Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an interface connector that, when an option cassette 70 and an option large capacity cassette 80 different in the number of signal lines used are exclusively connected with a common interface connector 300, that does not provide unnecessary signal lines to the option cassette 70 requiring the smaller number of signal lines and prevents a failure in pressure welding of harnesses.SOLUTION: Signal lines (sensor signals 1, 2) not used by an option cassette 70 but used by an option large capacity cassette 80 are arranged to be located on both sides of an interface connector 300.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having an interface connector to which different optional units can be exclusively connected. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, as image forming apparatuses have become more multifunctional, the types of optional units that can be connected to the image forming apparatus have increased. For example, an image forming apparatus in which multiple optional units are electrically connected to the image forming apparatus body via signal lines is known (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-170889 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an image forming apparatus, when different optional units are exclusively connected to the same connector of the main body of the apparatus, it is necessary to make the electrical interface specifications the same. However, the number of required signal lines may differ depending on the optional unit to be connected. In such a case, unnecessary signal lines will be connected to the optional unit that requires fewer signal lines.

[0005] Therefore, for the option unit requiring fewer signal lines, the number of signal lines in the connecting harness can be reduced without changing the number of connector poles, thereby eliminating unnecessary signal lines and reducing the cost of the option unit.

[0006] However, in the case of a pressure-displacement type connector used for signal lines, when providing a vacant terminal, it is necessary to take into consideration insufficient strength of the connector, poor pressure contact, poor connection, and the like.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an image forming device that can connect optional units without unnecessary signal lines, while suppressing insufficient connector strength, poor pressure contact, poor connection, etc., for exclusively connecting optional units that require a different number of signal lines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises: an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet; an interface connector, each of which is used for image formation by the image forming means, to which a first option unit using a first number of signal lines is connected via a first harness, and to which a second option unit using a second number of signal lines greater than the first number is connected via a second harness in an exclusive manner to the first option unit, the first number of signal lines and the second number of signal lines are respectively arranged in parallel, and the signal lines are arranged such that no vacant terminals are generated among a plurality of terminals of the interface connector to which the plurality of signal lines commonly used by the first option unit and the second option unit are connected, and signal lines that are not used in the first option unit but are used in the second option unit are not positioned among the commonly used signal lines. A signal line that is not used in the first option unit but is used in the second option unit is arranged to be located at an end of the interface connector. It is characterized by the above. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to connect optional units without unnecessary signal lines, while suppressing insufficient strength, poor pressure contact, poor connection, etc. of the connector for exclusively connecting optional units which require a different number of signal lines. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] Overall configuration of an image forming apparatus [Diagram 2] Optional large capacity cassette configuration diagram [Diagram 3] Block diagram of a control unit of an image forming apparatus [Figure 4] Diagram showing the connection interface for optional units [Diagram 5] Cross-section of harness side connector [Figure 6] Signal arrangement table of interface connector 300 [Figure 7] Diagram showing the harness for the optional unit DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 is a full-color printer of a tandem type intermediate transfer system in which image forming units 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d are arranged along the downward surface of an intermediate transfer belt 2.

[0013] The document scanner 50 reads an image of a document and sends the read image as image data to the printer 30. The printer 30 is capable of printing not only the image data read by the document scanner 50, but also image data sent from an external source.

[0014] The cassette 4 stores the recording material P used for image formation, and the recording material P pulled out of the recording material cassette 4 is separated by a separation roller 8 into individual sheets and sent to a registration roller 9. The registration roller 9 receives the recording material P in a stopped state and keeps it waiting, and then sends the recording material P to a secondary transfer section T2 in synchronization with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 2.

[0015] The image forming units 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d are configured almost identically, except that the toner colors used in each unit are different: yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. In the following, the image forming unit 1a will be described, and the other image forming units 1b, 1c, and 1d will be described by replacing the "a" at the end of the reference numerals with "b," "c," and "d."

[0016] The photosensitive drum a has a photosensitive layer with a negative charging polarity formed on its outer peripheral surface, and is charged to a uniform negative potential by a charging roller (not shown).

[0017] The exposure device 6 scans a laser beam with a rotating mirror to write an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the input image on the charged surface of the photosensitive drum a. The electrostatic latent image written on the photosensitive drum a is developed with toner by a developing device (not shown) built into the image forming unit 1a to become a toner image.

[0018] Subsequently, a positive DC voltage is applied to the primary transfer roller 2a, whereby the negative toner image carried on the photosensitive drum a is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 2 passing through the primary transfer portion Ta.

