Image forming device

Abstract

To provide a technique that makes it possible to omit a circuit for controlling the switching of a flapper solenoid.SOLUTION: A composite machine 1 includes: a process part 4; a fixing unit 6; a cutter 10; a body 20 having a first discharge path 201A that discharges a sheet S to the outside without passing through a cutter position SP, and a second discharge path 201B that discharges the sheet S to the outside via the cutter position SP; a cutter motor 106 for transmitting a driving force to the cutter 10; a motor driver MD4 for controlling the drive of the cutter motor 106; a flapper 88 for guiding the sheet S to either the first discharge path 201A or the second discharge path 201B; and a flapper solenoid 89 for switching the flapper 88 to either a first position 88A for guiding the sheet S to the first discharge path 201A or a second position 88B for guiding the sheet S to the second discharge path 201B. The motor driver MD4 controls the drive of the cutter motor 106 as well as switching of the flapper solenoid 89.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to an image forming apparatus that cuts a sheet on which an image is formed with a cutter.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an image forming apparatus for cutting a sheet of a standard size is known. The cutting device described in Patent Document 1 conveys a sheet to a cutting position and stops it, and cuts the sheet in the stopped state with a cutting blade extending in the sheet width direction intersecting the conveyance direction. In this cutting device, the sheet was configured to be discharged through one conveyance path provided with a cutting blade.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus having a first discharge path through which a sheet is discharged without passing through a cutter, and a second discharge path through which a cut sheet is discharged after passing through the cutter can be considered. In that image forming apparatus, in addition to a cutter motor for driving the cutter and a motor driver for controlling the cutter motor, there has been a problem that a control circuit for switching control of a flapper solenoid for switching between the first discharge path and the second discharge path is separately required.

[0005] An object of this application is to provide a technology that can omit a circuit for switching control of a flapper solenoid.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, a heating rotator, and a pressurizing rotator that forms a nip with the heating rotator, and a fixing unit that fixes the image formed on the sheet to the sheet. A cutter having a moving blade disposed at a cutter position downstream of the fixing unit in the sheet conveyance direction in a conveyance path through which the sheet is conveyed passing through the image forming unit and the fixing unit, the moving blade moving in a cutting direction intersecting the sheet conveyance direction to cut the sheet; A device body having the conveyance path, a first discharge path for discharging the sheet to the outside of the device body without passing through the cutter position, and a second discharge path for discharging the sheet to the outside of the device body via the cutter position; A cutter motor that transmits a driving force for the moving blade to move in the cutting direction to the cutter; a motor driver that controls the driving of the cutter motor; a flapper that guides the sheet to either one of the first discharge path and the second discharge path; and a flapper solenoid that switches the flapper to either a first state of guiding the sheet to the first discharge path or a second state of guiding the sheet to the second discharge path. The motor driver executes switching control of the flapper solenoid in addition to drive control of the cutter motor.

[0007] Since the motor driver is configured to execute switching control of the flapper solenoid in addition to drive control of the cutter motor, it is possible to omit a circuit for switching control of the flapper solenoid.

[0008] Also, in the image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the motor driver has a first terminal and a second terminal, and a current for driving is passed from the first terminal and the second terminal to the cutter motor. Further, a current for switching the flapper is passed from the first terminal and the second terminal to the flapper solenoid.

[0009] The motor driver supplies current not only to the cutter motor but also to the flapper solenoid. The flapper solenoid can switch the flapper according to the supplied current. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure, an individual circuit for separately supplying current to the flapper solenoid 89 is not required.

[0010] Also, in the image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the first terminal and the second terminal are respectively connected to the cutter motor by a first signal line and a second signal line, and a first connection point on the first signal line and a second connection point on the second signal line are respectively connected to the flapper solenoid by a third signal line and a fourth signal line. Further, a first cutoff circuit is disposed on the third signal line for passing or blocking the current flowing on the third signal line, and a second cutoff circuit is disposed on the fourth signal line for passing or blocking the current flowing on the fourth signal line. When the motor driver flows current from the first terminal, if the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit are in a state of blocking the current, the moving blade is moved in the cutting direction by rotating the cutter motor for the first time. If the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit are in a state of passing the current, the current flows through the flapper solenoid, and the flapper solenoid is switched from the second state to the first state. When the motor driver flows current from the second terminal, if the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit are in a state of blocking the current, the moving blade is moved in the cutting direction by rotating the cutter motor for the second time. If the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit are in a state of passing the current, the current flows through the flapper solenoid, and the flapper solenoid is switched from the first state to the second state. This is a feature.

[0011] In an image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure, a first cutoff circuit and a second cutoff circuit are provided, and the motor driver can perform movement control of the moving blade and switching control of the position of the flapper by the flapper solenoid only by controlling the passage / shutdown of current to the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit.

[0012] Further, in an image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the moving blade is movable in the cutting direction from an initial position to a completion position, and further includes a control unit. When the control unit cuts the sheet by moving the moving blade from the initial position to the completion position, the control unit instructs to cut off the current to the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit, and instructs the motor driver to flow current from the first terminal. When returning the moving blade from the completion position to the initial position, the control unit instructs to cut off the current to the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit, and instructs the motor driver to flow current from the second terminal. When switching the flapper from the second state to the first state, the control unit instructs to allow current to pass through the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit, and instructs the motor driver to flow current from the first terminal. When switching the flapper from the first state to the second state, the control unit instructs to allow current to pass through the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit, and instructs the motor driver to flow current from the second terminal. This is the feature.

[0013] In an image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure, a control unit, a first cutoff circuit, and a second cutoff circuit are provided. The control unit can perform movement control of the moving blade and switching control of the position of the flapper by the flapper solenoid only by instructing the passage / shutdown of current to the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit.

[0014] Also, in the image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the moving blade is movable in the cutting direction from the initial position to the completion position, the first cutoff circuit includes a first rectifying element arranged to allow current to flow from the flapper solenoid toward the first connection point, and a first switch arranged in parallel with the first rectifying element to turn on and off the flowing current, the second cutoff circuit includes a second rectifying element arranged to allow current to flow from the flapper solenoid toward the second connection point, and a second switch arranged in parallel with the second rectifying element to turn on and off the flowing current, and further includes a control unit. When cutting a sheet by moving the moving blade from the initial position to the completion position, the control unit instructs the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit to cut off the current, and instructs the motor driver to allow current to flow from the first terminal. When returning the moving blade from the completion position to the initial position, the control unit instructs the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit to cut off the current, and instructs the motor driver to allow current to flow from the second terminal. When switching the flapper from the second state to the first state, the control unit outputs an on signal to the first switch, outputs an off signal to the second switch, and instructs the motor driver to allow current to flow from the first terminal. When switching the flapper from the first state to the second state, the control unit outputs an off signal to the first switch, outputs an on signal to the second switch, and instructs the motor driver to allow current to flow from the second terminal. This is the gist of the present disclosure.

[0015] In the image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the first cutoff circuit is composed of the first rectifying element and the first switch, and the second cutoff circuit is composed of the second rectifying element and the second switch, so that it is possible to switch the flow of current from one terminal of the flapper solenoid to the other terminal, or the flow of current from the other terminal of the flapper solenoid to one terminal.

[0016] Also, in the image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure, when cutting a sheet with an image formed on one side, when the control unit switches the flapper from the first state to the second state before cutting the sheet with the cutter, the control unit outputs an off signal to the first switch, outputs an on signal to the second switch, and after instructing the motor driver to flow a current from the second terminal, at a stage where it is detected that the moving blade has reached the initial position, the control unit stops the output of the current from the second terminal to the motor driver, and controls the motor driver to move the moving blade from the initial position to the completion position, thereby cutting the sheet that has reached the cutter position.

[0017] In this way, the control unit only needs to output an off signal to the first switch, output an on signal to the second switch, and instruct the motor driver to flow a current from the second terminal, and the flapper switches from the first state to the second state and the moving blade starts to move toward the initial position, so it is not necessary to give an instruction to start moving the moving blade toward the initial position again.

[0018] In the image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure, when the control unit switches the flapper from the second state to the first state after cutting the sheet with the cutter, the control unit outputs an on signal to the first switch, outputs an off signal to the second switch, and after instructing the motor driver to flow a current from the first terminal, instructs the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit to cut off the current, and instructs the motor driver to flow a current from the second terminal, and at a stage where it is detected that the moving blade has reached the initial position, the control unit stops the output of the current from the second terminal to the motor driver.

[0019] In the image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure, when an instruction to switch the flapper from the second state to the first state is given, the moving blade starts to move in a direction from the initial position toward the completion position. Therefore, after the switching instruction, the control unit can return the moving blade to the position of the initial position by moving the moving blade in a direction to return from the completion position to the initial position.

[0020] In the image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure, when the control unit performs image formation on one side of the sheet by the image forming unit again after cutting the sheet by the cutter, the control unit instructs the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit to cut off the current, and after instructing the motor driver to pass a current from the second terminal, at a stage where it is detected that the moving blade has reached the initial position, the control unit stops the output of the current from the first terminal and the second terminal to the motor driver, and controls the motor driver to move the moving blade from the initial position to the completion position, thereby cutting the sheet that has reached the cutter position.

[0021] In the image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure, when image formation on one side of the sheet is performed again by the image forming unit after cutting the sheet by the cutter, since the flapper has already been switched to the second state, the control unit does not need to give an instruction to switch the flapper to the second state again.

[0022] In an image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the moving blade is movable in the cutting direction from an initial position to a completion position, the first terminal and the second terminal are each connected to the cutter motor by a fifth signal line and a sixth signal line, the flapper solenoid is connected to a third connection point provided on any one of the fifth signal line or the sixth signal line, and a circuit in which current flowing from the motor driver through the third connection point flows to the ground portion. When no current flows through the flapper solenoid, the flapper is in the first state. When the motor driver causes current to flow from the first terminal, the cutter motor rotates first and current flows from the first terminal through the third connection point and the flapper solenoid toward the ground portion. When current flows from the second terminal, the cutter motor rotates second and current flows from the second terminal through the cutter motor, the third connection point, and the flapper solenoid in order toward the ground portion.

[0023] In an image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the motor driver can move the moving blade from the initial position toward the completion position by rotating the cutter motor first, and can switch the flapper from the first state to the second state by causing current to flow through the flapper solenoid. On the other hand, the motor driver can move the moving blade from the completion position toward the initial position by rotating the cutter motor second, and can switch the flapper from the first state to the second state by causing current to flow through the flapper solenoid. Further, the motor driver can return the flapper from the second state to the first state by not causing current to flow through the cutter motor and the flapper solenoid.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0026] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a multi-function peripheral (MFP) 1 according to a first embodiment of the present application. The multi-function peripheral 1 is an example of an image forming apparatus and has functions such as a printing function, a copying function, and a scanning function. Note that, as the multi-function peripheral, a facsimile function may be added to these functions. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 1, the vertical direction and the front-rear direction of the multi-function peripheral 1 are defined. Also, the side closer to the paper surface is defined as the left, and the side farther from the paper surface is defined as the right.

[0027] The multi-function peripheral 1 includes an image forming unit 2 and an image reading unit 9. The image forming unit 2 is an electrophotographic system and has a function of forming an image on a sheet S. The case where the image forming unit 2 has a function of forming a monochrome image on the sheet S is exemplified. The present disclosure is not limited to this, and the image forming unit 2 may have a function of forming a full-color image on the sheet S, for example.

[0028] The image reading unit 9 reads an image formed on a medium such as a sheet, and includes an image reading sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) system or a contact image sensor (CIS) system, and a moving mechanism that moves the image reading sensor. The image reading unit 9 reads an image formed on a medium under the control of an ASIC 105.

[0029] The image forming unit 2 includes a main body 20, a conveyance unit 3, a process unit 4, a fixing unit 6, and a cutter 10.

