KR20170094513A - Image forming apparatus and sheet feeding device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an image forming device which can easily perform an operation such as a jam process in an opening space of a member which can be opened. The image forming device comprises: a main assembly; an image forming part forming an image on a sheet; a member which can be opened by being rotatably supported on the main assembly; a first carrier guide provided in the member which can be opened; a second carrier guide provided in the main assembly, forming a sheet carrier path returning the sheet between the first carrier guide and the second carrier guide when the member which can be opened is closed; a hole provided in the first carrier guide; and a lighting device, when opening the member which can be opened, lighting at least a part of the second carrier guide through the hole, and provided in the member which can be opened.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus,

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having an openable member that is opened when a jam of a sheet occurs.

An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer has a sheet conveying apparatus that conveys a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming section.

The sheet conveying apparatus has a reversing section for conveying the sheet in a switchback manner, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2011-11838. The reversing section has an exhaust transport path, an inversion induction path, a switchback path, and an inversion discharge path. The discharge conveying path is a sheet conveying path for guiding the sheet to eject the sheet on which the image is formed from the image forming apparatus. The inversion induction path is a conveyance path branched from the discharge conveyance path. The switchback path is a sheet conveyance path in which a sheet that has passed through the inversion induction path is drawn in to turn the sheet on which the image is formed and invert the leading and trailing ends of the sheet with respect to the sheet conveyance direction. The reverse discharge path is a sheet conveying path joining the discharge conveying path for guiding the sheet to discharge the sheet drawn into the switchback path from the image forming apparatus. In the case of an image forming apparatus capable of achieving double-sided (two-sided) image formation for forming an image on the surfaces (faces) of the sheet, the sheet conveying apparatus is configured such that the front end portion and the rear end, And also has a double-sided transport path which is a sheet transport path through which the reversed sheet is transported.

However, in the case where a jam occurs in the image forming apparatus, a "jam clearance" is required to remove the sheet causing the jam. Therefore, the openable member is provided as a part of the image forming apparatus, and the openable member is opened, and the sheet is removed by exposing the sheet conveying device and (sheet) conveying member. For example, in some cases, a rotatable door (reversing door) is provided on the side from which the sheet of the image forming apparatus is discharged so as to expose the sheet conveying path and the conveying member of the reversing section.

There is also a case where a decurling unit for correcting a curled state of a sheet on which an image is formed and an optional unit for performing a post-processing such as a finisher for stapling may be additionally mounted on the image forming apparatus. When the optional unit is mounted in the image forming apparatus, the optional unit and the chemical forming apparatus are integrally used as the image forming system.

JP-A 2003-241454 discloses a configuration in which a lamp is provided in an openable door that opens a transportation path, and a lamp is illuminated by a lamp when the door is opened.

However, when the optional unit is mounted in the image forming apparatus, it may not be easy to perform operations such as jam processing.

For example, a case in which the jam occurs in the above-described inverting portion in a state in which the option unit is connected to the side from which the sheet of the image forming apparatus is discharged is considered. In this case, the opening / closing angle of the reversing door is reduced due to the influence of the presence of the option unit, and the space (open space) for performing the jam processing when the reversing door is opened becomes narrower. Further, in order to maintain the reversing door in an openable state or the like, an element such as a sheet conveyance path of the option unit is disposed above the reversing door. As a result, the shadows of the option unit and the openable member are dropped, the open space of the reverse door is darkened, and the visibility of the sheet staying in the sheet conveyance path is sometimes deteriorated. As a result, it is not easy to perform the jam process.

Further, in the configuration of JP-A 2003-241454, when the door is opened, the lamp is exposed in the open space by opening the door. Thereby, the lamp constitutes an obstacle when removing the staying sheet.

The present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of easily performing operations such as jam processing in an open space of an openable member.

According to one aspect of the present invention, An image forming section for forming an image on a sheet; An openable member rotatably supported by the main assembly; A first conveying guide provided on the openable member; And a second conveying guide provided on the main assembly to form a sheet conveying path for conveying the sheet by the first and second conveying guides when the openable member is closed; A hole provided in the first conveying guide; And an illuminating device provided in the openable member for illuminating at least a part of the second conveying guide through the hole when the openable member is opened.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming system.
2 is a perspective view of an image forming system.
3 is a perspective view of the reversing door and its vicinity;
4 is a perspective view of the image forming system at the time of operation of the reversing door.
5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus in which the finisher is not mounted.
6 is a cross-sectional view of the reversing door and its vicinity.
Figure 7 is a flow chart of an example of control for lighting and lighting an illumination device (lighting device).
8 is a perspective view showing the outer surface of the reversing door.
9 is a flow chart of another example of control for turning on and off a lighting device.
10 is a perspective view of the reversing door.

An image forming apparatus and an image forming system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Example 1]

1. Image forming system

1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming system 100 of the present embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming system 100. Fig.

