CN100476614C - image recording system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an image recording system, which is characterized in that a plurality of image recording devices provided with recording medium storage parts are arranged in parallel, and a recording medium storage unit that can be commonly used for these image recording devices is provided, and the multiple image recording devices The recording medium recorded by the device is discharged to the recording medium storage unit and stored in the recording medium storage unit.

Description

image recording system

The present application is based on the priority of the following applications: Patent No. 2005-200576 filed in Japan on July 8, 2005, patent No. 2005-243058 filed in Japan on August 24, 2005, and patent No. 2005-243058 filed in Japan on September 5, 2005 The patent No. 2005-256724 was applied for, the patent No. 2005-272310 was applied in Japan on September 20, 2005, and the patent No. 2006-150196 was applied in Japan on May 30, 2006. All the above-mentioned contents are within the scope of the present invention.

technical field

The present invention relates to an image recording system using a plurality of image recording devices.

Background technique

Nowadays, copiers, facsimile machines (FAX), printing devices, etc. are indispensable equipment in office affairs, and these copiers, facsimile machines, printing devices, etc. are all based on image recording devices. Recently, attention has been drawn to an image recording device as a composite device having all the functions of a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printing device, and the like. This image recording device has, as a basic function, a function of recording images such as characters and graphics on a recording medium such as sheet-shaped recording paper. Also, as the image recording, there are currently monochrome image recording and color image recording.

With regard to the above-mentioned image recording apparatuses, recently, along with the increase in transaction volume, it is required to increase the processing capacity of the image recording apparatuses. As a specific method of improving the processing capability of the image recording device, an increase in the processing speed, an increase in the storage capacity of the recording medium, and the like are required.

Since an image recording device is a device that records images on recording paper as a recording medium, an increase in processing speed means an increase in recording and ejection speeds on recording paper. Since the processing speed is represented by the number of sheets of recording paper recorded/ejected per unit time, in an image recording apparatus, it is required to increase the number of sheets of recording paper recorded/ejected per unit time.

As such a method capable of satisfying the demand for increasing the processing speed, in addition to the method of increasing the processing speed of the image recording device itself, it is also considered that a plurality of parts that perform the recording function of the image recording device may be provided, and by simultaneously using these parts in parallel , to increase the overall processing speed. From the above point of view, various proposals have been made in response to the above request (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-305221).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-305221 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) is a patent related to a color printer device. This color printer device is configured using a plurality of color image forming devices. In this color printer device, by using these color image forming devices simultaneously and in parallel, the overall processing speed is increased.

Specifically, in the color printer device, an image forming device that records an image on recording paper and a multi-sheet feeding device that stores and supplies recording paper to the image forming device form a pair. Combinations of such a pair of image forming apparatuses and multi-sheet feeding apparatuses are arranged in a plurality of housings. Furthermore, a discharge device commonly used for these combinations is arranged in the housing.

That is, the above-mentioned image forming apparatus does not include a multi-sheet feeding device, but one image forming apparatus and one multi-sheet feeding device are combined. Such a combination is arranged in the housing of only a necessary number (for example, two) of color printers, and recording paper conveyance paths and discharge devices suitable for the number of the combinations are provided to form a color printer.

In the color printer device described in Patent Document 1, if one image forming device has sufficient processing capability, the color printer device may be constituted by only one image forming device. However, even if a color printer device composed of only one image forming device different from the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is used to form a color printer device composed of a plurality of image forming devices, for example, two image forming devices, It is also difficult to simply combine two image forming apparatuses to form a color printer apparatus consisting of only one image forming apparatus.

That is to say, in the color printer of Patent Document 1, as described above, only the necessary number of combinations of image forming devices and multi-sheet feeding devices are arranged in the housing of the color printer device, and the number of units suitable for the combination is set. The number of recording paper transport paths constitutes a color printer device. In this way, an apparatus using two image forming apparatuses needs to be separately reinstalled, including the housing and the recorded recording paper conveyance path.

Also, in the color printer of Patent Document 1, one image forming device forms a pair with one multi-sheet feeding device that stores and supplies recording paper to the image forming device. Only one multi-sheet feeding unit can be used in the color printer unit of one image forming apparatus. Therefore, in a color printer device having one image forming device, it is difficult to cope with the increase in recording paper.

However, most recent color and monochrome image recording devices are generally only provided with one color or monochrome image forming unit as an image forming unit, but as a recording paper storage tray, there are many indivual. Such an image recording apparatus is additionally provided with a recording medium storage tray or a recording medium storage unit for storing recorded recording paper discharged from the image forming unit, and can be used as a stand-alone unit.

Therefore, if it is possible to form a single system by arranging a plurality of single-unit machines that contain multiple recording paper storage trays and can be used independently, it is possible to form a cost-effective system without separately developing a dedicated mainframe. Image recording system.

Contents of the invention

Therefore, the present invention proposes in view of the above-mentioned situation, adopts a plurality of image recording devices that can be used independently as a single machine, and provides a cost-effective image recording system that can improve processing capacity.

The image recording system of the present invention is characterized in that at least an image recording device for recording an image on a recording medium and a recording medium storage unit for storing the recording medium recorded by the image recording device are provided, and the image recording device is arranged side by side. There are a plurality of sets, and the recording medium storage unit can be commonly used for the multiple image recording devices, and the recording medium recorded by the image recording devices is discharged to the recording medium storage unit and stored in The recording medium storage unit.

In addition, the image recording device used in the image recording system of the present invention means that a recording medium storage unit is provided, and the recording medium stored in the recording medium storage unit is taken out and the image is recorded, and the recorded The recording medium discharge device. This image recording device is generally provided with a recording medium storage unit such as a recording medium storage tray for storing recorded recording media and a recording medium storage device. However, in the image recording system of the present invention, such recording media not provided The above-mentioned device in the state of the storage unit is called an image recording device.

The image recording system is composed of a plurality of image recording devices. Therefore, multiple image recording devices can be used at the same time. By using multiple image recording devices at the same time, the number of recording and ejection sheets per unit time in the overall image recording device can be increased, and the overall processing speed can be improved.

In the image recording system, it is preferable that the image recording device is provided with a plurality of the recording medium storage units. By doing so, it is possible to realize the increment of the recording paper in the image recording device of the image recording system.

Also, it is preferable that the image recording system has the following configuration. That is, the image recording devices are arranged in a row in the front-rear direction, and the recording medium storage unit is arranged at the head of the row. Then, a bypass transport unit is provided in at least one of the image recording devices, and the recording medium recorded by the image recording device arranged behind the image recording device provided with the bypass transport unit, It is discharged to the recording medium storage unit via the bypass conveyance unit, and stored in the recording medium storage unit.

By doing so, as an image recording system, the recording medium recorded by the image recording device arranged behind the image recording device provided with the bypass conveying unit can be configured to be discharged to the recording medium storage unit via the bypass conveying unit, and stored. system stored in the recording medium storage unit.

Furthermore, in the image recording system, as the name of the image recording devices arranged in a row in the front-rear direction, the image recording devices adjacent to the front and rear are called front devices, and the image recording devices adjacent to the front and rear are called front devices. The image recording device is called the rear device, the first front device is called the first device, and the last rear device is called the rear device. The image recording device from which the rear device is removed is called a main device, and specifically, the image recording system preferably has the following configuration.

That is, the image recording devices arranged in a row in the front-rear direction are provided with a device discharge port for discharging the recorded recording medium forward. In addition, a bypass conveying unit is provided on the above-mentioned main unit. The bypass transport unit is provided with a bypass front receiving entrance, a main transport passage, a bypass discharge outlet, a bypass rear receiving entrance, and a bypass transport passage.

Wherein, the bypass front receiving inlet is connected to the device discharge port of the main body device to which the bypass transport unit is installed, and receives the recording medium discharged from the device discharge port. The main conveyance path conveys forward the recording medium received by the bypass front receiving inlet. The bypass discharge port discharges the recording medium conveyed by the main conveyance path forward. The bypass rear receiving inlet is combined with the device discharge port of the rear device when the rear device of the body device is the rear device, and is connected with the rear device of the body device when it is not the rear device. The bypass discharge port of the bypass transfer unit mounted on the top is connected to receive the recording medium discharged from the bypass discharge port or the device discharge port of the rear end device. The bypass conveyance path transports the recording medium received from the bypass rear receiving entrance forward, and merges in the middle of the main conveyance path.

In addition, in the image recording system, the recording medium storage unit commonly used by each of the plurality of image recording devices is provided on the bypass discharge port of the bypass transport unit provided in the head unit. unit.

In the image recording system composed of the rear device, the main device, a bypass conveying unit, and a recording medium storage unit, the main device is provided with a bypass conveying unit, and the bypass conveying unit is provided with The main body device and the rear tail device are arranged in a row and formed. Therefore, if the image recording device and the recording medium storage unit composed of the rear end device or the main body device are produced, only by preparing the bypass conveying unit, and then installing the bypass conveying unit in the image recording device, and disposing An image recording system provided with a plurality of image recording devices can be formed by a simple method such as combining each device. Therefore, the cost of the image recording system can be reduced.

Also, as mentioned above, the image recording system formed in this way can increase the overall processing speed by using a plurality of image recording devices at the same time, so an image recording system with improved processing speed can be obtained at low cost, and it can provide high cost performance. image recording system.

In the image recording system, as the image recording device, it is preferable that a recording medium storage unit for storing the recording medium discharged from the device discharge port is provided at the device discharge port, so that it can be used as a single unit. machine and used alone. In addition, it is preferable that the bypass conveyance unit can be attached to the said main body apparatus later. Furthermore, the term "capable of being attached to the main body device later" means that the bypass transport unit completed later can be attached to the main body device completed as the image recording device.

The image recording device and main body device described above can be used as components of an image recording system, and have the following advantages. That is to say, the image recording device used in the image recording system can be used alone as a stand-alone device because it has the recording medium storage unit, and the bypass transport unit can be attached to the main device later. Therefore, it is possible to use an image recording device with a recording medium storage unit removed from a stand-alone image recording device that has already operated as an image recording device provided with a recording medium storage unit, a new image recording device, etc., as a main body device. The bypass transport unit is attached to the main unit to form an image recording system. Therefore, it is possible to systematize an already-operated stand-alone unit as an image recording system, and to achieve performance improvement and cost reduction for the already-operated stand-alone unit.

In addition, in the above-mentioned image recording system, it is recommended that the bypass conveyance path of the bypass conveyance unit be configured to go over the upper part of the main body device. In this case, it is preferable that the bypass conveyance path of the bypass conveyance unit is at least partially opened upward. By doing so, inspection of the bypass conveyance path and measures for clogging of the recording medium occurring in the bypass conveyance path can be easily performed.

Also, in the image recording system, above the bypass conveying unit, the bypass conveying unit that discharges from the rear device of the main body device and is installed on the main body device may be provided. An upper storage unit in which the recording medium conveyed by the bypass conveyance path is branched from the bypass conveyance path and stored.

In the image recording system having the upper storage unit, a plurality of image recording devices included in the image recording system can process a plurality of image recording tasks in parallel. In this case, the recording medium discharged after image recording , it is more convenient to distinguish and store each task as a unit. In this way, in the image recording system having such an upper storage unit, in storage of the recording medium, one of the recording medium storage units other than the head device, that is, the recording medium storage unit provided in the bypass transport unit of the image recording device arranged at the head Alternatively, the upper storage unit described above can also be used. Therefore, it is possible to easily separate and store recording media for each job unit.