[0030] The main body 20 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a front cover 21, a supply tray 31, a discharge tray 22, a conveyance path 201, and a re-conveyance path 202. The front cover 21 is attached to the front surface of the main body 20 in an openable and closable state. The supply tray 31 is attached to the lower part of the main body 20 in a detachable state. A sheet S is placed on the supply tray 31. The sheet S is a standard sheet such as A4 size. The sheet S is, for example, a paper medium such as plain paper or cardboard, but is not limited thereto and may be an OHP film. The discharge tray 22 is provided at the upper part of the main body 20, and the sheet S on which an image is formed is placed on the discharge tray 22.

[0031] The conveyance path 201 is a path for conveying the sheet S placed on the supply tray 31 in the conveyance direction toward the discharge tray 22 via the process unit 4. The conveyance path 201 branches from the branch position D1 into a first discharge path 201A and a second discharge path 201B. Therefore, the sheet S conveyed via the process unit 4 is discharged to the discharge tray 22 via the first discharge path 201A and discharged to the discharge tray 22 via the second discharge path 201B.

[0032] The re-conveyance path 202 is a path for conveying the sheet S having an image formed on one surface in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction and then conveying it again toward the process unit 4. The re-conveyance path 202 starts from the connection position D2 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction from the branch position D1 on the second discharge path 201B and ends at the merging position J on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the pre-registration sensor SE1 in the conveyance path 201.

[0033] The conveyance unit 3 includes a pickup roller 33, a separation roller 34, a registration roller 35, a conveyance roller 36, a first discharge roller 85, a second discharge roller 86, a third discharge roller 87, a flapper 88, re-conveyance rollers 38, 39, a main motor 108 (see FIG. 3), and a discharge motor 109 (see FIG. 3).

[0034] The pickup roller 33 picks up the sheet S in the supply tray 31 pushed upward by the sheet pressing plate 32 and conveys it toward the conveyance path 201. The separation roller 34 separates the sheets S picked up by the pickup roller 33 one by one.

[0035] The registration roller 35 is disposed upstream of the process unit 4 in the conveyance path 201. After aligning the direction of the front end of the sheet S, the registration roller 35 conveys the sheet S toward the process unit 4. The conveyance roller 36 conveys the sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 6 toward the first discharge roller 85 or the third discharge roller 87.

[0036] The first discharge roller 85 and the second discharge roller 86 are disposed in the second discharge path 201B. The first discharge roller 85 is disposed at a position upstream of the cutter position SP where the cutter 10 is disposed, and the second discharge roller 86 is disposed at a position downstream of the cutter position SP.

[0037] The first discharge roller 85 rotates by the driving force from the discharge motor 109 (see FIG. 3). A first driven roller 85' is disposed at a position facing the first discharge roller 85 across the second discharge path 201B. The first driven roller 85' rotates following the rotation of the first discharge roller 85. The second discharge roller 86 also rotates by the driving force from the discharge motor 109. A second driven roller 86' is disposed at a position facing the second discharge roller 86 across the second discharge path 201B. The second driven roller 86' rotates following the rotation of the second discharge roller 86.

[0038] The first discharge roller 85 and the second discharge roller 86 discharge the sheet S to the discharge tray 22 by rotating to convey the sheet S in the conveyance direction. The rotation to convey the sheet S in the conveyance direction corresponds to a counterclockwise rotation about the left - right direction of the main body 20 as the axis.

[0039] On one hand, the third discharge roller 87 is disposed in the first discharge path 201A. The third discharge roller 87 rotates by the driving force from the discharge motor 109 (see FIG. 3). A third driven roller 87' is disposed at a position facing the third discharge roller 87 with the first discharge path 201A therebetween. The third driven roller 87' rotates in a driven manner as the third discharge roller 87 rotates. The third discharge roller 87 discharges the sheet S to the discharge tray 22 by rotating in the conveyance direction of the sheet S. Further, the third discharge roller 87 conveys the sheet S to the re-conveyance path 202 by rotating in a direction opposite to the rotation in the conveyance direction of the sheet S. The rotation in a direction opposite to the rotation in the conveyance direction of the sheet S corresponds to clockwise rotation about the left-right direction of the main body 20 as the axis.

[0040] Re-conveyance rollers 38 and 39 are disposed in the re-conveyance path 202. The re-conveyance rollers 38 and 39 convey the sheet S conveyed to the re-conveyance path 202 toward the process unit 4. By re-conveying the sheet S having an image formed on one surface thereof to the process unit 4 via the re-conveyance path 202 by the re-conveyance rollers 38 and 39, it is possible to form images on both surfaces of the sheet S.

[0041] The process unit 4 forms an image on the sheet S and is housed in the main body 20. The process unit 4 has a drum cartridge 5 and a laser unit 7. The drum cartridge 5 has a photosensitive drum 51, a toner storage section 57, a supply roller 56, a developing roller 55, a charger 52, a transfer roller 53, and a pinch roller 54. The drum cartridge 5 can be removed from the main body 20 by opening the front cover 21. The pinch roller 54 of the drum cartridge 5 faces the registration roller 35. The pinch roller 54 rotates in a driven manner as the registration roller 35 rotates and conveys the sheet S together with the registration roller 35.

[0042] The photosensitive drum 51 rotates by the driving force from the main motor 108 (see FIG. 3) to convey the sheet S in the conveying direction, thereby conveying the sheet S in the conveying direction. In the photosensitive drum 51, the rotation for conveying the sheet S in the conveying direction is a clockwise rotation about the left-right direction of the main body 20 as the axis. Toner is stored in the toner storage portion 57. The supply roller 56 supplies the toner in the toner storage portion 57 to the developing roller 55. The charger 52 is a scorotron type charger and uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 51. Note that the charger 52 may be a charging roller.

[0043] A transfer roller 53 is disposed at a position facing the photosensitive drum 51. The transfer roller 53 forms a transfer nip TN between the photosensitive drum 51 in the conveying path 201. Note that a transfer belt may be used instead of the transfer roller 53.

[0044] The main body 20 has a laser unit 7 at the upper part inside thereof. The laser unit 7 includes a polygon mirror 131 (see FIG. 3), a laser light emitting portion 132 (see FIG. 3), a polygon motor 133 (see FIG. 3), a lens and a reflecting mirror (not shown), etc. The laser unit 7 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 51 by causing the laser light (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1) based on the image data emitted from the laser light emitting portion 132 to be scanned at high speed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51.

[0045] The surface of the photosensitive drum 51 is exposed by the laser unit 7 to form an electrostatic latent image based on the image data. The developing roller 55 forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51 by supplying toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51.

[0046] A transfer voltage is applied to the transfer roller 53 by a high-voltage power supply substrate 112 (see FIG. 3). The transfer roller 53 transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51 to the sheet S passing through the transfer nip TN by conveying the sheet S between the transfer roller 53 and the photosensitive drum 51. In this way, image formation on the sheet S is performed.

[0047] On the conveyance path 201, downstream of the process unit 4, a fixing device 6 is arranged. The fixing device 6 includes a heating roller 61, a pressure roller 62, and a heater 63. The heating roller 61 is an example of a heating rotating body and heats the sheet S. The pressure roller 62 is an example of a pressure rotating body, forms a nip N with the heating roller 61, and presses the sheet S. The pressure roller 62 rotates to convey the sheet S in the conveyance direction by the driving force of the main motor 108. In the pressure roller 62, the rotation for conveying the sheet S in the conveyance direction is a counterclockwise rotation about the left - right direction of the main body 20 as the axis. The heater 63 is, for example, a halogen heater and heats the heating roller 61.

[0048] The fixing device 6 heats the sheet S by the heating roller 61, rotates the pressure roller 62, and conveys the sheet S while pressing it with the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 62, thereby fixing the image formed on the sheet S by the process unit 4 onto the sheet S.

[0049] Note that the fixing device 6 is configured to include the heating roller 61, the pressure roller 62, and the heater 63, but is not limited thereto. For example, the fixing device 6 may be configured to include a heater, a nip plate that receives radiant heat from the heater, a heating belt that rotates around the nip plate, and a pressure roller.

[0050] Also, the fixing device 6 may be configured to include a substrate on which a heat - generating pattern is formed, a belt that rotates around the substrate, and a pressure roller, with the substrate and the belt contacting the pressure roller. Further, the fixing device 6 may be configured to include a heating roller, a heater, and a pressure belt.

[0051] In the second discharge path 201B, a cutter 10 is disposed between the first discharge roller 85 and the second discharge roller 86. The cutter 10 is disposed on the downstream side of the fixing device 6 in the conveyance direction of the sheet S. The multifunction machine 1 stops the rotation of the first discharge roller 85 and the second discharge roller 86 so that the cutting position on the sheet S reaches the cutter position SP. With the rotation of the first discharge roller 85 and the second discharge roller 86 stopped, the multifunction machine 1 cuts the sheet S using the cutter 10.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the cutter 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the cutter 10 includes a cutter frame 11, a slide rail 12, a fixed blade 13, a sheet passing portion 14, a moving blade 15, a slide holder 16, and a cutter motor 106. The cutter frame 11 extends in the axial direction. The slide rail 12 is a rail formed on the cutter frame 11 and extending in the axial direction. The fixed blade 13 is a flat plate-shaped blade fixed to the cutter frame 11 and extending in the axial direction. The sheet passing portion 14 is a space formed in the cutter frame 11 through which the sheet S passes. In the present embodiment, the sheet passing portion 14 is formed between the slide rail 12 and the fixed blade 13. The moving blade 15 is a disk-shaped blade and is rotatably fixed to the slide holder 16.

[0053] The slide holder 16 engages with the slide rail 12 and is attached to the cutter frame 11 so as to be slidable along the slide rail 12. When the cutter motor 106 is driven forward (an example of the first rotation), the slide holder 16 slides from one axial side (for example, the right side wall side of the main body 20) toward the other side (for example, the left side wall side of the main body 20), and when the cutter motor 106 is driven in reverse (an example of the second rotation), the slide holder 16 slides from the other axial side toward one side. The slide holder 16 is movable from the initial position FP shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 to the completion position KP shown by the broken line. The slide holder 16 to which the moving blade 15 is fixed is movable in the cutting direction intersecting the conveyance direction at the cutter position SP. Further, the cutting direction is the direction from the initial position FP toward the completion position KP or the direction from the completion position KP toward the initial position FP. When the sheet S is at the cutter position SP and the slide holder 16 moves to the completion position KP along the slide rail 12, one sheet S is sandwiched between the fixed blade 13 and the moving blade 15 and cut into two sheets. After the sheet S is cut, the multi-function machine 1 discharges the sheet S cut into two sheets to the discharge tray 22 by rotating the first discharge roller 85 and the second discharge roller 86 for a predetermined time.

[0054] Next, the control configuration of the multi-function machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the multi-function machine 1 further includes an ASIC 105, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, an NVRAM 104, a pre-registration sensor SE1, a post-registration sensor SE2, a discharge sensor SE3, an operation panel PA, a communication interface (I / F) 130, a low-voltage power supply board 110, a sensor group 91, motor drivers MD1 to MD4, and a flapper solenoid 89. The ASIC 105, the ROM 102, the RAM 103, the NVRAM 104, and the motor drivers MD1 to MD4 are mounted on the main board 100.

[0055] The ASIC 105 is equipped with a CPU 101. The CPU 101 performs overall control of each part of the multifunction machine 1. The ASIC 105 is electrically connected to a ROM 102, a RAM 103, an NVRAM 104, motor drivers MD1 to MD4, an electromagnetic clutch 107, a pre-registration sensor SE1, a post-registration sensor SE2, a discharge sensor SE3, an operation panel PA, a communication I / F 130, a fixing unit 6, a laser unit 7, and a sensor group 91.

