JPH11310328A - Image forming device capable of adding optional paper feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To limit an increase of costs for an image forming device body having no optional paper feeders added in an image forming device capable of adding an optional paper feeder. SOLUTION: An image forming device j body 101 and a paper feeder 200B are provided with a paper feeding cassette 300B used in common. The paper feeding cassette 300B is provided with a size information input mechanism 500 for inputting the size information of a sheet set in the cassette to the control unit (not shown) of the image forming device body 101. The mechanism 500 is provided with an information input shaft 501 for manually inputting the sheet size information and switch groups 502, 505 or the like for converting the sheet size information inputted by the information input shaft 501 into an electric signal and transmitting the signal. The switch group 502 is for an upper cassette, and the switch group 505 is for a lower cassette. These switch groups 502 and 505 are installed on an optional substrate 510.

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 feeding a sheet as a recording material one by one and forming an image on the fed sheet, and in particular, an image forming apparatus capable of adding an optional sheet feeder. About. It should be noted that printers, copiers, facsimile machines, and the like are typical examples of this image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a paper feed cassette is provided in an image forming apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus, and sheets stacked and stored in the paper feed cassette are sent to an image forming section one by one. Feeding.

In the case of a small-sized image forming apparatus, it is usual that one sheet feeding cassette is provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus. However, this small-sized image forming apparatus can feed only one sheet size, and when feeding another sheet size, the sheet in the sheet feed cassette must be replaced each time.

In order to eliminate such troublesome work, some small-sized image forming apparatuses allow an optional paper feeder to be added.

FIG. 4 shows the overall configuration of a conventional small image forming apparatus (laser beam printer) in which an optional paper feeder is added.

In the case of the image forming apparatus 100A, an optional sheet feeding apparatus 200A is additionally provided so that two types of sheet sizes can be selectively fed.

[0007] A main body paper feeding section 102 is provided at a lower portion in the main body 101 of the image forming apparatus. This main body paper feeding section 102
Is a paper feed cassette 300A for stacking and storing sheets S,
A sheet feeding roller 301 is provided to feed out the sheets S in the sheet feeding cassette 300A in order from the top sheet.

An optional paper feeder 200A is installed below the main body 101 of the image forming apparatus so as to be superimposed on the main body 101 of the image forming apparatus. The optional sheet feeding device 200A includes a sheet feeding cassette 300A for stacking and storing sheets S, and sheets S in the sheet feeding cassette 300A.
Are fed in order from the uppermost sheet.

Here, the paper cassette on the main body paper supply section 102 and the paper cassette on the optional paper feeder 200A are the same. The paper feed roller is the same.

A pressure plate 302 for bringing the leading edge of the uppermost sheet into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the sheet feeding roller 301 at a predetermined pressure and a sheet S fed by the sheet feeding roller 301 are placed in the sheet feeding cassette 300A. A separation pad 303 for separating the sheets one by one and a passage 304 are provided.

The path 304 of the sheet cassette 300A on the side of the optional sheet feeding device 200A is connected to the path 304 of the sheet cassette 300A of the main sheet feeding section 102 via the path 201. The passage 304 of the sheet cassette 300 </ b> A on the side of the main body sheet supply unit 102 is connected to the passage 103 leading to the image forming unit.
Connected to

The sheet feeding cassette 300A can be pulled out to the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 101, and replenishes the sheets S in the pulled-out state.

In the case of the image forming apparatus 100A, sheets of different sizes are stacked and stored in the respective sheet cassettes 300A, and a required sheet size is selected from these two types of sheet sizes and supplied. It is possible to send.

A paper feed operation is performed by inputting a print start signal. A sheet S of a specified size fed from one paper feed cassette 300A reaches a pair of registration rollers 104 through a passage 103, and is fed at a predetermined timing to a transfer section between the photosensitive drum 105 and the transfer roller 106. Go.

On the other hand, when a print start signal is input, the laser scanner 107 causes the laser beam L based on image information sent from a host computer (not shown) to be transmitted.
The photosensitive drum 1 rotating clockwise
05. Thus, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 105, and the electrostatic latent image is developed by a toner developing device (not shown).

The toner image on the photosensitive drum 105 is transferred by the transfer roller 106 to the sheet S passing through the transfer section.

The sheet S to which the toner image has been transferred after passing through the transfer section reaches the fixing device 109 through the passage 108. The toner image that has not been fixed is fixed on the sheet surface by being heated and pressed while passing through the fixing nip of the fixing device 109.

