IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-141235, filed Jul. 20, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image forming apparatus.

BACKGROUND

In the related art, a paper feeding device for an image forming apparatus in which a paper bundle and a packaging member thereof are accommodated together is known.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view which illustrates a paper feeding unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the paper feeding unit, which is taken along line F3-F3 illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view which illustrates a packaging member.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view which illustrates a paper bundle and the packaging member.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view which illustrates the paper bundle on top and inside the packaging member.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view which illustrates the paper bundle within the packaging member placed in the paper feeding unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view which illustrates the paper bundle on top and within the packaging member placed in the paper feeding unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view which illustrates the paper bundle on top and within the packaging member supported by the paper feeding unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view which illustrates the paper bundle within the packaging member supported by the paper feeding unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of hardware components of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart which illustrates an example of a processing flow of a control unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a front view which illustrates a part of configuration of a paper feeding unit according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view which illustrates a part of configuration of a paper feeding unit according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view which illustrates a part of configuration of the paper feeding unit according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a front view which illustrates a part of configuration of the paper feeding unit according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a top view which illustrates a part of configuration of the paper feeding unit according to the third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to an embodiment, there is provided an image forming apparatus which includes An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a sheet feeding cassette inserted into the housing along a first direction so as to be removable from the housing in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a pickup roller that is positioned above and on a sheet feeding side of the sheet feeding cassette and rotatable to pick up a sheet that is in contact therewith from the sheet feeding cassette and convey the sheet in a third direction that crosses the first and second directions. The sheet feeding cassette includes a sheet tray on which a sheet bundle and a packaging member for the sheet bundle are to be accommodated, first and second guides spaced apart in the first and second directions and between which the sheet bundle and the packaging member are to be accommodated, the first and second guides extending in the third direction to support lateral sides of the sheet bundle and the packaging member, and a first wall on the sheet feeding side of the sheet feeding cassette and a third guide spaced apart from the first wall in the third direction to support the sheet bundle and the packaging member from a trailing edge side thereof, wherein a height of the first wall is lower than a height of each of the first, second, and third guides.

Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference to drawings. In the following descriptions, a configuration with the same, or a similar function will be attached with the same reference number. In addition, redundant description may be omitted. In addition, in the following descriptions, an “upper part” and a “lower part” related to a paper bundle B and a packaging member P respectively mean the “upper part” and the “lower part” based on a state in which the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in a paper feeding cassette 41 of the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, a “sheet transport direction X” means a direction which is an approximately horizontal direction, and in which a sheet S is transported from a pickup roller 47 toward a paper feeding roller 49, which described later. A “Y direction” means a direction which is an approximately horizontal direction, and intersects the sheet transport direction X, and is approximately orthogonal. A “height direction Z” means an approximately vertical direction.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a front view of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction peripheral (MFP). However the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to the above described example, and may be a copy machine, a printer, or the like.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a housing 11, a scanning unit 12, a paper feeding unit 13, a printing unit 14, a paper discharge unit 15, a user interface 16, a control unit 17, and a storage unit 18.

The housing 11 forms an exterior of the image forming apparatus 1. The housing 11 accommodates the scanning unit 12 the paper feeding unit 13, the printing unit 14, the control unit 17, and the storage unit 18. The scanning unit 12 reads an image of the original document as digital data. The paper feeding unit 13 the sheet S is supplied toward a transport path 24 which will be explained later. The printing unit 14 forms an image on the sheet S based on image data subjected to an image formation process. The paper discharge unit 15 discharges the sheet S on which an image is formed by the printing unit 14. The user interface 16 informs a user of various information, and receives inputs of various operating instructions. The control unit 17 controls each functional components in the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the control unit 17 controls operations of the scanning unit 12, the paper feeding unit 13, the printing unit 14, the user interface 16, and the storage unit 18. The storage unit 18 stores various information.

Subsequently, a configuration of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

First, the printing unit 14 will be described.

In the embodiment, for convenience of descriptions, the printing unit 14 of an intermediate transfer type will be described as an example. However, any type of image forming method can be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a direct transfer type printing unit. The printing unit 14 includes an intermediate transfer unit (also referred to as a primary transfer unit) 21, a secondary transfer unit 22, a fixing unit 23, and the transport path 24.

The intermediate transfer unit 21 includes an intermediate transfer belt 31, a plurality of rollers 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d, and a plurality of image forming units 33Y, 33M, 33C, and 33K.

The intermediate transfer belt 31 is an endless belt. The plurality of rollers 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d contact an inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 to support the intermediate transfer belt 31. In this manner, the intermediate transfer belt 31 can perform endless travelling in a direction of an arrow m shown in FIG. 1.

The image forming unit 33Y is for yellow color; the image forming unit 33M is for magenta color; the image forming unit 33C is for cyan color; and the image forming unit 33K is for black color. Each of the plurality of image forming units 33Y, 33M, 33C, and 33K includes a photoconductive drum 33a, a charging charger 33b, an exposure unit 33c, a developer 33d, and a transfer roller 33e respectively. Each of the image forming units 33Y, 33M, 33C, and 33K transfers a toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 33a onto the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 (i.e., primary transfer).

The secondary transfer unit 22 includes a transfer roller 22a. The transfer roller 22a comes into contact with the outer face of the intermediate transfer belt 31. One belt roller 32a which supports the intermediate transfer belt 31 from the inside thereof is also an element of the secondary transfer unit 22. The belt roller 32a and the transfer roller 22a sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 31 therebetween.

The sheet S is interposed between the transfer roller 22a and the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 such that the toner image is transferred onto the sheet S. In this manner, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 31 is transferred onto the sheet S and this operation is referred to as “secondary transfer.”

