WO2018012277A1 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Image forming apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018012277A1
WO2018012277A1 PCT/JP2017/023530 JP2017023530W WO2018012277A1 WO 2018012277 A1 WO2018012277 A1 WO 2018012277A1 JP 2017023530 W JP2017023530 W JP 2017023530W WO 2018012277 A1 WO2018012277 A1 WO 2018012277A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
unit
image forming
detection
forming apparatus
sheet
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Application number
PCT/JP2017/023530
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
根文 柳
Original Assignee
京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社
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Application filed by 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 filed Critical 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社
Publication of WO2018012277A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018012277A1/en

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J29/00—Details of, or accessories for, typewriters or selective printing mechanisms not otherwise provided for
    • B41J29/38—Drives, motors, controls or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.
  • the image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium according to a user operation.
  • the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a discharge tray.
  • the recording medium on which the image is formed is sequentially discharged to the discharge tray.
  • the user may place a hand (an example of a human body) on the discharge tray.
  • the user places a hand on the discharge tray in order to acquire the recording medium being discharged.
  • a hand when a hand is placed on the discharge tray, a recording medium that is not intended by the user may be discharged to the discharge tray.
  • a recording medium that is not intended by the user may collide with the user's hand and be damaged.
  • the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a recording medium from being damaged.
  • the image forming apparatus includes a conveyance unit, an image forming unit, a discharge tray, a detection unit, and an operation control unit.
  • the conveyance unit conveys a recording medium.
  • the image forming unit forms an image on the recording medium.
  • the recording medium discharged by the transport unit is stacked on the discharge tray.
  • the detection unit is provided on the discharge tray.
  • the detection unit outputs a detection signal.
  • the operation control unit controls operations of the image forming unit and the transport unit based on the detection signal.
  • the detection signal indicates that a human body has been detected.
  • the image forming apparatus of the present invention it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being damaged.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
  • the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is a multifunction machine.
  • the image forming apparatus 1 may be a copier, a printer, or a facsimile machine.
  • the multi-function peripheral has, for example, at least two functions among a copy function, a printer function, and a facsimile function.
  • the image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on the sheet S.
  • the sheet S is an example of the recording medium of the present invention.
  • the sheet S is, for example, plain paper, copy paper, recycled paper, thin paper, thick paper, glossy paper, or an OHP (Overhead Projector) sheet.
  • the image forming apparatus 1 includes a housing 1 a, a conveyance unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a fixing unit 4, a storage unit 5, a discharge tray 6, an operation panel 7, a detection unit 8, and a control unit 9. And an image reading unit 10.
  • the sheet S is conveyed from the storage unit 5 to the discharge tray 6 along the sheet conveyance path.
  • the direction in which the operation panel 7 faces is the front, and the front-rear direction is defined. Further, the left hand side when the image forming apparatus 1 is viewed from the front is defined as the left side, and the left-right direction is defined. Further, the front-rear direction and the direction orthogonal to the left-right direction are defined as the up-down direction.
  • the image reading unit 10 reads an image of a document and generates image data.
  • the image reading unit 10 is, for example, a scanner.
  • the operation panel 7 has a display unit 71 and an input unit 72.
  • the display unit 71 includes a display.
  • the display includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic ELD (Electro Luminescence Display).
  • the display may have a touch panel function.
  • the display unit 71 displays various setting screens of the image forming apparatus 1.
  • the input unit 72 includes hard keys.
  • the input unit 72 outputs an operation signal corresponding to a user operation to the control unit 9.
  • the user operation includes, for example, various settings of the image forming apparatus 1.
  • the housing 1a has a rectangular shape.
  • the housing 1a is formed in a box.
  • the housing 1a accommodates the transport unit 2, the image forming unit 3, the fixing unit 4, the storage unit 5, and the control unit 9 therein.
  • the housing 1a has a left upper surface portion and a right upper surface portion.
  • the upper surface portion on the right side has a lower vertical position than the upper surface portion on the left side.
  • the left upper surface is in contact with the lower surface of the image reading unit 10 and supports the image reading unit 10.
  • a cylinder space is formed between the upper surface portion on the right side and the lower surface portion of the image reading unit 10.
  • the storage unit 5 has a plurality of cassettes 51.
  • the storage unit 5 includes two cassettes 51.
  • Each cassette 51 is arranged in the lower part of the housing 1a.
  • Each cassette 51 is detachable from the housing 1a.
  • Each cassette 51 can accommodate a plurality of sheets S.
  • the storage unit 5 may further include a manual feed tray.
  • the image forming unit 3 is disposed on the downstream side of the storage unit 5 in the sheet conveyance path.
  • the image forming unit 3 forms a toner image on the sheet S.
  • the image forming unit 3 includes a photosensitive drum 33, a charging unit 34, an exposure unit 36, a developing unit 37, and a transfer unit 38.
  • the photosensitive drum 33 is rotatable.
  • the photosensitive drum 33 has, for example, a conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer.
  • the conductive substrate has conductivity.
  • the conductive substrate is formed in a cylindrical shape.
  • the photosensitive layer is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the conductive substrate.
  • the charging unit 34 charges the photosensitive drum 33 to a predetermined potential.
  • the exposure unit 36 irradiates the outer peripheral surface of the charged photosensitive drum 33 with laser. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 33.
  • the developing unit 37 develops the electrostatic latent image. As a result, a toner image is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 33.
  • the transfer unit 38 transfers the toner image to the sheet S.
  • the transfer unit 38 includes a transfer roller.
  • the transfer roller forms a nip portion together with the photosensitive drum 33.
  • a toner image is transferred to the sheet S passing through the nip portion.
  • the fixing unit 4 is disposed downstream of the image forming unit 3 in the sheet conveyance path.
  • the fixing unit 4 includes a heating member 43 and a pressure member 44.
  • the heating member 43 and the pressure member 44 heat and press the sheet S on which the toner image is transferred. As a result, the toner image is fixed on the sheet S.
  • the heating member 43 is, for example, a roller or a belt.
  • the pressure member 44 is, for example, a roller.
  • the transport unit 2 has a plurality of roller pairs 21.
  • the roller pair 21 conveys the sheet S with the sheet S interposed therebetween.
  • the roller pair 21 is disposed along the sheet conveyance path.
  • the roller pair 21 is disposed along the sheet conveyance path at an interval shorter than the length of the sheet S, for example. As a result, the conveyance unit 2 can convey the sheet S along the sheet conveyance path.
  • the roller pair 21 has a driving roller and a driven roller.
  • the drive roller is connected to a drive source such as an electric motor via a rotating shaft, for example.
