JP2699408B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer and a copying machine, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus having a sheet storage section for stacking and storing sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that inhibits image formation when the amount of sheets that can be stacked and stored in a sheet storage unit is exceeded.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a cycle of forming an image group including a plurality of pages one by one from a first page to a last page is defined as one cycle.
There has been a copying machine that forms an image of a plurality of copies by repeatedly executing this one cycle.

As an example, a group of documents set in the automatic document feeder is sequentially conveyed one by one to a document reading position of a copying machine, and the document placed at the document reading position is copied by the copying machine. Some documents use a circulating automatic document feeder that returns the document to its original set position. In a copying machine having such a circulating automatic document feeder, copying is performed by circulating documents by the number of copies required by an operator.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention By the way, the sheet storage device is provided with a means for detecting an over-capacity of the sheets stored on the paper discharge tray, and when the over-capacity is detected, the copying operation may be prohibited in the copying machine body. It is considered necessary to prevent a trouble at the time of storing the paper. However, it is necessary to form an image group consisting of a plurality of pages one by one from the first page to the final diameter.
When this type of over-capacity detecting means is used in combination with a copying machine that forms an image of a plurality of copies by repeatedly executing this one cycle, the image formation of the first page of the image group of a plurality of pages is performed. If the excess capacity is detected from the start to the end of image formation of the last page, the image forming operation is prohibited without forming an image on the remaining pages of the document group. In this case, the image formation can be resumed by removing the sheet stored on the sheet discharge tray, but the operator has already formed an image on a halfway page of the image group already stored on the sheet discharge tray. The paper and the remaining pages of the image group to be formed by the restart of copying must be matched with the copied paper, resulting in extra work.

Further, in a copying machine using the above-mentioned circulating automatic document feeder, it is necessary to set the remaining originals in one cycle again and restart copying, or to copy one more cycle from the beginning. In the case of fixing, there is a problem that pages copied halfway are wasted.

Therefore, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus which does not burden the operator even when the above-mentioned capacity over detection is performed between the start of image formation of the first page of the group of images and the end of image formation of the last page. The purpose is to provide.

Also, in a copying machine using a circulating automatic document feeder, an image forming apparatus is provided which eliminates the need for an operator to set a document again and which does not waste paper copied to an intermediate page. The purpose is to:

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, a first invention is to form an image group consisting of a plurality of pages one by one from a first page to a last page, as one cycle. In the image forming apparatus for forming an image group of a plurality of copies by repeatedly executing the process, a sheet storage device for sending and stacking the sheets on which the image formation has been completed onto the sheet discharge tray, and a sheet allowable amount for the sheet discharge tray. Means for detecting that the capacity has been exceeded when a predetermined amount of paper less than the predetermined amount has been stored; Control means for continuing the image forming operation until the image formation of the last page of the page image group is completed, and prohibiting the image forming operation after the image formation of the last page of the plurality of image groups is completed. It is a feature. Further, according to a second aspect of the present invention, a document group including a plurality of pages is sequentially conveyed one page at a time to a document reading position of a copying machine, and the document placed at the document reading position is copied by the copying machine. The operation of returning the original to the original set position is performed from the first page to the last page of the document group as one cycle, and this cycle is repeatedly executed to copy a plurality of document groups, thereby circulating the automatic document feeder. In the image forming apparatus using the above, a paper storage device that sends out the paper discharged from the copying machine onto a paper discharge tray and stacks and stores the paper, and a time when a predetermined amount of paper less than the allowable paper amount is stored in the paper discharge tray. Means for detecting that the capacity of the discharge tray has exceeded the capacity of the paper discharge tray when the capacity excess detection means detects that the capacity of the output tray has exceeded the capacity during one cycle of copying by the circulating automatic document feeder. For one
Control means for continuing the copying operation until the copying in the cycle is completed, and prohibiting the copying operation after the copying in one cycle is completed.

In the first and second inventions, the over-capacity detecting means detects the over-capacity when a predetermined amount of paper less than the permissible amount of paper is stored in the discharge tray. When this overcapacity is detected, the sheet storage device still has room to store. Therefore, in the first invention, the image forming operation is continued until the image formation of the last page of the image group is completed,
After the image formation of the last page of the image group is completed, the image forming operation is prohibited. Further, in the second invention, the copying operation is continued until the copying of the original group in one cycle is completed, and the copying operation is prohibited after the copying in one cycle.

An embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Overall Configuration Including Copying Machine Body] First, the overall configuration including the copying machine body (1) will be described with reference to FIG.

The copying machine body (1) is placed on a desk (45), and a recirculating automatic document feeder (30) (hereinafter referred to as RDH) is attached to the upper surface. Inside the copying machine body (1), an optical system (3), a charging charger (4), and a photosensitive drum (2) rotatable in the direction of the arrow (a).
Image forming elements such as a developing device (5), a transfer charger (6), a cleaning device (7), and an eraser lamp (8) are arranged. Since these devices and the copying process are well known, their description will be omitted.

The copy paper is stored in the automatic paper cassettes (10) and (11), and is selectively fed one by one from one of the cassettes (10) and (11), and is exposed by the timing roller pair (15). The toner is conveyed to the transfer section (2a) in synchronization with the toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the body drum (2). After the transfer, the copy paper is fed to a fixing device (17) via a conveyor belt (16), where the toner is fixed, and is discharged from a discharge roller pair (18). At this time, the copy paper is detected by a sensor (SE1) (see FIG. 2) provided immediately before the discharge roller pair (18).

The RDH (30) is roughly composed of a document tray (31), a paper feed belt (32), a paper feed roller pair (33), a reversing guide plate (3
4), a transport belt (35), a reversing roller (36), and a discharge roller pair (37). The RDH (30) circulates the document sequentially from the last page, and the document is placed on the tray (31) with the back side of the last page down, and the document is moved from the last page to the rotation of the feed belt (32). Pulled out,
The paper is fed from the paper feed roller pair (33) to the space between the transport belt (35) and the platen glass (9) via the reversing guide plate (34). Next, it is set at a predetermined position on the original table glass (9) by the rotation of the transport belt (35), and the well-known optical system (3)
Receives light irradiation. After the image exposure, the original is conveyed to the right side in FIG. 1 from the platen glass (9) by the conveying belt (35), and the discharge roller pair (37)
Is discharged onto a document placed on a tray (31) with the image side up.