The fixing unit 23 includes a heating roller 23a, and a press roller 23b. The fixing unit 23 heats and presses the sheet S passing through a nip portion formed between the heating roller 23a and the press roller 23b. In this manner, the toner image transferred onto the sheet S is fixed to the sheet S.

The transport path 24 extends over the paper feeding unit 13, the secondary transfer unit 22, the fixing unit 23 and the paper discharge unit 15. The sheet S is transported from the paper feeding unit 13 to the paper discharge unit 15 through the transport path 24 which passes through the secondary transfer unit 22 and the fixing unit 23.

Subsequently, the paper feeding unit 13 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view which illustrates the paper feeding unit 13. FIG. 3 is a sectional view which is taken along line F3-F3 of the paper feeding unit 13 illustrated in FIG. 2 in a case where the paper bundle B is accommodated in the paper feeding unit 13. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the paper feeding unit 13 is a paper feeding cassette 41 (more generally referred to as “a sheet feeding cassette”) that includes an end guide 42, a first side guide 43a, a second side guide 43b, a sheet lifting mechanism 44, a cassette sensor 45 (refer to FIG. 1), an empty sensor 46, the pickup roller 47, a pickup roller driving mechanism 48 (refer to FIG. 1), a paper feeding roller 49 (refer to FIG. 1), a separating roller 50 (refer to FIG. 1), and a sheet passage detecting sensor 51 (refer to FIG. 1). The paper feeding unit 13 is an example of an “accommodating unit”.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the paper feeding cassette 41 includes a base wall 41a, a first wall 41b, a second wall 41c, a third wall 41d, and a fourth wall 41e. The first wall 41b, the second wall 41c, the third wall 41d, and the fourth wall 41e stand erect in the height direction Z from the peripheral end portion of the base wall 41a. In this manner, as a whole, the paper feeding cassette 41 is formed in a box shape of which the upper part is open.

The first wall 41b and the second wall 41c are approximately parallel to each other. The first wall 41b and the second wall 41c extend in the Y direction which is the horizontal direction, and intersects (more particularly, approximately orthogonal) the sheet transport direction X. The first wall 41b and the second wall 41c extend so that a width thereof in the Y direction is larger than a width of the paper bundle B, which is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41, in the Y direction. The first wall 41b is located on the downstream side (that is, transport side of sheet S) in the sheet transport direction X with respect to the paper bundle B which is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41. The second wall 41c is located on the upstream side in the sheet transport direction X with respect to the paper bundle B which is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41. That is, the second wall 41c is located on the opposite side of the first wall 41b with respect to the paper bundle B which is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41.

Each of the third wall 41d and the fourth wall 41e stretches to the first wall 41b and the second wall 41c along the sheet transport direction X. The fourth wall 41e is located on the opposite side of the third wall 41d with respect to the paper bundle B which is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41. The paper feeding cassette 41 is attached to the housing 11 so as to be drawn out. The third wall 41d includes a drawer portion 41g at which a handle 41f is provided. A user can draw out the paper feeding cassette 41 from the housing 11 by putting a finger into the handle 41f and pulling out the paper feeding cassette 41.

According to the embodiment, the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated together in the paper feeding cassette 41. That is, the paper bundle B is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 together with the packaging member P in a state in which at least a part thereof is packaged by the packaging member P. The packaging member P is, for example, packing paper. However, the packaging member P may be of other materials.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view which illustrates the packaging member P in the embodiment. FIG. 4 illustrates the packaging member P which is not yet opened. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the packaging member P includes an upstream side end portion el and which is located on the upstream side in the sheet transport direction X, and a downstream side end portion e2 which is located on the downstream side in the sheet transport direction X, when the packaging member P is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41.

In addition, the packaging member P includes a top face portion Pa, a lower face portion Pb, a first side face portion Pc, a second side face portion Pd, a third side face portion Pe, and a fourth side face portion Pf which the packaging member P is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41. The top face portion Pa is located on the pickup roller 47 side, which will be described later, when the packaging member P is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41. The lower face portion Pb is located on the opposite side of the top face portion Pa. Each of the first side face portion Pc, the second side face portion Pd, the third side face portion Pe, and the fourth side face portion Pf extends to the top face portion Pa and the lower face portion Pb. The first side face portion Pc is located on the upstream side end portion el of the packaging member P. The second side face portion Pd is located on the downstream side end portion e2 of the packaging member P. Each of the third side face portion Pe and the fourth side face portion Pf extends to the first side face portion Pc and the second side face portion Pd along the sheet transport direction X. The fourth side face portion Pf is located on the opposite side of the third side face portion Pe.

In addition, the packaging member P includes a cutting guide line 61. For example, the cutting guide line 61 is a perforation which is provided in the packaging member P. The cutting guide line 61 is provided in the downstream side end portion e2 of the packaging member P. The cutting guide line 61 is continuously provided in the top face portion Pa, the lower face portion Pb, the third side face portion Pe, and the fourth side face portion Pf of the packaging member P. That is, the cutting guide line 61 is provided over the circumference of the packaging member P.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view which illustrates the paper bundle B and the packaging member P according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates the paper bundle B and the packaging member P in a state where opening portion PO (illustrated in FIG. 4) is removed by being separated from a remaining portion PR of the packaging member P along the cutting guide line 61. In this manner, the packaging member P causes the paper bundle B to be exposed to the outside of the packaging member P, on the downstream side end portion e2 of the packaging member P. For example, the opening portion PO of the packaging member P is removed from the remaining portion PR of the packaging member P, such that the sheet S included in the paper bundle B can be taken out by the pickup roller 47, and a lever of the empty sensor 46 which will be described later, transmission of light, or the like are not interfered with.

