JP2010228841A - Paper feeding device and image forming device - Google Patents

Paper feeding device and image forming device Download PDF

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Publication number
JP2010228841A
JP2010228841A JP2009076768A JP2009076768A JP2010228841A JP 2010228841 A JP2010228841 A JP 2010228841A JP 2009076768 A JP2009076768 A JP 2009076768A JP 2009076768 A JP2009076768 A JP 2009076768A JP 2010228841 A JP2010228841 A JP 2010228841A
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Japan
Prior art keywords
recording medium
conveyance
paper
paper feeding
auxiliary operation
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JP2009076768A
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Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Yoshiteru Kaida
吉輝 海田
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Canon Inc
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Canon Inc
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Application filed by Canon Inc filed Critical Canon Inc
Priority to JP2009076768A priority Critical patent/JP2010228841A/en
Priority to US12/729,644 priority patent/US20100244353A1/en
Priority to CN201010149793.5A priority patent/CN101844693B/en
Publication of JP2010228841A publication Critical patent/JP2010228841A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
    • B65H3/02—Separating articles from piles using friction forces between articles and separator
    • B65H3/06—Rollers or like rotary separators
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H7/00—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles
    • B65H7/20—Controlling associated apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/65—Apparatus which relate to the handling of copy material
    • G03G15/6502—Supplying of sheet copy material; Cassettes therefor
    • G03G15/6508—Automatic supply devices interacting with the rest of the apparatus, e.g. selection of a specific cassette
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
    • B65H2404/10—Rollers
    • B65H2404/11—Details of cross-section or profile
    • B65H2404/111—Details of cross-section or profile shape
    • B65H2404/1112—D-shape
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/40—Identification
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/50—Occurence
    • B65H2511/515—Absence
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/50—Occurence
    • B65H2511/52—Defective operating conditions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2513/00—Dynamic entities; Timing aspects
    • B65H2513/50—Timing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2513/00—Dynamic entities; Timing aspects
    • B65H2513/50—Timing
    • B65H2513/51—Sequence of process
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2513/00—Dynamic entities; Timing aspects
    • B65H2513/50—Timing
    • B65H2513/512—Starting; Stopping
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2801/00—Application field
    • B65H2801/03—Image reproduction devices
    • B65H2801/06—Office-type machines, e.g. photocopiers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/00362—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes relating to the copy medium handling
    • G03G2215/00367—The feeding path segment where particular handling of the copy medium occurs, segments being adjacent and non-overlapping. Each segment is identified by the most downstream point in the segment, so that for instance the segment labelled "Fixing device" is referring to the path between the "Transfer device" and the "Fixing device"
    • G03G2215/00405—Registration device
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/00362—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes relating to the copy medium handling
    • G03G2215/00535—Stable handling of copy medium
    • G03G2215/00548—Jam, error detection, e.g. double feeding
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/00362—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes relating to the copy medium handling
    • G03G2215/00535—Stable handling of copy medium
    • G03G2215/00556—Control of copy medium feeding
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/00362—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes relating to the copy medium handling
    • G03G2215/00535—Stable handling of copy medium
    • G03G2215/00717—Detection of physical properties
    • G03G2215/00721—Detection of physical properties of sheet position

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Controlling Sheets Or Webs (AREA)
  • Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)
  • Paper Feeding For Electrophotography (AREA)

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the generation of a conveying failure generated by lowering of a conveying force due to the influence of paper with bad conveying performance and paper dust. <P>SOLUTION: When a recording medium is not detected even after an elapse of prescribed time since the paper feeding of the recording medium is executed by a paper feeding means, the paper feeding means is operated to execute an assisting operation for assisting conveying of the recording medium. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、画像が形成される記録媒体を給紙及び搬送する給紙装置及びその搬送装置を有する画像形成装置に関するものである。   The present invention relates to a paper feeding device that feeds and transports a recording medium on which an image is formed, and an image forming apparatus having the transport device.

プリンタ、複写機等の画像形成装置では、プリント動作が開始されると、まず始めに給紙部にセットされている記録媒体としての用紙を給紙する動作を実行する。ここで、例えば、給紙部にセットされた用紙が再生紙等の場合、上質紙（普通紙）に比べると搬送性が良くないため給紙不良が発生する可能性が高くなる。また、給紙動作を行う給紙ローラが磨耗して寿命間近である場合にも給紙不良が発生しやすくなる。なお給紙不良とは、搬送ローラで用紙を給紙する動作を行っても用紙が正しく給紙されない不良を意味する。   In an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine, when a printing operation is started, first, an operation of feeding paper as a recording medium set in a paper feeding unit is executed. Here, for example, when the paper set in the paper supply unit is recycled paper, the transportability is not as good as that of high-quality paper (plain paper), so that there is a high possibility of paper feed failure. Further, even when a paper feed roller that performs a paper feed operation is worn out and is nearing the end of its life, a paper feed failure is likely to occur. The paper feeding failure means that the paper is not fed correctly even when the operation of feeding the paper with the transport roller is performed.

このような給紙不良を改善する技術が、例えば特許文献１に提案されている。特許文献１では、給紙不良が発生した時に、給紙ローラを再度駆動するリトライ動作を実行して給紙不良をリカバリーして給紙不良に起因する紙詰まり（ジャムともいう）の発生回数を大幅に減少させている。   For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for improving such a paper feed defect. In Patent Document 1, when a paper feed failure occurs, a retry operation for re-driving the paper feed roller is executed to recover the paper feed failure, and the number of occurrences of a paper jam (also referred to as jam) due to the paper feed failure is calculated. It is greatly reduced.

特開平１１−３３４９３５号公報JP 11-334935 A

上述した再生紙は、上質紙に比べるとその搬送性が良くないだけでなく、紙粉が発生しやすい。なお、用紙の搬送時に給紙ローラや搬送路に用紙が接触した際に、用紙が擦れることによって微小な紙粉が発生する。給紙部から給紙ローラによって給紙された用紙を、更に搬送ローラで搬送する場合に、搬送ローラに紙紛が付着していると用紙の搬送力が低下する。また、用紙の給紙直後は給紙ローラや給紙部にセットされている複数の用紙を分離する分離部（例えば分離パッド）等の摩擦によるバックテンションが加わる。そのため搬送ローラによる用紙の搬送力がより低下して用紙を搬送できず紙詰まりになる可能性があった。搬送力を向上するには搬送ローラの追加や、搬送ローラが用紙を挟持する圧力を大きくすることが考えられる。しかし、搬送ローラを追加するとコストが上がってしまうし、用紙を挟持する圧力を大きくすると搬送力は向上するが逆に用紙にしわを発生させやすくなる。   The recycled paper described above is not only less transportable than fine paper, but also tends to generate paper dust. Note that when the paper comes into contact with the paper feed roller or the conveyance path during the conveyance of the paper, the paper is rubbed to generate minute paper dust. When the sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit by the sheet feeding roller is further conveyed by the conveying roller, the sheet conveying force is reduced if paper dust adheres to the conveying roller. Immediately after the paper is fed, back tension due to friction is applied to a paper feed roller or a separation unit (for example, a separation pad) that separates a plurality of papers set on the paper feed unit. For this reason, there is a possibility that the paper conveyance force by the conveyance roller is further reduced and the paper cannot be conveyed, resulting in a paper jam. In order to improve the conveyance force, it is conceivable to add a conveyance roller or increase the pressure with which the conveyance roller pinches the sheet. However, adding a transport roller increases the cost, and increasing the pressure for pinching the paper improves the transport force, but conversely tends to cause wrinkles on the paper.

