Medium conveying device

Abstract

To issue a removal operation instruction to a user or to smoothly enable jam recovery to enhance usability by enabling a remaining medium to be automatically ejected in removing the medium remaining at a place at which detection and removal are difficult when a jam occurs.SOLUTION: According to this disclosure, a medium conveying device includes a device body, and a control part for performing conveyance control of a medium along a medium conveyance path formed inside the device body, and moves the remaining medium along the medium conveyance path by a control part when the medium stops conveyance in the medium conveyance path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a media handling device. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a medium transport device that transports a medium using a transport unit disposed inside the device. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a medium transport device that supports double-sided printing, and describes that after printing on one side of the transported medium, the medium is turned over and transported to the front of an image forming device, and then printing is performed on the other side of the medium.

[0003] Conventionally, when a medium stops during transport in a medium transport device and a sensor installed in the transport path does not detect the medium, the remaining medium is transported and automatically discharged. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-210359 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when a sensor installed in the transport path detects the remaining media, the remaining media is not automatically ejected. Therefore, the user must open the cover member of the media transport device, check the media inside the device, and remove the media. However, even if the cover member is opened, it may be difficult for the user to find or remove the media.

[0006] For this reason, there is a demand for a media transport device that can smoothly recover from a jam and improve usability by being able to instruct the user to remove the media that remains in a location that is difficult to detect and remove when a jam occurs, or by being able to automatically eject the remaining media. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the media transport device of the present disclosure comprises (1) a device main body, and (2) a control unit that controls the transport of media along a media transport path formed inside the device main body, and is characterized in that when transport of media stops in the media transport path, the control unit moves remaining media along the media transport path. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, when a jam occurs and media remaining in a location that is difficult to find and remove is to be removed, a removal instruction can be issued to the user or the remaining media can be automatically ejected, making jam recovery smoother and improving usability. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 6 is a flowchart showing the process of automatically discharging and transporting remaining media in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 11 is an explanatory diagram of an operation when the supply route of the remaining medium is from the transport path Rt2 in the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 10 is an explanatory diagram of an operation when the supply route of the remaining media is from the medium feed tray 1 in the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a screen diagram for explaining an example of a screen displayed on an operation / display unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state of a medium when a jam occurs in the first embodiment. [Figure 8]10 is a flowchart showing the process of automatically discharging and transporting remaining media in an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] 13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the processing operation of automatically discharging and transporting the remaining medium in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] (A) First embodiment First, a first embodiment of a medium conveying device according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] (A-1) Configuration of the First Embodiment (A-1-1) Internal configuration of image forming device FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0012] In addition, in FIG. 1, the positive X-axis direction is the rear direction in image forming apparatus 100, the negative X-axis direction is the front direction in image forming apparatus 100, the positive Y-axis direction is the left direction in image forming apparatus 100, the negative Y-axis direction is the right direction in image forming apparatus 100, the positive Z-axis direction is the upward direction in image forming apparatus 100, and the negative Z-axis direction is the downward direction in image forming apparatus 100.

[0013] In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment has a medium conveying device 150, image forming units 23Y, 23M, 23C and 23K as the image forming section 23, and a fixing device 9 as a fixing device.

[0014] The media conveying device 150 has a front cover 24 that is freely opened and closed on the device body, a media feed tray 1, a media feed roller 2, a first entrance sensor 3 as a sensor, a registration roller 4 as a target conveying member, a second entrance sensor 5, a registration roller 6, a write sensor 7, a fixing entrance sensor 8, a fixing exit sensor 10, a first discharge roller 11, a discharge sensor 12, a second discharge roller 13, a first reversing roller 14, a second reversing roller 15, a first double-sided sensor 25, a first double-sided roller 16, a second double-sided roller 17, a third double-sided roller 18, a second double-sided sensor 19, a fourth double-sided roller 20, a feed motor 21 as a first conveying drive unit, and a double-sided conveying motor 22 as a second conveying drive unit.

[0015] In the first embodiment, a case in which the present disclosure is applied to a medium conveying device 150 mounted on an image forming apparatus 100 will be illustrated.

[0016] Further, the “sensor” in the claims corresponds to the first inlet sensor 3 , and the “target conveying member downstream of the sensor” corresponds to the registration rollers 4 .

[0017] Furthermore, in the transport path Rt1 as the first transport path, the medium storage tray side is defined as the "upstream side" along the medium transport direction, and the discharge roller side that discharges the medium P is defined as the "downstream side".

[0018] The first entrance sensor 3, the second entrance sensor 5, the writing sensor 7, the fixing entrance sensor 8, the fixing exit sensor 10, the discharge sensor 12, the first double-sided sensor 25, and the second double-sided sensor 19 are sensors that detect the medium being transported.

[0019] Here, when each sensor detects a medium in the middle of transport, the sensor signal is ON, and when each sensor does not detect a medium, the sensor signal is OFF. The sensor signals from each sensor are used to detect jams in the transport path, to determine whether or not there is a medium that caused the jam, and to determine whether or not there is any medium remaining in the transport path.

[0020] The first entrance sensor 3 is provided on the transport path Rt1 as the first transport path between the medium feed roller 2 and the registration roller 4. The second entrance sensor 5 is provided upstream of the registration roller 6, and the write sensor 7 is provided downstream of the registration roller 6.

[0021] The fixing entrance sensor 8 is provided upstream of the fixing unit 9 , and the fixing exit sensor 10 is provided downstream of the fixing unit 9 .

