JP2009018937A - Paper feeder and image forming system provided with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper feeder especially with a large capacity for securing low noise, power-saving, and highly reliable conveying performance by optimizing control conditions of a blower fan, and an image forming system composed of an image forming device provided with the same. <P>SOLUTION: This paper feeder B has conveying means for conveying a loaded recording medium, paper feeding means of the recording medium, a recording medium housing part for loading a plurality of recording media, an air blowing port 49 at a side fence 50 of the recording medium housing part, and a blower fan 52 at the side fence 50. In this paper feeder, a wind speed fed from the blower fan 52 is controlled by a residual volume of the loaded recording media and the size of the recording media. In this control, especially, an operation time for controlling the wind speed of the blower fan 52 can be adjusted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a large-capacity paper feeding device that performs conveyance control of a recording medium (paper) in combination with an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a printing machine, and the paper feeding device and the image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to an image forming system.

In image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, facsimiles, and printing machines, not only paper feeding devices mounted in the main body but also large-capacity recording media in response to increasing demands for processing large-capacity recording media. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a technique for forming an image forming system that includes a paper feeding device capable of feeding paper and includes the paper feeding device and an image forming apparatus.
Conventionally, many image forming devices such as printers, copiers, fax machines, and their paper transport devices have been proposed with air-feeding technology that does not use a frictional separation method in order to improve paper-feeding and separation performance for various types of paper. (For example, see Patent Documents 1 to 5).
Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a member that opens and closes a flow path is provided in the vicinity where an air knife hits a sheet so that the thickness of the air knife that hits a stacked sheet can be sequentially switched. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique for setting the direction of air to be blown downward with respect to the upper surface of a sheet.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique that can select or exchange an air blowing nozzle shape from a plurality of shapes according to the characteristics of a recording medium (paper) and separates various sheets having different properties from thin paper to thick paper.
In Patent Document 4, a sheet pressing member is pressed near the center of the recording medium (sheet) stacking surface, and separation air is blown. The air is blocked by the pressing portion and swells to reliably separate the recording medium. Technology is disclosed. Further, Patent Document 5 discloses that a recording medium presser is provided for penetrating the separation air blown from the side surface to the other opposite end.
JP 2003-176051 A JP-A-11-157686 JP 2001-088964 A JP 05-286596 A Patent No. 2890674

However, in the paper feed separation method using air, the shape dependence such as stiffness and deflection of the recording medium is large, and improvements have been made to devise the nozzle shape and spray angle, etc., but work due to human intervention It is not efficient because it is large, and it has been difficult to guarantee quality quantitatively.
In addition, in recent years, improvements in power consumption and noise due to the use of a compressor have been required. Furthermore, the larger the capacity of the tray, the lower the stacking of the recording medium and the pressing of the recording medium by the upper recording medium results in an increase in the adhesion between the recording media, leading to a decrease in paper feed separation performance. It was.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to optimize the blower fan control conditions in consideration of the above-described circumstances, thereby ensuring low noise, low power consumption and highly reliable conveyance performance, particularly for large capacity paper feeding. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system including an apparatus and an image forming apparatus provided with the apparatus.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the invention described in claim 1 includes a conveying unit that conveys a stacked recording medium, a feeding unit for the recording medium, and a recording medium storage for stacking a plurality of the recording media. And a blower fan in the side fence of the recording medium storage unit, a wind speed sent from the blower fan according to a remaining recording medium remaining amount and a recording medium size. When performing control, it is possible to adjust the operation time of the wind speed control of the blower fan.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system configured by an image forming apparatus and a large capacity sheet feeding apparatus, the large capacity sheet feeding apparatus is attached to the image forming apparatus. Characterized by the paper feeding device described.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the setting stored as the initial value in the wind speed control condition is different from the user's selection, a message or the like for prompting the user whether or not to continue is displayed on the display means. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1 is characterized.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in an image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus and a large-capacity paper feeding device, the paper thickness setting means for setting the paper thickness is provided, and the paper thickness setting means sets When controlling the wind speed sent from the blower fan provided in the paper feeding device based on the paper thickness information, the operating time of the wind speed control of the blower fan is adjusted, at that time set by the paper thickness setting means The paper thickness information is added to the wind speed control condition.
The invention described in claim 5 further includes a paper type setting means for setting a paper type, and adds the paper type information set by the paper type setting means to the wind speed control condition. It features an image forming system.
The invention described in claim 6 further includes setting means for setting whether or not the sheet is preprinted paper, and adds information set by the setting means to the wind speed control condition. It features an image forming system.
The invention described in claim 7 is characterized in that the image forming apparatus constituting the image forming system is an electrophotographic copying machine.
The invention described in claim 8 is characterized in that the image forming apparatus is a laser beam printer.
The invention described in claim 9 is characterized in that the image forming apparatus is a facsimile apparatus.