Here, one cycle of image exposure in which all the documents set on the tray (31) make one cycle is defined as one cycle of copy processing. The number of originals and the number of copies can be input by input means (numeric keys) on the operation panel described below. Each time one cycle of copy processing is completed, the finisher unit (50 In order to shift the paper discharge tray (80) or execute stapling and stamping according to the operation mode of (1), a group of documents is circulated and conveyed by the set number of copies while interrupting the copying operation.

In the present embodiment, the paper storage device selectively receives the copy paper discharged from the copying machine main body (1) in the discharge tray (8).
0) or a finisher unit (50) that is accommodated in a staple tray (150), aligned, and bound by a stapler (190). Therefore, the RD
When copying multiple copies using H (30) and performing stapling and stamping at the same time,
The copy sheets are sequentially stored in the staple tray (150), and after one cycle end signal is issued and the alignment of the final copy sheet is completed, the stapler (190) and the stamp (200) are operated to copy the copy sheets. Binding and printing. The bound copy paper is stacked and stored in the stack basket (22).

[Configuration of Finisher Unit] Next, regarding the configuration of the finisher unit (50),
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

The finisher unit (50) generally includes rollers (60) and (61) for receiving a copy sheet, a switching claw (70) for switching a conveyance path, and a discharge tray (80).
And a shift block (90) for shifting the discharge tray (80) in a direction orthogonal to the discharge direction each time a copy sheet for a group of documents is stored, and a shift block (90) for storing the copy paper in the discharge tray (80). An elevator block (13) that intermittently lowers the paper output tray (80) to make the amount of paper fall
0), and a staple tray (150) having a staple function and a stamp function.

The copy paper receiving portion is constituted by guide plates (62) and (63) facing the discharge roller pair (18) in addition to the drive roller (60) and the driven roller (61), and is provided in the finisher unit (50). Further, the switching claw (70), guide plates (64), (69), (91), and a sensor (SE2) for detecting a copy sheet discharged to a discharge tray (80) are arranged.

The switching claw (70) has a beak shape, is rotatably mounted on the support shaft (71), and is turned from a solid line position to a dotted line position in FIG. 2 by turning on a solenoid (not shown). When it is at the solid line position, it guides the copy paper toward the discharge tray (80) at the top surface (70a), and when it is switched to the dotted line position, it copies the copy paper at the curved surface (70b).
Guide to the 50) side.

The copy paper is discharged to the discharge tray (80) by a discharge roller (95) and a ball (67) as shown in FIG.
Further, the copy paper discharged by the paddle (99) mounted coaxially with the discharge roller (95) is aligned. The paddle (99) is provided with flexible blade members in a radial direction, and is rotated in the direction of the arrow (b) to discharge the tray (80).
A biasing force in a direction opposite to that of the discharge is applied to the rear end portion of the copy paper discharged above, and the rear end of the copy paper is brought into contact with the fixed back plate (75) for alignment.

By the way, in this embodiment, the paper discharge tray (80) is shifted at a predetermined timing to sort the copy paper. Therefore, it is necessary to shift the paddle (99), which is always in contact with the trailing end portion of the discharged copy sheet, in conjunction with the shift operation so as not to disturb the alignment of the copy sheet. Therefore, the paddle (99) and the discharge roller (95) are configured to be integrally shiftable. That is, the paddle (99) and the discharge roller (9
5) is fixed to a pipe-shaped shaft (96), and the shaft (96) is loosely fitted to a support shaft (98) rotatably mounted on a frame (not shown). The support shaft (98) can be driven to rotate in the direction of arrow (b) by a transport motor (not shown), and its groove (98a) has a protrusion provided on a ring-shaped stopper (97) fixed to both ends of the shaft (96). (Not shown) are engaged.
Therefore, the paddle (99) and the discharge roller (95) are connected to the shaft (96).
, Is rotatably driven in the direction of the arrow (b) integrally with the support shaft (98), and is shiftable in the direction of the arrow (c). In this shift operation, the stopper (97) is engaged with the notch (91a) of the lower guide plate (91), and the lower guide plate (91) is moved together with the shift block (90) in the direction of the arrow (c) as described below. It is performed in conjunction with shifting to. The paddle (99) and the discharge roller (95) are located in the notches (91b) and (91c) of the lower guide plate (91), respectively.

Further, when the paddle (99) shifts in conjunction with the shift operation of the discharge tray (80), its rotation is stopped. That is, when the paddle (99) is rotated in the direction of the arrow (b) in each shift, the rear end of the uppermost copy paper is pressed against the fixed back plate (75) by the urging force, and the uppermost This is to prevent the copy paper from being left out of the shift operation and the coherency of the coherence being disrupted. The rotation of the paddle (99) is stopped by stopping the rotation of the transport motor.

On the other hand, the ball (67) is rotatably pressed against the discharge roller (95) by its own weight. That is, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ball (67) is located in the opening (64a) formed in the upper guide plate (64), and the ball (67) is formed on the protrusion (64b) cut and raised from the opening (64a). Movement is prevented by the fixed holder (65). Ball (67) is ejected roller (95) in holder (65)
Can be driven by rotation and shift of the discharge roller (95)
Then, the copy paper is pinched and sent out onto the discharge tray (80).

As shown in FIG. 2, the paper discharge tray (80) has a plurality of ridges (80a) extending in the paper discharge direction on its surface, and is provided on a shift frame (100) via a holding plate (85). Attached. The rear end of the paper discharge tray (80) faces the upper part of the fixed back plate (75), and the actuator (86) of the sensor (SE3) is located directly above it. The actuator (86) is rotatably attached to the shaft (88) integrally with the lever (87),
The lower end of the lever (87) normally blocks the optical axis of the sensor (SE3). When the number of copy sheets accommodated in the output tray (80) increases and the upper surface of the copy sheet pushes up the actuator (86), the lever (87) moves together with the actuator (86) about the shaft (88) as a fulcrum. 2. The lever (87) rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 2, and the lower end of the lever (87) opens the optical axis of the sensor (SE3). As a result, the upper surface level of the copy paper is detected, and the elevator block (130) described below is operated to lower the discharge tray (80).

