JPS6339500B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cut sheet conveying mechanism for an image forming apparatus, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a cut sheet conveying mechanism for an image forming apparatus, and more specifically, it has a mechanism for easily taking out jammed cut sheets from an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a recording device. This relates to a transport mechanism. In the following description of the present invention, an electrophotographic copying machine will be taken as an example, and the cut sheet will be referred to as copy paper or simply paper.

Currently, as a mechanism for removing paper stuck in the conveyance path due to a jam, the paper conveyance path is generally configured with a device that restricts both sides of the paper, such as a guide plate or roller, and one side is set perpendicular to the conveyance direction. The paper is rotated in the direction to open it so that a hand can be inserted to take out the paper. However, in order to open sufficiently to allow access within the machine, normally unused wasted space is required for the opened member;
As a result, the disadvantage is that the capacity of the machine becomes large. In addition, due to the structure around the guide plate, it is often difficult to open the guide plate, or even if it is opened, it cannot be opened sufficiently. The space must be large, and it is difficult to obtain sufficient space because it is limited by the strength and configuration of the machine. Also, if the inside cannot be seen clearly from the outside, you may have to grope to remove the jammed paper. As described above, the conventional method is severely limited by the size, strength, and configuration of the machine, and there is also a problem in that it is difficult to remove jam paper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a copy paper conveyance mechanism that solves the problems of the conventional apparatus described above. That is, it is an object of the present invention to provide a conveyance mechanism which allows jam paper to be easily taken out and which prevents jam paper from being forgotten to be disposed of.

The present invention that achieves the above object has a conveyance path for conveying cut sheets,
a conveyance path means that is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body; a paper passage detection means disposed in the conveyance path; a display means for displaying a jam state of the cut sheet in the conveyance path; and the conveyance path means; The apparatus is characterized by comprising means for transmitting a signal from the paper passage detection means to the display means so that the jam display means displays the jam even when the jam is detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Note that the copy paper used for convenience in the description of the present invention means plain paper, insulating paper, etc., and is not limited to "paper" as long as it is in the form of a cut sheet.
Furthermore, the process during transportation is called a cut sheet.
It is also possible that the paper is a roll paper in the paper feed section. Further, in the embodiments described below, a drum-shaped photoreceptor is disposed in the transfer section, but it is sufficient if the drum-shaped photoreceptor has a function of carrying a latent image. Application is also possible.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in more detail according to examples.

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a copying machine having a unitized copy paper delivery route means (hereinafter referred to as route means) according to the present invention. The drum-shaped photoreceptor 2 of the copying machine 1 forms a latent image in an area A, forms a toner image by a developing means in an area B, transfers the toner image to a copy paper in an area C, and transfers the toner image to the copy paper in an area D. Residual toner and charges are removed, and copies are made repeatedly by rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow. The copy paper is sent out sequentially from the storage means 3, passes through the path means 4, which has the functions of transporting, transferring, and separating it from the photoreceptor into one unit, and then the fixing means 5, thereby completing the copying.
Finally, it is stored in the tray 6.

The conveyance path means of the present invention will be explained below.

Details of the route means 4 are shown in FIG. 2 and below. Second
The figure shows a cross section of the unit of the path means 4, and four guide plates 21, 22, 23, 2 are provided to guide the paper sent out from the storage means 3.
4 are arranged as shown in the figure, and are gathered toward a nip formed by a pair of register rollers 25 and 26. The above register rollers 25, 2
6 is well known and has the function of aligning the paper with the toner image on the photoreceptor 2 by controlling its rotation timing. Above register roller 2
The paper sent out from 5 and 26 is guided by two upper and lower guide plates 27 and 28 and connected to the photoconductor 2, and is charged from the back side by a corona discharger 29, so that the toner image on the photoconductor 2 is transcribed. Further, the paper with the toner image is separated from the end of the paper after the transfer by a thin belt-like peeling guide member 30 whose longitudinal end is stretched and in contact with the photoreceptor 2. is given, and furthermore, the change roller 31
By being sucked by the two pressing rollers 32 and 33 and the suction box 34, the separation of the end portion is gradually expanded and finally completely separated from the photoreceptor 2, and then the fixing means is further moved by the conveyor belt 35. Delivered on 5th. As will be described later, the path means 4 has a structure in which it can be pulled out toward the front in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 3A shows this mechanism in side view. The path means 4 is divided into two structures 36 and 37, each of which consists of side plates on both sides constituting it and a part that connects them and performs various functions. That is, the first structure 36 serves as a stand for the second structure 37 that is configured to be pulled out from the copying machine main body 1 by the two guide rails 38 and 39 (hereinafter, the first structure 36 will be referred to as a stand). ). The second structure 37 is provided with the paper conveyance path portion described in FIG. 2 (hereinafter, the second structure 37 is referred to as a conveyance section).