[0022] The discharge sensor 12 is provided on the conveying path Rt1 between the first discharge rollers 11 and the second discharge rollers 13, downstream of the branch point of the conveying path Rt1 to the conveying path Rt2 serving as the second conveying path.

[0023] The first double-sided sensor 25 is provided between the first reversing roller 14 and the first double-sided roller 16 on the conveying path Rt2, and the second double-sided sensor 19 is provided between the third double-sided roller 18 and the fourth double-sided roller 20 on the conveying path Rt2.

[0024] In this embodiment, six sensors (first entrance sensor 3, second entrance sensor 5, writing sensor 7, fixing entrance sensor 8, fixing exit sensor 10, and discharge sensor 12) are provided on the transport path Rt1, and two sensors (first double-sided sensor 25 and second double-sided sensor 19) are provided on the transport path Rt2, but the number of sensors is not limited to this. Also, the positions of the sensors are not limited to those shown in FIG. 1.

[0025] A front cover 24 as an opening / closing member is disposed on the front wall of the housing of the image forming apparatus 100 so as to be freely opened and closed. A user can access the inside of the apparatus by opening the front cover 24. In this example, the user can access the registration rollers 4, but cannot access the upstream side of the registration rollers 4.

[0026] For example, if a jam occurs and the medium remains on the transport path during transport, the user can remove the remaining medium by opening the front cover 24. Note that, although an example is shown in which the user can access the exit side (downstream side) of the registration rollers 4 on the transport path by opening the front cover 24, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0027] The medium feed tray 1 stores media such as paper. The medium feed roller 2, which serves as a separating member, separates the media stored in the medium feed tray 1 one by one and feeds the media to a transport path Rt1, which serves as a first medium transport path.

[0028] The registration rollers 4 transport the fed medium downstream. The registration rollers 4 are provided downstream of the first inlet sensor 3.

[0029] The registration rollers 6 send the medium being transported to the image forming section 23 (image forming unit 23Y, image forming unit 23M, image forming unit 23C, image forming unit 23K) disposed along the transport path Rt1.

[0030] The image forming section 23 includes an image forming unit 23Y with a yellow developer, an image forming unit 23M with a magenta developer, an image forming unit 23C with a cyan developer, and an image forming unit 23K with a black developer, which are arranged along the transport path Rt1. Each of the image forming units 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23K transfers toner images of each color in sequence onto one side (e.g., the upper side) of the medium transported along the transport path Rt1, forming a color toner image on the medium. Each of the image forming units 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23K includes a photosensitive drum as an image carrier, an exposure device, a developer container that supplies toner as a developer, a transfer unit, and the like.

[0031] The fixing device 9, which serves as a fixing apparatus, is disposed downstream of the image forming unit 23 on the transport path Rt1, and fixes the toner image formed on one side of the medium transported from the transport path Rt1 onto the medium. The fixing device 9 includes a heating roller and a pressure roller, which apply heat and pressure to the toner image on the medium to fix the image onto the medium.

[0032] The first discharge rollers 11 are disposed downstream of the fixing unit 9 on the conveying path Rt1, and convey the medium having an image fixed on one side thereof downstream.

[0033] For example, in the case of single-sided printing, in order to discharge the medium outside the device body, the first discharge roller 11 conveys the medium toward the second discharge roller 13. As a result, the medium discharged outside the device body is loaded onto a stacker.

[0034] In the case of double-sided printing, the first discharge rollers 11 transport the medium to the transport path Rt2 in order to form an image on the other side of the medium.

[0035] Here, the transport path includes a transport path Rt1, and a transport path Rt2 that turns over the medium transported along the transport path Rt1 and then sends the medium back to the transport path Rt1.

[0036] The transport path Rt1 branches off downstream of the first discharge roller 11 and connects to the transport path Rt2. The transport path Rt2 temporarily evacuates the medium from the branching point and transports the medium toward the transport path Rt1 that joins with it upstream where the registration rollers 4 are disposed.

[0037] Therefore, in the case of double-sided printing, at the branching point of the transport path Rt1, the medium with an image formed on one side is transported to the transport path Rt2 side, and the first reversing roller 14 and the second reversing roller 15 temporarily move the medium aside. After that, the first reversing roller 14 and the second reversing roller 15 rotate in the opposite direction, and transport the medium through the transport path Rt2 toward the upstream side where the registration rollers 4 are disposed. This causes the medium to be reversed.

[0038] A first double-sided roller 16, a second double-sided roller 17, a third double-sided roller 18, and a fourth double-sided roller 20 transport the medium through a transport path Rt2 toward the upstream side of the device.

[0039] Then, because the transport paths Rt2 and Rt1 join together upstream of the registration rollers 4, the medium transported on the transport path Rt2 is sent to the transport path Rt1.

[0040] Thereafter, the medium with the image fixed on one side is transported along the transport path Rt1 with the other side being the image forming surface, and an image is formed on the other side in the image forming section 23, and the medium is then discharged outside the main body of the device.

[0041] Here, the paper feed motor 21 applies a driving force to the medium feed roller 2, the registration roller 4, and the second inlet sensor 5 to rotate them.

[0042] In addition, the double-sided conveying motor 22 applies driving force to the first reversing roller 14, the second reversing roller, the first double-sided roller 16, the second double-sided roller 17, the third double-sided roller 18, and the fourth double-sided roller 20 in the conveying path Rt2 to rotate them.

[0043] (A-1-2) Configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus 100 FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0044] In FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment has a system control unit 101, a connection interface (I / F) unit 102, an image data storage unit 103, a print control unit 104, an image formation control unit 117, a medium supply control unit 105, a medium transport control unit 106, a jam detection unit 107 as a control unit, a fixing control unit 112, an operation / display unit 113, and a memory unit 114.