The image forming system 100 has an image forming apparatus 1 and a finisher 80 as an optional unit. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is a color image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system. Particularly, in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 adopts the intermediate transfer tandem system in which the image forming units for four colors are provided and arranged on the intermediate transfer belt, from the advantages such as adaptability to various sheets and excellent print productivity . Further, in the present embodiment, the finisher (post-processing apparatus) 80 has a post-processing function such as stapling or saddle stitching.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a sheet conveying section 101 for conveying a sheet (recording material, transfer material) S such as a recording sheet and a sheet conveying section 101 for conveying the sheet S conveyed by the sheet conveying section 101 (Conveying) section 109 for conveying (conveying) the sheet. In this embodiment, the sheet conveying unit 101 is constituted by the sheet conveying unit 101 and the sheet conveying unit 109. [ The image forming apparatus 1 has an image forming portion 102 for forming an image on a sheet S conveyed by the sheet conveying portion 109. [

The sheet conveying section 101 has sheet accommodating sections 30 to 34 and sheet conveying members 35 to 39.

The image forming unit 102 includes the photosensitive members 61Y, 61M, 61C and 61K, the charging units 62 (62Y, 62M, 62C and 62K), the exposure units 63 (63Y, 63M, 63C and 63K And developing devices 64 (64Y, 64M, 64C, and 64K). The image forming section 102 also has primary transfer devices 66 (66Y, 66M, 66C, and 66K) and photoconductor cleaners 65 (65Y, 65M, 65C, and 65K). The image forming portion 102 further includes an intermediate transfer belt 67 on which the toner images formed on the photosensitive members 61Y, 61M, 61C and 61K are primarily transferred, and a secondary transfer belt 67 on which the toner images are transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 67 to the sheet S. [ And a secondary transfer roller 43 which is a secondary transfer device for transferring the secondary transfer roller 43 to the secondary transfer roller 43. [ The intermediate transfer belt 67 is wound by rollers such as a driving roller 68 as a staple roller, a tension roller 69 and an inner secondary transfer roller 70 and is rotated in the direction of arrow R (clockwise) (Conveyed). The image forming section 102 also has a fixing device 45 for fixing the image on the sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred.

The sheet conveying section 109 has feed conveying paths 40 and 41 which are sheet conveying paths through which the sheet S conveyed by the sheet conveying members 35 to 39 of the sheet conveying section 101 passes. The sheet conveying section 109 is also configured to convey the sheet S to the secondary transfer section (secondary transfer nip) N, which is the contact portion between the intermediate transfer belt 67 and the secondary transfer roller 43, And a pair of rollers 42. The sheet conveying section 109 also has a pre-fixing conveying belt 44 for feeding the sheet S to which the toner image has been transferred to the fixing device 45. [ Downstream of the fixing device 45, there is provided a post-fixing conveyance path 59 in which an inner discharge roller pair 46 is provided. The sheet conveying section 109 has an inverting section 85 which is provided downstream of the conveying path 59 after fixing in the (sheet) conveying direction of the sheet S and conveys the sheet in a switchback manner. After the fixing, the conveying path 59 and the inverting portion 85 are connected to each other through an outlet (first connecting portion) 59a of the post-fixing conveying path 59 which is a first horizontal path extending substantially horizontally.

The inverting section 85 has a discharge conveying path 51, an inversion induction path 52, a switchback path 55 and an inversion discharge path 56. [ The discharge conveying path 51 connected to the post-fixing conveying path 59 at the upstream end in the conveying direction is provided with a sheet S for discharging the sheet S on which the image is formed from the image forming apparatus 1 And is a guiding sheet conveying path. The inversion induction path 52 connected to the post-fixing conveyance path 59 at the upstream end in the conveyance direction is a sheet conveyance path branched from the post-fixing conveyance path 59. The switchback path 55 is a path in which the sheet S having passed through the inversion induction path 52 is pulled in so as to turn over the sheet S and reverse the front end portion and the rear end portion of the sheet S in the carrying direction, Sheet transport path. The reverse discharge path 56 is a sheet conveying path joining the discharge conveying path 51 for guiding the sheet S drawn into the switchback path 55 to be discharged from the image forming apparatus 1. The inverting section 85 also has an upper reversing roller pair 53 and a lower reversing roller pair 54 which are conveying members provided along the switchback path 55. The reversing portion 85 also has an outer discharge roller pair 49 which is a conveyance member for conveying the sheet S discharged from the fixing device 45. [

The sheet conveying section 109 also has a double-sided (two-sided) conveying path 47 as a sheet conveying path for conveying the sheet S inverted in the conveying direction from the switchback path 55 of the inverting section 85 . The switchback path 55 and the double-sided conveying path 47 are connected to each other via an inlet (second connecting portion) 47a of the double-sided conveying path 47 which is a second horizontal path extending substantially horizontally. The double-sided transport path 47 is connected to the supply transport path 41. The sheet conveying section 109 also has a pair of double-sided rollers 48a to 48d as a conveying member for conveying the sheet S passing through the double-sided conveying path 47. [

In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with an operation screen 303. The operation screen 303 functions not only as a display device for displaying information on the image forming apparatus 1 but also as an input device for inputting various setting values to the image forming apparatus 1. [