Further, in the above image recording system, it is preferable that the bypass conveyance unit controls the conveyance so that the recording medium conveyed by the bypass conveyance path of the bypass conveyance unit temporarily stays in the bypass conveyance path.

Such a transfer device is recommended for the following reasons. That is, in the image recording system described above, since a plurality of image recording devices are provided, a single task can be distributed to a plurality of image recording devices for processing. In such a case, it is convenient to store the recording media recorded and discharged by a plurality of image recording apparatuses in a commonly used recording medium storage unit. In this way, the recording medium that has been recorded by a plurality of image recording devices and then discharged is stored in the leading device in the image recording system, that is, the recording medium storage device provided in the bypass transport unit of the image recording device that is arranged first. storage unit.

In such a case, since the recording media recorded and discharged by a plurality of image recording devices can be smoothly stored in a commonly used recording medium storage unit, it is necessary to make the recording media discharged by a plurality of image recording devices No conflict occurs. Therefore, through the above-mentioned operation, it is possible to control the recording media discharged from a plurality of image recording devices so that there is no collision, and to smoothly collect the recorded media that distributes a single task to a plurality of image recording devices for processing. live.

In addition, in the image recording system, an image reading unit may be provided on the last device, that is, the upper part of the image recording device arranged last. By doing so, it is possible to add an image reading function to the image recording system, thereby achieving higher functionality of the image recording system.

The image recording system is constituted by a plurality of image recording devices, and if the number of the plurality of image recording devices is two, an image recording system with a simple structure can be constituted.

In this case, in the image recording system, the front device and the rear device, which are two image recording devices, are arranged adjacent to each other in front and back, a recording medium storage unit is provided at the front of the front device, and the front device The upper part is provided with a bypass conveying unit that goes over the upper part of the front device, thereby constituting the above-mentioned image recording system. In an image recording system having such a configuration, it is preferable to form a first conservative space described below.

That is to say, the image recording system forming the first conservative space is configured such that, among the front device and the rear device of the two image recording devices arranged adjacent to each other, the following devices are provided at the respective rear parts of the front device and the rear device: an outlet path for conveying the recording medium discharged from the outlet provided at the rear of the recording medium accommodating portion for storing the recording medium; Rear vertical transport path for square transport.

In addition, the image recording system forming the first conservative space is configured such that, in the front device and the rear device, the respective front parts of the front device and the rear device are provided with: After continuing to be conveyed through the horizontal supply and conveyance path, the image recording unit performs recording, and then, the recording medium conveyed forward through the horizontal discharge conveyance path is discharged to the device discharge port forward; and the recording medium conveyed through the horizontal discharge conveyance path The front and back of the medium are reversed and returned to the front vertical transport path which is a part of the transport path used in the case of the horizontal supply transport path.

Therefore, in the image recording system thus constituted, a first conservative space is formed so that the lower part of the bypass rear part of the bypass transfer unit accepts the entrance, and the rear part of the front device is vertically connected to the transfer path. The front vertical conveying passages of the following devices are in the same plane.

According to the image recording system, since the lower portion of the bypass rear portion of the bypass transfer unit accepts the entrance, the rear vertical transfer path of the front device is formed and the front part of the rear device is vertically transferred. The first conservative space of the path is coplanar, so this first conservative space can be used as a blockage for the rear vertical transfer path of the front device and the blockage that occurs in the front vertical transfer path of the rear device The space used by both parties to deal with the disposal.

In the image recording system, it is preferable that both the rear vertical transport path of the front device and the front vertical transport path of the rear device can be opened to the first reserved space. Also, if the conveying path can be opened to the space, then in the conveying path that sandwiches the front and back of recording media such as recording paper and conveys the recording medium, the side that is in contact with the surface of the recording medium and the side that is in contact with the recording medium can be separated. Either side of the side where the back side of the medium is in contact can be moved into the space.

By doing like this, because in the rear portion vertical conveying path of front device and the front portion vertical conveying path of rear device, can separate the side that contacts with the surface of recording medium and the side that contacts with the back side of recording medium, Therefore, it is possible to easily remove recording media such as recording paper clogged in these transport paths. Therefore, it is possible to easily deal with clogging of the recording medium that occurs in the rear vertical conveyance path of the front device and the front vertical conveyance path of the rear device.

In addition, in the image recording system, an openable and closable cover is preferably provided on at least one of the two sides of the first conservative space, and when the cover is opened, both the front device and the rear device stop operating. .

By doing so, it is possible to reliably stop the operations of the front device and the rear device when dealing with a recording medium jam occurring in the rear vertical transfer path of the front device and the front vertical transfer path of the rear device. Therefore, it is possible to safely cope with clogging of the recording medium that occurs in the rear vertical transport path of the front device and the front vertical transport path of the rear device.

In addition, in the image recording system, it is preferable that a second reserved space facing the vertical transport path at the front of the front device is formed in a lower portion of the main transport path of the bypass transport unit.

According to the image recording system, since the second conservative space facing the front part of the front device perpendicular to the conveying path is formed at the lower part of the main conveying path of the bypass conveying unit, the second space can be used as The space used to cope with the clogging of the recording medium in the front vertical conveyance path of the pre-processing device.

In addition, in the image recording system, it is preferable that the front vertical conveyance path of the front device can be opened to the second conservative space. By doing so, since in the front vertical transport path of the front device, the side in contact with the surface of the recording medium and the side in contact with the back of the recording medium can be separated, these transport paths can be easily removed. recording media such as recording paper jammed in the Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with clogging of the recording medium that occurs in the front vertical conveyance path of the front device.

In addition, in the image recording system, it is preferable that at least one of the two sides of the second conservative space is provided with an openable and closable cover, and when the cover is opened, both the front device and the rear device stop operating.

By doing so, it is possible to reliably stop the operations of the front unit and the rear unit when dealing with clogging of the recording medium that occurs in the front vertical transport path of the front unit. Therefore, it is possible to safely cope with clogging of the recording medium that occurs in the front vertical conveyance path of the pre-processing device.

In addition, in the image recording system, it is preferable that an openable cover is provided on the back of the space for storing the rear device at least at the part opposite to the rear vertical conveying path of the rear device, and when the cover is opened, Both the front device and the rear device stop moving. In addition, when the cover is opened, the rear vertical transfer path of the rear device can be opened to the rear.

By doing so, it is possible to easily cope with clogging of the recording medium that occurs in the rear vertical conveyance path of the after-process device.

In addition, in the image recording system, it is preferable that an openable and closable cover is provided on at least a part of the side of the bypass conveyance path of the bypass conveyance unit, and when the cover is opened, both the front device and the rear device stop operating. In addition, it is preferable that an openable and closable cover is provided on at least a part of the upper surface of the bypass conveyance path of the bypass conveyance unit, and when the cover is opened, both the front device and the rear device stop operating. In addition, it is preferable that at least a part of the bypass conveyance path of the bypass conveyance unit can be opened upward when the cover is opened.

By doing so, it is possible to safely and easily deal with clogging of the recording medium that occurs in the bypass conveyance path of the bypass conveyance unit.

The image recording system is composed of a plurality of image recording devices, and may be composed of two image recording devices as described above. In this case, as the two image recording devices, image recording devices with different specifications such as processing speed may be used, or image recording devices with different recording resolutions may be used, or image recording devices with different types of recording media may be used. device. Also, among the two image recording devices, one may be a color image recording device and the other may be a monochrome image recording device. By doing so, it is possible to compose a cost-effective image recording system that responds to various processing requirements using an image processing device.

As described above, according to the image recording system of the present invention, the image recording system is constituted by a plurality of image recording devices. Therefore, a plurality of image recording devices can be used at the same time, and the processing speed of the image recording device as a whole can be improved by using the plurality of image recording devices at the same time. Also, since the image recording device constituting the image recording system of the present invention is provided with a plurality of recording medium storage sections, the purpose of increasing the number of recording sheets in the image recording system can be achieved.

Also, as mentioned above, the image recording system of the present invention is composed of a rear end device, a main body device, a bypass conveying unit, and a recording medium storage unit, the main body device is provided with a bypass conveying unit, and the The main unit and the rear unit with the bypass transfer unit are arranged in a row and formed. Therefore, if an image recording device and a recording medium storage unit to become a rear device or a main body device are produced, only the bypass conveying unit is prepared, and then the bypass conveying unit is mounted on the image recording device to configure each device. A simple method can form an image recording system provided with a plurality of image recording devices. Therefore, since the cost of the image recording system can be reduced, an image recording system with increased processing speed can be formed at low cost, and a cost-effective image recording system can be provided.

Also, as mentioned above, the image recording device used in the image recording system of the present invention can be used independently as a stand-alone machine by setting the recording medium storage unit, and the bypass transport unit can be installed on the Body device. Therefore, by using an image recording device that removes the recording medium storage unit from a stand-alone machine operating as an image recording device provided with a recording medium storage unit, and a new product image recording device, etc. By attaching the bypass transport unit to the main unit, an image recording system can be constructed. Therefore, it is possible to systematize an already operating stand-alone unit as an image recording system, thereby achieving the purpose of improving the performance and reducing the cost of such an already operating stand-alone unit.

In addition, as described above, the bypass transport unit of the image recording system of the present invention may be configured to pass over the upper part of the image recording device. In this case, the bypass conveyance path has a structure in which at least a part is opened upward. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform measures for jamming of the recording medium that occurs in the bypass conveyance unit and inspection of the bypass conveyance unit.

Also, as described above, in the image recording system of the present invention, a device may be provided above the bypass conveying unit for transferring the recording medium conveyed from the bypass conveying path of the bypass conveying unit through the bypass conveying unit. The upper storage unit for branching and storing the conveyance path. Therefore, by using this upper storage unit, when a plurality of tasks are processed in parallel, each task unit can be separated and stored.

Also, as described above, the bypass transport unit of the image recording system of the present invention performs transport control so that the recording medium transported by the bypass transport path of the bypass transport unit can temporarily stay in the bypass transport path. Therefore, in the case of distributing a single task to a plurality of image recording devices, it is possible to control the recording media discharged from the plurality of image recording devices so that there is no collision on the conveyance path, and it is possible to smoothly process a single task. The storage of recorded recording media is performed by distributing tasks to a plurality of image recording devices.

Also, as mentioned above, in the image recording system composed of the front device and the rear device of the image recording system of the present invention, since the rear vertical transfer part of the front device and the front vertical transfer part of the rear device are formed in the same plane For the first conservative space, so the first conservative space can be treated as corresponding to both the blockage that occurs in the rear vertical transfer path of the front device and the blockage that occurs in the front vertical transfer path of the rear device. use the space. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with clogging of the recording medium that occurs in the rear vertical conveyance path of the front device and the front vertical conveyance path of the rear device.

Also, as mentioned above, similarly, in the image recording system of the present invention constituted by the front device and the rear device, since the second conservative space facing the front vertical transport path of the front device is formed, the second The second space can be used as a space for coping with clogging of the recording medium that occurs in the front vertical transport path of the pre-processing device. Therefore, it is possible to easily deal with the clogging of the recording medium that occurs in the front vertical conveyance section of the front device.

Also, as described above, the image recording system of the present invention may be composed of two image recording devices. In this case, as the two image recording devices, image recording devices with different specifications such as processing speed may be used, or image recording devices with different recording resolutions may be used, or image recording devices with different types of recording media may be used. recording device. Also, among the two image recording devices, one may be a color image recording device and the other may be a monochrome image recording device. By doing so, it is possible to meet various processing requirements for using an image processing device, and to configure a cost-effective image recording system at a low cost.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image recording system in this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view (Part 1) showing the appearance of the image recording system in this embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view (Part 2) showing the appearance of the image recording system in this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a color image recording device used in the image recording system in this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a tandem-type of a new system used in the color image recording device of the image recording system according to the present embodiment.