[Shift Block] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the shift frame (100) on which the paper discharge tray (80) is mounted is supported by a horizontal shaft (131a) of the lifting frame (131). It can be shifted in the direction of the arrow (c) by being guided by a guide roller (133) rotatably provided via the (132). A cam (120) shown in FIG. 7 is installed in the horizontal guide portion (131a), and a pin (122) fixed to an upper edge of the cam (120) is provided with a long hole (100a) of the shift frame (100). ).
The cam (120) is supported by a shift motor (not shown) with the support shaft (121).
Can be driven to rotate in the direction of arrow (d) with the concave portions (120a), (1
20b) is formed. The actuator (125) of the sensor (SE8) abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the cam (120), and the sensor (125) falls every time the actuator (125) falls into the recesses (120a) and (120b) based on the rotation of the cam (120). (SE8) works.

In the above configuration, when one cycle of the copying process is completed at the RDH (30) and the copy sheet of the last document is stored on the discharge tray (80), the shift motor is started and the cam (120) Is rotated in the direction of arrow (d), and when the actuator (125) falls into the next concave portion (120a) or (120b), the shift motor is turned off. That is, the cam (12
0) intermittently rotates by 180 ° every time a predetermined number of copy sheets are stored in the output tray (80), and the shift frame (100) is rotated by the pin (122) to the output tray (80). At the same time, the reciprocating movement (shift) is repeated in the direction of arrow (c), that is, in the direction perpendicular to the copy paper discharge direction.

Further, a fixed back plate (75) and a movable back plate (110) are provided on the back of the shift frame (100). The fixed back plate (75) is fixed to the main body frame of the finisher unit (50), and regulates the rear end of the copy sheet stored on the sheet discharge tray (80). The movable back plate (110) is equipped with the discharge roller (95), sensor (SE3) and its actuator (8).
The lower guide plate (91) is also provided for shifting the movable back plate (11).
0) is fixed.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the movable back plate (110) has three pins (76) fixed to a fixed back plate (75).
Engages with a long hole (110a) formed in the movable back plate (110), so that it can be shifted in the direction of the arrow (c). The pin (1) fixed to the shift frame (100)
01) to the movable back plate (110) through the long hole (134a) of the guide plate (134) fixed to the horizontal guide portion (131a) of the lifting frame (131) and the opening (75a) of the fixed back plate (75). It is engaged with the elongated hole (110b) formed in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the movable back plate (110) shifts in the direction of the arrow (c) together with the shift frame (100) and the paper discharge tray (80) by the engagement between the pin (101) and the elongated hole (110b). And the movable backboard (11
The shift of 0) is guided by the lateral slots (110a) engaging the pins (76). On the other hand, when the shift frame (100) moves up and down together with the discharge tray (80) due to the operation of the elevator block (130) described in detail below,
Since the pin (101) is guided by the elongated hole (110b), the movable back plate (110) keeps a constant height position and does not move up and down. That is, the heights of the discharge roller (95) and the actuator (86) are fixed.

Incidentally, the above-described shift operation is performed not only when copying is performed using the RDH (30), but also when interrupt copying is performed during the copying process. In fact, the interrupt key (30
2) When (see FIG. 11) is turned on and the interrupt copy is selected, the shift motor is turned on to shift the output tray (80), and the interrupt key (302) is turned on again to complete the interrupt copy. When confirmed, the shift motor is turned on.
However, at the time of such an interruption shift, the output tray (8
0) If there is no copy paper on the top, there is no meaning in shifting, and if no copy paper is on the discharge tray (80), the shift operation is not executed. For this reason, a reflective photo sensor (SE) for detecting the presence or absence of copy paper under the output tray (80)
9) is provided (see FIG. 2).

[Elevate Block] The elevator block (130) is the shift block (9
0) and raises and lowers the discharge tray (80).

As shown in FIG. 6, a roller (136) rotatably mounted on both sides of a lifting frame (131) that supports the shift frame (100) so as to be shiftable is fixed to a main body frame (not shown). By engaging with the inside of the guide frames (140), (140), it is possible to move up and down. Further, pinions (138) and (138) fixed to a support shaft (137) are mounted on the lifting frame (131). These pinions (138) and (138) are
0) and (140) are engaged with the racks (140a) and (140b), and are rotationally driven by an elevator motor (not shown) that can be driven forward and reverse.
1) moves up and down together with the shift frame (100) and the discharge tray (80).

In the above configuration, when the number of copy papers discharged and stored on the paper discharge tray (80) increases, and the upper surface of the copy paper lifts the actuator (86) to operate the sensor (SE3), the elevator motor is activated. Driven. As a result, the lifting frame (131) descends together with the shift frame (100) and the paper discharge tray (80). The lowering operation is performed on the output tray (80).
The actuator (86) returns following the lowering of the copy paper accompanying the lowering of (1), and stops when the lever (87) again shields the sensor (SE3) from light by stopping the forward rotation of the elevator motor. In this way, the height at which the trailing end of the copy paper falls onto the paper discharge tray (80) is reduced by the intermittent lowering of the paper discharge tray (80) according to the capacity of the copy paper. (95) and the ball (67) to the height from the nip portion of the actuator (86) to the copy paper upper surface detection position, plus the amount of descent during the forward rotation of the elevator motor. Is maintained. In addition, the consistency of the copy paper on the paper discharge tray (80) is improved in combination with the operation of aligning the copy paper with the paddle (99).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
Sensors (SE5) and (SE6) are installed below 0). These sensors (SE5) and (SE6) operate when the optical axis is shielded at the corner (131b) of the lowered elevating frame (131). The sensor (SE5) operates and the sensor (S5
When the upper side of the copy paper is detected in E3), the output tray (80)
When the copy paper is fully loaded on the top, an over-capacity signal is output to the copy machine body (1), and if necessary, a message indicating that the copy paper is to be removed from the discharge tray (80) is displayed.

The sensor (SE5) uses the elevator block (1
Even if the descent of 30) is detected, the elevator block (130) actually has a margin of about 10 mm thereafter. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if an over-capacity signal is issued during the copying of a group of originals using the RDH (30), the copying operation is immediately performed during the one-cycle copying process. Is controlled so that copying is prohibited after the copying process of one cycle is completed. This is because if the copying operation is stopped in the middle of one cycle, the sorting by shifting is wasted, and the copying operation is restarted by resetting the remaining originals in one cycle, or copying is started from the beginning by one extra cycle. The purpose is to prevent the need for rework. A specific control procedure will be described later in detail.