On the other hand, the finisher 80 includes a buffer path unit 181 for conveying the sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus 1 and a post-process unit for processing the sheet S conveyed by the buffer path unit 181 Unit (finisher main assembly). The buffer path unit 181 has a buffer path 81 which is a sheet conveyance path for guiding the sheet S conveyed to the post-processing unit 108. The buffer path 81 is connected to the discharge conveying path 51 of the image forming apparatus 1 on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the sheet S. [ The finisher 80 also has discharge stacking portions 83a to 83d through which the sheet S processed by the post-processing unit 108 is discharged. The buffer path unit 181 and the post-processing unit 108 are separate units and the image forming apparatus 1 may be connected to the post-processing unit 108 via the buffer path unit 181. [

2. Sheet conveying process

The sheets S are stacked and housed in the sheet accommodating portions 30 to 34 and conveyed by the sheet conveying portions 35 to 39 in accordance with the image forming timing in the image forming portion 102. [ The sheet S conveyed by each of the sheet conveying sections 35 to 39 passes through each of the sheet conveying paths 40 and 41 and is conveyed to the pair of resist rollers 42. [

The conveyed sheet S strikes the pair of resist rollers 42 to form a loop of the sheet. As a result, the leading end portion of the sheet S follows the resist roller pair 42, and the skew of the sheet S is corrected. The resist roller pair 42 is used to correct the skew of the sheet S and then feed the sheet S to the secondary transfer portion N at a predetermined timing in accordance with the image forming timing on the sheet S do. That is to say, the pair of resist rollers 42 are arranged so that the sheet S is conveyed to the secondary transfer portion N (N) in accordance with the timing at which the toner image carried on the intermediary transfer belt 67 as the image bearing member reaches the secondary transfer portion N .

The secondary transfer portion N is formed by an inner secondary transfer roller 70 and a secondary transfer roller 43 disposed opposite to each other via the intermediary transfer belt 67, As shown in FIG. In the secondary transfer portion N, the toner image is transferred (secondary transfer) onto the sheet S by applying a predetermined pressing force and a predetermined electrostatic load bias.

3. Image forming process

An image forming process performed at the same timing as the above-described sheet conveying process up to the secondary transfer section N will be described. The surface of the rotating photoconductor 61 is uniformly charged by the charging device 62. [ The surface of the electrified photoconductor 61 is scanned and exposed by the exposure apparatus 63. The exposure apparatus 63 is driven based on the transmitted image information signal. Thus, an electrostatic latent image (electrostatic image) is formed on the photoconductor 61. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 61 is positioned (visualized) by the developing device 64 using the toner as a developer. Thus, a toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 61. The toner image on the photoreceptor 61 is transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer belt 67 by giving a predetermined pressing force and a predetermined electrostatic load bias by the primary transfer device 66. [ The toner (transfer residual toner) remained on the photoconductor 61 after the primary transfer step is removed from the surface of the photoconductor 61 by the photoconductor cleaner 65 and is recovered.

In the formation of a full color image, the above-described image forming process is performed for each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K). The toner images of the respective colors Y, M, C, and K formed on the respective photoreceptors 61 are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 67 and transferred. Thereby, a toner image for a full-color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 67. [

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 can also form monochromatic images of one color such as black.

4. Process after secondary transfer

The toner image is transferred (secondary transfer) onto the sheet S from the intermediate transfer belt 67 in the secondary transfer portion N as described above. Thereafter, the sheet S is conveyed to the fixing device 45 by the conveyance belt 44 before fixing. The fixing device 45 fixes (fuses and fixes) the toner image on the sheet S by a predetermined pressing force against a roller or a belt provided opposite to each other and heat by a heat source such as a heater.

The sheet S on which the image is fixed is conveyed by the inner discharge roller pair 46 in the conveying path 59 after the fixing and is conveyed to the discharge conveying path 51 or the inversion induction path 52. A switching device (not shown) for selectively switching the sheet conveying path of the sheet S is provided at a branching portion between the discharge conveying path 51 and the reversing induction path 52. [ When the sheet S is discharged from the image forming apparatus 1, the discharge conveying path 51 is selected. When the sheet S is inverted or the leading and trailing ends of the sheet S are reversed and the sheet S is discharged from the image forming apparatus 1 or when an image is formed on the second surface in double- The inversion induction path 52 is selected.

The sheet S conveyed in the discharge conveying path 51 by the pair of inner discharge rollers 46 is discharged from the image forming apparatus 1 by the pair of outer discharge rollers 49. [ A buffer path 81 provided in the buffer path unit 181 of the finishing machine 80 is connected to the discharge conveying path 51. The sheet S conveyed by the pair of outer discharge rollers 49 is sent to the post-processing unit 108 through the buffer path 81 and is post-processed by the post-processing unit 108 as desired. And finally, the sheet S is discharged to the discharge stacking portions 83a to 83d.