6 is a configuration diagram of a copying machine configured by combining a color image recording device alone and a color image reading device used in the image recording system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a monochrome image recording device used in the image recording system of the present embodiment.

8 is a block diagram of a monochrome copier configured by combining a monochrome image recording device used in the image recording system of the present embodiment alone with a monochrome image reading device.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a bypass conveyance device used in the image recording system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing the opening operation of the bypass transport device provided in the color image recording device of the image recording system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a part that controls the image recording system in this embodiment.

12 is a configuration diagram of an image recording system using a front bypass conveying device and a rear bypass conveying device.

Detailed ways

The image recording system of the present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The image recording system of this embodiment is a composite system having all the functions of a copier and a printing device, and is a system using two image recording devices, such as a color image recording device and a monochrome image recording device, as image recording devices.

<overall structure>

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of an image recording system in this embodiment. In FIG. 1 , the image recording system of this embodiment is composed of a color image recording device 1 , a monochrome image recording device 2 , a final processing device 3 , a color image reading device 4 , and a bypass transfer device 5 . Among them, the bypass conveying device 5 has a frame body in a shape (or concave shape) of the Japanese katakana character "コ" rotated 90 degrees to the left in a side view, and is mounted so as to cover the color image recording device 1 . Also, a color image reading device 4 is mounted on the monochrome image recording device 2 . And, starting with the final processing device 3, the color image recording device 1 equipped with the bypass conveying device 5 and the monochrome image recording device 2 equipped with the color image reading device 4 are connected in series from front to back in a row (connection). ).

In addition, the processing speed of the color image recording device 1 used in this image recording system is about 70 sheets/minute, while the processing speed of the monochrome image recording device 2 is about 110 sheets/minute. Therefore, in this image recording system, the two image recording devices arranged in front and behind, that is, the color image recording device 1 and the monochrome image recording device 2, the color image recording device 1 with a low processing speed is arranged in front, and the monochrome image recording device with a high processing speed is arranged in front. The color image recording device 2 is disposed behind.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the above-mentioned devices used in the image recording system are housed in a casing 100 . A rear door 101 separated from the middle to the left and right is provided on the rear end surface of the casing 100, and side rear doors 102 opened to one side are provided on both sides of the rear end surface of the bypass conveying device 5. Side front doors 103 that open to one side are provided on both sides of the front end surface of the transport device 5 . Used during maintenance operations as described later.

In this image recording system, the color image recording device 1 corresponds to the above-mentioned head device and main device, and the monochrome image recording device 2 corresponds to the above-mentioned rear device and the rear device to the color image recording device 1 . In addition, the bypass conveyance device 5 corresponds to the above-mentioned bypass conveyance unit, and the finisher 3 corresponds to the above-mentioned recording medium storage unit. In addition, the color image reading device 4 is a device for reading color images. Since it is not directly related to the image, as the color image reading device 4, its discussion stays on the use of a general color scanner. Regarding color image reading A description of the configuration of the fetching device 4 is omitted. Each device will be described below.

<Color image recording device>

First, the color image recording device 1 will be described. FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the color image recording device 1 . In FIG. 4, the color image recording apparatus 1 is composed of four sets of image forming units 10BK, 10C, 10M, and 10Y, an intermediate transfer unit 20, a transfer fixing unit 30, a first recording paper storage tray 41, and a second recording paper storage tray 41. Paper storage tray 42, third recording paper storage tray 43, fourth recording paper storage tray 44, horizontal supply conveyance path 51, horizontal discharge conveyance path 52, first vertical conveyance path 53, second vertical conveyance path 54, second vertical conveyance path 54, Three vertical transport paths 55 and a horizontal return transport path 56 are formed.

However, the color image recording apparatus 1 employs a tandem method as a method of recording a color image on the recording paper P of the recording medium. In this tandem type, a semi-conductive non-portal conveyor is provided, and a plurality of image forming units that respectively form visible images of different colors are arranged in a row along the moving direction of the non-portable conveyor outer periphery, and the non-portable conveyor rotates at least One color image is formed during one cycle.

In the above-mentioned tandem formula, the following two methods have traditionally existed. One is to superimpose the visible images of each color formed by each image forming part on the outer peripheral surface of the endless conveyor belt, and then transfer it to The intermediate transfer method printed on the recording paper P is another method in which the surface of the recording paper being conveyed is sucked on the outer peripheral surface of the endless conveyor belt, and the visible images of each color formed by each image forming part are sequentially transferred. Transfer transfer method.

However, in the tandem type, a new method different from the above-mentioned intermediate transfer method and transfer conveyance method has recently been developed, and this new method is adopted in the color image recording apparatus 1 described above. The tandem type of this new method includes four sets of image forming units 10BK, 10C, 10M, and 10Y, an intermediate transfer unit 20, and a transfer and fixing unit among the constituent elements constituting the color image recording apparatus 1. unit 30. FIG. 5 is a structural diagram showing the tandem formula of this new method.

In FIG. 5 , the image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10BK are respectively provided with a charging roller 12 , a laser irradiation unit 13 , a developer 14 , and a cleaner 16 around the photoreceptor drum 11 . Toner T of each color such as yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk) is stored in the toner.

The intermediate transfer unit 20 is composed of an intermediate transfer belt 21 , an intermediate transfer belt drive roller 22 , and an intermediate transfer belt tension roller 23 for applying an electric field between the photoreceptor drum 11 and the intermediate transfer belt 21 , and receiving the photoreceptor drum 11 . The primary transfer roller 24 for electrically transferring the toner T from the body drum 11 to the intermediate transfer belt 21 , the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 25 for cleaning the transfer residual toner T on the intermediate transfer belt 21 , and The secondary transfer backup roller 26 and the like for transferring the toner T from the intermediate transfer belt 21 to the transfer fixing roller 31 are constituted. The intermediate transfer belt 21 is suspended between the intermediate transfer belt drive roller 22 and the intermediate transfer belt tension roller 23 , and is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow by a driving unit not shown and the intermediate transfer belt drive roller 22 .

The transfer fixing unit 30 is composed of a transfer fixing roller 31 , a heater lamp 36 as an internal heat source for heating the transfer fixing roller 31 , a pressure roller 32 , a temperature detection member 36 and the like. Furthermore, in addition to the above, a heat-press roller 33 for heat-pressing the toner T heated and melted on the transfer-fixing roller 31 to the transfer-fix roller 31 , and a heat source heater lamp for heating the heat-press roller 33 from the inside are additionally provided. 37, and a temperature detection member 35 for temperature detection of the heat press roller 33, etc. The recording paper P is conveyed to a transfer fixing nip which is a contact portion between the transfer fixing roller 31 and the pressure roller (pressing member) 32 by a paper conveyance member not shown.

In order to heat and fuse the toner T on the transfer and fixing roller 31 , the transfer and fixing roller 31 used in the transfer and fixing unit 30 has a heating lamp 36 with a heat source inside it, and heats the transfer and fixing roller 31 . The surface is controlled and heated at a constant temperature so that the temperature is 120-180°C. The temperature is the best value determined by the gap width and load conditions of the contact section of the transparent shabon roller in the contact part of the contact part of the transparent shadow roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 according to the torrent material and process speed.

In the novel tandem type color image recording apparatus having such a structure, first, a visible image is transferred from the photoreceptor drum 11 to the intermediate transfer belt 21 using the primary transfer roller 24 . Then, the visible image transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is further transferred to the transfer fixing roller 31, and thereafter, the visible image transferred on the transfer fixing roller 31 is transferred to the recording paper P again, and performed. fixing. That is, in the tandem type of the new method, since the transfer of the visible image on the recording paper P is performed simultaneously with the fixing, there is no need to use a conventionally used fixing unit. Therefore, there is an advantage that the installation space of the fixing unit can be reduced.

However, in the tandem type color image recording apparatus of the new method, as described above, since the transfer and fixing roller 31 of the transfer and fixing unit 30 heats and fuses the toner T on the transfer and fixing roller, The surface temperature can be controlled to a constant temperature in the range of 20 to 180°C for heating. Therefore, there is no movement of the heated intermediate transfer belt 21 toward the image forming unit 10Y, and there is no melting of the toner T attached to the photoreceptor drum 11 of the image forming unit 10Y due to the heat of the intermediate transfer belt 21 . concerns about adverse effects.

Therefore, in order to prevent the heat of the intermediate transfer belt 21 from adversely affecting the image forming unit 10Y, the intermediate transfer belt must be heated until the intermediate transfer belt 21 that has passed the transfer fixing roller 31 moves to the position of the image forming unit 10Y. 21 Exotherm. Therefore, in the tandem type of the new method, as shown in FIG. The transfer and fixing roller 31 of the transfer and fixing unit 30 is provided at a position where the conveyor belt travel distance is as long as possible.

That is, the image forming unit 10Y, the image forming unit 10M, the image forming unit 10C, and the image forming unit 10BK. The arrangement of these image forming units is such that the transfer and fixing unit 30 is disposed on the lower side of the intermediate transfer belt 21 so that the intermediate transfer belt 21 The moving distance from the imprinting fixing roller 31 to the foremost image forming unit 10Y is the longest structurally and within the possible range.

In the color image recording apparatus 1 described above, the configuration and arrangement of the recording paper storage tray for storing the recording paper P are as follows. As described above, the intermediate transfer unit 20 is disposed between the intermediate transfer belt tension roller 23 disposed at the front and the intermediate transfer belt drive roller 22 disposed at the rear, and the first recording paper storage tray 41 and the second The recording paper storage tray 42 is arranged below the intermediate transfer unit 20 horizontally in the front and rear.

In addition, between the first recording paper storage tray 41 and the second recording paper storage tray 42 and the intermediate transfer unit 20, the transfer fixing unit 30 is close to the front, that is, it is arranged on the side of the first recording paper storage tray 41. above. Further, below the first recording paper storage tray 41 and the second recording paper storage tray 42, a third recording paper storage tray 43 is arranged, and below the third recording paper storage tray 43, a second recording paper storage tray 43 is arranged. 4. Storage tray 44 for recording paper.

Wherein, the structure and size of the first recording paper storage tray 41 and the second recording paper storage tray 42 are the same, and the structure and size of the third recording paper storage tray 43 and the fourth recording paper storage tray 44 are the same. Also, the length in the front-back direction of the third recording paper storage tray 43 and the fourth recording paper storage tray 44 is the same as the length from the front end of the first recording paper storage tray 41 to the second recording paper storage tray 42. The lengths of the rear ends are substantially equal. In addition, the widths of the respective recording paper storage trays 41, 42, 43, and 44 are all the same. Also, the recording paper storage trays 41, 42, 43, and 44 can be installed and removed from the side of the color image recording device 1 (the side closest to the observer in FIG. 1 ) to and from the inside of the color image recording device 1. .

The first recording paper storage tray 41 and the second recording paper storage tray 42 are recording paper storage trays for storing A4 and smaller recording paper P. The storage tray 43 and the fourth recording paper storage tray 44 are recording paper storage trays for storing recording paper P up to A3 size. In addition, each of the recording paper storage trays 41 , 42 , 43 , and 44 is provided with a recording paper detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of stored recording paper P, respectively.