  • the driven roller is pressed against the driving roller.
  • the driven roller is rotated by a frictional force with the driving roller. Therefore, the driven roller follows the driving roller.
  • the plurality of roller pairs 21 include, for example, a paper feed roller pair 22 and a discharge roller pair 23.
  • the paper feed roller pair 22 conveys the sheet S picked up from the cassette 51.
  • the discharge roller pair 23 discharges the sheet S to the discharge tray 6.
  • the discharge roller pair 23 is also used for switchback conveyance of the sheet S to be printed on both sides.
  • the transport unit 2 further includes a plurality of guide plates 24.
  • the guide plate 24 guides the sheet S along the sheet conveyance path.
  • the plurality of guide plates 24 may include a movable guide plate.
  • the movable guide plate is disposed at a location where the sheet conveyance path branches.
  • the movable guide plate is connected to a drive source such as an electric motor.
  • the operation of the movable guide plate is controlled by, for example, the control unit 9.
  • the sheet S is guided to one of the branched sheet conveyance paths corresponding to the operation of the movable guide plate.
  • the discharge tray 6 is provided at the bottom of the in-cylinder space between the housing 1 a and the image reading unit 10.
  • the discharge tray 6 has an inclined part and a flat part.
  • the inclined portion is inclined upward along the discharge direction of the sheet S.
  • the plane portion is continuous with the inclined portion.
  • the plane portion is formed along the horizontal direction. Sheets S discharged by the discharge roller pair 23 are stacked on the discharge tray 6.
  • the image forming apparatus 1 may include a discharge tray that protrudes outside the housing 1a.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 of FIG.
  • the detection unit 8 is provided on the discharge tray 6.
  • the detection unit 8 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 9.
  • the detection signal indicates that a human body has been detected.
  • the detector 8 is embedded along the front edge of the discharge tray 6.
  • the detection unit 8 detects the upper surface of the discharge tray 6 or a hand (human body) disposed above.
  • the detection unit 8 includes, for example, a magnetic field detection type sensor or a dielectric constant detection type sensor.
  • a magnetic field detection type or dielectric constant detection type sensor includes a coil and a detection circuit.
  • the coil is formed in a spiral shape when viewed from above.
  • the coil is arranged over the entire area of the discharge tray 6 in the left-right direction.
  • the coil can be easily formed in a shape along the edge of the discharge tray 6.
  • the detection circuit detects, for example, a change in impedance of an alternating magnetic field generated by the coil. In this case, the detection signal indicates a change in impedance.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 of FIG.
  • the control unit 9 functions as an operation control unit 91 and a determination unit 92 by executing a computer program stored in advance.
  • the control part 9 is comprised from CPU (Central Processing Unit), for example.
  • the operation control unit 91 controls the operations of the conveyance unit 2, the image forming unit 3, and the fixing unit 4 based on the detection signal of the detection unit 8.
  • the operation control unit 91 according to the first embodiment controls the operations of the conveyance unit 2, the image forming unit 3, and the fixing unit 4 based on the detection signal of the detection unit 8 so that the conveyance of the sheet S is stopped.
  • the determining unit 92 determines whether the sheet S is passing through the image forming unit 3 or the fixing unit 4 based on, for example, a sheet detection signal.
  • the sheet detection signal is output from the sheet detection unit.
  • the sheet detection unit is provided in the image forming unit 3 and the fixing unit 4. When the sheet detection unit detects the sheet S, the sheet detection unit outputs a sheet detection signal.
  • the sheet detection signal indicates that the sheet detection unit detects the sheet S.
  • the sheet detection unit is, for example, a non-contact type sensor.
  • the operation control unit 91 controls the operation of the conveyance unit 2, the image forming unit 3, or the fixing unit 4 based on the determination result of the determination unit 92.
  • the operation control unit 91 stops the operation of the conveying unit 2 when there is no sheet S passing through the image forming unit 3 or the fixing unit 4. Accordingly, the conveyance of the sheet S is stopped.
  • the operation control unit 91 is configured so that the sheet S passes through the image forming unit 3 and the fixing unit 4 when there is a sheet S passing through the image forming unit 3 or the fixing unit 4.
  • the operations of the image forming unit 3 and the fixing unit 4 are controlled.
  • the operation control unit 91 stops the operation of the transport unit 2. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the conveyance of the sheet S is stopped at a position other than the image forming unit 3 and the fixing unit 4 in the sheet conveyance path. As a result, it is possible to prevent the image quality of the image formed on the sheet S from being degraded.
  • the operation control unit 91 controls the conveyance unit 2, the image forming unit 3, and the fixing unit 4 based on the detection signal from the detection unit 8. Therefore, when a human body (hand) is arranged on the discharge tray 6, the conveyance of the sheet S is stopped. As a result, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the sheet S can be prevented from being damaged by the collision between the sheet S and the user's hand.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment is different from the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment in that a plurality of discharge trays 6 and a plurality of detection units 8 are provided.
  • the image forming apparatus 1 includes a plurality of discharge trays 6 and a plurality of detection units 8.
  • the plurality of discharge trays 6 include a first discharge tray 61 and a second discharge tray 62.
  • the plurality of detection units 8 include a first detection unit 81 and a second detection unit 82.
  • the sheet conveyance path branches into a path for conveying the sheet S to the first discharge tray 61 and a path for conveying the sheet S to the second discharge tray 62.
  • a movable guide plate of the transport unit 2 is disposed at this branching place. As a result, the sheet S is discharged to either the first discharge tray 61 or the second discharge tray 62 when the movable guide plate operates.
  • Each of the plurality of detection units 8 is provided in a corresponding one of the plurality of discharge trays 6.
  • the first detection unit 81 is provided on the first discharge tray 61.
  • the second detection unit 82 is provided on the second discharge tray 62.
  • the first detection unit 81 When detecting the human body, the first detection unit 81 outputs a first detection signal to the control unit 9.
  • the second detection unit 82 When detecting the human body, the second detection unit 82 outputs a second detection signal to the control unit 9.
  • the operation control unit 91 receives a detection signal from each of the plurality of detection units 8. Under the condition that some of the detection units 8 output detection signals and other detection units 8 do not output detection signals, the operation control unit 91 is based on the detection signals. The operation of the conveyance unit 2 is controlled so that the sheet S is discharged to one of the plurality of discharge trays 6. The operation control unit 91 according to the second embodiment operates the transport unit 2 so that the sheet S is discharged to the first discharge tray 61 or the second discharge tray 62 based on the first detection signal and the second detection signal. To control.
