JPH11314799A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a drawing error of a sheet storing device due to carelessness or a wrong operation by providing an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet according to the image information, and an identification display means for identifying and displaying the operating condition of a device main body in the vicinity of the drawing side of the sheet storing device. SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus, light guide paths 41, 42 having an L-shaped cavity in a plane are formed side by side on the front surface part of an upper cassette 3. The light guide paths 41, 42 connect a display part on the front of a cassette 3 to a light generating means of the device main body side. A size label 43 and an operation display label 44 are fitted to the front connected with the outside of the cassette 3 corresponding to the ends of the light guide paths 41, 42. The size label 43 and the operation display label 44 are formed by semitransparent resin, and a sheet size character is printed on the size label 43. The size display label 43 has a character part showing the sheet size, which is semitransparent, its periphery being non- transparent.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine, a copying machine, and a printer for forming an image on a sheet such as paper or a plastic sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the structure of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer is generally configured such that sheets loaded in a cassette are fed one by one to an image recording section by feeding means, and a predetermined image is formed on the sheets. Is recorded and then ejected out of the apparatus. In recent years, from the viewpoint of reducing the installation area of the entire apparatus and improving the workability of stacking sheets on the cassette, a so-called front-loading method of inserting and removing the cassette from the front of the apparatus body in the depth direction (front-back direction) has been adopted. Equipment is increasing.

In an image forming apparatus having a cassette employing the front loading method, for example, A3
An arrangement suitable for recording by an image recording unit while feeding a relatively large sheet such as a size from a cassette, and discharging the sheet in a direction that is easy for an operator to process, and realizing miniaturization of the apparatus. Therefore, in many cases, the direction in which the cassette is attached and detached and the direction in which the sheets are fed are substantially orthogonal.

The front side and the front cover of the image forming apparatus main body have openings for attaching and detaching a cassette.
This has a slightly larger circumference corresponding to the outer shape of the cassette, and has only a space for inserting and removing the cassette itself.

Further, it is necessary to provide an image reading unit such as a copying machine or a facsimile, and the arrangement is arranged above the image recording unit in order to handle the read original, and the image recording unit is provided below the image recording unit. It is configured to be arranged. The original image is formed on a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD by an optical image forming means, and the image information is temporarily replaced with an electric signal and subjected to digital signal processing, and then transmitted to an image recording unit or a communication line. Transmitted to

In general, a photoelectric conversion element is in the form of a line sensor in which point-like light receiving elements are linearly arranged, and reads a two-dimensional image by performing relative scanning on a document image. The quality of an image is greatly affected by the accuracy of relative scanning during reading, and high-precision relative scanning is required to maintain high image quality. Therefore, care must be taken so as not to be affected by vibration or the like due to disturbance.

In a facsimile or the like, since the image recording operation and the image reading operation operate independently and asynchronously, even when the image reading operation is performed, the operator can confirm the remaining amount of sheets. The cassette may be pulled out, and the vibration at this time may affect the image quality of the read image.

Further, with the recent multi-functionality of the image forming apparatus, each operation is becoming complicated. For this reason, the configuration of the operation unit of the apparatus main body becomes complicated, and the operator often becomes confused in the operation and maintenance work of the apparatus. Particularly, in an image forming apparatus having a large number of cassettes, when a sheet of a certain size has been consumed, the abnormality is detected by an abnormal signal of the apparatus main body, and the sheet is consumed by looking at a display on the operation unit. Can be recognized. When replenishing sheets, a multi-stage cassette is pulled out to search for a target cassette, and then sheet replenishment is performed.

[0009]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the operator can pull out the cassette regardless of the state of the apparatus main body. There are many cases where the cassette is pulled out more. This causes the following problems.

First, when the cassette is pulled out of the apparatus main body during sheet feeding from the cassette to the image recording unit or during execution of an image recording operation in the image recording unit, the latter half of the sheet remaining in the cassette is removed. Pulled out with the cassette. At this time, since the sheet feeding direction and the cassette drawing direction are substantially orthogonal to each other, there is a possibility that the sheet may be damaged by interfering with the front plate side surface of the apparatus main body, and a part may be sheared and remain in the apparatus. This may cause a jam (paper jam) during the next sheet feeding.