According to the embodiment, a recess portion 62 is formed on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P, when the packaging member P is removed along the cutting guide line 61. The position of the recess portion 62 corresponds to the position of the pickup roller 47 in X-Y plane direction which will be described later. In this manner, when the pickup roller 47 is moved toward the paper bundle B, the pickup roller 47 can come into contact with the upper surface of the uppermost sheet in the paper bundle B directly without being hindered by the packaging member P.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view which illustrates the paper bundle B and the packaging member P. As illustrated in FIG. 6, according to the embodiment, the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 in a state in which the opening portion PO of the packaging member P is removed, and a part of the sheets S included in the paper bundle B is taken out from the inside of the packaging member P, and is placed on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P. According to the embodiment, a predetermined amount of sheets S (for example, approximately fifty sheets) on the upper part in the paper bundle B can be taken out from the inside of the packaging member P, and can be placed on the packaging member P, even after the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41.

In this manner, a gap is formed between the uppermost sheet among the sheets S remaining in the inside of the packaging member P and a lower surface of the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P, when the sheet S is taken out. In this manner, a frictional force between the sheets S, and a frictional force between the sheet S and the packaging member P are reduced. For example, an amount of sheet S which is taken out from the inside of the packaging member P is an amount which is obtained when a transport force of a member for taking out the sheet exceeds a frictional force between the sheets S, or a frictional force between the sheet S and the packaging member P.

Subsequently, returning to FIGS. 2 and 3, the end guide 42, the first side guide 43a, the second side guide 43b, and the sheet lifting mechanism 44 will be described.

The end guide 42 is an example of a “guide”. The end guide 42 stands up in the height direction Z from the base wall 41a in the inside of the paper feeding cassette 41. The end guide 42 extends along the Y direction. The end guide 42 is located on the upstream side in the sheet transport direction X, which is the opposite side of the first wall 41b, with respect to the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41. The end guide 42 stands up along the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41. The end guide 42 supports upstream side end portion of the paper bundle B and the first side face portion Pc of the packaging member P. An end portion of the paper bundle B on the opposite side of the end guide 42 is supported by the first wall 41b. For this reason, a position of the paper bundle B in the sheet transport direction X is regulated between the end guide 42 and the first wall 41b. The end guide 42 can be movable in the sheet transport direction X along the base wall 41a. The end guide 42 is located between the first side guide 43a and the second side guide 43b in the Y direction.

The first side guide 43a is another example of the “guide”. The first side guide 43a stands up from the base wall 41a in the height direction Z in the inside of the paper feeding cassette 41. The first side guide 43a extends along the sheet transport direction X. The first side guide 43a is located between the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41, and the third wall 41d of the paper feeding cassette 41. The first side guide 43a stands up alongside the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41. The first side guide 43a supports a first side end portion of the paper bundle B and the packaging member P (corresponding to fourth side face portion Pf of packaging member P) in the Y direction. The first side guide 43a is located between the end guide 42 and the first wall 41b in the sheet transport direction X. The first side guide 43a can move in the Y direction along the base wall 41a.

The second side guide 43b is still another example of the “guide”. The second side guide 43b stands up from the base wall 41a in the height direction Z, in the inside of the paper feeding cassette 41. The second side guide 43b extends along the sheet transport direction X. The second side guide 43b is located between the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 and the fourth wall 41e of the paper feeding cassette 41. The second side guide 43b is located on aside opposite to the first side guide 43a with respect to the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41. The second side guide 43b stands up alongside the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41. The second side guide 43b supports a second side end portion of the paper bundle B and the packaging member P (corresponding to third side face portion Pe of packaging member P) in the Y direction. In this manner, a position of the paper bundle B in the Y direction is regulated between the first side guide 43a and the second side guide 43b. The second side guide 43b is located between the end guide 42 and the first wall 41b in the sheet transport direction X. The second side guide 43b can move in the Y direction along the base wall 41a.

As described above, the paper bundle B is supported between the end guide 42 and the first wall 41b in the sheet transport direction X, and is supported between the first side guide 43a and the second side guide 43b in the Y direction. That is, the paper bundle B is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 so as to come into contact with the end guide 42, the first wall 41b, the first side guide 43a, and the second side guide 43b. When an end portion of the paper bundle B on the downstream side in the sheet transport direction X is held up by the sheet lifting mechanism 44, the paper bundle B and the packaging member P can be stably supported, mainly by the end guide 42, the first side guide 43a, and the second side guide 43b. When the sheet S included in the paper bundle B is transported, the first side guide 43a and the second side guide 43b function as the guide of the sheet S which is transported.

The sheet lifting mechanism 44 includes a sheet tray 44a, a lifting lever 44b, and a driving connecting shaft 44c. The sheet tray 44a supports the paper bundle B and the packaging member P from the bottom. The lifting lever 44b is connected to the sheet tray 44a and the driving connecting shaft 44c. The lifting lever 44b lifts the sheet tray 44a in an inclining manner, so that a downstream side end portion of the paper bundle B in the sheet transport direction X moves upward as shown in FIG. 3, when the driving connecting shaft 44c is rotated by a driving source which is not illustrated (for example, motor).