本発明は、搬送性の良くない用紙や紙粉の影響による搬送力の低下によって生じる搬送不良の発生を低減することが可能な装置を提供することを目的としている。   An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus capable of reducing the occurrence of conveyance failure caused by a decrease in conveyance force due to the influence of paper or paper dust having poor conveyance properties.

上記課題を解決するための本発明の給紙装置は、記録媒体を給紙する動作を実行した後に動作を停止する給紙手段と、前記給紙手段によって給紙された用紙を搬送する搬送手段と、前記搬送手段で搬送された記録媒体を検知する検知手段とを備え、前記給紙手段により記録媒体の給紙を実行し、前記搬送手段で記録媒体が搬送されてから所定時間経過後、記録媒体が前記検知手段で検知されない場合、停止している前記給紙手段を動作させて記録媒体の搬送を補助する補助動作を実行することを特徴とする。   In order to solve the above problems, a sheet feeding device according to the present invention includes a sheet feeding unit that stops an operation after performing an operation of feeding a recording medium, and a conveyance unit that conveys a sheet fed by the sheet feeding unit. And a detecting means for detecting the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means, and the recording medium is fed by the paper feeding means, and after a predetermined time has passed since the recording medium was conveyed by the conveying means, When the recording medium is not detected by the detection unit, an auxiliary operation for assisting conveyance of the recording medium is performed by operating the paper feeding unit that is stopped.

また、本発明の画像形成装置は、記録媒体を給紙する動作を実行した後に動作を停止する給紙手段と、前記給紙手段によって給紙された用紙を搬送する搬送手段と、前記搬送手段で搬送された記録媒体を検知する検知手段と、前記検知手段で検知されて搬送された記録媒体に画像を形成する画像形成手段とを備え、前記給紙手段により記録媒体の給紙を実行してから所定時間経過後に記録媒体が前記検知手段で検知されない場合、停止している前記給紙手段を動作させて記録媒体の搬送を補助する補助動作を実行することを特徴とする。   The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a paper feed unit that stops an operation after performing an operation of feeding a recording medium, a transport unit that transports a sheet fed by the paper feed unit, and the transport unit. Detecting means for detecting the recording medium conveyed by the image forming apparatus, and image forming means for forming an image on the recording medium detected and conveyed by the detecting means, and the recording medium is fed by the paper feeding means. When the recording medium is not detected by the detection unit after a predetermined time has elapsed, an auxiliary operation for assisting the conveyance of the recording medium is performed by operating the paper supply unit that is stopped.

以上説明したように、本発明によれば、搬送性の良くない用紙や紙粉の影響による搬送力の低下によって生じる搬送不良の発生を低減することができる。   As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of a conveyance failure caused by a decrease in conveyance force due to the influence of paper or paper dust having poor conveyance properties.

実施例におけるレーザービームプリンタの概略図である。It is the schematic of the laser beam printer in an Example. 図１に示すレーザビームプリンタの各部を制御する制御系の構成を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system which controls each part of the laser beam printer shown in FIG. 図２の給紙制御部内のブロック図である。FIG. 3 is a block diagram in a paper feed control unit in FIG. 2. 実施例１に係る給紙制御のフローチャートである。3 is a flowchart of paper feed control according to the first embodiment. 実施例２における給紙制御のフローチャートである。10 is a flowchart of paper feed control in the second embodiment. 実施例３におけるオプションカセットの概略図である。6 is a schematic diagram of an option cassette in Embodiment 3. FIG.

以下に図面を参照し、本発明の実施形態について説明する。ここでは一例としてレーザビームプリンタに適用した形態を示すが、本発明は、複写機、ファクシミリ等の画像形成装置にも適用することができる。また、この実施形態に記載されている構成部品の寸法、材質、形状、その相対配置などは、特に特定的な記載がない限りは、本発明の技術的範囲をそれらのみに限定する趣旨のものではない。   Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, a mode applied to a laser beam printer is shown as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile. Further, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention only to those unless otherwise specified. is not.

実施例１では、給紙された記録媒体を搬送する搬送ローラの搬送力が低下したことを検知して、搬送を助力（補助）する搬送助力制御を実行することを特徴とする。また搬送助力制御を実行しても用紙の搬送が正常に行われなかった場合には搬送力の低下以外の要因による紙詰まり（ジャムともいう）であると判断することを特徴とする。以下に動作の詳細について説明する。   The first embodiment is characterized in that a conveyance assist control for assisting (assisting) conveyance is performed by detecting that the conveyance force of a conveyance roller that conveys a fed recording medium has decreased. Further, when the conveyance of the paper is not normally performed even when the conveyance assist control is executed, it is determined that a paper jam (also referred to as a jam) due to a factor other than a decrease in the conveyance force. Details of the operation will be described below.

図１は本実施例におけるレーザビームプリンタ１の概略図であり、レーザビーププリンタ１の本体と記録媒体としての用紙を供給する給紙装置の概略図である。レーザビーププリンタ１の本体は、画像を形成するための感光ドラム１１０を備えている。感光ドラム１１０の周囲には、感光ドラムの表面を一様に帯電する帯電ローラ１０９、感光ドラムに形成された静電撮像を現像する現像ローラ１０８、現像された画像を記録媒体に転写する転写ローラ１０７が配置されている。また、感光ドラム１１０に静電潜像を形成するための露光部としてのスキャナユニット１１３及びミラー１１２を有している。   FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a laser beam printer 1 in this embodiment, and is a schematic diagram of a main body of the laser beep printer 1 and a paper feeding device that supplies paper as a recording medium. The main body of the laser beep printer 1 includes a photosensitive drum 110 for forming an image. Around the photosensitive drum 110, a charging roller 109 that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum, a developing roller 108 that develops electrostatic imaging formed on the photosensitive drum, and a transfer roller that transfers the developed image to a recording medium 107 is arranged. Further, the image forming apparatus includes a scanner unit 113 and a mirror 112 as an exposure unit for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 110.