Particularly, in the case of an apparatus adopting the ink jet recording system, the above-mentioned erroneous operation is liable to occur in an apparatus which requires a relatively long time from the start of sheet feeding operation until the trailing end of the sheet separates from the cassette. . Further, in the above-described ink jet recording apparatus, if wrinkles occur on the sheet during image recording due to the influence of the shearing force, the ink ejection surface of the recording head may be rubbed and scratched, or the sheet may be stained, thereby deteriorating the image quality.

If the cassette is pulled out of the apparatus main body or pushed into the apparatus main body while the image reading section is executing the reading operation, the image reading section is disposed immediately above the image recording section, so that vibrations occur. There is a possibility that the image may be transmitted to the image reading unit and the scanning may be blurred, thereby deteriorating the image quality.

Further, with the multifunctionality of the image forming apparatus, it is difficult to intuitively determine which cassette contains the target sheet when performing maintenance work on the sheet.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and to make it easier for an operator to recognize whether the movement of the sheet storage device is restricted or not according to each operation state of the apparatus main body. Another object of the present invention is to prevent operation errors such as carelessness and erroneous operation, and to realize an intuitive and easy-to-understand seat maintenance environment.

[0015]

A representative means for solving the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and applied to the embodiment described below is an image having a plurality of sheet storage devices for stacking and storing sheets in a feedable manner. An image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet supplied from the sheet storage device in accordance with image information, and an operation state of an apparatus main body near a drawer side of the sheet storage device. Identification display means.

According to the above means, the identification display means for identifying and displaying the operation state of the apparatus main body is provided near the drawer side of the sheet storage apparatus, thereby restricting the sheet storage apparatus from being pulled out from the apparatus main body. By clearly displaying the case and the case where no restriction is imposed, mistakes due to carelessness or erroneous operation can be prevented.

When there are a plurality of sheet storage devices,
Which sheet storage device should be refilled,
At a glance, it is possible to recognize at a glance what kind of sheet size, material, etc., the sheet is currently selected, and which sheet storage device they are stored in. Can be realized.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] Next, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. 1 and 2
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the external appearance of the image forming apparatus, FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus, FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged explanatory view of the front surface of the cassette, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system, and FIG. It is a front view which shows a front surface.

[Appearance Configuration] The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment relates to a copying machine, and as shown in FIG. 2, records on a sheet according to a reading unit A for reading a document image and image information in a main body of the apparatus. It has a recording section B. Reference numeral 1 denotes a document pressing plate for pressing a document placed on a document table. Reference numeral 2 denotes an operation unit having numeric keys and various function keys. Reference numerals 3 and 4 denote cassettes which are sheet storage devices.
The sheet is supplied to the recording unit B, and is mounted on the front side of the apparatus main body. Reference numeral 5 denotes a sheet discharge port for supplying a sheet after recording, and is provided on a side surface (right side in the drawing) of the apparatus main body. Hereinafter, the configuration of each unit will be described with reference to FIG.

[Reading Unit A] In FIG.
The reading means is arranged below the document. Reference numeral 6 denotes a main scanning frame, which incorporates a lens rod array (not shown), a CCD, an illumination lamp, and the like. The reflection is obtained by irradiating a document placed on a document table on the upper surface of the apparatus with the illumination lamp. The photoelectric conversion is performed by forming light on a CCD through a lens rod array, and the electric signal is transmitted to a control unit described later. As the CCD, a CCD in which light receiving elements are arranged in a line along a predetermined width W in the direction of arrow d is used.

The main scanning frame 6 is configured to be able to reciprocate in the directions of arrows e and f along the main scanning rail 9 via the endless belt 8 by driving of the main scanning motor 7.
The sub-scanning frame 10 including the main scanning frame 6 is configured to be reciprocally movable in the directions of arrows g and h along the sub-scanning rail 12 via the endless belt 11 by driving a sub-scanning motor (not shown). .