  According to the present invention, the blower fan wind speed control is optimized in accordance with the remaining amount of recording medium and the size of the recording medium, that is, the blower fan wind speed control operation time can be adjusted, thereby feeding paper without increasing the wind speed. Separation performance can be ensured, and it is possible to improve paper feed separation performance and conveyance quality with low noise and power saving.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. An image forming unit 1 is disposed at the center of the image forming apparatus A in FIG. 1, and a paper feeding unit 2 is disposed immediately below the image forming unit 1.
A plurality of paper feed units 2 are provided, each having a paper feed tray 21. Above the image forming unit 1, a reading unit 3 for reading a document is disposed. A paper discharge storage unit 4 is formed on the left side of the image forming unit 1 in the drawing, and the recording medium P on which the image has been formed is discharged and stored.
The image forming unit 6 is disposed in the image forming unit 1. Around the drum-shaped photoreceptor 36, a charging unit 37 that performs charging processing on the surface, an exposure unit 7 that irradiates image information with laser light on the surface, A developing unit 38 that visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed by exposure on the surface, and a cleaning unit 39 that removes and collects residual toner on the photoreceptor 36 are disposed.
In addition, the transfer unit 45 that transfers the toner image formed on the photoreceptor 36 to the recording medium P, and the toner on the recording medium P from which the toner image is obtained are passed between a pair of rollers to apply heat and pressure. Accordingly, fixing units 40 for fixing the toner image on the recording medium P are arranged. The recording medium P that has passed through the fixing unit 40 is discharged to the discharge storage unit 4 by a discharge roller 41.
At the time of double-sided printing, the printing is branched by the branching unit 43, the recording medium P is reversed by the reversing double-sided unit 9, and conveyed to the registration roller 23, and the skew of the recording medium P is corrected by the registration roller 23 so It reaches.

In the paper feeding unit 2, an unused recording medium P is accommodated in the paper feeding tray 21, and a position at which the bottom plate 24 that is rotatably supported can abut the uppermost recording medium P on the pick-up roller 25. To rise. Next, the uppermost recording medium P is sent out from the paper feed tray 21 by the rotation of the paper feed roller 26 and conveyed to the registration roller 23.
The registration roller 23 temporarily stops conveyance of the recording medium P, and starts to rotate at a timing so that the positional relationship between the toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor 36 and the front end of the recording medium P becomes a predetermined position. Controlled.
In the reading unit 3, in order to perform reading scanning of a document placed on the contact glass 31, reading traveling bodies 32 and 33 including a document illumination light source and a mirror reciprocate. Image information scanned by the reading traveling bodies 32 and 33 is read as an image signal into a CCD 35 installed behind the lens 34.
The read image signal is digitized and image processed by an image processing unit (not shown). In the image forming unit 1, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 36 by light emission of a laser diode LD (not shown) in the exposure unit 7 based on the image signal processed by the image processing unit.

The optical signal from the LD reaches the photosensitive member 36 via a known polygon mirror or lens. Above the reading unit 3, an automatic document feeder 44 that automatically feeds a document is attached.
The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment reads the document as described above, digitizes it, and copies it onto a recording medium. This is a multi-function image forming apparatus having a so-called printer function for printing on a recording medium the function of a fax exchanged with a remote place and image information handled by a computer.
The setting as the copying machine is performed by an operation unit (not shown) that can be arbitrarily set by the operator. In addition, all images formed by any function are discharged to the paper discharge storage unit 4.
The recording medium P is branched by the branching claw 43, reversed via the reverse double-sided portion 9, and discharged from the paper discharge roller 41 via the reverse paper discharge roller 42. In this case, the recording medium P stacked in the paper discharge storage unit 4 is in a state where the image surface is the lower surface.

