Abstract:
A conveying apparatus includes: a movable portion that performs an operation related to conveying an article to be conveyed when provided with a driving force; a first component that constitutes part of an exterior of the conveying apparatus, and is attachable and detachable with respect to the conveying apparatus; a second component that is openable and closable by a user in state where the first component is detached, through a space formed by the detached first component, and that operably exposes at least part of the movable portion to the user in an open state; and a drive controller that drives the movable portion in a case where the first component is detached and the second component is closed, and performs control to prevent at least part of the movable portion from being driven in a case where the first component is detached and the second component is open.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priorities under 35 USC 119 from Japanese patent application No. 2009-219309 filed on Sep. 24, 2009. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a conveying apparatus, an image forming apparatus and a conveying system. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    There are, for example, image forming apparatuses provided with multiple sections for feeding sheets. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention enables to reduce situations where conveying of an article to be conveyed stops. 
         [0007]    According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a conveying apparatus including a configuration provided with a movable portion that performs an operation related to conveying an article to be conveyed when provided with a driving force, a first component that constitutes part of an exterior of the conveying apparatus, and is attachable and detachable with respect to the conveying apparatus, a second component that is openable and closable by a user in state where the first component is detached, through a space formed by the detached first component, and that operably exposes at least part of the movable portion to the user in an open state, and a drive controller that drives the movable portion in a case where the first component is detached and the second component is closed, and performs control to prevent at least part of the movable portion from being driven in a case where the first component is detached and the second component is open. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a configuration of an image forming system; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows configurations of a second unit and a third unit in greater detail; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  shows the second unit; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows the third unit; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates three views of a configuration of a cover having a reflective portion on part of an insertion point; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  shows three views of other examples of the cover; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  contrast the open and closed states of the cover; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram showing a configuration related to control of the image forming system; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing processing executed in the image forming system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary Embodiment 
       [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a configuration of an image forming system serving as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, an image forming system  10  of the exemplary embodiment is provided with a first unit  100 , a second unit  200  and a third unit  300 . Note that the units of the image forming system  10  may be constituted separately, that is, detachably, or may be constituted integrally. 
         [0019]    The image forming system  10  of the exemplary embodiment uses sheets of predetermined size as articles to be conveyed. Herein, sheet refers to a sheet-like medium on which an image is to be formed using a color material (toner, etc.), but is not limited to so-called paper, and includes a sheet-like resin or the like. While there may be multiple types of sheets of various sizes (i.e., dimensions) and weights per unit area (so-called basis weight), in the exemplary embodiment the same type of sheet is assumed to be held in all of the holding portions. 
         [0020]    Note that in the following, for ease of description, the direction of an arrow A 1  in  FIG. 1  will be referred to as “upward” and the direction of an arrow A 2  will be referred to as “downward.” Also, the direction of an arrow B 1  in  FIG. 1  will be referred to as “frontward” and the direction of an arrow B 2  will be referred to as “rearward.” Herein, frontward is the side from which the user operates, and rearward is the opposite side to frontward. The apparatuses according to an aspect of the invention are, however, not limited to being used in such an orientation or arrangement, and the configuration shown in  FIG. 1  may, for example, be tilted at 90 degrees and the units used in an orientation whereby the units are arranged one behind the other. 
         [0021]    Also, in the following, the surface on the upward side of each portion will be referred to as the “upper surface,” the surface on the downward side will be referred to as the “lower surface,” the surface on the frontward side will be referred to as the “front surface,” and the surface on the rearward side will be referred to as the “rear surface.” 
         [0022]    The first unit  100  is provided with an image forming portion  110  and sheet feeding portions  120  and  130  that will be described later. The image forming portion  110  is an example of an image forming section according to an aspect of the invention, and in the exemplary embodiment is an eletrophotographic image forming section. The image forming portion  110  is provided with a photoconductor drum  111 , an exposure apparatus  112 , a developer  113 , a transfer roller  114  and a fixer  115 , and forms an image by transferring a toner image formed on the photoconductor drum  111  to a sheet and fixing the toner image. Note that the image forming portion  110 , while here being a single-color image forming section, may also form an image using multi-color toner. 