  • the operation control unit 91 controls the operation of the transport unit 2 so that the sheet S is discharged to the second discharge tray 62 when the first detection signal is input. Further, when the second detection signal is input, the operation control unit 91 controls the operation of the transport unit 2 so that the sheet S is discharged to the first discharge tray 61.
  • the sheet S when a human body is arranged on the first discharge tray 61, the sheet S is discharged to the second discharge tray 62. Conversely, when a human body is arranged on the second discharge tray 62, the sheet S is discharged to the first discharge tray 61. As a result, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, the sheet S can be prevented from being damaged by the collision between the sheet S and the user's hand.
  • the operation control unit 91 controls the operations of the conveyance unit 2, the image forming unit 3, and the fixing unit 4 when all of the detection units 8 output detection signals at the same time, for example. Stop conveyance.
  • the operation control unit 91 selects the discharge tray 6 that discharges the sheet S based on the priority order.
  • the priority order is set in advance for the plurality of discharge trays 6.
  • the operation control unit 91 corresponds to the detection unit 8 that does not output the detection signal.
  • the discharge tray 6 that discharges the sheet S is selected from the discharge trays 6 to be discharged.
  • the operation control unit 91 controls the operation of the conveyance unit 2 to discharge the sheet S to the selected discharge tray 6.
  • Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention has been described above with reference to FIGS.
  • the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof.
  • Embodiment 1 of the present invention when the detection signal of the detection unit 8 is input to the control unit 9, the operation control unit 91 controls the operations of the conveyance unit 2, the image forming unit 3, and the fixing unit 4. Thus, the conveyance of the sheet S is stopped, but the present invention is not limited to this.
  • the operation control unit 91 controls the operation of the conveyance unit 2 so that the discharge speed of the sheet S discharged to the discharge tray 6 is slow. Good. In this case, even if the sheet S being discharged and the user's hand come into contact with each other, it is possible to prevent the sheet S from being damaged.
  • the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and is useful for discharging a recording medium such as a sheet.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Control Or Security For Electrophotography (AREA)

Abstract

This image forming apparatus (1) is provided with: a conveying part (2); an image forming part (3); a discharge tray (6); a detection part (8); and an operation control unit (91). The conveying part (2) conveys a recording medium. The image forming part (3) forms an image on a sheet (S). In the discharge tray (6), the sheets (S) discharged by the conveying part (2) are stacked. The detection part (8) is provided in the discharge tray (6). The detection part (8) outputs a detection signal. The operation control unit (91) controls the operations of the image forming part (3) and the conveying part (2), on the basis of the detection signal. The detection signal indicates that a human body has been detected.

Description

画像形成装置Image forming apparatus
　本発明は、画像形成装置に関する。 The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.
　画像形成装置は、ユーザーの操作に応じて記録媒体に画像を形成する。特許文献１に記載の画像形成装置は、排出トレイを備える。排出トレイには、画像が形成された記録媒体が順に排出される。 The image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium according to a user operation. The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a discharge tray. The recording medium on which the image is formed is sequentially discharged to the discharge tray.
特開２０００－１１８８４１号公報JP 2000-118841 A
　ところで、ユーザーは、排出トレイに手（人体の一例）を配する場合がある。ユーザーは、例えば、排出中の記録媒体を取得するために、排出トレイに手を配する。しかしながら、特許文献１に記載の画像形成装置では、排出トレイに手が配されている際に、ユーザーが意図しない記録媒体が排出トレイに排出されるおそれがある。ユーザーが意図しない記録媒体は、ユーザーの手と衝突して損傷するおそれがある。 By the way, the user may place a hand (an example of a human body) on the discharge tray. For example, the user places a hand on the discharge tray in order to acquire the recording medium being discharged. However, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when a hand is placed on the discharge tray, a recording medium that is not intended by the user may be discharged to the discharge tray. A recording medium that is not intended by the user may collide with the user's hand and be damaged.
　本発明は上記課題に鑑みてなされたものであり、その目的は、記録媒体が損傷することを防止できる画像形成装置を提供することにある。 The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a recording medium from being damaged.
　本発明に係る画像形成装置は、搬送部と、画像形成部と、排出トレイと、検知部と、動作制御部とを備える。前記搬送部は、記録媒体を搬送する。前記画像形成部は、前記記録媒体に画像を形成する。前記排出トレイには、前記搬送部によって排出される前記記録媒体が積載される。前記検知部は、前記排出トレイに設けられる。前記検知部は、検知信号を出力する。前記動作制御部は、前記検知信号に基づいて、前記画像形成部、及び前記搬送部の動作を制御する。前記検知信号は、人体を検知したことを示す。 The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a conveyance unit, an image forming unit, a discharge tray, a detection unit, and an operation control unit. The conveyance unit conveys a recording medium. The image forming unit forms an image on the recording medium. The recording medium discharged by the transport unit is stacked on the discharge tray. The detection unit is provided on the discharge tray. The detection unit outputs a detection signal. The operation control unit controls operations of the image forming unit and the transport unit based on the detection signal. The detection signal indicates that a human body has been detected.
　本発明の画像形成装置によれば、記録媒体が損傷することを防止できる。 According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being damaged.
本発明の実施形態１に係る画像形成装置の構成を示す図である。1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 図１の画像形成装置の構成を示す斜視図である。FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. 図１の画像形成装置の構成を示すブロック図である。FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. 本発明の実施形態２に係る画像形成装置の構成を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.
　以下、図面を参照して本発明の実施形態を説明する。ただし、本発明は以下の実施形態１、及び実施形態２に限定されない。なお、図中、同一、又は相当部分については、同一の参照符号を付して説明を繰り返さない。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.
（実施形態１）
　図１から図３を参照して、本発明の実施形態１に係る画像形成装置１について説明する。図１は、本発明の実施形態１に係る画像形成装置１の構成を示す図である。 (Embodiment 1)
With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, an image forming apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
　図１に示すように、本実施形態の画像形成装置１は、複合機である。なお、画像形成装置１は、コピー機、プリンター、又はファクシミリ機であってもよい。複合機は、例えば、コピー機能、プリンター機能、及びファクシミリ機能のうち少なくとも２つの機能を有する。 As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is a multifunction machine. The image forming apparatus 1 may be a copier, a printer, or a facsimile machine. The multi-function peripheral has, for example, at least two functions among a copy function, a printer function, and a facsimile function.