Therefore, each time the sub-scanning frame 10 is intermittently fed by the distance W in the directions of arrows g and h, the reading means sets
Are scanned in the directions of the arrows e and f, and the operation of reading the band-shaped image area of the document width W is repeated to read the image of one page of the document image.

[Recording section B] (feeding means) 13 is a pickup roller. Sheets P loaded and stored in the upper cassette 3 are fed in the direction of arrow a by the pickup roller 13 and are sent to the lower cassette 4. The stacked sheets P are similarly fed in the direction of arrow a by a pickup roller (not shown). The pickup roller 13 feeds the sheet P by being supplied with a rotational driving force from a feed motor 14. Reference numeral 15 denotes a feeding solenoid which presses the pickup roller 13 against the sheet P in response to a control signal from a control means described later.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a sheet presence / absence detecting means for detecting the presence / absence of the sheet P stored in the upper cassette 3 and similarly detecting the presence / absence of the sheet P stored in the lower cassette 4 (not shown). It is configured to detect by means. These detection signals are transmitted to control means (not shown) described later.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a cassette size detecting means, which is disposed at the rear of the upper cassette 3 in the mounting direction, and detects the sheet size of the upper cassette 3 by detecting the characteristic of the concave and convex shape corresponding to the sheet size. This is transmitted to the control means. In addition, also about the lower cassette 4,
A similar cassette size detecting means (not shown) is provided.

(Conveying Means) The sheet P fed by the pickup roller 13 is transported by a pair of conveying rollers 18a, 18b.
The sheet P is nipped and conveyed by a pair of discharge rollers 19a and 19b. The lower transport roller 18a and the lower discharge roller 19a are linked to and driven to rotate by the transport motor 20, and are driven by the upper transport roller 18b and the upper discharge roller 19a.
b is pressed against the lower transport roller 18a and the lower discharge roller 19a by a pressure mechanism (not shown). Therefore, when the transport motor 20 is started, the transport roller pairs 18a and 18b and the discharge roller pairs 19a and 19b are driven to rotate to pinch and transport the sheet P.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a platen, and
The sheet P sandwiched by the pair of discharge rollers 18a, 18b and the discharge rollers 19a, 19b is supported from the back side. The platen surface is set at substantially the same height as the conveying surface of the sheet P conveyed by the conveying roller pairs 18a and 18b.
The length of the platen 21 in the axial direction of each roller is set slightly larger than the width of the sheet P.
Can be recorded as long as it is on the platen 21.

(Recording means) 22 is a recording head for recording an ink image on a sheet P supported on a platen 21 in accordance with image information. As a recording unit in this apparatus, an ink jet recording system for discharging ink from a recording head for recording is used. That is, the recording head 22 has a fine liquid ejection port (orifice), a liquid path, and an energy action section provided in a part of the liquid path, and an energy for generating a droplet forming energy to act on the liquid in the action section. Generating means.

As an energy generating means for generating such energy, a recording method using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element or the like, an electromagnetic wave such as a laser is irradiated to generate heat, and droplets are discharged by the action of the generated heat. There are a recording method using an energy generating means, and a recording method using an energy generating means for discharging a liquid by heating a liquid by an electrothermal converter such as a heating element having a heating resistor.

Among them, a recording head used in an ink jet recording method for discharging a liquid by thermal energy has a high density of liquid discharge ports (orifices) for discharging a recording droplet to form a discharge droplet. Since they can be arranged, high-resolution recording can be performed. Among them, a recording head using an electrothermal transducer as an energy generating means can easily be made compact, and has the advantages of IC technology and microfabrication technology, which have recently made remarkable progress in technology in the field of semiconductors and markedly improved reliability. This is advantageous because it can be used for two reasons, high-density mounting is easy, and the manufacturing cost is low.

The recording head 22 includes a plurality of recording heads 22a, 22b, 22c, 22 integrated with an ink cartridge.
These ink cartridges are filled with ink of each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and are configured to be capable of color recording.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a carriage, and the recording head
22 is mounted and reciprocates in the directions of arrows b and c. The carriage 23 moves in the width direction of the sheet P (arrows b and c).
(Direction) is slidably mounted on a guide rail 24 provided in the (direction). A drive pulley 25 and a driven pulley 26 are provided near both ends of the guide rail 24, and an endless timing belt 27 stretched between the pulleys 25 and 26 is connected to the carriage 23.
Therefore, the carriage motor connected to the drive pulley 25
When the carriage 28 is driven forward and reverse, the carriage 23 moves
Reciprocate along.

