JP5962494B2 - Image forming apparatus, medium conveying apparatus, and medium container - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a medium conveying apparatus, and a medium container.

  As a technique for detecting the size of a medium, that is, a so-called paper size in a conventional image forming apparatus, a technique described in Patent Document 1 below is known.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-160828 as Patent Document 1 discloses a pair of side edges that are slidably disposed on a manual feed tray (100) and that are in contact with an end in the width direction of the sheet to align the position in the width direction of the sheet. The restricting members (102A, 102B) are described. In Patent Document 1, the rotation of the rotary resistor (130) is interlocked with the sliding movement of one side edge regulating member (102A) via a crank (110, 120) to detect the paper size.
That is, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for directly detecting the paper size based on the movement position of the side edge regulating member (102A).

JP 2002-160828 A (“0063” to “0082”, “0100” to “0104”, FIGS. 2 to 4)

  It is a technical object of the present invention to increase the detection accuracy of the medium size.

In order to solve the technical problem, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is provided.
A main body of the image forming apparatus;
A loading unit that is supported by the main body of the image forming apparatus and on which a medium is loaded;
An alignment unit that is supported so as to be movable in a direction in which the medium stacked on the stacking unit is moved away from the stacking unit, and that contacts the medium and aligns the position of the medium in the stacking unit;
A first time based on a time when the aligning unit comes into contact with a medium of the stacking unit, and a second time based on a time when a medium loaded on the stacking unit is transported later than the first time. , In the aligning portion position detecting means for detecting the position of the aligning portion;
Means for calculating a deviation amount between the position of the aligning portion detected at the first time and the position of the aligning portion detected at the second time;
When the amount of deviation is smaller than a preset value, the size of the medium stacked on the stacking unit is detected based on the position of the aligning unit detected at the first time. Means,
It is provided with.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect,
The stacking position at which the medium can be stacked by being pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus and the transport position at which the medium can be transported by being accommodated in the main body of the image forming apparatus. Loading section,
It is provided with.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect,
A loading unit detecting means capable of detecting movement of the loading unit;
On the basis of the detection result of the detection unit of the stacking unit, when the stacking unit moves from the stacking position toward the transporting position, the alignment unit is in a state of being in contact with the medium of the stacking unit. the timing of when the loading part moves toward the transport position from the loading position, and discriminating means detects timing to determine that the a first time,
Detecting means for detecting the position of the aligning portion at the first time determined by the determining means for detecting time;
It is provided with.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect,
A means for detecting the loading unit capable of detecting movement of the loading unit based on an acceleration accompanying movement of the loading unit;
It is provided with.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect,
An interlocking member that interlocks with the movement of the aligning unit, and is movably supported by the stacking unit along a direction that intersects the moving direction of the stacking unit that moves between the transport position and the stacking position. The interlocking member made,
A means for detecting the position of the aligning portion supported by the interlocking member and having a first axial direction set along the moving direction of the stacking portion, the acceleration in the first axial direction, and the first And an acceleration along a direction intersecting with the axial direction of the first and second axes, and having a function of a detecting unit for the loading unit that detects movement of the loading unit based on the acceleration in the first axial direction. And detecting means for detecting the position of the aligning part by detecting the amount of movement of the interlocking member based on the acceleration in the direction intersecting the first axis direction;
It is provided with.

The invention according to claim 6 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 4,
An interlocking member that interlocks with the movement of the aligning unit, and is rotatably supported by the stacking unit about a direction along the moving direction of the stacking unit that moves between the transport position and the stacking position. Said interlocking member,
A means for detecting the position of the aligning portion supported by the interlocking member and having a first axial direction set along the rotation center, the acceleration in the first axial direction and the first axial direction And a function of detecting means for detecting the stacking unit based on the acceleration in the first axial direction, and based on the rotation angle. Detecting means for detecting the position of the aligning part by detecting the amount of movement of the interlocking member;
It is provided with.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects,
Means for determining that a positional shift has occurred in the aligning portion when the magnitude of the shift amount is greater than a preset value;
Means for notifying that a misalignment has occurred in the aligning portion when misalignment has occurred in the aligning portion;
It is provided with.

The invention according to claim 8 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Means for determining that a positional shift has occurred in the aligning portion when the magnitude of the shift amount is greater than a preset value;
Means for storing the number of times the misalignment has occurred in the alignment portion;
Means for determining that the aligning unit is faulty when the number of occurrences of the positional deviation is greater than a preset number of times;
Means for notifying that the alignment section is faulty when it is determined that the alignment section is faulty;
It is provided with.

The invention according to claim 9 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A main body of the image forming apparatus having a recording unit that records an image on a medium conveyed from the stacking unit;
Control means for performing control to move the position of an image to be recorded on the medium by the recording unit based on the shift amount;
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, an apparatus for conveying a medium according to claim 10 comprises:
A loading section on which the medium is loaded;
A conveying member that conveys the medium loaded on the loading unit;
An alignment unit that is supported so as to be movable in a direction in which the medium stacked on the stacking unit is moved away from the stacking unit, and that contacts the medium and aligns the position of the medium in the stacking unit;
A first time based on the time when the aligning unit comes into contact with the medium of the stacking unit, and a first time based on the time when the medium loaded on the stacking unit is transported by the transport member later than the first time. At the time of 2, the position detection means for detecting the position of the alignment portion,
Means for calculating a deviation amount between the position of the aligning portion detected at the first time and the position of the aligning portion detected at the second time;
When the amount of deviation is smaller than a preset value, the size of the medium stacked on the stacking unit is detected based on the position of the aligning unit detected at the first time. Means,
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, a storage container for a medium according to claim 11 is provided.
A loading section on which the medium is loaded;
An alignment unit that is supported so as to be movable in a direction in which the medium stacked on the stacking unit is moved away from the stacking unit, and that contacts the medium and aligns the position of the medium in the stacking unit;
A first time based on a time when the aligning unit comes into contact with a medium of the stacking unit, and a second time based on a time when a medium loaded on the stacking unit is transported later than the first time. , In the aligning portion position detecting means for detecting the position of the aligning portion;
Means for calculating a deviation amount between the position of the aligning portion detected at the first time and the position of the aligning portion detected at the second time;
When the amount of deviation is smaller than a preset value, the size of the medium stacked on the stacking unit is detected based on the position of the aligning unit detected at the first time. Means,
It is provided with.

According to the first, tenth, and eleventh aspects of the present invention, the medium size detection accuracy can be improved as compared with the case where the medium size is not detected by calculating the deviation amount from the first time. it can.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to detect a shift in the position of the aligning portion accompanying the movement of the stacking portion.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the aligning unit is in contact with the medium of the stacking unit as compared with the case where the timing when the stacking unit moves from the stacking position toward the transfer position is not the first timing. The position of the alignment portion can be detected with the time close to the time being the first time.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to detect the movement of the loading unit based on the acceleration.
According to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to share the loading unit detection unit and the alignment unit position detection unit.
According to the seventh aspect of the invention, it can be notified that a positional deviation has occurred.
According to invention of Claim 8, it can notify that it has failed.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the positional deviation of the recorded image with respect to the medium as compared with the case where the position of the image is not moved based on the deviation amount.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus including a medium container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sheet feeding tray according to the first exemplary embodiment as viewed from the rear. 3 is a perspective view of the paper feed tray according to the first exemplary embodiment as viewed from the rear, and is a perspective view as viewed from above as compared with FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the side guide and the interlocking member of the side guide according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the image portion of Example 1 as viewed from the rear of the rear wall, FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of a main part, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VB-VB in FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the end guide and the interlocking member of the end guide according to the first embodiment, FIG. 6A is a perspective view, and FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along the line VIB-VIB in FIG. 6A. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a box according to the first embodiment, FIG. 7A is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2, and FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram of a sensor and an image unit. 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams of the paper feed tray opening and closing device, FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram viewed from the front, FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram of the state where the paper feed tray is moved to the mounting position, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the state which moved to the position. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the functions of the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the functions of the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment, and is a continuation of FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the image unit and the sensor reading position according to the first embodiment when viewed from the front, FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram of the image unit, and FIG. 11B is an explanatory diagram of an image read by the sensor. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a relationship between the position of the side guide slider and the position of the side guide according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12A is an explanatory diagram of the reading position when the slider is moved to the reference position. 12B is an explanatory diagram of the reading position when the slider is moved with respect to the reference position, and FIG. 12C is an explanatory diagram of the position of the side guide. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between the position of the end guide slider and the position of the end guide according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13A is an explanatory diagram of the detection position when the slider is moved to the reference position. 13B is an explanatory diagram of the detection position when the slider moves relative to the reference position, and FIG. 13C is an explanatory diagram of the position of the end guide. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a flow chart of the guide position detection process at the time of opening. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of image forming processing according to the first embodiment. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of image forming processing according to the first exemplary embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart subsequent to FIG. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of image forming processing according to the first exemplary embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart subsequent to FIG. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of the guide position calculation process of the first embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of the subroutine of ST6 of FIG. 14 and ST31 of FIG. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of error display processing according to the first embodiment. 20A and 20B are explanatory diagrams of the side guide shift amount and the image recording position according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 20A is an explanatory diagram of a state immediately after the sheet and the guide are set. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the state which moved and the side guide and the sheet | seat shifted | deviated. FIG. 21 is an explanatory view of the interlocking member of the second embodiment, FIG. 21A is a perspective view of the paper feed tray as viewed from the rear, and FIG. 21B is an explanatory view of a main part of the interlocking member. FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating the functions of the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 9 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating the functions of the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, and is a continuation of FIG. FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of the rotation angle and gravity acceleration detection components of the rotating plate, FIG. 24A is an explanatory diagram when the transmission pin of the rotating plate exists vertically upward, and FIG. 24B is a diagram illustrating the state of the rotating plate from the state of FIG. 24C is an explanatory diagram when rotating in the clockwise direction, FIG. 24C is an explanatory diagram when the rotating plate rotates counterclockwise from the state of FIG. 24A, and FIG. 24D is a j-axis, k-axis, and gravitational acceleration corresponding to FIG. FIG. 24E is an explanatory diagram of the j-axis, k-axis, and gravitational acceleration corresponding to FIG. 24B, and FIG. 24F is an explanatory diagram of the j-axis, k-axis, and gravitational acceleration corresponding to FIG. 24C. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of the detection process of the guide position when the second embodiment is opened, and corresponds to FIG. FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of guide position calculation processing according to the second embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of ST306 in FIG. 25 and an ST31 subroutine in FIG. 16 in the second embodiment, corresponding to FIG. It is a figure to do.

Next, an example as a specific example of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The direction indicated by Z and -Z or the indicated side is defined as the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, the lower side, or the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively.
In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back.
In the following description using the drawings, illustrations other than members necessary for the description are omitted as appropriate for easy understanding.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus including a medium container according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, a copier U as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment is an example of a recording unit, and includes a printer unit U1 as an example of an image recording apparatus. A scanner unit U2 as an example of a reading unit and an example of an image reading device is supported on the upper portion of the printer unit U1. An auto feeder U3 as an example of a document transport device is supported on the upper portion of the scanner unit U2. The scanner unit U2 of the first embodiment supports a user interface U0 as an example of an input unit. The user interface U0 can be operated by the operator by inputting the user interface U0.

A document tray TG1 as an example of a medium container is disposed on the upper part of the auto feeder U3. A plurality of documents Gi to be copied can be stacked and stored in the document tray TG1. A document discharge tray TG2 as an example of a document discharge unit is formed below the document tray TG1. A document transport roll U3b is disposed between the document tray TG1 and the document discharge tray TG2 along the document transport path U3a.

A platen glass PG as an example of a transparent document table is disposed on the upper surface of the scanner unit U2. In the scanner unit U2 of the first embodiment, a reading optical system A is disposed below the platen glass PG. The optical system A for reading in Example 1 is supported so as to be movable in the left-right direction along the lower surface of the platen glass PG. The reading optical system A is normally stopped at the initial position shown in FIG.
On the left side of the optical system A for reading, an imaging element CCD as an example of an imaging member is disposed. An image processing unit GS is electrically connected to the image sensor CCD.
The image processing unit GS is electrically connected to the writing circuit DL of the printer unit U1. The writing circuit DL is electrically connected to an exposure apparatus ROS as an example of a latent image forming apparatus.

A photosensitive drum PR, which is an example of an image carrier, is disposed below the exposure apparatus ROS. The photosensitive drum PR rotates in the direction of the arrow Ya.
The photosensitive drum PR has a charging roll CR as an example of a charger in the charging region Q0.
Are arranged opposite to each other. A charging voltage is applied from the power supply circuit E to the charging roll CR. The power supply circuit E is controlled by a controller C as an example of a control unit. The controller C performs various controls by transmitting and receiving signals to and from the image processing unit GS and the writing circuit DL.
A writing area Q set downstream of the charging area Q0 with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum PR.
In 1, the surface of the photosensitive drum PR is irradiated with a laser beam L as an example of writing light from the exposure apparatus ROS.
A development area Q set downstream of the writing area Q1 with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum PR.
2, the developing device G is disposed to face the surface of the photosensitive drum PR.

On the left side of the developing device G, a cartridge K as an example of a developer container is disposed. The cartridge K is detachably attached to a cartridge holder KS as an example of a container support member. Below the cartridge holder KS, a reserve tank RT as an example of a temporary storage portion for the developer is disposed. The reserve tank RT and the developing device G are connected by a developer transport device GH.
A transfer area Q3 is set on the downstream side of the development area Q2 with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum PR.

In the lower part of the printer unit U1, paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 as an example of a medium container are provided.
Is detachably supported. Sheets T as an example of a medium are accommodated in the sheet feed trays TR1 to TR4.
A pickup roll Rp as an example of a medium take-out member is disposed on the upper left side of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4. On the left side of the pick-up roll Rp, a separating roll Rs as an example of a separating member is disposed.
On the left side of each of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4, a medium transport path SH1 extending upward is formed. A plurality of transport rolls Ra as an example of a medium transport member are arranged in the transport path SH1. In the conveyance path SH1, a registration roll Rr as an example of a feeding member is disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet S and on the upstream side of the transfer region Q3.

On the left side of the cartridge holder KS or the like, a manual feed tray TRt, which is an example of a medium storage container and serves as a manual feed portion, is installed. The manual feed tray TRt according to the first exemplary embodiment is supported to be rotatable about the rotation center TRt0. Therefore, the manual feed tray TRt is
It is configured to be movable between a housed position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1 and a paper feedable position indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. When the manual feed tray TRt according to the first embodiment is moved to the stored position, a part TRt1 of the manual feed tray TRt is accommodated in a state of entering the lower side of the cartridge holder KS and the left side of the reserve tank RT. . Accordingly, the entire copying machine U is reduced in capacity and reduced in size.

In the transfer area Q3, a transfer unit TU, which is an example of a transfer device and an example of a medium transport device, is disposed below the photosensitive drum PR. The transfer unit TU includes an endless transfer belt TB as an example of a medium transport member.
The transfer belt TB is rotatably supported by a driving roll Rd as an example of a driving member and a driven roll Rf as an example of a driven member.
Inside the transfer belt TB, a transfer roll TR as an example of a transfer device is supported.
The transfer roll TR is disposed to face the photosensitive drum PR with the transfer belt TB interposed therebetween. Therefore, the transfer region Q3 is constituted by the region where the transfer roll TR and the photosensitive drum PR face each other. A transfer voltage is applied from the power supply circuit E to the transfer roll TR.

A peeling claw SC as an example of a medium peeling member is disposed at the right end of the transfer belt TB. Below the peeling claw SC, a belt cleaner CLb as an example of a cleaner of the transfer device is disposed to face the surface of the transfer belt TB.
Note that a drum cleaner CLp, which is an example of an image carrier cleaner, is disposed on the downstream side of the transfer region Q3 with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum PR so as to face the surface of the photosensitive drum PR. Yes.

A fixing device F is disposed on the right side of the transfer unit TU. The fixing device F includes a heating roll Fh as an example of a heating rotating member and a pressure roll Fp as an example of a pressing rotating member.
To the right of the fixing device F, a discharge path SH2 extending upward is connected as an example of a medium transport path.
In the discharge path SH2, as an example of a medium transport member, a transport roll Rb and a discharge roll Rh capable of transporting the medium and rotating in the forward and reverse directions are arranged.
A paper discharge tray TRh as an example of a medium discharge unit is formed on the upper surface of the printer unit U1.

A reversing path SH3, which is an example of a medium transport path, is formed below the discharge path SH2. The reversing path SH3 according to the first embodiment branches from the discharge path SH2 and extends downward, and joins the transport path SH1 on the upstream side in the sheet transport direction from the registration roll Rr.
A gate MG as an example of a transfer direction switching member is disposed at a branch portion between the discharge path SH2 and the reversal path SH3. The gate MG of the first embodiment is formed of an elastically deformable thin film shape, so-called film. When the sheet S conveyed from the fixing device F passes through the gate MG, the gate MG is pushed by the sheet S and is elastically deformed so that the sheet S can pass through the discharge path SH2. Then, the sheet S moves from the discharge path SH2 to the reverse path SH.
3, the gate MG is held in an elastically restored state, prevents the sheet S from entering the fixing device F side, and is arranged to guide the sheet S to the reversing path SH3 side. ing.