　画像形成装置１は、シートＳに画像を形成する。シートＳは、本発明の記録媒体の一例である。シートＳは、例えば、普通紙、コピー紙、再生紙、薄紙、厚紙、光沢紙、又はＯＨＰ（Ｏｖｅｒｈｅａｄ　Ｐｒｏｊｅｃｔｏｒ）シートである。 The image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on the sheet S. The sheet S is an example of the recording medium of the present invention. The sheet S is, for example, plain paper, copy paper, recycled paper, thin paper, thick paper, glossy paper, or an OHP (Overhead Projector) sheet.
　画像形成装置１は、筐体１ａと、搬送部２と、画像形成部３と、定着部４と、収納部５と、排出トレイ６と、操作パネル７と、検知部８と、制御部９と、画像読取部１０とを備える。シートＳは、シート搬送経路に沿って収納部５から排出トレイ６まで搬送される。 The image forming apparatus 1 includes a housing 1 a, a conveyance unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a fixing unit 4, a storage unit 5, a discharge tray 6, an operation panel 7, a detection unit 8, and a control unit 9. And an image reading unit 10. The sheet S is conveyed from the storage unit 5 to the discharge tray 6 along the sheet conveyance path.
　図１において、操作パネル７が向く方向を前方とし、前後方向を規定する。また、画像形成装置１を正面から見たときの左手側を左方とし、左右方向を規定する。また、前後方向、及び左右方向と直交する方向を上下方向と規定する。 In FIG. 1, the direction in which the operation panel 7 faces is the front, and the front-rear direction is defined. Further, the left hand side when the image forming apparatus 1 is viewed from the front is defined as the left side, and the left-right direction is defined. Further, the front-rear direction and the direction orthogonal to the left-right direction are defined as the up-down direction.
　画像読取部１０は、原稿の画像を読み取って画像データを生成する。画像読取部１０は、例えば、スキャナーである。 The image reading unit 10 reads an image of a document and generates image data. The image reading unit 10 is, for example, a scanner.
　操作パネル７は、表示部７１と入力部７２とを有する。表示部７１は、ディスプレーから構成される。ディスプレーは、ＬＣＤ（Ｌｉｑｕｉｄ　Ｃｒｙｓｔａｌ　Ｄｉｓｐｌａｙ）、又は有機ＥＬＤ（Ｅｌｅｃｔｒｏ　Ｌｕｍｉｎｅｓｃｅｎｃｅ　Ｄｉｓｐｌａｙ）を含む。ディスプレーは、タッチパネル機能を有してもよい。表示部７１は、画像形成装置１の各種の設定画面を表示する。入力部７２は、ハードキーを含む。入力部７２は、ユーザーの操作に応じた操作信号を制御部９に出力する。ユーザーの操作は、例えば、画像形成装置１の各種設定を含む。 The operation panel 7 has a display unit 71 and an input unit 72. The display unit 71 includes a display. The display includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic ELD (Electro Luminescence Display). The display may have a touch panel function. The display unit 71 displays various setting screens of the image forming apparatus 1. The input unit 72 includes hard keys. The input unit 72 outputs an operation signal corresponding to a user operation to the control unit 9. The user operation includes, for example, various settings of the image forming apparatus 1.
　筐体１ａは、矩形状である。筐体１ａは、箱体に形成される。筐体１ａは、搬送部２と、画像形成部３と、定着部４と、収納部５と、制御部９とを内部に収容する。また、筐体１ａは、左側の上面部と、右側の上面部とを有する。右側の上面部は、左側の上面部よりも上下方向の位置が低い。左側の上面部は、画像読取部１０の下面部に接触して画像読取部１０を支持する。右側の上面部は、画像読取部１０の下面部との間に胴内空間を形成する。 The housing 1a has a rectangular shape. The housing 1a is formed in a box. The housing 1a accommodates the transport unit 2, the image forming unit 3, the fixing unit 4, the storage unit 5, and the control unit 9 therein. The housing 1a has a left upper surface portion and a right upper surface portion. The upper surface portion on the right side has a lower vertical position than the upper surface portion on the left side. The left upper surface is in contact with the lower surface of the image reading unit 10 and supports the image reading unit 10. A cylinder space is formed between the upper surface portion on the right side and the lower surface portion of the image reading unit 10.
　収納部５は、複数のカセット５１を有する。本実施形態において、収納部５は、２つのカセット５１を有する。各カセット５１は、筐体１ａの下部に配置される。各カセット５１は、筐体１ａから着脱可能である。また、各カセット５１は、複数のシートＳを収容可能である。なお、収納部５は、手差しトレイを更に有してもよい。 The storage unit 5 has a plurality of cassettes 51. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 5 includes two cassettes 51. Each cassette 51 is arranged in the lower part of the housing 1a. Each cassette 51 is detachable from the housing 1a. Each cassette 51 can accommodate a plurality of sheets S. The storage unit 5 may further include a manual feed tray.
　画像形成部３は、シート搬送経路において、収納部５よりも下流側に配置される。画像形成部３は、シートＳにトナー画像を形成する。画像形成部３は、感光体ドラム３３と、帯電部３４と、露光部３６と、現像部３７と、転写部３８とを有する。 The image forming unit 3 is disposed on the downstream side of the storage unit 5 in the sheet conveyance path. The image forming unit 3 forms a toner image on the sheet S. The image forming unit 3 includes a photosensitive drum 33, a charging unit 34, an exposure unit 36, a developing unit 37, and a transfer unit 38.
　感光体ドラム３３は、回転可能である。感光体ドラム３３は、例えば、導電性基体と、感光層とを有する。導電性基体は、導電性を有する。導電性基体は、筒状に形成される。感光層は、導電性基体の外周面上に形成される。 The photosensitive drum 33 is rotatable. The photosensitive drum 33 has, for example, a conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer. The conductive substrate has conductivity. The conductive substrate is formed in a cylindrical shape. The photosensitive layer is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the conductive substrate.
　帯電部３４は、感光体ドラム３３を所定電位に帯電する。露光部３６は、帯電した感光体ドラム３３の外周面に、レーザーを照射する。この結果、感光体ドラム３３の外周面には、静電潜像が形成される。現像部３７は、静電潜像を現像する。この結果、感光体ドラム３３の外周面には、トナー画像が形成される。 The charging unit 34 charges the photosensitive drum 33 to a predetermined potential. The exposure unit 36 irradiates the outer peripheral surface of the charged photosensitive drum 33 with laser. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 33. The developing unit 37 develops the electrostatic latent image. As a result, a toner image is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 33.