In addition, in order to operate the stamp (200), the elevating frame (131) descends until the corner (131b) is detected by the sensor (SE6).

[Stamp Mechanism] Here, the stamp mechanism will be described.

As shown in FIG. 6, the stamp (200) is for printing predetermined characters such as "secret" and "circulation" on the copy paper accommodated in the staple tray (150) described in detail below. And is driven by the lifting frame (131). That is, the stamp (200) is set so that the printing surface (200a) is oriented in the direction of the arrow (e), and the pin (201) is guided by the guide hole (209) so as to be movable in the direction of the arrow (e). I have. This stamp (200) is linked to the link (20
2) and (203) are connected, and link (203) is pin (205)
And is always urged upward by a torsion coil spring (206).

A protruding piece (135) is fixed to the horizontal guide portion (131a) of the elevating frame (131), and the protruding piece (135) presses the pin (204) by lowering the elevating frame (131) to the lowermost position. Then, the stamp (200) is moved in the direction of the arrow (e) to print on the copy paper in the staple tray (150). The printing operation is controlled to be performed immediately after the stapling operation by the stapler (190) (described in detail below). When the sensor (SE6) operates simultaneously with printing, the elevator motor is driven to rotate in the reverse direction, and ascend and descend. The frame (131) rises and returns. Then, the links (202) and (203) from which the pressing by the protruding piece (135) is released are rotated upward by the spring force of the torsion coil spring (206), and the stamp (200) returns to the initial position. Become.

[Staple Tray] As shown in FIG. 2, the staple tray (150) is composed of a substrate (151), a guide plate (155) and a stopper (160). I have. The stopper (160) is for regulating the lower part of the copy paper accommodated in the staple tray (150).
1) is rotatably supported and connected to a discharge solenoid (not shown). The stopper (160) normally engages with the lower portion of the guide plate (155) to close the bottom of the staple tray (150) when the discharge solenoid is turned off. When the discharge solenoid is turned on, the stopper (16
0) rotates about the support shaft (161) in the direction of the arrow (f) around the fulcrum to open the bottom of the staple tray (150).

Further, a paddle wheel (180) for aligning the stored copy paper, a stapler (190), a guide roller (195), and a sensor () for detecting the presence or absence of the copy paper are provided below the staple tray (150). SE7) is installed. As shown in FIG. 8, the paddle wheel (180) has a flexible blade member (182) radially mounted around a support shaft (181), and is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow (g). As a result, the blade member (182) slides on the copy paper and urges the copy paper fed to the staple tray (150) one by one in one direction to align them.

The stapler (190) is a well-known motorized type, and a staple cradle is installed on the same plane as the stopper (160). Bind.

The guide roller (195) is rotatably mounted below the lever (196) swingably attached to the guide plate (155), and is particularly for preventing the swelling of the stored paper tip without resistance. .

On the other hand, the upper part of the guide plate (155) is
0), and guides the copy paper to the staple tray (150) with the guide plate (69). Copy paper is placed directly above the staple tray (150) in the staple tray (1
50) transport rollers (165), (166)
And a sensor for detecting the fed copy paper (SE
4) is installed.

Furthermore, the guide plate (155) has a regulating lever (156),
(157) and a neutralizing brush (158) for copying paper. The regulating levers (156) and (157) are solenoid (SL
1) and (SL2) to turn on the staple tray (15
0), and can rotate to the position indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 1, thereby restricting the falling of the copy sheet and preventing the page alignment from being disturbed. Therefore, the control levers (156) and (157)
Is set to a position that regulates the upper end portion of the copy paper accommodated in the staple tray (150) in accordance with the size of the copy paper that can be stapled.

Next, a configuration for discharging the stapled copy paper from the staple tray (150) will be described.

A protrusion (211) is attached to the frame (210) installed in the finisher unit (50) at a position facing the lower part of the copy paper accommodated in the staple tray (150), as shown in FIG. The stopper (160) has an elongated hole (160b) corresponding to the projecting piece (211). Therefore, after the stapling process, the stopper (160) points to the arrow (f).
When the bottom portion of the staple tray (150) is opened by rotating in the direction, the protruding piece (211) protrudes from the long hole (160b) and regulates the lower portion of the copy paper. This is because when the stopper (160) is opened, the lower portion of the copy paper is positioned at the lower end regulating portion (160) of the stopper (160).
This is for preventing the discharge movement from occurring in the direction of arrow (f) while abutting on a). Therefore, the projection (21
The regulating surface 1) is inclined so as to guide the copy paper in the discharge direction.

Further, at the time of the above-described discharge, the paddle wheel (180) is rotationally driven to apply an urging force in the discharge direction to the copy paper.

Further, the stapled copy paper is guided by a guide plate (215) as shown in FIG.
0) (see FIG. 1). At this time, the copy paper is heated by the fixing device (17) in the copier body (1) to the second position.
The curl tends to be curled in the direction of the arrow (h) in the drawing, and is simply accommodated in the stacking car (220) in a disturbed state simply by being guided by the guide plate (215). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the projection (216) is provided at the center of the guide plate (215). As a result, the copy paper is discharged in a state in which the copy paper is crouched in the discharge direction, and the consistency in the stacking car (220) is improved.

[Operation Mode] Here, the operation mode of the finisher unit (50) will be described.

The non-staple mode is an operation mode in which copy sheets discharged from the copying machine main body (1) are stacked and stored on a discharge tray (80). At this time, the switching claw (70) is held at the solid line position in FIG. 2, and the copy paper is discharged from the discharge roller (95) ball (67) onto the discharge tray (80), and the paddle (9)
9) Aligned based on rotation. And the sensor (SE
Each time the upper surface of the copy paper stored in 3) is detected, the elevator block (130) operates as described above, and the height of the discharge roller (95), the nip portion of the ball (67) and the upper surface of the copy paper. Is kept substantially constant.

