JP3607807B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a space serving as an in-body discharge unit is provided in an apparatus housing between a document reading unit and an image forming unit. It is.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An image forming apparatus provided with an in-body discharge section of the above type is already well known. In this type of image forming apparatus, since the paper discharge unit for stocking the image-formed paper is provided in the cylinder, there is no paper discharge unit protruding to the side from the apparatus main body, and the area occupied by the apparatus is remarkably reduced. There is an advantage that you can. However, when the paper discharge is provided in the cylinder, there is a problem that the paper discharge unit is dark, and in the case of a facsimile in particular, there is a possibility that the user does not notice that the received paper is discharged.
[0003]
In order to solve such a problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-339107 discloses that a lamp (light source) is provided in the in-cylinder sheet discharge unit to improve sheet discharge visibility.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the image forming apparatus described in the above publication, since a light source is installed in the in-cylinder sheet discharge unit, a space for installation must be provided in the in-cylinder sheet discharge unit region. There is a problem that the discharged paper may hit and jam. Furthermore, there is a problem that the workability of picking up the discharged paper is remarkably deteriorated due to the light source becoming an obstacle when taking out the discharged paper.
[0005]
The present invention eliminates the above-mentioned conventional problems, eliminates the need for a light source installation space in the in-cylinder paper discharge unit, and eliminates the in-cylinder discharge without degrading the workability of taking a jam or discharged paper from the light source. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving paper sheet discharge visibility.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a document reading unit is disposed at an upper position of the apparatus main body, and an image forming unit is disposed at a lower position of the apparatus main body, and an apparatus housing between the document reading unit and the image forming unit is provided. In the image forming apparatus provided with a space serving as an in-body discharge unit on the body, the light source provided in the casing of the document reading unit and the discharge unit space side of the casing of the document reading unit, A light transmitting means for transmitting the light of the light source, and the original reading light source is mounted on a traveling body that moves in the direction of scanning of the original, and the light source transmits the light when the original reading light source is turned on. When the vehicle is away from the position of the means, the traveling body is turned on after moving to the vicinity of the light transmitting means.
[0007]
In the present invention, the setting position of the light transmission means is provided apart from the document reading start position of the traveling body, and when the traveling body is located in the vicinity of the light transmission means, the setting of the read original is detected. In this case, it is effective if the traveling body moves to the document reading start position.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. An image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes an apparatus main body 101, a paper feed table 103 that is optionally mounted on the lower portion of the apparatus main body 101, and an automatic document feeder that is also optionally mounted on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 101. (Hereinafter referred to as ADF) 102. The image forming apparatus 100 is a so-called digital multi-function peripheral that has both the functions of a copying machine and a printer, and the function of a facsimile, and converts image information (optical signal) of a read original into an electrical signal to form an image. is there.
[0012]
In the apparatus main body 101, the image forming unit 1 is disposed substantially at the center, and the paper feeding unit 2 is positioned below the image forming unit 1. A scanner unit 3 as a document reading unit is disposed at the top of the main body. As shown in FIG. 2, a space is provided between the scanner unit 3 and the image forming unit 1, and this space is configured as an in-body discharge unit 4. The conventional image forming apparatus is configured as a wing type in which a paper discharge tray is extended to the side of the apparatus. However, the apparatus main body 101 according to the present embodiment takes advantage of the characteristics of a digital machine to form an image forming unit 1 and a scanner unit 3. , And a paper discharge space between the two to achieve winglessness, thereby realizing a space-saving image forming apparatus without protruding on the side of the apparatus.
[0013]
In the apparatus main body 101, the image forming unit 1 is configured as a conventionally known electrophotographic print engine and incorporates a laser writing device, an electrophotographic process means, a fixing device and the like (not shown). The paper feed unit 2 has a two-stage paper feed cassette 21 and supplies recording paper to the image forming unit 1. Each cassette 21 is a front loading type that pulls out toward the front side of the apparatus and replenishes paper. A drawer handle is provided at the center of the front of the cassette.