The sheet S conveyed in the reversal induction path 52 is conveyed by the upper reversing roller pair 53 and the lower reversing roller pair 54 to the switchback path 52. In this case, (55). The direction of rotation of the pair of lower reversing rollers 54 is switched to the direction opposite to the direction in which the sheet S is pulled in so that the leading end portion and the rear end portion of the sheet S pulled into the switchback path 55 are reversed do. Then, the sheet S is conveyed to the both-side conveyance path 47 by the pair of lower reversing rollers 54. [ Thereafter, the sheet S is conveyed in the both-side conveying path 47 by the pair of side rollers 48a to 48d, and is conveyed to the timing of the succeeding sheet S conveyed by the respective sheet conveying members 35 to 39 And joined to the conveying path 41 while being continuous. Then, the sheet S is conveyed to the secondary transfer portion N through the resist roller pair 42. Then, The image forming process for the back side (second side) is the same as that for the front side (first side), so that the description is omitted.

When the sheet S is turned over and then discharged from the image forming apparatus 1 after the front end and the rear end of the sheet S are reversed, S is led into the switchback path 55 from the inversion induction path 52. [ Thereafter, the rotation direction of the upper reversing roller pair 53 and the lower reversing roller pair 54 is switched in the direction opposite to the direction in which the sheet S is pulled in, whereby the sheet S is turned upside down, The rear end is reversed, and the sheet S is discharged from the switchback path 55. The sheet S is discharged from the image forming apparatus 1 by the pair of outer discharge rollers 49 through the reverse discharge path 56 and is fed to the buffer path 81 of the finisher 80 in the same manner as described above do.

5. Configuration for jam handling in the inverse part

A configuration for removing a sheet staying in the inverting unit 85 when jam occurs will be described.

3 is a perspective view of the inverting section 85 and its vicinities. 3, the illustration of the finisher 80 is omitted for easy understanding of the configuration of the inverting unit 85. [

The front side (surface) of the sheet of Fig. 1 is "front side (front side)" and the rear side of the sheet of Fig. 1 Side (back side) ". This forward and backward direction is substantially parallel to the rotational axis direction of the staple roller (68 to 70) for the photoreceptor (61) and the intermediate transfer belt (67). An operation screen 303 is provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus 1 and an operator such as a user or a service person in charge operates the image forming system 100 from the front side of the image forming apparatus 1 in general. The left and right directions of the image forming system 100 (the image forming apparatus 1 and the finisher 80) are the left and right directions when the image forming system 100 is viewed from the front side. The image forming system 100 is normally provided and used such that the longitudinal direction is substantially in the horizontal direction (direction substantially perpendicular to the gravitational direction). Although the vertical direction is the vertical direction in the gravity direction (vertical direction), it does not mean (immediately) directly above and (immediately) directly below, but refers to the upper and lower .

An inverting door 57 as an openable member is provided so as to expose the sheet conveying path and the conveying member of the inverting section 85 on the left side of the image forming apparatus 1, that is, on the side adjacent to the inverting section 85 do. The reversing door 57 is an example of an openable member that exposes at least a part of the sheet conveying path for guiding the sheet S in the sheet conveying apparatus 2 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1. [ The reversing door 57 is rotatably supported by a hinge portion 94 provided on the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1 in such a manner that the apparatus main assembly 4 of the image forming apparatus 1 4). In this embodiment, the reversing door 57 rotates around a rotation center (rotation axis) 93 arranged to extend in the direction of the substantial gravity of the hinge portion 94. That is, the reversing door 57 rotates the periphery of the rotation center 93 located on the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1 substantially in the horizontal direction. Thus, the releasable member is typically opened and closed by rotating about a rotation center substantially parallel to a plane substantially orthogonal to the plane of the sheet conveyed in the sheet conveyance path. In particular, in this embodiment, the openable member is opened and closed by rotating about a rotational center disposed along the substantial gravitational direction.

The reversing door 57 holds one roller of the upper reversing roller pair 53 and one roller of the lower reversing roller pair 54. [ The inner surface of the reversing door 57 constitutes a conveying guide surface (guide portion) 60 forming a switchback path 55 and an inversion induction path 52. As described above, in this embodiment, the sheet conveying apparatus 2 has the first path for discharging the sheet S on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 102, as the sheet conveying path. In the present embodiment, the sheet conveying apparatus 2 is a sheet conveying path which is turned upside down and in which the sheet S is pulled in order to reverse its leading end and trailing end in the conveying direction, . In this embodiment, the discharge conveying path 51 constitutes the first path. Further, in this embodiment, the reverse induction path 52, the switchback path 55, and the reverse discharge path 56 constitute the second path. Further, in this embodiment, the guide portion 60 of the reversing door 57 as the openable member forms at least a part of the above-mentioned second path.

As shown in Fig. 3, by rotating and opening the reversing door 57, not only the rollers constituting each of the upper reversing roller pair 53 and the lower reversing roller pair 54 are separated from each other, 52 and the switchback path 55 can be opened. The reverse conveyance path 51, the reverse induction path 52, the switchback path 55, the reverse discharge path 56, or the both-side conveyance path 47 are formed by rotating the reverse door 57 in this manner, A state in which the sheet S staying in the sheet S can be removed (jammed) can be formed.