[0045] The system control unit 101 controls the overall processing of the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the hardware of the system control unit 101 is configured to have a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an EEPROM, an input / output interface, and the like, and various functions of the image forming apparatus 100 are realized by the CPU executing a processing program.

[0046] The connection I / F unit 102 receives commands from a higher-level device via a LAN (Local Area Network: registered trademark), and starts up the print control unit 104, the jam detection unit 107, and the operation / display unit 113 to execute processing. In addition, when the connection I / F unit 102 receives image data from the higher-level device, it stores the image data in the image data storage unit 103.

[0047] The connection I / F unit 102 performs communication control using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

[0048] Image data storage unit 103 is configured with a storage unit such as a hard disk (hereinafter, referred to as HDD) built into image forming apparatus 100, and stores received image data (print data).

[0049] Image forming control section 117 controls the operations of image forming units 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23K.

[0050] A print control unit 104 controls the printing operation and issues instructions to each control unit.

[0051] The medium supply control unit 105 controls the medium feeding mechanism to feed the medium.

[0052] The medium transport control unit 106 controls the transport of the medium fed by the medium supply control unit 105 until it is discharged.

[0053] Jam detection unit 107 acquires sensing signals from first entrance sensor 3, second entrance sensor 5, writing sensor 7, fixing entrance sensor 8, and fixing exit sensor 10, and monitors whether these sensors are operating at a predetermined timing based on the ON / OFF signals from these sensors. If each sensor cannot normally notify the ON / OFF signal, jam detection unit 107 detects that a jam has occurred.

[0054] Here, the jam detection unit 107 includes a medium detection unit 108 , a transport amount measurement unit 109 , an automatic discharge control unit 111 as a movement control unit, and a medium determination unit 110 .

[0055] When the jam detection unit 107 detects a jam during continuous printing, the media detection unit 108 detects that there is remaining media hanging over the first entrance sensor 3 (i.e., that media remains in a position where it can be detected by the first entrance sensor 3).

[0056] The transport amount measuring unit 109 detects the amount of transport when the leading edge of the remaining medium passes through the first inlet sensor 3 .

[0057] The medium determination unit 110 refers to the medium information stored in the medium information storage unit 115 of the memory unit 114, the transport amount measured by the transport amount measurement unit 109, and the like, to determine the remaining medium that is in the middle of transport.

[0058] An automatic discharge control unit 111 controls the discharge operation of the remaining medium using the transport amount detected by the transport amount measurement unit 109. Detailed processing of the automatic discharge control unit 111 will be described in the section on operation.

[0059] For example, when transport is stopped due to a jam, the automatic discharge control unit 111 compares the value of the transport amount with threshold value B, which is a first threshold value indicating the length (distance) from the position of the first entrance sensor 3 to the position where the leading edge of the medium remaining on the registration roller 4 is found downstream, and moves the medium according to the comparison result.

[0060] For example, when the medium remaining on the registration rollers 4 is supplied from the second conveying path Rt2 (Duplex) and the value of the conveying amount is smaller than the threshold value B (first threshold value), the automatic discharge control unit 111 moves (automatically discharges) the remaining medium.

[0061] For example, when the medium remaining on the registration rollers 4 has been supplied from a tray and the value of the transport amount is smaller than threshold B (first threshold), the automatic discharge control unit 111 compares the value of the medium length of the remaining medium with a distance length (hereinafter also referred to as the "removable length") S as a second threshold including the length from the sensor position where the rear end of the medium is found upstream of the sensor, and when the value of the medium length is smaller than the removable length S, the automatic discharge control unit 111 automatically discharges the remaining medium.

[0062] Note that automatic ejection refers to removing a jammed medium from inside image forming apparatus 100, and then ejecting a non-jammed medium to the outside of image forming apparatus 100. In this embodiment, automatic ejection is performed when front cover 24 is opened, a jammed medium is removed from inside image forming apparatus 100, and front cover 24 is closed.

[0063] The fixing control unit 112 performs temperature control for fixing the toner as a developer onto the medium.

[0064] The operation / display unit 113 is an operation unit that has menu keys necessary for operating the image forming apparatus 100, setting keys for confirming or starting operations, and a cancel key for stopping operations, and a display unit that displays input information and alarm information.

[0065] The memory unit 114 is a volatile storage device that stores data used by the device. The memory unit 114 includes a medium information storage unit 115 and a width setting information storage unit .

[0066] The medium information storage unit 115 stores medium information that identifies the medium transported in a job. For example, when a jam occurs, it can identify jam cause information that identifies the medium that caused the jam, and information on the medium present at the position of the first inlet sensor 3. The width setting information storage unit 116 stores width setting information according to the fixing temperature.

[0067] The information stored in memory unit 114 is not limited to the above-mentioned information. Memory unit 114 also stores a print control data storage section for storing print information and the like.

[0068] (A-2) Operation of the First Embodiment FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the process of automatically discharging and transporting remaining media in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0069] Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of image forming apparatus 100 of the first embodiment when the supply route for the remaining media is from transport path Rt2. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of image forming apparatus 100 of the first embodiment when the supply route for the remaining media is from medium feed tray 1.

[0070] Note that FIG. 3 shows only an example of automatic discharge and transport, and modifications such as additions and deletions are possible without being limited to the processes shown in FIG. 3 as long as the same effect can be obtained, and furthermore, the processing order is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3.