Subsequently, a relationship in height among each of members of the paper feeding unit 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIGS. 7 and 8 are sectional views which illustrate an example of a part of the paper feeding unit 13. As illustrated in FIG. 7, according to the embodiment, a height of the first wall 41b of the paper feeding cassette 41 is lower than that of the end guide 42, the first side guide 43a, and the second side guide 43b. Here, “a height of one member is lower than a height of the other member” means that a position of a higher end portion of one member in the height direction Z is lower than a position of a higher end portion of the other member in the height direction Z, when comparing the positions of the higher ends of both members in the height direction Z with each other. In addition, according to the embodiment, the entire height of the first wall 41b is set to be lower than that of the end guide 42, the first side guide 43a, and the second side guide 43b; however, only a part of the first wall 41b may be set to be low. In this case, a width of a portion of the first wall 41b of which a height is set to be low in the Y direction is larger than a width of the paper bundle B in the Y direction so that a user can take out the sheet S from the packaging member P, as will be described later.

According to the embodiment, the height of the first wall 41b is lower than a height of an uppermost sheet S in the paper bundle B by a height d, in a state in which the sheet lifting mechanism 44 does not lift the paper bundle B, and in a state in which the paper bundle B is unused. The “unused state” means a state in which even one sheet S has not yet been drawn out from the paper bundle B (regardless of whether or not opening portion PO is removed). In FIG. 7, a height d corresponds to a thickness of several sheets (for example, approximately fifty sheets). Meanwhile, the first wall 41b has a height which can support remaining bundle of sheets S of the paper bundle B from the downstream side in the sheet transport direction X, after the predetermined amount of sheets S, which was included in the paper bundle B, is pulled out from the packaging member P.

In a different viewpoint, the height of the first wall 41b is lower than the height of the second wall 41c, the third wall 41d, and the fourth wall 41e (refer to FIG. 2). According to the embodiment, the height of the entire first wall 41b is set to be lower than the height of the second wall 41c, the third wall 41d, and the fourth wall 41e; however, only a part of the first wall 41b may be set to be low.

In another different viewpoint, according to the embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the height of the end guide 42, the first side guide 43a, and the second side guide 43b is higher than the height at which the top sheet S of the paper bundle B is located in a state in which the sheet lifting mechanism 44 does not lift the paper bundle B in an unused state. Likewise, the height of the second wall 41c, the third wall 41d, and the fourth wall 41e is higher than a height at which the top sheet S included in the paper bundle B is located.

With a difference in height, it is possible to take out a part of bundle of sheets S from a side of the first wall 41b, as will be described later, in a state in which the paper bundle B is held at a predetermined position by the end guide 42, the first side guide 43a, and the second side guide 43b. Hereinafter, a portion from which the sheet S is taken out, which is formed on the first wall 41b due to the difference in height, is also referred to as an “extracting unit E”.

Here, FIG. 7 illustrates the paper bundle B and the packaging member P accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41. In addition, the opening portion PO of the packaging member P is removed, but the work of taking out a part of sheets S from the inside of the packaging member P, and placing the sheet on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P, which is described above, is not performed.

Here, in order to suppress the frictional force between the sheets S, and the frictional force between the sheet S and the packaging member P, it would be desirable to perform the work of taking out a part of sheets S from the inside of the packaging member P, and place the sheets S on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P, in addition to removing the opening portion PO of the packaging member P (refer to FIG. 8).

In such a case, according to the paper feeding cassette 41 in the embodiment, a user can place a part of the sheets S in the paper bundle B on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P by taking out the sheets from the inside of the packaging member P along the sheet transport direction X (arrow A in FIG. 7), without holding up or taking out the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 from the paper feeding cassette 41, because the first wall 41b is set to be lower than the guides 42, 43a, and 43b (refer to FIG. 8).

According to the embodiment, a user takes out pieces of sheets S corresponding to a thickness of the height d or less from the packaging member P, and places the sheets on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P. The height of the first wall 41b is set so that the height d corresponds to an appropriate amount of the sheet S, in order to show a user a standard amount of the sheet S which is appropriate to be placed on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P. For example, the height d may be 5 mm to 10 mm. In this manner, it is possible to show the user the standard amount of the sheet S to be drawn out. However, the height of the first wall 41b may be freely set, and it is not essential to set the height d to fall in the above described range.

In addition, one or more of the end guide 42, the first side guide 43a, and the second side guide 43b may be omitted, and replaced with elements in the second wall 41c, the third wall 41d, and the fourth wall 41e that function so as to support the paper bundle B and the packaging member P.

Subsequently, returning to FIGS. 1 and 3 again, the rest of the paper feeding unit 13 will be described.

A cassette sensor 45 is provided in the housing 11. The cassette sensor 45 detects that the paper feeding cassette 41 is pulled out from the housing 11. For example, the cassette sensor 45 is a contact sensor which comes into contact with the paper feeding cassette 41 in a state where the paper feeding cassette 41 is fully inserted into the housing 11. The cassette sensor 45 sends a detection result thereof to the control unit 17.

The empty sensor 46 detects that the paper bundle B is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41. For example, the empty sensor 46 is a contact sensor which detects the paper bundle B when the lever comes into contact with the paper bundle B, in a case in which the paper bundle B is held up by the sheet tray 44a. However, the empty sensor 46 is not limited to the above described example. For example, the empty sensor 46 may be an optical sensor including a light receiving unit and a light projecting unit, or a sensor of a type other than that. The empty sensor 46 sends a detection result thereof to the control unit 17.

The pickup roller 47 is located above the paper feeding cassette 41. The pickup roller 47 comes into contact with the uppermost sheet S of the sheet bundle, which is taken out from the inside of the packaging member P and is placed on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P. The pickup roller 47 is driven by a pickup roller driving motor 52 (refer to FIG. 11). The pickup roller 47 sends the sheet S included in the paper bundle B which is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 to the paper feeding roller 49. The pickup roller 47 is an example of a “roller which draws out the sheet S from the paper feeding cassette 41”.