[0056] The ROM 102 stores various control programs and various settings for controlling the multifunction machine 1. The single-sided sheet printing and cutting process and the double-sided sheet printing and cutting process, which will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11, are included in the control program.

[0057] The RAM 103 is used as a work area from which various control programs are read and a storage area for temporarily storing image data included in a job. The CPU 101 controls each part of the multifunction machine 1 while storing the processing results in the RAM 103 or the NVRAM 104 according to the control programs read from the ROM 102 and the signals output from various sensors.

[0058] The operation panel PA has, for example, a touch panel in which a touch pad and a display are integrally formed, and a key button section. The operation panel PA receives a user's operation and outputs the received information to the ASIC 105. The user can, for example, instruct the multifunction machine 1 to cut the sheet after image formation by operating the operation panel PA.

[0059] The motor driver MD1 is connected to a polygon motor 133 that rotationally drives a polygon mirror 131 of the laser unit 7, and controls the driving of the polygon motor 133 according to a control signal from the ASIC 105.

[0060] The motor driver MD2 is connected to the main motor 108 and controls the driving of the main motor 108 according to the control signal from the ASIC 105. The main motor 108 outputs a driving force to the pickup roller 33, the registration roller 35, the conveyance roller 36, the re-conveyance rollers 38 and 39, the pressure roller 62, and the drum cartridge 5. When the ASIC 105 drives the main motor 108 forward via the motor driver MD2, a driving force is transmitted to the conveyance roller 36, the pressure roller 62, the photoreceptor drum 51, the developing roller 55, the pickup roller 33, and the registration roller 35 by the output of the main motor 108. Then, the conveyance roller 36, the pressure roller 62, the photoreceptor drum 51, the developing roller 55, the pickup roller 33, and the registration roller 35 rotate to convey the sheet S in the conveyance direction.

[0061] On the other hand, even when the ASIC 105 drives the main motor 108 in reverse via the motor driver MD2, the driving force is not transmitted to the conveyance roller 36, the pressure roller 62, the drum cartridge 5, the pickup roller 33, and the registration roller 35.

[0062] Also, the ASIC 105 transmits a driving force to the re-conveyance rollers 38 and 39 by driving the main motor 108 forward. By the transmitted driving force, the re-conveyance rollers 38 and 39 rotate to convey the sheet S toward the process unit 4. In the re-conveyance rollers 38 and 39, the rotation to convey the sheet S toward the process unit 4 is a clockwise rotation about the left-right direction of the main body 20 as the axis. On the other hand, even when the ASIC 105 drives the main motor 108 in reverse, the driving force is transmitted to the re-conveyance rollers 38 and 39. By the transmitted driving force, the re-conveyance rollers 38 and 39 rotate to convey the sheet S toward the process unit 4.

[0063] The stepping motor driver MD3 controls the driving of the discharge motor 109 composed of a stepping motor according to the control signal from the ASIC 105. The discharge motor 109 transmits the driving force to the first discharge roller 85, the second discharge roller 86, and the third discharge roller 87. The ASIC 105 drives the discharge motor 109 to rotate forward via the stepping motor driver MD3. By the forward rotation of the discharge motor 109, the first discharge roller 85, the second discharge roller 86, and the third discharge roller 87 rotate to convey the sheet S in the conveyance direction. In the first discharge roller 85, the second discharge roller 86, and the third discharge roller 87, the rotation for conveying the sheet S in the conveyance direction is a counterclockwise rotation about the left - right direction of the main body 20. Thereby, the sheet S is discharged to the discharge tray 22 via the first discharge path 201A or the second discharge path 201B. On the other hand, the ASIC 105 drives the discharge motor 109 to rotate in the reverse direction. The third discharge roller 87 rotates in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction of the sheet S. In the third discharge roller 87, the rotation in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction of the sheet S is a clockwise rotation about the left - right direction of the main body 20. Thereby, the sheet S being conveyed in the first discharge path 201A is conveyed in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction and is conveyed toward the re - conveyance path 202.

[0064] The DC motor driver MD4 controls the driving of the cutter motor 106. The cutter motor 106 is a DC brush motor. The cutter motor 106 may be a DC brushless motor instead of being limited to a DC brush motor. The motor driver MD4 controls the driving of the cutter motor 106 in response to a control signal from the ASIC 105, using the DC 24V supplied from the low-voltage power supply board 110 as the operating voltage. The ASIC 105 drives the cutter motor 106 to rotate forward via the DC motor driver MD4. When the cutter motor 106 rotates forward, the slide holder 16 moves the moving blade 15 in the width direction of the sheet S, and the sheet S is cut. The encoder 113 is attached to the rotating shaft of the cutter motor 106 and outputs a signal corresponding to the rotation of the cutter motor 106. The ASIC 105 receives the signal output from the encoder 113 and acquires the rotation direction, rotation position, and rotation speed of the cutter motor 106 based on the received signal. Thereby, the ASIC 105 can know at which position on the slide rail 12 the slide holder 16 is, that is, at which position in the axial direction the moving blade 15 is.

[0065] In addition to controlling the driving of the cutter motor 106, the DC motor driver MD4 switches the direction of the current flowing through the flapper solenoid 89 in response to a control signal from the ASIC 105, thereby switching the position of the flapper 88 between a first position (position 88A shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1) and a second position (position 88B shown by a solid line in FIG. 1). The first position 88A is a position for guiding the sheet S conveyed by the conveying roller 36 to the first discharge path 201A. Also, the first position 88A is a position for guiding the sheet S in the first discharge path 201A to the re-conveying path 202. The second position 88B is a position for guiding the sheet S conveyed by the conveying roller 36 to the second discharge path 201B. Note that the state where the flapper 88 is in the first position 88A is the first state for guiding the sheet S to the first discharge path 201A. The state where the flapper 88 is in the second position 88B is the second state for guiding the sheet S to the second discharge path 201B. Before the execution of the <Single-sided sheet printing and cutting process> in FIG. 6 and the <Double-sided sheet printing and cutting process> in FIG. 9, which will be described later, the flapper 88 is in the first state for guiding to the first discharge path 201A.

[0066] The flapper solenoid 89 is a self-holding solenoid and has a movable iron core (not shown), a fixed iron core (not shown), and a coil 891 (see FIG. 4). The configurations of the movable iron core and the fixed iron core of the flapper solenoid 89 are well-known configurations, and the magnetic polarity of the movable iron core of the flapper solenoid 89 can be switched according to the direction of the current flowing through the coil 891.

[0067] The electromagnetic clutch 107 is controlled by the ASIC 105. By turning on the electromagnetic clutch 107, the ASIC 105 makes the driving force of the main motor 108 transmitted to the pickup roller 33, while by turning off the electromagnetic clutch 107, the ASIC 105 makes the driving force of the main motor 108 not transmitted to the pickup roller 33.

[0068] The pre-registration sensor SE1 is a sensor that is arranged upstream of the registration roller 35 in the conveyance path 201 and detects the passage of the sheet S. As the pre-registration sensor SE1, a sensor having an actuator that swings when the sheet S abuts, an optical sensor, or the like can be used. The pre-registration sensor SE1 outputs an on signal when the sheet S is passing and outputs an off signal when the sheet S is not passing. The detection signal by the pre-registration sensor SE1 is output to the ASIC 105.

[0069] The post-registration sensor SE2 is a sensor that is arranged upstream of the fuser 6 in the conveyance path 201, specifically, between the registration roller 35 and the transfer roller 53, and detects the passage of the sheet S. The post-registration sensor SE2 has the same configuration as the pre-registration sensor SE1. The detection signal by the post-registration sensor SE2 is output to the ASIC 105.

[0070] The discharge sensor SE3 is arranged between the fuser 6 and the conveyance roller 36 in the conveyance path 201 and detects the passage of the sheet S. The discharge sensor SE3 has the same configuration as the pre-registration sensor SE1. The detection signal by the discharge sensor SE3 is output to the ASIC 105.

[0071] The sheet sensor SE4 (see Fig. 1) is disposed between the cutter position SP and the second discharge roller 86, and detects the passage of the sheet S. The sheet sensor SE4 has the same configuration as the pre-registration sensor SE1. The sheet sensor SE4 is one of the sensors included in the sensor group 91. In addition to the sheet sensor SE4, the sensor group 91 includes a round blade presence / absence sensor (not shown) that detects whether the moving blade 15 is installed on the slide holder 16. Each detection signal from each sensor included in the sensor group 91 is output to the ASIC 105.

[0072] The communication I / F 130 is connected to a network such as a LAN, and enables connection to an external device such as a PC in which a driver for the multifunction machine 1 is incorporated. The CPU 101 can receive a print job via the communication I / F 130. The print job includes image data for forming an image, various types of information necessary for forming an image on the sheet S such as the size and type of the sheet S used for image formation, and information on whether to cut the sheet S.

[0073] The low-voltage power supply board 110 includes an AC-DC converter (not shown), converts the input AC voltage (e.g., commercial AC 100V) into a DC voltage (e.g., DC 24V) by the AC-DC converter, and outputs it to the main board 100 and the high-voltage power supply board 112. The main board 100 includes a DC-DC converter (not shown), supplies the input DC 24V as it is to the motor drivers MD1 to MD4, or converts the input DC 24V into a lower DC voltage (e.g., DC 3.3V) by the DC-DC converter and supplies it as a power supply voltage to the ASIC 105 and the like. The high-voltage power supply board 112 boosts the DC 24V from the low-voltage power supply board 110 and applies high-voltage charging voltage, developing voltage, and transfer voltage to the charger 52, the developing roller 55, and the transfer roller 53, respectively.

[0074] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing in detail a part of the control configuration of Fig. 3, and is a diagram for explaining the drive control of the cutter motor 106 by the DC motor driver MD4 and the switching control of the flapper solenoid 89. The cutter motor 106 has a coil 1061, one terminal T1, and the other terminal T2. When current flows from one terminal T1 to the other terminal T2 through the coil 1061, the cutter motor 106 is a motor that drives forward. When current flows from the other terminal T2 to one terminal T1 through the coil 1061, the cutter motor 106 is a motor that drives in reverse.

[0075] In addition to the movable iron core (not shown), the fixed iron core (not shown), and the coil 891 described above, the flapper solenoid 89 further has one terminal T11 and the other terminal T12.

[0076] When the movable iron core of the flapper solenoid 89 is in the <initial state> position, the flapper 88 is located at the first position 88A, and it is in the first state of guiding the sheet S to the first discharge path 201A. When the movable iron core of the flapper solenoid 89 is in the <initial state> position and current flows from the other terminal T12 to one terminal T11 of the flapper solenoid 89, the movable iron core of the flapper solenoid 89 is attracted to the fixed iron core. Also, even if the current is cut off from the coil 891, the position of the movable iron core of the flapper solenoid 89 is maintained in the <attracted state> position by the fixed iron core.

[0077] As the movable iron core of the flapper solenoid 89 moves from the <initial state> position to the <attracted state> position, the flapper 88 switches from the first position 88A, which is the <initial state> position, to the second position 88B, which is the <attracted state> position.

[0078] When the movable iron core of the flapper solenoid 89 is in the <attracted state> position, the flapper 88 is located at the second position 88B, and it is in the second state of guiding the sheet S to the second discharge path 201B. When the movable iron core of the flapper solenoid 89 is in the <attracted state> position and current flows from one terminal T11 to the other terminal T12 of the flapper solenoid 89, the movable iron core of the flapper solenoid 89 repels the fixed iron core. Along with that repulsion, the movable iron core of the flapper solenoid 89 returns from the <attracted state> position to the <initial state> position.

[0079] As the movable iron core of the flapper solenoid 89 returns from the <suction state> position to the <initial state> position, the flapper 88 switches from the second position 88B which is the <suction state> position to the first position 88A which is the <initial state> position.