[0071] First, when the connection I / F unit 102 receives a command from a higher-level device, the connection I / F unit 102 analyzes the command, and if the request command is a print request, the connection I / F unit 102 notifies the system control unit 101 that a print request command has been received.

[0072] Upon receiving the notification, the system control unit 101 generates print data based on the print information specified in the header of the received data, and instructs the print control unit 104 to start printing.

[0073] Upon receiving the print start instruction, the print control unit 104 instructs the medium supply control unit 105, the medium transport control unit 106, the image formation control unit 117, the jam detection unit 107, and the fixing control unit 112 to perform the print operation, and starts the print operation (S101).

[0074] After the printing operation is started, the jam detection unit 107 monitors whether or not a jam has occurred based on the ON / OFF signal from the sensor (S102).

[0075] If the jam detection unit 107 does not detect a jam (S102 / No), the image forming apparatus 100 performs a printing operation for the number of sheets in the job based on the generated print data.

[0076] For example, media are sent one by one from the media feed tray 1 to the transport path Rt1, and when the first entrance sensor 3 detects the media, the first entrance sensor 3 sends an ON signal to the system control unit 101. Media equal to the number of print sheets are transported in order, and each time an ON signal is sent from the first entrance sensor 3, the count value that counts the number of media transported is overwritten and stored in the medium information storage unit 115. In addition, information identifying the medium is attached to the transported medium. This makes it possible to perform printing operations for the number of sheets to be printed in the job while identifying the media transported in the job.

[0077] Here, each time the medium passes the first entrance sensor 3, the transport amount measurement unit 109 measures the transport amount (transport distance) when the leading edge of the medium passes from the first entrance sensor 3. For example, the transport amount measurement unit 109 measures the transport distance from the first entrance sensor 3 to the leading edge of the medium based on the transport speed in the transport path Rt1 and the time during which the first entrance sensor 3 detects the medium (ON signal notification time).

[0078] In S102, when the jam detection unit 107 detects the occurrence of a jam (S102 / Yes), the process proceeds to S103.

[0079] Here is an example of a jam. For example, if the sensor cannot normally detect either the leading or trailing edge of the media within a specified time and the sensor does not output an ON / OFF signal at the timing when it should switch between ON and OFF, it is determined that a jam has occurred. Note that multiple jams can be set in advance, and the jam detection criteria can be set in advance for each type of jam.

[0080] Furthermore, when the jam detection unit 107 detects a jam, the medium information storage unit 115 stores information about the medium that caused the jam (medium information that identifies the medium that caused the jam).

[0081] When a jam occurs, the medium detection unit 108 checks whether an ON signal has been sent from the first entrance sensor 3, and checks whether a medium is present at the position of the first entrance sensor 3 (S103).

[0082] If there is no ON signal from the first inlet sensor 3 (S103 / No), the medium detection unit 108 determines that no medium is present at the position of the first inlet sensor 3, and the printing process ends.

[0083] On the other hand, if there is an ON signal from the first entrance sensor 3 (S103 / Yes), the medium detection unit 108 determines that a medium is present at the position of the first entrance sensor 3, and the process proceeds to S104.

[0084] When an ON signal is received from the first entrance sensor 3, the media detection unit 108 refers to the media information storage unit 115, compares the media information identifying the jamming media with the media information present at the position of the first entrance sensor 3, and determines whether the media at the first entrance sensor 3 is the jamming media (S104).

[0085] If the medium at the first inlet sensor 3 is the jammed medium (S104 / Yes), the medium may be damaged. In that case, there is a risk of damage to the device, so the automatic ejection operation is not performed and the printing process is terminated.

[0086] On the other hand, if the medium at the first inlet sensor 3 is not a jamming medium (S104 / No), the process proceeds to S105.

[0087] In S105, the medium determination unit 110 compares the transport distance X from the first entrance sensor 3 to the leading edge of the medium measured by the transport amount measurement unit 109 with a preset threshold value B (S105), and determines whether to automatically eject the remaining medium or to have the user pull out the medium depending on the comparison result.

[0088] Here, when the front cover 24 is opened, if the leading edge of the medium in the transport direction is visible as in Figures 4(C) and 5(C), the user can pinch the leading edge of the medium and remove it.

[0089] However, as in Figures 4(A) and (B) and Figures 5(A) and (B), removal is difficult when the user cannot find the leading edge of the medium, or when the leading edge of the medium is visible but the user is unable to grasp it.

[0090] Therefore, in this embodiment, the transport distance X from the first entrance sensor 3 to the leading edge of the medium is compared with a preset threshold value B, and depending on the comparison result, it is determined whether to automatically eject the remaining medium or to have the user remove the medium.

[0091] The leading edge of the medium is intended to be long enough to be pinched by the user, and for example, the user can pinch it if 10 mm to 30 mm from the leading edge in the transport direction of the medium is visible. Also, in this example, if the leading edge of the medium is less than 10 mm, it can be said that the leading edge of the medium remains on the registration roller 4 (target transport member).

[0092] The threshold value B as the first threshold value is a value indicating a predetermined distance from the position of the first entrance sensor 3. In other words, the threshold value B can be said to be a threshold value indicating the length from the position of the first entrance sensor 2 to the leading edge of the medium remaining on the registration roller 4. The threshold value B can be a value of a length that allows the user to open the front cover 24 and find the remaining medium, and preferably, a value of a length that allows the user to pick up the leading edge of the remaining medium, pull out the medium, and remove it. The threshold value B can be determined to an arbitrary value depending on, for example, the type of the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the threshold value B can be about 10 mm to 20 mm, but the numerical value is not limited. The threshold value B may also be changed depending on the thickness of the medium, and by increasing the threshold value B in proportion to the thickness of the medium, it becomes easier for the user to pick up the remaining medium, pull it out, and remove it even if the medium is thick.