Even if the processing order of the originals handled by the copier, facsimile, and printer is printed from the first page, the first page is the top when taken out from the discharge storage unit 4, and the pages are aligned again. Freed from work.
Further, FIG. 1 shows an outline of the entire image forming system, and a sheet feeding unit 2 is disposed below the image forming apparatus A. The outside of the sheet feeding unit 2, that is, the outside of the image forming apparatus A is shown. The sheet feeding device B, which is a large-capacity sheet feeding device, is disposed on the right side surface of FIG.
The sheet feeding device B is an FRR sheet feeding system in which a feed roller 46, a pickup roller 47, and a reverse roller 48 are arranged. These rollers 46, 47, and 48 rotate at respective timings according to preset sheet feeding timings.

Further, the recording medium (paper) stacking unit of the paper feeding device B has an end fence configuration (not shown) in which side fences 50 for guiding the recording medium are provided on both sides to press the rear end of the recording medium. Further, the upper limit position of the recording medium is determined by a sensor 51 provided in the paper feeding device B.
By detecting the paper feeding position of the recording medium by this sensor 51, even if the number of recording media decreases, the bottom plate (not shown) is moved by a lift motor so that the paper feeding position of the recording medium does not always vary. In addition, control of the feeding position of the recording medium is performed.
As described above, in order to keep the paper feed separation condition constant, the upper limit position of the recording medium is always optimized so that the recording medium (paper) loading amount is always constant even when the recording medium (paper) stacking amount increases or decreases. Reference numeral 52 denotes a blower fan attached to the side fence 50.
The actuator that operates the sensor 51 has a configuration in which a feed roller 46 and a pickup roller 47 are connected. A filler (not shown) attached to the tip of the actuator shields the sensor 51 so as to always detect the upper limit of the recording medium and keep the position of the pickup roller 47 constant.
Further, even if the bottom plate rises in conjunction with a decrease in the loading amount of the recording medium, this position detection is performed by this actuator. Further, a paper feed tray (not shown) is configured to be removable from the paper feed device B, and when a user sets a recording medium, the paper feed tray is pulled out.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a recording medium separation air assist function by blower fan control according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view showing an upper portion of the configuration of FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, regarding the configuration of the auxiliary separation function (air assist function) of the recording medium, a blower fan 52 is attached to the side fence 50 in the sheet feeding device B. A nozzle-shaped portion 49 is shown as an air outlet for ejecting air generated from the blower fan 52.
The side fence 50 has the air ejection port 49 as described above, but has an upper portion of the opening of the nozzle-shaped portion at a position lower than the sheet passing position. As described above, since the upper part of the opening of the nozzle-shaped portion is lower than the sheet passing position, the wind from the blower fan 52 does not directly hit the recording medium during the sheet passing.
Therefore, the function of the blower fan 52 can be limited to paper-sheeting, which is a recording medium, and the wind blown from the blower fan 52 does not come into the recording medium to be passed, so that there is an effect of suppressing the floating of the recording medium. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 53 denotes a recording medium presser for suppressing the floating of the recording medium.

［表２］

図４及び表１と表２を参照して、まず、給紙プロセスを開始する（Ｓ１）。続いて、記録媒体（用紙）サイズが表１のＢ４，ＳＥＦより大きいかどうかを判断し（Ｓ２）、大きければ、風力パラメータＡ＝ＬＬ対応として（Ｓ３）、記録媒体（用紙）残量が７５％より大きいかどうかを判断し（Ｓ１４）し、大きければ、風力パラメータＢ＝Ｆ対応として（Ｓ１５）、風力パラメータＡと風力パラメータＢから決定される風力を算出する（Ｓ２６）。
ステップＳ２で、記録媒体（用紙）サイズが表１のＢ４，ＳＥＦより大きくないならば、記録媒体サイズが表１のＡ４，ＳＥＦより大きくＢ４，ＳＥＦより小さいか又は等しいかどうかを判断し（Ｓ４）、そうならば、風力パラメータＡ＝Ｌ対応として（Ｓ５）、ステップＳ１４に進み、所定の動作フローを経てステップ（Ｓ２６）に進む。
ステップＳ４において、Ａ４，ＳＥＦ＜記録媒体サイズ≦Ｂ４，ＳＥＦでないならば、記録媒体サイズが表１のＬＴ，ＳＥＦより大きくＡ４，ＳＥＦより小さいか又は等しいかどうかを判断し（Ｓ６）、そうならば、風力パラメータＡ＝ＭＭ対応として（Ｓ７）、ステップＳ１４に進み、所定の動作フローを経てステップ（Ｓ２６）に進む。 The blower fan 52 can control the wind speed, and the operation time of the wind speed control can be adjusted by a control device (not shown) according to various conditions for calculating the wind force described later.
As described above, by changing the operating time of the wind speed control without changing the air volume, it is possible to ensure the optimum sheet feeding separation performance without increasing the wind speed of the blower fan.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation flow for calculating the wind force from the recording medium size and the recording medium remaining amount (loading amount). In order to explain the operation flow for calculating the wind force based on the recording medium size and the recording medium remaining amount (loading amount), the wind power parameter A based on the recording medium size and the wind power parameter B based on the remaining recording medium are shown in Tables 1 and 2 below. Is used.
[Table 1]