Also, at the upper end of the rear part of the first recording paper storage tray 41, the second recording paper storage tray 42, the third recording paper storage tray 43, and the fourth recording paper storage tray 44, as the recording paper storage tray The exit paths for P to be transported from the inside of the disk to the outside are respectively provided with a first exit path 41a, a second exit path 42a, a third exit path 43a, and a fourth exit path 44a. Rollers for carrying out recording paper are provided at these export paths 41a, 42a, 43a, and 44a. When the recording paper P is carried out from each tray, these recording papers are driven by a drive unit not shown. The roller for carrying out the paper carries out the recording paper P.

In the color image recording apparatus 1 described above, the transport path for transporting the recording paper P has the following configuration. That is to say, since the recording of characters and graphics on the recording paper P is performed by the transfer and fixing pressure roller gap formed by the transfer and fixing roller 31 of the transfer and fixing unit 30 contacting the pressure roller 32, it is necessary to record The paper P is conveyed to the transfer-fixing nip. Therefore, the horizontal supply and conveyance path 51 for conveying and supplying the recording paper P to the transfer and fixing nip is formed to extend horizontally rearward from the transfer and fixing nip of the transfer and fixing unit 30 . Also, the horizontal supply and conveyance path 52 for discharging the recording paper P from the transfer and fixing nip is formed to extend horizontally forward from the transfer and fixing nip of the transfer and fixing unit 30 . 52 is a recording medium discharge port 57 . The recording medium discharge port 57 corresponds to the device discharge port described above. In addition, the horizontal supply conveying path 52 is connected to the front recording paper receiving port 70b of the bypass conveying device 5 described later at the recording medium discharge port 57, and communicates with the final processing device 3 similarly described later through this portion. connect.

Also, the first vertical conveyance path 53 is formed upwardly from between the first recording paper storage tray 41 and the second recording paper storage tray 42, and the upper end portion of the first vertical conveyance path 53 is aligned with the horizontal feeder. The middle part of the conveyance path 51 is connected. Also, the second vertical transport path 54 is formed upward from the rear of the second recording paper storage tray 42 , and the upper end of the second vertical transport path 54 is connected to the rear end of the horizontal supply transport path 51 . . As will be described later, these conveyance paths are used when the recording paper P is supplied from the respective recording paper storage trays 41 , 42 , 43 , and 44 to the transfer fixing unit 30 or when the supplied recording paper P is discharged.

Therefore, the first output path 41 a of the first recording paper storage tray 41 is connected to the first vertical conveyance path 53 , and the second recording paper tray 41 is connected to the second vertical conveyance path 54 . The second output path 42 a of the stocker 42 , the third output path 43 a of the third recording paper storage tray 43 , and the fourth output path 44 a of the fourth recording paper storage tray 44 .

Further, the third vertical conveyance path 55 branches downward from the horizontal discharge conveyance path 52 and is formed in front of the first recording paper storage tray 41 and the third recording paper storage tray 43 . A conveyance path switching lever 58 is provided at a portion where the third vertical conveyance path 55 branches off from the horizontal discharge conveyance path 52 . In addition, the horizontal returning conveyance path 56 is formed between the first recording paper storage tray 41 and the transfer fixing unit 30, branched from the upper part of the third vertical conveying path 55, and is horizontally formed rearward. The rear end of the passage 56 is connected to the middle part of the first vertical conveyance passage 53 . A transport path switching lever 59 is provided at a portion of the horizontal return transport path 56 branched from the third vertical transport path 55 . The third vertical conveyance path 55 and the horizontal return conveyance path 56 are provided so that characters, figures, and the like can be recorded on both sides of the recording paper P, as will be described later.

In the horizontal supply conveyance path 51, the horizontal discharge conveyance path 52, the first vertical conveyance path 53, the second vertical conveyance path 54, the third vertical conveyance path 55, and the horizontal return conveyance path 56, there are There are rollers and guide rails (not shown) driven by a driving unit, and the recording paper P is conveyed by these rollers and guide rails.

The color image recording apparatus 1 is provided with a discharge storage tray 201 at the recording medium discharge port 57 at the front end of the horizontal discharge conveyance path 52, so that it can be used alone as an independent stand-alone machine for color image recording. In this case, instead of the discharge storage tray 201, a finisher 3 described later may be used. Also, by attaching the color image reading device 4 and the like to the color image recording device 1 , it can be used as a color transfer machine. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a color transfer machine 7 having such a structure.

<Monochrome image recording device>

Next, the monochrome image recording device 2 will be described. The monochrome image recording device 2 is a device for recording monochrome characters and graphics on recording paper P. As shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing the monochrome image recording device 2 . In FIG. 7, the monochrome image recording device 2 is composed of a monochrome image forming unit 60, a fixing unit 63, a first recording paper storage tray 141, a second recording paper storage tray 142, and a third recording paper storage tray 143. , the fourth recording paper storage tray 144, the horizontal supply conveying path 151, the horizontal discharge conveying path 152, the first vertical conveying path 153, the second vertical conveying path 154, the third vertical conveying path 155, and the horizontal return conveying path 156 constitute.

In the monochrome image recording device 2, unlike the above-mentioned color image recording device 1, the monochrome image forming unit 60 does not include a fixing function, and the fixing unit 63 composed of the fixing roller 64 and the pressure roller 65 is an independent unit. existing. In addition, in the monochrome image forming unit 60, a part composed of a photoreceptor drum 61 and a pressure roller 62 is provided, and the monochrome image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 61 is transferred to the photoreceptor drum 61 for recording. Paper P.

In addition, the recording paper storage tray for storing the recording paper P in the monochrome image recording device 2 and the transport path for transporting the recording paper P are the same as the recording paper storage tray and the transport path for the color image recording device 1 described above. Compared with the channel, its structure and configuration are exactly the same. Therefore, explanations about these are omitted. However, the horizontal discharge conveyance path 152 of the monochrome image recording device 2 is different from that of the color image recording device 1 . At the recording medium discharge port 157 at the front end of the horizontal discharge conveying path 152, it is connected to the rear recording paper receiving port 70a provided at the rear end of the bypass conveying device 5 described later, and is connected to the rear through the bypass conveying device 5. The final processing device 3 described above is connected. Also, in FIG. 7 , the recording paper storage tray for storing the recording paper P in the monochrome image recording device 2 and the conveyance path for conveying the recording paper P are all indicated by numbers starting with one hundred. The last two digits of the number are the same as the number of this part in the color image recording device 1 .

Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the rear door 101 provided on the rear end surface of the cabinet 100 and divided from the middle to the left and right faces the second vertical transport path 154 of the monochrome image recording device 2 . By opening the rear door 101 , a large space facing the second vertical transport path 154 is formed behind the second vertical transport path 154 , and this space can be opened to the second vertical transport path 154 . That is, the side of the second vertical conveyance path 154 that conveys the recording paper P by sandwiching the front and back of the recording paper P is separated from the side that is in contact with the front surface of the recording paper P, The side facing the space moves into the space so that the side in contact with the front surface of the recording paper P can be separated from the side in contact with the back side of the recording paper. Therefore, when a jam of the recording paper P occurs on the second vertical conveyance path 154 , the jammed recording paper P can be easily removed. In this way, the rear door 101 is used during maintenance work of the second vertical conveyance path 154 .

The monochrome image recording device 2 is provided with a discharge storage tray 211 at the recording medium discharge port 157 at the front end of the horizontal discharge conveyance path 152, thereby being able to be used alone as an independent stand-alone unit for monochrome image recording. . In this case, instead of the discharge storage tray 211, a finisher 3 described later may be used. Also, by attaching the monochrome image reading device 6 and the like to the monochrome image recording device 2, it can be used as a monochrome copier. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a monochrome copying machine 8 having such a structure.

<Bypass conveyor>

Next, the bypass conveyance device 5 will be described. FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of the bypass conveyance device 5 . In FIG. 9 , as described above, the bypass conveyance device 5 has a casing in the shape of the Japanese katakana character "コ" rotated 90 degrees to the left in a side view, and covers the upper part of the color image recording device 1. Installed in the color image recording device 1 . That is, the bypass conveyance device 5 is installed over the upper part of the color image recording device 1 .

As can be seen from FIG. 9 , the bypass conveying device 5 is separate from the color image recording device 1 on which the bypass conveying device 5 is mounted, and therefore can be attached to the color image recording device 1 at a later date. In addition, in this embodiment, the bypass conveyance device 5 is used by being attached to the color image recording device 1 , but it may also be used by being attached to the monochrome image recording device 2 . This bypass conveyance device 5 is made up of a bypass ascending conveyance path 71 , a bypass horizontal conveyance path 72 , a bypass descending conveyance path 73 , a rear main conveyance path 74 , and a front main conveyance path 75 .

Among them, the rear end portion of the bypass ascending conveyance path 71 forms a horizontal conveyance path, and a rear recording paper receiving port 70 a is provided at the rear end of the rear end portion. The bypass ascending transport path 71 is curved upward in an arc shape from the rear end to the middle part, forming a vertical transport path in the middle, and curved forward in an arc shape from the middle part to the front end, and the front end forms a horizontal transport path. path.

In addition, the bypass horizontal conveyance path 72 is a horizontal conveyance path, and its front end portion is curved downward in an arc shape. In addition, the bypass descending conveyance path 73 is a vertical conveyance path, and the lower end portion is curved forward in an arc shape. Also, the rear main conveyance path 74 and the front main conveyance path 75 are all horizontal conveyance paths. A transport device recording paper discharge port 70c is provided.

In the bypass conveyance device 5 , the front end portion of the rear main conveyance path 74 is connected to the rear end portion of the front main conveyance path 75 , and this connection portion is a main conveyance path converging middle portion 76 . Also, the rear recording paper receiving port 70a provided at the rear end of the bypass ascending conveyance path 71 is connected to the recording medium discharge port 157 at the front end of the horizontal discharge conveyance path 152 of the monochrome image recording apparatus 2 . Also, the front end of the bypass ascending conveyance path 71 is connected to the rear end of the bypass horizontal conveyance path 72 , and the front end of the bypass horizontal conveyance path 72 is connected to the upper end of the bypass descending conveyance path 73 . Further, the lower end portion of the descending conveyance path 73 is connected to the connection portion between the rear main conveyance path 74 and the front main conveyance path 75 , that is, the main conveyance path merging midway portion 76 . In addition, the rear end of the rear main transport path 74 is connected to the recording medium discharge port 57 at the front end of the horizontal discharge transport path 52 of the color image recording device 1, and the transport device provided at the front end of the front main transport path 75 is used for recording. The paper discharge port 70c is connected to the rear end portion of the first storage horizontal conveyance path 81 of the finisher 3 described later.

In the bypass conveying device 5, the bypass ascending conveyance passage 71, the bypass horizontal conveyance passage 72, and the bypass descending conveyance passage 73 correspond to the above-mentioned bypass conveyance passage, the rear main conveyance passage 74, and the front main conveyance passage. The path 75 corresponds to the above-mentioned main transport path. Also, the rear recording paper receiving port 70a corresponds to the above-mentioned bypass rear receiving port, the front recording paper receiving port 70b corresponds to the above-mentioned bypass front receiving port, and the transport device recording paper discharge port 70c corresponds to the above-mentioned bypass port. Bypass outlet.

Also, in the bypass ascending conveyance passage 71, the bypass horizontal conveyance passage 72, the bypass descending conveyance passage 73, the rear main conveyance passage 74, and the front main conveyance passage 75, a drive unit not shown in the figure is provided. Driven rollers and guide rails (not shown).

The above-mentioned bypass conveying device 5 has the functions of conveying the recorded recording paper P of the color image recording device 1 to the final processing device 3 and conveying the recorded recording paper P of the monochrome image recording device 2 to the final processing device 3 . function.