[Sheet storage device] As shown in FIG. 3, an opening 40 is formed in the front plate 39 of the apparatus main body, and the upper cassette 3 and the lower cassette 4 are pulled out or pushed into the opening 40. Mounted as possible. The operator
When replenishing the sheet P, the upper cassette 3 or the lower cassette 4 is pulled out from the apparatus main body in the direction of arrow i to perform replenishment, and the cassette is pushed in the direction of arrow j to be stored in the apparatus main body.

[Identification Display Means] Next, the cassettes 3, 4
1 and 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. Since the cassettes 3 and 4 have the same configuration,
The following configuration is performed for the cassette 3.

FIG. 1 shows a state in which the upper cassette 3 is slightly pulled out, and shows an internal structure in which a part of the front part is cut away. On the front surface of the cassette 3, light guide paths 41 and 42 having an L-shaped cavity are formed side by side. The light guides 41 and 42 connect the display unit on the front surface of the cassette 3 and the light generating means on the apparatus main body side, as described below.

A size label 43 and an operation display label 44 are attached to the front surface of the cassette 3 corresponding to the ends of the light guide paths 41 and 42 and leading to the outside. The above size label
43 and the operation display label 44 are made of translucent resin, and the size label 43 is printed with the size characters of the sheet P. The size display label 43 has a type in which the character portion indicating the size is translucent and its periphery is non-transparent, and a type in which the character portion is non-transparent and its periphery is translucent,
This embodiment employs the former.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the front surface of the upper cassette 3 and shows a partially cut-away cross section taken along a horizontal plane passing through the size label 43 and the operation display label 44. Reflecting mirrors 45 and 46 are disposed at the corners of the light guides 41 and 42, respectively. At the end of the light guide paths 41 and 42 on the device body side, lamp mounting portions 48 and 49 for mounting the display lamp group 47 are formed, and the lamp mounting portion 48 has a red lamp 47a and a blue lamp. A red lamp 47c is mounted on the lamp mounting portion 49, respectively. The operation of the display lamp group 47 such as lighting, blinking, and extinguishing is controlled by a control signal of a control unit described later.

Therefore, the light emitted from the display lamp group 47 travels through each of the light guides 41 and 42 and is reflected by the reflection mirrors 45 and 46, and is reflected by the size label 43 and the operation display label 44.
Through the device body.

[Control means] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system of the above apparatus. The control means 50 has a CPU 50a for controlling the entire apparatus, a ROM 50b for storing an operation procedure as a program, a RAM 50c for taking in and out data necessary for control operation, and other electric elements. It controls the operation of each part of the apparatus together with the data processing.

A signal such as a recording start command is input from the operation unit 2 to the control unit 50, and a detection signal is input from the sheet presence detection unit 16 and the cassette size detection unit 17. The control means 50 provides a predetermined display on the operation unit 2 and performs a main scanning motor 7, a sub-scanning motor 51,
0, and outputs control signals for the carriage motor 28 and the recording head 22. Further, the control means 50 controls the lighting and blinking operations of the display lamp group 47 having the red lamps 47a and 47c and the blue lamp 47b according to the operation state of the apparatus main body.

[Control Operation] Next, the control of the lighting and blinking operation of the display lamp group 47 by the control means 50 will be described with reference to FIG. The control means 50 controls the display lamp group 47 according to the following rules according to the state of the apparatus main body.

1) If there is a sheet P in the upper and lower cassettes 3 and 4, the blue lamp 47b is turned on.

2) When it is determined that the sheets P have run out in the upper and lower cassettes 3 and 4, the red lamp 47a is turned on.

3) When the size of a specific sheet P is selected on the operation unit 2 of the apparatus main body, the red lamp 47c of the cassette storing the sheet P is turned on.