[0014]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the scanner unit 3 has a contact glass 301 disposed on the upper surface thereof, and a first carriage 304 as a traveling body on which a light source 302 and a first mirror 303 are mounted as a scanner unit. And a second carriage 306 on which the roof mirror 305 is mounted, and a lens 307 that forms an original light image on a CCD 308 as a photoelectric conversion element. The first carriage 304 and the second carriage 306 are normally positioned at the home position shown in FIG. 6, and are moved in the directions of the arrows at different speeds when reading of the original is started. The in-body discharge unit 4 is surrounded by wall surfaces on three sides except the front, that is, both the left and right sides and the back side of the apparatus in FIG. 1, and is further surrounded by the scanner unit 3 and the image forming unit 1. The in-body discharge unit 4 is provided with a discharge tray 41 at the lowermost part, and the discharge tray 41 is formed or installed on the upper surface of the image forming unit 1. In FIG. 1, a paper transport path (not shown) is provided in the left paper discharge unit side wall 45, and the paper recorded by the image forming unit 1 is slightly below the center in the height direction of the side wall 45. The sheet is discharged from the position to the sheet discharge tray 41. If a paper discharge switching mechanism is provided at an appropriate position in the paper conveyance path in the side wall 45, a plurality of auxiliary trays can be attached to the upper portion of the paper discharge tray 41 to discharge the paper.
[0015]
The ADF 102 is mounted on the upper part of the main body 101 by a hinge (not shown) provided on the back side of the apparatus, and is installed so as to cover the contact glass on the upper surface of the scanner unit 3 so that it can be opened and closed. Since the configuration and operation of the ADF 102 are the same as those conventionally known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, a document bundle (not shown) set on the document table 71 is placed on the contact glass one by one from the lower side. The document that has been transported and has been read and scanned by the scanner unit 3 is discharged onto the document discharge table 72. The ADF 102 can be used as a pressure plate when copying without automatic paper feeding or when copying a book or notebook. When the optional ADF 102 is not mounted, a pressure plate for pressing the document on the contact glass is mounted on the upper surface of the scanner unit 3.
[0016]
The paper feed table 103 has a two-stage paper feed cassette, similar to the paper feed unit 2 of the main body 101. Accordingly, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the paper feeding unit is configured by a total of four stages of paper feeding cassettes. The upper cassette of the main body feeding unit 2 can be changed to an automatic duplex unit (double-sided tray) to enable duplex copying.
[0017]
Here, the copying operation in the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be briefly described by taking the case where the ADF 102 is used as a pressure plate as an example.
The ADF 102 is opened and a document is placed on the contact glass on the upper surface of the scanner unit 3. After the ADF 102 is closed, the number of copies is designated by an operation unit described later and the start button is pressed. Then, reading of the original by the scanner unit is started, and image information of the read original is digitized by photoelectric conversion and image processing is performed. The image forming unit 1 forms an image based on the processed signal, and a visible image (toner image) is transferred to the sheet fed from the sheet feeding cassette 21 of the sheet feeding unit 2 or the sheet feeding table 103. The The toner image transferred onto the paper is fixed by the fixing device and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 41 of the paper discharge unit 4. Note that image formation by the electrophotographic method in the image forming unit 1 is well known, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
[0018]
When the image forming apparatus 100 is used as a facsimile, a document set on the ADF 102 is read by the scanner unit 3 and transmitted. When recording the received image information, the image forming unit 1 records the paper fed from the paper feeding unit 2 and discharges it onto the paper discharge tray 41.
[0019]
Since the paper ejected on the paper ejection tray 41 is an in-cylinder paper ejection type image forming apparatus, only the front side of the paper is opened, so that it is difficult for light to enter from the periphery of the apparatus, and it is difficult to see darkly. There's a problem.