図２に示すように、プリンタコントローラ２００から印字情報を受信したエンジン制御部２０１は搬送制御部２０３に記録媒体の搬送を指示をする。まず、本体の搬送部としての本体カセット１０の給紙ソレノイド１００（図１ではソレノイドのフラッパのみ示す）が引かれると記録媒体は給紙ローラ１０１によって給紙が開始される。そして、搬送ローラ対１０２を経て、搬送路１４０に搬送される。次に搬送ローラ対１０２によって搬送された記録媒体はセンサ１０５と紙幅センサ１０６を通過して感光ドラム１１０と転写ローラ１０７とで形成される転写ニップ部に搬送される。センサ１０５で記録媒体の先端を検知したときに搬送される記録媒体の長さの計時を開始する。そして、記録媒体の後端をセンサ１０５で検知したら長さの計時を終了し、先端から後端までの計時時間を記録媒体の搬送速度で割り算した値を用いて記録媒体の長さを検知する。また、不図示の紙幅センサで記録媒体の搬送方向に直交する方向のサイズ（幅）を検知する。なお、記録媒体のサイズ（長さ及び幅）は定型サイズ（Ａ３、Ａ４、レター、Ｂ５等）であれば予め設定してもよい。記録媒体には感光ドラム１１０と転写ローラ１０７で形成される転写ニップ部において画像が転写される。次に記録媒体は定着器１１９を通過する。定着器１１９では加熱されたヒータ１１８、ヒータ１１８の温度を検知するサーミスタ１１７、熱を伝える定着フィルム１１６と記録媒体に圧力をかける加圧ローラ１１５から構成される。記録媒体は定着フィルム１１６と加圧ローラ１１５で形成される定着ニップ部を通過することで画像が記録媒体に定着される。画像が定着された印字用紙は搬送ローラ対１２０を経て搬送路１４１に搬送される。片面印刷の場合は排紙ローラ１２２によって記録媒体が搬送されて装置外に排紙される。また、両面印刷の場合は、記録媒体の後端が搬送ローラ対１２０を抜けてから両面印刷モータが逆回転を開始し、搬送路１４１にある記録媒体は第２面に印字するため逆転した搬送ローラ対１２０と、両面搬送ローラ対１３１によって両面搬送路１４２に搬送される。なお、搬送ローラ対１２０は３つの搬送ローラから構成されており、記録媒体を排出するための駆動方向（正方向）と両面搬送路に搬送するための駆動方向（逆方向）に回転可能である。両面搬送路１４２には搬送路の片側を基準にして動作する規制板（不図示）が具備されている。この規制板は、搬送路１４２に搬送される記録媒体の搬送方向に直交する方向の位置を規制するためのものである。搬送ローラ対１３３を経て再び搬送路１４０へ搬送されて感光ドラム１１０と転写ローラ１０７によって形成される転写ニップ部で第２面に画像が転写される。そして、再度、定着器１１９によって画像が定着されて排紙ローラ対１２２によって装置外に排紙される。   As shown in FIG. 2, the engine control unit 201 that has received the print information from the printer controller 200 instructs the conveyance control unit 203 to convey the recording medium. First, when a paper feed solenoid 100 (only a solenoid flapper is shown in FIG. 1) of the main body cassette 10 as a main body transport unit is pulled, the recording medium is started to be fed by the paper feed roller 101. Then, it is conveyed to the conveyance path 140 through the conveyance roller pair 102. Next, the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 102 passes through the sensor 105 and the paper width sensor 106 and is conveyed to a transfer nip portion formed by the photosensitive drum 110 and the transfer roller 107. When the sensor 105 detects the leading edge of the recording medium, it starts measuring the length of the recording medium conveyed. When the rear end of the recording medium is detected by the sensor 105, the length measurement ends, and the length of the recording medium is detected using a value obtained by dividing the time measured from the front end to the rear end by the conveyance speed of the recording medium. . Further, a paper width sensor (not shown) detects the size (width) in the direction orthogonal to the recording medium conveyance direction. The size (length and width) of the recording medium may be set in advance if it is a standard size (A3, A4, letter, B5, etc.). An image is transferred onto the recording medium at a transfer nip formed by the photosensitive drum 110 and the transfer roller 107. Next, the recording medium passes through the fixing device 119. The fixing device 119 includes a heated heater 118, a thermistor 117 that detects the temperature of the heater 118, a fixing film 116 that transfers heat, and a pressure roller 115 that applies pressure to the recording medium. The recording medium passes through a fixing nip formed by the fixing film 116 and the pressure roller 115, whereby the image is fixed on the recording medium. The printing paper on which the image is fixed is conveyed to the conveyance path 141 through the conveyance roller pair 120. In the case of single-sided printing, the recording medium is conveyed by the paper discharge roller 122 and discharged out of the apparatus. In the case of double-sided printing, the double-sided printing motor starts reverse rotation after the trailing edge of the recording medium passes through the pair of conveyance rollers 120, and the recording medium in the conveyance path 141 is reversely conveyed for printing on the second surface. A pair of rollers 120 and a pair of duplex conveying rollers 131 are conveyed to a duplex conveying path 142. The conveyance roller pair 120 includes three conveyance rollers, and can be rotated in a drive direction (forward direction) for discharging the recording medium and a drive direction (reverse direction) for conveyance to the double-sided conveyance path. . The double-sided conveyance path 142 is provided with a regulating plate (not shown) that operates with reference to one side of the conveyance path. The restriction plate is for restricting the position in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium conveyed to the conveyance path 142. The image is transferred again to the conveyance path 140 through the conveyance roller pair 133 and transferred to the second surface at the transfer nip portion formed by the photosensitive drum 110 and the transfer roller 107. Then, the image is again fixed by the fixing device 119 and discharged out of the apparatus by the discharge roller pair 122.

レーザビームプリンタ１にはオプションカセット１５、１６が着脱可能である。オプションカセット１５から記録媒体を給紙する場合は、記録媒体は給紙ローラ１５１により給紙されて搬送ローラ対１５２及び搬送ローラ対１０２を経て搬送路１４０に搬送される。また、オプションカセット１５から記録媒体を給紙する場合は、記録媒体は給紙ローラ１６１により給紙されて搬送ローラ対１６２及び搬送ローラ対１５２、搬送ローラ対１０２を経て搬送路１４０に搬送される。搬送路１４０以降の動作については上述した動作と同様であるため省略する。   Optional cassettes 15 and 16 can be attached to and detached from the laser beam printer 1. When the recording medium is fed from the option cassette 15, the recording medium is fed by the feeding roller 151 and conveyed to the conveying path 140 through the conveying roller pair 152 and the conveying roller pair 102. Further, when the recording medium is fed from the option cassette 15, the recording medium is fed by the feeding roller 161 and conveyed to the conveying path 140 through the conveying roller pair 162, the conveying roller pair 152, and the conveying roller pair 102. . Since the operation after the conveyance path 140 is the same as that described above, the description thereof is omitted.

図２は図１に示すレーザビームプリンタ１の各部を制御する制御系の構成を示すブロック図である。図２において、プリンタコントローラ２００は制御部としてのマイクロコンピュータを有し、ホストコンピュータ等の外部装置から送信される情報をプリンタによる印字に必要なビットデータに展開する。また、プリンタの内部情報を通信によって読み取り、表示する機能を有している。エンジン制御部２０１は不図示のＲＯＭ、ＲＡＭを内臓したマイクロコンピュータを有し、プリンタコントローラ２００とシリアル通信によって情報を送受信して、プリンタの各部の動作をプリンタコントローラ２００の指示に従って制御をする。また、プリンタコントローラ２００に対してプリンタの内部情報を送信（報知）する制御部である。   FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system for controlling each part of the laser beam printer 1 shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, a printer controller 200 has a microcomputer as a control unit, and develops information transmitted from an external device such as a host computer into bit data necessary for printing by a printer. It also has a function of reading and displaying internal information of the printer by communication. The engine control unit 201 includes a microcomputer having a ROM and a RAM (not shown), transmits and receives information to and from the printer controller 200 through serial communication, and controls the operation of each unit of the printer according to instructions from the printer controller 200. Further, the control unit transmits (notifies) internal information of the printer to the printer controller 200.