In the shifting operation of the output tray (80) by the shift block (90), the number of copies is set to “2” or more, or the number of copies is set to “2” or more using the RDH (30). Is automatically executed. At this time, when the copy processing of one cycle is completed and the discharge of the final copy paper is detected by the sensor (SE2), the discharge tray (80) is shifted right and left, and the copy paper is sorted for each number of copies. .

In the staple mode, the copy paper discharged from the copier body (1) is stored in a staple tray (150), the stapler (190) is operated to bind the copy paper bundle, and the bound copy paper bundle is stacked. This is an operation mode in which the car (220) is accommodated. At this time, the switching claw (70) is set at the dotted line position in FIG. 2, and the copy paper is transported by the transport rollers (165) and (16).
From 5), it is fed into the staple tray (150) and is aligned based on the rotation of the paddle wheel (180). When the alignment of the final copy sheet with respect to the group of originals is completed, the stapler (190) is driven.

The stamp mode refers to an operation mode in which the first page of the copy paper stored in the staple tray (150) is printed by the stamp (200). In this embodiment, the stamp mode can be executed only together with the staple mode. Immediately after the print operation. In this case, the elevator block (130) is operated to lower the elevating frame (131) together with the discharge tray (80) until the corner (131b) is detected by the sensor (SE6), and the link (202) , (203), the stamp (200) is moved and printed.

[Operation Panel] In this embodiment, the operation panel includes a copier panel (300) (see FIG. 11), an RDH panel (350) (see FIG. 12), and a finisher panel (370) (see FIG. 13). Is installed.

The copier panel (300) is provided on the upper front surface of the copier body (1), and includes a print key (301) for starting a copying operation, an interrupt key (302) for temporarily stopping a multi-copy operation, A clear / stop key (303) for stopping the copy operation or canceling the number, a numeric keypad (304) for setting the number of multi-copy, etc., and a display unit for displaying the number of copies, the state of the copying machine, and the like. (30
5) Up / down keys (30
6), (307) and its display LED group (308), paper selection key (309) for selecting copy paper size and its display LED
A group (310), a magnification selection key group (311) for selecting a preset copy magnification, and a magnification display LED group (312) for displaying the selected magnification are provided. The key top of the print key (301) displays information such as a copy paper jam and toner empty.

The RDH panel (350) has a numeric keypad (351) for entering the number of originals, a display unit (352) for displaying the entered number of originals, and a cancel key (353) for canceling the display. Have been. The input of the number of set originals using the numeric keypad (351) is performed only when the originals are set on the tray (31) of the RDH (30). Therefore, the sensor for detecting the presence of the originals on the tray (31) is provided. (Not shown).

In addition, the mode select switch (371) and the non-staple mode display LED (37
2), staple mode display LED (373), staple +
Stamp mode display LED (374) is installed. When the power is turned on, the non-staple mode is initially set. Each time the mode selection switch (371) is turned on once, the staple mode, the staple + stamp mode,
The switching is sequentially performed by the rotation in the non-staple mode, and the corresponding display LEDs (372), (373), and (374) are sequentially turned on.

[Control Circuit] FIG. 14 shows a control circuit of the copier body (1), the RDH (30), and the finisher unit (50).

The control is performed by the microcomputer on the main unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) (401), the CPU on the RDH (402), and the CPU on the finisher (4
03). Various image forming elements, various switches, and sensors are connected to the CPU (401). The transport motor, staple motor, elevating motor, shift motor, paddle motor, discharge solenoid, etc., and sensors (SE2) to (SE9) are connected to the CPU (403).
The CPU (401) and the CPUs (402) and (403) communicate with each other and execute necessary processing.

[Control Procedure] Next, the copier body (1) and the RDH (3
0), the control procedure of the finisher unit (50) will be described.

By the way, in the following description, on-edge means that a switch, a sensor, a signal, or the like is switched from an off state to an on state, and off-edge means a switch, a sensor,
This means that a signal or the like switches from the on state to the off state. In addition, the contact sensors (SE1), (SE2),
(SE4) turns on when copying paper is detected, and the non-contact photo sensors (SE5), (SE6), (SE7), and (SE9) turn off when the optical axis is cut off by copying paper or the like.

 FIG. 15 shows a main routine of the main CPU (401).

When the CPU (401) is reset and the program is started, first, in step (S1), clearing of a random access memory, initialization of various registers, and initialization for setting each device to an initial mode are performed. next,
In step (S2), the internal timer is started. The internal timer determines the time required for one routine in this main routine, and its value is set in step (S1) in advance.

Next, in step (S3), a numeric input from the numeric keypad (304) is accepted, and in step (S4), the other CPU (402)
Process communication with (403). Next, step (S5)
It is determined whether or not the interrupt copy is selected, and if it is selected, a process for interrupt copy is executed in step (S6), and the process proceeds to step (S9). If interrupt copying has not been selected, a process for determining a copy sheet to be fed is executed in step (S7), a copying operation is executed in step (S8), and the process proceeds to step (S9).

Next, in step (S9), the process returns to step (S2) after waiting for the end of the internal timer. Various timers appearing in each subroutine are counted using the length of time of this one routine.

The subroutine for inputting the number executed in step (S3) and the subroutine for the copying operation executed in step (S8) are well known, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 16 shows another CPU (4) executed in the step (S4).
02) shows a subroutine for processing communication with (403).

First, in step (S400), it is determined whether the RDH (30) is being used. If not in use, RDH in step (S404)
The signal is reset to "0", and the process proceeds to step (S406). If it is in use, the RDH signal is set to "1" in step (S401), and it is determined in step (S402) whether one cycle of copying of the document set on the tray (31) has been completed. Step (S40)
In step 3), the one-cycle end signal is set to "1", and the flow shifts to step (S406). If not completed, the one-cycle end signal is reset to "0" in step (S405),
Move to step (S406). In step (S406), the CP
U (402) and (403) and other communications are processed, and this subroutine ends.

FIG. 17 shows a subroutine for processing an interrupt copy executed in step (S6).