[0080] The DC motor driver MD4 receives three control signals from the ASIC 105. The three input terminals Vref, IN1, IN2 of the DC motor driver MD4 are respectively connected to the three output ports P0 - P2 of the ASIC 105 via three signal lines.

[0081] The ASIC 105 outputs a control signal of either output / stop from the output port P0. A control signal of either output / stop output from the output port P0 of the ASIC 105 is input to the input terminal Vref of the DC motor driver MD4. The ASIC 105 controls the enable / disable of the DC motor driver MD4 according to the control signal input to the input terminal Vref.

[0082] The ASIC 105 outputs control signals of either H / L from the output ports P1, P2 respectively. Control signals output from the output ports P1, P2 of the ASIC 105 are respectively input to the input terminals IN1, IN2 of the DC motor driver MD4. The ASIC 105 controls the rotation direction, forward / backward / stop of the cutter motor 106 according to the control signals input to the input terminals IN1, IN2.

[0083] The terminal OUT1 of the DC motor driver MD4 is connected to one terminal T1 of the cutter motor 106 via the signal line SL1. And the terminal OUT2 of the DC motor driver MD4 is connected to the other terminal T2 of the cutter motor 106 via the signal line SL2.

[0084] The connection point CP1 provided on the signal line SL1 is connected to one terminal T11 of the flapper solenoid 89 via the signal line SL11. Also, the connection point CP2 provided on the signal line SL2 is connected to the other terminal T12 of the flapper solenoid 89 via the signal line SL21.

[0085] A first cutoff circuit 90A is provided on the signal line SL11. The first cutoff circuit 90A is a circuit that switches to pass or cut off the current flowing on the signal line SL11. Also, a second cutoff circuit 90B is provided on the signal line SL21. The second cutoff circuit 90B is a circuit that switches to pass or cut off the current flowing on the signal line SL21.

[0086] The first cutoff circuit 90A is a circuit composed of a diode DI1 and an NPN transistor SW1 arranged in parallel with the diode DI1. The cathode of the diode DI1 is connected to the collector of the transistor SW1, and the anode of the diode DI1 is connected to the emitter of the transistor SW1. And the base of the transistor SW1 is connected to the output port P3 of the ASIC105 via the resistor R11. Also, the connection point CP11 between the cathode of the diode DI1 and the collector of the transistor SW1 is connected to the connection point CP1 on the signal line SL1 via the connection line SL11. Further, the connection point CP12 between the anode of the diode DI1 and the emitter of the transistor SW1 is connected to one terminal T11 of the flapper solenoid 89 via the signal line SL11.

[0087] Similar to the first cutoff circuit 90A, the second cutoff circuit 90B is a circuit consisting of a diode DI2 and an NPN transistor SW2 arranged in parallel with the diode DI2. The cathode of the diode DI2 is connected to the collector of the transistor SW2, and the anode of the diode DI2 is connected to the emitter of the transistor SW2. And the base of the transistor SW2 is connected to the output port P4 of the ASIC105 via a resistor R21. Also, the connection point CP21 between the cathode of the diode DI2 and the collector of the transistor SW2 is connected to the connection point CP2 on the signal line SL2 via a connection line SL21. Further, the connection point CP22 between the anode of the diode DI2 and the emitter of the transistor SW2 is connected to the other terminal T12 of the flapper solenoid 89 via a signal line SL21.

[0088] Figure 5 shows the association between each input signal from the ASIC105 to the DC motor driver MD4, each input signal from the DC motor driver MD4 to the first and second cutoff circuits 90A and 90B, and the operations of the cutter motor 106 and the flapper solenoid 89. Each "control" item in Figure 5 indicates how the DC motor driver MD4 performs the drive control of the cutter motor 106 and the switching control of the flapper solenoid 89 based on each input signal from the ASIC105.

[0089] In Figure 5, IN1 and IN2 respectively correspond to the two input terminals IN1 and IN2 of the DC motor driver MD4, and indicate the values of the control signals output from the output ports P1 and P2 of the ASIC105 and input to the input terminals IN1 and IN2. SW1 and SW2 respectively correspond to the transistor SW1 of the first cutoff circuit 90A and the transistor SW2 of the second cutoff circuit 90B, and indicate the values of the control signals output from the output ports P3 and P4 of the ASIC105 and input to the base of the transistor SW1 and the base of the transistor SW2. Each "control" item shown in Figure 5 will be described below.

[0090] <Without cutter motor stop and flapper switching; Control: Stop / Initial state> When the DC motor driver MD4 stops the cutter motor 106 and positions the flapper 88 at the initial position (first position 88A), the CPU 101 outputs the following control signals to the DC motor driver MD4 via the ASIC 105.

[0091] The CPU 101 outputs control signals of P1(IN1)=L; P2(IN2)=L; P3(SW1)=L; P4(SW2)=L via the ASIC 105. The DC motor driver MD4 does not output current from either terminal OUT1 or terminal OUT2 in response to the input of the control signals IN1=L and IN2=L. As a result, since no current flows through the coil 1061, the cutter motor 106 is stopped.

[0092] Also, the control signal SW1=L input to the base of the transistor SW1 turns the transistor SW1 off. Similarly, the control signal SW2=L input to the base of the transistor SW2 turns the transistor SW2 off. Therefore, since no current flows through the flapper solenoid 89, the flapper solenoid 89 does not operate to switch the position of the flapper 88.

[0093] With the control signals of P1(IN1)=L; P2(IN2)=L; P3(SW1)=L; P4(SW2)=L, the DC motor driver MD4 can control to stop the cutter motor 106 and position the flapper 88 at the initial position (first position 88A).

[0094] In this embodiment, the ASIC 105 does not use the control signal indicating either output / stop output from the output port P0, but it may be used. For example, when stopping the cutter motor 106, the CPU 101 outputs a control signal of P0(Vref)=stop to the DC motor driver MD4 via the ASIC 105, and when rotating the cutter motor 106 forward / backward, the CPU 101 outputs a control signal of P0(Vref)=output to the DC motor driver MD4.

[0095] <No forward drive of the cutter motor and no flapper switching; Control: Cutter movement (forward path)> When the DC motor driver MD4 drives the cutter motor 106 in the forward direction and does not switch the flapper 88, the CPU 101 outputs the following control signals to the DC motor driver MD4 via the ASIC 105.

[0096] The CPU 101 outputs control signals of P1(IN1)=H; P2(IN2)=L; P3(SW1)=L; P4(SW2)=L via the ASIC 105. The DC motor driver MD4 outputs a current from the terminal OUT1 toward one terminal T1 of the cutter motor 106 in response to the input of the control signals IN1=H and IN2=L, and the current returns to the terminal OUT2 via the coil 1061 and the other terminal T2.

[0097] The cutter motor 106 is driven in the forward direction by the current flowing from one terminal T1 through the coil 1061 toward the other terminal T2. Along with the forward drive of the cutter motor 106, the slide holder 16 having the moving blade 15 moves from the initial position FP toward the completion position KP (forward path).

[0098] Due to the control signal SW1=L input to the base of the transistor SW1, the transistor SW1 turns off. Similarly, due to the control signal SW2=L input to the base of the transistor SW2, the transistor SW2 turns off.

[0099] On one hand, both the transistor SW1 of the first cutoff circuit 90A and the transistor SW2 of the second cutoff circuit 90B are off. Furthermore, the diode DI1 of the first cutoff circuit 90A and the diode DI2 of the second cutoff circuit 90B block the current input from the cathode side. The current branching from the terminal OUT1 at the connection point CP1 is blocked by the transistor SW1 and the diode DI1 of the first cutoff circuit 90A. The current flowing from the terminal T2 of the cutter motor 106 and branching at the connection point CP2 is blocked by the transistor SW2 and the diode DI2 of the second cutoff circuit 90B. As a result, no current flows through the flapper solenoid 89, so the flapper solenoid 89 does not perform the operation of switching the position of the flapper 88.

[0100] With the control signals of P1(IN1)=H; P2(IN2)=L; P3(SW1)=L; P4(SW2)=L, the DC motor driver MD4 can control the cutter motor 106 to drive forward and not switch the position of the flapper 88, respectively.

[0101] <Cutter motor forward drive and flapper switching available; Control: Flapper switching (first position)> When the DC motor driver MD4 drives the cutter motor 106 forward and switches the flapper 88 from the second position 88B (second state) to the first position 88A (first state), the CPU101 outputs the following control signals to the DC motor driver MD4 via the ASIC105.

[0102] The CPU101 outputs the control signals of P1(IN1)=H; P2(IN2)=L; P3(SW1)=H; P4(SW2)=L to the DC motor driver MD4 via the ASIC105. The DC motor driver MD4 receives the control signals of IN1=H and IN2=L. Then, due to the control signal SW1=H input to the base of the transistor SW1 of the first cutoff circuit 90A, the transistor SW1 turns on. On the other hand, due to the control signal SW2=L input to the base of the transistor SW2 of the second cutoff circuit 90B, the transistor SW2 turns off.

[0103] When the control signals IN1 = H and IN2 = L are input to the DC motor driver MD4, it outputs a current from terminal OUT1 toward one terminal T1. The current output from terminal OUT1 of the DC motor driver MD4 returns to terminal OUT2 via connection point CP1, signal line SL1, one terminal T1 of the cutter motor 106, coil 1061, the other terminal T2, signal line SL2, and connection point CP2.

[0104] Also, the current output from terminal OUT1 of the DC motor driver MD4 branches at connection point CP1. The current branched at connection point CP1 returns to terminal OUT2 via signal line SL11, transistor SW1, one terminal T11 of the flapper solenoid 89, coil 891, the other terminal T12, signal line SL21, diode DI2, and connection point CP2.

[0105] The cutter motor 106 is driven forward when a current flows from one terminal T1 to the other terminal T2. As the cutter motor 106 is driven forward, the slide holder 16 having the moving blade 15 moves from the initial position FP toward the completion position KP.

[0106] When the flapper 88 is in the second position 88B (second state), when a current flows from one terminal T11 to the other terminal T12 of the flapper solenoid 89, the flapper 88 switches from the second position 88B to the first position 88A.

[0107] With the control signals P1(IN1) = H; P2(IN2) = L; P3(SW1) = H; P4(SW2) = L, the DC motor driver MD4 can execute control to drive the cutter motor 106 forward and switch the flapper 88 from the second position 88B to the first position 88A.

[0108] <No cutter motor reverse drive and no flapper switching; Control: Cutter movement (return path)> When the DC motor driver MD4 drives the cutter motor 106 in reverse and does not switch the flapper 88, the CPU 101 outputs the following control signals to the DC motor driver MD4 via the ASIC 105.

[0109] The CPU 101 outputs control signals of P1(IN1)=L; P2(IN2)=H; P3(SW1)=L; P4(SW2)=L via the ASIC 105. When the control signals of IN1 = L and IN2 = H are input, the DC motor driver MD4 outputs a current from the terminal OUT2 toward the other terminal T2 of the cutter motor 106, and the current returns to the terminal OUT1 via the coil 1061 and one terminal T1.

[0110] The cutter motor 106 is driven in reverse by the current flowing from the other terminal T2 through the coil 1061 toward one terminal T1. Along with the reverse driving of the cutter motor 106, the slide holder 16 having the moving blade 15 moves from the completion position KP toward the initial position FP (return path).

[0111] Due to the control signal SW1 = L input to the base of the transistor SW1, the transistor SW1 turns off. Similarly, due to the control signal SW2 = L input to the base of the transistor SW2, the transistor SW2 turns off. For this reason, no current flows through the flapper solenoid 89, so the flapper solenoid 89 does not perform the operation of switching the position of the flapper 88.

[0112] With the control signals of P1(IN1)=L; P2(IN2)=H; P3(SW1)=L; P4(SW2)=L, the DC motor driver MD4 can control the cutter motor 106 to be driven in reverse and not switch the position of the flapper 88, respectively.