給紙制御部２０２は記録媒体を給紙するための給紙ローラ１０１の駆動や、搬送ローラ対１０２の回転動作及び停止をエンジン制御部２０１の指示に従って制御する制御部である。搬送制御部２０３は給紙されて搬送路１４０に到達した用紙を排紙口まで搬送するための感光ドラム１１０、転写ローラ１０７、加圧ローラ１１５や排紙ローラ１２２の動作をエンジン制御部２０１の指示に従って制御する制御部である。高圧制御部２０４は帯電、現像、転写の各画像形成動作時の高電圧の出力をエンジン制御部２０１の指示に基づき制御する制御部である。光学系制御部２０５はスキャナユニット１１３内のスキャナモ−タ（不図示）の駆動及び停止やレーザの点灯をエンジン制御部２０１の指示に従って制御する制御部である。センサ入力部２０６は、紙有無センサ（不図示）、センサ１０５、紙幅センサ１０６、排紙センサ１１４からの情報をエンジン制御部２０１に伝達する入力部である。温度制御部２０７は定着器１１９の温度をエンジン制御部２０１の指定した温度に調節する制御部である。両面ユニット制御部２０８はエンジン制御部２０１の指示に従い，両面ユニット１３０の制御を司る制御部である。   The paper feed control unit 202 is a control unit that controls the driving of the paper feed roller 101 for feeding the recording medium and the rotation operation and stop of the conveyance roller pair 102 in accordance with instructions from the engine control unit 201. The transport control unit 203 controls the operation of the photosensitive drum 110, the transfer roller 107, the pressure roller 115, and the paper discharge roller 122 for transporting the paper that has been fed and reached the transport path 140 to the paper discharge port. It is a control part which controls according to a command. The high voltage control unit 204 is a control unit that controls the output of a high voltage during each image forming operation of charging, development, and transfer based on an instruction from the engine control unit 201. The optical system control unit 205 is a control unit that controls driving and stopping of a scanner motor (not shown) in the scanner unit 113 and lighting of the laser in accordance with instructions from the engine control unit 201. The sensor input unit 206 is an input unit that transmits information from the paper presence sensor (not shown), the sensor 105, the paper width sensor 106, and the paper discharge sensor 114 to the engine control unit 201. The temperature control unit 207 is a control unit that adjusts the temperature of the fixing device 119 to a temperature specified by the engine control unit 201. A duplex unit control unit 208 is a control unit that controls the duplex unit 130 in accordance with an instruction from the engine control unit 201.

図３は給紙制御部２０２の内部構成を示すブロック図である。給紙制御コントロール部３０１は、オプションカセット１５、１６の夫々の給紙ローラ１５１及び１６１、搬送ローラ対１５２及び１５３、用紙遅延検知部を管理及び制御する。用紙遅延検知部３０２は、給紙した記録媒体がオプションカセット１５、１６の搬送路センサにより検出されてから所定時間以内に、オプションカセット１５の搬送路センサ１５３、１５４によって検出されるかを検知する。給紙ローラ駆動部３０３は、給紙ソレノイド１５０（図１）を駆動することにより給紙ローラを１周分駆動する。搬送ローラ駆動部３０４は、搬送ローラ対１５２の駆動及び停止を制御する。搬送路センサ検知部３０５は、搬送路センサ１５３で記録媒体の有無を検知する。給紙ローラ駆動部３０６は、給紙ソレノイド１６０（図１）を駆動することにより給紙ローラ１６１を１周分駆動する。搬送ローラ駆動部３０７は、搬送ローラ対１６２の駆動及び停止を制御する。搬送路センサ検知部３０８は、搬送路センサ１６３で用紙の有無を検知する。   FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the paper feed control unit 202. The paper feed control control unit 301 manages and controls the paper feed rollers 151 and 161, the transport roller pairs 152 and 153, and the paper delay detection unit of the option cassettes 15 and 16, respectively. The paper delay detection unit 302 detects whether the fed recording medium is detected by the transport path sensors 153 and 154 of the option cassette 15 within a predetermined time after being detected by the transport path sensors of the option cassettes 15 and 16. . The paper feed roller driving unit 303 drives the paper feed roller for one round by driving the paper feed solenoid 150 (FIG. 1). The conveyance roller driving unit 304 controls driving and stopping of the conveyance roller pair 152. The conveyance path sensor detection unit 305 detects the presence or absence of a recording medium with the conveyance path sensor 153. The paper feed roller driving unit 306 drives the paper feed roller 161 for one round by driving the paper feed solenoid 160 (FIG. 1). The conveyance roller driving unit 307 controls driving and stopping of the conveyance roller pair 162. The conveyance path sensor detection unit 308 detects the presence or absence of paper with the conveyance path sensor 163.

本実施例の特徴的な動作及び処理について図４を用いて説明する。図４はオプションカセット１６から記録媒体を給紙する際に搬送動作を助力（補助）する動作を実行する制御（以下搬送助力制御という）を示すフローチャートである。   The characteristic operation and processing of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing control (hereinafter referred to as conveyance assist control) for executing an operation for assisting (assisting) the conveyance operation when the recording medium is fed from the option cassette 16.

プリントコントローラ２００からエンジン制御部２０１に対してオプションカセット１６から記録媒体の給紙及びプリントが指示されると、エンジンはオプションカセット１６から記録媒体の給紙を開始する（ステップ４００）。この指示に応じて、オプションカセット１５及びオプションカセット１６の搬送ローラ対１５２、１６２も駆動を開始する（ステップ４０１）。オプションカセットの給紙ローラ１６１が１周駆動して記録媒体が給紙される(ステップ４０２)。そして、記録媒体がオプションカセット１６の搬送路センサ１６３に到達するのを待つ（ステップ４０３）。記録媒体がオプションカセット１６の搬送路センサ１６３に到達したらタイマ（不図示）のカウントをスタートする（ステップ４０４）。給紙された記録媒体がオプションカセッ１５の搬送路センサ１５３に到達するのを待つ（ステップ４０５）。もし、記録媒体がオプションカセット１５の搬送路センサ１５３に到達したら正常に搬送されたと判断し、搬送動作及び以降のプリント動作を継続する（ステップ４０６）。一方、記録媒体がオプションカセット１５の搬送路センサ１５３に到達しない状態がタイマのカウントスタートから所定時間経過後 (ステップ４０７)、オプションカセット１６の搬送ローラ１６２の搬送力が不足したと判断する。なおこの所定時間とは「（（搬送路センサ１６３から搬送路センサ１５３までの距離）＋（マージン））÷（搬送速度）」で計算した時間ある。ここで、マージンとは本実施例では５０ｍｍと設定している。このマージンは記録媒体の搬送速度や搬送路構成等、装置において許容できる搬送バラツキに基づいて適宜設定可能である。   When the print controller 200 instructs the engine control unit 201 to feed and print the recording medium from the option cassette 16, the engine starts feeding the recording medium from the option cassette 16 (step 400). In response to this instruction, the conveyance rollers 152 and 162 of the option cassette 15 and option cassette 16 also start to drive (step 401). The sheet feeding roller 161 of the option cassette is driven once to feed the recording medium (step 402). Then, it waits for the recording medium to reach the conveyance path sensor 163 of the option cassette 16 (step 403). When the recording medium reaches the conveyance path sensor 163 of the option cassette 16, a timer (not shown) starts counting (step 404). It waits for the fed recording medium to reach the conveyance path sensor 153 of the option cassette 15 (step 405). If the recording medium reaches the conveyance path sensor 153 of the option cassette 15, it is determined that the recording medium has been normally conveyed, and the conveyance operation and the subsequent printing operation are continued (step 406). On the other hand, when the recording medium does not reach the conveyance path sensor 153 of the option cassette 15 after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the timer count (step 407), it is determined that the conveyance force of the conveyance roller 162 of the option cassette 16 is insufficient. The predetermined time is a time calculated by “((distance from the transport path sensor 163 to the transport path sensor 153) + (margin)) ÷ (transport speed)”. Here, the margin is set to 50 mm in this embodiment. This margin can be appropriately set based on the conveyance variation allowable in the apparatus, such as the conveyance speed of the recording medium and the conveyance path configuration.