First, it is determined in step (S601) whether or not the interrupt key (302) is on-edge. If it is on-edge, it is determined in step (S602) whether or not the interrupt flag has been reset to "0". If the flag is reset to "0", that is, if the interrupt copy is not currently selected, the interrupt flag is set to "1" in step (S603), and the process proceeds to step (S606). If the interrupt flag is set to "1", that is, if the interrupt copy is currently selected, the interrupt flag is reset to "0" in step (S604) to cancel the interrupt copy, and the step (S604) is executed. Move to S606). On the other hand, if the interrupt key (302) is not on-edge, it is determined in step (S605) whether or not the interrupt flag is set to "1", and if it is reset to "0", the process immediately returns to the main routine.
If it is set to "1", the process proceeds to step (S606) to execute the interrupt copy.

Next, in step (S606), it is determined whether or not the paper feed flag has been reset to “0”. If the paper feed flag has been set to “1”, that is, if paper feed processing is in progress at that time, immediately This subroutine ends. If it is set to "1", it is determined in step (S607) whether or not the paper presence signal is "1". The paper presence signal is output from the CPU (403) based on the signal of the copier detection sensor (SE9) of the paper output tray (80). When "1", the copier exists, and when "0", it exists. Show that you do not. If the paper presence signal is set to "1", the print flag is reset to "0" in step (S609) when it is determined in step (S608) that the interrupt flag is set to "1". At the same time, the shift flag is set to "1". That is, the copying operation is temporarily stopped, and preparation for shifting the sheet discharge tray (80) is performed. If it is determined in step (S608) that the interrupt flag has been reset to "0", the shift flag is set to "1" in step (S610). That is,
Even when the interruption copy is completed, preparations are made to shift the discharge tray (80) after confirming that there is a copy sheet on the discharge tray (80).

On the other hand, in the step (S607), the signal indicating that there is a paper is “0”.
If it is determined that it has been reset to
In 1), it is determined whether or not the interrupt flag is set to "1". If it is set to “1”, the step (S6
In step 12), the print flag is reset to "0", and the process returns to the main routine. If the print flag is reset to "0", the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 18a and FIG. 18b show a subroutine for paper feed determination executed in step (S7).

Here, first, it is determined whether the copy prohibition flag has been reset to “0” in step (S701). The copy prohibition flag is set to the finisher CPU (403) and the RDH CPU
It is set to "1" based on the capacity over flag and the one-cycle end signal sent from (402) [see steps (S719), (S721), and (S723) below]. If the copy prohibition flag has been reset to "0", it is determined in step (S702) whether or not the print key (301) is on-edge. If so, the print flag is set to "1" in step (S703). I do. Then, step (S7
In 04), it is determined whether or not the RDH signal is set to "1", and if it is reset to "0", the step (S705) is performed.
To set the paper feed flag to "1" and return to the main routine. When the paper feed flag is set to “1”, the paper feed operation from one of the cassettes (10) and (11) selected in advance is permitted.

If it is determined in step (S704) that the RDH signal has been set to "1", it is determined in step (S712) whether the document feed signal has been reset to "0".
The document feed signal is a signal for executing the document feed operation in RDH (30), and if it is reset to "0" at this time, it is set to "1" in step (S713). Subsequently, in step (S714), it is confirmed that the document set signal is set to "1", and in step (S715), the paper feed flag is set to "1", and the document set signal is set to "0".
Reset to. The document set signal is a signal sent from the RDH side CPU (402), and is set to "1" when the fed document reaches a position where a copy operation can be started.

Next, in step (S716), the process waits until the discharge sensor (SE1) of the copying machine main body (1) is turned on, that is, when the copied copy paper reaches the discharge section of the copying machine main body (1). In step (S717), the paper feed flag is reset to "0". Subsequently, it is determined in step (S718) whether or not copying of the numerical copy has been completed, and if completed, the print flag is reset to "0" in step (S725), and this subroutine is terminated. If the copy has not been completed,
In step (S719), it is determined whether the capacity over flag has been reset to “0”. The capacity over flag indicates that the copy paper is fully loaded on the output tray (80) by the signal from the sensors (SE5) and (SE3) and the finisher side CP.
Set to “1” by the signal from U (403). Therefore, if the capacity over flag has been reset to "0", this subroutine is terminated. If it is set to "1", it is determined in step (S720) whether or not the one-cycle end signal has been set to "1". I do. One cycle end signal is RDH
When one cycle of copy processing for the original set on the tray (31) of (30) is completed, the signal is set to "1" as a signal from the RDH side CPU (402). If the one-cycle end signal is set to "1", the print flag is reset to one-cycle copy flag "0" in step (S721), and the copy prohibition flag is set to "1".
Return to the main routine. If the one-cycle end signal has been reset to "0", RDH is executed in step (S722).
It is determined whether the signal is set to "1".
If it has been reset to "0", the print flag is reset to "0" in step (S723), the copy prohibition flag is set to "1", and the routine returns to the main routine. If the RDH signal has been set to "1", the one-cycle copy flag is set to "1" in step (S724), and this subroutine ends. If the one-cycle copy flag is set to "1", the copy operation is performed for one cycle, and "0" is reset at the same time when one cycle is completed. When the RDH is not used, the one-cycle copy flag remains reset to “0”.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (S701) that the copy prohibition flag has been set to "1", it is determined in step (S706) whether the capacity over flag has been reset to "0". If it is set to "1", this subroutine is immediately terminated. If it is reset to "0", the copy prohibition flag is reset to "0" in step (S707). Subsequently, in step (S708), it is determined whether the print flag is set to "1", and in step (S709), it is determined whether the shift flag is reset to "0". The subroutine ends. If both are YES, that is, if the copying process is permitted and the shift operation need not be performed, it is determined in step (S710) whether or not the paper feed flag is set to “1”. If it is set to "1", the flow shifts to the step (S716) to execute the processing of terminating the copying operation for one copy sheet. If it has been reset to "0", the RDH signal becomes "1" in step (S711).
Is set. If it is set to "1", the RDH (30) is being used, so the process from step (S712) onward is processed. If it is reset to "0", step (S715) is executed as described above. Processing proceeds to step (S716).

If the copy prohibition flag is reset to “0”, and if the print key (301) is not determined to be on-edge in step (S702), the process proceeds to step (S708).

 FIG. 19 shows a main routine of the RDH side CPU (402).

When the CPU (402) is reset and the program is started, first, in step (S11), initialization is performed. The initial setting here is the same as in the above-described step (S1).