[0113] <With cutter motor reverse drive and flapper switching; Control: Flapper switching (second position)> When the DC motor driver MD4 reversely drives the cutter motor 106 and switches the flapper 88 from the first position 88A (the first state) to the second position 88B (the second state), the CPU 101 outputs the following control signals to the DC motor driver MD4 via the ASIC 105.

[0114] The CPU 101 outputs control signals of P1(IN1)=L; P2(IN2)=H; P3(SW1)=L; P4(SW2)=H via the ASIC 105. The DC motor driver MD4 receives control signals of IN1 = L and IN2 = H. Then, due to the control signal SW1 = L input to the base of the transistor SW1 of the first cutoff circuit 90A, the transistor SW1 turns off. On the other hand, due to the control signal SW2 = H input to the base of the transistor SW2 of the second cutoff circuit 90B, the transistor SW2 turns on.

[0115] When the DC motor driver MD4 receives control signals of IN1 = L and IN2 = H, it outputs a current from the terminal OUT2 toward the other terminal T2. The current output from the terminal OUT2 of the DC motor driver MD4 returns to the terminal OUT1 via the connection point CP2, the signal line SL2, the other terminal T2 of the cutter motor 106, the coil 1061, the one terminal T1, the signal line SL1, and the connection point CP1.

[0116] Also, the current output from the terminal OUT2 of the DC motor driver MD4 branches at the connection point CP2. The current branched at the connection point CP2 returns to the terminal OUT1 via the signal line SL21, the transistor SW2, the other terminal T12 of the flapper solenoid 89, the coil 891, the one terminal T11, the signal line SL11, the diode DI1, and the connection point CP1.

[0117] The cutter motor 106 is reversely driven when a current flows from the other terminal T2 toward the one terminal T1. Along with the reverse driving of the cutter motor 106, the slide holder 16 having the moving blade 15 moves from the completion position KP toward the initial position FP.

[0118] When the flapper 88 is in the first position 88A, when current flows from the other terminal T12 to the one terminal T11 in the flapper solenoid 89, the flapper 88 switches from the first position 88A (the first state) to the second position 88B (the second state).

[0119] By each control signal of P1(IN1)=L;P2(IN2)=H;P3(SW1)=L;P4(SW2)=H, the DC motor driver MD4 can execute control to reversely drive the cutter motor 106 and switch the flapper 88 from the first position 88A to the second position 88B.

[0120] Hereinafter, the control process executed by the multifunction machine 1 configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11.

[0121] <Single-sided sheet printing and cutting process> FIG. 6 shows the procedure of the single-sided sheet printing and cutting process executed by the ASIC 105, particularly the CPU 101. This single-sided sheet printing and cutting process is started when the multifunction machine 1 receives a print job or a print command including an instruction to print (image formation) on one side of the sheet S and an instruction to cut the sheet S printed on one side. Hereinafter, in the description of each process, the step will be denoted as "S".

[0122] In FIG. 6, first, the CPU 101 turns on the heater 63 (S10) and controls the heater 63 so that the heating roller 61 reaches the target temperature. Next, after the CPU 101 outputs a control signal for driving the main motor 108 forward to the motor driver MD2 (S12), it switches the flapper 88 to the second position 88B (S14). The process of S14 is the process of "flapper switching (second position)" in the "control" item of FIG. 5, and the CPU 101 outputs each control signal shown in FIG. 5 via the ASIC 105.

[0123] As described above, before starting to execute the process of FIG. 6, the flapper 88 is in the first position 88A (the first state) as the initial position. By the process of S14, the flapper 88 is switched from the first position 88A (first state) to the second position 88B (second state), and the cutter motor 106 is driven in reverse. Therefore, the flapper 88 guides the sheet S conveyed by the conveying roller 36 to the second discharge path 201B where the cutter 10 is provided. The slide holder 16 of the cutter 10 starts to move toward the initial position FP. The CPU 101 outputs a control signal for switching the flapper 88 to the second position 88B to the motor driver MD4 and the first and second cutoff circuits 90A, 90B. In addition to the control for switching the flapper 88 from the first position 88A to the second position 88B, the motor driver MD4 can perform control to return the moving blade 15 of the cutter 10 to the initial position FP.

[0124] Next, the CPU 101 waits until the slide holder 16 reaches the initial position FP (S16: NO). The CPU 101 determines whether the slide holder 16 has reached the initial position FP based on the output signal from the encoder 113. As described above, the CPU 101 can acquire the rotation direction, rotation position, and rotation speed of the cutter motor 106 based on the signal output from the encoder 113, so it can know at which position on the slide rail 12 the slide holder 16 is, that is, at which axial position the moving blade 15 is.

[0125] When the slide holder 16 reaches the initial position FP (S16: YES), the CPU 101 stops the cutter motor 106 (S18). The process of S18 is the process described in the "Stop / Initial State" of the "Control" item in FIG. 5, that is, the process described in <Cutter motor stop and no flapper switching>, and the CPU 101 outputs each control signal shown in FIG. 5 via the ASIC 105.

[0126] Next, the CPU 101 executes image forming processing (S20). FIG. 7 shows the detailed procedure of the image forming processing. In FIG. 11, first, the CPU 101 executes a pickup command (S40). As a result, the CPU 101 turns on the electromagnetic clutch 107. When the electromagnetic clutch 107 is turned on, as described above, the driving force of the main motor 108 is transmitted to the pickup roller 33, so that the sheet S in the supply tray 31 is picked up and conveyed toward the conveyance path 201.

[0127] Next, the CPU 101 waits until the post-registration sensor SE2 switches from off to on (S42: NO). As described above, the post-registration sensor SE2 is disposed between the registration roller 35 and the transfer roller 53 in the conveyance path 201, and outputs an on signal when the sheet S is passing therethrough, and outputs an off signal when the sheet S is not passing therethrough. Therefore, in S42, the CPU 101 waits until the post-registration sensor SE2 detects the leading edge of the sheet S. When the post-registration sensor SE2 detects the leading edge of the sheet S (S42: YES), the CPU 101 starts image formation on the sheet S (S44). Note that the image formation may be started on the occasion other than the post-registration sensor SE2 detecting the leading edge of the sheet S. The image formation may be performed so that the toner image formed by the photoreceptor drum 51 is correctly transferred to the image formation position of the sheet S.

[0128] Next, the CPU 101 waits until the discharge sensor SE3 switches from off to on (S46: NO). As described above, the discharge sensor SE3 is disposed between the fixing device 6 and the conveyance roller 36 in the conveyance path 201, and outputs an on signal when the sheet S is passing therethrough, and outputs an off signal when the sheet S is not passing therethrough. Therefore, in S46, the CPU 101 waits until the discharge sensor SE3 detects the leading edge of the sheet S. When the discharge sensor SE3 detects the leading edge of the sheet S (S46: YES), the CPU 101 drives the discharge motor 109 in the normal rotation direction (S48). Along with the normal rotation drive of the discharge motor 109, the first discharge roller 85 and the second discharge roller 86 convey the sheet S in the second discharge path 201B in the conveyance direction.

[0129] The CPU 101 waits until a predetermined time elapses (S50: NO). When the predetermined time elapses (S50: YES), the CPU 101 finishes image formation (S52) and ends the image formation process. The "predetermined time" in S50 is, for example, the time from when the discharge sensor SE3 detects the front end of the sheet S in the conveyance direction until the rear end of the sheet S passes through the transfer nip TN (see FIG. 1).

[0130] Returning to FIG. 6, next, the CPU 101 executes a sheet cutting process (S22). FIG. 8 shows the detailed procedure of the sheet cutting process. In FIG. 8, first, the CPU 101 waits until the sheet S conveyed by the first discharge roller 85 and the second discharge roller 86 reaches the sheet stop position (S60: NO). The sheet stop position is, for example, the position where the center of the sheet S reaches the cutter position SP of the cutter 10 when cutting the sheet S at the center in the conveyance direction. Note that the position where the center of the sheet S reaches the cutter position SP of the cutter 10 is the position where the sheet S has passed through the fuser 6, and the rear end of the sheet S is not nipped by the fuser 6.

[0131] The CPU 101 determines whether or not the sheet S has reached the sheet stop position by, for example, counting the number of steps of the discharge motor 109 when the sheet sensor SE4 detects the front end of the sheet S. When the sheet S reaches the sheet stop position (S60: YES), the CPU 101 stops driving the discharge motor 109 (S62).

[0132] The CPU 101 rotates the cutter motor 106 forward to move the slide holder 16 from the initial position FP to the completion position KP (forward path) (S64). The process of S64 is the process of "cutter movement (forward path)" in the "control" item of FIG. 5, and the CPU 101 outputs each control signal shown in FIG. 5 via the ASIC 105. As a result, the cutter motor 106 slides the slide holder 16 from one axial side (for example, the right side wall side of the main body 20) to the other side (for example, the left side wall side of the main body 20), so the slide holder 16 starts to move from the initial position FP shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 toward the completion position KP (forward path) shown by the dashed line.

[0133] Next, the CPU 101 waits until the slide holder 16 reaches the completion position KP (S66: NO). The CPU 101 determines whether the slide holder 16 has reached the completion position KP based on the output signal from the encoder 113. When the slide holder 16 reaches the completion position KP (S66: YES), the CPU 101 stops the cutter motor 106 in the same manner as in S18 (see FIG. 6) (S68). The process of S68 is the process of "Stop / Initial State" in the "Control" item of FIG. 5, and the CPU 101 outputs each control signal shown in FIG. 5 via the ASIC 105. As a result, it means that the cutting of the sheet S by the cutter 10 is completed.

[0134] Next, the CPU 101 drives the discharge motor 109 to rotate forward (S70). With the forward rotation of the discharge motor 109, the first discharge roller 85 and the second discharge roller 86 rotate, and the sheet S cut by the cutter 10 is conveyed toward the discharge tray by the first discharge roller 85 and the second discharge roller 86.

[0135] Then, the CPU 101 waits until the discharge of the sheet S cut by the first discharge roller 85 and the second discharge roller 86 is completed (S72: NO). Here, as a method for determining whether the discharge of the cut sheet S is completed, for example, a method of determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the process of S70, that is, the time elapsed until the discharge of the cut sheet S is completed, or a method of counting the number of steps of the discharge motor 109 from the process of S70 and determining whether the number of steps is equal to or greater than the number of steps at which the discharge of the cut sheet S is completed can be considered.

[0136] When the discharge of the cut sheet S is completed (S72: YES), the CPU 101 stops the drive of the discharge motor 109 in the same manner as in S62 above (S74), and then ends the sheet cutting process.

[0137] Returning to FIG. 6, the CPU 101 determines whether there is printing of the next sheet in the job being executed (S24). In this determination, if there is printing of the next sheet (S24: YES), the CPU 101 reversely drives the cutter motor 106 to move the slide holder 16 from the completion position KP toward the initial position FP (return path) (S26). The process of S26 is the process of "cutter movement (return path)" in the "control" item of FIG. 5, and the CPU 101 outputs each control signal shown in FIG. 5 via the ASIC 105. Then, the CPU 101 returns the process to S16 above and continues to execute the processes after S16. Here, when the sheet single-sided printing and cutting process is continued on the next sheet, the switching control of the flapper 88 is not performed. This is because in the process of S14, the flapper 88 has already been switched to the second position 88B and that state is maintained. Therefore, when continuously printing and cutting, it is convenient because it is not necessary to switch the flapper 88 one by one.

