Lock Mechanism

This machine controls the drawer unit lock automatically. It also allows the locked drawer unit to open when it is necessary, in order to let users open doors in the correct order, to remove jammed paper without tearing it. The drawer unit lock motor also controls the paper transfer belt release mechanism, so that the paper transfer belt is always released when the drawer unit is ready to be opened.

When is the lock released?

• When the drawer unit flapper [A] is pushed in and the drawer unit flapper sensor [B] detects it.
  

• When a jam has occurred and the LED on the drawer unit blinks.
• When the main power is OFF.

• When a cover is open.

Lock Release Operation

1. The drawer unit lock motor [A] rotates the drawer unit lock shaft [B].
   
2. The drawer unit lock shaft [A] rotates counterclockwise.
3. When the drawer unit lock sensor [B] detects the edge of the actuator [C] attached to the drawer unit lock shaft, the drawer unit lock motor stops. The end of the drawer unit lock shaft comes off the holder completely. The lock is released.
   

   

Lock Operation

1. The drawer unit is pushed in completely.

2. The drawer set sensor 1 [A] detects the tab [B] on the rear of the drawer unit.
   

3. The drawer unit lock motor [A] turns on and the drawer unit lock shaft [B] rotates.
   

4. The drawer unit lock shaft [A] starts to rotate clockwise from the lock release position.

5. When the drawer unit lock sensor [C] detects the edge of the actuator [D], the drawer unit lock motor stops. The end of drawer unit lock shaft [B] is held by the holder. The drawer unit is locked.
   

Drawer Unit Push Mechanism

When a paper jam occurs, the drawer unit is locked to prevent jammed paper from being ripped. The lock is released and the drawer unit can be pulled out after the paper sticking out from the drawer unit is removed. Also, only in the case of a paper jam, the drawer unit is pushed out 10 mm from the machine and the drawer unit LED blinks when the lock is released. The drawer unit push mechanism is done by changing the direction of drawer unit lock shaft rotation.

The holder [B] which locks the end of the drawer unit lock shaft [A] is sloped.
When the drawer unit lock shaft [C] rotates clockwise from the lock position (the end of the drawer unit lock shaft [A] is held by the holder), it climbs up the slope. Then it is released from the holder and the drawer unit is pushed out from the machine.

Drawer Unit Set Detection Mechanism

The set condition of the drawer unit is detected by the drawer set sensor 1 [A] and the drawer set sensor 2 [B]. The set condition is detected when the actuator blocks the light.

The drawer set sensor 2 [B] detects when the drawer unit is pulled out completely. This is used to control the jam animation when there is jammed paper. The actuator of drawer set sensor 2 [B] is longer than that of drawer set sensor 1 [A]. The combination of signals from these sensors determines the condition of the drawer unit (locked/half open/fully open).

The condition of the drawer unit is determined as follows.

Drawer Unit State List

There are two states of the drawer unit. The state of the unit varies depending on the machine state.

1. Not Withdrawable

   Machine State		Remarks
   Output		Including application output / fax output at night
   Correcting, or Self-adjusting	Warming-up, Process Control, MUSIC, Toner Recovery, Web Cleaning
   Sleep mode	The machine is in sleep mode and the operation panel display is off.	The drawer unit can be withdrawn after returning from sleep mode
   Forced Power off	Forced shutdown due to blackout / disconnection, or pressing and holding the power button	Reboot allows you to withdraw the drawer unit
   SC Issued	SC670 / SC672 occurs
   *Straddling Jam		The drawer unit can be withdrawn after jammed paper is removed from vertical transport / bypass tray unit / purge unit.
   Defective Drawer Unit Lock-related Parts	Cannot release the drawer unit lock correctly. SC525 occurs due to a problem with the drawer unit lock motor.	To solve this problem, you need to remove some covers and the drawer unit lock motor to release the lock manually. (For details, see If the Drawer is Locked)

   * In the case of a jam (such as the jams listed below) that straddles the drawer unit and another unit, jammed paper will be torn if you pull out the drawer unit, and torn paper may remain in the machine.

   • Jam between the bypass tray unit and the registration unit
   • Jam between the relay unit and the vertical transport
   • Jam between the paper exit section and the purge unit
   So in this machine, the drawer unit is locked when a straddling jam occurs.
   By following the directions on the display, the drawer unit can be withdrawn after you remove jammed paper from the vertical transport / the bypass tray unit / the purge unit.

2. Withdrawable

   • When the drawer unit becomes withdrawable after you put your hand into the drawer unit handle:
     The release operation of the drawer unit lock starts when you put your hand into the drawer unit handle. The drawer unit becomes withdrawable 8 seconds after you put your hand into the drawer unit handle, and then the message is displayed on the operation panel.

     Machine State		Remarks
     Ready	Low Power Mode
     Door or Cover Open	Cover or door opens	Any of the following opens: Upper Front Cover, Purge Door, Paper Feed Tray
     Downtime	SC other than those listed below occurs: SC670 SC672 SC525 When the waste toner bottle is full, for replacement of the toner bottle
     Low Power	Energy Saving Mode

   • When the drawer unit is withdrawable immediately:
     

     • In cases that apply to neither “1. Not Withdrawable” nor “2. Withdrawable: When the waste toner bottle is full, for replacement of the toner bottle” mentioned above.

     • When SP1-040-001 is executed.