次に、搬送助力制御を所定回数実行したかを確認し、所定回数実行していればジャムと判断し（ステップ４０８）プリント動作を停止する。このジャムとは、搬送助力制御である補助動作を実行してもなお搬送センサ１５３に到達しない搬送不良を示している。によりまた、ステップ４０８で搬送助力制御が所定回数未満であれば、オプションカセット１６の給紙ローラ１６１を１回転して記録媒体の搬送を補助する（ステップ４１０）。その後、ステップ４０４へ戻り、記録媒体が搬送路センサ１５３に到達するのを待つ。このように、本実施例では、記録媒体が所定時間経過後に搬送センサに達していない場合に、記録媒体の搬送を補助する搬送助力制御を実行する。なお、本実施例における１回の搬送助力制御において給紙ローラ１６１を１回転するように設定しているが、給紙ローラ１６１の回転数は１回に限らず搬送路の長さや記録媒体の種種に応じて可変に設定可能である。例えば、下流側の搬送ローラまでの搬送路が長い場合に２回転に設定してもよい。また、記録媒体の種類が再生紙であり、かつ、坪量（厚み）が大きい場合に、２回転に設定してもよい。また、本実施例において搬送助力制御の実行回数（上記所定回数）を２回に設定している。   Next, it is confirmed whether or not the conveyance assist control has been executed a predetermined number of times. If it has been executed a predetermined number of times, it is determined that a jam has occurred (step 408), and the printing operation is stopped. This jam indicates a conveyance failure that does not reach the conveyance sensor 153 even when an auxiliary operation that is conveyance assist control is executed. If the conveyance assist control is less than the predetermined number of times in step 408, the sheet feeding roller 161 of the option cassette 16 is rotated once to assist the conveyance of the recording medium (step 410). Thereafter, the process returns to step 404 and waits for the recording medium to reach the conveyance path sensor 153. As described above, in this embodiment, when the recording medium does not reach the conveyance sensor after the lapse of the predetermined time, the conveyance assist control for assisting the conveyance of the recording medium is executed. In this embodiment, the sheet feeding roller 161 is set to rotate once in one conveyance assist control. However, the number of rotations of the sheet feeding roller 161 is not limited to one, and the length of the conveyance path and the recording medium It can be variably set according to the species. For example, when the conveyance path to the downstream conveyance roller is long, it may be set to 2 rotations. Further, when the type of the recording medium is recycled paper and the basis weight (thickness) is large, the rotation may be set to two rotations. In this embodiment, the number of executions of the conveyance assist control (the predetermined number of times) is set to two.

なお、本実施例ではオプションカセット１６から記録媒体を給紙する場合について説明したが、本体カセット１０やオプションカセット１５から記録媒体を給紙する場合にも同様にして制御可能である。オプションカセット１５からの場合は搬送センサ１０３に記録媒体が到達するかを監視し、所定時間経過しても到達しなければ搬送ローラ対１５２で搬送助力制御を実行すればよい。   In this embodiment, the case where the recording medium is fed from the option cassette 16 has been described. However, the same control can be performed when the recording medium is fed from the main cassette 10 or the option cassette 15. In the case of the option cassette 15, it is monitored whether the recording medium reaches the conveyance sensor 103, and if it does not reach even after a predetermined time has passed, conveyance assist control may be executed by the conveyance roller pair 152.

以上、本実施例によれば、従来の構成を変えることなく安価な構成で搬送力の不足が生じた場合にそれを補助する補助動作を実行する。これにより記録媒体のジャムの発生を低減することができる。また、搬送力の不足以外の要因のジャムは従来どおり検知できる。   As described above, according to the present embodiment, the auxiliary operation is performed to assist the shortage of the conveyance force in the case of the low cost configuration without changing the conventional configuration. As a result, the occurrence of jam in the recording medium can be reduced. In addition, jams of factors other than insufficient conveyance force can be detected as usual.

上記の実施例１では、搬送力が不足した記録媒体の搬送助力制御について説明した。本実施例では、カセットに記録媒体を複数枚セットして連続プリントを実行している途中で搬送助力制御が実施される場合の動作が実施例１と異なる。連続プリント（連続給紙）している途中で、搬送助力制御を実行する場合は、搬送助力制御を実行する対象の記録媒体の後端が給紙ローラを抜けていると、次の記録媒体が誤って先に給紙される可能性がある。本実施例では、このような連続給紙の途中で搬送助力制御を行う場合において後続紙が誤って給紙されることを防止するための動作について詳細に説明する。   In the first embodiment, the conveyance assistance control of the recording medium having insufficient conveyance force has been described. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the case where the conveyance assist control is performed while a plurality of recording media are set in a cassette and continuous printing is being performed. When carrying assist control is being performed during continuous printing (continuous feeding), if the trailing edge of the recording medium for which the carrying assist control is to be executed has passed through the feed roller, the next recording medium is There is a possibility that the paper is accidentally fed first. In the present embodiment, an operation for preventing the subsequent sheet from being erroneously fed in the case where the conveyance assist control is performed during the continuous sheet feeding will be described in detail.

なお、本実施例における画像形成装置の構成、画像形成装置の構成を制御する制御ブロックの構成、給紙制御部の制御ブロックの構成等については実施例１と同様であるため説明は省略する。   The configuration of the image forming apparatus, the configuration of the control block that controls the configuration of the image forming apparatus, the configuration of the control block of the paper feed control unit, and the like in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

本実施例について図５を用いて説明する。図５はオプションカセット１５から複数の記録媒体を連続して給紙する際の搬送助力制御と、搬送助力制御の実施有無の判断を示すフローチャートである。図５において上述した実施例１と共通する部分については共通する制御であり、ステップ４００〜ステップ４０９として同符号を用いて示し説明を省略する。   This embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing conveyance assist control when a plurality of recording media are continuously fed from the option cassette 15 and determination of whether or not the conveyance assist control is performed. In FIG. 5, the parts common to the above-described first embodiment are common control, and the same reference numerals are used as Step 400 to Step 409 to omit the description.