[0138] On the other hand, when there is no printing of the next sheet (S24: NO), the CPU 101 switches the flapper 88 to the first position 88A (S28). The process of S28 is the process of "flapper switching (first position)" in the "control" item of FIG. 5, and the CPU 101 outputs each control signal shown in FIG. 5 via the ASIC 105. By the process of S28, the flapper 88 is switched from the second position 88B (second state) to the first position 88A (first state), and the cutter motor 106 is driven forward. For this reason, the flapper 88 guides the sheet S conveyed by the conveying roller 36 to the first discharge path 201A where the cutter 10 is not provided, and the slide holder 16 of the cutter 10 tries to move toward the completion position KP. However, at this time, since the slide holder 16 is at the completion position KP, it does not move any further. The slide holder 16 is at the completion position KP because it was determined to be "YES" in S66 (see FIG. 8) above.

[0139] Next, in the same manner as in S26, the CPU 101 reversely drives the cutter motor 106 to move (return) the slide holder 16 from the completion position KP toward the initial position FP (S30). Then, in the same manner as in S16, the CPU 101 waits until the slide holder 16 reaches the initial position FP (S32: NO). When the slide holder 16 reaches the initial position FP (S32: YES), the CPU 101 stops the cutter motor 106 in the same manner as in S18 (S34).

[0140] Next, the CPU 101 turns off the heater 63 (S36), outputs a control signal for stopping the main motor 108 to the motor driver MD2 (S38), and then ends the single-sided sheet printing and cutting process.

[0141] Note that the order of the processes of S28 and S30 to S34 is important. That is, it is not preferable to perform the process of S28 after the processes of S30 to S34. When the processes of S30 to S34 are executed, the slide holder 16 stops at the initial position FP. After that, when the process of S28 is executed, as described above, the flapper 88 is switched to the first position 88A and the cutter motor 106 is driven forward. That is, the slide holder 16 may be slightly displaced from the initial position FP in the direction of the completion position KP. If the processes of S30 to S34 are performed after the process of S28, such a displacement from the initial position FP does not occur.

[0142] <Double-sided sheet printing and cutting process> FIG. 9 shows the procedure of the double-sided sheet printing and cutting process executed by the ASIC 105, particularly the CPU 101. This double-sided sheet printing and cutting process is started when the multifunction machine 1 receives a print job or a print command including an instruction to print (form an image) on both sides of the sheet S and an instruction to cut the sheet S printed on both sides. Since FIG. 9 is configured by partially modifying the single-sided sheet printing and cutting process of FIG. 6, in FIG. 9, the same processes as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

[0143] As described above, before starting the execution of the process in FIG. 9, the flapper 88 is in the first position 88A (the first state) as the initial position and is in a position to guide the sheet S toward the first discharge path 201A.

[0144] The CPU 101 executes the processes of S10, S12, and S20. The CPU 101 conveys the sheet S toward the first discharge path 201A using the conveyance unit 3. The image forming process of S20 indicates a process of forming an image on the first surface of the sheet S. Then, the CPU 101 executes a sheet inversion process (S80). FIG. 10 shows the detailed procedure of the sheet inversion process. In FIG. 10, first, the CPU 101 waits until the sheet S reaches the inversion position (S90: NO). The CPU 101 determines this by determining whether the sheet S has reached the inversion position. The CPU 101 determines whether the rear end of the sheet S in the conveyance direction has reached the inversion position by determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the discharge sensor SE3 detects the front end of the sheet S in the conveyance direction.

[0145] When the sheet S reaches the inversion position (S90: YES), the CPU 101 reversely drives the discharge motor 109 (S92). Along with the reverse driving of the discharge motor 109, the third discharge roller 87 rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation for conveying the sheet S in the conveyance direction, so that the sheet S is conveyed toward the re-conveyance path 202. The sheet S conveyed to the re-conveyance path 202 is conveyed toward the process unit 4 by the re-conveyance rollers 38 and 39.

[0146] The CPU 101 waits until the post-registration sensor SE2 switches from off to on in the same manner as in S42 (see FIG. 7) (S94: NO). When the post-registration sensor SE2 detects the front end of the sheet S (S94: YES), the CPU 101 ends the sheet inversion process.

[0147] Returning to FIG. 9, the CPU 101 switches the flapper 88 to the second position 88B in the same manner as in S14 (see FIG. 6) (S82). As a result, the flapper 88 is switched to the second position 88B, and the cutter motor 106 is driven in reverse. Therefore, the flapper 88 guides the sheet S conveyed by the conveying roller 36 to the second discharge path 201B where the cutter 10 is provided, and the slide holder 16 of the cutter 10 starts to move toward the initial position FP.

[0148] Then, the CPU 101 waits until the slide holder 16 reaches the initial position in the same manner as in S16 (S84: NO). When the slide holder 16 reaches the initial position FP (S84: YES), the CPU 101 executes image forming processing (second side) (S86).

[0149] FIG. 11 shows the detailed procedure of image forming processing (second side) for forming an image on the second side of the sheet S conveyed via the re-conveying path 202. The image forming processing (second side) is configured by omitting the processes of S40 and S42 included in the image forming processing of FIG. 7. Therefore, during the processing of FIG. 11, the same processes as those included in the image forming processing of FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. The reason for configuring the image forming processing (second side) by omitting the processes of S40 and S42 included in the image forming processing of FIG. 7 is that the sheet S to be printed is the sheet S printed on the first side via the re-conveying path 202, and it is not necessary to pick up a new sheet S from the supply tray 31, and the process of S42 has already been executed in S94 (see FIG. 10) and thus does not need to be executed repeatedly.

[0150] Returning to FIG. 9, the CPU 101 executes the process of S18 in FIG. 6. By the sheet cutting process of S18, the sheet S on which images are formed on both the first side and the second side is cut by the cutter 10.

[0151] Next, the CPU 101 switches the flapper 88 from the second position 88B (second state) to the first position 88A (first state) in the same manner as in S28 (see FIG. 6) (S88). As a result, the flapper 88 is switched to the first position 88A, and the cutter motor 106 is driven to rotate forward. For this reason, the flapper 88 guides the sheet S conveyed by the conveying roller 36 to the first discharge path 201A where the cutter 10 is not provided, and the slide holder 16 of the cutter 10 tries to move toward the completion position KP. However, at this time, since the slide holder 16 is at the completion position KP, it does not move any further. The reason why the slide holder 16 is at the completion position KP is that it was determined as “YES” in the above S66 (see FIG. 8).

[0152] And in the determination of S24, if there is printing of the next sheet in the job being executed (S24: YES), the CPU 101 returns the process to S20 and continues to execute the processes after S20.

[0153] On the other hand, in the determination of S24, if there is no printing of the next sheet in the job being executed (S24: NO), the CPU 101 executes the processes of S30 to S38 similar to the processes of S30 to S38 in FIG. 6, and then ends the sheet double-sided printing cutting process.

[0154] When there is no printing of the next sheet in the job being executed (S24: NO), the order of the processes of S88 and S30 to S34 is important. After the process of S88, in the case of (S24: NO), if the processes of S30 to S34 are performed, it is possible to prevent the deviation of the slide holder 16 from the initial position FP.

[0155] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) The multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment includes an image forming unit 2, a fixing device 6, and a fixing device fixed to the slide holder 16 A cutter 10 having a movable blade 15 to be determined, a main body 20 having a first discharge path 201A for discharging the sheet S to the outside without passing through the cutter position SP and a second discharge path 201B for discharging the sheet S to the outside via the cutter position SP, a cutter motor 106, a DC motor driver MD4, a flapper 88, and a flapper solenoid 89 are provided. The movable blade 15 fixed to the slide holder 16 is movable in the cutting direction, which is a direction from the initial position FP to the completion position KP or a direction from the completion position KP to the initial position FP. By moving in the direction from the initial position FP to the completion position KP, the movable blade 15 cuts the sheet S at the cutter position SP. In addition to driving control of the cutter motor 106, the DC motor driver MD4 also executes switching control of the flapper solenoid 89.

[0156] In the multifunction machine 1 of the present embodiment, since the DC motor driver MD4 also executes control of the flapper solenoid 89 in addition to driving control of the cutter motor 106, it is possible to omit a circuit for switching control of the flapper solenoid 89.

[0157] (2) Further, the DC motor driver MD4 has terminals OUT1 and OUT2. A driving current is passed from the terminals OUT1 and OUT2 of the DC motor driver MD4 to the cutter motor 106, and further, a current for the flapper solenoid 89 to switch the flapper 88 is passed from the terminals OUT1 and OUT2. This is the feature.

[0158] Thus, the DC motor driver MD4 supplies current not only to the cutter motor 106 but also to the flapper solenoid 89. The flapper solenoid 89 can switch the flapper 88 by the supplied current. Therefore, in the multifunction machine 1 of the present embodiment, an individual circuit for supplying current to the flapper solenoid 89 becomes unnecessary.

[0159] (3) Also, the terminals OUT1 and OUT2 of the DC motor driver MD4 are connected to the cutter motor 106 by the signal lines SL1 and SL2 respectively, and the connection point CP1 on the signal line SL1 and the connection point CP2 on the signal line SL2 are connected to the flapper solenoid 89 by the signal lines SL11 and SL21 respectively. The multifunction machine 1 further includes a first cutoff circuit 90A and a second cutoff circuit 90B. The first cutoff circuit 90A is a circuit that is arranged on the signal line SL11 and determines whether to allow or cut off the current flowing on the signal line SL11. The second cutoff circuit 90B is a circuit that is arranged on the signal line SL21 and determines whether to allow or cut off the current flowing on the signal line SL21. · When the DC motor driver MD4 supplies current from the terminal OUT1, if the first cutoff circuit 90A and the second cutoff circuit 90B are in a state of cutting off the current, the DC motor driver MD4 drives the cutter motor 106 to rotate forward. When the cutter motor 106 rotates forward, the moving blade 15 moves in the cutting direction, which is the direction from the initial position FP to the completion position KP. · When the DC motor driver MD4 supplies current from the terminal OUT1, if the first cutoff circuit 90A and the second cutoff circuit 90B are in a state of allowing the current to pass, current flows through the flapper solenoid 89. Then, the flapper solenoid 89 switches the flapper 88 so that the position of the flapper 88 changes from the second position 88B (the second state) to the first position 88A (the first state). · When the DC motor driver MD4 supplies current from the terminal OUT2, if the first cutoff circuit 90A and the second cutoff circuit 90B are in a state of cutting off the current, the DC motor driver MD4 drives the cutter motor 106 to rotate in reverse. When the cutter motor 106 rotates in reverse, the moving blade 15 moves in the cutting direction, which is the direction from the completion position KP to the initial position FP. · When the DC motor driver MD4 passes current from the terminal OUT2, if the first cutoff circuit 90A and the second cutoff circuit 90B are in a state of passing current, current flows through the flapper solenoid 89. Then, the flapper solenoid 89 switches the flapper 88 so that the position of the flapper 88 changes from the first position 88A (the first state) to the second position 88B (the second state).

[0160] In this way, by providing the first cutoff circuit 90A and the second cutoff circuit 90B and only performing current passing / cutoff control on the first cutoff circuit 90A and the second cutoff circuit 90B, the DC motor driver MD4 can perform movement control of the moving blade 15 and switching control of the position of the flapper 88 by the flapper solenoid 89.

[0161] (4) The multifunction machine 1 of this embodiment further includes a CPU 101. · When the CPU 101 cuts the sheet by moving the moving blade 15 from the initial position FP to the completion position KP, it instructs the first cutoff circuit 90A and the second cutoff circuit 90B to cut off the current. The CPU 101 instructs the DC motor driver MD4 to pass current from the terminal OUT1. · When the CPU 101 returns the moving blade 15 from the completion position KP to the initial position FP, it instructs the first cutoff circuit 90A and the second cutoff circuit 90B to cut off the current, and at the same time, instructs the DC motor driver MD4 to pass current from the terminal OUT2. · When the CPU 101 switches the flapper 88 from the second position 88B (the second state) to the first position 88A (the first state), it instructs the first cutoff circuit 90A and the second cutoff circuit 90B to pass current, and at the same time, instructs the DC motor driver MD4 to pass current from the terminal OUT1. · When the CPU 101 switches the flapper 88 from the first position 88A (the first state) to the second position 88B (the second state), it instructs the first cutoff circuit 90A and the second cutoff circuit 90B to pass current, and at the same time, instructs the DC motor driver MD4 to pass current from the terminal OUT2.

