Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that has improved paper jam processability.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: an apparatus main body; a door that constitutes a part of the exterior of the image forming apparatus and is provided openably and closably with respect to the apparatus main body; a first guide; a second guide that is movable to a first position where it faces the first guide and forms a conveyance path with the first guide and a second position where it is separated from the first guide relative to the first position and opens the conveyance path, the second guide being exposed when the door is opened with respect to the apparatus main body; a first lighting unit that illuminates the second guide located at the second position on the side of the door with respect to the conveyance center of the conveyance path in a width direction orthogonal to a sheet conveyance direction of a sheet conveyed on the conveyance path; and a second lighting unit that illuminates light in a direction different from the first lighting unit, and illuminates a space between the first guide and the second guide located at the second position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, image forming devices such as printers and multifunction peripherals are provided with openable / closable members at various locations to allow for the disposal of jammed sheets in the conveyance path within the device. Conventionally, image forming devices have been proposed that have a first cover and a second cover that can be opened and closed depending on the location of the jam. The first cover and the second cover are provided with a first handle and a second handle, respectively, for opening the first cover and the second cover. A first lamp is disposed above the first handle, and a second lamp is disposed below the second handle. When the first lamp or the second lamp is lit, the user can determine whether to open the first cover or the second cover. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-179441 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, even if the first cover or the second cover is opened, it may be difficult for the user to find the jammed sheet inside the apparatus, which poses a problem in terms of jam clearance.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus with improved jam handling capabilities. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, the apparatus comprising: an apparatus main body; a door that constitutes a part of the exterior of the image forming apparatus and is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to the apparatus main body; a first guide; a second guide that has an opposing surface that faces the first guide and is movable between a first position where the first guide and the opposing surface form a transport path and a second position where the second guide is further away from the first guide than the first position and opens the transport path, the second guide being exposed when the door is opened relative to the apparatus main body; a first lighting device that illuminates the opposing surface of the second guide when it is at the second position; and a second lighting device that illuminates in a direction different from that of the first lighting device and illuminates a space between the first guide and the second guide when it is at the second position. the first lighting device is disposed on one side of a conveyance center of the conveyance path in a width direction perpendicular to a sheet conveyance direction of the sheet conveyed on the conveyance path, and the second lighting device is disposed on the other side of the conveyance center in the width direction; It is characterized by: The present invention also provides an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet, comprising: an apparatus main body; a door that forms part of the exterior of the image forming apparatus and is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to the apparatus main body; a first guide; a second guide that has an opposing surface facing the first guide and is movable between a first position where the first guide and the opposing surface form a conveying path, and a second position where the second guide is further away from the first guide than the first position and opens the conveying path, the second guide being exposed when the door is opened relative to the apparatus main body; a first lighting device that illuminates the opposing surface of the second guide when it is at the second position; and a second lighting device that illuminates in a direction different from that of the first lighting device and illuminates the space between the first guide and the second guide when it is at the second position, wherein the second lighting device is attached to a side panel that is provided on the opposite side of the door across the conveying path in a width direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction of the sheet conveyed along the conveying path. The present invention also provides an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, comprising: an apparatus main body; a door that forms part of the exterior of the image forming apparatus and is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to the apparatus main body; a first guide; a second guide that has an opposing surface facing the first guide and is movable between a first position where the first guide and the opposing surface form a transport path, and a second position where the second guide is further away from the first guide than the first position and opens the transport path, the second guide being exposed when the door is opened relative to the apparatus main body; a first lighting device that illuminates the opposing surface of the second guide when it is at the second position; and a second lighting device that illuminates in a direction different from that of the first lighting device and illuminates the space between the first guide and the second guide when it is at the second position, wherein the first lighting device flashes and the second lighting device lights continuously. The present invention is also characterized in that an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet comprises: an apparatus main body; a door that forms part of the exterior of the image forming apparatus and is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to the apparatus main body; a first guide; a second guide that has an opposing surface facing the first guide and is movable between a first position where the first guide and the opposing surface form a conveying path, and a second position where the second guide is further away from the first guide than the first position and opens the conveying path, the second guide being exposed when the door is opened relative to the apparatus main body; a first lighting device that illuminates the opposing surface of the second guide when it is at the second position; a second lighting device that illuminates in a direction different from the first lighting device and illuminates the space between the first guide and the second guide when it is at the second position; and a drawer unit that is arranged adjacent to the first guide and the second guide in the sheet conveying direction of the sheet conveyed on the conveying path and is provided so as to be able to be drawn out relative to the apparatus main body. The present invention also provides an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, comprising: an apparatus main body; a door that forms part of the exterior of the image forming apparatus and is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to the apparatus main body; a first guide; a second guide that has an opposing surface facing the first guide and is movable between a first position where the first guide and the opposing surface form a conveying path, and a second position where the second guide is further away from the first guide than the first position and opens the conveying path, the second guide being exposed when the door is opened relative to the apparatus main body; a first lighting device that illuminates the opposing surface of the second guide when it is at the second position; and a second lighting device that illuminates in a direction different from that of the first lighting device and illuminates a space between the first guide and the second guide when it is at the second position, wherein the apparatus main body has a frame member that extends vertically and supports the door so as to be openable and closable, and the first guide and the second guide are positioned so as to overlap the frame member when viewed in a width direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction of the sheet conveyed along the conveying path. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, jam handling can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic view showing an entire image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a jammed sheet. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the lower guide in an opened state. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus with the front door open. [Figure 5] 5A is a view of the transport unit as seen from the direction of arrow V in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view showing the illumination directions of the first and second illumination devices. [Figure 6] FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing a first lighting device 600 provided in the transport unit, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view showing the first lighting device. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a detailed configuration of a first lighting device. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a first illumination area illuminated by a first illumination device. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a second illumination area illuminated by a second illumination device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of a second illumination device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] First Embodiment [Overall structure] First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment includes housings 101 and 102 and an operation / display device 180. The housings 101 and 102 are adjacent to each other, and the operation / display device 180 is attached to the housing 102. The housings 101 and 102 incorporate various mechanisms constituting the engine unit, as well as an engine control unit 201 that controls the printing processes (e.g., feeding processes) performed by the various mechanisms, and a control board housing 204 that houses a controller 203. The controller 203 has a CPU, a ROM in which various programs are stored, and a RAM used as a work area for the CPU. The image forming apparatus 100 also includes a fixing mechanism for fixing a toner image transferred to a sheet S, a feeding mechanism for the sheet S, and a transport mechanism for the sheet S.