　転写部３８は、シートＳにトナー画像を転写する。転写部３８は、転写ローラーを含む。転写ローラーは、感光体ドラム３３と共にニップ部を形成する。ニップ部を通過するシートＳには、トナー画像が転写される。 The transfer unit 38 transfers the toner image to the sheet S. The transfer unit 38 includes a transfer roller. The transfer roller forms a nip portion together with the photosensitive drum 33. A toner image is transferred to the sheet S passing through the nip portion.
　定着部４は、シート搬送経路において、画像形成部３よりも下流側に配置される。定着部４は、加熱部材４３と、加圧部材４４とを有する。加熱部材４３、及び加圧部材４４は、トナー画像が転写されたシートＳを加熱、及び加圧する。この結果、シートＳにトナー画像が定着する。なお、加熱部材４３は、例えば、ローラー、又はベルトである。また、加圧部材４４は、例えば、ローラーである。 The fixing unit 4 is disposed downstream of the image forming unit 3 in the sheet conveyance path. The fixing unit 4 includes a heating member 43 and a pressure member 44. The heating member 43 and the pressure member 44 heat and press the sheet S on which the toner image is transferred. As a result, the toner image is fixed on the sheet S. The heating member 43 is, for example, a roller or a belt. Further, the pressure member 44 is, for example, a roller.
　搬送部２は、複数のローラー対２１を有する。ローラー対２１は、シートＳを挟んで搬送する。ローラー対２１は、シート搬送経路に沿って配置される。ローラー対２１は、シート搬送経路に沿って、例えば、シートＳの長さよりも短い間隔で配置される。この結果、搬送部２は、シートＳをシート搬送経路に沿って搬送できる。 The transport unit 2 has a plurality of roller pairs 21. The roller pair 21 conveys the sheet S with the sheet S interposed therebetween. The roller pair 21 is disposed along the sheet conveyance path. The roller pair 21 is disposed along the sheet conveyance path at an interval shorter than the length of the sheet S, for example. As a result, the conveyance unit 2 can convey the sheet S along the sheet conveyance path.
　ローラー対２１は、駆動ローラーと、従動ローラーとを有する。駆動ローラーは、例えば、回転軸を介して電動機のような駆動源に連結される。従動ローラーは、駆動ローラーに圧接する。従動ローラーは、駆動ローラーとの摩擦力によって回転される。したがって、従動ローラーは、駆動ローラーに従動する。 The roller pair 21 has a driving roller and a driven roller. The drive roller is connected to a drive source such as an electric motor via a rotating shaft, for example. The driven roller is pressed against the driving roller. The driven roller is rotated by a frictional force with the driving roller. Therefore, the driven roller follows the driving roller.
　複数のローラー対２１は、例えば、給紙ローラー対２２と、排出ローラー対２３とを含む。給紙ローラー対２２は、カセット５１からピックアップされたシートＳを搬送する。排出ローラー対２３は、シートＳを排出トレイ６に排出する。また、排出ローラー対２３は、両面印刷されるシートＳのスイッチバック搬送にも用いられる。 The plurality of roller pairs 21 include, for example, a paper feed roller pair 22 and a discharge roller pair 23. The paper feed roller pair 22 conveys the sheet S picked up from the cassette 51. The discharge roller pair 23 discharges the sheet S to the discharge tray 6. The discharge roller pair 23 is also used for switchback conveyance of the sheet S to be printed on both sides.
　また、搬送部２は、複数のガイド板２４を更に有する。ガイド板２４は、シートＳをシート搬送経路に沿って案内する。なお、複数のガイド板２４は、可動のガイド板を含んでもよい。可動のガイド板は、シート搬送経路が分岐する箇所に配置される。可動のガイド板は、電動機のような駆動源に連結される。可動のガイド板の動作は、例えば、制御部９によって制御される。シートＳは、可動のガイド板の動作に対応して、分岐したシート搬送経路のいずれかに案内される。 Further, the transport unit 2 further includes a plurality of guide plates 24. The guide plate 24 guides the sheet S along the sheet conveyance path. The plurality of guide plates 24 may include a movable guide plate. The movable guide plate is disposed at a location where the sheet conveyance path branches. The movable guide plate is connected to a drive source such as an electric motor. The operation of the movable guide plate is controlled by, for example, the control unit 9. The sheet S is guided to one of the branched sheet conveyance paths corresponding to the operation of the movable guide plate.
　排出トレイ６は、筐体１ａと画像読取部１０との間の胴内空間の底部に設けられている。排出トレイ６は、傾斜部と、平面部とを有する。傾斜部は、シートＳの排出方向に沿って上方に傾斜する。平面部は、傾斜部に連続する。平面部は、水平方向に沿って形成される。排出トレイ６には、排出ローラー対２３によって排出されたシートＳが積載される。なお、画像形成装置１は、筐体１ａの外側に突出する排出トレイを備えてもよい。 The discharge tray 6 is provided at the bottom of the in-cylinder space between the housing 1 a and the image reading unit 10. The discharge tray 6 has an inclined part and a flat part. The inclined portion is inclined upward along the discharge direction of the sheet S. The plane portion is continuous with the inclined portion. The plane portion is formed along the horizontal direction. Sheets S discharged by the discharge roller pair 23 are stacked on the discharge tray 6. Note that the image forming apparatus 1 may include a discharge tray that protrudes outside the housing 1a.
　図２は、図１の画像形成装置１の構成を示す斜視図である。図２に示すように、検知部８は、排出トレイ６に設けられる。検知部８は、制御部９に検知信号を出力する。検知信号は、人体を検知したことを示す。検知部８は、排出トレイ６の前側の縁部に沿って埋設される。検知部８は、排出トレイ６の上面、又は上方に配された手（人体）を検知する。 FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the detection unit 8 is provided on the discharge tray 6. The detection unit 8 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 9. The detection signal indicates that a human body has been detected. The detector 8 is embedded along the front edge of the discharge tray 6. The detection unit 8 detects the upper surface of the discharge tray 6 or a hand (human body) disposed above.
　検知部８は、例えば、磁界検知式、又は誘電率検知式のセンサーを有する。磁界検知式、又は誘電率検知式のセンサーは、コイルと、検知回路とを有する。コイルは、上方から見て渦状に形成される。コイルは、排出トレイ６の左右方向の全域に亘って配される。コイルは、排出トレイ６の縁部に沿った形状に容易に形成できる。検知回路は、例えば、コイルにより発生された交流磁界のインピーダンスの変化を検知する。この場合、検知信号は、インピーダンスの変化を示す。 The detection unit 8 includes, for example, a magnetic field detection type sensor or a dielectric constant detection type sensor. A magnetic field detection type or dielectric constant detection type sensor includes a coil and a detection circuit. The coil is formed in a spiral shape when viewed from above. The coil is arranged over the entire area of the discharge tray 6 in the left-right direction. The coil can be easily formed in a shape along the edge of the discharge tray 6. The detection circuit detects, for example, a change in impedance of an alternating magnetic field generated by the coil. In this case, the detection signal indicates a change in impedance.