[0162] In this way, by providing the first cutoff circuit 90A and the second cutoff circuit 90B, the CPU 101 can perform the movement control of the moving blade 15 and the switching control of the position of the flapper 88 by the flapper solenoid 89 only by instructing the passage / shutdown of current to the first cutoff circuit 90A and the second cutoff circuit 90B.

[0163] (5) The multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment further includes a CPU 101, a first cutoff circuit 90A, and a second cutoff circuit 90B. The first cutoff circuit 90A includes a diode DI1 arranged in a direction to allow current to flow from the flapper solenoid 89 toward the connection point CP1, and a transistor SW1 arranged in parallel with the diode DI1 to turn on and off the flowing current. The second cutoff circuit 90B includes a diode DI2 arranged in a direction to allow current to flow from the flapper solenoid 89 toward the connection point CP2, and a transistor SW2 arranged in parallel with the diode DI2 to turn on and off the flowing current. · When the CPU 101 cuts the sheet S by moving the moving blade 15 from the initial position FP to the completion position KP, it instructs the first cutoff circuit 90A and the second cutoff circuit 90B to cut off the current, and also instructs the DC motor driver MD4 to allow current to flow from the terminal OUT1. · When the CPU 101 returns the moving blade 15 from the completion position KP to the initial position FP, it instructs the first cutoff circuit 90A and the second cutoff circuit 90B to cut off the current, and also instructs the DC motor driver MD4 to allow current to flow from the terminal OUT2. · When the CPU 101 switches the flapper 88 from the second position 88B (second state) to the first position 88A (first state), it outputs an on signal to the transistor SW1, outputs an off signal to the transistor SW2, and also instructs the DC motor driver MD4 to allow current to flow from the terminal OUT1. · When the CPU 101 switches the flapper 88 from the first position 88A (the first state) to the second position 88B (the second state), it outputs an off signal to the transistor SW1, outputs an on signal to the transistor SW2, and instructs the DC motor driver MD4 to allow current to flow from the terminal OUT2.

[0164] By configuring the first cutoff circuit 90A with the diode DI1 and the transistor SW1, and the second cutoff circuit 90B with the diode DI2 and the transistor SW2, it is possible to switch the flow of current from one terminal T11 of the flapper solenoid 89 to the other terminal T12, or from the other terminal T12 of the flapper solenoid 89 to one terminal T11.

[0165] (6) Also, when the CPU 101 cuts a sheet with an image formed on one side, and in the case of switching the flapper 88 from the first position 88A (the first state) to the second position 88B (the second state) before cutting the sheet S by the cutter 10, it outputs the following signals. The CPU 101 outputs an off signal to the transistor SW1 and an on signal to the transistor SW2 via the ASIC 105. The CPU 101 instructs the DC motor driver MD4 to allow current to flow from the terminal OUT2 via the ASIC 105 (S14). The moving blade 15 moves in the direction of returning from the completion position KP to the initial position FP. After S14, when the CPU 101 detects that the moving blade 15 has reached the initial position FP (S16: YES), it stops the output of current from the terminal OUT2 to the DC motor driver MD4 (S18). After S18, the CPU 101 controls the DC motor driver MD4 to move the moving blade 15 from the initial position FP to the completion position KP for the sheet S that has reached the cutter position SP (S64, S66), thereby cutting the sheet S (S60, S62).

[0166] In this way, the CPU 101 only needs to output an OFF signal to the transistor SW1, output an ON signal to the transistor SW2, and instruct the DC motor driver MD4 to allow current to flow from the terminal OUT2. Then, the flapper 88 switches from the first position 88A (the first state) to the second position 88B (the second state), and the moving blade 15 starts to move toward the initial position FP. Therefore, it is not necessary to give an instruction to start moving the moving blade 15 toward the initial position FP again.

[0167] (7) Also, when the CPU 101 switches the flapper 88 from the second position 88B (the second state) to the first position 88A (the first state) after the sheet S is cut by the cutter 10, the following signals are output. The CPU 101 outputs an ON signal to the transistor SW1 and an OFF signal to the transistor SW2 via the ASIC 105. The CPU 101 instructs the DC motor driver MD4 to allow current to flow from the terminal OUT1 via the ASIC 105 (S28). Then, the moving blade 15 moves in the direction from the initial position FP toward the completion position KP. After S28, the CPU 101 instructs the first cutoff circuit 90A and the second cutoff circuit 90B to cut off the current, and instructs the DC motor driver MD4 to allow current to flow from the terminal OUT2 (S30). Then, the moving blade 15 moves in the direction of returning from the completion position KP to the initial position FP. When the CPU 101 detects that the moving blade 15 has reached the initial position FP (S32: YES), it stops the output of current from the terminal OUT2 to the DC motor driver MD4 (S34).

[0168] When the multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment gives an instruction to switch the flapper 88 from the second position 88B to the first position 88A, the moving blade 15 starts to move in the direction from the initial position FP toward the completion position KP. Therefore, after giving the switching instruction, the CPU 101 can return the moving blade 15 to the position of the initial position FP by moving the moving blade 15 in the direction of returning from the completion position KP to the initial position FP.

[0169] (8) Also, when the CPU 101 performs image formation on one side of the sheet by the process unit 4 again after cutting the sheet S by the cutter 10, it instructs the first cutoff circuit 90A and the second cutoff circuit 90B to cut off the current, and also instructs the DC motor driver MD4 to allow current to flow from the terminal OUT2 (S26). After S26, when the CPU 101 detects that the moving blade 15 has reached the initial position (S16), it stops the output of current from the terminals OUT1 and OUT2 to the DC motor driver MD4 (S18). The CPU 101 controls the DC motor driver MD4 to move the moving blade 15 from the initial position FP to the completion position KP for the sheet S that has reached the cutter position (S64, S66), thereby cutting the sheet S (S60, S62).

[0170] After cutting the sheet S by the cutter 10, when performing image formation on one side of the sheet by the process unit 4 again, since the flapper 88 has already been switched to the second position 88B (S14), the CPU 101 does not need to instruct the flapper 88 to switch to the second position 88B again.

[0171] (Second Embodiment) Next, the second embodiment of the present application will be described. Since this embodiment is configured by changing a part of the control configuration (see FIG. 4) of the multifunction machine 1 described in the first embodiment, the description will focus on the changed part, and the description of the other parts will be omitted as appropriate.

[0172] FIG. 12 shows a part of the control configuration of the multifunction machine 1 according to this embodiment in detail, and corresponds to FIG. 4 of the first embodiment. The flapper solenoid 89 in FIG. 4 is an example of a self - holding solenoid, but the flapper solenoid 89' in FIG. 12 is a well - known solenoid that does not have a fixed iron core, unlike the self - holding solenoid. The flapper solenoid 89' has a coil 892, a movable iron core (not shown), a spring (not shown), one terminal T11, and the other terminal T12. Note that in the control configuration of FIG. 12, since there are no circuits such as the first cutoff circuit 90A and the second cutoff circuit 90B in FIG. 4, the number of signals output from the ASIC 105 can be reduced compared to the control configuration of FIG. 4.

[0173] In FIG. 12, the terminal OUT1 of the DC motor driver MD4 is connected to one terminal T1 of the cutter motor 106 via the signal line SL3. Also, the terminal OUT2 of the DC motor driver MD4 is connected to the other terminal T2 of the cutter motor 106 via the signal line SL4.

[0174] The connection point CP3 provided on the signal line SL3 is connected to one terminal T11 of the flapper solenoid 89' via the signal line SL31. Also, the other terminal T12 of the flapper solenoid 89' is connected to the ground portion GND via the signal line SL32.

[0175] When the movable iron core of the flapper solenoid 89' is in the <initial state> position, the flapper 88 is in the first position 88A, and the first state of guiding the sheet S to the first discharge path 201A is achieved.

[0176] When the movable iron core of the flapper solenoid 89' is in the <initial state> position and a current flows through the coil 892 of the flapper solenoid 89', the movable iron core of the flapper solenoid 89' is attracted by the coil 892. The movable iron core of the flapper solenoid 89' becomes the <attracted state> position. If the current continues to flow through the coil 892, the movable iron core of the flapper solenoid 89' is maintained in the <attracted state> position.

[0177] In a state where the current continues to flow through the coil 892 and the movable iron core of the flapper solenoid 89' is maintained in the <attracted state> position, when the current to the coil 892 stops flowing, the movable iron core of the flapper solenoid 89' returns from the <attracted state> position to the <initial state> position by the spring.

[0178] As the movable iron core of the flapper solenoid 89'moves from the <initial state> position to the <attracted state> position, the flapper 88 switches from the first position 88A, which is the <initial state> position, to the second position 88B, which is the <attracted state> position. As the movable iron core of the flapper solenoid 89'moves from the <attracted state> position to the <initial state> position, the flapper 88 switches from the second position 88B, which is the <attracted state> position, to the first position 88A, which is the <initial state> position.

[0179] (a) The CPU 101 outputs control signals of P1(IN1)=H; P2(IN2)=L via the ASIC 105. The DC motor driver MD4 outputs a current from the terminal OUT1 toward one terminal T1 of the cutter motor 106 in response to the input of control signals of IN1=H and IN2=L, and the current returns to the terminal OUT2 via the coil 1061 and the other terminal T2. The cutter motor 106 is driven forward by the current flowing from one terminal T1 through the coil 1061 toward the other terminal T2. As the cutter motor 106 is driven forward, the slide holder 16 having the moving blade 15 moves from the initial position FP toward the completion position KP (forward path).

[0180] Also, the current output from the terminal OUT1 of the DC motor driver MD4 branches at the connection point CP3. The current branched at the connection point CP3 flows through the signal line SL31, from one terminal T11 of the flapper solenoid 89'through the coil 892 and the other terminal T12 to the ground portion GND.

[0181] Then, when a current flows through the coil 892 of the flapper solenoid 89', the flapper solenoid 89'moves from the <initial state> position to the <attracted state> position, and the flapper 88 switches from the first position 88A, which is the <initial state> position, to the second position 88B, which is the <attracted state> position. As long as a current continues to flow through the coil 892 of the flapper solenoid 89', the position of the flapper 88 will continue to maintain the second position 88B.

[0182] (b) The CPU 101 outputs control signals of P1(IN1)=L; P2(IN2)=H via the ASIC 105. The DC motor driver MD4 outputs a current from the terminal OUT2 toward the other terminal T2 of the cutter motor 106 in response to the input of control signals of IN1=L and IN2=H, and the current returns to the terminal OUT1 via the coil 1061 and one terminal T1. The cutter motor 106 is driven in reverse by the current flowing from the other terminal T2 through the coil 1061 toward one terminal T1. Along with the reverse driving of the cutter motor 106, the slide holder 16 having the moving blade 15 moves from the completion position KP toward the initial position FP (return path).

[0183] Also, the current output from the terminal OUT2 of the DC motor driver MD4 branches at the connection point CP3 via the other terminal T2 of the cutter motor 106, the coil 1061, and one terminal T1. The current branched at the connection point CP3 flows through the signal line SL31, from one terminal T11 of the flapper solenoid 89' through the coil 892, and through the other terminal T12 to the ground portion GND.

[0184] Then, when a current flows through the coil 892 of the flapper solenoid 89', the flapper solenoid 89' moves from the <initial state> position to the <attracted state> position, and the flapper 88 switches from the first position 88A which is the <initial state> position to the second position 88B which is the <attracted state> position. As long as a current continues to flow through the coil 892 of the flapper solenoid 89', the position of the flapper 88 will continue to maintain the second position 88B.