[Table 2]

Referring to FIG. 4 and Tables 1 and 2, first, the paper feed process is started (S1). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the size of the recording medium (paper) is larger than B4 and SEF in Table 1 (S2). If larger, the wind power parameter A = LL correspondence is set (S3), and the recording medium (paper) remaining amount is 75. It is determined whether or not it is larger than% (S14), and if it is larger, the wind power parameter B = F correspondence (S15), and the wind power determined from the wind power parameter A and the wind power parameter B is calculated (S26).
In step S2, if the recording medium (paper) size is not larger than B4 and SEF in Table 1, it is determined whether the recording medium size is larger than A4 and SEF in Table 1 and smaller than or equal to B4 and SEF (S4). If so, the wind power parameter A = L correspondence (S5), the process proceeds to step S14, and the process proceeds to step (S26) through a predetermined operation flow.
In step S4, if A4, SEF <recording medium size ≦ B4, SEF is not satisfied, it is determined whether the recording medium size is larger than LT, SEF in Table 1 and smaller than or equal to A4, SEF (S6). For example, the wind power parameter A = MM correspondence (S7), the process proceeds to step S14, and the process proceeds to step (S26) through a predetermined operation flow.

If LT, SEF <recording medium size ≦ A4, SEF is not satisfied in step S6, it is determined whether the recording medium size is larger than LT, LEF in Table 1 and smaller than or equal to LT, SEF (S8). For example, the wind power parameter A = M correspondence (S9), the process proceeds to step S14, and the process proceeds to step (S26) through a predetermined operation flow.
In step S8, if LT, LEF <recording medium size ≦ LT, SEF, it is determined whether the recording medium size is larger than B5, LEF in Table 1 and smaller than or equal to LT, LEF (S10). For example, the wind power parameter A = S correspondence (S11), the process proceeds to step S14, and the process proceeds to step (S26) through a predetermined operation flow.
In step S10, if B5, LEF <recording medium size ≦ LT, LEF, it is determined whether the recording medium size is smaller than or equal to B5, LEF in Table 1 (S12). = SS correspondence (S13), the process proceeds to step S14, and proceeds to step (S26) through a predetermined operation flow.
In step S14, if the remaining amount of recording medium (paper) is not greater than 75%, it is determined whether the remaining amount of recording medium is greater than 50% and less than or equal to 75% (S16). Parameter B = MM correspondence (S17), the process proceeds to step (S26).

In step S16, if 50% <the remaining amount of recording medium ≦ 75%, it is determined whether the remaining amount of the recording medium is greater than 25% and less than or equal to 50% (S18). = M correspondence (S19), the process proceeds to step (S26).
In step S18, if 25% <the remaining amount of recording medium ≦ 50%, it is determined whether the remaining amount of the recording medium is greater than 10% and less than or equal to 25% (S20). = L correspondence (S21), the process proceeds to step (S26).
In step S20, if 10% <the remaining amount of recording medium ≦ 25%, it is determined whether the remaining amount of the recording medium is greater than 0% and less than or equal to 10% (S22). = N correspondence (S23), the process proceeds to step (S26).
Finally, if 0% <the remaining amount of recording medium ≦ 10% is not satisfied in step S22, it is determined whether the remaining amount of the recording medium is 0% (S24). If so, the wind power parameter B = E is set (S25). ), The process proceeds to step (S26), and the wind power determined from the wind power parameter A and the wind power parameter B is calculated.