         [0023]    The sheet feeding portions  120  and  130  are sections that convey sheets. The sheet feeding portions  120  and  130  hold sheets, and feed held sheets as needed when provided with a driving force by a driving section (motor, etc.) that is not shown. The sheet feeding portion  120  ( 130 ) is provided with a holding portion  121  ( 131 ) that holds multiple sheets, a feed roller  122  ( 132 ) that dispatches sheets one at a time from the top of the held sheets, and conveying rollers  123  and  124  ( 133  and  134 ) that handle the dispatched sheets and convey the sheets on a conveying path (broken line in figure) one by one. The sheet feeding portion  120  and the sheet feeding portion  130  have common configurations related to the conveying of sheets, but may differ in the size and number of held sheets. Note that the multiple conveying rollers are provided in appropriate positions on the sheet conveying path. 
         [0024]    The second unit  200  and the third unit  300  are examples of conveying apparatuses according to an aspect of the invention. The second unit  200  and the third unit  300  may be respectively regarded as separate conveying apparatuses, or as being combined to constitute a single conveying apparatus. The second unit  200  (third unit  300 ) includes a holding portion  210  ( 310 ), a feed roller  220  ( 320 ), and conveying rollers  230  and  240  ( 330  and  340 ). These constituent elements are at least provided with functions in common with the constituent elements of the same name included the sheet feeding portions  120  and  130 . That is, these constituent elements all correspond to a movable portion that performs an operation related to conveying sheets when provided with a driving force. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  shows the configurations of the second unit  200  and the third unit  300  in greater detail. The holding portion  210  is provided with a lift  211  that moves the sheets up and down. The lift  211  changes position as a result of being provided with a driving force, such that the uppermost of the sheets held in the holding portion  210  contacts the feed roller  220  at an appropriate pressure. The operation of raising the lift  211  will thus be referred to in the following as “lift up.” The lift  211  performs the lift up operation according to the number of remaining sheets. Thus, a sensor that detects the number of remaining sheets by weight or the like is provided on the lift  211 . 
         [0026]    The holding portion  210  is a component having a configuration that allows detachment from the second unit  200 . Note that the second unit  200  is a collection of multiple components that have been combined. The attached state of the holding portion  210  is shown in  FIG. 1  and the detached state is shown in  FIG. 2 . That is, the holding portion  210  is detached by being moved (pulled) frontward, and is attached by being moved (pushed) rearward. The holding portion  210  is an example of a first component according to an aspect of the invention. 
         [0027]    The second unit  200  has a space for holding the holding portion  210 , and permits the user to put a hand into this space when the holding portion  210  has been detached. Note that the user is not able to put a hand into this space when the holding portion  210  has been attached. This space opens frontward of the second unit  200 . In the following, this opening will be referred to as an “opening  200   a ” as an example opening. The holding portion  210  has a function of blocking the opening  200   a  in an attached state. This function is realized by the holding portion  210  constituting part of the exterior of the second unit  200 . In other words, the second unit  200  loses part of the exterior as a result of the holding portion  210  being detached, exposing the space holding the holding portion  210 . 
         [0028]    Also, the second unit  200  has an opening  200   b  on the lower surface. The opening  200   b  is provided in a position coinciding with a cover  350  that will be described later. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  shows the lower surface of the second unit  200  from the upward side. The opening  200   b  is large enough to permit opening and closing of the cover  350 . The size of the opening  200   b  may be smaller than the size of the cover  350 , provided opening and closing of the cover  350  is permitted. Note the lower surface of the second unit  200  desirably has few irregularities, so as to allow the user to clearly see the cover  350 . 
         [0030]    The holding portion  310  of the third unit  300  is provided with a lift  311 . The function of the lift  311  is in common with the function of the lift  211 . That is, the lift  311  also corresponds to an example of a movable portion according to an aspect of the invention. Note that the holding portion  310  may have sheets replenished by itself being pulled out, or the exterior of the front surface of the third unit  300  may be constituted by a door that opens and closes, and sheets may be replenished by opening this door. 