A pickup roller driving mechanism 48 causes the pickup roller 47 to retreat to the upper side when the paper feeding cassette 41 is pulled out from the housing 11. Meanwhile, the pickup roller driving mechanism 48 puts down the pickup roller 47 toward the top sheet S, when the paper feeding cassette 41 is closed with respect to the housing 11.

The paper feeding roller 49 and the separating roller 50 are located on the downstream side of the paper feeding cassette 41 in the sheet transport direction X. Each of the paper feeding roller 49 and the separating roller 50 is driven by a driving source which is not illustrated, (for example, motor). The paper feeding roller 49 sends the sheet S which is sent from the paper feeding cassette 41 using the pickup roller 47 to the transport path 24. When two sheets S are going to be transported from the paper feeding cassette 41 using the pickup roller 47, the separating roller 50 returns the sheet S underneath the other to the paper feeding cassette 41.

The sheet passage detecting sensor 51 is provided on the downstream side of the pickup roller 47 in the sheet transport direction X. For example, the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 is provided between the pickup roller 47 and the paper feeding roller 49 in the sheet transport direction X. The sheet passage detecting sensor 51 detects a passage of the sheet S which is drawn out by the pickup roller 47. For example, the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 includes a light projecting unit which radiates light downward, and a light receiving unit which detects reflected light of the light projecting unit. However the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 is not limited to the above described example. The sheet passage detecting sensor 51 may be a contact sensor which detects a passage of the sheet S by being in contact with the sheet S which is transported by the pickup roller 47. The sheet passage detecting sensor 51 sends a detection result thereof to the control unit 17.

An operation example of the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 will be described.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are sectional views of the paper feeding unit 13.

FIG. 9 illustrates a case in which the sheet S is normally sent by the pickup roller 47. A part of sheets S in paper bundle B is placed on top face portion Pa of packaging member P. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 detects the sheet S, when the sheet S passes under the sheet passage detecting sensor 51.

Meanwhile, FIG. 10 illustrates a case in which the sheet S is not normally transported by the pickup roller 47 (case in which a part of sheets S included in paper bundle B is not placed on top face portion Pa of packaging member P). As illustrated in FIG. 10, the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 does not detect a passage of the sheet S because the sheet S does not pass through the lower part of the sheet passage detecting sensor 51.

Subsequently, the user interface 16 will be described.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the user interface 16 includes a control panel 71 and a speaker 72.

The control panel 71 includes a display unit 71a and an input receiving unit 71b. The display unit 71a includes a display screen D. The display screen D displays various information. For example, the display screen D displays an operation related to the image forming apparatus 1, and guidance of work with characters, an image, or video. For example, the display screen D displays a guidance related to the paper bundle B and the packaging member P. The input receiving unit 71b includes a plurality of buttons. The input receiving unit 71b receives an input of various operation instructions.

The speaker 72 outputs various information using sound. The speaker 72 outputs the operation related to the image forming apparatus 1, and the guidance of a work using sound. For example, the speaker 72 outputs guidance related to the paper bundle B and the packaging member P using sound.

Subsequently, the control unit 17 and the storage unit 18 will be described.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of hardware components of the image forming apparatus 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the control unit 17 is electrically connected to the scanning unit 12, the paper feeding unit 13, the printing unit 14, the user interface 16, and the storage unit 18 through an electric connecting path such as a cable.

A part, or all of the control unit 17 is, for example, a software functional unit which is realized when a program or software component stored in a memory of the image forming apparatus 1 is executed by a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU). In addition, a part, or all of the control unit 17 may be implemented in hardware (circuit unit; circuitry) such as a large scale integration (LSI), an application specific integration circuit (ASIC), and a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Alternately, a part, or all of the control unit 17 may be implemented as a combination of the software functional unit and hardware. Processes of the control unit 17 will be described in detail in descriptions of a guide operation of the image forming apparatus 1 which is related to a paper feeding work.

The storage unit 18 may be at least one of a hard disk drive (HDD), a flash memory, an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or the like. Contents of guidance which are displayed on the display screen D, contents of guidance which are output from the speaker 72, and the like, are stored in the storage unit 18.

Subsequently, a guide operation of the image forming apparatus 1 related to a paper feeding operation will be described.

The image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment performs guidance related to the paper feeding operation with respect to a user who is going to perform the paper feeding operation. The guidance includes informing a user of guidance related to the paper bundle B and packaging member P (hereinafter, referred to as “guidance” simply) when the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41. For example, according to the embodiment, the guidance provides information that it is necessary to place the plurality of sheets S included in the paper bundle B on the packaging member P by taking out the sheets S from the inside of the packaging member P. For example, the above guidance includes information that at least a part of sheets S in the sheets S which are in the paper bundle B which is located above the upper end of the first wall 41b need to be taken out from the inside of the packaging member P, information that it is not necessary to hold up the paper bundle B and the packaging member P from the paper feeding cassette 41, and information that a part of sheets S in the paper bundle B can be drawn out along the sheet transport direction X, in a state in which the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41.

According to the embodiment, the control unit 17 informs the user of the guidance through the user interface 16. For example, the control unit 17 displays the guidance on the display screen D of the display unit 71a by operating the display unit 71a. In addition, the control unit 17 outputs the guidance using sound from the speaker 72, by operating the speaker 72.