The reversing door 57 has a locking mechanism 201 for locking the reversing door 57 in the closed position. The locking mechanism 201 has a hook shaft 202 rotatably provided to the reversing door 57 and a hook 92 and a knob 91 (FIG. 4) fixed to the hook shaft 202. The hook 92 locks the reverse door 57 to the closed position by engaging with a positioning pin (not shown) provided in the apparatus main assembly 4. [ The hook 92 can be released from the positioning pin by rotating the hook shaft 202 in the engagement disengaging direction by operating the knob 91 by the operator. On the other hand, when the reversing door 57 is closed, the hook 92 is automatically engaged with the positioning pin and locked.

Here, the opening operation of the reversing door 57 for performing jam processing is performed in a state in which the front side outer casing 209 provided in the buffer path unit 181 of the finisher 80 is opened as shown in Fig. 4 . At this time, the buffer path 81 is arranged above the reversing door 57, and the post-processing unit 108 is arranged on the left side of the reversing door 57. The rear side of the buffer path unit 181 is covered by a side plate and an outer casing (not shown). As described above, in this embodiment, the reversing door 57 is kept openable even in the state in which the finisher 80 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1. However, since the post-processing unit 108 is present on the left side of the reversing door 57, the opening and closing angle (rotatable angle) of the reversing door 57 is limited to about 30 degrees. When the reversing door 57 is opened The space (operation space) where jam processing is performed becomes narrow. Further, since there is an element of the finisher 80 on the upper side and the left side of the upward and reverse door 57, only the light from the front side is substantially contained in the open space of the reverse door 57.

5, when the finisher 80 is not mounted on the image forming apparatus 1, the discharge tray 50 provided on the side adjacent to the inverting section 85 of the image forming apparatus 1 The sheet S on which the image is formed is discharged. In this state, the reversing door 57 can be opened by about 90 degrees in the horizontal direction. Further, since there is no member for substantially blocking light around the open space of the reverse door 57, the open space of the reverse door 57 is sufficiently illuminated.

That is, in the present embodiment, the finisher 80 for receiving the sheet S from the sheet conveying apparatus 2 can be arbitrarily mountable in the image forming apparatus 1. The reversing door 57 of the image forming apparatus 1 can be opened in a state in which the finisher 80 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1. [ The reversing door 57 is disposed in the image forming apparatus 100 in a state where the finisher 80 is not attached to the image forming apparatus 1 when the ambient light conditions around the image forming system 100 are substantially equal. 1 is placed at a position where the open space when the reversing door 57 is opened in a state where the finisher 80 is mounted is darkened. Particularly, in this embodiment, the opening and closing angle of the reversing door 57 is set such that the finisher 80 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 rather than in a state where the finisher 80 is not mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 It is smaller in the state.

6. Lighting

An illumination (lighting) device for lighting the open space of the reversing door 57 in the present embodiment will be described.

As described above, when the finisher 80 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1, the opening and closing angle of the reversing door 57 is limited and only the light from the front side enters the open space of the reversing door 57 Therefore, it is difficult to recognize the sheet S staying in the sheet conveying path. That is, in the state that the finisher 80 is mounted, the periphery of the open space of the reversing door 57 is partially surrounded by the finisher 80 and the reversing door 57, so that it darkens, so that it stays in the sheet conveyance path The visibility of the sheet S on which the sheet S is present is reduced. As a result, jam processing is not easy to be performed.

3, the image forming apparatus 1 illuminates at least the sheet conveying path exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 when the reversing door 57 is opened And an illuminating device 3 provided in the inverting door 57. [

Fig. 10 is a front perspective view of the reversing door 57, showing the arrangement of the lighting apparatus 3. Fig. In this embodiment, the reversing door 57 has a guide portion 60 that forms an inversion induction path 52 and a switchback path 55 as at least a part of the sheet conveyance path. A space is formed between the guide portion 60 and the door outer casing 57b forming the outer surface of the reversing door 57. [ In this embodiment, the illumination device 3 is disposed in this space, more specifically, on the side of the door outer casing 57a on the side of the guide portion 60 side. That is, the illumination device 3 is disposed between the guide portion 60 and the outer surface 57c facing the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 of the reversing door 57. By disposing the illuminating device 3 inside the guide portion 60 as described above, the transportation of the sheet S is not adversely affected. In addition, since the lighting apparatus 3 is not exposed to the open space by opening the reversing door 57, the lighting apparatus 3 is not disturbed in the removal of the staying sheet S. Further, the conveying guide (guide portion) 60 is provided with a hole 60a that allows dissipation of water vapor generated by heating the sheet S through fixing. In this embodiment, the hole 60a is used as a transparent portion for transmitting the light of the illumination device 3, and the light from the illumination device 3 is passed through the hole 60a to the both- Lighting.

8, the second illuminating device for illuminating the outer surface of the reversing door 57 in a state in which the reversing door 57 is closed is provided with a knob 91 for illuminating the knob 91, A lighting device 33 is provided. In the present embodiment, the handle 91 is provided in the recess provided in the door outer casing 57b which forms the outer surface of the reversing door 57. [ In this embodiment, the handle lighting device 33 is disposed above the handle 91. By illuminating the space of the recess 57a with the light from the lighting device 33 for the knob, the handle 91 ). At this time, the outer surface of the reversing door 57 constituting the inside and the outside of the concave portion 57a is illuminated by the light from the illuminating device 33 for hand.