　図３は、図１の画像形成装置１の構成を示すブロック図である。図３に示すように、制御部９は、予め記憶されたコンピュータープログラムを実行することにより、動作制御部９１、及び判定部９２として機能する。なお、制御部９は、例えば、ＣＰＵ（Ｃｅｎｔｒａｌ　Ｐｒｏｃｅｓｓｉｎｇ　Ｕｎｉｔ）から構成される。 FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 of FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the control unit 9 functions as an operation control unit 91 and a determination unit 92 by executing a computer program stored in advance. In addition, the control part 9 is comprised from CPU (Central Processing Unit), for example.
　動作制御部９１は、検知部８の検知信号に基づいて、搬送部２、画像形成部３、及び定着部４の動作を制御する。実施形態１の動作制御部９１は、検知部８の検知信号に基づいて、シートＳの搬送が停止するように、搬送部２、画像形成部３、及び定着部４の動作を制御する。 The operation control unit 91 controls the operations of the conveyance unit 2, the image forming unit 3, and the fixing unit 4 based on the detection signal of the detection unit 8. The operation control unit 91 according to the first embodiment controls the operations of the conveyance unit 2, the image forming unit 3, and the fixing unit 4 based on the detection signal of the detection unit 8 so that the conveyance of the sheet S is stopped.
　判定部９２は、例えば、シート検知信号に基づいて、シートＳが画像形成部３、又は定着部４を通過中であるか否かを判定する。シート検知信号は、シート検知部から出力される。シート検知部は、画像形成部３、及び定着部４に設けられる。シート検知部は、シートＳを検知するとシート検知信号を出力する。シート検知信号は、シート検知部がシートＳを検知することを示す。シート検知部は、例えば、非接触式のセンサーである。 The determining unit 92 determines whether the sheet S is passing through the image forming unit 3 or the fixing unit 4 based on, for example, a sheet detection signal. The sheet detection signal is output from the sheet detection unit. The sheet detection unit is provided in the image forming unit 3 and the fixing unit 4. When the sheet detection unit detects the sheet S, the sheet detection unit outputs a sheet detection signal. The sheet detection signal indicates that the sheet detection unit detects the sheet S. The sheet detection unit is, for example, a non-contact type sensor.
　続いて、動作制御部９１による制御方法について詳しく説明する。動作制御部９１は、検知部８から検知信号が入力されると、判定部９２の判定結果に基づいて、搬送部２、画像形成部３、又は定着部４の動作を制御する。動作制御部９１は、画像形成部３、又は定着部４を通過中のシートＳが無い場合に、搬送部２の動作を停止させる。したがって、シートＳの搬送が停止される。 Subsequently, a control method by the operation control unit 91 will be described in detail. When the detection signal is input from the detection unit 8, the operation control unit 91 controls the operation of the conveyance unit 2, the image forming unit 3, or the fixing unit 4 based on the determination result of the determination unit 92. The operation control unit 91 stops the operation of the conveying unit 2 when there is no sheet S passing through the image forming unit 3 or the fixing unit 4. Accordingly, the conveyance of the sheet S is stopped.
　また、動作制御部９１は、画像形成部３、又は定着部４を通過中のシートＳが有る場合に、シートＳが画像形成部３、及び定着部４を通過するように、搬送部２、画像形成部３、及び定着部４の動作を制御する。次に、動作制御部９１は、シートＳが画像形成部３、又は定着部４を通過中でないことを確認した後に、搬送部２の動作を停止させる。したがって、実施形態１の画像形成装置１では、シート搬送経路における画像形成部３、及び定着部４以外の位置でシートＳの搬送が停止される。この結果、シートＳに形成される画像の画質が低下することを抑制できる。 Further, the operation control unit 91 is configured so that the sheet S passes through the image forming unit 3 and the fixing unit 4 when there is a sheet S passing through the image forming unit 3 or the fixing unit 4. The operations of the image forming unit 3 and the fixing unit 4 are controlled. Next, after confirming that the sheet S is not passing through the image forming unit 3 or the fixing unit 4, the operation control unit 91 stops the operation of the transport unit 2. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the conveyance of the sheet S is stopped at a position other than the image forming unit 3 and the fixing unit 4 in the sheet conveyance path. As a result, it is possible to prevent the image quality of the image formed on the sheet S from being degraded.
　実施形態１の画像形成装置１では、排出トレイ６上に人体（手）が配されている場合に、検知部８から検知信号が出力される。動作制御部９１は、検知部８の検知信号に基づいて、搬送部２、画像形成部３、及び定着部４を制御する。したがって、排出トレイ６上に人体（手）が配されている場合には、シートＳの搬送が停止される。この結果、実施形態１の画像形成装置１では、シートＳとユーザーの手との衝突によってシートＳが損傷することを防止できる。 In the image forming apparatus 1 of Embodiment 1, when a human body (hand) is arranged on the discharge tray 6, a detection signal is output from the detection unit 8. The operation control unit 91 controls the conveyance unit 2, the image forming unit 3, and the fixing unit 4 based on the detection signal from the detection unit 8. Therefore, when a human body (hand) is arranged on the discharge tray 6, the conveyance of the sheet S is stopped. As a result, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the sheet S can be prevented from being damaged by the collision between the sheet S and the user's hand.
（実施形態２）
　図４を参照して、本発明の実施形態２に係る画像形成装置１について説明する。図４は、本発明の実施形態２に係る画像形成装置１の構成を示す図である。実施形態２の画像形成装置１は、複数の排出トレイ６、及び複数の検知部８を備える点で、実施形態１の画像形成装置１とは異なる。 (Embodiment 2)
With reference to FIG. 4, an image forming apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment is different from the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment in that a plurality of discharge trays 6 and a plurality of detection units 8 are provided.