In addition, above the bypass conveyance device 5, an upper storage conveyance path 78 and an upper storage tray 77 are provided. The upper storing conveyance path 78 is branched from the bypass horizontal conveyance path 72, and the recording paper P conveyed by the bypass horizontal conveyance path 72 is transported by switching the conveyance path switching lever 79, and stored in the upper part. A device for storing the tray 77. The upper storage tray 77 is for storing the recording paper P recorded on the monochrome image recording device 2 without being transported to the finisher 3 , and is used as recording paper P exclusively for the monochrome image recording device 2 . Set up for storage. This upper storage tray 77 corresponds to the above-mentioned upper storage means.

Also, the upper portion of the frame of the bypass conveying device 5 is integrally formed with a part of the bypass horizontal conveying passage 72 and a part of the bypass descending conveying passage 73 of the bypass conveying device 5, and forms the bypass conveying passage. Opening part 5a. As shown in FIG. 10, the bypass conveyance path opening portion 5a can be opened and closed upward about a fulcrum 5b provided on the lower side of the front end portion of the bypass conveyance path open portion 5a. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform measures, repairs, and the like for clogging of the recording paper P that occurs in the bypass horizontal conveyance path 72 and the bypass descending conveyance path 73 .

Also, in the lower portion of the rear end portion of the bypass conveying device 5, that is, the lower portion of the bypass ascending conveying passage 71, the second vertical conveying passage 54 of the color image recording device 1 and the second vertical conveying passage 54 of the monochrome image recording device 2 are formed. The three vertical transfer passages 155 face the first reserved space 111 together. Between the second vertical conveyance path 54 of the color image recording apparatus 1 facing the first reserved space 111 and the third vertical conveyance path 155 of the monochrome image recording apparatus 2, the recording paper P is conveyed with the front and back sides sandwiched between them. The transport path of the recording paper P can be separated from the side contacting the surface of the recording paper P and the side contacting the back side of the recording paper P, and the respective sides close to the first conservative space 111 are connected to the first conservative space. 111, the side contacting the surface of the recording paper P can be separated from the side contacting the back of the recording paper P. Therefore, when the recording paper P is jammed in the second vertical transport path 54 of the color image recording apparatus 1 and the third vertical transport path 155 of the monochrome image recording apparatus 2, the jammed recording paper can be easily removed. P, the maintenance work of these transport paths can also be easily performed.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , on both sides of the rear end portion of the bypass conveying device 5 of the casing 100 , a side rear door 102 that opens on one side is provided. The side rear door 102 covers both side surfaces of the first reserved space 111 and the space for storing the bypass ascending conveyance passage 71 of the bypass conveyance device 5 . Therefore, by opening the side rear door 102, the second vertical conveyance path 54 of the color image recording device 1 and the third vertical conveyance path 155 of the monochrome image recording device 2, or the bypass conveyance device 5, can be easily raised. The conveyance path 71 is subjected to maintenance work. In this way, the side rear door 102 is connected to the second vertical conveying path 54 of the color image recording device 1 and the third vertical conveying path 155 of the monochrome image recording device 2, or the bypass ascending conveying path 71 of the bypass conveying device 5. Used during maintenance operations.

2 shows that the side rear door 102 is opened, and the transport roller support plate 54c supporting the transport roller 54b on the side of the second vertical transport passage 54 of the color image recording device 1 close to the first conservative space 111 moves to the rear. The state in which the second vertical conveyance path 5 of 1 is open to the first reserved space 111 . In addition, reference numeral 54a is a conveyance roller provided against the conveyance roller 54b.

Also, similarly, FIG. 3 shows that the side rear door 102 is opened to support the transport rollers 155a, 155b, and 155c of the third vertical transport path 155 of the monochrome image recording device 2 on the side close to the first conservative space 111. The plate 155d is moved forward, and the third vertical conveyance path 155 of the monochrome image recording device 2 is opened to the first reserved space 111 .

Also, at the lower portion of the front end of the bypass conveying device 5, that is, below the rear main conveying passage 74 and the front main conveying passage 75, the second vertical conveying passage 55 facing the color image recording device 1 is formed. Conservative space 112. In the third vertical conveyance path 55 of the color image recording apparatus 1, the recording paper is sandwiched similarly to the second vertical conveyance path 54 of the color image recording apparatus 1 and the third vertical conveyance path 155 of the monochrome image recording apparatus 2. The front and back sides of the P convey the recording paper P. The side of the conveying path that contacts the surface of the recording paper P and the side that contacts the back can be separated, and the side close to the second conservative space 112 faces in the second conservative space 112. The movement enables separation of the side of the recording paper P that is in contact with the surface and the side that is in contact with the back. Therefore, when the recording paper P is jammed in the third vertical conveyance path 55 of the color image recording apparatus 1, the jammed recording paper P can be easily removed, and the third vertical conveyance path 55 of the color image recording apparatus 1 Maintenance operations can also be easily carried out.

Also, on both side surfaces of the front end portion of the bypass conveying device 5 of the cabinet 100, a side front door 103 that opens on one side is provided. The side front door 103 closes the two side surfaces of the second conservative space 112 and the space for storing the front end of the storage bypass conveying device 5, that is, the storage bypass descending conveying passage 73, the rear main conveying passage 74, and Both sides of the space of the front main conveyance path 75 are covered. Therefore, by opening the side rear door 102, the third vertical conveyance path 55 of the color image recording apparatus 1 and the front end of the bypass conveyance device 5, that is, the bypass descending conveyance path 73, the rear main conveyance path 74, And the front main conveyance path 75 carries out maintenance operation. In this way, the side rear door 102 is used for inspection of the third vertical conveying path 55 of the color image recording device 1 and the front end of the bypass conveying device 5 .

<final processing unit>

Next, the final processing device 3 will be described. The finisher 3 is a device that stores recording paper P on which images are recorded by the color image recording device 1 and the monochrome image recording device 2 . In this storing, there is a function of storing the conveyed recording papers P in order or binding the stored recording papers P into a book.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1 , in the final processing device 3, a first storage horizontal conveyance path 81, a second storage horizontal conveyance path 82, a third storage conveyance path 83, and a conveyance path switching lever 84 are provided. A retouching and finishing processing unit 85 , a first storage tray 86 , and a second storage tray 87 . Among them, the first storing horizontal conveying path 81, the second storing horizontal conveying path 82, and the third storing conveying path 83 transport the recording paper P from the front main conveying path 75 of the bypass conveying device 5 to It is used when retouching the finishing processing unit 85 or the second storage tray 87 .

At the rear end portion of the first storage level conveying path 81, the front end portion of the front main conveying path 75 connected with the bypass conveying device 5, and the front end portion of the first storage level conveying path 81 is connected to the second storage level. The rear end portion of the conveyance path 82 and the upper end portion of the third storage conveyance path 83 are stored. At this connecting portion, a conveyance path switch lever 84 is provided, and the recording paper P conveyed by the first storage level conveyance path 81 with a short conveyance distance is switched by the conveyance path switch lever 84, and conveyed to the second storage level. One of the path 82 and the third storing and conveying path 83 is conveyed. The third storing and conveying passage 83 forms a vertical conveying passage downward from the upper end, and forms a conveying passage which curves substantially forward in an arc shape in the middle and has a horizontal back. In the first storage horizontal transport path 81, the second storage horizontal transport path 82, and the third storage transport path 83, rollers and guide rails (not shown) driven by a driving unit not shown are provided. ).

Below the front end portion of the second storage horizontal conveyance path 82 , a finishing processing unit 85 is provided. The finishing processing unit 85 sequentially stores and staples the recording paper P conveyed by the second storage horizontal conveyance path 82 , and sends it out to the first storage tray 86 . The recording paper P conveyed by the third storage and conveyance path 83 is stored in the second storage tray 87 in the order of conveyance. As described above, since the final processing device 3 corresponds to the above-mentioned common storage device, as the above-mentioned common storage device, there are the first storage tray 86 capable of stapling, and the second storage tray 87 simply stored in the order of transport. , can be used separately according to the situation.

<Control of image recording system>

Next, control of the image recording system in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a portion that performs control of the image recording system. As described above, this image recording system is composed of the color image recording device 1 with the bypass conveyance device 5 mounted on the upper part, the monochrome image recording device 2 with the color image reading device 4 mounted on the upper part, and the final processing device 3. Basically, the color image recording device 1 , the monochrome image recording device 2 , and the final processing device 3 are each provided with a control unit so that they can be used independently.

That is, as shown in FIG. 11, in the color image recording apparatus 1, the monochrome image recording apparatus 2, and the final processing apparatus 3, a color image recording apparatus control unit 1a, a monochrome image recording apparatus control unit 2a, and a final processing unit 3 are provided. Device control section 3a. Among them, the control unit 1 a of the color image recording device includes the control function of the bypass conveyance device 5 , and the control unit 2 a of the monochrome image recording device includes the control function of the color image reading device 4 . In addition, the color image recording device control unit 1 a also includes control functions necessary for the image recording system of the present embodiment. In addition, in Fig. 11, the mechanical part 1b of the color image recording device, the mechanical part 2b of the monochromatic image recording device, and the mechanical part 3b of the final processing device are the color image recording device 1 including the above-mentioned bypass conveying device 5 installed, A general term for the mechanical parts of the transport path in the monochrome image recording device 2 and the final processing device 3 .

The color image recording device control unit 1a is composed of a color image recording device ICU 91a, a color image recording device PCU 91b, a color image recording device OCU 91c, and an HDD 91d. The color image recording device ICU (image control unit) 91 a performs processing on color image information recorded by the color image recording device 1 . This color image recording device ICU91a, when the color image recording device 1 is used as an independent stand-alone unit, and the color image reading device 4 with a color scanner installed on the upper part of the color image recording device 1, is used as a color image recording device. In the case of using the copier 7, as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 11, the control regarding these color scanners is also performed. The HDD 91d temporarily stores the color image information.

The color image recording device PCU (print control unit) 91b controls the color image recording device mechanical part 1b including the bypass conveyance device 5 mounted in the above-mentioned color image recording device 1 . However, when the color image recording apparatus 1 is used as an independent stand-alone machine like the color copier 7, the control function of the bypass conveyance apparatus 5 is unnecessary. In addition, in each part of the mechanical part 1b of the color image recording device, various driving units and various sensors not shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 are provided. The image recording unit PCU 91b is connected. The color image recording device OCU (Operator Control Unit) 91 c is a portion operated by an operator who operates the color image recording device 1 . This color image recording device OCU 91c is a liquid crystal display using a touch panel.

The monochrome image recording unit control unit 2a is composed of a monochrome image recording unit ICU 92a, a monochrome image recording unit PCU 92b, a monochrome image recording unit OCU 92c, and an HDD (hard disk drive) 92d. The monochrome image recording device ICU (image control unit) 92a basically performs processing on the monochrome image information recorded by the monochrome image recording device 2, but like this system, a monochrome image recording device 2 is loaded with In the case of the color image reading device 4 , the control of the color image reading device 4 including processing of the color image information read by the color image reading device 4 is performed. Also, this monochrome image recording device ICU 92a, when the monochrome image recording device 2 is used as an independent stand-alone unit, and a monochrome scanner is installed on the top of the monochrome image recording device 2. When the image processing device 6 and the like are used as the monochrome copying machine 8 , control regarding these monochrome scanners is also performed. HDD 92d temporarily stores the monochrome image information.