Subsequently, an example of a flowchart of the control unit 17 according to the embodiment will be illustrated.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart which illustrates an example of the processing flow of the control unit 17.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, first, the control unit 17 detects that the paper feeding cassette 41 is drawn out from the housing 11, based on a detection result of the cassette sensor 45, when the paper feeding cassette 41 is drawn out from the housing 11 (ACT 11). The control unit 17 controls the user interface 16 so as to inform of guidance when it is detected that the paper feeding cassette 41 is drawn out from the housing 11 (ACT 12). That is, the control unit 17 informs of the guidance by operating at least one of the display screen D and the speaker 72.

Subsequently, the control unit 17 detects that the paper bundle B is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 based on the detection result of the empty sensor 46, when the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41, and the paper feeding cassette 41 is inserted back into the housing 11 (ACT 13). The control unit 17 drives the pickup roller 47 when the paper bundle B is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 (ACT 14). Here, when a part of sheets S included in the paper bundle B is taken out from the inside of the packaging member P, and is placed on the packaging member P, the sheet S fed by the pickup roller 47 passes under the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 (refer to FIG. 9) after the pickup roller 47 is driven. On the other hand, when the sheet S in the paper bundle B is not placed on the packaging member P by being taken out from the packaging member P, the pickup roller 47 does not come into contact with the sheet S and draw out the sheet S and therefore the sheet S in the paper bundle B does not pass under the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 (refer to FIG. 10), even after the pickup roller 47 is driven.

For this reason, the control unit 17 determines whether or not a passage of the sheet S is detected by the sheet passage detecting sensor 51, after accommodating of the paper bundle B in the paper feeding cassette 41 is detected, and the pickup roller 47 is driven (ACT 15).

In addition, the control unit 17 determines that a part of sheet S in the paper bundle B is placed on the packaging member P by being taken out from the inside of the packaging member P, when a passage of the sheet S is detected by the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 (Yes in ACT 15). In this case, the control unit 17 controls the pickup roller 47, the paper feeding roller 49, and the separating roller 50 to transport the sheet S from the paper feeding unit 13 toward the printing unit 14 (ACT 16).

On the other hand, the control unit 17 determines that the sheet S is not placed on the packaging member P when a passage of the sheet S is not detected by the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 (No in ACT 15). In this case, the control unit 17 controls the user interface 16 so as to inform of the guidance again (ACT 17). That is, the control unit 17 informs of the guidance again, by operating at least one of the display screen D and the speaker 72. In addition, when the paper feeding cassette 41 is drawn out from the housing 11 again, the control unit 17 detects that the paper feeding cassette 41 is drawn out from the housing 11 based on the detection result of the cassette sensor 45 (ACT 18). In addition, the control unit 17 performs ACT 13 again. Here, “a case in which a passage of the sheet S is not detected by the sheet passage detecting sensor 51” is a case in which there is no change in the detection result of the sheet passage detecting sensor 51 from a start of driving of the pickup roller 47 to a predetermined time which is set in advance.

The above described processes from ACT 11 to ACT 17 are performed every time the paper feeding cassette 41 is drawn out from the housing 11.

According to the image forming apparatus 1 with the guidance method of the paper feeding operation set forth above, it is possible to improve convenience. That is, according to the embodiment, a user can place a part of sheet S in the paper bundle B on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P by taking out the sheet from the inside of the packaging member P, without holding up or taking out the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 from the paper feeding cassette 41. For this reason, even when the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 without taking out a part of the sheets S in the paper bundle B from the inside of the packaging member P, for example, it is not necessary to hold up or take out the paper bundle B and the packaging member P which are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 from the paper feeding cassette 41. In this manner, it is possible to improve convenience. In addition, according to such an embodiment, a user can draw out a part of sheets S in the paper bundle B from the inside of the packaging member P, in a state in which the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41. In this manner, the operation of drawing out the sheet S can be easily performed, compared to a case in which a part of sheets S in the paper bundle B is drawn out from the inside of the packaging member P before the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are inserted into the paper feeding cassette 41. In this viewpoint, it is possible to improve convenience.

According to the embodiment, the height of the first wall 41b is lower than the height at which the top sheet S which is included in the paper bundle B, is located by the height d. The height d represents the amount of sheets S which is appropriate for being placed on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P. According to such an embodiment, it is possible to show a user a standard height of the appropriate amount of the sheets S.

In the guidance method of the paper feeding operation in the embodiment, when the paper bundle B, and the packaging member P which packages the paper bundle B are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41 of the image forming apparatus 1 together, guidance is provided so that a part of sheets S in the paper bundle B is placed on the packaging member P by being taken out from the extracting unit E which is formed in the paper feeding cassette 41. According to such an embodiment, it is possible to accommodate the paper bundle B and the packaging member P in the paper feeding cassette 41 based on the guidance, even when a user forgets the operation. In this manner, a failure in setting of the sheet S to the paper feeding cassette 41 is infrequent, and it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus 1 in which setting of sheet S can be simply performed.

According to the embodiment, the control unit 17 controls the user interface 16 so as to inform of guidance, when a passage of the sheet S is not detected by the sheet passage detecting sensor 51, in a case in which accommodating of the paper bundle B in the paper feeding cassette 41 is detected by the empty sensor 46, and the pickup roller 47 is driven. According to such an embodiment, when the sheet S is not transported, it is possible to inform a user of the guidance again, by detecting whether or not the sheet S can be transported. In this manner, it is possible to further increase the user's convenience.