ステップ５０８において搬送助力制御が所定回数未満の場合、搬送助力制御の対象の記録媒体の後端が搬送路センサ１６３を通過しているかを判断する（ステップ５１０）。ステップ５１０で搬送助力制御の対象の記録媒体の後端が搬送路センサ１６３を通過していた場合、給紙ローラ１６１を駆動しても搬送助力対象の用紙は給紙ローラ１６１を抜けているため搬送助力制御を実行せずにジャムと判断する（ステップ５１０→ステップ５０９）。ステップ５１０で搬送助力制御の対象の記録媒体の後端が搬送路センサ１６３を通過していない場合、搬送助力制御を実行し、搬送ローラ対１６２及び給紙ローラ１６１を駆動する（ステップ５１１）。なお、本実施例における搬送助力制御は、実施例１で説明した搬送助力制御と同様であり、給紙ローラを回転することにより搬送を補助する制御である。   If the conveyance assist control is less than the predetermined number in step 508, it is determined whether the trailing edge of the recording medium subject to the conveyance assist control passes through the conveyance path sensor 163 (step 510). If the trailing edge of the recording medium targeted for conveyance assist control passes through the conveyance path sensor 163 in step 510, the sheet to be conveyed assisting has passed through the sheet feeding roller 161 even if the sheet feeding roller 161 is driven. Jam is determined without executing the conveyance assist control (step 510 → step 509). If the trailing edge of the recording medium subject to the conveyance assist control does not pass through the conveyance path sensor 163 in step 510, the conveyance assist control is executed to drive the conveyance roller pair 162 and the paper feed roller 161 (step 511). The conveyance assist control in the present embodiment is the same as the conveyance assist control described in the first embodiment, and is a control that assists the conveyance by rotating the paper feed roller.

なお、本実施例ではオプションカセット１６から記録媒体を給紙する場合について説明したが、本体カセット１０やオプションカセット１５から記録媒体を給紙する場合にも同様にして制御可能である。オプションカセット１５からの場合は搬送センサ１０３に記録媒体が到達するかを監視し、所定時間経過しても到達しなければ搬送ローラ対１５２で搬送助力制御を実行すればよい。そして、記録媒体の後端が給紙ローラ１５１を抜けているかを判断して、同様に搬送助力制御の実行可否を判断することが可能である。   In this embodiment, the case where the recording medium is fed from the option cassette 16 has been described. However, the same control can be performed when the recording medium is fed from the main cassette 10 or the option cassette 15. In the case of the option cassette 15, it is monitored whether the recording medium reaches the conveyance sensor 103, and if it does not reach even after a predetermined time has passed, conveyance assist control may be executed by the conveyance roller pair 152. Then, it is possible to determine whether the rear end of the recording medium has passed through the paper feed roller 151 and similarly determine whether or not the conveyance assist control can be performed.

以上、本実施例によれば、複数の記録媒体を連続的に給紙している途中に搬送助力制御を実行する場合において、搬送助力制御の対象の記録媒体の後続紙の誤給紙を防止することができる。また、実施例１と同様に、従来の構成を変えることなく安価な構成で搬送力の不足による記録媒体のジャムの発生を低減することができる。また、搬送力の不足以外の要因のジャムは従来どおり検知できる。   As described above, according to this embodiment, in the case where the conveyance assist control is executed while a plurality of recording media are continuously fed, it is possible to prevent erroneous sheet feeding of the succeeding sheet of the recording medium targeted for the conveyance assist control. can do. Further, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of a jam in the recording medium due to insufficient conveyance force with an inexpensive configuration without changing the conventional configuration. In addition, jams of factors other than insufficient conveyance force can be detected as usual.

上記の実施例１においては搬送助力制御を説明し、実施例２では連続給紙時の搬送助力制御とその実施可否判断について説明した。実施例３は、搬送助力制御の実行回数を可変に設定する点が実施例１、実施例２とは異なる。   In the first embodiment, the conveyance assist control has been described, and in the second embodiment, the conveyance assist control during continuous paper feeding and whether or not it can be performed have been described. The third embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in that the number of executions of the conveyance assist control is variably set.

なお、本実施例における画像形成装置の構成、画像形成装置の構成を制御する制御ブロックの構成、給紙制御部の制御ブロックの構成等については実施例１と同様であるため説明は省略する。   The configuration of the image forming apparatus, the configuration of the control block that controls the configuration of the image forming apparatus, the configuration of the control block of the paper feed control unit, and the like in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

本実施例について図６を用いて説明する。図６はオプションカセット１５及び１６の概略図と搬送路における記録媒体の搬送距離を示した図である。図６において、距離Ｌ１は、「給紙トレイにセットされた用紙先端位置から搬送路センサ１６３までの距離」、距離Ｌ２は、「搬送路センサ１６３から搬送路センサ１５３までの距離」、距離Ｌｐａｐは「カセットにセットされた用紙長（用紙の搬送方向の長さ）」、距離Ｌｐｉｃｋは「給紙ローラが１周した時に用紙面に接する距離」である。   This embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the option cassettes 15 and 16 and a diagram showing the conveyance distance of the recording medium in the conveyance path. In FIG. 6, the distance L1 is “a distance from the front end position of the sheet set on the paper feed tray to the conveyance path sensor 163”, and the distance L2 is “a distance from the conveyance path sensor 163 to the conveyance path sensor 153”, a distance Lpap. Is the “paper length set in the cassette (the length in the paper transport direction)”, and the distance Lpick is “the distance that contacts the paper surface when the paper feed roller makes one revolution”.