The monochrome image recording device PCU (Print Control Unit) 92b controls the monochrome image recording device mechanical part 2b of the monochrome image recording device 2 described above. In each part of the mechanical part 2b of the monochrome image recording device, various driving units and various sensors not shown in FIG. The PCU 92b is connected. A monochrome image recording device OCU (Operator Control Unit) 92 c is a portion operated by an operator who performs operations of the monochrome image recording device 2 . The monochrome image recording device OCU92c is a liquid crystal display using a touch panel.

The finisher control unit 3 a is constituted by a finisher CU (control unit) 93 . This finisher CU93 controls the finisher mechanical part 3b. In addition, an OCU (Operator Control Unit) is not provided in the finisher control unit 3a, and the information about the operation instruction to the finisher is obtained by using the information from the color image recording device control unit 1a or the monochrome image recording device control unit 2a. Information about the OCU. In each part of the final processing device mechanical part 3b of the final processing device 3, various drive units and various sensors not shown in Fig. 1 are provided, and these various drive units and various sensors, etc. CU93 is connected.

Regarding the control of the image recording system in this embodiment, in addition to the above, an I/FCU (interface control unit) 94 a and HDD 94 b are provided in the color image recording device control unit 1 a. The I/FCU (Interface Control Unit) 94a is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 95 provided outside the image recording system, and is connected to a microcomputer (PC) 96 connected to the LAN 95 through the LAN 95. This I/FCU 94a receives the image information sent from the microcomputer 96 to the image recording system through LAN 95, and transmits the image information to the color image recording device ICU91a of the color image recording device control part 1a, or the monochrome image information of the monochrome image recording device control part 2a. The image recording unit ICU92a sends. HDD 94b temporarily stores these image information.

Also, in the control of the image recording system, the color image recording unit PCU 91b for controlling the color image recording device 1 is connected to the monochrome image recording unit PCU 92b for controlling the monochrome image recording device 2, able to exchange necessary information with each other. In addition, in this system, the functions that collectively control the entire system are assigned to the color image recording unit PCU 91b. Therefore, the color image recording unit PCU 91b instructs the monochrome image recording unit PCU 92b and the final processing unit CU 93 so that the system can perform processing with the highest efficiency.

The color image recording device OCU 91c of the color image recording device control unit 1a originally only instructs the color image recording device 1, and similarly, the monochrome image recording device OCU 92c of the monochrome image recording device control unit 2a, Originally, only the monochrome image recording device 2 is instructed, and each exists independently. For example, information such as the type of recording paper P stored in the color image recording device 1 and the monochrome image recording device 2, and the recording paper storage tray in which the recording paper P is stored is obtained from the color image recording device OCU. 91c and monochromatic image recording unit OCU 92c and input respectively.

However, in the control of the image system, in order to improve the efficiency of the system, the color image recording unit OCU 91c of the color image recording device control unit 1a and the monochrome image recording unit OCU 92c of the monochrome image recording unit control unit 2a interact with each other. share the role. That is to say, the monochrome image recording unit OCU 92c of the monochrome image recording device 2 equipped with the color image reading device 4 carries out the operation related to the color image reading device 4, monochrome image recording device 2, color image recording device 1 and finally Input processing for the operation of the processing device 3 . In contrast, the operating states of the monochrome image recording device 2 and the color image recording device 1 are represented by the color image recording device OCU 91c.

<Operation of image recording system>

Next, the method of using the image recording system and the operation of the image recording system in this embodiment will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 11 . First, a case where the color image information read by the color image reading device 4 is recorded using the color image recording device 1 will be described. First, the operator operates the monochrome image recording device OCU 92c to read the color image information to be copied to the color image reading device 4, and inputs the size and number of sheets of recording paper to be copied from the monochrome image recording device OCU 92c. . In this way, the image information read by the color image reading device 4 is stored in the HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 92d by the monochrome image recording device ICU 92a. The image information is sent from the monochrome image recording unit ICU 92a to the color image recording unit PCU 91b via the monochrome image recording unit PCU 92b.

Therefore, the color image recording device PCU 91b sends the image information to the image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10BK. In this way, the image based on the image information is transferred from the image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10BK to the transfer and fixing unit 30 via the intermediate transfer unit 20 . In addition, according to an instruction from the monochrome image recording unit OCU 92c, the recording paper P of a designated size is carried out from the stored recording paper storage tray, and supplied to the transfer fixing nip of the transfer fixing unit 30. .

At this time, if the recording paper P is the recording paper P stored in the first recording paper storage tray 41, the recording paper P carried out from the first export path 41a is transported by the first vertical conveyance path 53 It is conveyed upward, and then conveyed forward by the horizontal supply conveyance path 51 from the middle part of the horizontal supply conveyance path 51 , and supplied to the transfer and fixing unit 30 . Alternatively, if the recording paper P is the recording paper P stored in the second recording paper storage tray 42 , the third recording paper storage tray 43 , and the fourth recording paper storage tray 44 , the second output port Road 42a, the 3rd export passage 43a, or the 4th export passage 44a is carried out, is conveyed upwards by the 2nd vertical conveyance passage 54, and then from the rear end portion of the horizontal supply conveyance passage 51, by the horizontal supply conveyance passage 51 and to It is conveyed before and supplied to the transfer fixing unit 30 .

The recording paper P supplied to the transfer and fixing unit 30 is transferred from the transfer and fixing unit 30 by the transfer and fixing unit 30, and then conveyed and discharged forward from the transfer and fixing unit 30 by the horizontal discharge conveyance path 52, and passes through the recording medium discharge port 57 and the recording medium discharge port 57. The recording paper receiving opening 70 b at the front of the bypass transport device 5 is diverted to the rear main transport path 74 of the bypass transport device 5 . The recording paper P that has reached the rear main conveyance path 74 passes through the main conveyance path merging intermediate portion 76 and the front main conveyance path 75 , passes through the conveyance device recording paper discharge port 70 c, and reaches the final processor 3 .

The recording paper P arriving at the final processing unit 3 is processed by the final processing unit 3 as specified by the monochrome image recording unit OCU 92c, and stored in the first storage tray 86 or the second storage tray 87. For example, when the recording paper P is collected and bound in the order of recording, the recording paper P from the front main conveyance path 75 of the bypass conveyance device 5 is sent to the first storage horizontal conveyance path 81 with a short conveyance distance. Move ahead. At this time, the tip of the transport path switching lever 84 descends, and the recording paper P is transported by the second storage horizontal transport path 82 , ejected from the front end of the second storage horizontal transport path 82 , and stored in the finishing processing unit 85 . In this way, after a plurality of sheets of recording paper P of a predetermined number of pages are sequentially stored, they are bound and sent to the first storage tray 86 to be stored by the first storage tray 86 .

In addition, in the color image recording apparatus 1, when recording on the other side of the recording paper P that has been recorded on one side by the transfer and fixing unit 30, the third vertical transport path 55 is fed from the horizontal feed transport path The conveyance path switching lever 58 provided at the branched portion of 51 is switched, and the leading end of the conveyance path switching lever 58 is raised. In this way, the recording paper P transferred by the transfer and fixing unit 30 is guided into the third vertical transfer path 55 by the transfer path switching lever 58 when being transported forward from the transfer and fixing unit 30 by the horizontal discharge transport path 52 . The recording paper P introduced into the third vertical conveyance path 55 is conveyed downward by the third vertical conveyance path 55 and stopped temporarily.

Simultaneously with this stop, the transport path switching lever 59 provided at the portion where the horizontal returning transport path 56 branches off from the third vertical transport path 55 is switched, and the tip of the transport path switching lever 59 is moved forward. In addition, in contrast to this, when the recording paper P is conveyed upward, it is introduced into the horizontal return conveyance path 56 by the conveyance path switching lever 59, is conveyed backward by the horizontal return conveyance path 56, and then passed through the first vertical conveyance path 53 and The conveyance of the horizontal feed conveyance path 51 supplies the recording paper P to the transfer fixing unit 30 in a state where the front and the back are reversed. As a result, images are recorded on both sides of the recording paper P. As shown in FIG.

Next, the case where the monochrome image information transmitted from the microcomputer 96 via the LAN 95 is recorded using the monochrome image recording device 2 will be described. Initially, the monochrome image information sent from the microcomputer 96 via the LAN 95 is received by the I/FCU (interface control unit) 94a, and sent to the monochrome image recording device ICU92a. In this way, the monochrome image information is sent to the monochrome image forming unit 60 from the monochrome image recording unit PCU 92b. Then, the monochromatic image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 61 is transferred to the recording paper P and fixed by the fixing unit 63 . Also, according to an instruction from the monochrome image recording unit PCU 92b, the recording paper P of the indicated size is carried out from the stored recording paper storage tray, and supplied to the transfer and fixing nip of the transfer and fixing unit 30. .

Also, in the monochrome image recording device 2, the recording paper storage tray for storing the recording paper P and the transport path for transporting the recording paper P have the same structure and arrangement as the recording paper storage tray and the color image recording device 1. The transfer path is exactly the same. Therefore, the recording paper P is carried out from the recording paper storage tray for storing the recording paper P, supplied to the transfer fixing nip of the transfer fixing unit 30, until the recording paper P is discharged from the horizontal discharge conveyance path 152. The operation of P is exactly the same as that of the color image recording device 1 . Therefore, the recording paper P conveyed by the horizontal discharge conveyance path 152 finally passes through the recording medium discharge port 157 and the rear recording paper receiving port 70 a from the horizontal discharge conveyance path 152 , and arrives at the side of the bypass conveyance device 5 . The road ascends the conveyance passage 71 . Furthermore, the recording paper P arriving at the bypass ascending conveyance path 71 is sequentially conveyed by the bypass horizontal conveyance path 72 and the bypass descending conveyance path 73 , passes through the main conveyance path converging intermediate portion 76 and the front main conveyance path 75 , and is conveyed through The device recording paper discharge port 70c reaches the final processing device 3 .

The recording paper P arriving at the final processing unit 3 is processed by the final processing unit 3 as specified by the monochrome image recording unit OCU 92c, and stored in the first storage tray 86 or the second storage tray 87. For example, when storing the recording paper P simply in the order of recording, the recording paper P from the front main transport path 75 of the bypass transport device 5 is transported forward by the first storing horizontal transport path 81 . In this case, the leading end of the conveyance path switching lever 84 rises, and the recording paper P is conveyed through the third storage conveyance path 83 and stored in the second storage tray 87 .

In addition, when the recording paper P recorded by the monochrome image recording device 2 does not need to be stapled, the recording paper P can be stored above the bypass conveying device 5 without being stored in the final processing device 3 . The upper storage dish 77 of. In this case, the recording paper P conveyed by the bypass horizontal conveyance path 72 is conveyed by switching the conveyance path switching lever 79 and stored in the upper storage tray 77 .

The specifications for recording images on both sides of the recording paper P are also the same in the monochrome image recording device 2 as in the color image recording device 1 .

Next, for the case of performing both of the above at the same time, that is, use the color image recording device 1 to record the color image information read by the color image reading device 4, and use the monochrome image recording device 2 to record the information sent from the microcomputer 96 through the LAN 95 at the same time. The case of monochrome image information is described.