[0093] In S105, if the conveying distance length X is equal to or greater than the threshold value B (S105 / No), the automatic discharge control unit 111 issues a medium removal display instruction to the operation and display unit 113, which instructs the user to open the front cover 24 and remove the remaining media. Then, a first medium removal guide screen 501, as shown in Fig. 6(A) is displayed on the operation and display unit 113 (S110).

[0094] That is, in this case, when the transport distance length X of the medium is equal to or greater than the threshold value B, the medium is sent out to the downstream side of the registration rollers 4 to an extent that the user can pick up the medium, as shown in Fig. 4C or 5C. In this state, the user can pick up and pull out the medium.

[0095] Now, suppose that a jam occurs and the medium remains at the position of the first inlet sensor 3, as shown in Fig. 7(A). When the user opens the front cover 24 to remove the medium, as shown in Fig. 7(B), the leading edge of the medium on the upstream side of the registration rollers 4 may fall towards the front cover 24. Furthermore, if the front cover 24 is closed in this state, the leading edge of the medium may bend and be damaged, as shown in Fig. 7(C). Therefore, to avoid the risk of damage to the device, an operation method that is easy for the user to operate is displayed on the operation and display unit 113.

[0096] The first medium removal guide screen 501 in Fig. 6(A) includes an operation explanation section such as "Open the front cover to remove this paper" and an operation diagram such as an illustration to encourage the user to remove the remaining media, so that the user can intuitively recognize the operation of removing the media. Note that the first medium removal guide screen 501 is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 6(A).

[0097] Then, if the user removes the remaining media and all sensors within the image forming device 100 report an OFF signal, the automatic discharge control unit 111 determines that none of the sensors have detected media and that there is no remaining media, and the printing operation ends.

[0098] In S105, if the transport distance length X is smaller than the threshold value B (S105 / Yes), the automatic discharge control unit 111 determines the supply route of the medium at the first inlet sensor 3 (S106) and performs different operations depending on the transport route.

[0099] The supply route is the transport route of the remaining medium until it reaches the first entrance sensor 3. That is, the automatic discharge control unit 111 determines whether the route is one in which the medium is supplied from the medium feed tray 1 for printing on one side of the medium (also called the "tray" or "tray route"), or one in which the medium is switched back and supplied from the transport path Rt2 side for printing on the other side of the medium during double-sided printing (also called the "duplex" or "double-sided route").

[0100] Then, in S106, if the transport route of the remaining medium at the first inlet sensor 3 is "Duplex" (S106 / Duplex), the automatic discharge control unit 111 instructs the operation / display unit 113 to display an automatic discharge guide indicating that the remaining medium will be automatically discharged. Then, an automatic discharge guide screen 503 as shown in Fig. 6(C) is displayed on the operation / display unit 113 (S108).

[0101] That is, in this case, the transport distance length X of the medium is smaller than the threshold value B, and as shown in Fig. 4(A), the leading edge of the medium is located on the upstream side of the registration rollers 4, or as shown in Fig. 4(B), the leading edge of the medium is caught by the registration rollers 4 but the medium has not been sufficiently fed out, so that the leading edge of the medium cannot be pinched on the downstream side of the registration rollers 4. In this state, it is difficult for the user to pinch and pull out the medium.

[0102] The automatic ejection guide screen 503 in FIG. 6(C) includes an operation explanation section, for example, "This paper will be automatically ejected after the cover is closed," and an operation diagram such as an illustration, to inform the user that the medium will be automatically ejected.

[0103] Then, the automatic discharge control unit 111 stores information about the medium to be automatically discharged (information that identifies the medium) in the medium information storage unit 115 (S111).

[0104] Furthermore, the automatic discharge control unit 111 drives the paper feed motor 21 in the image forming device 100 to rotate the medium feed roller 2, the registration roller 4, the registration roller 6, etc. in the conveying path Rt1 to discharge the medium remaining at the first entrance sensor 3 (S112).

[0105] Furthermore, in S106, if the medium transport route is "Tray" (S106 / Tray), the automatic discharge control unit 111 compares the value of the medium length P in the transport direction with the value of the extractable length S of the medium (S107).

[0106] Here, the value of the extractable length S as the second threshold value is a value indicating a predetermined distance from the position of the first entrance sensor 3 toward the upstream side. In other words, the extractable length S can be said to be a threshold value indicating the length from the position of the first entrance sensor 3 to the rear end of the medium remaining on the registration rollers 4. It is a value indicating the length that the user can find the rear end of the remaining medium by opening the front cover 24, and pinch and pull out the rear end of the medium. Also, the extractable length S may be changed depending on the thickness of the medium, and by increasing the extractable length S in proportion to the thickness of the medium, it becomes easier for the user to pinch and pull out the remaining medium to remove it even if the medium is thick.

[0107] For example, in Figures 5(A) to 5(C), the length S of the medium that can be pulled out can be calculated by adding up the "transport distance X" from the position of the first entrance sensor 3 to the leading edge of the medium, the "distance A" from the position of the medium feed roller 2 to the position of the first entrance sensor 3, and a predetermined "distance C" taken upstream from the position of the medium feed roller 2.

[0108] "Distance A" is the distance between the members on the transport path Rt1, and therefore can be a fixed length.

