Image forming apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12049380-B2
Application number	US-202217679440-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 24, 2022
Priority date	Feb 26, 2021
Publication date	Jul 30, 2024
Grant date	Jul 30, 2024

Abstract

A first detector detects a sheet between a first conveyance roller and a confluence position in a conveyance path. The first detector includes a first actuator and a first sensor. The first actuator is rotationally movable by contacting the sheet conveyed by the first conveyance roller. The first sensor is an optical sensor that detects rotational movement of the first actuator. A second detector detects the sheet between a second conveyance roller and the confluence position in a reconveyance path. The second detector includes a second actuator and a second sensor. The second actuator is rotationally movable by contacting the sheet conveyed by the second conveyance roller. The second sensor is an optical sensor that detects rotational movement of the second actuator. A single sensor board supports the first sensor and the second sensor. The sensor board has a wiring pattern connected to the first sensor and the second sensor.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
an apparatus main body in which a conveyance path and a reconveyance path are formed;
a print engine configured to form an image on a sheet, the conveyance path being a path for conveying a sheet toward the print engine, the reconveyance path being a path for again conveying the sheet on which an image is formed on one surface toward the print engine, the reconveyance path joining the conveyance path at a confluence position;
a first conveyance roller configured to convey the sheet toward the confluence position in the conveyance path;
a second conveyance roller configured to convey the sheet toward the confluence position in the reconveyance path;
a third conveyance roller located between the confluence position and the print engine in the conveyance path, the third conveyance roller being configured to convey the sheet toward the print engine;
a first detector configured to detect the sheet between the first conveyance roller and the confluence position in the conveyance path, the first detector including a first actuator and a first sensor, the first actuator being rotationally movable by contacting the sheet conveyed by the first conveyance roller, the first sensor being an optical sensor configured to detect rotational movement of the first actuator;
a second detector configured to detect the sheet between the second conveyance roller and the confluence position in the reconveyance path, the second detector including a second actuator and a second sensor, the second actuator being rotationally movable by contacting the sheet conveyed by the second conveyance roller, the second sensor being an optical sensor configured to detect rotational movement of the second actuator; and
a single sensor board supporting the first sensor and the second sensor, the sensor board having a wiring pattern connected to the first sensor and the second sensor.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor board is located downstream of the first conveyance roller and the second conveyance roller and upstream of the third conveyance roller in a conveyance direction of the sheet conveyed along the conveyance path.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor board is located at one side of the conveyance path and the reconveyance path in a width direction of the sheet conveyed along the conveyance path and the reconveyance path;
wherein the first actuator is rotationally movable about a first rotational axis extending in the width direction, the first actuator including a first arm and a first co-movement portion, the first arm being rotationally movable by contacting the sheet conveyed by the first conveyance roller, the first co-movement portion being located at a side of the first sensor with respect to the sensor board in the width direction, the first co-movement portion being movable together with the first arm;
wherein the second actuator is rotationally movable about a second rotational axis extending in the width direction, the second actuator including a second arm and a second co-movement portion, the second arm being rotationally movable by contacting the sheet conveyed by the second conveyance roller, the second co-movement portion being located at a side of the second sensor with respect to the sensor board in the width direction, the second co-movement portion being movable together with the second arm;
wherein the first sensor is configured to detect rotational movement of the first co-movement portion; and
wherein the second sensor is configured to detect rotational movement of the second co-movement portion.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein a rotation locus of the first co-movement portion at least partially overlaps a rotation locus of the second co-movement portion as viewed from the width direction.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein a range in which the first co-movement portion exists in the width direction at least partially overlaps a range in which the second co-movement portion exists in the width direction;
wherein a first particular portion which is one of the first co-movement portion and the second co-movement portion protrudes farther toward the one side in the width direction than a second particular portion which is an other one of the first co-movement portion and the second co-movement portion; and
wherein the first particular portion has a hollow shape such that the second particular portion fits into the first particular portion when the second particular portion rotational moves.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the first actuator includes a first rotational shaft extending along the first rotational axis and connecting the first arm with the first co-movement portion;
wherein the second actuator includes second rotational shaft extending along the second rotational axis and connecting the second arm with the second co-movement portion; and
wherein a first range in which the first rotational shaft exists in a front-rear direction at least partially overlaps a second range in which the second rotational shaft exists in the front-rear direction, the front-rear direction being perpendicular to both the width direction and a vertical direction.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising a first frame;
wherein the first actuator includes a first rotational shaft extending along the first rotational axis and connecting the first arm with the first co-movement portion;
wherein the second actuator includes second rotational shaft extending along the second rotational axis and connecting the second arm with the second co-movement portion; and
wherein both the first rotational shaft and the second rotational shaft are supported by the first frame.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 , further comprising a second frame supporting the sensor board,
wherein the first frame and the second frame are coupled to each other and define a part of the conveyance path and a part of the reconveyance path.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first detector includes a first urging member configured to urge the first actuator in a direction opposite to a direction in which the first actuator rotationally moves when contacted by the sheet;
wherein the second detector includes a second urging member configured to urge the second actuator in a direction opposite to a direction in which the second actuator rotationally moves when contacted by the sheet; and
wherein the first urging member and the second urging member are located at positions away from each other in a width direction of the sheet conveyed along the conveyance path and the reconveyance path.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the first urging member is a tension coil spring.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the second urging member is a torsion coil spring.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a third detector configured to detect the sheet between the third conveyance roller and the print engine in the conveyance path, the third detector including a third actuator and a third sensor, the third actuator being configured to rotationally move when contacted by the sheet conveyed by the third conveyance roller, the third sensor being an optical sensor configured to detect rotational movement of the third actuator,
wherein the sensor board supports the third sensor, the wiring pattern being connected to the third sensor.

Assignees

• Brother Ind Ltd

Inventors

• Arakawa Takashi
• Taira Kazuya
• Suzuki Kazushi

Classifications

• B65H5/062 Primary

  between rollers or balls · CPC title

• B65H2553/82

  with regard to the direction of transport of the handled material · CPC title

• B65H5/26

  Duplicate, alternate, selective, or coacting feeds · CPC title

• B65H2801/06

  Office-type machines, e.g. photocopiers · CPC title

• B65H2553/61

  Mechanical means, e.g. contact arms · CPC title