         [0031]    Also, the third unit  300  is provided with the cover  350  on the upper surface. The cover  350  is a plate-like member that is opened and closed by the user, and is provided above the feed roller  320  or the conveying rollers  330  and  340 . The cover  350  is an example of a second component according to an aspect of the invention. 
         [0032]    In the exemplary embodiment, the feed roller  320  and the conveying rollers  330  and  340  are consumables that wear as a result of the conveying of sheets, and need to be replaced at appropriate times. Replacement of consumables is carried out by the user. Note that the user referred to here may be someone who forms images using the image forming system  10 , or a professional (so-called service person) who carries out repairs on the image forming system  10 , replacement of consumables, and the like. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  shows a configuration of the upper surface side of the third unit  300 , and a configuration of the cover  350  and the periphery thereof. The third unit  300  is provided with the cover  350  and a supporting member  360  supporting the cover  350 . The supporting member  360  is provided with part thereof covering the upper surface of the cover  350 , and restricts the upward and downward movement of the cover  350 . The supporting member  360  also has notches  361  and  362 . The notches  361  and  362  are indents provided as indicators of the movement of the cover  350 . Note that since the user need only be provided with an indicator, the notches  361  and  362  may be substituted with stickers or the like that adhere a printed image or the like. 
         [0034]    The cover  350  is provided with marks  351  and  352 , an insertion point  353  and a shading portion  354 . The marks  351  and  352  are indicators of the movement of the cover  350 , and are provided in positions corresponding to the notches  361  and  362  of the supporting member  360 . The marks  351  and  352  are, for example, holes, that is, openings, provided in the cover  350 , but may be stickers or the like that adhere a printed image or the like. The insertion point  353  is an opening provided for the user to insert a finger. The insertion point  353  here has a shape that allows four fingers to be inserted, but may be a round opening that allows one finger to be inserted. 
         [0035]    The insertion point  353  needs, however, to be small enough that fingers do not reach the feed roller  320  or the conveying rollers  330  and  340  from the insertion point, or to be provided in a position removed from the feed roller  320  and the conveying rollers  330  and  340  so that fingers to not reach the rollers. The shading portion  354  functions as a section that shades light irradiated by a second sensor  370  that will be discussed later. The shading portion  354  is, in the exemplary embodiment, a region created by cutting and folding back part of the cover  350 . Note that instead of the shading portion  354  of the exemplary embodiment, a member having an equivalent function may be attached to the cover  350 . 
         [0036]    Note that the cover  350  desirably is constituted to have a reflective portion that reflects light incident through the opening  200   a  toward the opening  200   a . This reflective portion more desirably is provided on part of the insertion point  353 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  illustrates three views of the configuration of the cover  350  that includes a reflective portion on part of the insertion point  353 . The insertion point  353  shown in this figure has a reflective portion  353   a  formed by a bending process. The reflective portion  353   a  reflects light incident from the direction shown by an arrow L 1  in this figure. That is, the reflective portion  353   a  reflects light toward the opening  200   a  if light is incident through the opening  200   a . The reflective portion  353   a  makes it easy for the user to visually check the position of the insertion point  353 . Note that the reflective portion  353   a  may be provided on the frontward side or the rearward side of the insertion point  353 . Also, instead of the reflective portion  353   a  formed by a bending process, a reflective portion  353   b  such a sticker or a film that readily reflects incident light may be adhered around at least part of the opening  200   a , or the cover  350  may be formed by solid metal, and the surface of the cover  350  in the thickness direction of the opening  200   a  may be used as a reflective portion  353   c  that reflects incident light, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The reflective portion  353   c  more desirably has a metallic sheen. 