The sheet S that has undergone the fixing process that has passed through the fixing device 109 passes through a passage 110 and is discharged onto a discharge tray 112 by a discharge roller pair 111.

In the case where a plurality of types of sheet sizes can be selectively fed as in the image forming apparatus 100A, a control section (apparatus body substrate) 113 for controlling the operation of the entire image forming apparatus includes: Information about the relationship between each sheet cassette and sheet size (which sheet size is set in which sheet cassette) must be input in advance. The control unit 113 controls the main body feeding unit 1 so that the sheet size specified based on this information is fed.
02 or the optional sheet feeding device 200A.

For this reason, the sheet size information is transmitted to the control unit 11.
3, a size information input mechanism 400 is provided for each sheet cassette 300A. The size information input mechanism 400 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The size information input mechanism 400 is installed on the front side of the cassette. After the sheets are set in the sheet cassette 300A, the operator inputs the size information input mechanism 4
The user manually inputs the sheet size information set using 00.

The size information input mechanism 400 includes an information input shaft (dial shaft) 401 having an operation knob 401-1, a sheet size display frame 401-2, and a projection group 401-3 on the shaft, and a switch ( Tact switch) group 402
And an intermediary cam group 403.

The information input shaft 401 is rotatably supported by the cassette case. The operation knob 401-1 is used to rotate the information input shaft 401.

The sheet size display frame 401-2 has a polygonal shape, and has a sheet size (LGL, LTR,
EXE, A4, B5, A5) are displayed. When inputting sheet size information, the operator operates the operation knob 40.
At 1-1, the information input shaft 401 is turned to turn the surface of the sheet size display frame 401-2 on which the desired sheet size is displayed toward the front side of the cassette. In this way, the predetermined sheet size information is input. FIG. 5 shows a case where the A4 size display surface is directed to the cassette front side.

The switch group 402 includes first, second, and third switches 402a, 402b, and 40 arranged in three horizontal rows.
2c. The intermediate cam group 403 includes first, second, and third cams 403a, 403b, and 403 arranged in three horizontal rows.
c. Here, the switch group 402 and the mediation cam group 4
A switch group 402 is disposed below the mediating cam group 403.

The first switch 402a and the first cam 4
03a, the second switch 402b and the second cam 403b, and the third switch 402c and the third cam 403c are in a positional relationship facing each other.

The projection group 401-3 on the information input shaft 401 is arranged at a position facing the intermediate cam group 403. The projection group 401-3 includes a sheet size display piece 401-2.
Of each sheet size displayed on each side. The projection for each sheet size is arranged at a position on the axis 401 that is shifted 90 degrees clockwise from the display surface of the sheet size display piece 401-2.

The projection for LGL consists of one projection facing the first cam 403a. LTR projections are first and second
It consists of two projections facing the cams 403a and 403b. The projections for EXE are the first, second, and third cams 403a,
It consists of three projections facing 403b and 403c. A
The four projections consist of two projections facing the first and third cams 403a and 403c. The protrusion for B5 is the third cam 40.
It consists of one projection facing 3c. There is no projection for A5.

As described above, the information input shaft 401 is turned with the operation knob 401-1 to obtain the sheet size display frame 401-.
When the surface on which the desired sheet size is displayed is directed toward the front side of the cassette, a protrusion for the desired sheet size, which is shifted 90 degrees clockwise from the display surface, pushes the intermediary cam opposed thereto. The intermediary cam presses a switch facing this to switch on. The electric signal from the switch that has been turned on becomes the sheet size information.

This will be specifically described with reference to Table 1 below.

[0031]

[Table 1] That is, when the LGL display surface of the sheet size display frame 401-2 is set (to face the cassette front side), the first switch 402a is turned on. When the LTR display surface is set, the first and second switches 402a and 402b are turned on. When you set the EXE display surface,
The second and third switches 402a, 402b, 402c are turned on. When the A4 display surface is set, the first and third switches 402a and 402c are turned on.
When the B5 display surface is set, the third switch 402c is turned on. When the A5 display surface is set, the first, second, and third switches 402a, 402b, 402c
Neither switch on.

The size information (electric signal) input from the size information input mechanism 400 of the image forming apparatus main body 101 is sent to the control unit 113 of the image forming apparatus. The size information (electrical signal) input from the size information input mechanism 400 of the optional sheet feeding device 200A is
Image forming apparatus 10 via a control unit (not shown)
It is sent to the control unit 113 of 0A. The control unit 113 determines the sheet size based on the signal state transmitted from the switch group 402.

[0033]

By the way, the size information input mechanism 400 on the image forming apparatus main body 101 side enables the image forming apparatus 100A to add an optional sheet feeding apparatus 200A. 200A
It is provided for when you add more.