In this case, the recording paper P recorded by the color image recording device 1 is conveyed and discharged forward by the horizontal discharge conveyance path 52 of the color image recording device 1 , and passes through the recording medium discharge port 57 and the side of the bypass conveying device 5 . The front recording paper receiving port 70 b reaches the rear main conveyance path 74 of the bypass conveyance device 5 and reaches the main conveyance path merged middle portion 76 . On the other hand, the recording paper P recorded by the monochrome image recording device 2 is discharged from the horizontal conveying path 152 of the monochrome image recording device 2 , passes through the recording medium discharge port 157 and the rear recording paper of the bypass conveying device 5 The receiving port 70a reaches the bypass ascending conveying path 71 of the bypass conveying device 5, is conveyed by the bypass ascending conveying path 71, passes through the bypass horizontal conveying path 72 and the bypass descending conveying path 73, and reaches the middle part of the main conveying path merging 76. That is, the recording paper P recorded by the color image recording device 1 competes with the recording paper P recorded by the monochrome image recording device 2 at the main conveyance path merging part 76 of the bypass conveyance device 5 .

Therefore, in order to avoid the competition, the color image recording unit PCU 91b preferentially transports the recording paper P recorded by the color image recording unit 1 with respect to the transport by the front main transport path 75 of the bypass transport unit 5 . Moreover, in the case where there seems to be competition, the recording paper P recorded by the monochrome image recording device 2 is temporarily stopped and held in the middle of the bypass horizontal conveying path 72 of the bypass conveying device 5, and is recorded by the color image recording device 1. After the recording paper P is transported through the front main transport path 75 , the recording paper P recorded by the monochrome image recording device 2 is transported to the front main transport path 75 .

In addition, the recording paper P conveyed from the horizontal discharge conveyance path 52 of the color image recording apparatus 1 by the rear main conveyance path 74 and the front main conveyance path 75 of the bypass conveyance device 5 is conveyed to the finisher 3. When storing the first storage horizontal transport path 81, the color image recording unit PCU 91b lowers the leading end of the transport path switching lever 84 to transport to the second storage horizontal transport path 82. Moreover, the horizontal discharge conveyance path 152 of the monochrome image recording device 2 is conveyed by the bypass ascending conveyance path 71, the bypass horizontal conveyance path 72, the bypass descending conveyance path 73, and the front main conveyance path 75 of the bypass conveyance device 5. When incoming recording paper P is conveyed through the first storage horizontal conveyance path 81 of the finisher 3 , the tip of the conveyance path switching lever 84 rises and is conveyed to the third storage conveyance path 83 .

By the above operation, the recording of the color image recording device 1 and the recording of the monochrome image recording device 2 are performed simultaneously, and the recording paper P recorded by the color image recording device 1 is finally stored in the first storage of the final processing device 3 . The storage tray 86 and the recording paper P recorded by the monochrome image recording device 2 are finally stored in the second storage tray 87 of the finisher 3 . That is, the color image recording device 1 and the monochrome image recording device 2 perform processing simultaneously.

Also, in this case, the color image information read by the color image reading device 4 is recorded using the color image recording device 1, and the monochrome image recording device 2 is used to record the information sent from the microcomputer 96 via the LAN 95 at the same time. In the case of monochrome image information, the recording paper P recorded by the color image recording device 1 is stored in the first storage tray 86 of the finisher 3 as described above, but the recording paper P recorded by the monochrome image recording device 2 The paper P may also be stored in the upper storage tray 77 provided above the bypass conveyance device 5 . In this case, the recording paper P recorded by the monochrome image recording device 2 and conveyed by the bypass horizontal conveyance path 72 is conveyed by switching the conveyance path switching lever 79 and stored in the upper storage tray 77 .

In this case, the recording paper P recorded by the color image recording device 1 and the recording paper P recorded by the monochrome image recording device 2 do not occur in the main conveying path merged midway portion 76 of the bypass conveying device 5 . P competition. Therefore, complicated control of the bypass conveyance device 5 is unnecessary.

In the description about the method of use of the image recording system, in the case of using the color image recording device 1 to record the color image information read by the color image reading device 4, using the monochrome image recording device 2 to record the information from The case where the monochrome image information is sent by the microcomputer 96 via the LAN 95, and the case where both of the above are carried out at the same time have been described as examples. However, in addition to the above, for example, the monochrome image recording device 2 is used to record the color image information read by the color image reading device 4, or the color image recording device 1 is used to record the monochrome image information sent from the microcomputer 96 via the LAN 95. The case of color image information can also be described by combining the parts described above.

In addition, in the image recording system, generally, the monochrome image recording device 2 has a faster processing speed and a lower price than the color image recording device 1 , but cannot record color images. In contrast, the color image recording device 1 is capable of recording color images, but is slower in processing speed and more expensive than the monochrome image recording device 2 . Therefore, in the above-mentioned image recording system obtained by combining these characteristics, there is a method of use that improves the cost performance in addition to the above-mentioned method of use.

For example, when recording images of multiple pages on recording paper P, in the case where pages containing color images are mixed with pages containing only monochrome images, the pages containing color images are processed by the color image recording device 1, and only the monochrome images are processed. pages are processed by the monochrome image recording device 2, thereby improving the overall processing speed.

Also, for example, in the middle of processing a large amount of only monochrome images by the monochrome image recording device 2, in the case that it is necessary to urgently record images of other cases, by using the color image recording device 1, it is possible not to stop the process in progress. On-site processing of the monochrome image recording device 2 while processing.

In the image recording system of the above-mentioned embodiment, two devices, the color image recording device 1 and the monochrome image recording device 2 having different specifications and processing speeds, are used as the image recording devices, and in the color image recording device 1 The monochrome image recording device 2 is arranged at the rear, but the arrangement order may be reversed so that the monochrome image recording device 2 is placed in front and the color image recording device 1 is arranged after the monochrome image recording device 2 . Alternatively, as the image recording devices, two color image recording devices 1 or two monochrome image recording devices 2 may be used, and two image recording devices of the same type may be used. Furthermore, in the above combination, two recording image recording devices having different recording resolutions may be used. By doing so, an image recording system with the highest cost performance according to the purpose can be obtained.

<Effects brought by the image recording system, etc.>

Next, effects brought about by the image recording system in the present embodiment will be described. According to the image recording system, a bypass transport device 5 is installed in the color image recording device 1 provided with the discharge storage tray 201 and can be used as a stand-alone machine, and the color image recording device 1 with the bypass transport device 5 installed; and This color image recording apparatus 1 is also provided with a monochrome image recording apparatus 2 that can be used as a stand-alone unit with discharge storage tray 211; Arranged in a row, thereby forming an image recording system.

Therefore, by combining the color image recording device 1 and the monochrome image recording device 2 that can be used as stand-alone machines, the two image recording devices can be operated simultaneously, the overall processing speed can be improved, and images can be formed at low cost. system of record. Therefore, a cost-effective image recording system can be obtained. In addition, it is also possible to combine the color image recording device 1 and the monochrome image recording device 2 with separate units of different specifications. From this point, a cost-effective image recording system can also be obtained.

In addition, image recording devices such as the color image recording device 1 and the monochrome image recording device 2 used in the configuration of the above image recording system can be used independently as a stand-alone unit by providing an eject storage tray. The bypass conveyance device 5 can be attached to the image recording apparatus in such a manner that it will be attached later. Therefore, from the image recording device that has already operated as a stand-alone image recording device provided with the discharge storage tray, and the image recording device of a new product, the bypass conveying device 5 can be installed later, and Constitutes an image recording system. Therefore, it is possible to systematize an already operating stand-alone unit as an image recording system, and it is possible to improve the performance of such an operating stand-alone unit and reduce the cost.

In addition, the image recording system is composed of two image recording devices such as a color image recording device 1 and a monochrome image recording device 2, and the color image recording device 1 and the monochrome image recording device 2 are respectively provided with four Recording paper storage tray. Therefore, by using the four recording paper storage trays, it is possible to increase the amount of recording paper compared to the case where only one recording paper storage tray is provided.

In addition, in the above image recording system, the bypass conveying device 5 that conveys the recording paper P recorded by the monochrome image recording device 2 to the final processing device 3 is disposed above the monochrome image recording device 2 . The color image recording device 1 is disposed, and the upper part of the casing of the bypass transport device 5 can be opened and closed upward. Therefore, the state of the bypass horizontal conveyance path 72 in the bypass conveyance device 5 can be easily confirmed visually by opening the upper part of the casing of the bypass conveyance device 5 upward. Therefore, even if a trouble such as a jam occurs when the recording paper P recorded by the monochrome image recording device 2 is transported by the bypass transport device 5 , it can be easily dealt with.

In addition, in the above image recording system, above the bypass conveyance device 5, an upper storage conveyance path 78 branched from the bypass horizontal conveyance path 72 and an upper storage tray 77 are provided. Therefore, the upper storage tray 77 can be used in common with the finisher 3 , and the recording paper P recorded by the color image recording device 1 is stored in the first storage tray 86 of the finisher 3 as described above. The recording paper P recorded by the monochromatic image recording device 2 is stored in the upper storage tray 77 . Therefore, when two jobs are processed in parallel using two devices, the color image recording device 1 and the monochrome image recording device 2, the recording paper P recorded by these image recording devices can be differentiated for each job unit. It is stored in the final processing device 3 and the upper storage tray 77 .

Also, in the image recording system described above, the recording paper P conveyed by the bypass horizontal conveying path 72 of the bypass conveying device 5 provided in the color image recording apparatus 1 can control the conveyance of the recording paper P so that This temporarily stays in the bypass horizontal conveyance path 72 . Therefore, as described above, it is possible to avoid gaps between the recording paper P recorded by the color image recording device 1 and the recording paper P recorded by the monochrome image recording device 2 in the main conveyance path merging midway portion 76 of the bypass conveyance device 5 . conflict. Therefore, for example, when a single job is divided into two color image recording devices 1 and monochrome image recording devices 2 for processing, the recording paper P recorded and discharged by them can be smoothly stored in the final Processing device 3.

Also, in the image recording system, a color image reading device 4 is installed on the top of the monochrome image recording device 2, by doing so, an image reading function can be added to the image recording system to achieve high performance. performance purposes. Also, the upper space of the monochrome image recording device 2 can be effectively used, and the color image reading device 4 can be opened upward on the upper part of the monochrome image recording device 2 . Therefore, the operation of the color image reading device 4 can be easily performed, and the operability of the color image reading device 4 can be improved.

Also, in the image recording system, since the second vertical conveying path 54 of the color image recording device 1 and the third vertical conveying path 155 of the monochrome image recording device 2 face together, the first reserved space 111 is formed, Therefore, the first conservative space 111 can be used as a barrier against the jam of the recording paper P that occurs in the second vertical conveyance path 54 of the color image recording device 1 and the recording paper P that occurs in the third vertical conveyance path 155 of the monochrome image recording device 2. It is used in a space where both sides of the jam of the paper P are disposed of. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with the jam of the recording paper P that occurs in the second vertical conveyance path 54 of the color image recording apparatus 1 and the jam of the recording paper P that occurs in the third vertical conveyance path 155 of the monochrome image recording apparatus 2. clogged.

Also, similarly, since the second conservative space 112 facing the third vertical conveyance path 55 of the color image recording device 1 is formed, the second conservative space 112 can serve as a third space for the color image recording device 1 . The vertical transport path 55 is used as a space for dealing with jams of the recording paper P that occur in the transport path 55 . Therefore, it is possible to easily deal with a jam of the recording paper P that occurs in the third vertical conveyance path 55 of the color image recording apparatus 1 .

In addition, since the rear end surface of the casing 100 of the image recording system is provided with a rear door 101 separated from the middle to the left and right, and the side rear doors 102 opened to one side are provided on both sides of the transport path connecting device 6, There are side front doors 103 that open to one side on both sides of the front end surface of the bypass conveying device 5, so by using these doors, maintenance work can be easily performed.