4) Sheet P from the selected cassette
The red lamp 47c is flickered until the rear end of the sheet P separates from the cassette. This is to make the operator aware that the cassette P must not be pulled out in order to prevent the sheet P from being broken.

An example of the control operation of the display lamp group 47 according to the above rules will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, A4 size sheets P are stored in the upper cassette 3.
However, it is configured such that sheets A of A3 size can be stored in the lower cassette 4 respectively.

FIG. 6A shows a state before the apparatus main body is started. There is no A4 size sheet P in the upper cassette 3 and the size label 43 is lit in red. Since the cassette 3 is not selected, the operation display label 44 is turned off. In addition, since the A3 size sheet P is stored in the lower cassette 4, the size label 43 is lit in blue, and since the lower cassette 4 is selected in the operation unit 2, the operation display label 44 is displayed. It is lit.

The operator can intuitively recognize that there is no A4 size sheet P by looking at the size label 43 of the upper cassette 3 in red before looking at the operation unit 2 of the apparatus main body. Further, the operator can recognize that the A3 size sheet P has been selected in advance in the operation unit 2 by watching the lighting of the operation display label 44 of the lower cassette 4.

FIG. 6B shows a state in which the apparatus main body is activated to feed A3-size sheets P in the lower cassette 4. At this time, the operation display label 44 of the lower cassette 4 blinks, whereby the operator can recognize that the lower cassette 4 must not be pulled out.

According to the above configuration, the operator can clearly recognize the case where the drawing of the cassettes 3 and 4 from the apparatus main body is restricted and the case where it is not restricted depending on the operation state of the apparatus main body. It is possible to prevent a mistake in pulling out the cassette due to carelessness or erroneous operation. As a result, it is possible to prevent the sheet P from being broken or jammed, thereby eliminating wasteful consumption, and it is possible to prevent damage to the recording head 22 and the like and deterioration of the quality of a read image due to vibration and the like.

In an apparatus having a plurality of cassettes, which cassette has consumed the sheets P, what is the currently selected sheet size and material, etc., Since it can be judged at a glance whether it is stored,
An intuitive and easy-to-understand seat maintenance environment can be realized.

Further, the identification signal of the apparatus main body is transmitted to cassettes 3 and 4.
Can be transmitted in a non-contact manner, so that there is no occurrence of abrasion or poor contact due to rubbing at a contact portion.

In the above embodiment, the status display in the apparatus main body and the cassette is performed by using the two display portions of the size label 43 and the operation display label 44, but the lighting and blinking are performed using only the size label 43. Can also be displayed.

[Second Embodiment] Next, another configuration of the identification display means in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the front surface of the upper cassette 3, showing a partially cut-away cross section cut by a horizontal plane passing through the size label 43 and the operation display label 44. The same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

On the front surface of the upper cassette 3, light guide paths 52 and 53 having a cavity having an L-shaped plane are formed side by side. The light guides 52 and 53 connect the size label 43 and the operation display label 44 attached to the front surface of the cassette, and the light generating means on the apparatus main body side, respectively. Optical fiber cables are used as the light guides 52 and 53, and near the ends of the light guides 52 and 53 on the device body side, light emitted from the display lamp group 47 is condensed and focused on the entrance of the cable. Such condensing lenses 54 and 55 are arranged respectively. In the vicinity of the ends of the light guide paths 52 and 53 on the cassette 3 side, light diffusing lenses 56 and 57 for dispersing the light passing through the cable onto the size label 43 and the operation display label 44 are arranged, respectively.

The light emitted from the display lamp group 47 is
The light is guided into the light guides 52 and 53 via the condensing lenses 54 and 55, travels along the light guides 52 and 53, and passes through the size labels 43 and the operation display labels 44 via the diffuser lenses 56 and 57, and the outside of the apparatus body Will be released.

According to the above configuration, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. The display can also be performed by turning on and blinking using only the size label 43. Further, since the identification signal of the apparatus main body can be transmitted to the cassettes 3 and 4 in a non-contact manner, the sliding by the contact portion can be performed. No abrasion or poor contact occurs due to rubbing.