         [0038]    The cover  350 , in an open state, operably exposes the feed roller  320  and the conveying rollers  330  and  340  to the user. The operation referred to here involves replacing or cleaning the feed roller  320  or the conveying rollers  330  and  340 , for example. Also, the operation referred to here may, in the case where a sheet gets jammed in the feed roller  320  or the conveying roller  330  and  340 , involve removing the jammed sheet. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  contrast the open and closed states of the cover  350 , with  FIG. 7A  showing the closed state and  FIG. 7B  showing the open state. When the cover  350  is in the position shown in  FIG. 7A , the mark  351  faces the notch  361 , and the mark  352  faces the notch  362 . In this state, the feed roller  320  and the conveying rollers  330  and  340  are not operably exposed. Note that while the feed roller  320  and the conveying rollers  330  and  340  may be partially visible through the insertion point  353 , the abovementioned replacement operation and the like will not be possible even if the rollers are partially visible through the insertion point  353 . When the cover  350  is in the position shown in  FIG. 7B , the mark  351  faces the notch  362 . In this state, the feed roller  320  and the conveying rollers  330  and  340  are operably exposed. 
         [0040]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram showing a configuration related to control of the image forming system  10 . The image forming system  10  is provided with an acquisition portion  140 , a controller  150 , a first sensor  250  and the second sensor  370 , in addition to the abovementioned image forming portion  110 , sheet feeding portion  120 , sheet feeding portion  130 , second unit  200  and third unit  300 . Note that the acquisition portion  140  and the controller  150  may be provided in any of the first unit  100 , the second unit  200  and the third unit  300 . 
         [0041]    The acquisition portion  140  acquires commands related to image forming. The acquisition portion  140  acquires commands via a manipulator such as a button provided in the image forming system  10 , or via a communication section connected to an external apparatus. Commands acquired by the acquisition portion  140  include data relating to sheets to be used and image data representing images to be formed. The controller  150  is provided with an operation processing apparatus such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory, and controls operation of the constituent elements of the image forming system  10  by executing processing according to prestored programs. The controller  150  performs selection of sheets for forming images, according to commands acquired by the acquisition portion  140 . The controller  150  is an example of a drive controller according to an aspect of the invention. 
         [0042]    The first sensor  250  is a detection section that detects that the holding portion  210  (i.e., first component) of the second unit  200  has been detached. The first sensor  250  detects the position of an object for detection using a physical quantity. The physical quantity referred to here is light reflectivity, pressure, electrical current or the like. The second sensor  370  is a detection section that detects the state of the cover  350  of the third unit  300 . In the exemplary embodiment, the second sensor  370  is provided with an irradiation portion for irradiating light and a detection portion for detecting irradiated light, and detects whether the cover  350  is in an open state or a closed state depending on whether or not the shading portion  354  is shading light. The detection results of the first sensor  250  and the second sensor  370  are supplied as data to the controller  150 . 
         [0043]    The composition of the image forming system  10  of the present invention is as described above. With this configuration, the image forming system  10  forms an image using one of the held sheets. The image forming system  10  controls the driving of the constituent elements when forming an image, such that constituent elements that are required operate and the other constituent elements do not operate. The image forming system  10 , specifically, executes the following processing. 
         [0044]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing processing executed when the controller  150  of the image forming system  10  forms an image. Note that the processing in this figure assumes the case where multiple sheets are repeatedly conveyed and images are repeatedly formed. Also, the image forming system  10  is initially assumed to be in a state where the holding portion  210  is attached and the cover  350  is closed. 
         [0045]    The controller  150 , when forming an image, firstly selects a holding portion for feeding sheets (step S 1 ). The holding portion selected here is one of the holding portions  121 ,  131 ,  210  and  310 . Subsequently, the controller  150  causes the holding portion selected in step S 1  to convey sheets, and causes the image forming portion  110  to form images (step S 2 ). 
         [0046]    Note that in step S 1 , the controller  150  may perform lift up with regard to all of the holding portions, irrespective of which holding portion was selected. 