[0010] The engine section is provided with four stations 120, 121, 122, and 123 corresponding to the toners of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. The stations 120, 121, 122, and 123, a primary transfer roller 110, an intermediate transfer belt 106, and a secondary transfer roller 114, which will be described later, constitute an image forming section that forms an image on a sheet S. Since each station is composed of almost the same parts, the configuration of station 120 will be described as a representative example.

[0011] The station 120 has a photosensitive drum 105, a laser scanner unit 107, a charger 111, and a developing unit 112. The photosensitive drum 105 and the developing unit 112 are detachably attached to the housing 101. The photosensitive drum 105 is charged to a uniform surface potential by the charger 111. The laser scanner unit 107 has a laser 108 and a reflecting mirror 109 that guides the laser light output by the laser 108 to the photosensitive drum 105. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 105 by the laser light. The developing unit 112 develops the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image on the photosensitive drum 105. This toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 106 by a primary transfer roller 110.

[0012] The toner images of each color formed at stations 121, 122, and 123 are also transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 106 so as to be superimposed on top of each other. The full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 106 is then transferred by a secondary transfer roller 114 onto a sheet S that has been transported from a storage 113 via transport paths 147 and 148 by a feeding processing mechanism and a transport processing mechanism. Also, an image formation start position detection sensor 115 for determining a print start position when forming an image, and a feed timing sensor 116 for measuring the timing of feeding the sheet S are arranged around the intermediate transfer belt 106.