In this embodiment, an LED lighting apparatus using an LED (light-emitting diode) is used as a light source in relation to the illumination apparatus 3 and the handle illumination apparatus 33. [ The light source of the illumination device 3 and the handle illumination device 33 is not limited to the LED (lighting device) but may be an incandescent lamp, a fluorescent lamp, or the like. However, from the viewpoint of low power consumption, relatively small size, etc., LEDs can be preferably used.

The reversing guide path 52, the switchback path 55, the reversing discharge path 56, and the both-side transport path 47 when the reversing door 57 is opened. At least a part of each is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 so that the operator approaches each sheet conveying path. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the illuminating device 3 is disposed on the reverse door 57 side so that light is illuminated on the sheet S staying in the associated sheet conveyance path on the apparatus main assembly 4 side.

The illuminating device 3 provided in the reverse door 57 is turned on and illuminates the open space of the reversing door 57 to improve the visibility of the sheet S staying in the related sheet conveying path , It is possible to facilitate the operation of jam processing.

The reason why the illumination device 3 is provided on the side of the reverse door 57 is that it is possible to illuminate the sheets S staying in the plurality of sheet conveying paths together and provide a lighting device for each sheet conveying route In comparison, the provision of the lighting device 3 is connected by saving power and reducing the number of parts.

In the present embodiment, the branch point (junction point) between the discharge conveying path 51 and the reversal induction path 52, that is, the exit 59a of the conveying path 59 after the fixing is formed on the left side surface of the apparatus main assembly 4 It is easy to darken in deep position. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the illuminating device 3 is disposed at substantially the same height (slightly below it) as the bifurcation point so as to sufficiently illuminate the vicinity of the bifurcation point. The light is diffused radially so that the sheet S staying in the entrance 47a of the both-side transport path 47 and the reverse discharge path 56 can also be illuminated with light.

That is, in the present embodiment, the sheet conveying path (switchback path 55 and inversion induction path 52) formed by the guide portion 60 of the reversing door 57 extends in the vertical direction. (First horizontal path) 59, which is a sheet conveying path extending in the vertical direction and a sheet conveying path that extends substantially horizontally, is connected to an outlet (first connecting portion) 59a of the conveying path 59 after the fixing, Respectively. The sheet transport path extending in the vertical direction and the both-side transport path (second horizontal path) 47, which is a sheet transport path extending substantially horizontally, are provided at the entrance of the double- 3, when the reversing door 57 is opened, the inlet 47a of the both-side transportation path 47 and the outlet 59a of the post-fixing transportation path 59 are exposed The position of the illuminating device 3 in the height direction is between the entrance 47a of the double-sided conveying path 47 and the exit 59a of the conveying path 59 after fixing. The illuminating device 3 can effectively illuminate both the entrance 47a of the both-side conveying path 47 and the exit 59a of the conveying path 59 after fixing.

In the present embodiment, the front-rear direction position of the illuminating device 3 is set as follows. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the reversing door 57 in the state in which the reversing door 57 is opened and the vicinity thereof. In this embodiment, the illuminating device 3 is provided with a sheet conveying path (for example, a discharge conveying path 51) in the direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet S in the image forming apparatus 1, (The center of the conveyance path) 99 of the switching door 57 (the switchback path 55). That is, in this embodiment, the illuminating device 3 is arranged in the image forming apparatus 1 with respect to the conveying path center 99 in the direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet S in the image forming apparatus 1 1). The illuminating device 3 is disposed within the width (A in Fig. 6) of the sheet S of the maximum size in the front-rear direction (the direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet S). That is, the illuminating device 3 is a recording material (image forming means) capable of forming an image by the image forming apparatus 1 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet S in the image forming apparatus 1 S in the width direction of the recording material S which has the maximum width in the same direction. Further, in this embodiment, the illuminating device 3 is arranged so that its optical axis (optical path center) 31 extends toward the vicinity of the conveyance path center 99. Specifically, the optical axis 31 of the illumination device 3 extends in the following direction. That is, at this time, the optical axis 31 of the illumination device 3 extends toward the rotation center side of the reversing door 57 with respect to the conveyance path center 99 or the conveyance path center 99.

When the jam processing is performed in the open space by opening the reversing door 57 by disposing the lighting apparatus 3 closer to the rotation center 93 than the conveyance path center 99, The vicinity of the conveyance path center 99 can be illuminated with light.

When the lighting apparatus 3 is disposed nearer to the front side than the conveyance path center 99, the angle of the opening of the reversing door 57 is increased, (Forward direction) from the conveyance path center 99. [0064] As shown in Fig. The shift amount of the optical axis 31 is larger in this case than in the case where the illuminating device 3 is disposed closer to the rotation center 93 than the conveyance path center 99. [ Therefore, when the opening angle? Of the reversing door 57 is changed by the contact with the reversing door 57 during the jam process, for example, the optical axis 31 of the lighting device 3 stays in the seat transportation path It is considered that the workability deteriorates from the sheet S being used.

