Image processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image processing apparatus capable of suppressing use in a state where a ground path is disconnected.SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus includes a movable member 6, a grounding path 7, a contact part 8, and a determination processing part 151. The movable member 6 includes a conductive portion 61. The grounding path 7 grounds the conductive unit 61. The contact portion 8 is switched between contact and non-contact with respect to the conductive portion 61 with the movement of the movable member 6. The determination processing unit 151 determines whether or not the grounding path 7 is disconnected, based on the potential of the contact point 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] As a related technology, for example, an image processing device is known that employs a method in which sheets (documents) loaded on a feed tray are separated in a feed section, then transported by a pair of transport rollers, the document images are read in a reading section, and then sent to a discharge section by a pair of transport rollers and a pair of discharge rollers (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] An image processing device according to the related art has a discharging means for removing static electricity from a sheet, in consideration of the fact that the sheet becomes charged due to frictional electrification with the feed roller or separation rubber, frictional electrification with the transport roller pair, frictional electrification with the resin frame during transport, frictional electrification with the discharge roller pair, etc. In this image processing device, a conductive sheet as a discharging means is arranged in the transport path of the sheet, and a grounded metal plate that is grounded (connected to earth) is connected to the conductive sheet, thereby discharging the sheet using the grounded conductive sheet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-292185 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the configuration of the related art described above, if the grounding path connecting the grounding metal plate to the ground is broken, the grounding metal plate will be in a floating state, and the grounding metal plate itself may become charged, which may lead to malfunction or failure of the image processing device. In particular, if the grounding metal plate is provided on a movable member, the grounding path may be broken as the movable member moves.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device that can prevent the image processing device from being used in a state where the ground path is disconnected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An image processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a movable member, a ground path, a contact unit, and a determination processing unit. The movable member has a conductive portion. The ground path grounds the conductive portion. The contact unit switches between contact and non-contact with the conductive portion as the movable member moves. The determination processing unit determines whether or not the ground path is broken based on the potential of the contact unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing device that can prevent the image processing device from being used in a state where the ground path is disconnected. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the external appearance and internal configuration of an image processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the image processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the appearance and internal configuration of the sheet conveying device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the disconnection detection function of the image processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a table used in the disconnection detection function of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following description will discuss preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The preferred embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) [1] Overall configuration of image processing device First, the overall configuration of an image processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0012] For ease of explanation, the vertical direction in the installation state where the image processing device 10 is usable (the state shown in FIG. 1) is defined as the up-down direction D1. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the plane of the image processing device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is defined as the front-back direction D2, and the surface on the front side in FIG. 1 is defined as the front (front face). Furthermore, the surface on the left side of the plane of FIG. 1 is defined as the left side, and the left-right direction D3 is defined.

[0013] The image processing device 10 according to this embodiment is, for example, a multifunction peripheral having multiple functions, such as a scanning function for acquiring an image (image data) from an original, a printing function for forming an image based on the image data, a facsimile function, and a copying function. The image processing device 10 may be a printer, scanner, facsimile machine, copier, etc., as long as it has an image processing function including at least one of an image forming function and an image reading function.

[0014] 2, the image processing device 10 includes a sheet conveying device 2, an image reading unit 11, an image forming unit 12, a paper feed unit 13, an operation display unit 14, and a control unit 15. In this embodiment, the image processing device 10 includes a housing 100 as shown in FIG. 1. The sheet conveying device 2, the image reading unit 11, the image forming unit 12, the paper feed unit 13, the operation display unit 14, and the control unit 15 are provided in the housing 100.

[0015] 2, the image processing device 10 according to this embodiment further includes a disconnection detection unit 5. The disconnection detection unit 5 has a function (disconnection detection function) of detecting a disconnection in a ground path 7 (see FIG. 4) described later. The disconnection detection function will be described in detail in the section "[2] Disconnection Detection Function."

[0016] In this embodiment, the sheet transport device 2 is an automatic document feeder (ADF). The sheet transport device 2 transports a sheet Sh1 (see FIG. 3) as a reading object (image processing object) whose image is to be read by the image reading unit 11. The sheet transport device 2 has a sheet stacking tray 21 (see FIG. 1), a sheet discharge tray 22 (see FIG. 1), a transport mechanism 3 (see FIG. 2), an elevating mechanism 4 (see FIG. 2), and the like. By driving the transport mechanism 3, the sheet transport device 2 transports the sheet Sh1 set on the sheet stacking tray 21 to the sheet discharge tray 22, passing through an image reading position by the image reading unit 11.