However, the present image forming apparatus 100A allows the optional paper feeder 200A to be added, but it does not always mean that the optional paper feeder 200A is additionally used. Then, the optional paper feeder 20
If 0A is not added, the size information input mechanism 400 on the image forming apparatus main body 101 side (especially, the switch group 402 and the intermediary cam group 403 installed on the image forming apparatus main body 101) is unnecessary, and This is one of the factors that increase the cost of the image forming apparatus main body 101.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an image forming apparatus capable of adding an optional sheet feeder, which is capable of inputting sheet size information while suppressing an increase in the cost of the image forming apparatus main body. It is an object to provide a forming device.

[0036]

According to the present invention, there is provided an optional sheet feeding apparatus having one sheet cassette B under an image forming apparatus main body having one sheet cassette A. And the size information of sheets set in the sheet cassette A or the sheet cassette B can be manually operated in the image forming apparatus main body and the optional sheet feeding apparatus, respectively. Size information input mechanisms A and B for inputting and converting the signals into electric signals and transmitting the electric signals to a control unit on the image forming apparatus main body side are provided. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which an optional sheet feeding device can be added.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that the electric signal conversion means A of the size information input mechanism A of the image forming apparatus main body is arranged on the option paper feeder side. I do.

Normally, the paper feed cassette A on the image forming apparatus main body side and the paper feed cassette B on the optional paper feed apparatus side are commonly used for the image forming apparatus main body side and the optional paper feed apparatus side. The sheet cassettes A and B also serve as manual input means of the size information input mechanism A on the image forming apparatus main body side and manual input means of the size information input mechanism B on the optional sheet feeder side. Manual input means A is provided.

An electric signal converting means A for converting the sheet size information inputted by the manual input means A of the sheet cassette A into an electric signal, and a sheet size inputted by the manual input means A of the sheet cassette B An electric signal conversion means B for converting information into an electric signal is provided on an option board of the optional sheet feeding device.

For example, the electric signal conversion means A and B comprise a group of switches, and a switch corresponding to the sheet size input by the manual input means A is turned on.

[0041]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a small image forming apparatus (laser beam printer) 100B to which the present invention is applied. One optional sheet feeding device 200B is added to the image forming apparatus 100B.

The basic structure of each of the image forming apparatus 100B and the optional sheet feeding apparatus 200B is no different from the conventional image forming apparatus 100A and the optional sheet feeding apparatus 200A. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the same members and the like, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The characteristic points (different points from the conventional example) will be described below.

The image forming apparatus 100B and the optional sheet feeding apparatus 200B use a common sheet feeding cassette 300B (sheet feeding cassettes A and B). This paper cassette 30
0B is provided with a size information input mechanism 500 (size information input mechanisms A and B) for inputting sheet size information to the control unit 113. This size information input mechanism 5
00 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

The size information input mechanism 500 is installed on the front side of the cassette. After setting the sheets in the sheet feeding cassette 300B, the operator operates the size information input mechanism 5
The user manually inputs the sheet size information set using 00.

The size information input mechanism 500 includes an information input shaft (manual input means A) having an operation knob 501-1, a sheet size display piece 501-2, and a group of protrusions 501-3, 501-4 on the shaft. ) 501, an upper cassette switch (tact switch) group 502 (electrical signal conversion means A), and an upper cassette first and second intermediate cam group 50.
3, 504, a lower cassette switch (tact switch) group 505 (electric signal conversion means B), and lower cassette first and second mediating cam groups 506, 507.

Among them, the information input shaft 501, the first intermediate transfer cam group 503 for the upper cassette, and the first intermediate transfer cam group 506 for the lower cassette are installed in the sheet cassette 300B. The upper cassette switch group 502, the upper cassette second intermediary cam group 504, the lower cassette switch group 505, and the lower cassette second intermediary cam group 50
Reference numeral 7 is provided on the main body of the optional sheet feeding device. The upper cassette switch group 502 and the lower cassette switch group 505 are installed on the option board 510.

The information input shaft 501 is rotatably supported by the cassette case. The operation knob 501-1 is used to rotate the information input shaft 401.

The sheet size display piece 501-2 has a polygonal shape, and has a sheet size (LGL, LTR,
EXE, A4, B5, A5) are displayed. When inputting the sheet size information, the operator operates the operation knob 50.
At 1-1, the information input shaft 501 is turned so that the surface of the sheet size display piece 501-2 on which the desired sheet size is displayed faces the front of the cassette. By doing so, predetermined sheet size information is input. FIG. 2 shows a case where the A4 size display surface is directed to the cassette front side.