         [0047]    The controller  150  judges whether the holding portion  210  has been detached, based on data supplied from the first sensor  250  (step S 3 ). The controller  150  continues the operation of forming images, provided the holding portion  210  remains attached. On the other hand, in the case where the holding portion  210  has been detached, the controller  150  determines whether the holding portion selected in step S 1  was the holding portion  210  (step S 4 ). That is, at this time the controller  150  judges whether the holding portion  210  is performing an operation related to conveying sheets. Herein, in the case where the holding portion  210  has been selected, that is, the holding portion  210  is conveying sheets, the controller  150  causes the holding portion  210  to stop conveying sheets, and causes the image forming portion  110  to stop forming images (step S 5 ). Herein, the operation of stopping the conveying of sheets involves stopping the feed roller  220  and the conveying rollers  230  and  240 , and causing the lift  211  to not be raised. Also, the operation of causing the lift  211  to not be raised includes the case where the lift  211  is stopped from moving and the case where the lift  211  is lowered. 
         [0048]    On the other hand, if the holding portion  210  has not been selected, the controller  150  judges whether the cover  350  has been opened, based on data supplied from the second sensor  370  (step S 6 ). The controller  150  continues the operation of forming images, provided the cover  350  remains closed. Here, if the cover  350  has been opened, the controller  150  judges whether the holding portion selected in step S 1  was the holding portion  310  (step S 7 ). 
         [0049]    If the holding portion  310  has been selected, the controller  150  causes the holding portion  310  to stop conveying sheets, and causes the image forming portion  110  to stop forming images (step S 8 ). On the other hand, if the holding portion  310  has not been selected, the controller  150  proceeds without stopping the forming of images (step S 9 ). At this time, the controller  150  lowers the lift  311  if lift up is being performed with regard to the holding portion  310 . 
         [0050]    Herein, the operation of stopping the forming of images and the operation of lowering the lift  311  are both examples of an operation of preventing the driving of a movable portion. For example, the operation of lowering the lift  311  can be said to be an operation of preventing driving related to the conveying of sheets by the lift  311 , given that it exerts an opposite effect to the operation (lift up) required for conveying sheets. In other words, herein, “preventing driving” is a state where control is performed such that conveying of sheets and forming of images are not performed, and does not only indicate a state where driving is stopped. 
         [0051]    Note that in steps S 5  and S 8 , instead of causing the image forming portion  110  to stop forming images, the controller  150  may reselect a different holding portion (holding portion  121  or  131 ) from holding portions previously selected and proceed without causing the forming of images to be stopped. 
       Variations 
       [0052]    The abovementioned exemplary embodiment is an example of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the abovementioned exemplary embodiment, and may be implemented by the following variations, for example. Also, the present invention does not obstruct implementation in which the following variations are appropriately combined. 
       Variation 1 
       [0053]    The present invention can be implemented by a configuration that does not include an image forming section. In the case of the abovementioned exemplary embodiment, for example, a conveying apparatus (or conveying system) constituted by the second unit  200  and the third unit  300  but not including the first unit  100  is equivalent to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Also, the present invention may be applied to other articles to be carried, without being limited to sheets. 
       Variation 2 
       [0054]    The abovementioned first unit  100 , second unit  200  and third unit  300  may constitute a different combination from the abovementioned image forming system  10 . For example, the second unit  200  need not be provided between the first unit  100  and the third unit  300 , or multiple second units  200  may be provided between the first unit  100  and the third unit  300 . In the former example, the first unit  100  has a configuration in which the holding portion  131  is detachable, and an opening is provided in a position on the lower surface side coinciding with the cover  350 . In the later example, the second units  200  desirably are provided with a cover similar to the cover  350  on the upper surface side. 
       Variation 3 
       [0055]    The opening and closing mode of the second component according to an aspect of the invention is not limited to the mode of the abovementioned exemplary embodiment. For example, the cover  350  may be transformed so as to be detachable and removable without upward movement being restricted by the supporting member  360 , or may be transformed so as to be attached to the supporting member  360  using a member such as hinge, and to open and close by rotating about a given axis. Alternatively, the cover  350  may be transformed so as to be powered open and closed as a result of the user pressing a manipulator. 
         [0056]    The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various exemplary embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.