[0017] The image reading unit 11 reads an image from a sheet Sh1 (original) and outputs image data corresponding to the read image. The image reading unit 11 includes a document table, a light source, a plurality of mirrors, an optical lens, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and the like.

[0018] The image forming unit 12 forms an image on the sheet Sh2 based on image data output from the image reading unit 11. The image forming unit 12 also forms an image on the sheet Sh2 based on image data input from an information processing device external to the image processing device 10, such as a personal computer. As an example, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the image forming unit 12 includes a transfer device 121, a fixing device 122, and a paper output tray 123, and forms an image on the sheet Sh2 by electrophotography. The image forming unit 12 is not limited to a configuration that forms a monochrome image, and may also be configured to form a full-color image using four colors: C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black). The image forming unit 12 may also be configured to form an image on the sheet by an image forming method other than electrophotography, such as an inkjet method.

[0019] The image forming unit 12 forms an image on the sheet Sh2 using toner as a developer. Specifically, the image forming unit 12 forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of a charged photosensitive drum by irradiating the surface with laser light, and develops the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum. A transfer device 121 transfers the toner image to the sheet Sh2 being transported along a transport path. A fixing device 122 melts and fixes the toner image transferred to the sheet Sh2 to the sheet Sh2. For example, the fixing device 122 includes a fixing roller and a pressure roller, and heats the toner image transferred to the sheet Sh2 and applies pressure to the sheet Sh2 to fix the toner image to the sheet Sh2. The sheet Sh2 after image formation is discharged to a paper output tray 123. When the image forming unit 12 forms an image using an inkjet system, ink (another example of a developer) is supplied instead of toner.

[0020] The paper feed unit 13 supplies the sheet Sh2 to the image forming unit 12. The paper feed unit 13 has a plurality of paper feed cassettes 131, a manual feed tray, a plurality of transport rollers, etc. The paper feed unit 13 transports the sheet Sh2 from the plurality of paper feed cassettes 131 or the manual feed tray, etc., through a transport path using a plurality of transport rollers, etc., and supplies the sheet Sh2 to the image forming unit 12. The image forming unit 12 forms an image on the sheet Sh2 supplied from the paper feed unit 13 through the transport path.

[0021] The operation display unit 14 is a user interface in the image processing device 10. The operation display unit 14 has a display unit such as a liquid crystal display that displays various information in response to control instructions from the control unit 15, and an operation unit such as a switch or touch panel that inputs various information to the control unit 15 in response to user operations. The image processing device 10 may also include, for example, an audio output unit and an audio input unit as a user interface in addition to or instead of the operation display unit 14. The operation display unit 14 may also be, for example, an external device provided separately from the housing 100. In this case, the image processing device 10 can use the operation display unit 14 as a user interface by performing data communication with the external device.

[0022] The control unit 15 performs overall control of the image processing device 10. The control unit 15 is primarily configured as a computer system having one or more processors and one or more memories. In the image processing device 10, the functions of the control unit 15 are realized by the one or more processors executing programs. The programs may be pre-recorded in one or more memories, provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet, or provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium readable by a computer system, such as a memory card or an optical disk. The one or more processors are composed of one or more electronic circuits including semiconductor integrated circuits. Furthermore, the computer system referred to in this disclosure includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. The control unit 15 may be a control unit provided separately from the main control unit that performs overall control of the image processing device 10.

[0023] The sheet conveying device 2 is a device that conveys a sheet Sh1 from the sheet stacking tray 21 to the sheet discharge tray 22. Here, the term "sheet" in the present disclosure refers to a sheet on which an image is to be read or an image is to be formed. In the present embodiment, as an example, the sheet Sh1 to be conveyed by the sheet conveying device 2 is a sheet Sh1 (original) on which an image is to be read by the image reading unit 11. That is, in the present embodiment, the sheet conveying device 2 conveys the sheet Sh1 placed on the sheet stacking tray 21 onto the sheet discharge tray 22 through an execution position P1 (see FIG. 3 ) where image processing (image reading) is performed by the image reading unit 11 as an image processing unit. Therefore, the image reading position by the image reading unit 11 corresponds to the execution position P1. In addition, in the present embodiment, the sheet Sh1 is paper as an example, but is not limited to paper and may be, for example, a resin film or the like.