Second Embodiment

Subsequently, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 13. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a notch portion 81 for a finger hook is provided at the upper part of the first wall 41b. In addition, configurations other than that which will be described below are the same as those in the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a plan view which illustrates a paper feeding unit 13 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 13, the drawer portion 41g is not illustrated. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the rectangular notch portion 81 is provided on the upper part of the first wall 41b of the paper feeding cassette 41. A height of the first wall 41b in the notch portion 81 is lower than a height of the first wall 41b in other portions 82 of the first wall 41b. In addition, the notch portion 81 is not limited to the above described example. A shape of the notch portion 81 can be any shape such as a triangle or a half circle. In addition, a plurality of the notch portions 81 may be provided. According to the embodiment, a width of the notch portion 81 in the Y direction is a width which faces only a part of the paper bundle B (for example, width into which one or two human fingers can be inserted). A depth of the notch portion 81 in the height direction Z is, for example, a depth into which one human finger can be inserted.

According to such a configuration, since a user can insert a finger into the notch portion 81, it is possible to further easily take out a part of sheets S included in the paper bundle B from the packaging member P, in a state in which the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41.

Third Embodiment

Subsequently, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 17. The third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the height of the first wall 41b can be changed. In addition, configurations other than that in the following descriptions are the same as those in the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view in which a part of configuration of a paper feeding unit 13 in the third embodiment is viewed from the first wall 41b side. FIG. 15 is a perspective view in which a part of configuration of the paper feeding unit 13 in the third embodiment is viewed from the second wall 41c side. FIG. 16 is a front view in which a part of configuration of the paper feeding unit 13 in the third embodiment is viewed from the first wall 41b side. FIG. 17 is a top view in which a part of configuration of a paper feeding unit 13 in the third embodiment is viewed from above. FIG. 16 illustrates a state in which the paper bundle B and the packaging member P are accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41. In FIGS. 14 to 17, the drawer portion 41g is not illustrated.

The first wall 41b includes a main body portion 91, a movable member 92, and a height adjusting standard member 93. In addition, as illustrated in FIGS. 14, 15, and 17, the third wall 41d includes an end portion connected to the first wall 41b. A first groove portion 94 is provided at the end portion. The fourth wall 41e includes an end portion connected to the first wall 41b. A first groove portion 95 is provided at the end portion. As will be described later, the first groove portions 94 and 95 hold both ends of the movable member 92 in the horizontal direction so as to slide in the height direction Z (refer to FIG. 17). In addition, the first groove portions 94 and 95 may be provided in the main body portion 91, instead of the third wall 41d and the fourth wall 41e.

The main body portion 91 is connected to the base wall 41a, the third wall 41d, and the fourth wall 41e. At least one of guide portions 91a (for example, of plurality of numbers, and for example, eight) which extend in the height direction Z is provided at the upper part of the main body portion 91. For example, the guide portion 91a is a notch portion or a recess which is provided in the main body portion 91. For example, the plurality of guide portions 91a are provided at equal intervals. As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, a height of the main body portion 91 is lower than that of the end guide 42, the first side guide 43a, and the second side guide 43b. In addition, the height of the main body portion 91 is lower than that of the second wall 41c, the third wall 41d, and the fourth wall 41e. Here, according to the embodiment, the height of the main body portion 91 is lower than the height of the end guide 42, or the like.

The movable member 92 is adjacent to the main body portion 91. The movable member 92 can change the height of the first wall 41b by being moved in the height direction Z with respect to the main body portion 91. That is, the movable member 92 can change the height position thereof with respect to the base wall 41a by being moved in the height direction Z with respect to the base wall 41a. In addition, “being moved to base wall 41a” means that a relative position to the base wall 41a is changed, and it also includes a case of not coming into contact with the base wall 41a.

The movable member 92 includes at least one (for example, the same number as that of guide portion 91a) sliding portion 92a which is engaged with the guide portion 91a of the main body portion 91. For example, the sliding portion 92a is a protrusion which is engaged with the guide portion 91a which is a notch portion or a recess. The sliding portion 92a can slide in the height direction Z by being guided by the guide portion 91a (refer to FIG. 15).

Both end portions of the movable member 92 in the Y direction are subjected to interference fit, for example, by the first groove portions 94 and 95, respectively (refer to FIG. 17). In this manner, the movable member 92 is held at a desired height securely to the main body portion 91. A user can move the movable member 92 in the height direction Z with respect to the main body portion 91 (that is, with respect to base wall 41a), by applying a force in the height direction Z to the movable member 92. In this manner, it is possible to adjust a height of a wall on the downstream side in the sheet transport direction X, according to a thickness of the paper bundle B which is accommodated in the paper feeding cassette 41.

The movable member 92 includes a first holding member 92b and a second holding member 92c (refer to FIG. 14). The first holding member 92b and the second holding member 92c are provided on a surface of the movable member 92. The first holding member 92b and the second holding member 92c are members of which an upper end and a lower end are fixed to the movable member 92 and are handle-shaped members which extend in the height direction Z. A gap is formed between the one face of the movable member 92 on which the first holding member 92b and the second holding member 92c are provided and the first holding member 92b and the second holding member 92c. The height adjusting standard member 93, which will be described later, is held by being inserted into the gap. In addition, the movable member 92 is not limited to the above described example. For example, a holding mechanism, or the like, for holding the movable member 92 with respect to another configuration so that the movable member 92 does not fall may be provided.

The height adjusting standard member 93 shows an user a standard height for determining the position of the movable member 92 in the height direction Z with respect to the paper bundle B. When the position is set with respect to the paper bundle B with the height adjusting standard member 93, a height of the movable member 92 and height of first wall 41b needs to be set lower than the height of the top sheet S of the paper bundle B by a predetermined height. For example, the height adjusting standard member 93 includes a first main body portion 93a, a second main body portion 93b, and a gear 93c.