(Description of image forming operation)
The plurality of documents Gi stored in the document tray TG1 sequentially passes through the document reading position on the platen glass PG and is discharged to the document discharge tray TG2.
When the automatic feeder U3 is used to automatically convey and copy a document, each document that sequentially passes through the reading position on the platen glass PG with the reading optical system A stopped at the initial position. Gi is exposed.
When the operator places the document Gi on the platen glass PG by hand, the optical system A for reading moves in the left-right direction, and the document on the platen glass PG is scanned while being exposed.
The reflected light from the document Gi passes through the optical system A and is collected on the image sensor CCD. The image pickup device CCD converts the reflected light of the original collected on the image pickup surface into an electric signal.

The image processing unit GS converts the read signal input from the image sensor CCD into a digital image signal and outputs the digital image signal to the writing circuit DL of the printer unit U1. The writing circuit DL outputs a control signal corresponding to the input image writing signal to the exposure apparatus ROS.
The surface of the photosensitive drum PR is charged by the charging roll CR in the charging region Q0. At the latent image writing position Q1, the laser beam L output from the exposure apparatus ROS forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum PR. In the developing area Q2, the developing device G converts the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum PR passing through the developing area Q2 into a toner image T as an example of a visible image.
Develop to n. When the developer is consumed in the developing device G, the developer conveying device G is used according to the consumption amount.
H is activated, and the developer is supplied from the cartridge K to the developing device G.

The sheets S of the respective trays TR1 to TR4 are taken out by the pickup roll Rp at a preset sheet feeding time. The sheets S picked up by the pickup roll Rp are separated one by one by the separating roll Rs when picked up in a state where a plurality of sheets S are overlapped. The sheet S that has passed the separating roll Rs is conveyed to the registration roll Rr by a plurality of conveyance rolls Ra.
The sheet S fed from the manual feed tray TRt also joins the transport path SH, and the registration roll R
r.

The sheet S conveyed to the registration roll Rr is transferred from the sheet guide SG1 before transfer as an example of a guide member before transfer to the transfer area according to the timing when the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum PR moves to the transfer area Q3. It is transported toward Q3.
The sheet S conveyed from the registration roll Rr is supported on the surface of the transfer belt TB and passes through the transfer region Q3. The toner image Tn on the surface of the photosensitive drum PR is transferred to the sheet S passing through the transfer region Q3 by the transfer voltage applied to the transfer roll TR.
The surface of the photosensitive drum PR after passing through the transfer region Q3 is cleaned by removing residual toner by the drum cleaner CLp. The surface of the photosensitive drum PR after cleaning is recharged by the charging roll CR.

The sheet S to which the toner image Tn is transferred is peeled from the transfer belt TB by the peeling claw SC. From the transfer belt TB from which the sheet S has been peeled off, deposits such as developer and paper dust attached to the surface of the transfer belt TB are removed by the belt cleaner CLb. When the sheet S peeled from the transfer belt TB passes through the contact area between the heating roll Fh and the pressure roll Fp, the toner image is heated and pressed to be fixed.
The recording sheet S on which the toner image is fixed passes through the gate MG while being elastically deformed, and is conveyed to the discharge path SH2. The sheet S discharged to the paper discharge tray TRh is transported by the transport roll Rb and discharged to the paper discharge tray TRh by the discharge roll Rh.

When duplex printing is performed, the trailing edge of the sheet S on which one side has been recorded is conveyed downstream by the conveyance roll Rb and the discharge roll Rh until it passes through the gate MG. When the trailing edge of the sheet S passes through the gate MG, the transport roll Rb and the discharge roll Rh rotate reversely, and the discharge path S
It is conveyed from H2 toward the reversing path SH3. That is, the sheet S is so-called switched back with the conveyance direction reversed. The switched sheet S is guided by the gate MG and conveyed through the reversing path SH3. The sheet S conveyed on the reversing path SH3 is conveyed to the conveying path SH1.
And is conveyed to the registration roll Rr in a state where the front and back sides are reversed. The transfer area Q3
The image is printed on the second surface of the sheet S.

(Description of paper feed trays TR1 to TR4)
(Description of Case 1)
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sheet feeding tray according to the first exemplary embodiment as viewed from the rear.
3 is a perspective view of the paper feed tray according to the first exemplary embodiment as viewed from the rear, and is a perspective view as viewed from above as compared with FIG.
2 and 3, each of the paper feed trays TR <b> 1 to TR <b> 4 as an example of a stacking unit according to the first exemplary embodiment has a box-shaped case 1 as an example of a medium storage unit. The case 1 has a plate-like bottom wall 2 as an example of a main body of the stacking unit. A rear wall 3, a left wall 4, a right wall 6 and a front inner wall 7 are supported on the outer peripheral portion of the bottom wall 2. A front outer wall 8 disposed outside the front inner wall 7 is supported in front of the front inner wall 7.

  An upper guide port 3 a as an example of a through-hole in the rear wall is formed at the upper right side of the rear wall 3. The upper guide port 3a is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the left-right direction. A guide groove 3b as an example of a guide groove of a connecting member is formed below the upper guide port 3a. The guide groove 3 b passes through the rear wall 3. The guide groove 3b extends in the left-right direction.

  In FIG. 3, a shaft portion 11 that protrudes upward is supported on the left portion of the bottom wall 2 at a position corresponding to the center portion in the front-rear direction. A pinion gear 12 as an example of a gear is rotatably supported on the shaft portion 11. Further, side guide grooves 13 and 14 are formed on both the front and rear sides of the shaft portion 11 as an example of the first guide portion. The front and rear side guide grooves 13 and 14 are formed of a pair of left and right grooves extending in the front-rear direction at the front and rear portions. An end guide groove 16 as an example of a second guide portion is formed on the right side of the shaft portion 11. The end guide groove 16 extends in the left-right direction from the shaft portion 11 toward the right wall 6.

  On the rear side of the end guide groove 16, a slider concave portion 17 is formed as an example of a guide portion of the first interlocking member. The slider recess 17 has a first recess 17a. The first recess 17a is recessed with respect to the upper surface of the bottom wall 2 and extends along the left-right direction. A second recess 17b is formed at the right end of the first recess 17a. The second recess 17b extends rightward from the front and rear center portion of the first recess 17a. The second recess 17b is formed to have a narrower width in the front-rear direction than the first recess 17a. The first concave portion 17a and the second concave portion 17b constitute the concave portion 17 for the slider of the first embodiment.

(Description of side guides 21 and 22)
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the side guide and the interlocking member of the side guide according to the first embodiment.
2 to 4, a front side guide 21 as an example of a front side first alignment portion is movably supported in the front side guide groove 13. The front side guide 21 according to the first embodiment includes a moving plate 21 a formed in a flat plate shape along the bottom wall 2. A guided portion (not shown) is formed on the lower surface of the moving plate 21a. That is, the moving plate 21a is supported so as to be movable along the groove 13 for the front side guide. A front guide main body 21b as an example of a main body of the first aligning portion is supported on the front portion of the upper surface of the moving plate 21a. The main body 21b of the front guide stands upright with respect to the upper surface of the moving plate 21a.

A contact surface 21b1 that aligns the front ends of the sheets S accommodated in the case 1 is formed on the rear surface of the main body 21b of the front guide. The moving plate 21a supports a front rack portion 21c extending rearward. A rack gear 21c1 as an example of a tooth mold portion is formed on the side edge on the side facing the pinion gear 12 in the front rack portion 21c. The rack gear 21c1 is meshed with the pinion gear 12.
The front side guide 21 of the first embodiment is configured by the movable plate 21a, the front guide body 21b, the contact surface 21b1, the front rack portion 21c, and the rack gear 21c1.

2 to 4, a rear side guide 22 as an example of a rear first alignment portion is movably supported in the rear side guide groove 14. The rear side guide 22 includes a moving plate 22a formed symmetrically with respect to the front side guide 21, a rear guide body 22b, a contact surface 22b1, a rear rack portion 22c, and a rack gear 22c1. Further, unlike the front side guide 21, the rear side guide 22 has a plate-like transmission portion 22d supported by the moving plate 22a. The transmission portion 22d extends rightward from the moving plate 22a. In FIG. 4, a protruding portion 22e as an example of a connecting portion is formed at the right end of the transmission portion 22d. The protrusion 22e is formed in a convex shape protruding upward.
The rear side guide 22 of the first embodiment is configured by the moving plate 22a, the rear guide body 22b, the contact surface 22b1, the rear rack portion 22c, the rack gear 22c1, the transmission portion 22d, and the protruding portion 22e.

(Description of Side Guide Slider 41)
3 and 4, a plate 31 as an example of a member to be connected is connected to the protruding portion 22 e of the rear side guide 22. The plate 31 is formed in a plate shape along the bottom wall 2. The plate 31 is movably disposed along the concave portion 17 for the slider. The plate 31 has a main body 31a disposed in the first recess 17a. The plate 31 has a regulated portion 31b extending rightward from the right end of the main body portion 31a. The regulated portion 31b has a width in the front-rear direction corresponding to the width in the front-rear direction of the second recess 17b. The regulated portion 31b is disposed in the second recess 17b. Therefore, when the plate 31 moves along the slider recess 17, the regulated portion 31b comes into contact with the inner wall of the second recess 17b, and the swing of the entire plate 31 is regulated.

  The plate 31 is formed with a guided groove 31c as an example of a coupled portion. The guided groove 31c is inclined in a direction from the left side to the right side from the front to the rear. The protruding portion 22e of the rear side guide 22 is connected to the guided groove 31c while penetrating from below. Therefore, when the rear side guide 22 moves in the front-rear direction, the plate 31 is pushed through the protruding portion 22e and moves along the left-right direction as an example of a direction intersecting the front-rear direction.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the image portion of Example 1 as viewed from the rear of the rear wall, FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of a main part, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VB-VB in FIG.
In FIG. 4, an upright standing wall portion 32 extending upward is supported at the rear end of the plate 31. A plate-like fixed portion 33 extending in the left-right direction is fixed to the upper end portion of the standing wall portion 32. A pair of left and right projecting portions 34 extending rearward is supported on the upper end portion of the fixed portion 33. The protrusion 34 passes through the upper guide port 3 a of the rear wall 3. Therefore, the protrusion 34 protrudes rearward with respect to the rear wall 3. The pair of projecting portions 34 according to the first embodiment are disposed so as to be capable of guiding in the left-right direction along the upper guide port 3 a of the rear wall 3. A flat plate-like outer end portion 36 extending upward is supported at the rear end of the protruding portion 34. In FIG. 5, the right outer end portion 36 supports an image portion 37 for side guides, which is an example of a first detected portion and is an example of a first image portion.
The side guide slider as an example of the first interlocking member according to the first embodiment includes the plate 31, the standing wall portion 32, the fixed portion 33, the protruding portion 34, the outer end portion 36, the side guide image portion 37, and the like. 41 is configured.

(Description of end guide 51)
6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams of the end guide and the end guide interlocking member according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6A is a perspective view, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIB-VIB in FIG.
2, 3, and 6, an end guide 51 as an example of a second aligning portion is disposed above the end guide groove 16. The end guide 51 according to the first embodiment includes a moving plate 51 a formed in a flat plate shape along the bottom wall 2. In FIG. 6B, a shaft portion 51b as an example of an insertion portion and an example of a guide portion is formed on the lower surface of the moving plate 51a. The shaft portion 51b is formed in a protruding shape that protrudes downward. The shaft portion 51b passes through the end guide groove 16. Therefore, the shaft portion 51b is supported so as to be movable along the end guide groove 16. Accordingly, the moving plate 51a is supported so as to be movable in the left-right direction along the end guide groove 16.

A right guide main body 51c as an example of a main body of the second aligning portion is supported on the right portion of the upper surface of the moving plate 51a. The right guide main body 51c stands upright with respect to the upper surface of the movable plate 51c. A contact surface 51c1 that aligns the right end of the sheet S accommodated in the case 1 is formed on the left surface of the right guide main body 51c.
The moving plate 51a, the shaft portion 51b, the main body 51c of the right guide, and the contact surface 51c1 constitute the end guide 51 of the first embodiment.

(Description of interlocking member 81 for end guide)
(Description of link 61)
2, 3, and 6, a link 61 as an example of an intermediate member is disposed below the end guide 51 with the bottom wall 2 interposed therebetween. The link 61 is formed in a long plate shape along the bottom wall 2. At the front end portion of the link 61, a guide slot 62 as an example of a front insertion portion is formed. The guide slot 62 extends along the link 61. A long slot 63 for a slider as an example of a rear insertion portion is formed at the rear end of the link 61. The slider slot 63 extends along the link 61. In the link 61, a hole 64 as an example of a supported portion is formed between the front and rear long holes 62 and 63.

  In FIG. 6, the hole 64 is rotatably supported by a rotation center 66 provided at the right rear portion of the lower surface of the bottom wall 2. Further, the shaft portion 51b of the end guide 51 is inserted into the guide slot 62 from above. That is, the shaft portion 51b of the end guide 51 is configured to be slidable along the guide slot 62 and to be freely rotatable. Therefore, when the end guide 51 moves along the end guide groove 16, the shaft portion 51 b pushes the inner wall of the guide slot 62 and rotates the link 61 around the rotation center 66.

(Explanation of slider 71 for end guide)
5 and 6, an end guide slider 71 as an example of a moving member is disposed on the rear surface of the rear wall 3 corresponding to the rear end portion of the link 61. The slider 71 has a flat plate 72. The plate 72 extends in the left-right direction along the rear surface of the rear wall 3. A pair of left and right projecting portions 73 extending forward are supported on the lower front surface of the plate 72. The protrusion 73 penetrates the guide groove 3 b of the rear wall 3. Therefore, the protrusion 73 protrudes forward with respect to the rear wall 3. At the front end of the protruding portion 73, a retaining portion 74 extending upward along the front surface of the rear wall 3 is formed. The retaining portion 74 is caught on the front surface of the rear wall 3. The pair of protrusions 73 according to the first embodiment is guided in the left-right direction along the guide groove 3b. Therefore, the plate 72 is supported so as to be movable in the left-right direction along the rear surface of the rear wall 3 in a state in which the plate 72 is retained.

  A guided plate 76 as an example of a transmitted portion is supported on the lower end of the plate 72. The guided plate 76 is formed in a plate shape protruding forward along the lower surface of the bottom wall 2. On the lower surface of the guide plate 76, a protruding shaft portion 77 protruding downward is supported. The shaft portion 77 is inserted into the slider long hole 63 in the link 61 from above. Therefore, the shaft portion 77 is configured to be slidable along the long slot 63 for the slider and to be freely rotatable. Therefore, when the link 61 rotates, the shaft portion 77 is pushed from the inner wall of the long slot 63 for the slider and moves to a position based on the rotation angle of the link 61. That is, when the link 61 rotates, the slider 71 moves in the left-right direction along the rear wall 3 via the shaft portion 77.

In FIG. 5, an end guide image portion 78, which is an example of a second detected portion, and is an example of a second image portion, is supported on the rear surface of the plate 72.
The plate 72 and the projecting portion 73 constitute the end guide slider 71 of the first embodiment by a retaining portion 74, a guide plate 76, a shaft portion 77, an end guide image portion 78, and the like.
Further, the link 61 and the slider 71 constitute an end guide interlocking member 81 as an example of the second interlocking member of the first embodiment.

(Description of box 91)
7 is an explanatory diagram of a box according to the first embodiment, FIG. 7A is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2, and FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram of a sensor and an image unit.
In FIG. 7B, a box 91 as an example of a detection member housing portion is supported behind the rear wall 3 in correspondence with the arrangement positions of the sliders 41 and 71. The box 91 supports a side sensor 92 as an example of a detection member for the position of the first alignment portion. The side sensor 92 according to the first embodiment includes an optical reading member in which detection elements are arranged in the vertical direction, that is, a so-called line type scanner. The side sensor 92 is disposed corresponding to the rear of the slider 41. The side sensor 92 according to the first exemplary embodiment is disposed with a predetermined interval with respect to the side guide image unit 37. The side sensor 92 is configured to be able to read a side guide image portion 37 at a detection position facing the side sensor 92. The side sensor 92 is opposed to any position of the side guide image portion 37 even when the slider 41 moves in the left-right direction and the side guide image portion 37 moves in the left-right direction. Is arranged.

In FIG. 7B, the box 91 supports an end sensor 93 as an example of a detection member at the position of the second alignment portion. The end sensor 93 is disposed behind the slider 71. The end sensor 93 according to the first embodiment is arranged with a predetermined interval with respect to the image portion 78 for end guide. Since the end sensor 93 and the end guide image portion 78 according to the first embodiment are configured in the same manner as the configuration of the side sensor 91 and the side guide image portion 37, detailed description thereof is omitted.
A paper feed tray as an example of a medium storage container according to the first embodiment includes the case 1, the side guides 21 and 22, the side guide slider 41, the end guide 51, the end guide interlocking member 81, the box 91, and the like. TR1 to TR4 are configured.

(Description of paper feed tray opening / closing device 111)
8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams of the paper feed tray opening and closing device, FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram viewed from the front, FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram of the state where the paper feed tray is moved to the mounting position, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the state which moved to the position.
In FIG. 8, guided rails RL2 as an example of guided members are supported on the outer surfaces of the left wall 4 and the right wall 6 of each of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4. The guided rail RL <b> 2 extends in the front-rear direction along the walls 4 and 6. A guided portion RL2a as an example of a main body of the guided portion is formed in the lower portion of the guided rail RL2. The guided portion RL2a is supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction along the guide rail RL1. Therefore, the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. A plate-like support portion RL2b is formed inside the upper portion of the guided portion RL2a.