[0024] The sheet stacking table 21 is a member on which the sheet Sh1 to be transported by the sheet transporting device 2 is placed. In this embodiment, the sheet Sh1 transported by the sheet transporting device 2 is the sheet Sh1 (original) whose image is to be read by the image reading unit 11, and therefore the sheet Sh1 whose image has not yet been read by the image reading unit 11 is set on the upper surface of the sheet stacking table 21.

[0025] Here, sheets Sh1 of various sizes (paper sizes), such as A3E (A3 size horizontal), B4E (A4 size horizontal), 2L size, L size, postcards, or business cards, can be set on the sheet stacking tray 21. The sheet stacking tray 21 has a pair of cursors facing each other in the front-to-rear direction D2, and the distance between the pair of cursors is adjusted according to the dimension of the set sheet Sh1 in the horizontal direction (here, the front-to-rear direction D2) perpendicular to the vertical direction (conveyance direction).

[0026] One or more sheets Sh1 to be conveyed by the sheet conveying device 2 are set on the sheet stacking tray 21. When multiple sheets Sh1 are set on the sheet stacking tray 21, these multiple sheets Sh1 are placed on the sheet stacking tray 21 in a state where they are overlapped in the vertical direction D1, that is, in a stacked state.

[0027] The sheet discharge tray 22 is a member on which the sheet Sh1 conveyed by the sheet conveying device 2 is placed. The sheet discharge tray 22 is located below the sheet stacking tray 21. The sheet conveying device 2 conveys the sheet Sh1 placed on the sheet stacking tray 21 through an execution position P1 where image processing is executed by the image processing unit, and discharges the sheet Sh1 onto the sheet discharge tray 22. In this embodiment, the sheet Sh1 conveyed by the sheet conveying device 2 is the sheet Sh1 (original) whose image is to be read by the image reading unit 11, and therefore the sheet Sh1 after the image reading by the image reading unit 11 is discharged onto the upper surface of the sheet discharge tray 22.

[0028] Here, sheets Sh1 of various sizes (paper sizes) can be placed on the sheet discharge tray 22, similar to the sheet stacking tray 21. Furthermore, when multiple sheets Sh1 are discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 22, similar to the sheet stacking tray 21, these multiple sheets Sh1 are placed on the sheet discharge tray 22 in a state where they are overlapped in the vertical direction D1, that is, in a stacked state.

[0029] 3, the conveying mechanism 3 takes in the sheet Sh1 placed on the sheet stacking tray 21 through the inlet 30 and conveys it onto the sheet discharge tray 22 through the execution position P1. That is, as indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 3, the conveying mechanism 3 takes in the sheet Sh1 through the inlet 30 that opens at the left end side of the sheet stacking tray 21, conveys it leftward and downward, turns it back to the right, and discharges it onto the sheet discharge tray 22 through the execution position P1. In other words, the conveying path of the sheet Sh1 by the conveying mechanism 3 includes the inlet 30 and the execution position P1 where image processing by the image processing unit (image reading by the image reading unit 11 in this embodiment) is performed.

[0030] The transport mechanism 3 includes, for example, a plurality of transport rollers 31 and a power source. The transport mechanism 3 drives each of the plurality of transport rollers 31 using power from a power source including, for example, a motor, to transport the sheets Sh1 set on the sheet stacking tray 21 one by one through the execution position P1 to the sheet discharge tray 22. For example, when a predetermined number of sheets Sh1 to be processed in a job are set on the sheet stacking tray 21, the transport mechanism 3 transports these sheets Sh1 one by one until all of the predetermined number of sheets Sh1 are discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 22. As a result, the predetermined number of sheets Sh1 to be processed in the job move from the sheet stacking tray 21 onto the sheet discharge tray 22 located below it.

[0031] Specifically, the transport mechanism 3 transports the sheets Sh1, one by one, that are placed on the sheet stacking tray 21 with their leading edge (left edge) inserted into the inlet 30. The transport mechanism 3 brings the transport roller 311, of the multiple transport rollers 31, that is closest to the inlet 30 into contact with the upper surface of the sheet Sh1 placed on the sheet stacking tray 21 from above, and drives the transport roller 311 to transport the sheet Sh1 on the sheet stacking tray 21 so as to pull it in. Therefore, when multiple sheets Sh1 are set on the sheet stacking tray 21, the multiple sheets Sh1 are transported one by one by the transport mechanism 3, starting from the topmost sheet Sh1, that is, the first sheet Sh1 from the top.