Next, according to FIG. 4, the path means 4 and the copying machine main body 1 are
We will explain the electrical coupling method with. Route means 4
As described above, there is a means for controlling the rotation of the register rollers 25 and 26 and for outputting a paper passage detection signal.
Electrical connection with the main body is required, and connectors are usually used as electric wires for power supply and signal purposes. However, connectors have a drawback in that they are prone to poor contact when repeatedly attached and detached. As a solution to the above problem, it is sufficient that the path means 4 and the main body of the copying machine are always electrically coupled. As a result, even when the path means 4 is pulled out, a signal indicating the presence of jammed paper can be sent to the display, making it easy to confirm that the jammed paper has been removed, and preventing accidents caused by forgetting to remove the jammed paper. . Furthermore, a switch is provided to facilitate the removal of paper caught between the register rollers, and the switch rotates the rollers in the opposite direction, thereby making it possible to take out the jammed paper.

In the embodiment of the present invention, by using a flexible printed board as shown in FIG. 4, an electrical connection can always be obtained between the path means 4 and the main body. 4A shows a state in which the path means 4 is inside the copying machine main body 1, and FIG. 4B shows a state in which the path means 4 is pulled out. In this way, if the path means 4 and the copying machine main body 1 are electrically coupled by the flexible printed board 62, the bending radius can be made smaller compared to the conventionally known coupling method using a cord, which takes up less space. The advantage is that it can be done with a cord, and accidents such as cords being pinched are less likely to occur.
In addition, here the length L of the flexible printed board
If the amount of pull-out of the path means 4 is l and the interval between the printed boards is h, it is necessary that L>1/2l+h for normal operation. Note that the flexible printed board is one in which band or linear conductive wires are arranged side by side on a film-like insulating resin base.

As mentioned above, by using a band-shaped flexible electric wire as shown in Figure 4, it is possible to constantly receive electric currents such as signals from the main body side and send them in the opposite direction. Even when the drawer is pulled out repeatedly, it does not shift or twist, so it can be used in a stable state at all times.

Here, the jam position detection mechanism will be explained.

In FIG. 2 showing the internal side of the path means,
L ₁ , L ₂ , and L ₃ are lamps provided along the path, and light-receiving elements S ₁ , S ₂ , and S ₃ are arranged facing the lamps. Further, light emitting elements D ₁ , D ₂ , D ₃ such as light emitting diodes are arranged on the base portion 36 of the path means 4 corresponding to each of the lamps L ₁ , L ₂ , L ₃ (see FIG. 5). ). With the above configuration, for example, a lamp
When jammed at position _L2 , light emitting element _D2 lights up or blinks to display the position of the jammed paper. Therefore, the operator must follow the lighting of the light emitting element to the path means 4.
Just pull it out and remove the jam paper. Furthermore, if the above light emitting element is also provided in the fixing means 5, it is possible to understand at a glance whether the fixing means 5 should be pulled out or the path means 4 should be pulled out. and,
Furthermore, if the main body and the means side are always electrically connected by the flexible printed board 62 as in the path means 4 of this embodiment, even if the path means 4 is pulled out to remove the jam paper, the light emitting means will not light up. Continuation makes confirmation easy. Also, for example, when jam paper exists in two different locations,
When only one jam paper is removed and the path means 4 is returned to the main body side, the existence of the other jam paper can be known by the light emitting element that continues to light up. The above effect is due to the constant electrical continuity between the main body side and the drawer side, and can be easily achieved by providing the above band-shaped flexible conductive wire as shown in FIG. As described above, FIG. 4 is a side view showing the route means 4 in the pulled out state, and the strip-shaped printed board 62 is arranged so that the strip surface is parallel to the bottom surface of the route means 4. Moreover, both ends of the printed board 62 are
Although it is connected to connectors on the main body side and the path means side, the connectors cannot be removed by pulling out the path means or the like.

Next, the extraction mechanism of the above-mentioned path means unit will be described.