[0013] The fixing mechanism has a first fixing device 150 and a second fixing device 160, and applies heat and pressure to the toner image transferred to the sheet S to fix it to the sheet S. The first fixing device 150 includes a fixing roller 151 for applying heat to the sheet S, a pressure belt 152 for pressing the sheet S against the fixing roller 151, and a first post-fixing sensor 153 for detecting completion of fixing. The fixing roller 151 is a hollow roller and has an internal heater. The second fixing device 160 is disposed downstream of the first fixing device 150 in the sheet conveying direction of the sheet S. The second fixing device 160 imparts gloss to the toner image on the sheet S fixed by the first fixing device 150 and ensures fixability. Like the first fixing device 150, the second fixing device 160 also includes a fixing roller 161, a pressure roller 162, and a second post-fixing sensor 163. Depending on the type of sheet S, it may not be necessary to pass the sheet through the second fixing device 160. In this case, the image forming apparatus 100 passes the sheet S through the conveying path 130 without passing through the second fixing device 160, for the purpose of reducing energy consumption.

[0014] For example, if a setting is made to add a lot of gloss to the sheet S, or if the sheet S is thick paper and requires a lot of heat for fixing, the sheet S that has passed through the first fixing device 150 is also conveyed to the second fixing device 160. On the other hand, if the sheet S is plain paper or thin paper and a setting is not made to add a lot of gloss, the sheet S is conveyed to a conveying path 130 that bypasses the second fixing device 160. Whether the sheet S is conveyed to the second fixing device 160 or conveyed bypassing the second fixing device 160 is controlled by the rotation of a guide member 131.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 100 is also provided with guide members 132 and 133. The guide member 132 guides the sheet S to a reverse conveyance path 135 or a discharge conveyance path 138 leading to the outside of the apparatus. The leading edge of the sheet S guided to the reverse conveyance path 135 passes a reverse sensor 137 and is conveyed to a reversing unit 136. When the reverse sensor 137 detects the trailing edge of the sheet S, the conveyance direction of the sheet S is switched. The guide member 133 guides the sheet S to the duplex conveyance mechanism 170 or the reverse conveyance path 135. The sheet S guided to the reverse conveyance path 135 by the guide member 133 is guided to the discharge conveyance path 138 by the guide member 134.

[0016] The double-sided conveying mechanism 170 includes conveying units 139, 140, and 141, which will be described later. The conveying units 139, 140, and 141 have conveying paths 143, 144, and 145, respectively. In addition, a drawer unit 142 is provided downstream of the conveying unit 141 in the sheet conveying direction CD. The drawer unit 142 can be drawn out from the housing 101 toward the front of the paper surface in FIG. 1. The drawer unit 142 is provided with, for example, conveying paths 146, 147, and 148, a feed timing sensor 116, and a secondary transfer roller 114.

[0017] After an image is formed on the first side, the sheet S is transported by transport units 139, 140, and 141 and is guided again to the secondary transfer roller 114 via transport paths 147 and 148. Then, an image is also formed on the second side of the sheet S by the secondary transfer roller 114, and the sheet S is discharged to the outside of the apparatus through the discharge transport path 138.

[0018] [Guide configuration of each transport unit] Next, the guide configuration of the conveying units 139, 140, and 141 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a sheet S is retained straddling the conveying paths 145 and 146. In FIG. 2, lower guides 143b, 144b, and 145b (described later) of the conveying units 139, 140, and 141 are closed, while in FIG. 3, the lower guides 143b, 144b, and 145b are open. In the following, the positions of the lower guides 143b, 144b, and 145b shown in FIG. 2 are referred to as closed positions, and the positions of the lower guides 143b, 144b, and 145b shown in FIG. 3 are referred to as open positions. The lower guides 143b, 144b, and 145b are movable between the closed position and the open position.