When the illuminating device 3 is closer to the rotation center 93 than the conveying path center 99, that is, when the illuminating device 3 is in a position close to the dark part, the reversing door 57 Can be more satisfactorily illuminated by the illuminating device 3. [0064] This makes it possible to prevent incomplete removal of the sheet staying in the sheet conveying path.

7. Illumination Sequence of Lighting Device

The control flow of lighting and lighting of the lighting apparatus 3 will be described with reference to Fig. This control is executed by the CPU 301 (Fig. 2) as a control unit built in the image forming apparatus 1. [

First, when a jam detection signal is input (S100), the CPU 301 determines whether or not the sheet S exists in the reversing unit 85 (S101). The jam detection signal is input to the CPU 301 from, for example, a device for monitoring the discharge timing of the sheet S as the jam detecting means. The CPU 301 determines whether or not the sheet S of the reversing unit 85 is present based on the output of the sheet presence sensor 302 (FIG. 3) serving as sheet presence / absence detecting means provided in the inverting unit 85 do. When the CPU 301 determines that the sheet S does not exist in the reversing unit 85, the CPU 301 does not need to execute the jam processing in the reversing unit 85, so the processing (sequence) Lt; / RTI > On the other hand, when the CPU 301 determines that the sheet S exists in the inverting unit 85, the CPU 301 lights up the lighting apparatus 3 and the handrail lighting apparatus 33 (S102) An instruction to open the reverse door 57 is displayed on the operation screen 303 (S103). When the closing of the reversing door 57 is detected by the opening / closing sensor 304 (Fig. 3) serving as the opening / closing detecting means provided in the apparatus main assembly 4 after the jam processing, The presence or absence of the sheet S of the sheet 85 is determined (S105). When the sheet S is removed, the CPU 301 extinguishes the lighting device 3 and the lighting device for handles 33 (S106), and ends the process.

Further, the control of turning on and off of the lighting apparatus 3 and the lighting apparatus 33 for the knob may be performed as in the modified example in which only necessary portions are illuminated by light. Fig. 9 shows a flow of lighting control executed by the CPU 301 in this modification.

The CPU 301 determines whether or not the sheet S is staying (jammed) in the inverting unit 85 (S201). If the sheet S is staying (YES in S201), the CPU 301 determines whether or not the outer casing 209 is opened (S202). Here, opening / closing detection of the outer casing 209 provided in the buffer path unit 181 is performed by the opening / closing sensor 82 (Fig. 4). Further, until the outer casing 209 is opened, an indication is made to urge the operator to open the outer casing 209 on the operation screen 303. When the outer casing 209 is opened (YES in S202), the CPU 301 lights the lighting device 33 for hand (S203). Then, the CPU 301 determines whether the outer casing 209 is closed (S204). If the outer casing 209 is closed (YES in S204), the CPU 301 determines whether or not the lighting for the handrail The device 33 is extinguished (S210), and the sequence shifts to the process of S201. On the other hand, if the outer casing 209 is not closed (NO in S204), the CPU 301 determines whether or not the reversing door 57 is opened (S205). Further, an indication is made to urge the operator to open the reversing door 57 on the operation screen 303 until the reversing door 57 is opened after the outer casing 209 is opened.

When the reversing door 57 is opened (YES in S205), the CPU 301 turns off the handrail lighting device 33 and lights the lighting device 3 (S206). Then, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the reversing door 57 is opened (S207). If the reversing door 57 is closed (NO in S207), the CPU 301 controls the reversing door 85 (S208). If the sheet S is stagnated, The CPU 301 turns off the illumination device 3 (S209) and ends the process (sequence) if the sheet S does not remain in the inverting section 85 (NO in S208). On the other hand, when the sheet S is staying in the inverting unit 85 (YES in S208), the CPU 301 shifts the sequence in the process of S202, and if the outer casing 209 is open (YES in S202) ), The CPU 301 lights the lighting device 33 for the handle again.

The lighting apparatus 3 and the lighting apparatus 33 for a knob may be manually turned on as desired by a switch provided separately on the operation screen 303 or the like. For example, at the time of periodic cleaning, parts replacement, and the like, a service person can arbitrarily turn on the lighting apparatus 3, and work can be performed without preparing a lighting apparatus or the like separately.

It is also possible to light the illuminating device 3 and the handgrip illuminating device 33 when the finisher 80 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 and the finisher 80 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 It is also possible to employ a configuration in which the lighting apparatus 3 is not turned on when it is not mounted. In this case, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the finisher 80 is present according to the presence or absence of communication between itself and the finisher 80, and the CPU 301 determines that the finisher 80 exists ), The CPU 301 performs the same processing as the processing of S101 to S106 in Fig. When the CPU 301 determines that the finisher 80 does not exist and then inputs a jam detection signal, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the lighting process of the lighting device 3 in step S102 and the lighting process in step S106 3) are not performed, the same processing as the processing in S101 to S106 may be executed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a sheet conveying path (for example, a discharging conveying path, a switchback path, etc.) accessible by opening the reversing door 57, (Light source 55). Thereby, the open space of the reversing door 57 is illuminated with light, and the visibility of the sheet S staying in the sheet conveyance path can be improved. According to the present embodiment, by arranging the illuminating device 3 in the vicinity of the rotation center 93, the degree of change of the irradiation position of the illuminating device 3 according to the opening angle? The visibility of the sheet S staying in the sheet conveying path can be improved regardless of the opening angle alpha of the reversing door 57. [

[Other Embodiments]

As described above, although the present invention has been described based on specific embodiments, it is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

In the above-described embodiment, the hole provided in the guide portion is described as the transparent portion provided in the guide portion of the reversing door, but the transparent portion is not limited thereto. For example, a translucent member capable of sufficiently passing the light through the translucent member sufficiently transmitted through the illumination device may be used as the translucent member.