In FIG. 3, a method of connecting the path means 4 to the copying machine main body 1 side is shown. As described above, the path means 4 has a structure in which it can be pulled out toward the front side of the drawing in FIGS.
Contacting parts like 0 and other rollers 3
There are members such as 1, 32, etc. that are also close to the photoreceptor 2. For this reason, if the path means 4 is pulled out as it is, there is a risk that these members that come close to and come into contact with the photoreceptor 2 will rub and scratch the surface of the photoreceptor 2. On the other hand, even when the path means 4 is fixed and the photoreceptor 2 is pulled out, a similar problem may occur. Therefore, the distance between the path means 4 and the photoreceptor 2 needs to be variable. These two parts are connected by a rotation center shaft 40,
The conveyance section 37 is configured to be rotatable about the shaft 40 with respect to the platform section 36, and is constantly pulled in the direction of the arrow by a spring 41. Further, the conveyance section 37 is pushed to a predetermined position by a lever 42 attached to the main body 1 at the upper part, which overcomes the force of the spring 41 and acts in the opposite direction of the arrow. Here, the predetermined positions are the pin 43, which is a component of the platform 36, and the conveyor 3.
It is adjusted and kept constant by a screw 45 attached to an arm 44 which is a component of 7. on the other hand,
The lever 42 that pushes the conveyance section 37 from the main body includes a shaft 46 rotatably attached between both side plates of the main body, a lever 47 fixed to the shaft 46, a roller 48 attached to the end of the lever 47, and a shaft. 46, and a spring 50 stretched between the lever 47 and the pin rod 49, and uses the rotation of the shaft 46 in the direction of the arrow to elastically press the conveying section 37. This elastic force increases the accuracy of the lever 42 and simplifies the meshing of the drive gears, which will be described later. FIG. 3B is a front view of the copying machine main body 1, in which an opening is provided in the side plate 51 of the main body so that the path means 4 can be pulled out. Further, the shaft 46 protrudes in front of the side plate 51, a knob lever 52 is fixed to the shaft 46, and a handle 53 is attached to the end of the lever 52. This handle 53 can be configured to be fixed on a plate 54 that determines the rotational center position of the photoreceptor 2 when the conveyance section 37 is put into use.
In the state shown in the figure, neither the path means 4 nor the photoreceptor 2 can be pulled out by the lever 52;
There is no risk of damaging the photoreceptor 2. When pulling out the photoreceptor 2 or the path means 4, pull out the lever 52.
When rotated to the position shown by the dotted chain line, the structure of the spring 41, lever 42, and shaft 40 allows the conveyance section 37 to separate from the photoreceptor 2, making it easy to pull out.
Here, if the lever 52 is configured to be pulled in the opening direction by a spring or the like and locked to the positioning plate 54 when closed, it is possible to remove the hand from the knob 53 when inserting or removing the photoreceptor, etc. .
Furthermore, by providing a detection element that controls the electrical relationship of the main body in association with this lever 52, the transport section 3
If 7 is not in a normal state, the operation of the machine can be stopped by the detection element.

Next, the opening/closing mechanism of the guide plates 22, 23 will be explained according to FIG. FIG. 5 shows that the route means 4 is pulled out,
This is a perspective view showing a state in which the guide plates 22 and 23 are opened. The path means 4 is guided by the guide rails 38 and 39 and comes out of the apparatus main body 1 by pulling the handle 63 attached to the wall of the platform 36 toward you. In the state shown in FIG. 5, the rear end portions of the guide plates 22 and 23 are rotatably attached to the shaft 64, so that they can be opened wide in the direction of the arrow as shown in the figure. That is, when the path means 4 is pulled out, there are no other mechanisms in the upper, lower, left, and right spaces of the means, so that the guide plate can be freely opened and closed using the surrounding space. After opening the guide plates 22 and 23 and removing the jam paper, it is sufficient to close the guide plates and push the path means toward the main body. As mentioned above, the guide plates 22, 23
Since the opening/closing center of the is located at the back of the path means 4, even if the path means 4 is accidentally pushed in with the guide plate half-open, the guide plate will not come into contact with other means and be damaged. Not at all. In addition, if the guide plates are opened at the top and bottom, a space is required within the path means, but in the case of this embodiment, it is possible to arrange other components above and below the guide plate.
It becomes possible to use the space inside the device effectively.

As described above, in the cut sheet conveyance mechanism of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the conveyance path means is removable from the image forming apparatus main body, so jamming can be easily performed, and the conveyance path means can be removed from the image forming apparatus body. Since the jam display means displays the jam even when the jam has been released, there is an effect that the jam removal will not be forgotten.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus schematically depicting the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the conveyance path means, FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram of the safety mechanism of the conveyance path means, 3B is a side view of the outside of the safety mechanism in FIG. 3A, FIGS. 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams showing the drawn state of the conveyance path means section relative to the main body, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the conveyance path means section. Show the diagram. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Copying machine, 2... Photoreceptor, 3... Storage means, 4... Route means, 5... Fixing means, 21,2
2, 23, 24... Guide plate, 25, 26... Register roller, 27, 28... Guide plate, 29...
...Corona discharger, 34...Suction box, 36...
...First structure (base part), 37... Second structure (transport part), 38, 39... Guide rail, 40...
Rotation center axis, 41... Spring, 42... Lever, 4
3...pin, 45...screw, 47...lever, 4
8...roller, 49...pin rod, 50...spring,
51, 55...Side plate, 52...Lever, 53...
Handle, 54... Positioning plate, 58... Coupling, 62... Flexible printed board, 65
... Rotating shaft, 66 ... Locking part, 67 ... Spring, 6
8... Guide portion, 69, 70, 71... Opening, 7
2,73...Hanging roller.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A conveyance path means having a conveyance path for conveying a cut sheet and detachable from the image forming apparatus main body; a paper detecting means disposed on the conveyance path; and a conveyance path means for conveying the cut sheet. a display means for displaying a stagnation state in the path; and a display means for displaying a state of residence in the image forming apparatus body, and a link between the conveyance path means and the image forming apparatus body so that the display means can continue displaying even when the conveyance path means is removed from the image forming apparatus body. A cut sheet conveyance mechanism for an image forming apparatus, comprising: an electric cord member that maintains an electrical connection state; 2. The cut sheet conveyance mechanism of an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electric cord member is a flexible printed board.