[0019] 2 and 3, the transport unit 139 has an upper guide 143a and a lower guide 143b. The upper guide 143a is fixed to the housing 102, and the lower guide 143b is provided so as to be able to open and close in the vertical direction around an axis of the housing 102 on the rear side of the paper surface in FIGS. 2 and 3. The upper guide 143a and the lower guide 143b positioned in the closed position form a transport path 143 that guides the sheet S in the sheet transport direction CD.

[0020] Similarly, the transport unit 140, which is disposed downstream of the transport unit 139 in the sheet transport direction CD, has an upper guide 144a and a lower guide 144b. The upper guide 144a is fixed to the housing 102, and the lower guide 144b is provided so as to be able to open and close in the vertical direction around an axis of the housing 102 on the rear side of the paper surface in FIGS. 2 and 3. The upper guide 144a and the lower guide 144b positioned in the closed position form a transport path 144 that guides the sheet S in the sheet transport direction CD.

[0021] Furthermore, the transport unit 141, which is disposed downstream of the transport unit 140 in the sheet transport direction CD, is disposed across the housings 101 and 102. The transport unit 141 has an upper guide 145a as a first guide and a lower guide 145b as a second guide. The upper guide 145a is fixed to the housing 102, and the lower guide 145b is provided so as to be able to open and close in the vertical direction around a rotation shaft 210 extending toward the front and rear of the paper surface of FIGS. 2 and 3. The upper guide 145a and the lower guide 145b positioned in the closed position form a transport path 145 that guides the sheet S in the sheet transport direction CD. That is, in the closed position as a first position, the lower guide 145b faces the upper guide 145a and forms the transport path 145 together with the upper guide 145a. In addition, in the open position as a second position, the lower guide 145b is spaced further away from the upper guide 145a than in the closed position, opening the transport path 145. Furthermore, the lower guide 145b is located lower in the open position than in the closed position.

[0022] 2 and 3, when a sheet S is jammed (stagnated) across the conveying paths 145, 146, the controller 202 causes the display unit 181 of the operation and display device 180 to display a message urging the user to clear the jammed sheet S. For example, the display unit 181 displays a message instructing the user to open the conveying paths 144, 145 and remove the sheet S after opening the front door 401 (described later). Note that the display unit 181 may display a message instructing all jam clearance steps at once, or may display the jam clearance steps in separate messages.

[0023] 4 is a perspective view showing image forming apparatus 100 with front door 401 open. As shown in FIG. 4, image forming apparatus 100 has front door 401 supported on housing 102, which serves as an apparatus main body, so as to be openable and closable around a pivot shaft 402 extending in the vertical direction VD. More specifically, front door 401 is supported on frame member 220, which extends in the vertical direction VD of housing 102, so as to be openable and closable. Upper guide 145a and lower guide 145b of conveying unit 141 described above are disposed so as to overlap frame member 220 when viewed in width direction W, which is orthogonal to sheet conveying direction CD. When front door 401 is closed on housing 102, it constitutes part of the exterior of image forming apparatus 100.

[0024] When the front door 401 is opened relative to the housing 102, the user can access the lower guide 144b of the transport unit 140 and the lower guide 145b of the transport unit 141. In other words, the lower guides 144b and 145b are exposed when the front door 401 is opened relative to the housing 102.

[0025] The lower guides 144b and 145b are provided with handles 403 and 404, respectively, and by operating these handles 403 and 404, the user can open the lower guides 144b and 145b to the open position.

[0026] [First lighting device and second lighting device] In this embodiment, a first illumination device 600A and a second illumination device 600B are provided to reliably guide a user to a sheet S when the sheet S is jammed across the conveyance paths 145 and 146 as shown in FIGS.