[0032] The lifting mechanism 4 raises and lowers (lifts and lowers) the sheet stacking platform 21. That is, the sheet stacking platform 21 is configured to be movable in the up-down direction D1 at least within a predetermined lifting range. Specifically, the lifting mechanism 4 is configured to be able to switch between an upward movement, which moves the sheet stacking platform 21 upward relative to the housing 100, and a downward movement, which moves the sheet stacking platform 21 downward. Furthermore, when neither the lifting movement nor the downward movement is being performed, the lifting mechanism 4 supports the sheet stacking platform 21 at any position within the lifting range.

[0033] In particular, in this embodiment, an initial position is defined between the upper limit (top dead center) and the lower limit (bottom dead center) of the lifting range, and the lifting mechanism 4 supports the sheet stacking tray 21 at the initial position during steady state operation, including when the image processing apparatus 10 is not operating. Furthermore, the lifting mechanism 4 can continuously move the sheet stacking tray 21 in the up-down direction D1 and can stop the sheet stacking tray 21 at any position within the lifting range. Therefore, by performing an upward movement of the lifting mechanism 4, the sheet stacking tray 21, which is in the initial position, can be moved to any position between the initial position and the upper limit of the lifting range. Conversely, by performing a downward movement of the lifting mechanism 4, the sheet stacking tray 21, which is in the initial position, can be moved to any position between the initial position and the lower limit of the lifting range.

[0034] Specifically, the lifting mechanism 4 includes appropriate mechanisms, such as a ball screw, a rack and pinion, and a pantograph, as well as a power source. The lifting mechanism 4 drives the mechanisms with power from a power source, such as a motor, to move the sheet stacking platform 21 linearly in the up-down direction D1. Preferably, the lifting mechanism 4 includes a sensor, such as an encoder, in the mechanisms or power source to detect the current position of the sheet stacking platform 21. This allows the lifting mechanism 4 to raise and lower the sheet stacking platform 21 only within a lifting range and also return it to its initial position. Furthermore, the lifting mechanism 4 preferably includes a function to detect the load on the output of the power source. This allows the lifting mechanism 4 to stop the sheet stacking platform 21 or move it in the opposite direction if an overload occurs, such as when a foreign object (e.g., a part of the user's body) gets caught during the lifting or lowering of the sheet stacking platform 21.

[0035] However, the lifting mechanism 4 is only required to have the function of lifting and lowering the sheet stacking platform 21, and the detailed configuration of the lifting mechanism 4 described above is not essential to the sheet conveying device 2. For example, it is not essential to move the sheet stacking platform 21 in a continuous manner, and the sheet stacking platform 21 may be moved in stages. Furthermore, it is not essential that the lifting mechanism 4 have an initial position defined within the lifting range, and the sheet stacking platform 21 may always be supported at an arbitrary position. Furthermore, the lifting mechanism 4 is not limited to a configuration that moves the sheet stacking platform 21 linearly in the up-down direction D1, and may lift and lower the sheet stacking platform 21, for example, by rotating the sheet stacking platform 21 around one end (left end) of the sheet stacking platform 21 in the left-right direction D3 as a fulcrum.

[0036] The image processing device 10 further includes a storage unit, a communication unit, a power supply unit, etc. The storage unit includes one or more non-volatile memories and stores information such as control programs for causing the control unit 15 to execute various processes. The communication unit is an interface that executes data communication between the image processing device 10 and an external device connected via a communication network such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). The power supply unit is a power supply circuit that generates (outputs) power for the operation of the image processing device 10.

[0037] [2] Disconnection detection function Next, the disconnection detection function of the image processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5. FIG.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, the image processing device 10 includes a movable member 6 and a ground path 7.

[0039] The movable member 6 is any part of the image processing device 10 that is physically movable. The movable member 6 may be moved automatically (electrically) or manually by a user. Specifically, the sheet stacking table 21 of the sheet conveying device 2 that is raised and lowered by the lifting mechanism 4 is an example of the movable member 6. The movable member 6 is not limited to the sheet stacking table 21, and may be, for example, the entire sheet conveying device 2 that is configured to be openable and closable relative to the image reading unit 11, or at least a part of the image reading unit 11, the image forming unit 12, or the paper feeding unit 13.