[Third Embodiment] Next, another structure of the identification display means in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the configuration of the front part of the upper cassette 3 and the lower cassette 4, and shows the cross-sectional configuration of the main part of the lower cassette 4. The upper cassette 3 and the lower cassette 4 have the same configuration, and the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the lower cassette 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, a red,
A display member 58 having a plate 58a colored in two blue colors and a magnetic body 58b attached to the plate 58a is provided so as to be movable in the directions of arrows k and l. A spring 59 whose one end is fixed in the cassette 4 is connected to the plate 58a, and the display member 58 is constantly pulled in the direction of arrow l. Directional movement is restricted.

An opening 61 is provided on the front surface of the cassette 4.
Are provided, and a part of the red and blue portions of the plate 58a of the display member 58 provided inside the opening 61 can be recognized from the outside through the opening 61.

A winding resistor 62 is wound around an iron core 63 on the side of the main body corresponding to the display member 58, and is turned on / off by a command from the control means 50 to connect the electromagnet to the electromagnet. Become. The winding is wound so as to attract the magnetic body 58b when it becomes an electromagnet.

FIG. 8A shows a case where the apparatus main body is in a state where the sheet is not fed, the switch of the winding resistor 62 is in an OFF state, and the display member 58 is moved by an arrow 1 by a spring 59.
It is pulled in the direction and abuts the stopper 60 to be in a stationary state. Therefore, the blue portion of the plate 58a is visible from the opening 61, and the operator can recognize that the lower cassette 4 can be pulled out.

FIG. 8B shows a case where the sheet P is being fed from the lower cassette 4, the switch of the winding resistor 62 is in the ON state, and the iron core 63 is magnetized to become an electromagnet. The display member 58 moves in the direction of the arrow k by attracting the magnetic body 58b. Accordingly, the red portion of the plate 58a can be seen from the opening 61, and the operator can recognize that the sheet P is being fed from the lower cassette 4 and the lower cassette 4 cannot be pulled out.

In the present embodiment, the ON / OFF timing of the switch of the winding resistor 62 is used for recognizing whether the sheet P is being fed from the cassette 4 or not, but during the selection of the cassette. May be used to indicate that the sheet P is not selected, or to indicate the presence or absence of the sheet P in the cassette, and may be provided at a plurality of locations in combination.

With the above configuration, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, since the identification signal of the apparatus main body can be transmitted to the cassettes 3 and 4 in a non-contact manner, there is no occurrence of abrasion or poor contact due to rubbing at the contact portion.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, another configuration of the identification display means in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the front portion of the upper cassette 3 and the lower cassette 4, and shows the cross-sectional configuration of the main portion of the lower cassette 4. The upper cassette 3 and the lower cassette 4 have the same configuration, and the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

Hereinafter, the structure of the lower cassette 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, a display member 64 is provided on the front surface of the cassette 4. The display member 64 includes a rotation center member 64a, a blue display member 64b having a blue plate at the end of the arm, a red display member 64c having a red plate at the end of the arm, and a magnetic support member having a magnetic material at the end of the arm. The blue display member 64b, the red display member 64c, and the magnetic material support member 64d are integrally connected to the rotation center member 64a at a predetermined rotation angle. Is attached so as to be rotatable in the directions of arrows m and n. The display member 64 is configured so that rotation in the directions of arrows m and n is restricted by stoppers 65a and 65b.

The front of the cassette 4 has the third
Each of the openings 61 is provided similarly to the embodiment, and the blue display member of the display member 64 provided inside the opening 61 is provided.
A portion of the blue and red plates provided at the tips of the red display member 64b and the red display member 64c is configured to be recognized from outside through the opening 61.

A winding resistor 62 is wound around an iron core 63 on the device body side corresponding to the display member 64 as in the third embodiment. By turning ON / OFF, it becomes an electromagnet. The direction of the winding is such that when it becomes an electromagnet, it is wound in such a direction as to repel and separate from the magnetic material at the tip of the magnetic material supporting member 64d.