[0027] FIG. 5(a) is a view of the transport unit 141 as viewed from the direction of arrow V in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5(b) is a perspective view showing the illumination directions of the first illumination device 600A and the second illumination device 600B. FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view showing the first illumination device 600A provided in the transport unit 141, and FIG. 6(b) is a perspective view showing the first illumination device 600A. FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing a detailed configuration of the first illumination device 600A. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a first illumination region 501 illuminated by the first illumination device 600A. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a second illumination region 803 illuminated by the second illumination device 600B.

[0028] 5(a) and 6(a), the transport unit 141 is provided with a first illumination device 600A and a second illumination device 600B. The first illumination device 600A is attached to an upper surface 701 of an upper guide 145a of the transport unit 141. More specifically, the first illumination device 600A is disposed on one end side of the upper surface 701, i.e., on the front side of the image forming apparatus 100, in a width direction W that is perpendicular to the sheet transport direction CD. In other words, the first illumination device 600A is disposed closer to the front door 401 than a transport center 145C of the transport path 145 in the width direction W.

[0029] An opening 901 is provided in the upper guide 145a, and the first lighting device 600A illuminates the lower guide 145b through the opening 901. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, the first lighting device 600A illuminates a first lighting area 501 of the lower guide 145b that is positioned in the open position and is closer to the front door 401 than the conveyance center 145C.

[0030] 5(a) and 9, a second lighting device 600B is attached to a back surface 801a of a rear side plate 801 of the housing 102. The rear side plate 801 serving as a side plate is provided on the opposite side of the front door 401 in the width direction W, across the conveying path 145. That is, the first lighting device 600A is disposed on one side of the conveying center 145C in the width direction W, and the second lighting device 600B is disposed on the other side of the conveying center 145C in the width direction W.

[0031] The rear side plate 801 is provided with openings 802A and 802B. The second illumination device 600B illuminates the space SP between the upper guide 145a and the lower guide 145b located at the second position through the openings 802A and 802B (see FIG. 9). The illumination area of ​​the second illumination device 600B is shown as a second illumination area 803 in FIGS. 5(b) and 9, and the jammed sheet S is located in the second illumination area 803. That is, the second illumination device 600B illuminates the jammed sheet S across the transport paths 145 and 146.

[0032] 5(b) to 7, the lighting directions of the first lighting device 600A and the second lighting device 600B are schematically shown as lighting directions 605A and 605B, respectively. These lighting directions 605A and 605B are directions extending from the origins of the light emitted from the first lighting device 600A and the second lighting device 600B toward the center of the illumination range.

[0033] The illumination direction 605A of the first illumination device 600A is a direction that includes a downward component with respect to the vertical direction VD, and the illumination direction 605B of the second illumination device 600B is a direction that includes an upward component with respect to the vertical direction VD. In other words, the illumination directions 605A and 605B are different from each other.

[0034] 7, first lighting device 600A has holder 601, electric board 602 attached to holder 601, and light emitting elements 603A, 603B, and 603C mounted on electric board 602. First lighting device 600A is attached to upper surface 701 of upper guide 143a with screws 604 as described above.

[0035] The second lighting device 600B has the same configuration as the first lighting device 600A, and is attached to the rear plate 801 as described above with screws 604. The first lighting device 600A and the second lighting device 600B have the same configuration, but the orientations of the attachment surfaces, that is, the upper surface 701 of the upper guide 143a and the back surface 801a of the rear plate 801, are different, and therefore the lighting directions 605A and 605B are different from each other.

[0036] [Jam Clearance] Next, a jam processing for removing a sheet S that straddles the conveying paths 145 and 146 will be described in detail. As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a sensor 300 that detects a sheet in the conveying path 145. Note that the arrangement, configuration, and number of sensors are not limited as long as they can detect that a sheet S has jammed across the conveying paths 145 and 146. For example, a sensor may be provided on each of the conveying paths 144 and 146, and if the sensor provided on the conveying path 144 detects the passage of a sheet and then the sensor provided on the conveying path 146 does not detect the sheet even after a predetermined time has elapsed, it may be determined that the sheet has jammed.