Next, the internal timer is started in step (S12), the number of documents input from the numeric keypad (351) is set in step (S13), and the documents are fed one by one in step (S14). (9) Set in the upper predetermined position,
After the end of the exposure, a process of discharging from the end and returning to the tray (31) is executed.

Next, in step (S15), wait for the end of the internal timer,
Return to step (S12). The counting of various timers appearing in each subroutine using the length of time of this one routine is the same as the processing in the main body CPU (401).

When there is an interrupt request from the main body side CPU (401), communication with the CPU (401) is performed in step (S16).

The control procedure in steps (S13) and (S14) is well known as control of this type of RDH (30), and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 20 shows a main routine of the finisher CPU (403).

When the CPU (403) is reset and the program starts, first, in step (S21), the random access memory is cleared, various registers are initialized, and initialization for setting the apparatus to the initial mode is performed. next,
In step (S22), the internal timer is started. The internal timer determines the time required for one routine in this main routine, and its value is set in step (S1) in advance.

Next, each subroutine shown in steps (S23) to (S28) is called, and when the processing of all subroutines is completed, the process returns to step (S22) after waiting for the end of the internal timer in step (S29). Various timers appearing in each subroutine are counted using the time length of this one routine.

Step (S23) is a subroutine for setting the operation mode of the finisher unit (50) by the operator. Step (S24) is a subroutine for conveying and aligning the copy sheet onto the sheet discharge tray (80) when the non-staple mode is selected. Step (S25) is a subroutine for shifting the discharge tray (80). In step (S26), when the staple mode and the staple + stamp mode are selected, the copy paper is transported and stored in the staple tray (150), and
This is a subroutine for aligning sheets one by one. When the alignment of one set of copy sheets is completed, the alignment flag is set to “1”. The details of this subroutine are omitted. Step (S27) is a subroutine for executing the stapling process on one set of copy sheets that have been aligned in the staple tray (150) and ejecting them to the stack car (220). Step (S28) is a subroutine for printing the stapled copy sheet bundle with the stamp (200).

On the other hand, during the processing of this main routine, the CP
When there is an interrupt request from U (401), communication with CPU (401) is performed in step (S30).

FIG. 21 shows a mode setting subroutine executed in step (S23).

First, when it is confirmed in step (S201) that the copying machine main body (1) is not performing a copy operation, it is determined in step (S202) whether or not the mode selection switch (371) is on-edge. If it is an on-edge, steps (S203) and (S205)
Then, it is determined whether the operation mode set at that time is the staple mode or the staple + stamp mode.

At this time, if the staple mode has been set, the LED (374) is turned on in step (S204) to set the staple + stamp mode. If the mode is set to the staple + stamp mode, the LED (3
72) Turn on and set to non-staple mode. If the non-staple mode is set, select [Step (S20
3), (S205) NO for both], LED for step (S207)
Turn on (373) and set to staple mode.

FIGS. 22a and 22b show a copy paper transport / alignment subroutine executed in step (S42).

First, if it is confirmed in step (S211) that the print flag is set to "1" and that the mode flag is set to non-staple in step (S212), the switching claw solenoid is set in step (S213). Is turned off, and the switching claw (70) is maintained at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. Subsequently, in step (S214), when it is determined that the paper discharge sensor (SE1) is on-edge, that is, when the leading edge of the copy paper reaches the sensor (SE1), the transport motor is turned on in step (S15). Thus, the rollers (60) and (95), the paddle (99) and the like are rotationally driven. Step (S216)
If it is determined that the sheet discharge sensor (SE1) is off-edge in step (S217), the timer (A) is started in step (S217), and
Move to step (S218). The timer (A) is set to the time until the copy paper is aligned on the discharge tray (80).

In step (S218), the capacity over detection sensor (SE
5) is turned on or not, that is, the output tray (80)
Is not lowered to the lower limit position, and if it is not lowered [Sensor (SE5) is ON], step (S
At 219), it is determined whether or not the copy paper upper surface level detection sensor (SE3) is on edge. If the sensor (SE3) is on-edge, the copy paper is stored on the discharge tray (80) up to the upper surface level limit, and the elevator motor is turned on in the descending direction in step (S220). Subsequently, when it is determined in step (S221) that the sensor (SE3) is off-edge, that is, when the upper surface level of the copy paper falls until a predetermined drop error is reached, the elevator motor is turned off in step (S222). I do. Further, when it is confirmed in step (S223) that the count of the timer (A) has been completed, step (S2)
29) Turn off the transport motor.

On the other hand, if the sensor (SE5) is off, that is, if the discharge tray (80) is lowered to the lower limit, it is determined in step (S233) that the one-cycle copy flag has been reset to "0". After checking, turn off the elevator motor in step (S224), and in step (S225) the sensor (SE
Determine whether 3) is off. If the sensor (SE3) is turned on, it means that the copy tray is fully loaded on the discharge tray (80). Therefore, the capacity over flag is set to "1" in step (S228), and the process proceeds to step (S223). ).
If it is determined in step (S233) that the one-cycle copy flag has been set to "1", the flow shifts to step (S219). This is because the top level of the copy paper is kept constant, even for copy paper that has exceeded the capacity.
This is to ensure matching performance. Even if the capacity over flag is set to "1", if RDH (30) is used and one cycle copy processing is not completed,
As described above, the copying process is continued only for one cycle [Steps (S719), (S720), (S7)].
22)].

Further, even if the copy paper aligned on the paper discharge tray (80) is removed during the copying operation using the RDH (30), the paper discharge tray (80) does not rise. For this reason, the copy paper subsequently discharged onto the paper discharge tray (80) is not aligned by the paddle (99). That is, the process does not proceed to step (S226) unless it is determined in step (S233) that the one-cycle copy flag has been reset to "0". The one-cycle copy flag is reset to "0" when one cycle copy is completed [Steps (S720) and (S72).
1)]. This is because if the copy paper on the paper output tray (80) is not completely removed and left, and if the next copy is discharged from the copier body (1) onto the remaining copy paper and is aligned, the copy paper and the copy paper will not be removed. This is for the purpose of preventing the occurrence of a problem that the paper cannot be distinguished. However, if the paper discharge tray (80) does not rise from that position, the copy paper will simply be discharged, and there is a possibility that a problem of falling from the paper discharge tray (80) may occur. For example, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 22c,
The determination in step (S233) may be made after step (S228). In this way, regardless of whether the state of the one-cycle copy flag is "1" or "0", if the sensor (SE3) is turned off, the discharge tray (80) is always discharged to raise it from that position. The paddle (99) comes into contact with the upper surface of the copy paper, so that the copy paper can be reliably accommodated on the discharge tray (80) and aligned.