The upper cassette switch group 502 has a horizontal 3
First, second and third switches 502 arranged in a row
a, 502b and 502c. 1st for upper cassette
The intermediary cam group 503 includes first, second, and third cams 503a, 503b, and 503c arranged in three horizontal rows.
The second intermediate cam group 504 for the upper cassette includes first, second, and third cams 504a and 504b arranged in three horizontal rows.
504c.

The first switch 502a and the first cam 5
03a and the first cam 504a, the second switch 502b, the second cam 503b, the second cam 504b, and the third switch 50
The 2c, the third cam 503c, and the third cam 504c are in a positional relationship facing each other.

The lower cassette switch group 505 includes a horizontal 3
First, second and third switches 505 arranged in rows
a, 505b and 505c. 1st for lower cassette
The intermediary cam group 506 includes first, second, and third cams 506a, 506b, and 506c arranged in three horizontal rows.
The lower group second intermediate cam group 507 includes first, second, and third cams 507a and 507b arranged in three horizontal rows.
507c.

The first switch 505a and the first cam 5
06a and the first cam 507a, the second switch 505b and the second cam 506b and the second cam 507b, and the third switch 50
5c, the second cam 506c, and the second cam 507c are in a positional relationship facing each other.

The projection group 501-3 on the information input shaft 501 is disposed at a position facing the first intermediate transfer cam group 503 for the upper cassette. The projection group 501-4 is arranged at a position facing the first intermediate cam group 506 for the lower cassette. The projection groups 501-3 and 501-4 are configured by projections for each sheet size displayed on each surface of the sheet size display piece 501-2. The projection for each sheet size is arranged at a position on the axis 501 that is shifted 90 degrees clockwise from the display surface of the sheet size display piece 501-2.

The projection for LGL is the first cam 503a or 5
06a and one projection. The LTR projections are the first and second cams 503a, 503b or 506a,
It consists of two protrusions facing 06b. The projections for EXE are the first, second and third cams 503a, 503b, 503c.
Or, it consists of three projections facing 506a, 506b, 506c. The projections for A4 are the first and third cams 503a,
503c or two projections facing 506a and 506c. The protrusion for B5 is the third cam 503c or 506
It consists of one projection facing c. There is no projection for A5.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.
The operation of the size information input mechanism 500 on the B side and the optional paper feeder 200B will be described. In FIG. 3, two paper cassettes 300B are shown as one.

In the case of the size information input mechanism 500 on the image forming apparatus 100B side (upper cassette side), the operation knob 5
When the information input shaft 501 is turned in 01-1 and the surface on which the desired sheet size is displayed on the sheet size display frame 501-2 is directed toward the front of the cassette, the surface is shifted 90 degrees clockwise from this display surface. The projection for the desired sheet size (the projection in the projection group 501-3) pushes the first intermediate cam (the cam in the first intermediate cam group 503 for the upper cassette) opposed thereto, and The second mediating cam (the second mediating cam group 504 for the upper cassette) in which the mediating cam faces
Is pressed, and the second extension cam presses a switch (a switch in the upper cassette switch group 502) opposed thereto to turn on the switch. The electric signal from the switch that has been turned on becomes the sheet size information.

In the case of the size information input mechanism 500 on the side of the optional sheet feeder 200B (lower cassette side), the information input shaft 501 is turned with the operation knob 501-1 and the desired sheet size is set with the sheet size display frame 501-2. When the displayed surface is directed toward the front side of the cassette, a protrusion for the desired sheet size (a protrusion in the protrusion group 501-4), which is shifted clockwise by 90 degrees from the display surface, is opposed to the protrusion. First transfer cam (first transfer cam group 506 for lower cassette)
), And the first intermediate cam is opposed to the second intermediate cam (second intermediate cam group 50 for lower cassettes).
7), and the second extension cam presses a switch (a switch in the lower cassette switch group 505) opposed thereto to turn on the switch. The electric signal from the switch that has been turned on becomes the sheet size information.

This will be specifically described with reference to Table 1 above.

That is, the sheet size display piece 501-2
Is set (to face the cassette front side), the first switch 502a or 505a is turned on. When the LTR display surface is set, the first and second switches 502a and 502b or 505a and 505b are turned on. When the EXE display surface is set, the first, second and third switches 502a, 502b, 502c or 5
05a, 505b and 505c are switched on. A
When the four display surfaces are set, the first and third switches 502a,
502c or 505a, 505c is switched on. When the A5 display surface is set, the first, second, and third switches 502a, 502b, 502c, or 505
a, 505b, and 505c are not switched on.