　図４に示すように、画像形成装置１は、複数の排出トレイ６と、複数の検知部８とを備える。複数の排出トレイ６は、第１排出トレイ６１と、第２排出トレイ６２とを有する。複数の検知部８は、第１検知部８１と、第２検知部８２とを有する。シート搬送経路は、第１排出トレイ６１にシートＳを搬送する経路と、第２排出トレイ６２にシートＳを搬送する経路とに分岐する。この分岐箇所には、搬送部２の可動のガイド板が配される。この結果、シートＳは、可動のガイド板が動作することによって、第１排出トレイ６１、又は第２排出トレイ６２のいずれかに排出される。 As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a plurality of discharge trays 6 and a plurality of detection units 8. The plurality of discharge trays 6 include a first discharge tray 61 and a second discharge tray 62. The plurality of detection units 8 include a first detection unit 81 and a second detection unit 82. The sheet conveyance path branches into a path for conveying the sheet S to the first discharge tray 61 and a path for conveying the sheet S to the second discharge tray 62. A movable guide plate of the transport unit 2 is disposed at this branching place. As a result, the sheet S is discharged to either the first discharge tray 61 or the second discharge tray 62 when the movable guide plate operates.
　複数の検知部８の各々は、複数の排出トレイ６のうちの対応する１つにそれぞれ設けられる。実施形態２では、第１検知部８１は、第１排出トレイ６１に設けられる。また、第２検知部８２は、第２排出トレイ６２に設けられる。第１検知部８１は、人体を検知すると制御部９に第１検知信号を出力する。第２検知部８２は、人体を検知すると制御部９に第２検知信号を出力する。 Each of the plurality of detection units 8 is provided in a corresponding one of the plurality of discharge trays 6. In the second embodiment, the first detection unit 81 is provided on the first discharge tray 61. The second detection unit 82 is provided on the second discharge tray 62. When detecting the human body, the first detection unit 81 outputs a first detection signal to the control unit 9. When detecting the human body, the second detection unit 82 outputs a second detection signal to the control unit 9.
　動作制御部９１には、複数の検知部８の各々から検知信号が入力される。複数の検知部８のうち、一部の検知部８が検知信号を出力し、他の検知部８が検知信号を出力していない条件下において、動作制御部９１は、検知信号に基づいて、複数の排出トレイ６のうちの１つにシートＳが排出されるように搬送部２の動作を制御する。実施形態２の動作制御部９１は、第１検知信号、及び第２検知信号に基づいて、第１排出トレイ６１、又は第２排出トレイ６２にシートＳが排出されるように搬送部２の動作を制御する。 The operation control unit 91 receives a detection signal from each of the plurality of detection units 8. Under the condition that some of the detection units 8 output detection signals and other detection units 8 do not output detection signals, the operation control unit 91 is based on the detection signals. The operation of the conveyance unit 2 is controlled so that the sheet S is discharged to one of the plurality of discharge trays 6. The operation control unit 91 according to the second embodiment operates the transport unit 2 so that the sheet S is discharged to the first discharge tray 61 or the second discharge tray 62 based on the first detection signal and the second detection signal. To control.
　続いて、実施形態２の動作制御部９１による制御方法について詳しく説明する。動作制御部９１は、第１検知信号が入力されると、第２排出トレイ６２にシートＳが排出されるように搬送部２の動作を制御する。また、動作制御部９１は、第２検知信号が入力されると、第１排出トレイ６１にシートＳが排出されるように搬送部２の動作を制御する。 Subsequently, a control method by the operation control unit 91 of the second embodiment will be described in detail. The operation control unit 91 controls the operation of the transport unit 2 so that the sheet S is discharged to the second discharge tray 62 when the first detection signal is input. Further, when the second detection signal is input, the operation control unit 91 controls the operation of the transport unit 2 so that the sheet S is discharged to the first discharge tray 61.
　実施形態２の画像形成装置１では、第１排出トレイ６１上に人体が配されている場合に、第２排出トレイ６２にシートＳが排出される。逆に、第２排出トレイ６２上に人体が配されている場合に、第１排出トレイ６１にシートＳが排出される。この結果、実施形態２の画像形成装置１では、シートＳとユーザーの手との衝突によってシートＳが損傷することを防止できる。 In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, when a human body is arranged on the first discharge tray 61, the sheet S is discharged to the second discharge tray 62. Conversely, when a human body is arranged on the second discharge tray 62, the sheet S is discharged to the first discharge tray 61. As a result, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, the sheet S can be prevented from being damaged by the collision between the sheet S and the user's hand.
　なお、動作制御部９１は、例えば、検知部８の全てが同時に検知信号を出力している場合に、搬送部２、画像形成部３、及び定着部４の動作を制御して、シートＳの搬送を停止させる。 Note that the operation control unit 91 controls the operations of the conveyance unit 2, the image forming unit 3, and the fixing unit 4 when all of the detection units 8 output detection signals at the same time, for example. Stop conveyance.
　また、動作制御部９１は、画像形成装置１が３つ以上の排出トレイ６を備える場合に、優先順位に基づいて、シートＳを排出する排出トレイ６を選択する。優先順位は、複数の排出トレイ６に予め設定される。３つ以上の排出トレイ６のうち、少なくとも１つの排出トレイ６に対応する検知部８から検知信号が出力されている場合、動作制御部９１は、検知信号を出力していない検知部８に対応する排出トレイ６のうちから、優先順位に基づいて、シートＳを排出する排出トレイ６を選択する。動作制御部９１は、搬送部２の動作を制御して、選択した排出トレイ６にシートＳを排出させる。 In addition, when the image forming apparatus 1 includes three or more discharge trays 6, the operation control unit 91 selects the discharge tray 6 that discharges the sheet S based on the priority order. The priority order is set in advance for the plurality of discharge trays 6. When a detection signal is output from the detection unit 8 corresponding to at least one discharge tray 6 among the three or more discharge trays 6, the operation control unit 91 corresponds to the detection unit 8 that does not output the detection signal. Based on the priority order, the discharge tray 6 that discharges the sheet S is selected from the discharge trays 6 to be discharged. The operation control unit 91 controls the operation of the conveyance unit 2 to discharge the sheet S to the selected discharge tray 6.
　以上、図１から図４を参照して、本発明の実施形態１、及び実施形態２に係る画像形成装置１について説明した。但し、本発明は、これらの実施形態に限られるものではなく、その要旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々の態様において実施することが可能である。 The image forming apparatus 1 according to Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention has been described above with reference to FIGS. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof.
