from a facsimile machine of the other party, the paper feed roller 32 of the paper feed unit 3 is moved to the uppermost surface of the paper tray 31. The paper 1 is separated one by one, and the transport roller 33 carries out the paper 1 separated by the paper feed roller 32 into the transport path 8 (step S1). The drive control unit 9 is pressed by the surface of the conveyed sheet to
Is activated (step S2), the rotation of the transport roller 33 is stopped after a lapse of a predetermined time, so that the sheet 1 stands by in the transport path 8 and the leading edge of the sheet is
And presses against the contact surface of the pressure roller 41 to perform positioning (step S3). At this time, when the recording medium sensor 6 detects that there is no paper in the paper tray 31 (step S4), the marking unit 7
1 is brought into contact with the back surface of the image forming surface of the final sheet 1 waiting in the transport path 8 to perform marking (step S).
5). When the recording medium sensor 6 does not detect the absence of the sheet in the sheet tray 31, the marking unit 7 cancels the marking process (step S4). And
The drive control unit 9 starts the rotation of the registration roller 4 in synchronization with the developer image formed on the photoreceptor 21 by the image forming unit 2, and conveys the sheet 1 to the transfer roller 5 (step S6). Then, the transfer roller 5 transfers the developer image formed on the photoreceptor 21 by the image forming unit 2 to the sheet 1 sent at the proper timing and sends the transferred developer image to the fixing unit, and fixes the transferred developer image on the sheet 1. (Step S7).

As described above, the marking portion 7 holding the paint is provided in the conveyance path 8 of the recording medium, and the marking is performed on the last recording medium when the recording medium sensor 6 detects the absence of the recording medium. Therefore, the user can confirm the absence of the recording medium by marking the recording medium, and can improve the business quality.

In the above description, marking is performed on the final paper 1 using, for example, paint. However, the image forming unit 2 forms an image on the final paper 1 with a message indicating that there is no paper. Is also good.

In this case, as shown in the configuration diagram of the second embodiment in FIG. 5, a message sending unit 10 is provided in place of the marking unit 7. Message sending unit 10
Has a message memory 11 and a selection sending unit 12, and the message memory 11 stores message data indicating that there is no sheet 1 in advance. During the image forming process, the selection sending unit 12 controls the sheet feeding roller 32 of the sheet feeding unit 3
When the recording medium sensor 6 detects that there is no sheet due to the sheet 1 being carried out of the sheet tray 31 by the user, the message data is selected from the message memory 11 and, for example, the photosensitive member 21 is selected in accordance with image data sent from a scanner or the like.
Is sent to the exposure unit 23 after the exposure. Exposure unit 23 controls photoconductor 2 in accordance with the sent message data.
1 is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image based on the message data outside the area of the electrostatic latent image based on the image data, and the developing unit 24 forms a developer image on the photoconductor 21 with the message added.

The operation of the image forming apparatus configured as described above when the sheet 1 runs out of the sheet tray 31 of the sheet feeding section 3 during the image forming process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the image forming process is started, the sheet feeding roller 32 and the conveying roller 33 of the sheet feeding unit 3 start conveying the sheet 1 stored in the sheet tray 31 (step S10). 23 exposes the photoconductor 21 according to the image data sent from the scanner or the like (step S1).
1). The selection sending unit 12 of the message sending unit 10
When the recording medium sensor 6 detects that there is no paper due to having been carried out of the paper tray 31 (step S12), message data indicating that there is no paper is selected from the message memory 11 and sent to the exposure unit 23, and the exposure unit 2
3 exposes the photoreceptor 21 according to the sent message data and forms an electrostatic latent image according to the message data outside the area of the electrostatic latent image based on the image data (step S1).
3). Then, the developing unit 24 forms a developer image with the message added to the photoconductor 21 (step S1).
4). Further, the selection sending section 10 is provided with a sheet feeding roller 32 of the sheet feeding section 3.
When the recording medium sensor 6 does not detect the absence of the sheet when the sheet 1 is carried out of the sheet tray 31 by the transport rollers 33 (step S12), the transmission of the message data is canceled, and the developing unit 24 A developer image is formed (Step S14). Then, the transfer roller 5 transfers the developer image formed on the photoreceptor 21 to the sheet 1 sent at the same timing, sends the image to the fixing unit, and fixes the transferred developer image on the sheet 1 (step S1).
5).

As described above, when the recording medium sensor 6 detects the absence of the recording medium, the message transmitting unit 10 transmits message data indicating that there is no paper to the image forming unit 2,
The image forming unit 2 forms the developer image on the last recording medium on the photoconductor 21 in accordance with the image data and the message data sent from the scanner or the like. Can be confirmed without fail, and the quality of work can be improved reliably.