The size information (electrical signal) input from the size information input mechanism 500 on the image forming apparatus main body 101 side,
The size information input from the size information input mechanism 500 of the optional sheet feeding device 200B is sent to the control unit 113 of the image forming apparatus 100 via the control unit (option board) 510 of the optional sheet feeding device 200B. The control unit 113 determines the sheet size based on the signal state transmitted from the switch groups 502 and 505.

In this embodiment, the switch group 5 of the size information input mechanism 500 on the image forming apparatus main body 101 side is used.
Since the optional paper feeder 200B is disposed on the side of the optional paper feeder 200B, the cost of the image forming apparatus main body 101 used without adding the optional paper feeder 200B can be suppressed accordingly.

In this embodiment, the common paper cassette 300B is provided on the image forming apparatus main body 101 side and the optional paper feeding apparatus 200B side. When the paper cassettes provided on the optional paper feeding device 200B side are dedicated paper feeding cassettes, the image forming apparatus main body 10
From the size information input mechanism 500 on the first side, a projection group 501-
4 and the first intermediary cam group 506 can be removed, and the size information input mechanism 500 on the side of the optional sheet feeding device 200B.
, The projection group 501-3 and the first intermediate cam group 503 can be removed.

[0065]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the electric signal converting means of the size information input mechanism on the image forming apparatus main body side is arranged on the optional paper feeding apparatus side, the cost of the image forming apparatus main body used without adding the optional paper feeding apparatus can be suppressed accordingly. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a small-sized image forming apparatus (laser beam printer) and an optional sheet feeding apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a size information input mechanism provided on an image forming apparatus main body side and an optional sheet feeding apparatus side.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the operation of a size information input mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a conventional small image forming apparatus (laser beam printer) and an optional sheet feeding apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a conventional size information input mechanism provided on the image forming apparatus main body side and the optional paper feeder side.

[Explanation of symbols]

100B Image forming apparatus 101 Image forming apparatus main body 113 Control unit 200B Optional paper feeder 300B Paper feed cassette (paper feed cassettes A and B) 500 Size information input mechanism (size information input mechanisms A and B) 501 Information input axis (manual input) Means A) 502 Upper cassette switch group (electric signal conversion means A) 503 Upper cassette first intermediate cam group (intermediate cam group) 504 Upper cassette second intermediate cam group (intermediate cam group) 505 Lower cassette switch group (Electric signal conversion means B) 506 Lower intermediate cassette first intermediate cam group (intermediate cam group) 507 Lower cassette second intermediate cam group (intermediate cam group) 510 Option board S sheet

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus main body having one paper feed cassette A, an optional paper feeder having one paper feed cassette B can be superimposed and added below the main body, and the main body of the image forming apparatus can be additionally provided. And the optional paper feeder, manually inputting the size information of the sheets set in the paper feed cassette A or the paper feed cassette B, converting them into electric signals, and In an image forming apparatus provided with size information input mechanisms A and B to be transmitted to a control unit, and an optional paper feeder can be added, the electric signal conversion means A of the size information input mechanism A on the image forming apparatus main body side is provided. An image forming apparatus capable of adding an optional paper feeder, wherein the image forming apparatus is arranged on the optional paper feeder side. 2. A sheet feeding cassette A on the image forming apparatus main body side and a sheet feeding cassette B on the optional sheet feeding apparatus side are commonly used for the image forming apparatus main body side and the optional sheet feeding apparatus side. , The paper cassettes A and B include:
A manual input unit A serving both as a manual input unit of the size information input mechanism A on the image forming apparatus main body side and a manual input unit of the size information input mechanism B on the optional paper feeder side; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optional sheet feeding device can be added. 3. An electric signal converting means A for converting the sheet size information inputted by the manual input means A of the sheet cassette A into an electric signal, and a sheet size inputted by the manual input means A of the sheet cassette B. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an electric signal converting means for converting information into an electric signal is provided on an option board of the optional sheet feeding apparatus. . 4. An optional power supply according to claim 3, wherein said electric signal conversion means A and B comprise a switch group, and a switch corresponding to a sheet size inputted by said manual input means A is turned on. An image forming apparatus capable of adding paper devices. 5. An intermediary cam group for operating the switch group according to the sheet size input by the manual input unit A is interposed between the manual input unit A and the switch group. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the optional paper feeder can be added. 6. The optional sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit on the image forming apparatus main body side determines a sheet size based on a signal state transmitted from the switch group. Image forming apparatus.