[0037] When the controller 202 as a control unit determines that the sheet S is jammed (stagnated) across the conveying paths 145, 146 based on the detection result of the sensor 300, the controller 202 turns on the first lighting device 600A and the second lighting device 600B. At this time, the first lighting device 600A blinks, and the second lighting device 600B lights up continuously.

[0038] Then, the controller 202 causes the display unit 181 of the operation display device 180 to display a message urging the user to remove the jammed sheet S. For example, the display unit 181 displays a message instructing the user to open the front door 401, then open the conveying paths 144 and 145 and remove the sheet S.

[0039] Based on the message displayed on display unit 181, the user opens front door 401 relative to housing 102 and moves lower guides 144b and 145b to the open position. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the user can visually confirm that first illumination area 501 is illuminated by first illumination device 600A.

[0040] The first illumination area 501 is an area of ​​the lower guide 145b positioned in the open position that is closer to the front door 401 than the conveyance center 145C. The first illumination device 600A is attached to the upper surface 701 of the upper guide 145a (see FIG. 6(a)), and therefore illuminates the upper surface 145bU of the lower guide 145b from above. Therefore, the user can see the light of the first illumination area 501 even when standing in front of the housing 102.

[0041] The user can then recognize the location where jam clearance is required by the light from the first illumination area 501, and focuses on the lower guide 145b. In particular, the upper guide 145a and the lower guide 145b of the transport unit 141 are hidden by the frame member 220 and are difficult to see, as shown in FIG. 4. However, the first illumination area 501 illuminates the front side of the lower guide 145b, allowing the user to reliably recognize the location where jam clearance is required.

[0042] Next, the user crouches down in front of the housing 102 to check the transport path 145, which is located at a relatively low position. At this time, the second lighting device 600B, as shown in FIG. 9, illuminates the space SP between the upper guide 145a and the lower guide 145b, which is located at the second position, from an illumination direction different from that of the first lighting device 600A. The space SP is a space that appears when the transport path 145 is opened, and at least a portion of the sheet S is located within the space SP. This allows the user to easily find the jammed sheet S.

[0043] As described above, in the present embodiment, first illumination device 600A guides the user toward sheet S that has jammed in a recessed position of image forming apparatus 100. At least a portion of jammed sheet S is illuminated by second illumination device 600B, allowing the user to easily find sheet S. This improves jam clearance.

[0044] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described, in which the second illumination device 600B is arranged at a different position from that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same components as those of the first embodiment will be omitted from the drawings or will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0045] 10, an opening 1001 is provided in the lower guide 144b of the transport unit 140. A second illumination device 1600B is attached to the lower guide 144b. The configuration of the second illumination device 1600B is similar to that of the second illumination device 600B of the first embodiment.

[0046] Second illumination device 1600B illuminates space SP between upper guide 145a and lower guide 145b located at the second position through opening 1001. In this embodiment, second illumination device 1600B is not attached to rear side plate 801, so that the size of image forming apparatus 100 in width direction W can be reduced.

[0047] The first lighting device 600A may be attached to the upper guide 145a as in the first embodiment, or may be attached to another location. For example, the first lighting device 600A may be attached to the frame member 220. The second lighting device may also be attached to another location, not limited to the rear side panel 801 or the lower guide 144b.

[0048] <Other embodiments> In any of the above-described embodiments, the lower guide 145b is configured to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 210 extending in the width direction W, but this is not limiting. For example, the lower guide 145b may be configured to be rotatable about a shaft provided on the rear side of the image forming apparatus 100, similar to the lower guides 143b and 144b. Furthermore, the lower guide 145b may not be configured to be rotatable, but may be configured to be detached from the housings 101 and 102 when the conveying path 145 is opened.