FIG. 9A shows a case where the apparatus main body is in the non-feeding state of the sheet, the switch of the winding resistor 62 is in the OFF state, and the display member 64 displays the arrow n by the rotational moment due to gravity. Rotating in the direction, the magnetic material support member 64d
Is in contact with the stopper 65b and is stationary. At this time, a part of the blue plate of the blue display member 64b is visible from the opening 61, and the operator can recognize that the lower cassette 4 can be pulled out.

FIG. 9B shows a case where the sheet P is being fed from the lower cassette 4, the switch of the winding resistor 62 is in the ON state, and the iron core 63 is magnetized to become an electromagnet. The display member 64 is repelled by the magnetic material of the magnetic material support member 46d, rotates in the direction of the arrow m, and the blue display member 64b comes into contact with the stopper 65a and is stationary. At this time, a part of the red plate of the red display member 64c is visible from the opening 61, and the operator is feeding the sheet P from the lower cassette 4 and cannot pull out the lower cassette 4. Can be recognized.

When the switch is turned off from the state shown in FIG. 9B and the energization of the winding resistor 62 is stopped, the repulsive force by the electromagnet is eliminated. It is configured to rotate in the direction and return to the state shown in FIG.

In the present embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the ON / OFF timing of the switch of the winding resistor 62 is used to recognize whether the sheet P from the cassette 4 is being fed or not. However, it may be used to display whether a cassette is being selected or not, or to display the presence / absence of a sheet P in a cassette, and these may be provided at a plurality of locations in combination. .

With the above configuration, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, since the identification signal of the apparatus main body can be transmitted to the cassettes 3 and 4 in a non-contact manner, there is no occurrence of abrasion or poor contact due to rubbing at the contact portion.

The identification display means shown in the first to fourth embodiments is arranged on the front surface of the cassettes 3 and 4, but may be arranged near the cassettes 3 and 4 on the apparatus main body side.

[Other Embodiments] In each of the embodiments described above, the ink jet recording system is used as the image forming means. However, an electric current is supplied to the electrothermal converter according to a recording signal, and the heat applied by the electrothermal converter is applied. It is further preferable that the recording is performed by discharging the ink from the discharge port by the growth and shrinkage of the bubble generated in the ink using the film boiling generated in the ink by the energy.

As for the representative configuration and principle, it is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, the system is arranged corresponding to a sheet or a liquid path holding a liquid (ink). By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise above nucleate boiling to
This is effective because heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, causing film boiling on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, and as a result, bubbles in the liquid corresponding to this drive signal one-to-one can be formed. The liquid is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are immediately and appropriately performed, so that particularly excellent liquid ejection can be achieved, which is more preferable.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable.

Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, The present invention also includes a configuration using U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,558,333 and 4,459,600 which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal transducer for a plurality of electrothermal transducers, and an aperture for absorbing pressure waves of thermal energy. Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
The effect of the present invention is effective even in a configuration based on JP-A-59-138461. That is, according to the present invention, the recording can be performed reliably and efficiently regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium on which a recording apparatus can record.

Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by combining a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as a single recording head that is integrally formed.

In addition, even in the case of the serial type described above, the recording head fixed to the carriage or mounted on the carriage enables electrical connection with the apparatus main body and supply of ink from the apparatus main body. A replaceable chip type recording head or a cartridge type recording head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself may be used.

It is preferable to add recording head recovery means, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as components of the recording apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specific examples include capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal conversion type or another heating element or a combination thereof,
Performing a preliminary ejection mode in which ejection is performed separately from printing is also effective for performing stable printing.

The type and number of recording heads mounted on the carriage are, for example, not only those provided for one color ink but also a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. May be provided in plurality. That is, for example, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing mode of only a mainstream color such as black, and may be a combination of a plurality of print heads integrally formed. To at least one of the full-color devices.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens or liquefies at room temperature, or an ink jet recording system The ink itself
Generally, the temperature is controlled within the range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in the stable ejection range. Good. In addition, actively prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as the energy of the state change from the solid state of the ink to the liquid state,
Alternatively, an ink that solidifies in a standing state for the purpose of preventing evaporation of the ink is used, and in any case, the ink is liquefied by application of a heat energy according to a recording signal, and a liquid ink is discharged, or a recording sheet is used. Can be applied to the case where an ink which is liquefied for the first time by thermal energy, such as one which starts to solidify at the time when the temperature reaches.