[0185] (c) The CPU 101 outputs control signals of P1(IN1)=L; P2(IN2)=L via the ASIC 105. The DC motor driver MD4 does not output a current from either of the terminal OUT1 and the terminal OUT2 in response to the input of control signals of IN1=L and IN2=L, so the cutter motor 106 stops.

[0186] The current from the DC motor driver MD4 does not flow through the coil 892 of the flapper solenoid 89'. Therefore, if the position of the flapper 88 is the second position 88B, by preventing current from flowing through the coil 892, the position of the flapper 88 returns from the second position 88B to the first position 88A.

[0187] FIG. 12 shows that in the multifunction machine 1 according to the present embodiment, in case (a), the slide holder 16 having the moving blade 15 moves from the initial position FP toward the completion position KP (forward path), and in case (b), the slide holder 16 having the moving blade 15 moves from the completion position KP toward the initial position FP (return path). When the cutting position on the sheet S reaches the cutter position SP, the rear end of the sheet S has passed through the flapper 88. Therefore, when the cutting position on the sheet S reaches the cutter position SP, even if the slide holder 16 having the moving blade 15 is moved in the direction from the initial position FP toward the completion position KP (forward path) or in the direction from the completion position KP toward the initial position FP (return path), the sheet S will not jam due to the slide holder 16.

[0188] In the present embodiment, the connection point CP3 is provided on the signal line SL3. However, the connection point CP3 may be provided on the signal line SL4.

[0189] As described above, the terminal OUT1 and the terminal OUT2 of the DC motor driver MD4 are connected to the cutter motor 106 by the signal line SL3 and the signal line SL4, respectively. The flapper solenoid 89' is connected to a connection point CP3 provided on either one of the signal line SL3 or the signal line SL4, and is a circuit in which the current flowing from the DC motor driver MD4 via the connection point CP3 flows to the ground portion GND. When no current flows through the coil 892 of the flapper solenoid 89', the flapper 88 is in the first position 88A. When the DC motor driver MD4 passes current from the terminal OUT1, the cutter motor 106 is driven forward, and current flows from the terminal OUT1 through the connection point CP3 and the flapper solenoid 89' to the ground part GND. When the DC motor driver MD4 passes current from the terminal OUT2, the cutter motor 106 is driven in reverse, and current flows from the terminal OUT2 through the cutter motor 106, the connection point CP3, and the flapper solenoid 89' in sequence to the ground part GND.

[0190] In this way, the DC motor driver MD4 can move the moving blade 15 from the initial position FP toward the completion position KP by driving the cutter motor 106 forward, and can switch the flapper 88 from the first position 88A to the second position 88B by passing current through the coil 892 of the flapper solenoid 89'. On the other hand, the DC motor driver MD4 can move the moving blade 15 from the completion position KP toward the initial position FP by driving the cutter motor 106 in reverse, and can switch the flapper 88 from the first position 88A to the second position 88B by passing current through the coil 892 of the flapper solenoid 89'. Also, the DC motor driver MD4 can return the flapper 88 from the second position 88B to the first position 88A by not passing current through the cutter motor 106 and the coil 892 of the flapper solenoid 89'.

[0191] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit thereof.

[0192] (1) In each of the above embodiments, the multifunction machine 1 is cited as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the image forming apparatus is not limited to the multifunction machine 1, and may be a single printer or a copier. In each of the above embodiments, the multifunction machine 1 having the fixing device 6 is cited. However, the image forming apparatus may be an inkjet printer.

[0193] (2) In each of the above embodiments, the detection positions where the pre-check sensor SE1, the post-check sensor SE2, the discharge sensor SE3, and the sheet sensor SE4 detect the passage of the sheet S substantially coincide with the installation positions of the respective sensors. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and sensors in which the installation position of the sensor and the detection position of the sheet S are separated may also be used.

[0194] (3) In the above first embodiment, as an example of the first switch and the second switch, NPN-type transistors SW1 and SW2 are given. However, they may be PNP-type transistors or other devices such as FETs. In short, any device that can pass / shut off current may be used.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0195] 1... Multifunction device (image forming apparatus), 2... Image forming unit, 3... Conveyor unit, 4... Process unit, 6... Fuser (fixing unit), 20... Main body (apparatus main body), 61... Heating roller (heating rotating body), 62... Pressure roller (pressing rotating body), 63... Heater, 85... First discharge roller (discharge roller), 86... Second discharge roller (discharge roller), 87... Third discharge roller (discharge roller), 88... Flapper, 88A... First position (first state), 88B... Second position (second state), 89, 89'... Flapper solenoid, 90A... First cutoff circuit, 90B... Second cutoff circuit, 101... CPU (control unit), 102... ROM, 103... RAM, 104... NVRAM, 105... ASIC, 106... Cutter motor, 108... Main motor, 109... Discharge motor, 110... Low voltage power supply board, 201... Conveyor path, 201A... First discharge path, 201B... Second discharge path, 202... Re-conveyor path, MD4... DC motor driver (motor driver), S... Sheet, SE1... Pre-registration sensor, SE2... Post-registration sensor, SE3... Discharge sensor, SE4... Sheet sensor, SL1... Signal line (first signal line), SL2... Signal line (second signal line), SL11... Signal line (third signal line), SL21... Signal line (fourth signal line), SL3... Signal line (fifth signal line), SL4... Signal line (sixth signal line), CP1... Connection point (first connection point), CP2... Connection point (second connection point), CP3... Connection point (third connection point), SW1... Transistor (first switch), SW2... Transistor (second switch), DI1... Diode (first rectifying element), DI2... Diode (second rectifying element).

Claims

1. An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, A fixing unit that has a heating rotator and a pressing rotator that forms a nip with the heating rotator, and fixes the image formed on the sheet to the sheet, A cutter having a moving blade disposed at a cutter position on the conveyance path where the sheet is conveyed through the image forming unit and the fixing unit and on the downstream side of the fixing unit in the sheet conveyance direction, the moving blade moving in a cutting direction intersecting the sheet conveyance direction to cut the sheet, An apparatus main body having the conveyance path, the apparatus main body having a first discharge path for discharging the sheet to the outside of the apparatus main body without passing through the cutter position, and a second discharge path for discharging the sheet to the outside of the apparatus main body via the cutter position, A cutter motor that transmits a driving force for the moving blade to move in the cutting direction to the cutter, A motor driver that controls the driving of the cutter motor, A flapper that guides the sheet to either one of the first discharge path and the second discharge path, A flapper solenoid that switches the flapper to either a first state of guiding the sheet to the first discharge path or a second state of guiding the sheet to the second discharge path, Comprising, In addition to driving control of the cutter motor, the motor driver also executes switching control of the flapper solenoid, An image forming apparatus characterized by this.

2. The motor driver, Has a first terminal and a second terminal, Flows a current for driving to the cutter motor from the first terminal and the second terminal, and further flows a current for switching the flapper to the flapper solenoid from the first terminal and the second terminal, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by this.

3. The first terminal and the second terminal are respectively connected to the cutter motor by a first signal line and a second signal line, A first connection point on the first signal line and a second connection point on the second signal line are respectively connected to the flapper solenoid by a third signal line and a fourth signal line, Furthermore, A first cutoff circuit disposed on the third signal line for passing or blocking the current flowing on the third signal line, A second cutoff circuit disposed on the fourth signal line for passing or blocking the current flowing on the fourth signal line, Comprising, The motor driver, when a current is passed from the first terminal, if the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit are in a state of cutting off the current, the moving blade is moved in the cutting direction by rotating the cutter motor for the first time, if the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit are in a state of passing the current, the current flows through the flapper solenoid, so that the flapper solenoid switches from the second state to the first state, when a current is passed from the second terminal, if the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit are in a state of cutting off the current, the moving blade is moved in the cutting direction by rotating the cutter motor for the second time, if the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit are in a state of passing the current, the current flows through the flapper solenoid, so that the flapper solenoid switches from the first state to the second state, The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that.

4. The moving blade is movable in the cutting direction from the initial position to the completion position, Furthermore, a control unit, The control unit, when cutting a sheet by moving the moving blade from the initial position to the completion position, instructs the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit to cut off the current, and instructs the motor driver to pass a current from the first terminal, when returning the moving blade from the completion position to the initial position, instructs the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit to cut off the current, and instructs the motor driver to pass a current from the second terminal, when switching the flapper from the second state to the first state, instructs the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit to pass the current, and instructs the motor driver to pass a current from the first terminal, when switching the flapper from the first state to the second state, instructs the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit to pass the current, and instructs the motor driver to pass a current from the second terminal, The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that.

5. The moving blade is movable in the cutting direction from the initial position to the completion position, The first cutoff circuit, a first rectifying element arranged in a direction in which current flows from the flapper solenoid toward the first connection point; and a first switch arranged in parallel with the first rectifying element and turning on and off the flowing current, The second cutoff circuit has a second rectifying element arranged in a direction in which current flows from the flapper solenoid toward the second connection point; and a second switch arranged in parallel with the second rectifying element and turning on and off the flowing current, Furthermore, it includes a control unit, The control unit when cutting the sheet by moving the moving blade from the initial position to the completion position, instructs the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit to cut off the current, and instructs the motor driver to flow current from the first terminal, when returning the moving blade from the completion position to the initial position, instructs the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit to cut off the current, and instructs the motor driver to flow current from the second terminal, when switching the flapper from the second state to the first state, outputs an on signal to the first switch, outputs an off signal to the second switch, and instructs the motor driver to flow current from the first terminal, when switching the flapper from the first state to the second state, outputs an off signal to the first switch, outputs an on signal to the second switch, and instructs the motor driver to flow current from the second terminal. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that.

6. The control unit when cutting a sheet having an image formed on one side, and when switching the flapper from the first state to the second state before cutting the sheet by the cutter, after outputting an off signal to the first switch, outputting an on signal to the second switch, and instructing the motor driver to flow current from the second terminal, at a stage where it is detected that the moving blade has reached the initial position, stops the output of the current from the second terminal to the motor driver, cuts the sheet that has reached the cutter position by controlling the motor driver to move the moving blade from the initial position to the completion position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that.

7. The control unit when switching the flapper from the second state to the first state after cutting the sheet with the cutter, outputs an on signal to the first switch, outputs an off signal to the second switch, instructs the motor driver to flow a current from the first terminal, and then instructs the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit to cut off the current, and instructs the motor driver to flow a current from the second terminal, when it is detected that the moving blade has reached the initial position, stops the output of the current from the second terminal to the motor driver, The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that.

8. The control unit when performing image formation on one side of the sheet by the image forming unit again after cutting the sheet with the cutter, instructs the first cutoff circuit and the second cutoff circuit to cut off the current, instructs the motor driver to flow a current from the second terminal, and when it is detected that the moving blade has reached the initial position, stops the output of the current from the first terminal and the second terminal to the motor driver, controls the motor driver to move the moving blade from the initial position to the completion position, thereby cutting the sheet that has reached the cutter position, The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that.

9. The moving blade is movable in the cutting direction from the initial position to the completion position, the first terminal and the second terminal are connected to the cutter motor by a fifth signal line and a sixth signal line, respectively, The flapper solenoid is connected to a third connection point provided on either one of the fifth signal line or the sixth signal line, and is a circuit in which a current flowing from the motor driver through the third connection point flows to the ground portion, the flapper is in the first state when no current flows through the flapper solenoid, The motor driver when flowing a current from the first terminal, the cutter motor rotates for the first time and a current flows from the first terminal toward the ground portion via the third connection point and the flapper solenoid, When a current flows from the second terminal, the cutter motor rotates secondarily, and the current flows from the second terminal toward the ground portion via the cutter motor, the third connection point, and the flapper solenoid in this order. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that.

Images