図５、表１、表２及び表３を参照して、まず、給紙プロセスを開始する（Ｓ３１）。続いて、記録媒体（用紙）サイズが表１のＢ４，ＳＥＦより大きいかどうかを判断し（Ｓ３２）、大きければ、風力パラメータＡ＝ＬＬ対応として（Ｓ３３）、記録媒体（用紙）残量が７５％より大きいかどうかを判断する（Ｓ４４）。
大きければ、風力パラメータＢ＝Ｆ対応として（Ｓ４５）、紙厚が薄紙かどうかを判断し（Ｓ５７）、薄紙ならば、風力パラメータＣは薄紙に対応しているとして（Ｓ５８）、風力パラメータＡ、風力パラメータＢ及び風力パラメータＣから決定される風力を算出する（Ｓ６５）。
ステップＳ３２で、記録媒体（用紙）サイズが表１のＢ４，ＳＥＦより大きくないならば、記録媒体サイズが表１のＡ４，ＳＥＦより大きくＢ４，ＳＥＦより小さいか又は等しいかどうかを判断し（Ｓ３４）、そうならば、風力パラメータＡ＝Ｌ対応として（Ｓ３５）、ステップＳ４４に進み、所定の動作フローを経てステップ（Ｓ６５）に進む。 FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation flow for calculating the wind force from the recording medium size, the recording medium remaining amount, and the paper thickness. Tables 1 and 2 show wind force parameters C based on the recording medium paper thickness shown in Table 3 below in order to explain an operation flow for calculating the wind force from the recording medium size, the recording medium remaining amount (loading amount), and the paper thickness. Used with wind power parameters A and B.
[Table 3]

Referring to FIG. 5, Table 1, Table 2, and Table 3, first, the paper feed process is started (S31). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the recording medium (paper) size is larger than B4 and SEF in Table 1 (S32). If the recording medium (paper) size is larger, the wind power parameter A = LL correspondence (S33) and the recording medium (paper) remaining amount is 75. It is judged whether it is larger than% (S44).
If it is larger, it is determined that the wind parameter B = F (S45), and it is determined whether the paper thickness is thin (S57). If it is thin, the wind parameter C corresponds to thin paper (S58). The wind force determined from the wind force parameter B and the wind force parameter C is calculated (S65).
In step S32, if the recording medium (paper) size is not larger than B4 and SEF in Table 1, it is determined whether the recording medium size is larger than A4 and SEF in Table 1 and smaller than or equal to B4 and SEF (S34). If so, the wind power parameter A = L correspondence (S35), the process proceeds to step S44, and the process proceeds to step (S65) through a predetermined operation flow.

In step S34, if A4, SEF <recording medium size ≦ B4, SEF is not satisfied, it is determined whether the recording medium size is larger than LT, SEF in Table 1 and smaller than or equal to A4, SEF (S36). For example, the wind power parameter A = MM correspondence (S37), the process proceeds to step S44, and the process proceeds to step (S65) through a predetermined operation flow.
If LT, SEF <recording medium size ≦ A4, SEF is not satisfied in step S36, it is determined whether the recording medium size is larger than LT, LEF in Table 1 and smaller than or equal to LT, SEF (S38). For example, the wind power parameter A = M correspondence (S39), the process proceeds to step S44, and the process proceeds to step (S65) through a predetermined operation flow.
If LT, LEF <recording medium size ≦ LT, SEF is not satisfied in step S38, it is determined whether the recording medium size is larger than B5, LEF in Table 1 and smaller than or equal to LT, LEF (S40). For example, the wind power parameter A = S correspondence (S41), the process proceeds to step S44, and the process proceeds to step (S65) through a predetermined operation flow.
In step S40, if B5, LEF <recording medium size ≦ LT, LEF, it is determined whether the recording medium size is smaller than or equal to B5, LEF in Table 1 (S42). = SS correspondence (S43), the process proceeds to step S44, and proceeds to step (S65) through a predetermined operation flow.

In step S44, if the recording medium (paper) remaining amount is not larger than 75%, it is determined whether the recording medium remaining amount is larger than 50% and smaller than or equal to 75% (S46). As a parameter B = MM correspondence (S47), it is determined whether the paper thickness is thin (S57).
If the paper is thin, the wind power parameter C corresponds to the thin paper (S58), and the wind power determined from the wind power parameter A, the wind power parameter B, and the wind power parameter C is calculated (S65).
In step S46, if 50% <the remaining amount of recording medium ≦ 75%, it is determined whether the remaining amount of recording medium is greater than 25% and less than or equal to 50% (S48). = M correspondence (S49), it is then determined whether the paper thickness is thin (S57).
If the paper is thin, the wind power parameter C corresponds to the thin paper (S58), and the wind power determined from the wind power parameter A, the wind power parameter B, and the wind power parameter C is calculated (S65).