[0040] Here, the movable member 6 has a conductive portion 61. The conductive portion 61 is a member such as a metal plate having electrical conductivity. In the present embodiment, as an example, the conductive portion 61 is made of a metal plate and is provided on the movable member 6 in such a manner that at least a portion of the conductive portion 61 is exposed to the outside.

[0041] The ground path 7 grounds the conductive part 61. Specifically, the ground path 7 is conductive and grounds the conductive part 61 by electrically connecting the conductive part 61 to a ground point G1 made of a circuit ground, a chassis ground, or the like. As a result, the conductive part 61 made of a metal plate is electrically connected to the ground point G1, and becomes an earth metal plate grounded to the ground potential (0 V).

[0042] More specifically, the ground path 7 is made of a connecting member that is conductive and flexible, such as a coated electric wire (coated copper wire) serving as a ground wire. In the present embodiment, as an example, the ground path 7 is a coated electric wire having a first terminal 71 and a second terminal 72, each of which is a round terminal (round terminal), at both ends. The ground path 7 electrically connects the conductive portion 61 to the ground point G1 by connecting the first terminal 71 to the conductive portion 61 and connecting the second terminal 72 to the ground point G1.

[0043] Here, the ground point G1 is provided outside the movable member 6, and the ground path 7 is flexible and therefore deforms (including bends) to follow the movement of the movable member 6 while electrically connecting the ground point G1 and the conductive portion 61 of the movable member 6. In other words, the ground path 7 is the conductive portion 61 provided on the movable member 6 and can be constantly grounded.

[0044] Incidentally, as a related technology of this type of image processing device 10, for example, an image processing device is known that adopts a system in which sheets (documents) loaded on a feed tray are separated in a feed section, then transported by a pair of transport rollers, the document image is read in a reading section, and then sent to a discharge section by a pair of transport rollers and a pair of discharge rollers.

[0045] An image processing device according to the related art has a discharging means for removing static electricity from a sheet, in consideration of the fact that the sheet becomes charged due to frictional electrification with the feed roller or separation rubber, frictional electrification with the transport roller pair, frictional electrification with the resin frame during transport, frictional electrification with the discharge roller pair, etc. In this image processing device, a conductive sheet as a discharging means is arranged in the transport path of the sheet, and a grounded metal plate that is grounded (connected to earth) is connected to the conductive sheet, thereby discharging the sheet using the grounded conductive sheet.

[0046] However, in the configuration of the related art described above, if the grounding path connecting the grounding metal plate to the ground is broken, the grounding metal plate will be in a floating state, and the grounding metal plate itself may become charged, which may lead to malfunction or failure of the image processing device. In particular, if the grounding metal plate is provided on a movable member, the grounding path may be broken as the movable member moves.

[0047] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, an image processing device 10 that can prevent the ground path 7 from being used in a disconnected state is realized by using the configuration described below.

[0048] That is, the image processing device 10 according to this embodiment includes, in addition to the movable member 6 having the conductive portion 61 and the ground path 7 that grounds the conductive portion 61, a contact portion 8 and a determination processing unit 151, as shown in FIG. 4 . The contact portion 8 switches between contact and non-contact with the conductive portion 61 as the movable member 6 moves. The determination processing unit 151 determines whether or not the ground path 7 is broken based on the potential of the contact portion 8. In this embodiment, the determination processing unit 151 and a notification processing unit 152, which are components of the image processing device 10, are provided in the control unit 15 as one function of the control unit 15.

[0049] The above-described configuration of the image processing device 10 according to this embodiment has the advantage of preventing the image processing device 10 from being used in a state in which the ground path 7 is broken. Specifically, if the conductive portion 61 of the movable member 6 is not grounded, it may become charged due to some factor, and discharge may occur once a certain amount of charge has accumulated. However, the ground path 7 grounds the conductive portion 61, thereby preventing the conductive portion 61 from becoming charged. In this embodiment, the determination processing unit 151 determines whether the ground path 7 is broken based on the potential of the contact portion 8, which switches between contact and non-contact with the conductive portion 61 as the movable member 6 moves. Therefore, for example, if the ground path 7 repeatedly deforms (including bends) as the movable member 6 moves, causing the ground path 7 to break due to metal fatigue or the like, the determination processing unit 151 can detect the break in the ground path 7. As a result, the image processing device 10 can be prevented from being used in a state in which the ground path 7 is broken and the conductive portion 61 is floating and potentially becoming charged, which helps prevent malfunction or failure of the image processing device 10.