  In FIG. 8, a rack portion 101 as an example of a drive force transmission portion is supported on the upper surface of the right support portion RL2b. The rack portion 101 extends in the front-rear direction along the upper surface of the right supported portion RL2a. On the top surface of the rack portion 101, rack teeth 102 as an example of a flat gear portion are formed. A gear 103 as an example of a gear member is engaged with the rack teeth 102. The gear 103 is rotatably supported by a front portion of a printer unit U1 as an example of a main body of the image forming apparatus. A driving force is transmitted to the gear 103 from a motor 104 that can rotate forward and reverse as an example of a driving source. Therefore, when the motor 104 rotates forward and backward, the gear 103 rotates, and the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 move in the front-rear direction along the guide rail RL1 via the rack portion 101 or the like.

In addition, opening / closing sensors 106 and 107 as an example of a detection member of the stacking unit are disposed in front and rear portions of the right guide rail RL1. The open / close sensors 106 and 107 detect the presence / absence of the guided rail RL2, and detect the open / close of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4.
A sheet feeding tray as an example of a drive mechanism of the medium container according to the first embodiment by the guide rail RL1, the guided rail RL2, the rack portion 101, the rack teeth 102, the gear 103, the motor 104, the open / close sensors 106 and 107, and the like. The opening / closing device 111 is configured.

(Operation of paper feed trays TR1 to TR4)
(Operations of the side guides 21 and 22 and the side guide slider 41)
The side guides 21 and 22 are supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction along the side guide grooves 13 and 14. Accordingly, when one or both of the front side guide 21 and the rear side guide 22 are moved in the front-rear direction, the pinion gear 12 that meshes with the rack gears 21c1 and 22c1 rotates. Therefore, the other rack part 22c, 21c moves in the direction opposite to the one rack part 21c, 22c. Therefore, the front side guide 21 and the rear side guide 22 move in directions toward and away from each other. That is, the side guides 21 and 22 are supported so as to be movable in a direction in which the side guides 21 and 22 are in contact with and separated from the sheets S stacked on the bottom wall 2. Therefore, the contact surfaces 21b1 and 22b1 of the main body 21b and 22b of the side guide come into contact with the sheet S and align the position of the sheet S on the bottom wall 2 in the width direction.

  Further, when the rear side guide 22 moves in the front-rear direction, the protrusion 22e of the rear side guide 22 also moves in the front-rear direction. Here, the protrusion 22e is supported in a state of being fitted in the guided groove 31c of the slider 41 for side guide. Therefore, according to the movement of the rear side guide 22 in the front-rear direction, the inner wall of the guided groove 31c extending obliquely is pushed by the protrusion 22e. Here, the plate 31 of the slider 41 is supported by the concave portion 17 for the slider so that it can be guided in the left-right direction. Therefore, when the protrusion 22e moves in the front-rear direction and pushes the guided groove 31c, the plate 31 of the slider 41 moves in the left-right direction while being guided by the concave portion 17 for the slider. That is, the side guide slider 41 moves in the left-right direction in conjunction with the movement of the side guides 21, 22 in the front-rear direction. And if the slider 41 moves to the left-right direction, the protrusion part 34 will move to the left-right direction along the upper guide port 3a of the rear wall 3. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the side guide image portion 37 on the outer end portion 36 of the protruding portion 34 moves in the left-right direction with respect to the side sensor 92. Therefore, different positions in the left-right direction of the image portion 37 for the side guide are detected by the side sensor 92 according to the positions of the side guides 21, 22 in the front-rear direction.

  When the guided groove 31c of the slider 41 is pushed by the protruding portion 22e, a force for rotating and swinging acts on the plate 31. At this time, in Example 1, the body 31a of the plate 31 supports the restricted portion 31b extending rightward. Therefore, the whole plate 31 is long in the moving direction. Therefore, when the plate 31 rotates with respect to the gap of the concave portion 17 for the slider, the entire rotation angle becomes small, and the rotation and swinging of the slider 17 are easily restricted. Therefore, the slider 41 can be moved smoothly in the left-right direction, and friction and catching associated with the movement of the rear side guide 22 are reduced as compared with the case where the regulated portion 31b is not provided. Therefore, the load at the time of moving the side guides 21 and 22 is reduced.

(Operation of End Guide 51 and End Guide Interlocking Member 81)
The end guide 51 is supported so as to be movable in the left-right direction along the end guide groove 16. That is, the end guide 51 is supported so as to be movable in a direction in which the end guide 51 contacts and separates from the right end of the sheets S stacked on the bottom wall 2. Accordingly, the contact surface 51c1 of the main body 51c of the end guide contacts the right end of the sheet S, that is, the upstream end in the transport direction of the sheet S, and aligns the position of the sheet S on the bottom wall 2 in the transport direction.

  Further, when the end guide 51 moves in the left-right direction, the shaft portion 51b of the end guide 51 moves in the left-right direction. Here, the shaft portion 51 b is supported in a state of being fitted in the guide long hole 62 of the link 61. Therefore, when the end guide 51 moves, the shaft portion 51b pushes the inner wall of the guide slot 62. Therefore, the front end side of the link 61 is pushed and rotates about the rotation center 66. Here, on the rear end side of the link 61, the shaft portion 77 of the slider 71 is inserted into the long slot 63 for the slider. Therefore, when the link 61 rotates, the inner wall of the long slot 63 for the slider pushes the shaft portion 77. Here, the plate 72 of the slider 71 is supported so as to be movable in the left-right direction along the rear wall 3. Therefore, when the link 61 rotates, the shaft portion 77 moves while being pushed along the long slot 63 for the slider, and the slider 71 moves in the left-right direction. Therefore, when the link 61 rotates, the end guide image portion 78 on the plate 72 moves in the left-right direction. That is, depending on the position of the end guide 51 in the left-right direction, the end sensor 93 detects a different position in the left-right direction of the image portion 78 for the end guide.

(Opening and closing operation of paper feed trays TR1 to TR4)
Each of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 is supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction along the guide rail RL1. Therefore, each of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 can be moved to an attachment position shown in FIG. 8B that is housed inside the printer unit U1 and can transport a sheet to the printer unit U1, as an example of a transport position. Each of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 can be moved to an open position shown in FIG. 8C where the sheets S can be stacked by being pulled forward from the printer unit U1 as an example of a stacking position.

(Description of Controller C of Example 1)
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the functions of the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the functions of the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment, and is a continuation of FIG.
9 and 10, the controller C of the copying machine U has an input / output interface I / O for inputting / outputting signals to / from the outside. Further, the controller C has a read only memory (ROM) in which a program and information for performing necessary processing are stored. Further, the controller C has a random access memory (RAM) for temporarily storing necessary data. Further, the controller C includes a central processing unit (CPU) that performs processing according to a program stored in a ROM or the like. Therefore, the controller C of the first embodiment is configured by a small information processing apparatus, a so-called microcomputer. Therefore, the controller C can implement various functions by executing programs stored in the ROM or the like.

(Signal output element connected to controller C)
The controller C of the printer unit U1 receives output signals from the user interface U0 and signal output elements such as the side sensor 92, the end sensor 93, and the open / close sensors 106 and 107.
U0: User interface The user interface U0 includes a power button U01 as an example of a power-on unit, a display panel U02 as an example of a display unit, a start button U03 as an example of a copy start input unit, a number input unit U04, An arrow input unit U05, a size setting button U06 as an example of a medium size input unit, open / close buttons U07a to U07d corresponding to the respective paper feed trays TR1 to TR4, etc. I have.

92: Side Sensor The side sensor 92 reads the side guide image portion 37 and inputs the read image to the controller C.
93: End sensor The end sensor 93 reads the image section 78 for end guide, and inputs the read image to the controller C.
106, 107: Open / close sensors The open / close sensors 106, 107 detect the presence or absence of the guided rail RL2. Therefore, the opening / closing sensors 106 and 107 detect passage of the end portion of the guided rail RL2.

(Controlled element connected to controller C)
The controller C is connected to a drive circuit D1 as a drive source, a power supply circuit E, a drive circuit D2 as a switchgear, and other control elements (not shown). The controller C outputs those control signals to the circuits D1, D2, E and the like.
D1: Driving circuit for driving source The driving circuit D1 for driving source drives the photosensitive drum PR and the like through a main motor M1 as an example of a driving source.
D2: Opening / Closing Device Drive Circuit The opening / closing device driving circuit D2 drives the motor 104 of the opening / closing device 111 of each of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4.

E: Power Supply Circuit The power supply circuit E includes a development power supply circuit Ea, a charging power supply circuit Eb, a transfer power supply circuit Ec, a fixing power supply circuit Ed, and the like.
Ea: Power Supply Circuit for Development The power supply circuit for development Ea applies a development voltage to the development roll R0 of the development device G.
Eb: Charging power supply circuit The charging power supply circuit Eb applies a charging voltage for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum PR to the charging roll CR.
Ec: Transfer Power Supply Circuit The transfer power supply circuit Ec applies a transfer voltage to the transfer roll TR.
Ed: Power supply circuit for fixing The power supply circuit for fixing Ed supplies power for heating the heater to the heating roll Fh of the fixing device F.

(Function of controller C)
The controller C has a function of executing a process according to an input signal from the signal output element and outputting a control signal to each control element. That is, the controller C has the following functions.
C1: Image Formation Control Unit The image formation control unit C1 controls the driving of each member of the copier U, the application timing of each voltage, and the like in accordance with the image information input from the scanner unit U2, thereby forming an image. Run the job that is the action.
C2: Drive Source Control Unit The drive source control unit C2 controls the drive of the main motor M1 via the drive source drive circuit D1, and controls the drive of the photosensitive drum PR and the like.
C3: Power Supply Circuit Control Unit The power supply circuit control unit C3 controls the power supply circuits Ea to Ed to control the voltage applied to each member and the power supplied to each member.

C4: Opening / closing device control means The opening / closing device control means C4 includes a position determination means C4A, an input determination means C4B, and a motor control means C4C, and is supplied via a drive circuit D2 of the opening / closing device. The operation of the paper tray opening / closing device 111 is controlled. That is, the control unit C4 of the opening / closing device according to the first embodiment controls the sheet feeding tray opening / closing device 111 to move the target sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4 between the mounting position and the opening position. .

C4A: Position Discriminating Unit The position discriminating unit C4A discriminates the positions of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 based on the detection results of the open / close sensors 106 and 107. When the rear opening / closing sensor 106 outputs a presence signal indicating that the guided rail RL2 is detected, the position determination unit C4A according to the first exemplary embodiment mounts the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4. It is determined that the position has been moved. Further, when the front opening / closing sensor 107 outputs a no signal indicating that the guided rail RL2 is not detected, the position determination unit C4A according to the first exemplary embodiment sets the sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4 to the open position. It is determined that it has moved to. Therefore, when the output of the front opening / closing sensor 107 is switched from the presence signal to the absence signal, the position determination unit C4A determines that the sheet feed trays TR1 to TR4 have reached the open position. Further, when the output of the rear opening / closing sensor 106 is switched from the absence signal to the presence signal, the position determination unit C4A determines that the sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4 have reached the mounting position.
The open / close sensors 106 and 107 and the position determination means C4A constitute the loading section detection means 106 + 107 + C4A according to the first embodiment.

C4B: Input Discriminating Unit The input discriminating unit C4B determines whether or not the open / close buttons U07a to U07d are pressed. Note that the open / close buttons U07a to U07d that have been pressed specify the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 to be opened and closed.

C4C: Motor Control Unit The motor control unit C4C, which is an example of the control unit for the opening / closing device drive source, controls the drive of the motor 104 of the sheet tray opening / closing device 111 via the opening / closing device drive circuit D2. . That is, the motor control unit C4C according to the first embodiment controls driving of the motors 104 of the corresponding paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 when the open / close buttons U07a to U07d are pressed. Specifically, the motor control unit C4C according to the first embodiment rotates the motor 104 forward when the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are moved to the mounting positions and the open / close buttons U07a to U07d are pressed. Let The motor control means C4C stops the motor 104 when the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 reach the open position. Further, the motor control means C4C according to the first embodiment rotates the motor 104 in the reverse direction when the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are moved to the open position and the open / close buttons U07a to U07d are pressed. The motor control means C4C stops the motor 104 when the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 reach the mounting position.

C5: Detection Time Discriminating Unit The detection timing discrimination unit C5 includes a first timing discrimination unit C5A and a second timing discrimination unit C5B. The detection time determining means C5 determines whether it is time to detect the positions of the guides 21, 22, 61.
C5A: First Time Discriminating Unit The first time discriminating unit C5A is the first time of the second embodiment based on the timing when the guides 21 to 51 are in contact with the sheet S on the bottom wall 2. It is determined whether or not. The first time determination unit C5A according to the first exemplary embodiment determines the first time based on the detection result of the loading unit detection unit 106 + 107 + C104. Specifically, as an example of the case where the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 move from the open position toward the mounting position, it is detected that the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are moved to the open position, and When the opening / closing buttons U07a to U07d are pressed, it is determined that it is the first time.

C5B: Second Time Discriminating Unit The second time discriminating unit C5B is a second timing unit based on the time when the sheet S loaded on the bottom wall 2 is conveyed later than the first time. It is determined whether it is time. The second time determination unit C5B according to the first embodiment determines the second time based on the detection result of the loading unit detection unit 106 + 107 + C104. Specifically, it is detected that the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 have moved to the mounting position, the start button U03 is pressed, and the paper feed trays TR1 to TR1 by the tray selection means C11 to be described later. When the selection of TR4 is completed, it is determined that it is the second time.

C6: Sensor Control Unit The sensor control unit C6 as an example of the detection member control unit includes a first timing control unit C6A and a second timing control unit C6B. The image of the image parts 37 and 78 is read.
C6A: First Time Control Unit The first time control unit C6A reads the images of the image portions 37 and 78 by the sensors 92 and 93 of the target paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 at the first time. Make it.
C6B: Second Time Control Unit The second time control unit C6B reads the images of the image portions 37 and 78 by the sensors 92 and 93 of the target paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 at the second time. Make it. The control means C6B for the second time of the first embodiment controls the sensors 92 and 93 of any of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 according to the paper size of the sheet S accommodated in the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4. . Specifically, the control unit C6B at the second time in the first embodiment controls the sensors 92 and 93 of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 set by the tray setting unit C11 described later, so that the second time is controlled. The images of the image portions 37 and 78 are read.

C7: Side Guide Position Detection Unit The side guide position detection unit C7 as an example of a unit that performs processing for detecting the position of the first aligning unit includes a reading position specifying unit C7A and a guide position calculation unit. C7B. The side guide position detection means C7 performs processing for detecting the positions of the side guides 21 and 22 based on the image read by the side sensor 92.
C7A: Reading Position Specifying Unit The reading position specifying unit C7A as an example of the detection position specifying unit of the first detection member includes an image information storage unit C7A1 and a read image processing unit C7A2. The reading position specifying means C7A specifies the position of the image sensor 37 for the side sensor as the reading position as an example of the position detected by the side sensor 92.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the image unit and the sensor reading position according to the first embodiment when viewed from the front, FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram of the image unit, and FIG. 11B is an explanatory diagram of an image read by the sensor.
C7A1: Image Information Storage Unit The image information storage unit C7A1 stores setting information regarding the side guide image unit 37. In FIG. 11A, an image of a right triangle shape is set in the side guide image portion 37 of the first embodiment. That is, the side guide image portion 37 according to the first embodiment includes a bottom side portion 37a extending in the left-right direction, and an oblique side portion 37b extending rightward from the left end of the bottom side portion 37a. In the image information storage unit C7A according to the first embodiment, the angle θ formed by the bottom side portion 37a and the oblique side portion 37b is stored as setting information.

C7A2: Read Image Processing Unit The read image processing unit C7A2 processes the image read by the side sensor 92. Specifically, the read image processing unit C7A2 according to the first exemplary embodiment specifies the bottom side portion 37a and the oblique side portion 37b in the image 92a read by the side sensor 92. Then, the read image processing unit C7A2 according to the first exemplary embodiment calculates the interval H between the bottom side portion 37a and the oblique side portion 37b. Further, the read image processing unit C7A2 according to the first exemplary embodiment calculates the distance L = H / tan θ based on the angle θ and the interval H. Therefore, in FIG. 11B, the reading position of the side sensor 92 is calculated as a position at a distance L from the left end of the bottom side portion 37a.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a relationship between the position of the side guide slider and the position of the side guide according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12A is an explanatory diagram of the reading position when the slider is moved to the reference position. 12B is an explanatory diagram of the reading position when the slider is moved with respect to the reference position, and FIG. 12C is an explanatory diagram of the position of the side guide.
C7B: Guide Position Calculation Unit The guide position calculation unit C7B as an example of the first alignment unit position calculation unit includes correspondence information storage unit C7B1 and position calculation unit C7B2. The guide position calculation unit C7B according to the first embodiment calculates the positions of the side guides 21 and 22 based on the reading position of the side sensor 92.

C7B1: Correspondence Information Storage Means The correspondence information storage means C7B1 stores correspondence information that associates the position information of the side guide slider 41 with the position information of the side guides 21 and 22. The correspondence information storage unit C7B1 according to the first embodiment stores values α and L0 as an example of correspondence information. That is, in the first embodiment, when the side guides 21 and 22 move, the slider 41 moves in the left-right direction via the linear guided groove 31c extending obliquely with respect to the front-rear direction. Therefore, in the first embodiment, a proportional relationship may be established between the movement amount of the slider 41 and the movement amount of the side guides 21 and 22. Accordingly, the correspondence information storage means C7B1 stores the proportionality constant α of the proportional relationship. Further, the correspondence information storage unit C7B1 of the first embodiment stores the reading position L0 of the side sensor 92 with reference to the case where the side guides 21 and 22 move inward in FIG. 12A. In the correspondence information storage means C7B1, in addition to the values α and L0, the value 2 × Sx0 of the distance between the contact surfaces 21b1 and 22c1 when the side guides 21 and 22 move to the innermost side is also measured in advance. It is remembered.