[0020]
Therefore, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, a light transmitting portion 309 is provided as a light transmitting means in which an opening formed in the bottom plate 3A of the scanner portion 3 is covered with a light transmitting member. In this case, the light transmitting member is made of transparent or translucent plastic, glass or the like. In addition, the light transmission unit 309 of this example is provided at a position corresponding to substantially the center of the paper discharge unit 4 so that the visibility of the entire paper discharge unit 4 is improved.
[0021]
In the image forming apparatus 100 configured as described above, the light transmitting unit 309 whose opening is covered with the light transmitting member is provided on the bottom plate 3A of the scanner unit 3, and therefore the image reading unit light source provided in the scanner unit 3 If the light 302 is turned on, the light from the light source illuminates the paper discharge unit 4 through the light transmission unit 309, and it is easy to copy the paper discharged to the paper discharge unit 4 and the paper recorded by reception of the facsimile. It can be visually recognized. Thus, the visibility of the paper discharge unit 4 can be improved using the image reading unit light source 302.
[0022]
By the way, the image reading unit light source 302 is the home position at the left end of the drawing shown in FIG. 6, and moves and scans to the right from the original position when performing exposure scanning of the original document. Therefore, the image reading unit light source 302 is normally located at its home position. As described above, when the image reading unit light source 302 is used to illuminate the paper discharge unit 4, the light transmission unit 309 is provided at the home position, and even if this light source is turned on at the home position, Difficult to shine well.
[0023]
Therefore, in this example, when one sheet or a series of copies and the like are completed and the sheet P is discharged to the paper discharge section 4, as shown in FIG. Move to the vicinity of 309 and light up. In this way, the entire area of the paper discharge unit 4 can be illuminated well, and at this time, the image reading operation has already been completed in the copying operation and the facsimile reading operation, so that the movement of the image reading unit light source 302 is the reading operation. Will not be disturbed. As described above, when the image reading unit light source 302 is turned on after the paper is discharged, the visibility of the discharged paper is improved and the take-out property of the paper can be improved. Furthermore, it is possible to notify the user at a place away from the apparatus of the discharge of the paper. This function is particularly convenient when a facsimile is received.
[0024]
It is preferable to turn on the image reading unit light source 302 from the viewpoint of preventing unnecessary power consumption by turning off the light after a predetermined time has elapsed. And it is also possible to set this fixed time arbitrarily from the device operation unit.
[0025]
In addition, the movement control of the first carriage 304 of the scanner unit 3 and the on / off control of the light source 302 of the image reading unit may be controlled by providing a sensor on the paper discharge tray 41 of the paper discharge unit 4. Since the image reading unit light source 302 can be effectively turned on depending on the presence or absence of paper in the paper unit 4, power saving can be achieved. Further, when the copying or facsimile image forming system finishes a series of operations and there is paper on the paper discharge tray 41, the image reading operation is naturally ended. The paper 4 can be illuminated.
[0026]
By the way, when a series of copying and facsimile operations are completed and the image reading unit light source 302 is turned on to illuminate the paper discharge unit 4, the next copying and facsimile transmission operation is performed. When the main body 72 of the ADF 102 shown is opened or closed, or when document loading is detected on the document placing portion 71 of the ADF 102, the light source 302 is turned off, and the first carriage 304 returns to a predetermined home position, and the next image reading operation is performed. It is configured to prepare for.
[0027]
With this configuration, it is possible to prevent a decrease in operability due to moving the image reading unit light source 302 to the center and illuminating the paper discharge unit 4.
In the above embodiment, the light source 302 is configured to turn on for a certain period after the paper P is discharged and then turn off. Therefore, if the light source 302 is turned off after a certain period of time without noticing that the paper P has been discharged, there will be a problem in visibility when the paper is subsequently taken out.
[0028]
Accordingly, when a person approaches the apparatus main body 101, a sensor (not shown) is provided in the image forming apparatus main body 101, and when the sensor detects a person, the light source 302 is turned on again. It is configured to light up and illuminate the paper discharge unit 4.