[0049] In addition, in all of the above-described embodiments, the lower guides 143b, 144b, and 145b are configured to open relative to the upper guides 143a, 144a, and 145a, but this is not limiting. For example, the lower guides 143b, 144b, and 145b may be configured to be immovable, and the transport paths 143, 144, and 145 may be opened by moving the upper guides 143a, 144a, and 145a. In this case, the first illumination device 600A may be configured to illuminate the upper guide 145a.

[0050] In addition, in all of the above-described embodiments, the first illumination device 600A illuminates in a direction including a downward component with respect to the vertical direction VD, and the second illumination device 600B illuminates in a direction including an upward component with respect to the vertical direction VD, but this is not limiting. In other words, the first illumination device 600A and the second illumination device 600B may illuminate in any direction as long as their illumination directions are different from each other.

[0051] In addition, in all of the above-described embodiments, when a sheet S jams, the first illumination device 600A flashes and the second illumination device 600B lights up continuously, but this is not limiting. For example, the first illumination device 600A and the second illumination device 600B may both flash or both light up continuously. Furthermore, the first illumination device 600A and the second illumination device 600B are configured to light up only when a sheet S jams in the conveying path 145, but this is not limiting. For example, the first illumination device 600A and the second illumination device 600B may always light up when the image forming apparatus 100 is powered on.

[0052] In addition, in all of the above-described embodiments, the upper guide 145a and the lower guide 145b are arranged so as to overlap the frame member 220 when viewed in the width direction W, but this is not limiting. For example, the upper guide 145a and the lower guide 145b do not have to overlap the frame member 220 when viewed in the width direction W.

[0053] In addition, in all of the above-described embodiments, the drawer unit 142 is disposed adjacent to the downstream side of the transport unit 141 in the sheet transport direction CD, but this is not limiting. For example, the drawer unit 142 may be disposed adjacent to the upstream side of the transport unit 141 in the sheet transport direction CD.

[0054] In addition, although the above-described embodiments have been described using an electrophotographic image forming apparatus 100, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to an inkjet image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet by ejecting ink liquid from nozzles.

[0055] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 100: image forming apparatus / 102: apparatus main body (housing) / 142: drawer unit / 145: transport path / 145a: first guide (upper guide) / 145b: second guide (lower guide) / 145C: transport center / 202: control unit (controller) / 210: rotating shaft / 220: frame member / 300: sensor / 401: door (front door) / 600A: first lighting device / 600B, 1600B: second lighting device / 701: upper surface / 801: side panel (rear side panel) / 901: opening / CD: sheet transport direction / S: sheet / SP: space / VD: vertical direction / W: width direction

Claims

1. In an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet, A device body, a door that constitutes a part of the exterior of the image forming apparatus and is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to the apparatus body; The first guide, a second guide having an opposing surface facing the first guide and movable between a first position where the first guide and the opposing surface form a transport path and a second position where the second guide is further away from the first guide than the first position and opens the transport path, the second guide being exposed when the door is opened relative to the device body; a first lighting device that illuminates the opposing surface of the second guide that is positioned at the second position; a second lighting device that illuminates in a direction different from that of the first lighting device and illuminates a space between the first guide and the second guide located at the second position, the first illumination device is disposed on one side of a conveyance center of the conveyance path in a width direction perpendicular to a sheet conveyance direction of the sheet conveyed on the conveyance path, the second lighting device is disposed on the other side of the transport center in the width direction. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

2. the first lighting device illuminates the opposing surface of the second guide positioned at the second position, on a side closer to the door than the conveyance center of the conveyance path, in the width direction.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

3. The second guide is located lower at the second position than at the first position.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

4. The second guide is rotatable between the first position and the second position around a rotation axis extending in the width direction.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

5. the first lighting device illuminates in a direction including a downward component with respect to the vertical direction, the second lighting device illuminates in a direction including an upward component with respect to the vertical direction; 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