[0109] The "distance length C" can be a value that allows a user to pinch and remove the rear end of the medium in the tray route when the rear end of the medium is present upstream of the medium feed roller 2. The distance length C can be a changeable value, and can be, for example, about 10 mm to 30 mm, but the numerical value is not limited to this.

[0110] In S107, if the value of the medium length P is equal to or less than the value of the extractable length S (S107 / No), the automatic ejection control unit 111 instructs the operation / display unit 113 to display an automatic ejection guide indicating that the remaining medium will be automatically ejected, and the automatic ejection guide screen 503 of Figure 6 (C) is displayed on the operation / display unit 113 (S108).

[0111] That is, in this case, when the value of the medium length P is equal to or less than the value of the extractable length S, as shown in Fig. 5(B), the rear end of the medium is located upstream of the first entrance sensor 3, but the length of the exposed rear end of the medium upstream of the medium feed roller 2 is short. In this state, it is difficult for the user to grasp and pull out the medium.

[0112] Therefore, the automatic discharge control unit 111 stores the medium-specific information of the medium to be automatically discharged in the medium information storage unit 115 (S111), and in order to automatically discharge the remaining media, the automatic discharge control unit 111 drives the paper feed motor 21 in the image forming apparatus 100 to rotate the medium feed roller 2, the registration roller 4, the registration roller 6, etc., and discharge the remaining media (S112).

[0113] In S107, if the value of the medium length P is greater than the value of the extractable length S (S107 / Yes), the automatic ejection control unit 111 issues a medium removal display instruction to the operation and display unit 113, which instructs the user to open the front cover 24, further pull out the cassette, and remove any remaining media. A second medium removal guide screen 502, as shown in Fig. 6(B), is displayed on the operation and display unit 113 (S109).

[0114] That is, in this case, as shown in Fig. 5(A), the value of the medium length P of the medium is equal to or greater than the value of the pull-out length S, and the user can find the rear end of the medium. In this state, the user can grasp the rear end of the medium and pull it out.

[0115] Therefore, to enable the user to access the rear end of the medium, a second medium removal guide screen 502 is displayed, which includes an operation explanation section, such as "Please remove this paper after removing the cassette," and an operation diagram, as shown in FIG. 6(B).

[0116] Thereafter, if the user removes the remaining media and all sensors within the image forming device 100 report an OFF signal, the automatic discharge control unit 111 determines that none of the sensors have detected media and that there is no remaining media, and the printing operation ends.

[0117] (A-3) Effects of the First Embodiment As described above, according to the first embodiment, when media remains in a location that is difficult to find and remove after a jam occurs, the remaining media can be automatically ejected based on the remaining position and length of the media, and instructions for the removal operation that the user should perform are displayed, allowing the user to perform smooth operations when clearing the jam.

[0118] (B) Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of a medium conveying device according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0119] (B-1) Configuration of the second embodiment The internal configuration and the control system configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment basically have the same components as those of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2. Therefore, also in the second embodiment, the internal configuration and the control system configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described using Figures 1 and 2.

[0120] In FIG. 1, a feed motor 21 applies a driving force to a medium feed roller 2, which supports the transport of a medium fed from a medium feed tray 1, a registration roller 4, and a registration roller 6, to rotate them.

[0121] The double-sided conveying motor 22 applies driving force to each of the first reversing roller 14, the second reversing roller 15, the first double-sided roller 16, the second double-sided roller 17, the third double-sided roller 18, the second double-sided sensor 19, and the fourth double-sided roller 20 to rotate the medium during double-sided printing.

[0122] Each of the other rollers is provided with a corresponding motor, and operates by receiving a driving force from the motor.

[0123] (B-2) Operation of the Second Embodiment FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the process of automatically discharging and transporting remaining media in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment.

[0124] Here, we will explain the operation of the automatic media ejection control that is performed during the device initial operation after a jam when media remains at the position of the first entrance sensor 3 and the media is determined to be eligible for automatic ejection using the method of the first embodiment.

[0125] A jam occurs in the image forming apparatus 100, and a user performs an operation to clear the jam. After the jam is cleared, the initial operation in FIG. 8 starts (S201).

[0126] The medium detection unit 108 determines whether or not there is a medium remaining at the first entrance sensor 3 based on a sensor signal from the first entrance sensor 3 (S202).

[0127] For example, if an ON signal is notified from the first entrance sensor 3 (S202 / Yes), it can be determined that the first entrance sensor 3 has detected the medium and that the medium is present at the position of the first entrance sensor 3. In this case, the process proceeds to S203.

[0128] On the other hand, if an OFF signal has been notified (S202 / No), it can be determined that the first entrance sensor 3 has not detected the medium and that no medium is present. In this case, since no medium remains at the position of the first entrance sensor 3, this initial operation ends.

[0129] In S203, the automatic discharge control unit 111 refers to the medium information stored in the medium information storage unit 115 and checks whether the remaining medium is an object of automatic discharge (S203). If it is an object of automatic discharge (S203 / Yes), the process proceeds to S204, and if not (S203 / No), this initial operation ends. If there is another initial operation, that operation may be performed.

[0130] Here, the method of checking whether or not a medium is an object of automatic ejection can be the method described in the first embodiment. For example, since the medium specification information of the medium that is an object of automatic ejection is stored in the medium information storage unit 115 in S111 of Fig. 3, the medium specification information can be referenced to check whether or not the medium is an object of automatic ejection.

[0131] In S204, the automatic discharge control unit 111 checks the supply route of the remaining media because the automatic discharge control unit 111 operates differently depending on the supply route of the remaining media (S204).