In step S48, if 25% <the remaining amount of recording medium ≦ 50%, it is determined whether the remaining amount of the recording medium is greater than 10% and less than or equal to 25% (S50). = L correspondence (S51), and then it is determined whether the paper thickness is thin (S57).
If the paper is thin, the wind power parameter C corresponds to the thin paper (S58), and the wind power determined from the wind power parameter A, the wind power parameter B, and the wind power parameter C is calculated (S65).
In step S50, if 10% <the remaining amount of recording medium ≦ 25%, it is determined whether the remaining amount of recording medium is greater than 0% and less than or equal to 10% (S52). = N correspondence (S53), and then it is determined whether the paper thickness is thin (S57).
If the paper is thin, the wind power parameter C corresponds to the thin paper (S58), and the wind power determined from the wind power parameter A, the wind power parameter B, and the wind power parameter C is calculated (S65).

Finally, if 0% <the remaining amount of recording medium ≦ 10% is not satisfied in step S52, it is determined whether the remaining amount of the recording medium is 0% (S54), and if so, the wind power parameter B = E is set (S55). Next, it is determined whether the paper thickness is thin (S57).
If the paper is thin, the wind power parameter C corresponds to the thin paper (S58), and the wind power determined from the wind power parameter A, the wind power parameter B, and the wind power parameter C is calculated (S65).
If it is not thin paper in step S57, it is determined whether the paper thickness is plain paper (S59). If it is plain paper, the wind force parameter C corresponds to plain paper (S60), and the wind force determined from the wind parameter A, wind parameter B and wind parameter C is calculated (S65).
In step S59, if it is not plain paper, it is determined whether the paper thickness is thick paper (S61). If it is plain paper, the wind force parameter C corresponds to plain paper (S62), and the wind force determined from the wind parameter A, the wind parameter B, and the wind parameter C is calculated (S65).
If it is not thick paper in step S61, it is determined whether or not the paper thickness is ultra-thick paper (S63). If it is super thick paper, the wind power parameter C corresponds to the super thick paper (S64), and the wind power determined from the wind power parameter A, the wind power parameter B, and the wind power parameter C is calculated (S65).

図６、表１、表２及び表４を参照して、まず、給紙プロセスを開始する（Ｓ７１）。続いて、記録媒体（用紙）サイズが表１のＢ４，ＳＥＦより大きいかどうかを判断し（Ｓ７２）、大きければ、風力パラメータＡ＝ＬＬ対応として（Ｓ７３）、記録媒体（用紙）残量が７５％より大きいかどうかを判断する（Ｓ８４）。
大きければ、風力パラメータＢ＝Ｆ対応として（Ｓ８５）、紙種が普通紙かどうかを判断し（Ｓ９６）、普通紙ならば、風力パラメータＤは普通紙に対応しているとして（Ｓ９７）、風力パラメータＡ、風力パラメータＢ及び風力パラメータＤから決定される風力を算出する（Ｓ１０２）。 FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation flow for calculating wind force based on the recording medium size, the recording medium remaining amount, and the paper type. In order to explain the operation flow for calculating the wind force from the recording medium size, the remaining amount of recording medium (loading amount), and the paper type, Table 1 and Table 2 show the wind power parameter D depending on the type of recording medium shown in Table 4 below. Used with wind power parameters A and B.
[Table 4]

Referring to FIG. 6, Table 1, Table 2, and Table 4, first, the paper feed process is started (S71). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the size of the recording medium (paper) is larger than B4 and SEF in Table 1 (S72). If larger, the wind power parameter A = LL correspondence is set (S73), and the remaining recording medium (paper) is 75. It is judged whether it is larger than% (S84).
If it is larger, it is determined that the wind parameter B = F (S85), it is determined whether the paper type is plain paper (S96), and if it is plain paper, the wind parameter D corresponds to plain paper (S97). Wind power determined from the parameter A, the wind power parameter B, and the wind power parameter D is calculated (S102).

In FIG. 6 showing the operation flow for calculating the wind force based on the recording medium size, the remaining amount of recording medium (loading amount), and the paper type, the operation flow from step S74 to step S95 is the operation flow and the contents shown in FIGS. Since these are the same, description of these steps is omitted here.
In step S96, if it is not plain paper, it is determined whether or not the paper type is coated paper (S98). If it is coated paper, it is assumed that the wind power parameter D corresponds to the coated paper (S99). Wind power determined from the parameter B and the wind power parameter D is calculated (S102).
In step S98, if the paper type is not coated paper, it is determined whether the paper type is glossy paper (S100). If it is glossy paper, the wind power parameter D corresponds to glossy paper (S101). Wind power determined from the parameter B and the wind power parameter D is calculated (S102).