[0050] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the disconnection detection unit 5 for detecting a disconnection in the ground path 7 includes a resistor R1 and a contact unit 8. The contact unit 8 is electrically connected to a reference potential point Vcc1 via the resistor R1. The reference potential point Vcc1 is a point having a positive potential relative to the ground point G1. For example, the positive pole (3.3 V) of a power supply that generates a DC voltage of 3.3 V is the reference potential point Vcc1, and the negative pole (0 V) is the ground point G1. The connection point between the resistor R1 and the contact unit 8 is electrically connected to an input port 150 of an A / D conversion unit in the control unit 15. As a result, the control unit 15 applies the potential at the connection point between the resistor R1 and the contact unit 8 to the input port 150, converts the potential into a digital value, and uses it for processing in the determination processing unit 151.

[0051] The disconnection detection unit 5, like the ground point G1, is provided outside the movable member 6. In particular, the contact portion 8 of the disconnection detection unit 5 is disposed at a position facing the conductive portion 61 of the movable member 6. As the movable member 6 moves, the contact portion 8 switches between a state in which it is not in contact with the conductive portion 61 (a state shown as the "non-contact position" in FIG. 4) and a state in which it is in contact with the conductive portion 61 (a state shown as the "contact position" in FIG. 4).

[0052] The contact portion 8 is a contact member including, for example, an elastic body such as a leaf spring, and when the movable member 6 is in the "contact position" shown in the lower part of Fig. 4, it is pressed against the conductive portion 61 with elastic force and is electrically connected to the conductive portion 61. In other words, when the movable member 6 is in the contact position, the contact portion 8 is electrically equivalent to the conductive portion 61 and has the same potential as the conductive portion 61. Therefore, when the movable member 6 is in the contact position, if the ground path 7 is not broken and the conductive portion 61 is properly grounded, the potential of the contact portion 8 will be the ground potential (0 V).

[0053] According to the above-described configuration, when the ground path 7 is not broken and the conductive part 61 is properly grounded, the potential of the contact part 8 is at the same H (High) level as the reference potential point Vcc1 when the movable member 6 is in the "non-contact position," and at the same L (Low) level as the ground point G1 when the movable member 6 is in the "contact position." In other words, the potential of the contact part 8 input to the control unit 15 generates a potential difference between when the movable member 6 is in the "non-contact position" (H level) and when the movable member 6 is in the "contact position" (L level). On the other hand, when the ground path 7 is broken and the conductive part 61 is not properly grounded, the potential of the contact part 8 is at the H level regardless of whether the movable member 6 is in the "non-contact position" or the "contact position." In other words, the potential of the contact part 8 input to the control unit 15 does not generate a potential difference between when the movable member 6 is in the "non-contact position" (H level) and when the movable member 6 is in the "contact position" (H level).

[0054] Therefore, the determination processing unit 151 of the control unit 15 focuses on the potential of the contact unit 8 and can determine whether or not there is a disconnection in the ground path 7 based on whether or not there is a potential difference in the potential when the movable member 6 is in the "non-contact position" and when the movable member 6 is in the "contact position." If there is a potential difference in the potential, the determination processing unit 151 determines that the ground path 7 is not disconnected, and if there is no potential difference, the ground path 7 is disconnected. If the movable member 6 moves with a certain frequency, for example, it is estimated that the movable member 6 moves between the contact position and the non-contact position within a certain period of time during which the image processing device 10 is in operation. Therefore, if there is no potential difference in the potential of the contact unit 8 (or it never becomes L level) within that certain period, the determination processing unit 151 can determine that the ground path 7 is disconnected.

[0055] Moreover, the image processing device 10 according to this embodiment further includes a notification processing unit 152. The notification processing unit 152 has a function of notifying the determination result of the determination processing unit 151. That is, the notification processing unit 152 notifies the determination result of whether or not there is a break in the ground path 7, which is determined by the determination processing unit 151 based on the potential of the contact unit 8. Upon receiving the notification, a user of the image processing device 10 (including not only general users but also maintenance workers, etc.) can know whether or not there is a break in the ground path 7, and if there is a break in the ground path 7, can take necessary measures, such as repair.