[0132] If the supply route of the remaining medium is Tray (S204 / Tray), the medium transport control unit 106 drives the paper feed motor 21 to discharge the remaining medium. Then, the paper feed motor 21 rotates the medium feed roller 2, the registration roller 4, and the registration roller 6 to start transport (S205). Then, the medium is transported, and the first inlet sensor 3 cannot detect the medium. When the first inlet sensor 3 notifies an OFF signal, the medium detection unit 108 confirms that the medium has been discharged (S211). Then, the medium transport control unit 106 stops the paper feed motor 21 (S212) and ends the initial operation.

[0133] On the other hand, if the supply route of the remaining media is Duplex (S204 / Duplex), the process proceeds to S205.

[0134] At this time, the transport amount measurement unit 109 measures the medium transport amount from the position of the first inlet sensor 3 to the leading edge of the medium, as shown in Fig. 9. The medium transport amount measured by the transport amount measurement unit 109 is referred to as "distance length X" here.

[0135] Then, the automatic discharge control unit 111 compares the value of the distance length X and the value of the distance length Y measured by the conveyance amount measurement unit 109 to determine which motor (the paper feed motor 21 or the double-sided conveyance motor 22) to drive depending on the position of the leading edge of the remaining medium (S206).

[0136] That is, when transport is stopped after a jam, the automatic discharge control unit 111 compares the value of the transport amount with the distance length Y, which is a third threshold value indicating the length from the position of the sensor to the position where transport can be performed by the target transport member, and controls the movement of the medium depending on the comparison result.

[0137] Here, the "distance Y" is the distance from the position of the first entrance sensor 3 to the position where the leading edge of the medium is gripped by the registration rollers 4. In other words, the "distance Y" is a value indicating the length from the position of the first entrance sensor 3 to the position where the medium can be transported by the registration rollers 4.

[0138] For example, the "distance length Y" may be the position of the contact portion (nip portion) where the pair of registration rollers 4 contact each other. Also, for example, if the position is the contact portion (nip portion), the registration rollers 4 may not be able to firmly grip the leading edge of the medium, so the "distance length Y" may be a position slightly downstream from the position of the contact portion (nip portion).

[0139] A margin value may be added to the value of "distance Y" to ensure that the leading edge of the medium is safely secured by the registration rollers 4. For example, if the value of the distance from the position of the first entrance sensor 3 to the position where the leading edge of the medium is caught by the registration rollers 4 is "A mm", the margin value may be the same "A mm" and the value of distance Y may be "2A (=A+A) mm".

[0140] If the value of the distance length X is less than or equal to the value of the distance length Y (S206 / No), the process proceeds to S205, and the medium transport control unit 106 drives the paper feed motor 21 to rotate the medium feed roller 2, the registration roller 4, and the registration roller 6 to start transport (S205).

[0141] On the other hand, if the value of the distance length X is smaller than the value of the distance length Y (S206 / Yes), the process proceeds to S207, and the automatic discharge control unit 111 derives the support conveyance amount Z required to make the leading edge of the medium bite into the registration rollers 4 (S207).

[0142] Here, the "support transport amount Z" refers to the distance required to bring the medium into engagement with the transport rollers in order to eject the medium. In other words, the support transport amount Z is the distance required to drive the duplex transport motor 22 as well to bring the remaining medium into engagement with the registration rollers 4 when the leading edge of the remaining medium is not engaged with the registration rollers 4, since the medium cannot be transported by the paper feed motor 21 alone. For example, the support transport amount Z may be the difference between the distance Y and the distance X.

[0143] After deriving the support transport amount Z, the medium transport control unit 106 drives both the paper feed motor 21 and the double-sided transport motor 22 simultaneously.

[0144] As a result, the first reversing roller 14, the second reversing roller 15, the first double-sided roller 16, the second double-sided roller 17, the third double-sided roller 18, the second double-sided sensor 19, and the fourth double-sided roller 20 in the transport path Rt2 rotate to transport the medium toward the registration roller 4, and further the registration roller 4 in the transport path Rt1 rotates to transport the medium (S208). The paper feed motor 21 and the double-sided transport motor 22 are driven until the medium is transported by the support transport amount Z (S209).

[0145] When the medium is transported up to the support transport amount Z (S209), the medium transport control unit 106 stops the double-sided transport motor 22 (S210).

[0146] Then, when the medium is transported and the first inlet sensor 3 cannot detect the medium, and the first inlet sensor 3 notifies an OFF signal, the medium detection unit 108 confirms that the medium has been discharged (S211). Then, the medium transport control unit 106 stops the paper feed motor 21 (S212), and the initial operation ends.

[0147] (B-3) Effects of the Second Embodiment As described above, according to the second embodiment, when a jam occurs and residual media is difficult to find and remove, it is possible to automatically eject the media by the device, thereby reducing the operational burden on the user and improving usability.

[0148] (C) Other Embodiments Although various modified embodiments have been mentioned in the above-described first and second embodiments, the present disclosure can also be applied to the following modified embodiments.

[0149] (C-1) In the above-described first and second embodiments, the image forming apparatus is a printer, and the case where the present disclosure is applied to a medium conveyance device mounted inside the printer has been exemplified. However, the medium conveyance device according to the present disclosure can also be applied to those mounted on a multifunction device such as an MFP (multifunction peripheral), a copying machine, etc., and the same effects as those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

[0150] (C-2) The processing flows of FIG. 3 in the above-described first embodiment and FIG. 8 in the second embodiment are each an example, and the order of processing is not limited to FIGS. 3 and 8 as long as the same effects can be obtained.