[0019] The secondary transfer section T2 is configured by contacting a secondary transfer roller 22 with the intermediate transfer belt 2. A positive DC voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 22 from a power source (not shown), thereby forming a transfer electric field for the toner image between the secondary transfer roller 22 and a secondary transfer tension roller 25 connected to a ground potential.

[0020] The fixing unit 5 forms a heating nip by pressing a pressure roller 5b against a fixing roller 5a equipped with a heater, and melts the toner image as the recording material P is nipped and transported, thereby fixing the full-color image to the surface of the recording material P.

[0021] A paper discharge roller 11 discharges the recording material P, on which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing unit 5, onto a paper discharge tray 7.

[0022] The optional cassette 70 is connected to the bottom of the printer 30 and is equipped with two recording material cassettes 71 and 72 capable of storing recording materials of various sizes. As in the paper feed section of the main body, separation rollers 73 and 74 separate the recording materials Q and R, respectively, one by one and send them to the registration rollers 9.

[0023] 2 is a diagram showing an optional large-capacity cassette 80. It is connected to the lower part of the printer unit 30 exclusively with the optional cassette 70 shown in FIG. 1, and is equipped with a recording material tray 82 capable of storing a large amount of recording material. As with the paper feed unit of the main body, a separation roller 83 separates the recording material S one by one and sends it to the registration rollers 9. The detailed configuration of the optional large-capacity cassette 80 is the same as that described in JP 2016-166095 A.

[0024] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the control unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 100. The control unit 200 is responsible for driving each load in the image forming apparatus 100, collecting and analyzing information from sensors, image control, and exchanging data with the operation unit 202. The control unit 200 is equipped with a CPU 201, which executes various sequences related to a predetermined image formation sequence according to a program stored in a ROM 201a. The control unit 200 is also equipped with a RAM 201b for storing rewritable data that needs to be stored temporarily or permanently. The RAM 201b stores, for example, a high voltage setting value for the high voltage control unit 205, various data described later, image formation command information from the operation unit 202, the type of recording paper (size, white paper, colored paper, thick paper, transparent paper, etc.), and various setting values. The RAM 201b is configured to retain data by a battery (not shown) or the like even when the power of the image forming apparatus is turned off.

[0025] Image forming apparatus 100 has DC loads such as motors, clutches / solenoids, and sensors such as photointerrupters and microswitches arranged in various locations inside the apparatus. In other words, the motors and the DC loads are appropriately driven to transport the transfer material and drive each unit, and the operations are monitored by various sensors.

[0026] The control unit 200 controls each motor 212 by a motor control unit 207 based on signals from various sensors 214, and also operates a clutch / solenoid 213 by a DC load control unit 208 to perform an image forming operation. Also, various high voltage control signals are output from a high voltage control unit 205 to a high voltage 206 unit, and the high voltage unit 206 applies appropriate high voltage to various chargers, such as a primary charger, a transfer charger, and a developing roller in a developing unit. Furthermore, the fixing roller 5a has a built-in heater 211 for heating the fixing roller 5a, and each heater 211 is controlled to be turned ON / OFF by an AC driver 210. Also, the fixing roller 5a is provided with a thermistor 204 for measuring the temperature thereof, and a resistance value change of the thermistor 204 according to a temperature change of the fixing roller 5a is converted to a voltage value by an A / D converter 203, and then input to the control unit 200 as a digital value. The control unit 200 controls the AC driver 210 based on this temperature data.

[0027] Furthermore, when the optional cassette 70 or the optional large-capacity cassette 80 is connected, the option control unit 220 controls communication with the optional cassette 70 and the optional large-capacity cassette 80. The optional cassette 70 and the optional large-capacity cassette 80 are exclusively connected to the printer 30 as paper feed devices, and are controlled by a common communication interface.

[0028] Next, the connection interface of the option unit in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0029] FIG. 4A shows a state in which an optional cassette 70 or an optional large-capacity cassette 80 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG.

[0030] A harness 400 extending from the optional cassette 70 or the optional large-capacity cassette 80 is connected to an interface connector 300 on the image forming apparatus 100 side, and electrical connection is established.

[0031] Fig. 4(b) shows signals etc. required when the optional cassette 70 is connected, and Fig. 4(c) shows signals etc. required when the optional large-capacity cassette 80 is connected. As can be seen by comparing the two, the optional large-capacity cassette 80 requires a greater number of signals, and the signals other than sensor signals 1 and 2 are the same as those of the optional cassette 70.