図７、表１、表２及び表５を参照して、まず、給紙プロセスを開始する（Ｓ１１１）。続いて、記録媒体（用紙）サイズが表１のＢ４，ＳＥＦより大きいかどうかを判断し（Ｓ１１２）、大きければ、風力パラメータＡ＝ＬＬ対応として（Ｓ１１３）、記録媒体（用紙）残量が７５％より大きいかどうかを判断する（Ｓ１２４）。
大きければ、風力パラメータＢ＝Ｆ対応として（Ｓ１２５）、画像濃度が薄いかどうかを判断し（Ｓ１３６）、薄いならば、風力パラメータＦは薄い画像濃度に対応しているとして（Ｓ１３７）、風力パラメータＡ、風力パラメータＢ及び風力パラメータＦから決定される風力を算出する（Ｓ１４２）。
記録媒体サイズと記録媒体残量（積載量）とプレプリント紙の濃度により風力を算出する動作フローを示す図７において、ステップＳ１１４からステップＳ１３５の動作フローは図４及び図５で示した動作フローと内容は同じであるので、ここではそれらのステップについての説明は省略する。
ステップ１３６において、画像濃度が薄くないならば、画像濃度が普通かどうかを判断し（Ｓ１３８）、普通ならば、風力パラメータＦは普通の画像濃度に対応しているとして（Ｓ１３９）、風力パラメータＡ、風力パラメータＢ及び風力パラメータＦから決定される風力を算出する（Ｓ１４２）。
ステップ１３８において、画像濃度が普通でないならば、画像濃度が濃いかどうかを判断し（Ｓ１４０）、画像濃度が濃いならば、風力パラメータＦは濃い画像濃度に対応しているとして（Ｓ１４１）、風力パラメータＡ、風力パラメータＢ及び風力パラメータＦから決定される風力を算出する（Ｓ１４２）。 FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation flow for calculating the wind force based on the recording medium size, the recording medium remaining amount, and the density of the preprinted paper. In order to explain the operation flow for calculating the wind force from the recording medium size, the remaining amount of recording medium (loading amount), and the density of the preprinted paper, the wind power parameter F according to the density of the preprinted paper shown in Table 5 below is shown in Used with wind power parameters A and B shown in Table 2.
[Table 5]

Referring to FIG. 7, Table 1, Table 2, and Table 5, first, the paper feed process is started (S111). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the size of the recording medium (paper) is larger than B4 and SEF in Table 1 (S112). If larger, the wind power parameter A = LL correspondence is set (S113), and the recording medium (paper) remaining amount is 75. It is determined whether it is larger than% (S124).
If it is larger, it is determined that the wind power parameter B = F (S125), and it is determined whether the image density is low (S136). If it is light, the wind power parameter F is determined to correspond to a thin image density (S137). A wind force determined from A, wind parameter B and wind parameter F is calculated (S142).
In FIG. 7 showing the operation flow for calculating the wind force based on the recording medium size, the remaining amount of recording medium (loading amount), and the density of the preprinted paper, the operation flow from step S114 to step S135 is the operation flow shown in FIGS. Since the contents are the same, the description of these steps is omitted here.
In step 136, if the image density is not low, it is determined whether or not the image density is normal (S138). If the image density is normal, it is assumed that the wind power parameter F corresponds to the normal image density (S139). The wind force determined from the wind force parameter B and the wind force parameter F is calculated (S142).
In step 138, if the image density is not normal, it is determined whether the image density is high (S140). If the image density is high, it is assumed that the wind power parameter F corresponds to the high image density (S141). The wind power determined from the parameter A, the wind power parameter B, and the wind power parameter F is calculated (S142).

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an operation unit screen for setting selection conditions for the air assist function according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is an operation unit screen showing selection of an air assist function, adjustment of blower fan wind power, adjustment of blower fan operating time, and the like.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an operation unit screen for setting a recording medium paper thickness selection condition according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is an operation unit screen showing selection of a thin recording medium (thin paper), a normal recording medium (plain paper), a thick recording medium (thick paper), an extremely thick recording medium (super-thick paper), and the like.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an operation unit screen for setting a recording medium type selection condition according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is an operation unit screen showing selection of a normal recording medium (plain paper), a coated recording medium (coated paper), a glossy recording medium (glossy paper), and other recording media.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an operation unit screen for setting the density selection condition of the preprint recording medium of the recording medium according to the present invention. FIG. 11 is an operation unit screen showing selection of a normal density, a low density, a high density, and the like of the recording medium. Each setting in FIGS. 8 to 11 is not problematic because it is more efficient even if it is set by an automatic detection means (not shown).
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an operation unit screen relating to a condition setting difference message. When an abnormality occurs in the air assist condition setting, for example, a message as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed.
As a result, when the setting stored in the wind speed control condition as the initial value is different from the user's selection, a message or the like prompting the user whether or not to continue is displayed on the display means, so that the supply due to the user's erroneous operation is displayed. It is possible to prevent a decrease in paper separation performance.