The first main body portion 93a is formed in a shape in which one end of an approximately L-shaped member is curved. The curved portion forms a first protrusion portion 93d which protrudes to the inside of the paper feeding cassette 41. Similarly, the second main body portion 93b is formed in a shape in which one end of an approximately L-shaped member is curved. The curved portion forms a second protrusion portion 93e which protrudes to the inside of the paper feeding cassette 41. The L-shaped portions of the first main body portion 93a and the second main body portion 93b come into contact with the movable member 92. The gear 93c is attached to the movable member 92 between the first main body portion 93a and the second main body portion 93b. The first main body portion 93a and the second main body portion 93b include a rack gear which is engaged with the gear 93c. The first main body portion 93a and the second main body portion 93b are held with respect to the movable member 92 using the first holding member 92b and the second holding member 92c in a state of being engaged with the gear 93c, and can move in the Y direction. By engaging with these gears when the first main body portion 93a is moved in the right direction in FIG. 16, the second main body portion 93b moves in the left direction in FIG. 16 by the approximately same distance as the distance in which the first main body portion 93a moves in the right direction. In this manner, the first main body portion 93a and the second main body portion 93b move so as to be almost bilaterally symmetric each other, in FIG. 16. In this manner, it is possible to adjust positions of the first main body portion 93a and the second main body portion 93b according to a width of the paper bundle B.

The first protrusion portion 93d and the second protrusion portion 93e are approximately parallel to the base wall 41a. The first protrusion portion 93d and the second protrusion portion 93e are placed on an upper end of the movable member 92. The first protrusion portion 93d includes a first height guide 93f. The second protrusion portion 93e includes a second height guide 93g. The first height guide 93f extends upward along the height direction Z from an end portion of the first protrusion portion 93d, which is close to the paper bundle B, to a first curved portion 93h. An upper end portion of the first height guide 93f is diagonally curved at the first curved portion 93h so as to be separated from the paper bundle B in the Y direction. Similarly, the second height guide 93g extends upward along the height direction Z from an end portion of the second protrusion portion 93e, which is close to the paper bundle B, to a second curved portion 93i. An upper end portion of the second height guide 93g is diagonally curved at the second curved portion 93i so as to be separated from the paper bundle B in the Y direction. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the first height guide 93f and the second height guide 93g come into contact with the paper bundle B as shown in FIG. 16.

According to the embodiment, when a height of the first curved portion 93h of the first height guide 93f and a height of the second curved portion 93i of the second height guide 93g are matched with the height of the top sheet S of the paper bundle B, the upper end of the movable member 92 becomes lower than the height of the top sheet S of the paper bundle B by the height d. At this time, the height d corresponds to an amount of the sheet S which is appropriate for being placed on the top face portion Pa of the packaging member P. In this manner, the height adjusting standard member 93 shows the user a standard height for adjusting the height of the movable member 92. That is, in a state where the height of the first curved portion 93h and the height of the second curved portion 93i are matched with the height of the top sheet S of the paper bundle B, the height of the movable member 92 is lower than the height of the top sheet S of the paper bundle B, by the height d corresponding to an appropriate amount of the sheet S.

However, the height adjusting standard member 93 is not limited to the above described example. For example, the height adjusting standard member 93 may simply extends from the upper end of the movable member 92 by a predetermined height. In this case, a user can move the movable member 92 in the height direction Z so that the height of the top sheet S of the paper bundle B matches the height of the protrusion portion. In addition, the height adjusting standard member 93 may not be movable towards the Y direction. The second main body portion 93b and the gear 93c may be omitted, and the height adjusting standard member 93 may be entirely omitted.

According to the embodiment, the first wall 41b includes the main body portion 91 which is fixed to the base wall 41a, and the movable member 92 which can move in the height direction Z with respect to the base wall 41a; however, the main body portion 91 may not be provided. That is, only the movable member 92 functions as the first wall 41b.

According to such an embodiment, since it is possible to adjust the height of the first wall 41b, it is possible to correspond to paper bundles B with various sizes, and further improve convenience.

According to the embodiment, the first wall 41b includes the height adjusting standard member 93 of which at least a part is higher than the upper end of the movable member 92. According to such an embodiment, it is possible to show a standard height of an appropriate amount with respect to the paper bundle B with various widths.

According to the embodiment, the height adjusting standard member 93 includes the first main body portion 93a and the second main body portion 93b which can move in the Y direction which intersects the sheet transport direction X along the first wall 41b. According to such an embodiment, it is possible to accept the paper bundle B with various sizes, and further improve convenience.

According to the embodiment, a user manually adjusts the movable member 92; however, the paper feeding unit 13 may be provided with a height sensor which detects a height of the paper bundle B, a movable member driving motor, or the like, which automatically adjusts a position of the movable member 92 according to the height of the paper bundle B which is detected. In this case, the height sensor and the movable member driving motor are controlled by the control unit 17.

According to the image forming apparatus in at least one of the above described embodiments, it is possible to improve convenience by setting the height of the first wall to be lower than the height of the guide.

Alternatively, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which a paper bundle, and a packaging member which packages the paper bundle can be accommodated together in an accommodating unit. The accommodating unit includes a first wall on a sheet transport side, and a second wall located on a side opposite to the first wall with respect to the paper bundle, when the paper bundle and the packaging member are accommodated. A height of the first wall is lower than a height of the second wall.

According to such an embodiment, it is possible to improve convenience by setting the height of the first wall to be lower than the height of the second wall.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

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Abstract

Description

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Priority Claims (1)