The ink in such a case is disclosed in JP-A-54-5
No. 6847 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 60-71260, in which the porous sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter in a state of being held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. It is good. The most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-described film boiling method.

Further, as the form of the ink jet recording apparatus described above, in addition to those used as image output terminals of information processing equipment such as computers, copying apparatuses combined with readers and the like, and facsimile apparatuses having a transmission / reception function are also available. It may take a form.

Although an example in which an ink jet recording method is used as the above-described image forming means has been described, the present invention does not need to limit the recording method to the ink jet recording method.
In addition, a recording method other than an impact recording method such as a thermal transfer recording method, a thermal recording method, and a wire dot recording method can be applied. It is not necessary to limit to the serial recording method, and a so-called line recording method may be used.

[0091]

According to the present invention, as described above, the operator can clearly recognize whether the sheet storage device is restricted from being pulled out of the apparatus main body or not depending on the operation state of the apparatus main body. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a mistake in pulling out the sheet storage device due to carelessness or incorrect operation. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of sheet breakage and jamming, thereby eliminating wasteful consumption, and prevent damage to the image forming means and the like and deterioration in the quality of a read image due to vibrations.

In an image forming apparatus having a plurality of sheet storage devices, which cassette has consumed the sheets, what is the currently selected sheet size and material, and which sheet is selected Since it can be determined at a glance whether or not the sheet is stored in the sheet storage device, an intuitive and easy-to-understand sheet maintenance environment can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a front portion of a cassette according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged explanatory view of the front surface of the cassette according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system of the apparatus main body according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a front surface of the cassette according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a front portion of an upper cassette according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a front portion of upper and lower cassettes according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a front portion of upper and lower cassettes according to a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A: reading section B: recording section P: sheet 1: original cover 2: operation section 3, 4: cassette 5: sheet discharge port 6: main scanning frame 7, main scanning motor 8, 11, endless belt 12: sub scanning Rail 13 Pickup roller 14 Feed motor 15 Feed solenoid 16 Sheet presence detecting means 17 Cassette size detecting means 18a, 18b Transport roller pair 19a, 19b Discharge roller pair 20 Transport motor 21 Platen 22 Recording head 23 ... Carriage 24 ... Guide rail 25 ... Drive pulley 26 ... Driving pulley 27 ... Timing belt 28 ... Carriage motor 39 ... Front plate 40,61 ... Opening 41,42,52,53 ... Light guide 43 ... Size label 44 ... operation display labels 45, 46 ... reflection mirrors 47 ... display lamp groups 48, 49 ... lamp mounting parts 50 ... control means 50a ... CPU 50b ... ROM 50c ... RAM 54, 55 ... condenser lenses 56, 57 ... diffused lenses 58 , 64 ... Radical 113 material 58a ... plate 58b ... magnetic body 59 ... spring 60,65a, 65b ... stopper 62 ... winding resistance 63 ... core 64a ... rotation center member 64b ... blue display member 64c ... red display member 64d ... magnetic support member

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having a plurality of sheet storage devices for stacking and storing sheets so that the sheets can be fed, wherein an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet supplied from the sheet storage device in accordance with image information. And an identification display means for identifying and displaying an operation state of the apparatus main body near a drawer side of the sheet storage apparatus. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification display unit includes a state indicating whether the sheet storage apparatus is selected, a state indicating whether a sheet is present in the sheet storage apparatus, and feeding a sheet from the sheet storage apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the states of "inside" and "outside" can be identified. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said identification display means includes light generation means for generating light in accordance with an operation state of the apparatus main body, and displays light emitted from said light emission means on a display unit. The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 4. The identification display means includes: a magnetic force generating means for generating a magnetic force in accordance with an operation state of the apparatus main body; and a movable member displaceable by a magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generating means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the displacement is displayed on a display unit. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an ink jet recording system in which an image forming unit performs recording by discharging ink according to a signal.