The present invention aims to improve the paper feed separation performance by the air assist effect by the minimum required blower fan operation, and to realize low noise and low power, and to reduce downtime (failure time). is there.
According to the present invention, by adding the paper thickness information to the wind speed control condition, it is possible to perform the optimized wind speed control and further improve the paper feed separation performance and the transport quality. Further, by adding the paper type information to the wind speed control condition, it is possible to perform the optimized wind speed control and further improve the paper feed separation performance and the transport quality.
By adding whether or not it is pre-printed paper to the wind speed control condition, it is possible to perform optimized wind speed control and further improve the paper feed separation performance and transport quality.
To provide an image forming system configured with an electrophotographic copying machine, a laser beam printer, a facsimile machine, and the like, which has improved sheet feeding performance and conveyance quality with low noise and power saving by optimizing blower fan wind speed control. It becomes possible.

1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is the schematic which shows the structure about the recording-medium isolation | separation air assist function by the blower fan control of this invention. It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows the upper part of the structure of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement flow which calculates a wind force with a recording medium size and a recording medium remaining amount (loading amount). 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow for calculating wind force based on a recording medium size, a remaining recording medium amount, and a paper thickness. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement flow which calculates a wind force with a recording medium size, a recording medium remaining amount, and a paper type. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation flow for calculating wind force based on a recording medium size, a recording medium remaining amount, and a density of preprinted paper. It is the schematic which shows the operation part screen for setting the selection conditions of the air assist function by this invention. It is the schematic which shows the operation part screen for setting the selection conditions of recording medium paper thickness by this invention. It is the schematic which shows the operation part screen for setting the selection conditions of the kind of recording medium by this invention. It is the schematic which shows the operation part screen for setting the selection conditions of the density of the preprint recording medium of the recording medium by this invention. It is the schematic which shows the operation part screen regarding a condition setting difference message.

Explanation of symbols

A image forming apparatus, B paper feeding device (large-capacity paper feeding device), 49 air outlet, 50 side fence, 51 sensor, 52 blower fan, S1 recording medium (paper) size setting means, S14 recording medium (paper) Remaining amount setting means, S26 wind force calculating means, S57 paper thickness setting means, S96 paper type setting means, S136 density setting means

Claims (9)

  Conveying means for conveying the loaded recording medium, paper feeding means for the recording medium, a recording medium storage section for stacking a plurality of recording media, an air ejection port and the side on the side fence of the recording medium storage section In a paper feeding device having a blower fan on a fence, when controlling the wind speed sent from the blower fan according to the remaining recording medium remaining amount and the recording medium size, the operation time of the blower fan can be adjusted. A sheet feeding device characterized by:   The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the large capacity sheet feeding device in the image forming system including the image forming apparatus and the large capacity sheet feeding device is attached to the image forming apparatus.   2. The supply according to claim 1, wherein when the setting stored as an initial value in the wind speed control condition is different from the user's selection, a message for prompting the user whether or not to continue is displayed on the display means. Paper device.   An image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a large-capacity paper feeding device has a paper thickness setting means for setting a paper thickness, and the paper feeding is performed based on the paper thickness information set by the paper thickness setting means. When controlling the wind speed sent from the blower fan provided in the apparatus, the operation time of the blower fan is adjusted, and the paper thickness information set by the paper thickness setting means is added to the wind speed control condition. An image forming system.   5. The image forming system according to claim 4, further comprising paper type setting means for setting a paper type, and adding paper type information set by the paper type setting means to the wind speed control condition.   6. The image forming system according to claim 5, further comprising setting means for setting whether or not the sheet is preprinted paper, and adding the information set by the setting means to the wind speed control condition.   5. The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus constituting the image forming system is an electrophotographic copying machine.   5. The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus is a laser beam printer.   5. The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus is a facsimile machine.

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