　例えば、本発明の実施形態１では、検知部８の検知信号が制御部９に入力されると、動作制御部９１は、搬送部２、画像形成部３、及び定着部４の動作を制御して、シートＳの搬送を停止させるが、本発明はこれに限定されない。検知部８の検知信号が制御部９に入力されると、動作制御部９１は、排出トレイ６に排出されるシートＳの排出速度が遅くなるように、搬送部２の動作を制御してもよい。この場合に、排出中のシートＳとユーザーの手とが接触しても、シートＳが損傷することを抑制できる。 For example, in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, when the detection signal of the detection unit 8 is input to the control unit 9, the operation control unit 91 controls the operations of the conveyance unit 2, the image forming unit 3, and the fixing unit 4. Thus, the conveyance of the sheet S is stopped, but the present invention is not limited to this. When the detection signal of the detection unit 8 is input to the control unit 9, the operation control unit 91 controls the operation of the conveyance unit 2 so that the discharge speed of the sheet S discharged to the discharge tray 6 is slow. Good. In this case, even if the sheet S being discharged and the user's hand come into contact with each other, it is possible to prevent the sheet S from being damaged.
　なお、図面は、理解しやすくするために、それぞれの構成要素を主体に模式的に示しており、図示された各構成要素の厚み、長さ等は、図面作成の都合上から実際とは異なる。また、上記の実施形態で示す各構成要素の形状等は一例であって、特に限定されるものではなく、本発明の効果から実質的に逸脱しない範囲で種々の変更が可能である。 In order to facilitate understanding, the drawings schematically show each component mainly, and the thickness, length, etc. of each component shown in the drawings are different from the actual for convenience of drawing. . Moreover, the shape of each component shown by said embodiment is an example, Comprising: It does not specifically limit, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate substantially from the effect of this invention.
　本発明は、画像形成装置に関するものであり、シートのような記録媒体の排出に有用である。 The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and is useful for discharging a recording medium such as a sheet.

Claims (9)

  1. 　記録媒体を搬送する搬送部と、
    　前記記録媒体に画像を形成する画像形成部と、
    　前記搬送部によって排出される前記記録媒体が積載される排出トレイと、
    　前記排出トレイに設けられて、検知信号を出力する検知部と、
    　前記検知信号に基づいて、前記画像形成部、及び前記搬送部の動作を制御する動作制御部と
    　を備え、
    　前記検知信号は、人体を検知したことを示す、画像形成装置。     A transport unit for transporting the recording medium;
    An image forming unit for forming an image on the recording medium;
    A discharge tray on which the recording medium discharged by the transport unit is loaded;
    A detection unit provided on the discharge tray for outputting a detection signal;
    An operation control unit that controls the operation of the image forming unit and the transport unit based on the detection signal;
    The image forming apparatus indicates that the detection signal has detected a human body.
  2. 　前記動作制御部は、前記検知信号に基づいて、前記記録媒体の搬送が停止するように前記画像形成部、及び前記搬送部の動作を制御する、請求項１に記載の画像形成装置。 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation control unit controls operations of the image forming unit and the conveyance unit so that conveyance of the recording medium is stopped based on the detection signal.
  3. 　複数の前記排出トレイと、
    　複数の前記検知部と
    　を更に備え、
    　前記複数の検知部の各々は、前記複数の排出トレイのうちの対応する１つにそれぞれ設けられ、
    　前記動作制御部は、前記複数の検知部のうち、一部の前記検知部が前記検知信号を出力し、他の前記検知部が前記検知信号を出力していない条件下で、前記複数の検知部の各々から出力される前記検知信号に基づいて、前記複数の排出トレイのうちの１つに前記記録媒体が排出されるように前記搬送部の動作を制御する、請求項１に記載の画像形成装置。     A plurality of the discharge trays;
    A plurality of the detection units; and
    Each of the plurality of detection units is provided in a corresponding one of the plurality of discharge trays,
    The operation control unit is configured to detect the plurality of detections under a condition in which some of the detection units output the detection signal and the other detection units do not output the detection signal. 2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the transport unit is controlled so that the recording medium is discharged to one of the plurality of discharge trays based on the detection signal output from each of the units. Forming equipment.
  4. 　前記動作制御部は、前記他の検知部が設けられている前記排出トレイのうちの１つを選択し、選択した前記排出トレイに前記記録媒体が排出されるように前記搬送部の動作を制御する、請求項３に記載の画像形成装置。 The operation control unit selects one of the discharge trays provided with the other detection units, and controls the operation of the transport unit so that the recording medium is discharged to the selected discharge tray. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.
  5. 　前記動作制御部は、前記複数の排出トレイに予め設定されている優先順位に基づいて、前記排出トレイのうちの前記１つを選択する、請求項４に記載の画像形成装置。 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the operation control unit selects the one of the discharge trays based on a priority order preset for the plurality of discharge trays.
  6. 　前記動作制御部は、前記複数の検知部の全てが同時に検知信号を出力している場合に、前記記録媒体の搬送を停止するように、前記搬送部、及び前記画像形成部の動作を制御する、請求項３に記載の画像形成装置。 The operation control unit controls operations of the conveyance unit and the image forming unit so as to stop conveyance of the recording medium when all of the plurality of detection units simultaneously output detection signals. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.
  7. 　前記検知部は、前記排出トレイの縁部に配置される、請求項１に記載の画像形成装置。 The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is disposed at an edge of the discharge tray.
  8. 　前記検知部は、磁界検知式、又は誘電率検知式のセンサーを有する、請求項１に記載の画像形成装置。 The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit includes a magnetic field detection type sensor or a dielectric constant detection type sensor.
  9. 　前記動作制御部は、前記検知信号に基づいて、前記排出トレイに排出される前記記録媒体の排出速度を遅くするように、前記搬送部の動作を制御する、請求項１に記載の画像形成装置。 The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation control unit controls the operation of the transport unit so as to slow down a discharge speed of the recording medium discharged to the discharge tray based on the detection signal. .
PCT/JP2017/023530 2016-07-15 2017-06-27 Image forming apparatus WO2018012277A1 (en)

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH11105383A (en) * 1997-10-07 1999-04-20 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd Printer
JP2001121782A (en) * 1999-10-28 2001-05-08 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Printing apparatus
US20040253018A1 (en) * 2003-06-12 2004-12-16 Mui Paul K. Multifunction printer with integrated scanner/stapler
JP2012025059A (en) * 2010-07-26 2012-02-09 Brother Industries Ltd Printing device
JP2012040783A (en) * 2010-08-19 2012-03-01 Brother Industries Ltd Printing device

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH11105383A (en) * 1997-10-07 1999-04-20 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd Printer
JP2001121782A (en) * 1999-10-28 2001-05-08 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Printing apparatus
US20040253018A1 (en) * 2003-06-12 2004-12-16 Mui Paul K. Multifunction printer with integrated scanner/stapler
JP2012025059A (en) * 2010-07-26 2012-02-09 Brother Industries Ltd Printing device
JP2012040783A (en) * 2010-08-19 2012-03-01 Brother Industries Ltd Printing device

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