[0029]
According to this configuration, the light source 302 is turned on by the approach of a person even when there is paper discharge that is not noticed by the user, so that visibility can be improved.
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made.
[0030]
For example, in the above embodiment, the image reading unit light source 302 is used as a light source for illuminating the paper discharge unit 4, but a dedicated light source for illuminating the paper discharge unit 4 is provided in the scanner unit 3 and the light transmission unit 309 is used. It is also possible to illuminate. In this case, although a cost for providing a separate light source is required, control for moving the carriage is unnecessary, and the problem that the light source interferes with the removal of the paper can be prevented.
[0031]
In addition, it is difficult for the light transmission unit 309 to prevent dust from entering the scanner unit 3, but it is also possible to configure the light transmission unit 309 with only an opening without providing a light transmission member. Furthermore, the size and position of the light transmission part 309 are arbitrary.
[0032]
By the way, since the portion other than the front surface of the paper discharge unit 4 is surrounded by the apparatus housing, the inside of the paper discharge unit space, particularly the back of the apparatus is dark. For this reason, it is possible to secure the brightness in the paper discharge unit 4 by providing a light extraction window or notch on the side surface other than the side where the paper conveyance path to the paper discharge unit 4 is provided. If the side other than the front side of the device is placed on the wall, other furniture or equipment, etc., making good use of the characteristics, the effect of lighting is not exhibited.
[0033]
Therefore, the present invention can selectively use lighting provided by a light source provided in the scanner unit 3 and a window or notch for light removal. In other words, when the light effect cannot be expected, the paper discharge unit 4 is illuminated with a light source provided in the scanner unit 3, and when the light effect is obtained, the illumination with the light source is turned off.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
According to the configuration of claim 1, the light source provided in the casing of the document reading unit, and the light transmitting means provided on the paper discharge unit space side of the casing of the document reading unit and transmitting the light of the light source. And the document reading light source is mounted on a traveling body that moves in the direction of scanning of the document, and when the document reading light source is turned on, the light source is away from the position of the light transmitting means. Since the light is turned on after moving to the vicinity of the light transmitting means, it is possible to guide the light from the light source of the image reading unit to the paper discharge unit, and to improve the poor visibility of the in-body paper discharge unit. Further, it is not necessary to provide a light source for illumination in the paper discharge unit, and space saving and cost reduction are possible. Furthermore, even when the paper discharge unit is illuminated using a light source mounted on the traveling body, the light is turned on in accordance with the position of the light transmitting means.
[0039]
According to the configuration of the second aspect , since the user performs the copying operation or the facsimile transmission operation after the paper discharge, the light source can immediately return to the home position to prepare for the user operation.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the scanner unit.
FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional explanatory view showing a paper discharge unit of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory front sectional view showing a scanner unit and a paper discharge unit of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory front view showing a state where a light source is turned on at an illumination position.
FIG. 6 is a front explanatory view showing a state where the light source is at a home position.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming part 3 Scanner part 4 Paper discharge part 101 Main part 302 Light source 304 1st carriage 309 Light transmission part

Claims (2)

A document reading unit is disposed at an upper position of the apparatus main body, and an image forming unit is disposed at a lower position of the apparatus main body, and a space serving as an in-body discharge unit in the apparatus housing between the document reading unit and the image forming unit. In the image forming apparatus provided with
A light source provided in a housing of the document reading unit; and a light transmitting means provided on a paper discharge unit space side of the housing of the document reading unit and transmitting light of the light source. The light source is mounted on a traveling body that moves in the direction of scanning of the original, and when the original reading light source is turned on, the traveling body moves to the vicinity of the light transmitting means when the light source is away from the position of the light transmitting means. An image forming apparatus that is lit after being turned on . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light transmitting unit is installed at a position apart from a document reading start position of the traveling body, and reading is performed when the traveling body is positioned in the vicinity of the light transmitting unit. An image forming apparatus, wherein when the document setting is detected, the traveling body moves to a document reading start position .

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