本実施例における搬送助力制御は、実施例１、２で説明した図５または図６のフローチャートと同様の制御であるため説明を省略する。本実施例では、上述した搬送助力制御の回数を記録媒体の搬送方向の長さと搬送路における距離に基づいて可変に設定することを特徴としている。搬送助力回数Ｎとすると、この回数Ｎは記録媒体の搬送方向の長さＬｐａｐと搬送距離（Ｌ１，Ｌ２）、記録媒体の後端位置に関する以下の条件１、２、３に応じて設定できる。
条件１：「Ｌｐａｐ＜Ｌ１」の場合（搬送助力制御のタイミングで後端が給紙ローラ１６１を抜けている。）
条件２：「Ｌ１＜Ｌｐａｐ＜（Ｌ１＋Ｌ２）」の場合（搬送助力制御のタイミングで記録媒体の後端が給紙ローラ１６１を抜けているかどうか不明）
条件３：「（Ｌ１＋Ｌ２）＜Ｌｐａｐ」の場合（搬送助力制御のタイミングで記録媒体の後端が給紙ローラ１６１を抜けていない。）
以下に、条件１〜条件３の各条件毎の搬送助力回数Ｎについて下記に述べる。条件１の場合、搬送助力回数Ｎは０にする。搬送助力制御を実行するタイミングでは、既に記録媒体の後端が給紙ローラ１６１を抜けているため、搬送助力制御を実行すると後続の記録媒体が誤給紙されるためである。 The conveyance assist control in this embodiment is the same control as the flowchart of FIG. 5 or FIG. In this embodiment, the number of times of the above-described conveyance assist control is variably set based on the length of the recording medium in the conveyance direction and the distance in the conveyance path. Assuming that the conveyance assistance number N is N, this number N can be set according to the following conditions 1, 2, and 3 concerning the length Lpap and conveyance distance (L1, L2) of the recording medium in the conveyance direction and the trailing edge position of the recording medium.
Condition 1: In the case of “Lpap <L1” (the rear end has passed the paper feed roller 161 at the timing of the conveyance assist control)
Condition 2: In the case of “L1 <Lpap <(L1 + L2)” (whether or not the trailing edge of the recording medium has passed the paper feed roller 161 at the timing of the conveyance assist control is unknown)
Condition 3: When “(L1 + L2) <Lpap” (the trailing edge of the recording medium does not pass through the paper feeding roller 161 at the timing of the conveyance assist control)
Below, the conveyance assistance frequency | count N for each conditions of Condition 1-Condition 3 is described below. In the case of condition 1, the number N of conveyance assistance is set to zero. This is because, at the timing when the conveyance assist control is executed, the trailing edge of the recording medium has already passed through the paper feed roller 161, so that when the conveyance assist control is executed, the subsequent recording medium is erroneously fed.

条件２の場合は、用紙後端が給紙ローラを抜けているかどうかわからないため、「搬送助力制御によるジャムの防止」と「後続の記録媒体の誤給紙」のどちらを選択するかを判断し回数を決定する。一例として、搬送性の良くない紙種の用紙が通紙された場合やプリント枚数が多くなって搬送ローラに汚れが付着している可能性が高い場合に「搬送助力制御によるジャムの防止」を優先して搬送助力回数Ｎは１にする。それ以外の場合は「後続の記録媒体の誤給紙」を優先して搬送助力回数Ｎは０にする。条件３の場合は、用紙後端は給紙ローラを抜けておらず、下記式によって搬送助力回数を決定する。
Ｎ＝（Ｌｐａｐ−（Ｌ１＋Ｌ２））／Ｌｐｉｃｋ＋１・・・（式１）
なお、本実施例ではオプションカセット１６から記録媒体を給紙する場合について述べたが、本体カセット１０やオプションカセット１５から給紙する場合は、夫々の搬送助力回数Ｎを記録媒体の長さと搬送路における距離によって設定すればよい。 In the case of condition 2, since it is not known whether the trailing edge of the paper has passed through the paper feed roller, it is determined whether to select “prevent jamming by transport assist control” or “incorrect paper feeding of subsequent recording medium”. Determine the number of times. As an example, if paper with a paper type with poor transportability is passed or if there is a high possibility that the number of prints will increase and the transport roller is contaminated, prevent jamming by transport assist control. The number of times N of conveyance assistance is preferentially set to 1. In other cases, the conveyance assist frequency N is set to 0 with priority given to “erroneous paper feeding of subsequent recording medium”. In the case of condition 3, the trailing edge of the paper does not pass through the paper feed roller, and the number of conveyance assists is determined by the following formula.
N = (Lpap− (L1 + L2)) / Lpick + 1 (Equation 1)
In this embodiment, the case where the recording medium is fed from the option cassette 16 has been described. However, in the case where the recording medium is fed from the main cassette 10 or the option cassette 15, the number of times of conveyance assistance N is set to the length of the recording medium and the conveyance path. The distance may be set according to the distance.

以上、本実施例によれば、記録媒体の搬送方向の長さ、搬送路における搬送距離に基づいて最適な搬送助力制御の実行回数を決めることが可能になる。実施例１と同様に、従来の構成を変えることなく安価な構成で搬送力の不足による記録媒体のジャムの発生を低減することができる。また、搬送力の不足以外の要因のジャムは従来どおり検知できる。また、実施例２と同様、複数の記録媒体を連続的に給紙している途中に搬送助力制御を実行する場合において、搬送助力制御の対象の記録媒体の後続紙の誤給紙を防止することができる。   As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to determine the optimal number of times of carrying assist control based on the length of the recording medium in the carrying direction and the carrying distance in the carrying path. Similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of jamming of the recording medium due to insufficient conveyance force with an inexpensive configuration without changing the conventional configuration. In addition, jams of factors other than insufficient conveyance force can be detected as usual. Similarly to the second embodiment, in the case where the conveyance assist control is executed while a plurality of recording media are being fed continuously, erroneous feeding of the succeeding sheet of the recording medium that is the target of the conveyance assist control is prevented. be able to.

（その他の実施例）
上記の実施例１〜３に記載した制御に加えて、例えば、用紙の種類や給紙ローラの磨耗度合を考慮して搬送助力制御の実行回数を切り換えることも可能である。例えば、用紙が普通紙の場合と、普通紙よりも坪量（単位面積あたりの重量）が大きい厚紙の場合とで、搬送助力制御を実行する回数を切り換えることが可能である。実行回数の一例としては、普通紙の場合に２回、圧厚紙の場合に３回に設定することができる。これは厚紙の方が普通紙に比べて搬送力が必要であり、同じように搬送した場合は厚紙の方が搬送性が良くない傾向であるため厚紙の場合に回数を多く設定する。また、給紙ローラの磨耗度合をプリント枚数から予測して、累積プリント枚数が多くなるにつれて実行回数を段階的に増加させるように設定することも有効である。例えば、累積プリント枚数をカウントして、０枚〜５０００枚で実行回数２回、５０００１枚〜１００００枚で実行回数３回、１０００１枚以上で実行回数４回というように段階的に実行回数を切り換えることができる。
このように紙種や給紙ローラの磨耗度合を考慮して実行回数を切り換えることにより、搬送助力制御の実行回数をより適切に設定及び切換可能となる。 (Other examples)
In addition to the control described in the first to third embodiments, for example, it is possible to switch the number of times of carrying assist control in consideration of the type of paper and the degree of wear of the paper feed roller. For example, it is possible to switch the number of times of carrying assist control between the case where the paper is plain paper and the case where the paper is thick paper whose basis weight (weight per unit area) is larger than that of the plain paper. As an example of the number of executions, it can be set to 2 times for plain paper and 3 times for compressed paper. This is because thick paper requires a conveyance force compared to plain paper, and the thick paper tends to be less transportable when conveyed in the same way, so the number of times is set higher for thick paper. It is also effective to predict the degree of wear of the paper feed roller from the number of prints and set the number of executions to increase stepwise as the cumulative number of prints increases. For example, the cumulative number of prints is counted, and the number of executions is switched stepwise such that 0 to 5000 sheets are executed twice, 50001 sheets to 10,000 sheets are executed three times, and 100001 or more are executed four times. be able to.
Thus, by switching the number of executions in consideration of the paper type and the degree of wear of the paper feed roller, the number of executions of the conveyance assist control can be set and switched more appropriately.