[0032] Therefore, if the optional large-capacity cassette 80 can be connected, the optional cassette 70 can also be connected, but this would mean connecting unnecessary signal lines for the optional cassette 70.

[0033] The control unit 200 can determine whether the optional cassette 70 or the optional large-capacity cassette 80 is connected by using predetermined signal lines (communication TXD, communication RXD, connection detection). When the optional large-capacity cassette 80 is connected, the signal lines of sensor signal 1 and sensor signal 2 are used. FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a connector 401 on the harness 400 side at the interface connector connection portion of the image forming apparatus 100. As the connector 401, a pressure-displacement type connector as shown in FIG. 5 is used, taking into consideration the current capacity, manufacturing costs, and the like. An electrical connection is made by pressure-displacement processing of the electric wire 500 to the connector 401.

[0034] In a crimp-type connector, the wire is crimped to both sides of the crimp wall 405 in Fig. 5, so that sufficient strength against crimping of the wire is ensured. However, if a vacant terminal is present near the center of the connector 401, the wall strength between the pin and the adjacent pin cannot be ensured, and the wire becomes easily pulled out. Alternatively, there is a possibility of poor crimping. For this reason, in order to ensure the wall strength when providing a vacant terminal, it is necessary to make the vacant terminal an end of the connector.

[0035] The harness of the option unit connected to the interface connector 300 of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0036] Fig. 6 is a table showing the signal arrangement of the interface connector 300 in this embodiment. Fig. 7(a) shows the harness 400a of the optional cassette 70 in this embodiment, and Fig. 7(b) shows the harness 400b of the optional large-capacity cassette 80 in this embodiment.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 6, common signals used by both the option cassette 70 and the option large-capacity cassette 80 are arranged other than on the end sides (both ends). On the other hand, signals not used by the option cassette 70 but used by the option large-capacity cassette 80 are arranged to be on the end sides (both ends) of the connector. In other words, signal lines not used by the option cassette 70 but used by the option large-capacity cassette 80 are arranged so as not to be located between common signal lines. In this way, as shown in Fig. 7(a), the harness 400a of the option cassette 70 can reduce unnecessary wires while suppressing poor insulation displacement in the harness.

[0038] Alternatively, the sensor signal 1 and the sensor signal 2 may be arranged adjacent to each other at one end of the connector.

[0039] Even when the difference between the number of signals used in the optional cassette 70 and the number of signals used in the optional large-capacity cassette 80 is 1 or 3 or more, the arrangement is such that no unused terminals are generated between signals common to both. Moreover, signal lines that are not used in the optional cassette 70 but are used in the optional large-capacity cassette 80 are arranged so as not to be located between common signal lines.

[0040] As described above, when optional units requiring different numbers of signal lines are exclusively connected to a common interface connector of an image forming device, it is possible to prevent poor crimping of the harness while eliminating the need to provide unnecessary signal lines in one of the optional units. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 30 Printers 70 Optional Cassette 80 Optional large capacity cassette 100 Image forming device 200 Control Unit 220 Option control section 300 Interface Connector 400, 400a, 400b Harness

Claims

1. an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet; an interface connector, each of which is used for image formation by the image forming means, to which a first option unit using a first number of signal lines is connected via a first harness, and to which a second option unit using a second number of signal lines greater than the first number is connected via a second harness in an exclusive manner to the first option unit, an interface connector for connecting a plurality of signal lines to the first option unit and the second option unit; a first number of signal lines and a second number of signal lines are arranged in parallel; no vacant terminals are generated among a plurality of terminals of the interface connector to which a plurality of signal lines used in common by the first option unit and the second option unit are connected; the signal lines are arranged such that signal lines not used in the first option unit and used in the second option unit are not positioned between the commonly used signal lines; and the signal lines not used in the first option unit and used in the second option unit are positioned at ends of the interface connector.

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the number of signal lines used in the second option unit and not used in the first option unit is two, the terminals to which the two signal lines should be arranged are positioned at both ends of the interface connector.

3. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the number of signal lines used in the second option unit and not used in the first option unit is two, the two terminals to which the two signal lines should be arranged are positioned adjacent to one end of the interface connector.

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first harness and the second harness have a pressure-displacement type connector.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first option unit and the second option unit are paper feeders that feed paper on which an image is to be formed by the image forming means.

6. 6. An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a control means for determining whether the first option unit or the second option unit is connected by using a predetermined signal line among the commonly used signal lines.

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