C7B2: Position calculation means The position calculation means C7B2 is based on the values α, L0, 2 × Sx0 stored in the correspondence information storage means C7B1 and the reading position L of the side sensor 92. The position of is calculated. That is, the reading position L corresponding to the position of the slider 41 is calculated by the reading position specifying means C7A. At this time, the movement amount of the slider 41 with respect to the reference is (L−L0). Therefore, the movement amount Sx of the side guides 21 and 22 with respect to the reference is α × (L−L0). Therefore, at this time, as shown in FIG. 12C, the side guides 21 and 22 have moved from the innermost reference position to positions that are separated from each other in the front-rear direction by a length Sx. Here, since the distance between the contact surfaces 21b1 and 22c1 at the reference position is 2 × Sx0, the distance between the contact surfaces 21b1 and 22c1 when moved by the length Sx is 2 × (Sx + Sx0). On the contrary, if the interval is 2 × (Sx + Sx0), the side guides 21 and 22 have moved to a position away from the reference position by the length Sx.

Accordingly, in the first embodiment, the position of the side guides 21 and 22 is set using the interval value 2 × (Sx + Sx0). That is, the position calculating means of the first embodiment calculates Sx ′ = 2 × (Sx + Sx0), that is, Sx ′ = 2 × {α × (L−L0) + Sx0}. Therefore, in the side guide position detection means C7 of the first embodiment, when the side sensor 92 reads an image, the positions of the side guides 21 and 22 are detected as Sx ′. The value Sx ′ corresponds to the width of the sheet S.
The side sensor 92, the sensor control means C6, and the side guide position detection means C7 constitute the first alignment portion position detection means 92 + C6 + C7 of the first embodiment.

C8: End guide position detection means An end guide position detection means C8 as an example of means for performing processing for detecting the position of the second aligning section includes a reading position specifying means C8A and a guide position calculation means. C8B. The end guide position detecting means C8 performs processing for detecting the position of the end guide 51 based on the image read by the end sensor 93.
C8A: Reading Position Specifying Unit The reading position specifying unit C8A includes an image information storage unit C8A1 and a read image processing unit C8A2. The reading position specifying means C8A according to the first embodiment performs the same control as the reading position specifying means C7A for the side guides 21 and 22. That is, in FIG. 11, the reading position specifying means C8A calculates and specifies the reading position of the end sensor 93 as a position at a distance M = H ′ / tan θ ′ from the left end of the bottom portion 78a in the end guide image portion 78. Is done. Therefore, the detailed description regarding the image position specifying means C8A is omitted.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between the position of the end guide slider and the position of the end guide according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13A is an explanatory diagram of the detection position when the slider is moved to the reference position. 13B is an explanatory diagram of the detection position when the slider moves relative to the reference position, and FIG. 13C is an explanatory diagram of the position of the end guide.
C8B: Guide Position Calculation Means Guide position calculation means C8B as an example of the second alignment portion position calculation means includes correspondence information storage means C8B1 and position calculation means C8B2. The guide position calculation unit C8B according to the first embodiment calculates the position of the end guide 51 based on the detection position of the end sensor 93.

C8B1: Correspondence Information Storage Unit The correspondence information storage unit C8B1 stores correspondence information that associates the position information of the end guide slider 71 with the position information of the end guide 51. The correspondence information storage unit C8B1 according to the first embodiment stores values β and M0 as an example of correspondence information. That is, in the first embodiment, when the end guide 51 moves in the left-right direction, the slider 71 moves in the left-right direction in the reverse direction via the link 61 that rotates about the rotation center 66. Therefore, in the first embodiment, a similar relationship may be established between the movement amount of the slider 71 and the movement amount of the end guide 51, and a proportional relationship may be established. Accordingly, the correspondence information storage means C8B1 stores the proportionality constant β of the proportional relationship. Further, the correspondence information storage unit C8B1 according to the first embodiment stores the detection position M0 of the end sensor 93 so that the case where the end guide 51 moves to the leftmost side in FIG. 13A is used as a reference. The correspondence information storage means C8B1 includes, in addition to the values β and M0, the contact surface 51c1 when the end guide 51 moves to the leftmost side, and the left wall 4 as an example of the fixed second aligning portion. The interval value Sy0 is also measured and stored in advance.

C8B2: Position calculation means The position calculation means C8B2 calculates the position of the end guide 51 based on the values β, M0, Sy0 stored in the correspondence information storage means C8B1 and the reading position M of the end sensor 93. To do. That is, the movement amount Sy of the end guide 51 with respect to the reference is β × (M−M0). Here, since the distance between the contact surface 51c1 at the reference position and the left wall 4 is Sy0, the distance between the contact surface 51c1 and the left wall 4 when moved by the length Sy is Sy + Sy0. Therefore, as in the case of the position calculating means C7B2 of the side guides 21 and 22, the position calculating means C8B2 calculates Sy ′ = Sy + Sy0, that is, Sy ′ = β × (M−M0) + Sy0. Therefore, in the end guide position detecting means C8 of the first embodiment, when the end sensor 93 reads an image, the position of the end guide 51 is detected as Sy ′. The value Sy ′ corresponds to the length of the sheet S in the conveyance direction.
The end sensor 93, the sensor control means C6, and the end guide position detection means C8 constitute the second alignment portion position detection means 93 + C6 + C8 of the first embodiment.

C9: First position guide position storage means The first position guide position storage means C9, which is an example of the first position alignment section position storage means, is a guide detected at the first time. Information on the positions 21, 22, 51 is stored. The storage unit C9 for the guide position at the first time in the first embodiment uses the first time, that is, the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are moved to the open position as information on the positions of the side guides 21 and 22. In addition, when the open / close buttons U07a to U07d are pressed, the position Sx ′ calculated and detected is stored. Further, the first position guide position storage means C9 of the first embodiment stores the position Sy ′ calculated and detected at the first time as information on the position of the end guide 51.

C10: Usage Size Acquisition Unit The usage size acquisition unit C10, which is an example of a medium size acquisition unit, is information on the size of the sheet S to be used during a job to be executed, so-called information about the size of the sheet S. To get. The used size acquisition unit C10 according to the first exemplary embodiment acquires the length λ1 corresponding to the width direction of the sheet S and the length λ2 corresponding to the conveyance direction of the sheet S as the size information of the sheet S. Specifically, the used size acquisition unit C10 according to the first exemplary embodiment acquires the read original lengths λ1 and λ2 based on the size of the original read from the scanner unit U2. In addition, when the size setting button U06 is operated to specify the size of the sheet S to be used, the used size acquisition unit C10 according to the first embodiment uses the lengths λ1 and λ2 based on the specified size. To get.

C11: Tray Selection Unit A tray selection unit C11 as an example of a medium container specifying unit includes a determination unit C11A, a sheet presence / absence flag FL1, and a notification unit C11B. The tray selecting means C11 is configured to select the sheets based on the positions Sx ′ and Sy ′ stored in the first position guide position storing means C9 and the lengths λ1 and λ2 acquired by the use size acquiring means C10. Paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 for feeding S are selected. That is, the tray selecting means C11 selects the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 in which the guide positions Sx ′ and Sy ′ in the first period correspond to the lengths λ1 and λ2. The tray selecting means C11 starts processing after the start button U03 is pressed.

C11A: Determination Unit The determination unit C11A determines whether or not the guide positions Sx ′ and Sy ′ correspond to the lengths λ1 and λ2. In the first embodiment, as an example of corresponding cases, it is determined whether or not the guide positions Sx ′ and Sy ′ coincide with the lengths λ1 and λ2. Specifically, the determination unit C11A according to the first exemplary embodiment determines whether Sx ′ = λ1 and Sy ′ = λ2 in the order of the paper feed trays TR1, TR2, TR3, and TR4. At this time, if the determination unit C11A according to the first exemplary embodiment determines that Sx ′ = λ1 and Sy ′ = λ2, the process ends without determining the subsequent paper feed trays TR2 to TR4.

  In addition, when the determination unit C11A according to the first exemplary embodiment determines that Sx ′ = λ1 and Sy ′ = λ2 for all the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4, the comparison unit C11A compares the positions Sx ′ and Sy ′ with each other. The λ1 and λ2 are interchanged for determination. That is, the determination unit C11A according to the first exemplary embodiment determines whether or not Sx ′ = λ2 and Sy ′ = λ1 in the order of the paper feed trays TR1, TR2, TR3, and TR4. At this time, if the determination unit C11A of the first embodiment determines that Sx ′ = λ2 and Sy ′ = λ1, the process ends without determining the subsequent paper feed trays TR2 to TR4.

FL1: Sheet presence / absence flag The sheet presence / absence flag FL1, which is an example of a medium presence / absence identification value, stores a value for identifying the presence / absence of a sheet based on the determination result of the determination unit C11A. Specifically, the initial value of the sheet presence / absence flag FL1 in the first embodiment is “0”. Further, in the first embodiment, the sheet presence / absence flag FL1 is set so that the discrimination means C11A sets the guide positions Sx 'and Sy' at the first time to the lengths λ1 and λ2 for all the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4. If it is determined that the sheet does not correspond, “1” indicating that there is no corresponding sheet S is set.
C11B: Notifying means The notifying means C11B as an example of means for notifying that there is no medium of the designated size is the guide position Sx ′, Sy ′ at the first time in all the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4. Is not corresponding to the lengths λ1 and λ2, that is, when FL1 = “1”, a preset image is displayed on the display panel U02. The notification unit C11B according to the first embodiment displays on the display panel U02 an image for notifying that the sheet S having the size acquired by the used size acquisition unit C10 is not present in the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4.

Therefore, the tray selecting unit C11 according to the first exemplary embodiment is configured such that when the determining unit C11A determines that the positions Sx ′ and Sy ′ and the lengths λ1 and λ2 match, the sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4 determined to match. Are selected as the sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4 on which the sheet S is fed. In the first embodiment, when the determination unit C11A determines that the positions Sx ′ and Sy ′ of all the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 do not match the lengths λ1 and λ2, the notification unit C11B displays the display panel U02. Display the image.
In the first embodiment, when the notification unit C11B displays an image on the display panel U02, the process of selecting the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 is stopped. Therefore, subsequent jobs are interrupted.

C12: Deviation Amount Calculation Unit The deviation amount calculation unit C12 includes a side deviation amount calculation unit C12A and an end deviation amount calculation unit C12B. The shift amount calculation means C12 is configured to detect a shift amount ΔSx ′ between the guide positions Sx ′ and Sy ′ detected at the first time and the guide positions Sx ′ and Sy ′ detected at the second time. , ΔSy ′ is calculated. In the following description, the guide positions Sx ′ and Sy ′ detected at the first time are represented by Sx1 ′ and Sy1 ′. The guide positions Sx ′ and Sy ′ detected at the second time are represented by Sx2 ′ and Sy2 ′.

C12A: Side Deviation Amount Calculation Unit The side deviation amount calculation unit C12A, which is an example of the first alignment portion deviation amount calculation unit, calculates the side deviation amount ΔSx ′ as an example of the first alignment portion deviation amount. calculate. The side deviation amount calculating means C12A of the first embodiment is configured such that the position Sx1 ′ of the side guides 21 and 22 stored in the storage means C9 of the first time position and the control means C6B of the second time are the side sensors 92. The side deviation amount ΔSx ′ is calculated based on the position Sx2 ′ of the side guides 21 and 22 detected by controlling. Specifically, the side deviation amount calculation unit C12A according to the first embodiment calculates the side deviation amount ΔSx ′ as ΔSx ′ = Sx2′−Sx1 ′.

C12B: End Deviation Amount Calculation Unit The end deviation amount calculation unit C12B as an example of the second deviation amount calculation unit calculates an end deviation amount ΔSy ′ as an example of the deviation amount of the position of the second alignment portion. To do. In the first embodiment, the end deviation amount calculating means C12B controls the position Sy1 ′ of the end guide 51 stored in the storage means C9 of the first time position, and the control means C6B of the second time controls the end sensor 93. Based on the detected position Sy2 ′ of the end guide 51, the end shift amount ΔSy ′ is calculated. Specifically, the end deviation amount calculation unit C12B according to the first embodiment calculates the end deviation amount ΔSy ′ as ΔSy ′ = Sy2′−Sy1 ′.

C13: Side Deviation Determination Unit The side deviation determination unit C13 as an example of the first alignment portion deviation determination unit includes a reference value storage unit C13A and a large / small determination unit C13B. The side deviation determining means C13 determines whether or not a positional deviation has occurred in the side guides 21 and 22, that is, whether or not the positional deviation of the side guides 21 and 22 is acceptable.
C13A: Reference Value Storage Unit The reference value storage unit C13A stores a reference value εx for determining whether or not the side shift amount ΔSx ′ is acceptable. The reference value εx is set in advance according to the configuration of the image forming apparatus, such as the detection accuracy of the position Sx ′ of the side guides 21 and 22 and the calculation accuracy of the side deviation amount ΔSx ′. Therefore, for example, an image is recorded by feeding a sheet S with a certain amount of side deviation ΔSx ′, and it is evaluated whether or not the deviation of the position of the image recorded on the sheet S is allowable. It is possible to set εx.

C13B: Large / small discriminating means The large / small discriminating means C13B discriminates the magnitude relation between the side deviation amount ΔSx ′ and the reference value εx. Specifically, the size determining means C13B of the first embodiment determines whether or not | ΔSx ′ | ≦ εx. Thereby, in the side deviation determination means C13 of the first embodiment, when the side deviation amount ΔSx ′ is equal to or smaller than the reference value εx, it is determined that the position deviation of the side guides 21 and 22 is allowable. On the other hand, in the side deviation determination means C13 of the first embodiment, when the amount of the side deviation ΔSx ′ is larger than the reference value εx, it is determined that the position deviation cannot be allowed.

C14: End Deviation Determination Unit The end deviation determination unit C14 as an example of the second alignment unit deviation determination unit includes a reference value storage unit C14A and a large / small determination unit C14B. The end deviation determination means C14 determines whether or not the position shift of the end guide 51 is allowable. The end deviation discriminating means C14, the reference value storing means C14A, and the magnitude discriminating means C14B are configured in accordance with whether or not the deviation of the position of the end guide 51 is acceptable. Since it is the same as the side deviation determination means C13, the reference value storage means C13A, and the magnitude determination means C13B, detailed description thereof is omitted.

C15: Size detecting means The size detecting means C15 as an example of the means for detecting the size of the medium is detected when the deviation amounts ΔSx ′ and ΔSy ′ are smaller than the reference values εx and εy. Based on the positions Sx ′ and Sy ′ of the guides 21, 22 and 51, the sizes of the sheets S stacked on the paper feed trays TR 1 to TR 4 are detected. The size detecting means C15 of the first embodiment is determined to be acceptable when | ΔSx ′ | ≦ εx and | ΔSy ′ | ≦ εy, that is, the side deviation amount judging means C13 and the end deviation. If it is determined that the amount is acceptable by the amount determination means C14, the positions Sx1 'and Sy1' of the guides 21, 22, 51 at the first time are detected as the size of the sheet S. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the lengths λ1 and λ2 are detected as the size of the sheet S. Therefore, the image forming process is continued based on the lengths λ1 and λ2, and the sheet S is fed from the selected paper feed trays TR1 to TR4. Note that the size detection unit C15 according to the first exemplary embodiment does not detect the size of the sheet S when it is determined that any one of the deviation amount determination units C13 and C14 is not acceptable. That is, in this case, the image forming process is interrupted. Therefore, the sheet S is not fed from the selected paper feed trays TR1 to TR4.

C16: Direction Conversion Unit The direction conversion unit C16, which is an example of an image rotation unit, matches the image direction and the sheet S direction based on the image information and the sheet S information. The orientation conversion unit according to the first exemplary embodiment corresponds to the feeding direction of the acquired image information when the image information acquired from the original as an example of the original image does not correspond to the feeding direction of the sheet S. Convert to image information. The direction conversion means C16 of the first embodiment converts the image information read by the scanner unit U2 into 90-degree rotated image information when the determination means C11A determines that Sx ′ = λ2 and Sy ′ = λ1. Convert. In other words, in the first exemplary embodiment, when the sheets S of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 correspond in size to the image information of the document but do not match the orientation, the image information is converted. Therefore, the orientation determination unit C16 of the first embodiment does not convert the image information when the determination unit C11A determines that Sx ′ = λ1 and Sy ′ = λ2.

C17: Write Circuit Control Unit The write circuit control unit C17, which is an example of a control unit that performs control to move the position of the image, determines the position of the image to be recorded on the sheet S based on the side shift amount ΔSx ′. Control to move. The writing circuit control means C17 according to the first embodiment controls the writing circuit DL included in the printer unit U1 as an example of the recording unit, so that the position of the laser light L written on the photosensitive drum PR is determined by the distance ΔSx ′ /. Move 2 backwards. That is, the control means C17 of the writing circuit according to the first embodiment has a position where the laser light L is written on the photosensitive drum PR by the distance ΔSx ′ / 2 as compared with the case where the side guides 21 and 22 are not displaced. The writing circuit DL is controlled to move to the rear side. The distance ΔSx ′ corresponds to the total amount of displacement of the side guides 21 and 22, and the distance ΔSx ′ / 2 is the distance that the rear side guide 22 has moved.