[0151] For example, in FIG. 3, the order of the determination process of "X < B" in S105 and the determination process of "paper feed route" in S106 may be reversed. That is, after the determination process of "paper feed route" in S106, the determination process of "X < B" in S105 may be performed.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0152] 100... Image forming apparatus, 101... System control unit, 102... Connection I / F unit, 103... Image data storage unit, 104... Printing control unit, 105... Medium supply control unit, 106... Medium conveyance control unit, 107... Jam detection unit, 108... Medium detection unit, 109... Conveyance amount measurement unit, 110... Medium determination unit, 111... Automatic discharge control unit, 112... Fixing control unit, 113... Operation / display unit, 114... Memory unit, 115... Medium information storage unit, 116... Width setting information storage unit, 117... Image formation control unit 150...media conveying device, 1...media feed tray, 2...media feed roller, 3...first entrance sensor, 4...registration roller, 5...second entrance sensor, 6...registration roller, 7...write sensor, 8...fixing entrance sensor, 9...fixing unit, 10...fixing exit sensor, 11...first discharge roller, 12...discharge sensor, 13...second discharge roller, 14...first reversing roller, 15...second reversing roller, 16...first double-sided roller, 17...second double-sided roller, 18...third double-sided roller, 19...second double-sided sensor, 20...fourth double-sided roller, 21...feed motor, 22...double-sided conveying motor, 23...image forming section, 23C...image forming unit, 23K...image forming unit, 23M...image forming unit, 23Y...image forming unit, 24...front cover, 25...first double-sided sensor.

Claims

1. A device body, a control unit that controls transport of a medium along a medium transport path formed inside the device body; Equipped with When the transport of the medium stops in the medium transport path, the control unit moves the remaining medium along the medium transport path. A medium transport device comprising:

2. an opening / closing member provided so as to be openable and closable relative to the device body; a sensor and a target conveying member are provided downstream of the sensor in the medium conveying path; the opening / closing member is provided so as to be able to open the target transport member to the outside of the device body, When the leading edge of the medium remains on the target transport member, the control unit moves the medium remaining on the target transport member. The medium transport device according to claim 1 .

3. the medium transport path includes a first transport path, and a second transport path that turns over the medium transported on the first transport path and then merges the inverted medium with the first transport path; a transport distance measuring unit that measures a transport distance from the position of the sensor to a leading edge of the transported medium; the sensor disposed downstream of a joining position of the first conveying path and the second conveying path; having a movement control unit that, when the transport of the medium stops, compares the value of the transport amount with a first threshold value that is a length from the sensor to the leading end remaining on the target transport member, and controls the movement of the medium according to the comparison result; have The medium transport device according to claim 2 .

4. When the medium remaining on the target transport member is transported from the second transport path, if the value of the transport amount is smaller than the first threshold value, the movement control unit automatically ejects the medium remaining on the target transport member. The medium transport device according to claim 3 .

5. A display control unit that controls display on the display unit, When the medium remaining on the target transport member is supplied from the second transport path, When the value of the transport amount is smaller than the first threshold value, a screen indicating that the remaining medium will be automatically ejected is displayed on the display unit; When the value of the transport amount is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, a screen for prompting a user to remove the medium remaining on the target transport member is displayed on the display unit. The medium transport device according to claim 4 .

6. When the medium remaining on the target transport member is supplied from the first transport path, when the value of the transport amount is smaller than the first threshold value, the movement control unit compares a value of a media length of the remaining media with a second threshold value that is a length from the sensor to a rear end of the media remaining on the target transport member; When the value of the medium length is smaller than the second threshold value, the movement control unit automatically ejects the medium remaining on the target transport member. The medium transport device according to claim 3 .

7. A display control unit that controls display on the display unit, when the value of the medium length is smaller than the second threshold value, a screen indicating that the remaining medium will be automatically ejected is displayed on the display unit; When the value of the medium length is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, a screen for prompting a user to remove the remaining medium is displayed on the display unit. The medium transport device according to claim 6 .

8. the medium transport path includes a first transport path, and a second transport path that turns over the medium transported on the first transport path and then merges the inverted medium with the first transport path; the sensor disposed downstream of a joining position of the first conveying path and the second conveying path; a transport distance measuring unit that measures a transport distance from the position of the sensor to a leading edge of the transported medium; a first transport drive unit that drives a first transport member group including the target transport member provided on the first transport path; a second transport drive unit that drives a second transport member group provided on the second transport path; having a movement control unit that, when the transport of the medium stops, compares the value of the transport amount with a threshold value indicating a length from the position of the sensor to a position where the medium can be transported by the target transport member, and controls the movement of the medium according to the comparison result; have The medium transport device according to claim 2 .

9. When the medium remaining on the target transport member is transported from the second transport path, if the value of the transport amount is smaller than the third threshold value, the movement control unit moves the medium remaining on the target transport member a distance that is a difference value between the third threshold value and the value of the transport amount. The medium transport device according to claim 8 .

10. When the medium remaining on the target transport member is transported from the second transport path, when the value of the transport amount is smaller than the third threshold value, The movement control unit is driving the second conveying member group by the second conveying drive unit, and driving the first conveying member group by the first conveying drive unit; When the conveyance amount is increased by a distance equal to a difference between the third threshold value and the conveyance amount, the second conveyance driving unit stops driving the conveyance amount. When the medium is completely discharged, the first transport drive unit stops driving the medium. The medium transport device according to claim 9 .

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