In the above, when the recording medium sensor 6 detects the absence of paper, for example, the stamp unit 71 holding the paint 73 is moved to mark the final paper 1 or the message data indicating the absence of paper is image-formed. Although an image in which a message is added to the final sheet 1 is formed by sending it to the copy unit 2, the final sheet 1 can be marked with a simple configuration without complicated control.

For example, as shown in the front view of the paper tray in FIG. 7, when the paper 1 is stored in the paper tray 31 of the paper feeding unit 3, for example, paint is applied to the bottom surface of the paper tray 31 which can contact the paper 1. The held marking portion 13 is provided. When the user stores a plurality of sheets 1 in the sheet tray 31 configured as described above, the user aligns the rear end and both sides of the sheet 1 with the end fence 14 and the side fence 15, and pressurizes the sheet as shown in the side view of the sheet tray in FIG. 8. The paper 1 is placed on the bottom plate 35 pushed up by the spring 34. At this stage, both corners of the leading end of the sheet are in a state of being caught on the corner claws 16.
The user further presses the sheet 1 and presses down the pressure spring 34 via the bottom plate 35 to set the corner claws 16 and 17 on the top surface of the sheet. At this time, when the paper 1 is pressed, the marking unit 13 makes contact with the lowermost paper 1, that is, the paper 1 that is finally carried out by the paper feed roller 32 of the paper feed unit 3, and marks the paint held. I do.

As described above, the marking section 13 holding the paint is provided at the position where the recording medium is placed in the sheet feeding section 3.
When a recording medium is placed on the recording medium, the marking is made in contact with the recording medium that is finally unloaded, so that the last recording medium can be marked with a simple configuration without complicated control.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, the marking section holding the paint is provided in the recording medium conveyance path, and when the absence of the recording medium is detected by the recording medium sensor, the marking is performed on the last recording medium. Therefore, the user can confirm the absence of the recording medium by marking the recording medium, thereby improving the quality of work. In addition, for example, an LED lamp for indicating the absence of a recording medium, a buzzer for notifying of the absence of a recording medium, and the like provided on the operation display unit and the like can be omitted, and the operation display unit and the like can be reduced in size.

When the recording medium sensor detects the absence of the recording medium, the message sending section sends message data indicating that there is no sheet to the image forming section, and the image forming section sends the image data sent from, for example, a scanner or the like. The developer image for the last recording medium is formed on the photoreceptor according to the message data, so that the user can surely confirm the absence of the recording medium by the message formed on the recording medium, thereby improving business quality. Improvement can be achieved reliably.

Further, a marking section holding the paint is provided at a position where the recording medium is placed in the paper supply section, and the recording medium is placed in contact with the recording medium finally discharged when the recording medium is placed on the paper supply section. Therefore, marking can be performed on the last recording medium with a simple configuration without complicated control, thereby improving business quality and greatly reducing the cost and size of the apparatus. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the inside of a transport path of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a marking unit of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a paper tray according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the paper tray of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 paper 2 image forming unit 21 photoreceptor 22 charging unit 23 exposure unit 24 developing unit 3 paper feed unit 31 paper tray 32 paper feed roller 33 transport roller 4 registration roller 5 transfer roller 6 recording medium sensor 7 marking unit 71 stamp unit 72 solenoid Part 8 inside the transport path

Claims (3)

[Claims] An image forming section for forming a developer image on a photosensitive member in accordance with the sent image data; a sheet feeding section for unloading a mounted recording medium; a recording medium sensor disposed in the sheet feeding section; A registration roller that stops the recording medium sent from the paper feeding unit in the conveyance path, starts conveyance in synchronization with the developer image formed on the photoconductor, and a marking unit arranged in the conveyance path. When the recording medium sensor detects the absence of the recording medium by the paper supply unit ejecting the recording medium and the ejected recording medium is stopped in the conveyance path by the registration roller, the marking unit includes the recording medium. An image forming apparatus characterized by marking on an image. 2. An image forming section for forming a developer image on a photoconductor in accordance with image data sent, a sheet feeding section for unloading a mounted recording medium, and a recording medium sensor disposed in the sheet feeding section. A registration roller that stops the recording medium sent from the paper supply unit in the conveyance path, starts conveyance in synchronization with the developer image formed on the photoconductor, and message data indicating that there is no recording medium in advance. And a message sending unit that stores message sheets. When the sheet feeding unit unloads the recording medium and the recording medium sensor detects that there is no recording sheet, the message sending unit sends message data to the image forming unit, and outputs the image data. An image forming apparatus, wherein the forming unit forms a developer image on a last recording medium on a photosensitive member according to the sent image data and message data. 3. A paper feeding unit for unloading a loaded recording medium, and a marking unit disposed at a position where the recording medium is placed in the paper feeding unit, wherein the marking unit places the recording medium on the paper feeding unit. An image forming apparatus which, when placed, makes marking by contacting a recording medium which is finally discharged.