C18: Reference value storage means A reference value storage means C18 as an example of means for storing a reference value for determining a failure is used to determine whether or not the guides 21, 22, 51 are out of order. Store the reference value. The reference value storage unit C18 of the first embodiment stores a reference value Nt0 of the number of times of use of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 as an example of a reference value for determining a measurement interval. The reference value storage means C19 stores reference values Nx0 and Ny0 for failure of the side guides 21 and 22 and the end guide 51 as an example of reference values for determining the number of occurrences in the measurement interval. The reference values Nt0, Nx0, and Ny0 are experimental values from the viewpoint of the configuration of the image forming apparatus, such as the ease of movement of the guides 21, 22, 51, and the measurement interval that is sufficient to reduce the occurrence of deviation. , Preset by measurement. In the first embodiment, Nt0 = 100, Nx0 = 3, and Ny0 = 3 are stored as the reference values Nt0, Nx0, and Ny0.

C19: Side Failure Determination Unit The side failure determination unit C19 as an example of the first alignment unit failure determination unit includes a determination history storage unit C19A, a determination history update unit C19B, and an occurrence count. It has measuring means C19C, failure determining means C19D, and side flag FL2. The side failure determination means C19 determines whether or not the side guides 21 and 22 are out of order for each of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4, based on the determination result of the side deviation determination means C13.
C19A: Discrimination History Storage Unit The discrimination history storage unit C19A, which is an example of a unit that stores the number of occurrences of positional deviation, displays the discrimination result of the side deviation discrimination unit C13 for each of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4. Only the reference value Nt0 of the number of times of use is stored. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the determination history storage unit C19A stores the determination result of the side deviation determination unit C13 for 100 times for each of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4.

C19B: Discrimination History Update Unit The discrimination history update unit C19B updates the storage information in the discrimination history storage unit C19A. The discrimination history update unit C19B according to the first embodiment updates the stored information in the discrimination history storage unit C19A when the side deviation determination unit C13 performs the discrimination process. That is, when the latest discriminant result is obtained, the discriminant history update unit C19B of the first embodiment deletes the oldest discriminant result stored in the discriminant history storage unit C19A, and replaces the oldest discriminant result with the above-mentioned discriminant result. The latest discrimination result is stored. Therefore, the discrimination history storage means C19A of Embodiment 1 stores the discrimination results for the past 100 times of the side deviation discrimination means C13 for each of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4.

C19C: Number of occurrences measuring means The number of occurrences measuring means C19C measures the number of occurrences of positional deviation in the side guides 21, 22, that is, the number of occurrences of deviation Nx. The number-of-occurrence-count measuring means C19C according to the first embodiment measures the number of occurrences Nx based on the storage information stored in the discrimination history storage means C20A. That is, in the first embodiment, regarding the determination result of the side shift determination unit C13, the number of times that the position shift of the side guides 21 and 22 is determined to be unacceptable in the past 100 times is measured as the occurrence number Nx. The The number-of-occurrence-counting measurement unit C19C according to the first exemplary embodiment performs the number-of-occurrence-number Nx measurement process when the side deviation determination unit C13 determines that the position shift of the side guides 21 and 22 is not acceptable. .

C19D: Failure determination means The failure determination means C19D determines whether or not the side guides 21 and 22 have failed based on the number of occurrences Nx. The failure determination unit C19D according to the first embodiment determines that the side guides 21 and 22 have failed when the occurrence count Nx is equal to or greater than the failure reference value Nx0. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the side guides 21 and 22 are out of order when the number of times that the position shift of the side guides 21 and 22 is determined to be unacceptable occurs three times or more in the past 100 times. Determined. The failure determination unit C19D according to the first embodiment executes a determination process as to whether or not a failure has occurred when the occurrence number measurement unit C19C measures the occurrence number Nx.

FL2: Side flag The side flag FL2 as an example of the identification value of the first aligning portion stores a value for identifying the determination results of the side deviation determination unit C13 and the side failure determination unit C19. . Specifically, the initial value of the side flag FL2 of the first embodiment is “00”. Also, “01” is set in the side flag FL2 of the first embodiment when the failure determination unit C19D determines that the side guides 21 and 22 are out of order. Further, in the side flag FL2 of the first embodiment, when the failure determination unit C19D determines that the side guides 21 and 22 are not broken, that is, only when it is determined that a shift has occurred, 10 "is set.

C20: End failure determination means An end failure determination means C20 as an example of a failure determination means of the second aligning unit includes a determination history storage means C20A, a determination history update means C20B, and an occurrence count. It has measuring means C20C, failure determining means C20D, and an end flag FL3. The end failure determination means C20 determines whether or not the end guide 51 has failed for each of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4, based on the determination result of the end deviation determination means C14. The means C20A to C20D included in the end failure determining means C20 and the end failure determining means C20 are configured in accordance with determining whether or not the end guide 51 is out of order. Is the same as the means C19A to C19D, FL2 included in the side failure determination means C19 and the side failure determination means C19, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

C21: Deviation occurrence notifying means The deviation occurrence notifying means C21 as an example of means for notifying that the positional deviation has occurred in the aligning unit has determined that the deviation discriminating means C13, C14 cannot tolerate the position deviation. In this case, the user is notified that the guides 21, 22, 51 are misaligned. When the deviation occurrence notifying means C21 in the first embodiment determines that at least one of the side deviation determining means C13 and the end deviation determining means C14 cannot tolerate the positional deviation, the failure determining means C19 and C20 fail. If it is determined that the guides 21, 22, and 51 are misaligned, an image is displayed on the display panel U 02. Specifically, the notification means C21 of occurrence of deviation in the first embodiment has the flag values FL2 = “10” and FL3 = “10”, FL2 = “10” and FL3 = “00”, or FL2 = When “00” and FL3 = “10”, the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 selected by the tray selection unit C11 and the guides 21 that are determined to be unacceptable by the shift determination units C13 and C14, 22 and 51 are displayed. In the first embodiment, when the deviation occurrence notification unit C21 displays an image on the display panel U02, the subsequent job is interrupted.

C22: Failure notification means The failure notification means C22 indicates that the guides 21, 22, 51 have failed when the failure determination means C19, C20 determines that the guides 21, 22, 51 have failed. To the user. The failure notification means C22 according to the first embodiment displays the guides 21, 22 on the display panel U02 when it is determined that at least one of the side failure determination means C19 and the end failure determination means C20 has failed. An image notifying that 51 is out of order is displayed. Specifically, the failure notification unit C22 according to the first exemplary embodiment is configured such that when at least one of the flags FL2 and FL3 is “01”, the failure is caused by the sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4 selected by the tray selection unit C11. An image for notifying the guides 21, 22, 51 determined to be broken by the determination means C 19, C 20 is displayed. In the first embodiment, when the failure notification unit C22 displays an image on the display panel U02, the subsequent job is interrupted.

(Explanation of flowchart of Example 1)
Next, a control flow in the copying machine U according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart, a so-called flowchart.

(Explanation of Flowchart of Guide Position Detection Processing when Opening in Example 1)
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a flow chart of the guide position detection process at the time of opening.
Processing in each step ST of the flowchart of FIG. 14 is performed according to a program stored in the controller C of the copying machine U. This process is executed in parallel with other various processes of the copying machine U.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 14 is started when the copying machine U is turned on.
In ST1 of FIG. 14, it is determined whether or not the open / close buttons U07a to U07d are pressed. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST2. If no (N), ST1 is repeated.
In ST2, the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 corresponding to the pressed open / close buttons U07a to U07d are moved toward the open position. That is, the motor 104 corresponding to the pressed open / close buttons U07a to U07d is rotated forward. Then, the process proceeds to ST3.
In ST3, it is determined whether or not the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 have moved to the open position. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST4. If no (N), ST3 is repeated.
In ST4, the motor 104 is stopped. Then, the process proceeds to ST5.
In ST5, it is determined whether or not the open / close buttons U07a to U07d are pressed. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST6, and if no (N), ST5 is repeated.

In ST6, the positions Sx1 ′, Sy1 ′ of the guides 21, 22, 51 at the first time are detected. That is, a guide position calculation process shown in FIG. Then, the process proceeds to ST7.
In ST7, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed, and the process proceeds to ST8.
(1) The position Sx1 ′ of the side guides 21 and 22 is stored.
(2) The position Sy1 ′ of the end guide 51 is stored.
In ST8, the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 that have moved to the open position are moved toward the mounting position. That is, the motors 104 of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 that have moved to the open position are rotated in reverse. Then, the process proceeds to ST9.
In ST9, it is determined whether or not the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 have moved to the mounting position. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST10, and if no (N), ST9 is repeated.
In ST10, the motor 104 is stopped. Then, the process returns to ST1.

(Description of Flowchart of Image Forming Process of Example 1)
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of image forming processing according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of image forming processing according to the first exemplary embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart subsequent to FIG.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of image forming processing according to the first exemplary embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart subsequent to FIG.
Processing of each step ST of the flowcharts of FIGS. 15 to 17 is performed according to a program stored in the controller C of the copying machine U. Further, this process is executed in parallel processing in parallel with other various processes of the copying machine U.

The flowcharts shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 are started when the copying machine U is turned on.
In ST11 of FIG. 15, it is determined whether or not the start button U03 is pressed, that is, whether or not the job is started. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST12. If no (N), ST11 is repeated.
In ST12, information on the size of the sheet S used during the job is acquired. That is, the length λ1 corresponding to the width direction of the sheet S and the length λ2 corresponding to the conveyance direction of the sheet S are acquired. Then, the process proceeds to ST13.
In ST13, it is determined whether or not Sx1 ′ = λ1 and Sy1 ′ = λ2 for the paper feed tray TR1. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST17. If no (N), the process proceeds to ST14.
In ST14, it is determined whether or not Sx1 ′ = λ1 and Sy1 ′ = λ2 for the paper feed tray TR2. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST18, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST15.
In ST15, it is determined whether or not Sx1 ′ = λ1 and Sy1 ′ = λ2 for the paper feed tray TR3. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST19, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST16.
In ST16, it is determined whether or not Sx1 ′ = λ1 and Sy1 ′ = λ2 for the paper feed tray TR4. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST20. If no (N), the process proceeds to ST21 shown in FIG.

In ST17, the paper feed tray TR1 is selected. Then, the process proceeds to ST31 shown in FIG.
In ST18, the paper feed tray TR2 is selected. Then, the process proceeds to ST31 shown in FIG.
In ST19, the paper feed tray TR3 is selected. Then, the process proceeds to ST31 shown in FIG.
In ST20, the paper feed tray TR4 is selected. Then, the process proceeds to ST31 shown in FIG.

In ST21 of FIG. 16, it is determined whether or not Sx1 ′ = λ2 and Sy1 ′ = λ1 for the paper feed tray TR1. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST25, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST22.
In ST22, it is determined whether or not Sx1 ′ = λ2 and Sy1 ′ = λ1 for the paper feed tray TR2. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST26, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST23.
In ST23, it is determined whether or not Sx1 ′ = λ2 and Sy1 ′ = λ1 for the paper feed tray TR3. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST27, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST24.
In ST24, it is determined whether or not Sx1 ′ = λ2 and Sy1 ′ = λ1 for the paper feed tray TR4. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST28, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST30.

In ST25, the paper feed tray TR1 is selected. Then, the process proceeds to ST29.
In ST26, the paper feed tray TR2 is selected. Then, the process proceeds to ST29.
In ST27, the paper feed tray TR3 is selected. Then, the process proceeds to ST29.
In ST28, the paper feed tray TR4 is selected. Then, the process proceeds to ST29.
In ST29, the image information read by the scanner unit U2 is converted into image information rotated by 90 degrees. Then, the process proceeds to ST31.
In ST30, “1” is set in the flag FL1 of the presence / absence of a sheet. Then, the process ends.
In ST31, the positions Sx2 ′ and Sy2 ′ of the guides 21, 22, 51 at the second time are detected. That is, a guide position calculation process shown in FIG. Then, the process proceeds to ST32 shown in FIG.

In ST32 of FIG. 17, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed, and the process proceeds to ST33.
(1) A side shift amount ΔSx ′ (ΔSx ′ = Sx2′−Sx1 ′) is calculated.
(2) The end deviation amount ΔSy ′ (ΔSy ′ = Sy2′−Sy1 ′) is calculated.
In ST33, it is determined whether or not the size of the side shift amount ΔSx ′ is acceptable, that is, whether or not the size of the side shift amount ΔSx ′ is equal to or smaller than a reference value εx. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST34, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST35.
In ST34, the discrimination history of the side guides 21 and 22 is updated. Then, the process proceeds to ST40.
In ST35, the discrimination history of the side guides 21 and 22 is updated. Then, the process proceeds to ST36.
In ST36, the number Nx of occurrences of deviation is measured based on the discrimination history of the side guides 21 and 22. Then, the process proceeds to ST37.

In ST37, it is determined whether or not the side guides 21 and 22 are out of order, that is, whether or not the number Nx of occurrences of deviation is equal to or greater than a reference value Nx0. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST38, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST39.
In ST38, “01” is set to the side flag FL2. Then, the process proceeds to ST40.
In ST39, “10” is set to the side flag FL2. Then, the process proceeds to ST40.

In ST40, it is determined whether or not the end deviation amount ΔSy ′ is allowable, that is, whether or not the side deviation amount ΔSy ′ is equal to or smaller than a reference value εy. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST41, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST42.
In ST41, the determination history of the end guide 51 is updated. Then, the process proceeds to ST47.
In ST42, the determination history of the end guide 51 is updated. Then, the process proceeds to ST43.
In ST43, based on the determination history of the end guide 51, the number Ny of occurrences of deviation is measured. Then, the process proceeds to ST44.

In ST44, it is determined whether or not the end guide 51 is out of order, that is, whether or not the number of occurrences of deviation Ny is equal to or greater than a reference value Ny0. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST45, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST46.
In ST45, “01” is set to the end flag FL3. Then, the process proceeds to ST47.
In ST46, “10” is set to the end flag FL3. Then, the process proceeds to ST47.

In ST47, it is determined whether FL1 = "00" and FL2 = "00". If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST48, and if no (N), the process ends.
In ST48, the size of the sheet S in the selected paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 is detected. Then, the process proceeds to ST49.
In ST49, the writing circuit DL is controlled to move the position of the laser beam L written on the photosensitive drum PR to the rear side by the distance ΔSx ′ / 2. Then, the process proceeds to ST50.
In ST50, it is determined whether or not the job is finished. If yes (Y), the process returns to ST11 shown in FIG. 15, and if no (N), ST50 is repeated.

(Description of Flowchart of Guide Position Calculation Processing in Embodiment 1)
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of the guide position calculation process according to the first embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of the subroutine of ST6 of FIG. 14 and ST31 of FIG.
In ST101 of FIG. 18, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed, and the process proceeds to ST102.
(1) The image 92 a is read from the image unit 37 by the side sensor 92.
(2) The image 93 a is read from the image unit 78 by the end sensor 93.
In ST102, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed, and the process proceeds to ST103.
(1) Based on the image 92a, an interval H between the bottom side portion 37a and the oblique side portion 37b is calculated.
(2) Based on the image 93a, an interval H ′ between the base part 78a and the oblique part 78b is calculated.

In ST103, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed, and the process proceeds to ST104.
(1) A distance L = H / tan θ from the right end of the base portion 37a is calculated based on the interval H of the image portion 37.
(2) The distance M = H ′ / tan θ ′ from the right end of the bottom portion 78a is calculated based on the interval H ′ of the image portion 78.
In ST104, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed, and the guide position calculation process ends.
(1) Based on the distance L, the position Sx ′ = 2 × {α × (L−L0) + Sx0} of the side guides 21 and 22 is calculated.
(2) Based on the distance M, the position Sy ′ = β × (M−M0) + Sy0 of the end guide 51 is calculated.

(Description of Flowchart of Error Display Processing in Embodiment 1)
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of error display processing according to the first embodiment.
The processing of each step ST in the flowchart of FIG. 19 is performed according to a program stored in the controller C of the copying machine U. This process is executed in parallel with other various processes of the copying machine U.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 19 is started when the copying machine U is turned on.
In ST201, it is determined whether or not the start button U03 is pressed. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST202, and if no (N), ST201 is repeated.
In ST202, it is determined whether or not the sheet presence / absence flag FL1 is "1". If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST203, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST204.
In ST203, an image for notifying that there are no sheets S having the lengths λ1 and λ2 in the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 is displayed on the display panel U02. Then, the process ends.
In ST204, it is determined whether or not the side flag FL2 is “01”. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST206, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST205.
In ST205, it is determined whether or not the end flag FL3 is "01". If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST206, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST207.

In ST206, based on the values of FL2 and FL3, it is displayed on panel U02 that guides 21, 22, 51 are out of order. Then, the process ends.
In ST207, it is determined whether or not the side flag FL2 is “10”. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST209, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST208.
In ST208, it is determined whether or not the end flag FL3 is “10”. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST209, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST210.
In ST209, based on the values of FL2 and FL3, display is made on panel U02 that displays that the guides 21, 22, and 51 are displaced. Then, the process ends.
In ST210, it is determined whether or not the job is finished. If yes (Y), the process returns to ST201, and if no (N), the process returns to ST202.