[0056] In the present embodiment, as an example, the notification processor 152 notifies the determination result by displaying the determination result on the display unit (liquid crystal display) of the operation / display unit 14. There are various modes of notification by the notification processor 152. For example, the notification processor 152 may notify the determination result by displaying the determination result on a display means other than the operation / display unit 14, such as the lighting state of an indicator light such as a light-emitting diode. Furthermore, the notification processor 152 may notify the determination result by appropriate means such as display, sound output (audio output), transmission to an external terminal, writing to memory, printing on the image processing device 10, or a combination of these.

[0057] Particularly in this embodiment, the notification processor 152 notifies the determination result by displaying it when at least the ground path 7 is broken. That is, when the determination result of the determination processor 151 indicates that the ground path 7 is broken, the notification processor 152 notifies the determination result that there is a break by displaying it on, for example, the display unit (liquid crystal display) of the operation display unit 14. On the other hand, when the determination result of the determination processor 151 indicates that the ground path 7 is not broken (that is, the ground is properly connected), the notification processor 152 does not issue a notification. As a result, when at least an abnormality occurs, such as when the ground is not properly connected, a notification is issued by displaying it, and the user of the image processing device 10 (including not only general users but also maintenance workers, etc.) can receive the notification and take necessary measures, such as repairs.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the determination processing unit 151 determines whether or not there is a break in the ground path 7 based on the position of the movable member 6 in addition to the potential of the contact portion 8. For example, in order for the sheet stacking tray 21 to be the movable member 6, as described above, the current position of the movable member 6 (sheet stacking tray 21) is detected by a sensor such as an encoder of the lifting mechanism 4, and therefore the determination processing unit 151 identifies the position of the movable member 6 based on the output of such a sensor.

[0059] Specifically, the determination processing unit 151 determines whether or not there is a break in the ground path 7 by referring to a table showing the correspondence between the position of the movable member 6 and the potential of the contact portion 8, as shown in Fig. 5. That is, when the movable member 6 is in the "non-contact position" (the state shown in the upper part of Fig. 4), the potential of the contact portion 8 is at H level regardless of whether or not there is a break in the ground path 7. If the potential of the contact portion 8 is at L level when the movable member 6 is in the "non-contact position," it is suspected that the contact portion 8 is stuck to the conductive portion 61, and an error notification may be issued.

[0060] On the other hand, when the movable member 6 is in the "contact position" (the state shown in the lower part of FIG. 4), if the potential of the contact portion 8 is at the L level, it is estimated that the ground path 7 is not disconnected (no disconnection) and the conductive portion 61 is properly grounded. When the movable member 6 is in the "contact position," if the potential of the contact portion 8 is at the H level, it is estimated that the ground path 7 is disconnected (disconnection exists) and the conductive portion 61 is not properly grounded (abnormal). Therefore, the determination processing unit 151 can immediately determine whether the ground path 7 is disconnected based on the absolute value of the potential of the contact portion 8 when the movable member 6 is in the "contact position," without monitoring the potential difference for a certain period of time. In other words, when a disconnection in the ground path 7 occurs, it can be detected immediately.

[0061] [3] Variation The multiple components included in the image processing device 10 may be distributed across multiple housings. For example, the determination processing unit 151 and the like are not limited to being realized as one function of the control unit 15, and may be provided in a housing separate from the control unit 15.

[0062] Furthermore, the notification processing unit 152 is not an essential component of the image processing device 10 and can be omitted as appropriate.

[0063] Furthermore, the ground path 7 is not limited to a covered wire, but may be, for example, a flexible printed circuit (FPC) or a leaf spring. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 6 Movable parts 7 Ground Path 8 Contact point 10 Image processing device 61 Conductive part 151 Judgment processing unit 152 Notification processing section

Claims

1. a movable member having a conductive portion; a ground path that grounds the conductive portion; a contact portion that switches between contact and non-contact with the conductive portion as the movable member moves; a determination processing unit that determines whether or not the ground path is broken based on the potential of the contact portion, Image processing device.

2. The device further includes a notification processing unit that notifies the determination result of the determination processing unit. The image processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The notification processing unit notifies the determination result by displaying a message when at least the ground path is broken. The image processing device according to claim 2 .

4. the determination processing unit determines whether or not the ground path is broken based on the position of the movable member in addition to the potential of the contact portion. The image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images