In the embodiment described above, the optional unit is connected to the side surface of the sheet discharging device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is conceivable to connect the sheet conveying apparatus for conveying the sheet to the image forming apparatus 1 as an option unit so as to be adjacent to the right side surface of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. In this case as well, the sheet conveying path of the sheet conveying portion 101 in the image forming apparatus 1 and the sheet conveying path of the sheet conveying portion 101 in the image forming apparatus 1, which are kept openable even when the option unit is mounted on the right side surface of the image forming apparatus 1, The openable member is exposed. Even in this case, by applying the present invention to the openable member, an effect similar to that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the openable member provided in the image forming apparatus is opened and closed for jam processing has been described. The present invention is very effective since the sheet conveying path and the conveying member in the vicinity of the sheet discharging section become dark when the optional unit is connected, for example, adjacent to the side on which the sheet of the image forming apparatus is discharged. However, the present invention is not limited to the openable member dedicated for jam processing, but may be applied to any openable member such as an openable member that is opened or closed for replacement of the replacement part of the image forming apparatus and cleaning in the image forming apparatus It can also be applied.

Further, it is preferable that the illuminating device is provided on the openable member as described above. However, when the illumination target is sufficiently illuminated by the illumination device, the illumination device may be provided on the apparatus main assembly side or the option unit side of the image forming apparatus as desired.

That is, the image forming system typically includes: an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet; and an image forming apparatus that removably connects to the image forming apparatus, in which a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus after the image is formed by the image forming apparatus, Processing apparatus. Further, the image forming system is provided with an openable member provided in the image forming apparatus, which is opened and closed in a space between the image forming apparatus and the post-processing apparatus, and an openable member provided in the openable member illuminating the openable space when the openable member is opened A configuration having a lighting device can be adopted.

While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims (18)

An image forming apparatus comprising:
A main assembly,
An image forming section for forming an image on the sheet,
An openable member rotatably supported by the main assembly,
A first conveying guide provided on the openable member,
And a second conveying guide provided on the main assembly for forming a sheet conveying path for conveying the sheet by the first and second conveying guides when the openable member is closed,
A hole provided in the first conveying guide,
And an illumination device provided in the openable member for illuminating at least a part of the second conveying guide through the hole when the openable member is opened. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the illumination device is disposed between the first conveying guide and the openable member. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet conveying path includes: a discharge conveying path for discharging a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming section; And a switchback path branching from the discharge conveyance path,
Wherein the first and second conveying guides form part of the discharge conveying path and the switchback path. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an optional unit for receiving a sheet discharged from the sheet conveying path may be mounted,
Wherein the openable member is capable of being opened in a state in which the option unit is mounted on the image forming apparatus and the open space when the openable member is opened is larger than that in the state in which the option unit is not mounted The image forming apparatus being darker in the mounted state. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the illumination device illuminates the sheet conveying path only when the option unit is mounted on the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the option unit is a decurling unit that corrects a curled state of a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the option unit is a binding processing unit that performs binding processing of a sheet on which the image is formed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the openable and closable angle of the openable member is smaller in a state in which the option unit is mounted than in a state in which the option unit is not mounted in the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a hinge provided on a rear side of the image forming apparatus,
Wherein the openable member rotates about a rotation center extending in a substantial gravity direction of the hinge portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the illuminating device is disposed on a side closer to the center of rotation than a center of the sheet conveying path in a direction substantially orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction in the image forming apparatus, . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the illumination device illuminates the second conveyance guide when a jam of the sheet is detected in the sheet conveyance path. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the illumination device illuminates the second conveyance guide when the openable member is opened. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the illuminating device is disposed within a width of a maximum size sheet in a direction substantially orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the openable member is provided on a side surface of the image forming apparatus from which the sheet is discharged. The method according to claim 1,
A handle provided on the openable member,
Further comprising a second illuminating device for illuminating the handle with the openable member closed. 16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein, in response to opening of the openable member, the illuminating device is turned on and the second illuminating device is turned off. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a fuser for heating and fixing the toner image transferred onto the sheet,
Wherein the hole dissipates water vapor generated by heating the sheet by the fixing device. A sheet conveying device comprising:
A main assembly,
An openable member rotatably supported by the main assembly,
A first conveying guide provided on the openable member,
And a second conveying guide provided on the main assembly for forming a sheet conveying path for conveying the sheet by the first and second conveying guides when the openable member is closed,
A hole provided in the first conveying guide,
And illuminates at least a part of the second conveying guide through the hole when the releasable member is opened.

Images