(Functions of each process of the first embodiment)
In the copying machine U according to the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, when the power is turned on and the opening / closing buttons U07a to U07d are pressed, ST1 to ST4 of the guide position detection process when the first embodiment is opened are executed. The Accordingly, the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 move from the mounting position to the open position corresponding to the pressed open / close buttons U07a to U07d. When the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 move to the open position, the user can work on the inside of the case 1. Therefore, in the open position, the sheet S can be replenished or exchanged with respect to the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4. It is also possible to align the ends of the stacked sheets S by moving the guides 21, 22, 51 according to the stored sheets S. That is, in the open position, the so-called sheet S can be set on the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4.

  When the open / close buttons U07a to U07d are pressed from the state where the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are moved to the open position, the calculation processing of the guide position is executed. Accordingly, the image portions 37 and 78 on the interlocking members 41 and 81 interlocking with the guides 21, 22 and 51 are read by the sensors 92 and 93. Based on the read images 92a and 93a, the position Sx ′ of the side guides 21 and 22 and the position Sy ′ of the end guide are calculated. Therefore, the positions of the guides 21, 22, 51 immediately before the sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4 move from the open position are detected as the positions Sx1 ′, Sy1 ′ of the guides 21, 22, 51 at the first time. Then, the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 move from the open position to the mounting position.

  Further, in the copying machine U of the first embodiment, when the start button U03 is pressed, the image forming process of the first embodiment is executed. That is, when the start button U03 is pressed and the job is started, the length λ1 corresponding to the width direction of the sheet S related to the image information and the sheet S based on the image information of the document read by the scanner unit U2 and the like. The length λ2 corresponding to the transport direction is acquired. The paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are selected according to the relationship between the lengths λ1 and λ2 and the positions Sx1 ′ and Sy1 ′ of the guides 21, 22, 51 at the first time. At this time, if it is determined that the lengths λ1 and λ2 match but the directions do not match, the image information of the document is rotated by 90 °. When it is determined that the sheets S corresponding to the lengths λ1 and λ2 are not in the sheet feed trays TR1 to TR4, the sheet feed trays TR1 to TR4 are not selected. In this case, the sheet presence / absence flag FL1 is set to “1”, and the image forming process is interrupted.

When the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are selected, a guide position calculation process is executed. Therefore, the guide positions Sx ′ and Sy ′ of the selected paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are calculated. Therefore, in the first exemplary embodiment, the positions of the guides 21, 22, 51 immediately before the sheet feeding operation is started are detected as the positions Sx2 ', Sy2' of the guides 21, 22, 51 at the second time. When the positions Sx2 ′ and Sy2 ′ of the guides 21 to 51 at the second time are detected, the guide deviation amounts ΔSx ′ and ΔSy are based on the positions Sx1 ′ to Sy2 ′ at the first time and the second time. 'Is calculated.
Based on the magnitude relationship between the guide displacement amounts ΔSx ′, ΔSy ′ and the reference values εx, εy, whether or not the guides 21 to 51 are allowed to be displaced and whether or not the guides 21 to 51 are broken are determined. .

  Generally, in the sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4, the position of the guide is also set when the sheet S is set. However, the guide is configured to be movable, and it is necessary to maintain the position of the guide. In order to maintain the position of the guide, a configuration using a fixing mechanism that fixes the claw by hooking it into a hole is conceivable. However, when a fixing mechanism is used, the structure of the guide tends to be complicated. Further, when the sheet S is to be replaced with a different size, it is necessary to release and set the fixing mechanism, which complicates the movement of the guide. Furthermore, it is necessary to provide the positions of the holes in advance, so that only the so-called fixed size can be handled.

  In contrast, in the configuration in which the position of the guide is held by the frictional force between the guide and the member that supports the guide, the configuration of the guide is simplified and the guide is easily moved compared to the case where the fixing mechanism is used. It is. It is also possible to prepare non-standard size sheets S. However, when the sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4 move to the mounting position, the sheet S pushes the guide due to an impact at the time of mounting or inertia. Therefore, at this time, excessive force is likely to act on the guide, and in the configuration in which the position of the guide is held by frictional force, the position of the guide may be shifted. In addition, there is a possibility that the guide will be loose due to vibration during driving of the printer unit U1, the operation of the pickup roll Rp, contact between the printer unit U1 and the user, and the like. Therefore, when the position of the guide is held by the frictional force, even if the user sets the guide according to the size of the sheet S, the position of the guide is actually detected when the size is detected or the paper is fed. It may be off.

  Here, in the conventional configuration as described in Patent Document 1, the size of the sheet S is directly detected according to the position of the guide after the sheet feeding tray is accommodated in the apparatus main body. That is, in the conventional configuration, it is not assumed that a position shift occurs in the guide, and the sheet S is fed by specifying the size of the sheet S only by detecting the position of the guide once. Therefore, in the conventional configuration, the position of the detected guide may be shifted with respect to the original sheet S, and the size of the sheet S may be erroneously detected. If the size of the sheet S is erroneously detected, there is a risk that image formation is performed based on an incorrect size different from the actual size.

  That is, for example, when A4 size paper is stored in the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4, a case where the positions of the guides 21 to 51 are shifted to the US legal size position is considered. In this case, in the conventional technique for detecting the size after loading, the paper is erroneously detected as the US legal size even though A4 size paper is stored. Therefore, the recording position of the image may be shifted on the sheet S, or the image may be too large to protrude from the actual sheet S, thereby causing a so-called printing error. In addition, although the sheet S corresponding to the size of the document is actually stored, it is determined that the corresponding sheet S does not exist, and the image forming operation may be interrupted.

  In addition, when the deviation of the guide is too large, a gap is generated between the sheet S and the guide, and the ability to align the guide with the sheet S is reduced. Accordingly, in this case, even if the sheet S is fed, the posture of the sheet S is likely to be disturbed during feeding, and the sheet S may be conveyed while being inclined, and so-called skew may occur. Therefore, in the conventional configuration, in addition to erroneous detection of the sheet S, skew may occur, and an image may be recorded on the sheet S with an inclination, or a paper jam may occur due to being caught on the conveyance path. It was.

In contrast, in the first embodiment, the shift amounts ΔSx ′ and ΔSy ′ are calculated based on the positions Sx1 ′ and Sy1 ′ at the first time and the positions Sx2 ′ and Sy2 ′ at the second time. . Therefore, in the first embodiment, it is possible to detect whether or not the positions of the guides 21 to 51 are shifted. In other words, in the first exemplary embodiment, erroneous detection of the size of the sheet S based on the position of the shifted guide is reduced compared to a configuration in which the shift of the guides 21 to 51 cannot be detected.
In addition, the deviation amounts ΔSx ′ and ΔSy ′ in the first embodiment are the first time positions Sx1 ′ and Sy1 ′ detected immediately before the sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4 move from the open position, and immediately before the sheet feeding. It is calculated based on the detected positions Sx2 and Sy2 of the second time.

That is, the positions Sx1 ′ and Sy1 ′ at the first time are positions before the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are moved to the mounting positions. Therefore, the positions Sx1 ′ and Sy1 ′ of the guide are likely to be positions corresponding to the size of the sheet S compared to the positions Sx2 ′ and Sy2 ′ after the sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4 are moved to the mounting positions.
Therefore, in the first embodiment, when the shift amounts ΔSx ′ and ΔSy ′ are equal to or less than the reference values εx and εy, the gap between the sheet S and the side guides 21 and 22 is small, and the sheet S is moved to the side guides 21 and 22. It is easy to be fed while being guided. On the other hand, if the deviation amounts ΔSx ′ and ΔSy ′ are larger than the reference values εx and εy, the job is interrupted without feeding paper. Therefore, in the first embodiment, in addition to reducing erroneous detection of the size of the sheet S, it is easy to reduce the occurrence of skew.

  Further, in the first exemplary embodiment, when the sheet S is fed from the selected paper feed trays TR1 to TR4, the writing circuit DL is controlled and the side guides 21 and 22 are not displaced. The laser beam L is written on the photosensitive drum PR while being shifted backward by the distance ΔSx ′ / 2. That is, a toner image is formed on the rear side of the photosensitive drum PR by the distance ΔSx ′ / 2 as compared with the case where the side guides 21 and 22 are not displaced. Therefore, in the transfer region Q3, the toner image is transferred to the sheet S at a position behind the distance ΔSx ′ / 2 as compared with the case where the side guides 21 and 22 are not displaced.

20A and 20B are explanatory diagrams of the side guide shift amount and the image recording position according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 20A is an explanatory diagram of a state immediately after the sheet and the guide are set. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the state which moved and the side guide and the sheet | seat shifted | deviated.
In the first embodiment, the sheet feed trays TR1 to TR4 stop after moving rearward toward the mounting position. Therefore, at the time of stoppage, the sheets S in the sheet feed trays TR1 to TR4 are easily pressed against the rear side guide 22 or easily moved by pushing the rear side guide 22. Accordingly, the sheets S in the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are often shifted backward by a distance ΔSx ′ / 2 that the rear side guide 22 is shifted, as shown in FIG.

  If the sheets S are stacked with a deviation of ΔSx ′ / 2, the sheets S are easily conveyed to the transfer region Q3 while being shifted rearward with a distance of ΔSx ′ / 2. Therefore, when the toner image is transferred to the sheet S on the rear side by the distance ΔSx ′ / 2 in the transfer region Q3, the distance that the sheet S is displaced in the width direction and the transfer position of the toner image are easily offset. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the position of the image recorded on the sheet S is less likely to be shifted with respect to the sheet S compared to the case where the position of the image recorded on the sheet S is not controlled based on the side shift amount ΔSx ′. ing.

  In the first embodiment, when the deviation amounts ΔSx ′ and ΔSy ′ are larger than the reference values εx and εy, whether the guides 21 to 51 are out of order based on the occurrence frequency of the positional deviations of the guides 21 to 51. It is determined whether or not. That is, in the first embodiment, the occurrence counts Nx and Ny determined that the deviation amounts ΔSx ′ and ΔSy ′ are large based on the history information regarding the selected paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are the reference values Nt0. When the values are Nx0 and Ny0 or more, it is determined that the guides 21 to 51 are out of order.

  Here, when the guides 21 to 51 are worn and deteriorated due to the movement of the alignment, the frictional force of the guides 21 to 51 is lowered, and the positions of the guides 21 to 51 are hardly held. Therefore, the positions of the guides 21 to 51 are easily displaced, and the so-called guides 21 to 51 are in a broken state. If the guides 21 to 51 are out of order, the positions of the guides 21 to 51 are likely to be greatly displaced by the mounting operation of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4. In addition, even when the positional deviation is small when the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are mounted, the positions of the guides 21 to 51 may be shifted due to vibration during driving of the printer unit U1. Therefore, when the guides 21 to 51 are out of order, it becomes necessary to reset the guides 21 to 51. Therefore, in the first embodiment, when the positions of the guides 21 to 51 are easily shifted, it is determined that the guides 21 to 51 are out of order, and the user is notified that the guides 21 to 51 are out of order. Interrupt.

  Here, when a position shift occurs in the guides 21 to 51, it is possible to immediately determine that the guides 21 to 51 are out of order. However, the positions of the guides 21 to 51 may be accidentally shifted, for example, when the user contacts the printer unit U1. Therefore, if it is immediately determined that the guides 21 to 51 are out of order only when the positions of the guides 21 to 51 are shifted, the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 and the like are replaced even though they are not out of order. Therefore, it is easy to waste resources. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the configuration is based on the occurrence frequency, and it is difficult to determine that the misalignment of the guides 21 to 51 that occurred accidentally is a failure. Therefore, in the first embodiment, erroneous detection of failure of the guides 21 to 51 is reduced.

In the first embodiment, either “01” or “10” is set in the flags FL2 and FL3 according to the determination result of whether or not a failure occurs, and the job is interrupted.
At this time, in the first embodiment, an error display process is executed. Therefore, when the values “01” and “10” are set in the flags FL2 and FL3, the guides 21 to 21 corresponding to the flags FL2 and FL3 are set according to the values “01” and “10” of the flags FL2 and FL3. It is displayed on the display panel U02 that 51 is out of order and that the guides 21 to 51 corresponding to the flags FL2 and FL3 are displaced. Therefore, the user can replace the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 or reset the guides 21 to 51 based on the image displayed on the display panel U02. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the position of the guides 21 to 51 can be determined by the user at an early stage as compared with the configuration in which an image is actually recorded on the sheet S or the positional deviation of the guides 21 to 51 is noticed only after paper jam occurs. It is easy to recognize that the deviation has occurred. In the first embodiment, the occurrence of printing mistakes and paper jams can be reduced, and the waste of the sheet S can be easily eliminated.
In the error display process according to the first exemplary embodiment, when “1” is set in the sheet presence / absence flag FL1, sheets S corresponding to the lengths λ1 and λ2 are stored in the sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4. Is displayed on the display panel U02.

In the description of the second embodiment, components corresponding to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment in other points.

(Description of paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 of the second embodiment)
(Description of interlocking member 41 ′ for the side guide of Example 2)
21A and 21B are explanatory views of the interlocking member according to the second embodiment. FIG. 21A is a perspective view of the sheet feeding tray as viewed from the rear. FIG.
In FIG. 21, the side guide image portion 37 is omitted in the side guide interlocking member 41 ′ of the second embodiment.
In the side guide interlocking member 41 ′ of the second embodiment, a transmission plate 201 as an example of a transmission member is supported on the right outer end portion 36 of the plate 31. The transmission plate 201 extends rightward along the rear surface of the rear wall 3. A long hole 201a that is long in the vertical direction is formed at the right end of the transmission plate 201. A plate-like rotating plate 202 is rotatably supported on the rear wall 3 at the lower right of the transmission plate 201.

A transmission pin 203 as an example of a convex portion is supported on the rotating plate 202. The transmission pin 203 protrudes rearward and fits into the elongated hole 201a. A rotation center 204 of the rotating plate 202 is disposed below the transmission pin 203 with the front-rear direction as the rotation axis direction. Therefore, when the transmission plate 201 moves in the left-right direction, the rotation plate 202 rotates around the rotation center 204 via the transmission pin 203.
The side as an example of the first interlocking member of the second embodiment includes the plate 31, the standing wall portion 32, the fixed portion 33, the protruding portion 34, the outer end portion 36, the transmission plate 201, the rotating plate 202, the transmission pin 203, and the like. A guide interlocking member 41 'is formed.

(Description of the interlocking member 81 ′ for the end guide of Example 2)
In FIG. 21, the end guide image portion 78 of the slider 71 is omitted in the end guide interlocking member 81 ′ of the second embodiment.
A transmission plate 211 is supported on the right end portion of the plate 72 of the slider 71 of the second embodiment. The transmission plate 211 is connected to the rotary plate 212 via transmission pins 213. The rotating plate 212 rotates about a rotation center 214. The transmission plate 211, the rotation plate 212, the transmission pin 213, and the rotation center 214 are configured in the same manner as the transmission plate 201, the rotation plate 202, the rotation center 203, and the transmission pin 204 in the side guide interlocking member 41 ′. Detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The link 61, slider 71, transmission plate 211, rotating plate 212, transmission pin 213, and the like constitute an end guide interlocking member 81 'as an example of the second interlocking member of the second embodiment.

(Description of acceleration sensors 92 'and 93')
In the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 of the second embodiment, the box 91 of the first embodiment is omitted. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the side sensor 92, the end sensor 93, and the like are omitted.
On the rotating plate 202 of the interlocking member 41 ′ for the side guide according to the second embodiment, the side guide is an example of a detection member for the position of the first aligning portion according to the second embodiment. Acceleration sensors 92 'for 21 and 22 are supported. The acceleration sensor 92 ′ is disposed on the rotation center 204. The acceleration sensor 92 'according to the second embodiment is configured by an acceleration sensor that can detect accelerations in three axial directions orthogonal to each other. As an example of the first axial direction, the acceleration sensor 92 ′ has one of the three axes set to the rotational axis direction of the rotation center 204, that is, the front-rear direction. Therefore, the acceleration sensor 92 ′ according to the second embodiment is configured to be able to detect the acceleration in the front-rear direction in one axial direction set in the front-rear direction. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the acceleration associated with the movement of the sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4 in the front-rear direction can be detected.

  When the rotating plate 202 rotates around the rotation center 204, the acceleration sensor 92 ′ on the rotating plate 202 also rotates around the rotation center 204. Therefore, the remaining two axial directions of the acceleration sensor 92 ′ also rotate around the rotation center 204. Therefore, the remaining two axial directions have different angles with respect to the direction of gravity according to the rotation angle of the rotating plate 202. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the gravitational acceleration component corresponding to the rotation angle of the rotating plate 202 in the remaining two axial directions intersecting with the first axial direction, that is, different gravity depending on the rotation angle. An acceleration magnitude and a positive / negative value based on the acceleration can be detected. Note that, based on the magnitude of acceleration and the positive and negative values, the rotation angle of the rotating plate 202 can be detected as an example of the movement amount of the interlocking member 41 ′.

Further, an acceleration sensor 93 'for the end guide 51 is supported on the rotating plate 212 of the end guide interlocking member 81' as an example of a detection member for the position of the second alignment portion of the second embodiment. . The acceleration sensor 93 ′ is configured similarly to the acceleration sensor 92 ′ for the side guides 21 and 22, and is disposed on the rotation center 214 of the rotating plate 212. Therefore, the end guide acceleration sensor 93 ′ is also configured to be able to detect the acceleration component in the front-rear direction and the gravitational acceleration component corresponding to the rotation angle of the rotating plate 211.
The acceleration sensors 92 ′ and 93 ′ are electrically connected to the controller C ′.
The case 1, the side guides 21 and 22, the side guide interlocking member 41 ′, the end guide 51, the end guide interlocking member 81 ′, the acceleration sensors 92 ′ and 93 ′, etc. Paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 as examples of containers are configured.