6. the first lighting device is attached to an upper surface of the first guide and illuminates the second guide through an opening formed in the first guide; 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

7. the second lighting device is attached to a side panel provided on the opposite side of the door across the transport path in the width direction; 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

8. The first lighting device flashes, the second lighting device is continuously lit; 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

9. the first lighting device and the second lighting device are turned on when a sheet is retained in the conveyance path, the second illumination device illuminates at least a portion of the sheet remaining in the transport path; 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

10. a sensor that detects a sheet in the conveying path; a control unit that turns on the first lighting device and the second lighting device when it is determined that a sheet is stuck in the conveyance path based on the detection result of the sensor, 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

11. a drawer unit disposed adjacent to the first guide and the second guide in the sheet conveying direction and provided so as to be drawable from the apparatus main body; 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

12. the device body has a frame member that extends vertically and supports the door so that it can be opened and closed; The first guide and the second guide are disposed at positions overlapping the frame member when viewed in the width direction.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

13. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet, A device body, a door that constitutes a part of the exterior of the image forming apparatus and is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to the apparatus body; The first guide, a second guide having an opposing surface facing the first guide and movable between a first position where the first guide and the opposing surface form a transport path and a second position where the second guide is further away from the first guide than the first position and opens the transport path, the second guide being exposed when the door is opened relative to the device body; a first lighting device that illuminates the opposing surface of the second guide that is positioned at the second position; a second lighting device that illuminates in a direction different from that of the first lighting device and illuminates a space between the first guide and the second guide located at the second position, the second lighting device is attached to a side panel provided on the opposite side of the door across the conveyance path in a width direction perpendicular to a sheet conveyance direction of the sheet conveyed on the conveyance path; An image forming apparatus characterized by:

14. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet, A device body, a door that constitutes a part of the exterior of the image forming apparatus and is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to the apparatus body; The first guide, a second guide having an opposing surface facing the first guide and movable between a first position where the first guide and the opposing surface form a transport path and a second position where the second guide is further away from the first guide than the first position and opens the transport path, the second guide being exposed when the door is opened relative to the device body; a first lighting device that illuminates the opposing surface of the second guide that is positioned at the second position; a second lighting device that illuminates in a direction different from that of the first lighting device and illuminates a space between the first guide and the second guide located at the second position, The first lighting device flashes, the second lighting device is continuously lit; An image forming apparatus characterized by:

15. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet, A device body, a door that constitutes a part of the exterior of the image forming apparatus and is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to the apparatus body; The first guide, a second guide having an opposing surface facing the first guide and movable between a first position where the first guide and the opposing surface form a transport path and a second position where the second guide is further away from the first guide than the first position and opens the transport path, the second guide being exposed when the door is opened relative to the device body; a first lighting device that illuminates the opposing surface of the second guide that is positioned at the second position; a second lighting device that illuminates in a direction different from that of the first lighting device and illuminates a space between the first guide and the second guide located at the second position; a drawer unit disposed adjacent to the first guide and the second guide in the sheet conveying direction of the sheet conveyed through the conveying path, and provided so as to be drawable from the device main body; An image forming apparatus characterized by:

16. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet, A device body, a door that constitutes a part of the exterior of the image forming apparatus and is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to the apparatus body; The first guide, a second guide having an opposing surface facing the first guide and movable between a first position where the first guide and the opposing surface form a transport path and a second position where the second guide is further away from the first guide than the first position and opens the transport path, the second guide being exposed when the door is opened relative to the device body; a first lighting device that illuminates the opposing surface of the second guide that is positioned at the second position; a second lighting device that illuminates in a direction different from that of the first lighting device and illuminates a space between the first guide and the second guide located at the second position, the device body has a frame member that extends vertically and supports the door so that it can be opened and closed; the first guide and the second guide are disposed at positions overlapping the frame member when viewed in a width direction perpendicular to a sheet conveying direction of the sheet conveyed through the conveying path. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

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