Also, when the rear door 101, the side rear door 102, or the side front door 103 provided on the casing 100 of the image recording system are opened, the color image recording device 1 and the monochrome image recording device 2 can operate, that is, the The above image recording system stops. Therefore, during inspection work and the like of the image recording system, it is possible to ensure that the operation of the image recording system is stopped, and the inspection work and the like can be performed safely.

In the image recording system of the present embodiment described above, a system using two image recording devices such as the color image recording device 1 and the monochrome image recording device 2 is configured as the image recording device. , it is possible to further add an image recording device constituting the image recording system. For example, in the image recording system of the present embodiment described above, the bypass conveyance device 5 is attached to the image recording device to be added. Furthermore, the image recording device for extension with this bypass conveying device 5 installed is inserted between the final processing device 3 of the image recording system in the present embodiment and the color image recording device 1 equipped with the bypass conveying device 5 , or between the color image recording device 1 and the monochrome image recording device 2 on which the bypass transport device 5 is installed, thereby forming an image recording system composed of three image recording devices.

As the image recording device for extension, either the color image recording device 1 or the monochrome image recording device 2 may be used. In these systems, the image recording device for extension with the bypass transfer device 5 installed is inserted into the final processing device 3 of the image recording system in the present embodiment and the color image recording device with the bypass transfer device 5 installed. In the case of 1, the recording paper P recorded by the monochrome image recording device 2 and the color image recording device 1 is conveyed to the final processing device 3 by the bypass conveying device 5 installed in the inserted image recording device.

Also, when an image recording device for extension is inserted into the color image recording device 1 and the monochrome image recording device 2 on which the bypass conveyance device 5 is installed in the image recording system in the present embodiment, the monochrome The recording paper P recorded by the image recording device is conveyed to the final processing device 3 by the bypass conveying device 5 installed in the inserted image recording device and the bypass conveying device 5 installed in the color image recording device 1, and is conveyed by the extension device The recording paper P recorded by the image recording device is conveyed to the final processing device 3 by the bypass conveying device 5 installed in the color image recording device 1 . Also, in the same manner as above, an image recording system including four or more image recording devices can be configured.

Also, in the image recording system, side rear doors 102 that open to one side are provided on both side surfaces of the transport path connecting device 6 of the cabinet 100, and side rear doors 102 that open to one side are provided on both sides of the front end surface of the bypass transport device 5. A side front door 103 opened to one side is provided. However, any one of the side rear door 102 and the side front door 103 may only be arranged on one side.

In addition, the image recording system of the present embodiment described above is a complex system that is fully equipped with the functions of a copier and a printing device, but it is also possible to add an interface connected to a telephone line and a facsimile (FAX) control function to the complex system. , to obtain a composite system that also has a fax function.

In the image recording system according to the present embodiment, the bypass conveying device 5 is integrally constructed as shown in FIG. The device 5 can be divided into two parts, and the two separated parts can be distributed and installed in the color image recording device 1 and the monochrome image recording device 2 . FIG. 12 shows the configuration of a color image recording device constructed using this method.

That is, the bypass conveyance device 5 is divided into a rear bypass conveyance device 5B, which is a portion forming the bypass ascending conveyance passage 71, and a front bypass conveyance device 5A, which forms the rest. In this way, since the bypass conveying device 5 is divided into a vertical plate-shaped rear bypass conveying device 5B and an inverted "L"-shaped front bypass conveying device 5A, the vertical plate-shaped rear bypass conveying device 5B is installed on the unit. The front part of the color image recording device 2, and the inverted "L"-shaped front bypass transport device 5A is installed on the upper part from the front part of the color image recording device 1.

In addition, the final processing device 3 is formed by arranging the color image recording device 1 equipped with the front bypass conveying device 5A and the monochrome image recording device 2 mounted with the rear bypass conveying device 5B in a row in this order to form an image record. system device. Also in the image recording system formed in this way, the same operations and effects as those of the image recording system in the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained.

In addition, the present invention can be implemented in other various forms without departing from the gist or main characteristics thereof. Therefore, in this sense, the above-described embodiments are merely examples and should not be interpreted restrictively. The scope of the present invention is shown in the claims, and is not limited in the specification. Furthermore, modifications and changes within the scope of equality of the claims should also belong to the scope of the present invention.

Claims (26)

1. image recording system is characterized in that:

At least be provided with document image on recording medium image recording structure, with the recording medium harvesting unit of harvesting by the recording medium of described image recording structure record,

Described image recording structure is set side by side with many, and described recording medium harvesting unit can use jointly for described many image recording structures,

Discharge to described recording medium harvesting unit by the recording medium that described image recording structure write down, and receive and keep in this recording medium harvesting unit,

Before and after described image recording structure adjacent and that be positioned at the front be called preceding device, front and back described image recording structure adjacent and that be positioned at the back is called the back device, device is called first head unit before ahead described, tail apparatus after the described back device of last tail is called,

Described image recording structure is provided with the device escape hole that the recording medium that has write down is forwards discharged, and

At the described image recording structure of having removed described back tail apparatus, be on the body apparatus, be provided with described bypass conveyance unit,

This bypass conveyance unit is provided with:

Inlet is accepted in the bypass front portion that combines, receives the recording medium of being discharged from this device escape hole with the device escape hole of the described body apparatus that described bypass conveyance unit is installed;

With the anterior main conveyance path of accepting the recording medium conveyance forwards that inlet accepted of this bypass;

The bypass escape hole that to forwards discharge by the recording medium of this main conveyance path institute conveyance;

Inlet is accepted at the bypass rear portion, it is under the situation of described back tail apparatus at the back device of this body apparatus that inlet is accepted at this bypass rear portion, combine with the device escape hole of this back tail apparatus, under the situation that is not the back tail apparatus, combine with the bypass escape hole of the bypass conveyance unit of installing on the back device of this body apparatus, accept the recording medium of being discharged from the device escape hole of this bypass escape hole or described back tail apparatus; And

To accept recording medium conveyance forwards that inlet accepts by described bypass rear portion, at the bypass conveyance path at interflow midway of described main conveyance path, and

On the bypass escape hole of the bypass conveyance unit that is provided with on the described first head unit, be provided with for the common described recording medium harvesting unit that uses of described image recording structure.

2. image recording system according to claim 1 is characterized in that:

Described image recording structure is provided with a plurality of described recording medium storage portions.

3. image recording system according to claim 1 and 2 is characterized in that:

Described image recording structure is configured to row at fore-and-aft direction, and described recording medium harvesting configuration of cells is at described row ahead,

In at least one described image recording structure, be provided with bypass conveyance unit, by the recording medium that described image recording structure write down in the configuration of the rear of the described image recording structure that is provided with this bypass conveyance unit, discharge to described recording medium harvesting unit via described bypass conveyance unit, and receive and keep in this recording medium harvesting unit.

4. image recording system according to claim 1 is characterized in that:

As described image recording structure,, it can be used separately as uniset by the recording medium harvesting unit of the recording medium that harvesting discharged from described device escape hole is set at this device escape hole place.

5. image recording system according to claim 1 is characterized in that:

Described bypass conveyance unit can be installed on described body apparatus afterwards.

6. image recording system according to claim 1 is characterized in that:

The bypass conveyance path of described bypass conveyance unit, the top that is configured to cross described body apparatus.

7. image recording system according to claim 6 is characterized in that:

The bypass conveyance path of described bypass conveyance unit is the structure that at least a portion can be opened upward.

8. image recording system according to claim 6 is characterized in that:

Above described bypass conveyance unit, be provided with harvesting unit, top that will be from the recording medium of the bypass conveyance path institute conveyance of the described bypass conveyance unit that the back device of described body apparatus is discharged and installed by described body apparatus from this bypass conveyance forehearth limb and harvesting.

9. image recording system according to claim 1 is characterized in that:

The conveyance of described bypass conveyance unit controls, make by the recording medium of the bypass conveyance path institute conveyance of described bypass conveyance unit can be in this bypass conveyance path layover.

10. image recording system according to claim 1 is characterized in that:

On the tail apparatus of described back, be provided with image fetching unit.

11. image recording system according to claim 6 is characterized in that:

As the preceding device and the adjacency ground configuration of device front and back, back of 2 image recording structures,

In device and the described back device, the rear portion separately of device and back device is provided with described before before described: mouthful road of taking out of of taking out of mouthful recording medium of taking out of that conveyance is provided with from the rear portion of the described recording medium storage portion of harvesting recording medium; And connect this take out of a mouthful road, and will be through the posterior vertical conveyance path of conveyance upward of the recording medium after this takes out of mouthful road conveyance, and,

The front portion separately of device and back device is provided with before described: also continuing after level is supplied with the conveyance of conveyance path through this posterior vertical conveyance path, carry out record by image recording portion, and then, the device escape hole of the recording medium discharging outlet that the recording medium after level is discharged the conveyance of conveyance path is forwards forwards discharged; And will and get back to described level and supply with the anterior vertical conveyance path as the part of conveyance path that uses under the situation of conveyance path through the recording media table back side after level is discharged the conveyance of conveyance path counter-rotating,

The described bypass rear portion of the bypass conveyance unit of described bypass conveying unit accept inlet below part, forms described before device posterior vertical conveyance path with described after device anterior vertical conveyance path coplane first guard the space.

12. image recording system according to claim 11 is characterized in that:

The posterior vertical conveyance path of device and the described anterior vertical conveyance path of device afterwards before described can both be to the described first conservative space openings.

13. image recording system according to claim 12 is characterized in that:

At least one side of the two sides in the described first conservative space is provided with lid to be opened/closed, and when this lid was opened, described preceding device all stopped action with described back device.

14. image recording system according to claim 11 is characterized in that:

Part below the described main conveyance path of the bypass conveyance unit of described bypass conveying unit, form described before the second conservative space faced of the anterior vertical conveyance path of device.

15. image recording system according to claim 14 is characterized in that:

The anterior vertical conveyance path of device before described can be to the described second conservative space opening.

16. image recording system according to claim 15 is characterized in that:

At least one side of the two sides in the described second conservative space is provided with lid to be opened/closed, and when this lid was opened, described preceding device all stopped action with described back device.

17. image recording system according to claim 11 is characterized in that:

At least be provided with lid to be opened/closed with the part on the posterior vertical conveyance path opposite of this back device in the back in the space of the described back of harvesting device, and when this lid is opened, described before device all stop to move with described back device.

18. image recording system according to claim 17 is characterized in that:

When described lid was opened, the posterior vertical conveyance path of described back device can rearward be opened.

19. image recording system according to claim 11 is characterized in that:

On at least a portion of the side of the bypass conveyance path of described bypass conveying unit, be provided with lid to be opened/closed, and when this lid is opened, described before device all stop action with described back device.

20. image recording system according to claim 11 is characterized in that:

On at least a portion on the bypass conveyance path of described bypass conveying unit, be provided with lid to be opened/closed, and when this lid was opened, described preceding device all stopped action with described back device.

21. image recording system according to claim 20 is characterized in that:

When described lid was opened, at least a portion of the bypass conveyance path of described bypass conveying unit can be opened upward.

22. image recording system according to claim 1 and 2 is characterized in that:

Constituted by 2 described image recording structures.

23. image recording system according to claim 22 is characterized in that:

The processing speed difference of 2 described image recording structures.

24. image recording system according to claim 22 is characterized in that:

The log resolution difference of 2 described image recording structures.

25. image recording system according to claim 22 is characterized in that:

The kind difference of 2 employed recording mediums of described image recording structure.

26. image recording system according to claim 22 is characterized in that:

One in 2 described image recording structures is color image recording apparatus.

Images