(Description of the open / close sensor 106)
In the copying machine U according to the second embodiment, the rack unit 101, the rack teeth 102, the gear 103, the motor 104, and the open / close sensor 107 are omitted. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the opening / closing device 111 is not installed, and the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are configured to be manually detachable.
In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the open / close sensor 106 detects whether or not the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 have moved to the mounting position.

(Operation of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 of the second embodiment)
In the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 according to the second embodiment, the side guide interlocking member 41 ′ moves in the left-right direction in conjunction with the movement of the side guides 21, 22 in the front-rear direction. That is, the slider 41 moves in the left-right direction in conjunction with the movement of the side guides 21, 22 in the front-rear direction. When the slider 41 moves in the left-right direction, the rotating plate 202 rotates around the rotation center 204 via the transmission plate 201 and the transmission pin 203. Therefore, the rotary plate 202 moves to a position with a different rotation angle according to the position of the side guides 21 and 22 in the front-rear direction.

Similarly, in conjunction with the movement of the end guide 51 in the left-right direction, the end guide interlocking member 81 ′ moves in the left-right direction. Therefore, the rotary plate 212 moves to a position with a different rotation angle according to the position of the end guide 51 in the left-right direction.
Further, the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 of the second embodiment are manually moved between the open position and the mounting position. At this time, the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 move along the guide rail RL1, and move in the front-rear direction.

(Description of Controller C ′ of Example 2)
FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating the functions of the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 9 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating the functions of the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, and is a continuation of FIG.

(Signal output element connected to the controller C ′ of the second embodiment)
In the signal output element connected to the controller C ′ of the second embodiment, the open / close buttons U07a to U07d and the open / close sensor 107 of the first embodiment are omitted. In the second embodiment, output signals from the acceleration sensors 92 ′ and 93 ′ are input to the controller C ′.
The acceleration sensors 92 'for the side guides 21 and 22 detect and input accelerations in three axial directions orthogonal to each other.
The acceleration sensor 93 ′ for the end guide 51 detects and inputs accelerations in three axial directions orthogonal to each other.

(Controlled element connected to the controller C ′ of the second embodiment)
The controller C ′ of the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the drive circuit D2 of the switchgear is omitted, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

(Function of the controller C ′ of the second embodiment)
22 and 23, in the controller C ′ of the second embodiment, the control means C4 for the switchgear and the control means C6 for the sensor are omitted as compared with the means included in the controller C of the first embodiment. Further, in the controller C ′ of the second embodiment, the detection timing discriminating means C5, the side guide position detecting means C7, and the end guide position detecting means C8 of the first embodiment are replaced with those of the second embodiment. It has detection timing determination means C5 ', side guide position detection means C7', and end guide position detection means C8 '. In the controller C ′ of the second embodiment, acceleration acquisition means C101, tray speed calculation means C102, tray position calculation means C103, and position determination means C104 are added.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of the rotation angle and gravity acceleration detection components of the rotating plate, FIG. 24A is an explanatory diagram when the transmission pin of the rotating plate exists vertically upward, and FIG. 24B is a diagram illustrating the state of the rotating plate from the state of FIG. 24C is an explanatory diagram when rotating in the clockwise direction, FIG. 24C is an explanatory diagram when the rotating plate rotates counterclockwise from the state of FIG. 24A, and FIG. 24D is a j-axis, k-axis, and gravitational acceleration corresponding to FIG. FIG. 24E is an explanatory diagram of the j-axis, k-axis, and gravitational acceleration corresponding to FIG. 24B, and FIG. 24F is an explanatory diagram of the j-axis, k-axis, and gravitational acceleration corresponding to FIG. 24C.
C101: Acceleration Acquisition Unit The acceleration acquisition unit C101 acquires the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensors 92 ′ and 93 ′ based on the output signals of the acceleration sensors 92 ′ and 93 ′.
Here, in the acceleration sensors 92 ′ and 93 ′ of the second embodiment, the acceleration components ai, aj, and ak are detected with the i axis, the j axis, and the k axis as three axes orthogonal to each other. Specifically, in FIG. 24, in the acceleration sensors 92 ′ and 93 ′ of the second embodiment, the axial direction of the rotation centers 204 and 214 of the rotating plates 202 and 212 is set as the i axis. Therefore, the i-axis direction coincides with the front-rear direction. In the acceleration sensors 92 'and 93' according to the second embodiment, the forward direction is set to the positive direction of the i-axis.

Further, in the acceleration sensors 92 ′ and 93 ′ of the second embodiment, the horizontal and vertical directions orthogonal to the i-axis direction and the vertical direction at the reference position shown in FIG. 24A where the transmission pins 203 and 213 of the rotary plates 202 and 212 are moved vertically upward. The directions are set as the j-axis direction and the k-axis direction. In the acceleration sensors 92 ′ and 93 ′ of the second embodiment, the positive direction of the j-axis is set to the left in FIG. 24A, that is, the −Y direction. Further, in the acceleration sensors 92 ′ and 93 ′ of the second embodiment, the positive direction of the k-axis is set to be downward, that is, in the −Z direction in FIG. 24A.
Therefore, when the rotary plates 202 and 212 are rotated from the reference position shown in FIG. 24A, the acceleration sensors 92 ′ and 93 ′ of the second embodiment are arranged on the Y axis and the Z axis as shown in FIGS. 24B and 24C. On the other hand, acceleration components aj and ak of the j axis and the k axis inclined with respect to the axis are detected.

Therefore, in the acceleration acquisition unit C101 according to the second embodiment, when the acceleration sensors 92 ′ and 93 ′ are accelerated in the front-rear direction together with the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4, a positive or negative value is acquired as the acceleration component ai.
24A and 24D, in the acceleration acquisition unit C101 of the second embodiment, when the rotary plates 202 and 212 are moved to the reference position, the magnitude of gravitational acceleration is set as g, and aj = 0, ak = g is obtained. Further, in FIGS. 24B, 24E, 24C, and 24F, when the rotating plates 202 and 212 are rotated from the reference position by an angle φ with the clockwise direction on FIG. 24 being positive, aj = g × sin φ, ak = g × cos φ is acquired.

C102: Tray Speed Calculation Unit The tray speed calculation unit C102, which is an example of the medium storage container speed calculation unit, calculates the speed vi of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 based on the detection result of the acceleration sensor. . The tray speed calculation means C102 according to the second embodiment calculates the speed vi based on the acceleration component ai detected by the side guide acceleration sensor 92 '. Specifically, while the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 move from the mounting position and return to the mounting position, the acceleration component ai is integrated to calculate the speed vi.

C103: Tray Position Calculation Unit The tray position calculation unit C103 as an example of the medium container position calculation unit calculates the position xi of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 based on the detection result of the acceleration sensor. . The tray position calculation means C103 according to the second embodiment calculates a position xi corresponding to the distance moved from the mounting position based on the acceleration component ai detected by the side guide acceleration sensor 92 '. Specifically, while the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 move from the mounting position and return to the mounting position, the acceleration component ai is integrated twice, that is, the speed vi calculated by the tray speed calculation means X102 is once. The position xi is calculated by integration.
The acceleration sensor 92 ', the acceleration acquisition means C101, the tray speed calculation means C102, and the tray position calculation means C103 allow the stacking portion detection means 92' + C101 based on the acceleration of the second embodiment. To C103 are configured.

C104: Position Discriminating Unit The position discriminating unit C104 according to the second embodiment includes a mounting position discriminating unit C104A and an open position discriminating unit C104B. The position discriminating means C104 discriminates whether or not the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are moved to the mounting position or the open position.
C104A: Mounting Position Determination Unit The mounting position determination unit C104A as an example of the conveyance position determination unit determines whether the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 have moved to the mounting position based on the detection result of the open / close sensor 106. Is determined. The mounting position determination unit C104A according to the second embodiment is the same as the position determination unit C4A according to the first embodiment except that the processing based on the opening / closing sensor 107 is omitted and only the processing based on the opening / closing sensor 106 is executed. Description is omitted.

C104B: Opening Position Discriminating Unit An open position discriminating unit C104B as an example of a stacking position discriminating unit moves the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 to the open position based on the calculation result of the tray position calculating unit C103. It is determined whether or not. In the opening position determination unit C104B according to the second exemplary embodiment, when the position xi calculated by the tray position calculation unit C103 is equal to or larger than a preset position xi0, the sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4 move to the opening position. It is determined that The preset position xi0 of the second embodiment is set to a position where the sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4 are pulled out to the extent that the user can replenish the sheet S. That is, when the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are pulled out only to such an extent that the guides 21 to 51 cannot be set and attached again, the open position discriminating means C104B moves the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 to the open position. It is determined that it is not.
The opening / closing sensor 106, the loading unit detection means 92 '+ C101 to C103 based on acceleration, and the position determination means C104 constitute the loading unit detection means 106 + 92' + C101 to C104 of the second embodiment. .

C5 ′: Detection Time Discriminating Means The detection timing discriminating means C5 ′ of the second embodiment is replaced with the first timing discriminating means C5A of the first embodiment, and the first timing discriminating means C5A ′ of the second embodiment. Have Therefore, since the detection timing determination unit C5 ′ of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the first timing determination unit C5A ′, the description other than the first timing determination unit C5A ′ is omitted. .
C5A ′: First Time Discriminating Unit The first timing discriminating unit C5A ′ of the second embodiment is based on the timing when the guides 21 to 51 are in contact with the sheet S on the bottom wall 2 according to the second embodiment. It is determined whether or not it is the first time. In the first timing determination unit C5A ′ according to the second embodiment, the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are moved from the open position toward the mounting position based on the detection results of the loading unit detection units 92 ′ + C101 to C103 based on the acceleration. It is determined that the time for moving is the first time.

  Specifically, the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 have moved to the open position, and the acceleration component ai detected by the side guide acceleration sensor 92 'has a component that accelerates backward, and When the speed vi of the sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4 has a backward speed, it is determined that it is the first time. That is, in the second embodiment, when xi> xi0, ai <0, and vi <0, it is determined that it is the first time. Therefore, in the second exemplary embodiment, the user applies a force in the direction of mounting the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 to the main body of the copying machine U from the state where the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are moved to the open position. When the paper trays TR1 to TR4 are moved backward, the first time is determined.

C7 ′: Side Guide Position Detection Unit The side guide position detection unit C7 ′ according to the second embodiment is replaced with the reading position specifying unit C7A and the guide position calculation unit C7B according to the second embodiment. Rotation angle calculation means C7A ', correspondence information storage means C7B', and position calculation means C7C '. The side guide position detecting means C7 ′ according to the second embodiment performs processing for detecting the position Sx ′ of the side guides 21 and 22 based on the detection result of the side guide acceleration sensor 92 ′. The side guide position detection means C7 'according to the second embodiment detects the side guide position Sx' when the detection time determination means C5 'determines that it is the first time or the second time.

C7A ′: Rotation angle calculation means Rotation angle calculation means C7A ′, which is an example of the position information of the interlocking member, determines the position information of the interlocking member based on the detection result of the side guide acceleration sensor 92 ′. calculate. In the rotation angle calculation unit according to the second embodiment, when the detection timing determination unit C5 ′ determines that it is the first timing or the second timing, the rotation of the rotary plate 202 is an example of the position information of the interlocking member. A tangent value tanφ based on the angle φ is calculated. Specifically, in FIG. 24, the tangent value tanφ is calculated as tanφ = aj / ak based on the acceleration components aj and ak in the j and k directions of the acceleration sensor 92 ′.

C7B ′: Correspondence Information Storage Unit The correspondence information storage unit C7B ′ stores information that associates the tangent value tanφ of the rotating plate 202 with the position information of the side guides 21 and 22.
Here, in the second embodiment, when the rotation angle φ of the rotating plate 201 is different, the position of the slider 41 and the position Sx ′ of the side guide are different. That is, the rotation angle φ of the rotating plate 202 and the side guide position Sx ′ have a one-to-one correspondence. Therefore, the tangent value tanφ of the rotation angle φ and the side guide position Sx ′ have a one-to-one correspondence. Therefore, the storage means C7B 'correspondence information of the second embodiment stores the function f ₁ as an example of information to be associated. The function f ₁ of the second embodiment is configured by a function represented by Sx ′ = f ₁ (tan φ) that associates the tangent value tan φ with the side guide position Sx ′. The function f ₁ is measured and set in advance through experiments or the like.

C7C ′: Position Calculation Unit The position calculation unit C7C ′ calculates the position Sx ′ of the side guide. Calculating means C7C position of Example 2 ', calculation means C7A rotation angle' when tanφ is calculated, based on a function f ₁ stored in the storage means C7B 'correspondence information, the side guide position Sx ′ Is calculated as Sx ′ = f ₁ (tan φ). Therefore, the side guide position detection means C7 ′ according to the second embodiment also detects the position Sx ′ of the side guides 21 and 22.
The acceleration sensor 92 ', the acceleration acquisition means C101, and the side guide position detection means C7' constitute the first alignment portion position detection means 92 '+ C101 + C7' of the second embodiment. Yes.

C8 ′: End Guide Position Detection Unit The end guide position detection unit C8 ′ according to the second embodiment includes a rotation angle calculation unit C8A ′, correspondence information storage unit C8B ′, and position calculation unit C8C ′. Have The means C8 'and C8A' to C8C 'of the second embodiment are configured in accordance with a configuration for detecting the position Sy' of the end guide 51 based on the detection result of the end guide acceleration sensor 93 '. These are the same as the respective means C7 ', C7A' to C7C 'relating to the side guides 21, 22. Therefore, for example, 'in, instead of the function f _1, an acceleration sensor 93 for end guide' storage means C8B correspondence information function f ₂ in accordance with the structure for detecting the position Sy 'of the end guide 51 based on the detection result of the Is remembered. Therefore, the detailed description about each means C8 ', C8A'-C8C' is abbreviate | omitted.
The acceleration sensor 93 ′, the acceleration acquisition means C101, and the end guide position detection means C8 ′ constitute the second alignment portion position detection means 93 ′ + C101 + C8 ′ of the second embodiment. Yes.

C9 ′: First Position Guide Position Storage Means The first position guide position storage means C9 ′ of the second embodiment stores information on the positions of the guides 21 to 51 detected at the first time. . The first position guide means C9 'for the first time of the second embodiment stores the positions Sx1' and Sy1 'detected when the first time determination means C5A' is determined to be the first time.

(Explanation of flowchart of Example 2)
FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of the detection process of the guide position when the second embodiment is opened, and corresponds to FIG.
FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of guide position calculation processing according to the second embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of ST306 in FIG. 25 and an ST31 subroutine in FIG. 16 in the second embodiment, corresponding to FIG. It is a figure to do.
Next, a control flow in the copying machine U according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart.
In the image forming process of the second embodiment, only the subroutine executed in ST31 of the image forming process of the first embodiment is different. That is, in step ST31 of FIG. 16, the guide position calculation process of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 26 is executed instead of the guide position calculation process of the first embodiment shown in FIG. To the flowchart shown in FIG. Therefore, the description and illustration of the flowchart of the image forming process of the second embodiment are omitted. In addition, in the error display process of the second embodiment, the same process as that of the first embodiment is executed. Therefore, the description and illustration of the flowchart of the error display process of the second embodiment are omitted.

(Explanation of Flowchart of Guide Position Detection Processing when Opening in Example 2)
The processing of each step ST in the flowchart of FIG. 25 is performed according to a program stored in the controller C ′ of the copying machine U. This process is executed in parallel with other various processes of the copying machine U.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 25 is started when the copying machine U is turned on.
In ST301 of FIG. 25, it is determined whether or not the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 have moved from the mounting position. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST302, and if no (N), ST301 is repeated.
In ST302, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed. Then, the process proceeds to ST303.
(1) The calculation of the speed vi of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 is started based on the detection result of the acceleration sensor 92 'for side guide.
(2) Based on the detection result of the side guide acceleration sensor 92 ', calculation of the positions xi of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 is started.

In ST303, it is determined whether or not the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 have moved to the open position, that is, whether xi ≧ xi0. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST304, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST308.
In ST304, it is determined whether or not the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are accelerating backward, that is, whether ai <0. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST305, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST308.
In ST305, it is determined whether or not the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 have a backward speed, that is, whether or not vi <0. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST306, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST308.
In ST306, the positions Sx1 ′ (Sx ′) and Sy1 ′ (Sy ′) of the guides 21, 22, 51 at the first time are detected. That is, the guide position calculation process of the second embodiment shown in FIG. Then, the process proceeds to ST307.

In ST307, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed, and the process returns to ST303.
(1) The position Sx1 ′ of the side guides 21 and 22 is stored.
(2) The position Sy1 ′ of the end guide 51 is stored.
In ST308, it is determined whether or not the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are moved to the mounting positions. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST309, and, if no (N), the process returns to ST303.
In ST309, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed. Then, the process returns to ST301.
(1) The calculation of the speed vi of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 is terminated.
(2) The calculation of the position xi of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 is terminated.

(Description of Flowchart of Guide Position Calculation Processing in Embodiment 2)
In ST401 of FIG. 26, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed, and the process proceeds to ST402.
(1) The acceleration components aj and ak of the side guide acceleration sensor 92 'are acquired.
(2) The acceleration components aj and ak of the end guide acceleration sensor 93 'are acquired.
In ST402, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed, and the process proceeds to ST403.
(1) tan φ based on the rotation angle φ of the rotating plate 202 is calculated by aj / ak.
(2) tan φ ′ based on the rotation angle φ ′ of the rotating plate 212 is calculated by aj / ak.