また、上述した複数の実施例において、給紙ローラは、Ｄカット形状の給紙ローラを適用する例を説明したが、給紙ローラを当接離間して給紙を行う構成においても同様に搬送助力制御を適用できる。その場合は、例えば、搬送ローラの搬送力が不足したと判断した場合に、給紙ローラを当接させて所定時間駆動する搬送助力制御を実行することができる。   Further, in the above-described embodiments, the example in which the D-cut-shaped paper feeding roller is applied as the paper feeding roller has been described. However, similarly in the configuration in which paper feeding is performed by contacting and separating the paper feeding rollers. Helping control can be applied. In this case, for example, when it is determined that the conveyance force of the conveyance roller is insufficient, it is possible to execute conveyance assist control that drives the sheet feeding roller for a predetermined time.

１ レーザビームプリンタ
１０１、１５１、１６１ 給紙ローラ
１０２、１５２、１６２ 搬送ローラ対
１０３、１５３、１６３ 搬送センサ DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser beam printer 101,151,161 Feed roller 102,152,162 Pair of conveyance rollers 103,153,163 Conveyance sensor

Claims (12)

記録媒体を給紙する動作を実行した後に動作を停止する給紙手段と、
前記給紙手段によって給紙された用紙を搬送する搬送手段と、
前記搬送手段で搬送された記録媒体を検知する検知手段とを備え、
前記給紙手段により記録媒体の給紙し、前記搬送手段により記録媒体が搬送されてから所定時間経過後、前記検知手段で記録媒体が検知されない場合、停止している前記給紙手段を動作させて記録媒体の搬送を補助する補助動作を実行することを特徴とする給紙装置。 A paper feeding means for stopping the operation after performing the operation of feeding the recording medium;
Transport means for transporting paper fed by the paper feed means;
Detecting means for detecting the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means,
When the recording medium is fed by the paper feeding means and the recording medium is not detected by the detecting means after a predetermined time has elapsed since the recording medium was conveyed by the conveying means, the stopped paper feeding means is operated. A paper feeding device that performs an auxiliary operation for assisting conveyance of the recording medium. 前記補助動作を実行しても、前記検知手段によって記録媒体が検知されない場合は、記録媒体の搬送不良が発生したと判断して搬送動作を停止することを特徴とする請求項１に記載の給紙装置。   The feeding operation according to claim 1, wherein if the recording medium is not detected by the detection unit even after the auxiliary operation is performed, it is determined that a conveyance failure of the recording medium has occurred, and the conveyance operation is stopped. Paper device. 前記給紙手段により複数の記録媒体を給紙している途中に、前記補助動作を実行する場合は、前記補助動作を実行する対象の記録媒体の後端が前記給紙手段を通過しているかいなかに応じて該補助動作の実行可否を判断することを特徴とする請求項１または２に記載の給紙装置。   In the case where the auxiliary operation is performed while a plurality of recording media are being fed by the paper feeding unit, is the rear end of the recording medium to be subjected to the auxiliary operation passing through the paper feeding unit? The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein whether or not the auxiliary operation can be performed is determined according to the contents. 前記補助動作を実行する回数を、記録媒体の搬送方向の長さと、前記給紙手段で給紙される前の記録媒体の先端から前記検知手段までの搬送路における距離に基づいて設定することを特徴とする請求項１乃至３のいずれかの項に記載の給紙装置。   The number of times of performing the auxiliary operation is set based on the length in the conveyance direction of the recording medium and the distance in the conveyance path from the leading edge of the recording medium before being fed by the paper feeding unit to the detection unit. The sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sheet feeding device is characterized in that: 前記補助動作を実行する回数を、記録媒体の種類に基づいて設定することを特徴とする請求項１乃至４のいずれかに記載の給紙装置。   5. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the number of times of executing the auxiliary operation is set based on a type of a recording medium. 前記補助動作を実行する回数を、給紙手段の磨耗度合に基づいて設定することを特徴とする請求項１乃至４のいずれかに記載の給紙装置。   5. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the number of times the auxiliary operation is performed is set based on a degree of wear of the sheet feeding unit. 記録媒体を給紙する動作を実行した後に動作を停止する給紙手段と、
前記給紙手段によって給紙された用紙を搬送する搬送手段と、
前記搬送手段で搬送された記録媒体を検知する検知手段と、
前記検知手段で検知されて搬送された記録媒体に画像を形成する画像形成手段とを備え、
前記給紙手段により記録媒体を給紙し、前記搬送手段により記録媒体が搬送されてから所定時間経過後、前記検知手段で記録媒体が検知されない場合、停止している前記給紙手段を動作させて記録媒体の搬送を補助する補助動作を実行することを特徴とする画像形成装置。 A paper feeding means for stopping the operation after performing the operation of feeding the recording medium;
Transport means for transporting paper fed by the paper feed means;
Detecting means for detecting the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means;
Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium detected and conveyed by the detection means,
When the recording medium is fed by the paper feeding means and the recording medium is not detected by the detecting means after a predetermined time has elapsed since the recording medium was conveyed by the conveying means, the stopped paper feeding means is operated. An image forming apparatus that performs an auxiliary operation for assisting conveyance of the recording medium. 前記補助動作を実行しても、前記検知手段によって記録媒体が検知されない場合は、記録媒体の搬送不良が発生したと判断して搬送動作を停止することを特徴とする請求項７に記載の画像形成装置。   8. The image according to claim 7, wherein, even if the auxiliary operation is performed, if the recording medium is not detected by the detection unit, it is determined that a recording medium conveyance failure has occurred, and the conveyance operation is stopped. Forming equipment. 前記給紙手段により複数の記録媒体を給紙している途中に、前記補助動作を実行する場合は、前記補助動作を実行する対象の記録媒体の後端が前記給紙手段を通過しているか否かに応じて該補助動作の実行可否を判断することを特徴とする請求項７または８に記載の画像形成装置。   In the case where the auxiliary operation is performed while a plurality of recording media are being fed by the paper feeding unit, is the rear end of the recording medium to be subjected to the auxiliary operation passing through the paper feeding unit? 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein whether or not the auxiliary operation can be executed is determined according to whether or not the auxiliary operation is possible. 前記補助動作を実行する回数を、記録媒体の搬送方向の長さと、前記給紙手段で給紙される前の記録媒体の先端から前記検知手段までの搬送路における距離に基づいて設定することを特徴とする請求項７乃至９のいずれかの項に記載の画像形成装置。   The number of times of performing the auxiliary operation is set based on the length in the conveyance direction of the recording medium and the distance in the conveyance path from the leading edge of the recording medium before being fed by the paper feeding unit to the detection unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. 前記補助動作を実行する回数を、記録媒体の種類に基づいて設定することを特徴とする請求項７乃至１０のいずれかに記載の給紙装置。   The paper feeding device according to claim 7, wherein the number of times of performing the auxiliary operation is set based on a type of a recording medium. 前記補助動作を実行する回数を、給紙手段の磨耗度合に基づいて設定することを特徴とする請求項７乃至１０のいずれかに記載の給紙装置。   The paper feeding device according to claim 7, wherein the number of times of performing the auxiliary operation is set based on a degree of wear of the paper feeding means.
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