In ST403, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed, and the guide position calculation process ends.
(1) Based on tan φ based on the rotating plate 202 and the function f ₁ , Sx ′ = f ₁ (tan φ) is calculated.
(2) Sy ′ = f ₂ (tan φ ′) is calculated based on tan φ ′ based on the rotating plate 212 and the function f ₂ .

(Function of each processing in the second embodiment)
In the copying machine U of the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, when the power is turned on, the detection of the guide position when the guide is opened in the second embodiment is replaced with the detection process of the guide position when the first embodiment is opened. Processing is executed. Accordingly, when the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are pulled out from the mounting position toward the open position, the speed vi and the position xi of the drawn paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are calculated based on the acceleration component ai of the acceleration sensor 92 '. Is done. When the position xi becomes equal to or greater than the set value xi0, it is determined that the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 have moved to the open position. When the sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4 are moved to the open position, the sheet S can be set in the sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4, or the guides 21 to 51 can be set.

  When the user applies force toward the direction in which the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are mounted on the main body of the copying machine U from the state where the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are moved to the open position, the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are applied. Moves backwards. Therefore, when the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 start to move from the open position to the mounting position, a situation occurs where xi ≧ xi0, ai <0, and vi <0. At this time, in the second embodiment, it is determined that it is the first time, and the guide positions Sx1 ′ and Sy1 ′ are detected based on the detection results aj and ak of the acceleration sensors 92 ′ and 93 ′.

  When the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are moved to the mounting position, the same processing as that of the first embodiment is performed in the second embodiment. That is, when the start button U03 is pressed, the guide positions Sx2 'and Sy2' at the second time are detected based on the detection results aj and ak of the acceleration sensors 92 'and 93'. Based on the first time positions Sx1 ′ and Sy1 ′ and the second time positions Sx2 ′ and Sy2 ′, guide deviation amounts ΔSx ′ and ΔSy ′ are calculated. Therefore, also in the second embodiment, whether or not the guides 21 to 51 are displaced is determined. As in the first embodiment, the detection error of the size of the sheet S, the occurrence of skew, the reduction of printing errors, and the like are reduced. It is easy to be done.

Here, in the second embodiment, the sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4 are configured to be manually detachable, and the opening / closing device 111 as in the first embodiment is not provided. Therefore, in the copying machine U of the second embodiment, the configuration relating to the movement of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 is simplified, and it is easy to reduce the size and cost compared to the first embodiment.
In the second embodiment, when the accelerations of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are detected and the acceleration ai and the speed vi are turned backward, it is determined that it is the first time. Therefore, in the second embodiment, when the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 start to move from the open position toward the mounting position, the guide positions Sx1 ′ and Sy1 ′ at the first time are detected. Therefore, also in the second embodiment, when the sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4 move to the mounting positions after the sheets S and the guides 21 to 51 are set, the positions Sx1 ′ and Sy1 ′ of the first time are detected. Yes.

  In the sheet feed trays TR1 to TR4 of the second embodiment, when the position xi is less than the set value xi0, the sheet feed trays TR1 to TR4 are not sufficiently pulled out and it is difficult to set the sheet S or the like. is there. Therefore, in this case, even if the movement toward the mounting position of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 is detected, it is unlikely that the guides 21 to 51 are reset, and the guide positions Sx ′ and Sy ′ are set at the sheet. The size of S may not be supported. Therefore, in the second embodiment, when the position xi is less than the set value xi0, the guide positions Sx1 ′ and Sy1 ′ at the first time are not detected, and the guide positions Sx ′ and Sy ′ are detected as the sheet S. The useless processing that is detected in a state that does not correspond to the size of the image is reduced.

  In the second embodiment, the guide positions Sx ′ and Sy ′ are detected via the interlocking members 41 ′ and 71 ′, and the movement amounts of the interlocking members 41 ′ and 81 ′, that is, the rotary plates 202 and 212 are detected. Are detected based on the rotation angles φ and φ ′. Specifically, the positions Sx ′ and Sy ′ of the guides 21 to 51 are detected based on acceleration components aj and ak that change according to the rotation angles φ and φ ′ of the rotating plates 202 and 212. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the movements of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 and the positions Sx ′ and Sy ′ of the guides 21 to 51 can be detected based on the acceleration, and the multi-axis acceleration sensors 92 ′ and 93 ′ can be detected. Has been detected. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a sensor for detecting the acceleration of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4, that is, a movement of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4, and a sensor for detecting the guide positions Sx ′ and Sy ′ are separately provided. Compared to the case, it is easy to reduce the number of parts.

  In the second embodiment, the side guides 21 and 22 move along the direction in which the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are attached and detached, whereas the side guide interlocking member 41 ′ is provided with the paper feed trays TR1 to TR1. It moves along the direction intersecting the direction in which TR4 is attached and detached. That is, in the second embodiment, the side guide position Sx ′ is two-dimensionally detected based only on the acceleration components aj and ak in the direction orthogonal to the acceleration ai of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4. Therefore, in the second embodiment, when the position Sx ′ is detected, the processing is simplified as compared with the case where the processing of all the three-dimensional acceleration components ai to ak is necessary. Accordingly, in the second embodiment, when the position Sx1 ′ at the first time is detected, it is difficult to be influenced by the acceleration when the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 move.

(Example of change)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is made in the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. Is possible. Modification examples (H01) to (H014) of the present invention are exemplified below.
(H01) In the above-described embodiment, the copying machine U is illustrated as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to a FAX or a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions. Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and can be applied to an image forming apparatus of an arbitrary image forming system such as an ink jet recording system, a thermal head system, or a lithographic printer. Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a single-color, so-called monochrome image forming apparatus, and can be configured by a multi-color developing image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus is not limited to a so-called rotary image forming apparatus, and is a tandem type image forming apparatus. It is also applicable to.

(H02) In each of the above-described embodiments, the configuration of the detachable paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 is exemplified, but the configuration of the present invention is not limited to the detachable configuration. Therefore, for example, the configuration of the present invention can be applied to a non-detachable manual feed tray or a document feeder configured to be non-detachable as an example of a medium transport device. In the case of the document feeder, for example, when a preset time in which the alignment unit can be set has elapsed after the document is detected by a sensor that detects the presence or absence of the document, the alignment unit of the first time It is possible to detect the amount of misalignment of the aligning portion by detecting the position of the aligning portion and detecting the position of the aligning portion at the second time immediately before the document is conveyed.

(H03) In each of the embodiments described above, the first time is preferably the time immediately after the guides 21 to 51 are set, and when the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 start to move from the open position toward the mounting position. Although time was illustrated, it is not limited to this. As the first time, any time can be set as the first time as long as it is based on the time when the guides 21 to 51 are in contact with the sheets S of the stacking unit. Therefore, for example, when the sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4 are configured to be movable between the open position and the mounting position, the sheet S or the guides 21 to 51 are likely to be set after the sheet S or the guides 21 to 51 are set, that is, the feeding is performed. Any time can be used as the first time as long as the paper trays TR1 to TR4 start moving from the open position toward the mounting position and finish moving to the mounting position.

(H04) In each of the above embodiments, the second time is preferably the time immediately before the sheet S is fed from the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4, but is not limited thereto. As the second time, an arbitrary time is set as the second time as long as it is based on the time when the sheet S stacked on the stacking unit is transported by the transport member Rp later than the first time. Is possible. Therefore, for example, when the sheet feeding trays TR1 to TR4 are configured to be movable between the open position and the mounting position, the sheets S stacked on the stacking unit can be transported by the transport member Rp. Any time can be set as the second time as long as it is a proper time, that is, after the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 have moved to the mounting position.

(H05) In each of the above-described embodiments, the sensor 92 to 93 ′ detects the movement amounts of the interlocking members 41 to 81 ′ to detect the guide positions Sx ′ and Sy ′. The configuration for detecting ', Sy' is not limited to these. For example, if the positions Sx ′ and Sy ′ of the first time and the second time can be detected, such as a rotary resistor described in Patent Document 1 or a configuration using an optical sensor and a slit, a conventionally known method can be used. It is possible to detect the positions Sx ′ and Sy ′ of the guide with an arbitrary configuration. Therefore, for example, in the second embodiment, the acceleration sensor is configured to detect only the acceleration of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4, and the guide positions Sx ′ and Sy ′ are the scanner type sensors as in the first embodiment. It is also possible to detect using 92,93.

(H06) In each of the above-described embodiments, the configuration in which the deviation amounts ΔSx ′ and ΔSy ′ of both the side guides 21 and 22 and the end guide 51 are detected is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the position of the end guide 51 is difficult to shift, the configuration for detecting the end shift amount ΔSy ′ can be omitted. That is, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which only the deviation amounts ΔSx ′ and ΔSy ′ of either the side guides 21 and 22 or the end guide 51 are detected.
(H07) In the second embodiment, the configuration in which the guide positions Sx1 ′ and Sy1 ′ at the first time can be detected after the power of the copying machine U is turned on is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a control unit for a paper feed tray and a battery as an example of a power supply member are arranged for each of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4, and a sensor 92'93 is used with the battery of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4. It is possible to detect the guide positions Sx ′ and Sy ′ by operating the 'and the control unit and the like, regardless of turning on the power of the copying machine U.

(H08) In the second embodiment, the configuration in which the open / close sensor 106 detects whether or not the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are moved to the mounting position is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. Similarly to the open position, it is possible to detect the movement of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 to the mounting position based on the detection results of the acceleration sensors 92 'and 93'.
(H09) In the second embodiment, the configuration in which the acceleration of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 is detected based only on the side guide acceleration sensor 92 'is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration based on an end guide acceleration sensor 93 'is possible. Further, it is possible to calculate the average value of the acceleration components in the i direction of both sensors 92 ′ and 93 ′ and detect the acceleration of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4.

(H010) In the second embodiment, the configuration using the acceleration sensors 92 ′ and 93 ′ is shown as the configuration for detecting the rotation angles φ and φ ′ of the rotary plates 201 and 211, but is not limited to this. For example, a configuration using an angle sensor or an angular velocity sensor is also possible.
(H011) In the second embodiment, the configuration in which all the acceleration components in the i to k directions are detected by the multi-axis type acceleration sensors 92 'and 93' is desirable in terms of the small number of parts, but is not limited thereto. . For example, a configuration in which a plurality of sensors are arranged for each axis or for each purpose of acceleration is also possible.
(H012) In the second embodiment, the configuration in which the acceleration sensors 92 ′ and 93 ′ are arranged on the rotation centers 204 and 214 of the rotating plates 202 and 212 is exemplified. It can be arranged at an arbitrary position.

(H013) In each of the above embodiments, when determining that the guides 21 to 51 have failed, the failure is determined from the point of occurrence frequency based on the number of occurrences Nx and Ny in the reference value Nt0. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to omit the reference value Nt0 and simply determine whether or not the cumulative values Nx and Ny of the occurrence count exceed the reference values Nx0 and Ny0.
(H014) In each of the above-described embodiments, the configuration in which an image is displayed on the display panel U02 when notifying that the positions of the guides 21 to 51 are shifted or that the guides 21 to 51 are out of order has been exemplified. However, it is not limited to this. For example, a configuration for notifying that the position of the guide has shifted by making a sound is also possible.

21, 22, 51 ... alignment part,
41, 81, 41 ', 81' ... interlocking member,
92 + C6 + C7, 93 + C6 + C8, 92 '+ C101 + C7', 93 '+ C101 + C8' ... means for detecting the position of the alignment portion,
106 + 107 + C4A, 106 + 92 ′ + C101 to C104... Loading unit detection means,
204, 214 ... center of rotation,
ai, aj, ak ... acceleration,
C5: means for determining the detection time,
C12: means for calculating the deviation amount;
C13, C14... Means for determining that the misalignment has occurred in the aligning portion;
C17 ... Control means for performing control to move the position of the image,
C19A, C20A ... means for storing the number of times of positional deviation,
C19D, C20D... Means for determining that the aligning portion has failed,
C21: means for notifying that a positional deviation has occurred,
C22: Means for notifying that there is a failure,
Rp, Ra ... conveying member,
S ... medium,
Sx ′, Sy ′, Sx1 ′, Sy1 ′... Position of the alignment portion detected at the first time,
Sx ′, Sy ′, Sx1 ′, Sy1 ′... The position of the alignment portion detected at the second time,
TR1, TR2, TR3, TR4 ... Medium storage container, loading section,
ΔSx ′, ΔSy: deviation amount,
φ, φ '... rotation angle,
U1 ... main body of image forming apparatus, recording unit,
U3: Media transport device.

Claims (11)

A main body of the image forming apparatus;
A loading unit that is supported by the main body of the image forming apparatus and on which a medium is loaded;
An alignment unit that is supported so as to be movable in a direction in which the medium stacked on the stacking unit is moved away from the stacking unit, and that contacts the medium and aligns the position of the medium in the stacking unit;
A first time based on a time when the aligning unit comes into contact with a medium of the stacking unit, and a second time based on a time when a medium loaded on the stacking unit is transported later than the first time. , In the aligning portion position detecting means for detecting the position of the aligning portion;
Means for calculating a deviation amount between the position of the aligning portion detected at the first time and the position of the aligning portion detected at the second time;
When the amount of deviation is smaller than a preset value, the size of the medium stacked on the stacking unit is detected based on the position of the aligning unit detected at the first time. Means,
An image forming apparatus comprising: The stacking position at which the medium can be stacked by being pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus and the transport position at which the medium can be transported by being accommodated in the main body of the image forming apparatus. Loading section,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A loading unit detecting means capable of detecting movement of the loading unit;
On the basis of the detection result of the detection unit of the stacking unit, when the stacking unit moves from the stacking position toward the transporting position, the alignment unit is in a state of being in contact with the medium of the stacking unit. the timing of when the loading part moves toward the transport position from the loading position, and discriminating means detects timing to determine that the a first time,
Detecting means for detecting the position of the aligning portion at the first time determined by the determining means for detecting time;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: A means for detecting the loading unit capable of detecting movement of the loading unit based on an acceleration accompanying movement of the loading unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: An interlocking member that interlocks with the movement of the aligning unit, and is movably supported by the stacking unit along a direction that intersects the moving direction of the stacking unit that moves between the transport position and the stacking position. The interlocking member made,
A means for detecting the position of the aligning portion supported by the interlocking member and having a first axial direction set along the moving direction of the stacking portion, the acceleration in the first axial direction, and the first And an acceleration along a direction intersecting with the axial direction of the first and second axes, and having a function of a detecting unit for the loading unit that detects movement of the loading unit based on the acceleration in the first axial direction. And detecting means for detecting the position of the aligning part by detecting the amount of movement of the interlocking member based on the acceleration in the direction intersecting the first axis direction;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: An interlocking member that interlocks with the movement of the aligning unit, and is rotatably supported by the stacking unit about a direction along the moving direction of the stacking unit that moves between the transport position and the stacking position. Said interlocking member,
A means for detecting the position of the aligning portion supported by the interlocking member and having a first axial direction set along the rotation center, the acceleration in the first axial direction and the first axial direction And a function of detecting means for detecting the stacking unit based on the acceleration in the first axial direction, and based on the rotation angle. Detecting means for detecting the position of the aligning part by detecting the amount of movement of the interlocking member;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: Means for determining that a positional shift has occurred in the aligning portion when the magnitude of the shift amount is greater than a preset value;
Means for notifying that a misalignment has occurred in the aligning portion when misalignment has occurred in the aligning portion;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Means for determining that a positional shift has occurred in the aligning portion when the magnitude of the shift amount is greater than a preset value;
Means for storing the number of times the misalignment has occurred in the alignment portion;
Means for determining that the aligning unit is faulty when the number of occurrences of the positional deviation is greater than a preset number of times;
Means for notifying that the alignment section is faulty when it is determined that the alignment section is faulty;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A main body of the image forming apparatus having a recording unit that records an image on a medium conveyed from the stacking unit;
Control means for performing control to move the position of an image to be recorded on the medium by the recording unit based on the shift amount;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A loading section on which the medium is loaded;
A conveying member that conveys the medium loaded on the loading unit;
An alignment unit that is supported so as to be movable in a direction in which the medium stacked on the stacking unit is moved away from the stacking unit, and that contacts the medium and aligns the position of the medium in the stacking unit;
A first time based on the time when the aligning unit comes into contact with the medium of the stacking unit, and a first time based on the time when the medium loaded on the stacking unit is transported by the transport member later than the first time. At the time of 2, the position detection means for detecting the position of the alignment portion,
Means for calculating a deviation amount between the position of the aligning portion detected at the first time and the position of the aligning portion detected at the second time;
When the amount of deviation is smaller than a preset value, the size of the medium stacked on the stacking unit is detected based on the position of the aligning unit detected at the first time. Means,
A medium conveying apparatus comprising: A loading section on which the medium is loaded;
An alignment unit that is supported so as to be movable in a direction in which the medium stacked on the stacking unit is moved away from the stacking unit, and that contacts the medium and aligns the position of the medium in the stacking unit;
A first time based on a time when the aligning unit comes into contact with a medium of the stacking unit, and a second time based on a time when a medium loaded on the stacking unit is transported later than the first time. , In the aligning portion position detecting means for detecting the position of the aligning portion;
Means for calculating a deviation amount between the position of the aligning portion detected at the first time and the position of the aligning portion detected at the second time;
When the amount of deviation is smaller than a preset value, the size of the medium stacked on the stacking unit is detected based on the position of the aligning unit detected at the first time. Means,
A storage container for a medium, comprising:

Images