Further, if it is determined in step (S225) that the sensor (SE3) is off, the elevator motor is turned on in the ascending direction in step (S226), and the capacity over flag is set to "0" in step (S227). Reset and step (S229)
Move to.

After the storage and alignment of one copy sheet on the discharge tray (80) is completed and the transport motor is turned off in step (S229), the one-cycle end signal is set to "1" in step (S230). It is determined whether or not it has been set. If it is set to "1", the shift flag is set to "1" in step (S232) and the process returns to the main routine. Even if it is reset to "0", if it is confirmed in step (S231) that the copy of the numerical unit has been completed, the shift flag is set to "1" in step (S232), and the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 23 shows a subroutine of the shift operation executed in step (S25).

First, in step (S241), it is determined whether the shift flag is set to "1". The shift flag is set before and after the interrupt copy [see steps (S609) and (S610)],
It is set to "1" when one cycle of copy processing is completed while the RDH (30) is being used, or when the copy processing of the numerical unit is completed [see step (S232)]. Therefore, if the shift flag is set to "1", the step (S24
When the shift motor is turned on in 2) and it is determined in step (S243) that the sensor (SE8) is on-edge,
When the shift of the output tray (80) is completed, step (S2
At 44), the shift motor is turned off and the shift flag is reset to "0".

Note that the shift flag is set to “1” in the step (S232).
Is set in step (S229), the transport motor is turned off, and the rotation of the paddle (99) is stopped.
Accordingly, the paddle (99) shifts in synchronization with the paper output tray (80) in a state where the rotation is stopped, and does not disturb the consistency of the copy paper on the paper output tray (80).

FIG. 24 shows a staple mode subroutine executed in step (S27).

First, it is determined whether or not the operation mode is set to the staple mode in step (S251), and whether or not the staple + stamp mode is set in step (S252). If the staple mode has been set, it is confirmed in step (S254) that the copying machine main body (1) is not performing a copy operation, and the matching flag is set to "1" in step (S225).
Is set. On the other hand, if the mode is set to the staple + stamp mode, the step (S25
In step 3), the discharge flag is set to “1”, and the step (S
254) and (S255). The reason why the discharge flag is set to “1” when the stamp processing is also performed is to delay the operation of discharging the copy sheet from the staple tray (150) in order to perform the stamp processing after the binding operation.

The alignment flag is set to "1" when the alignment of one set of copy sheets is completed in the alignment subroutine of step (S26). Therefore, if this matching flag is set to "1", it is determined in step (S256) whether or not the timer B flag has been reset to "0", and if it has been reset to "0", the process proceeds to step (S256). S257) Timer (B)
Is set and the timer B flag is set to "1". The timer (B) is a timer for setting the timing for operating the stapler (190).

Next, when the end of counting of the timer (B) is confirmed in step (S258), it is determined in step (S259) whether the staple flag has been reset to "0".
If it has been reset to "0", the stapling motor is turned on in step (S260), and then the stapler (190) is driven to stap the copy sheet bundle, and at the same time, the staple flag is set to "1".

Next, in step (S261), it is determined whether the discharge flag is set to "1". If it is set to "1", then the process returns to the main routine to execute the stamp processing. If the discharge flag has been reset to "0", only the stapling process needs to be executed. Therefore, it is determined in step (S262) whether or not the timer C flag has been reset to "0". If so, the discharge solenoid is turned on and the paddle motor is turned on in step (S263). As a result, the stopper (160) opens the bottom of the staple tray (150), and the stapled copy paper bundle is moved from the staple tray (150) to the stacked basket (2).
It is discharged to 20). At this time, the copy paper bundle is reliably and smoothly discharged from the staple tray (150) by the rotation of the paddle wheel (180). In step (S263), the timer C flag is set to "1" and the timer (C) is set. The timer (C) is a timer for returning the staple tray (150) to the initial state in the staple mode.

That is, when the end of counting of the timer (C) is confirmed in step (S264), the discharge solenoid is turned off in step (S265), the timer B flag and the timer C flag are reset to "0", Reset the staple flag to “0”, turn off the paddle motor,
The stapling process is ended.

FIG. 25 shows staples executed in step (S28) +
4 shows a stamp mode subroutine.

This subroutine is executed as a subsequent process after it is determined that the discharge flag is set to "1" in the step (S261) during the staple mode subroutine. Therefore, when this subroutine is executed, the copy sheets in the staple tray (150) have already been bound, and the staple flag remains set to "1".

In this subroutine, first, it is determined in step (S281) whether or not the operation mode is set to the staple + stamp mode. If YES, it is determined in step (S282) that the copier main body (1) is not in the Coby operation. Is determined, it is determined in step (S283) whether or not the staple flag is set to “1”. If the flag is set to "1", the binding operation has been completed, and the stamp process is executed below.

That is, it is determined in step (S284) whether or not the descending flag has been reset to "0", and if it has been reset to "0", the elevator motor is rotated forward in step (S285) and the discharge tray ( 80) and set the descent flag to “1”. Subsequently, in a step (S286), it is determined whether or not the sensor (SE6) is off edge. If it is off-edge, it descends until the corner (131b) of the lifting frame (131) is detected by the sensor (SE6), and the stamp (200)
Moves in the direction of arrow (c) and prints on the copy paper. Therefore, if it is determined in step (S286) that the sensor (SE6) is off-edge, the elevator motor is switched to reverse rotation in step (S287), and the discharge tray (80)
Switch from descent to ascent.

Next, in step (S288), it is determined whether or not the sensor (SE5) is on edge. The position where the sensor (SE5) is turned on is the initial position of the sheet discharge tray (80) in the stamp mode. If the sensor is on edge, in step (S289), the elevator motor is turned off to stop the rise of the sheet discharge tray (80). Then, the descending flag is reset to “0”. At the same time, set the timer (D) and turn on the discharge solenoid,
And, the paddle motor is turned on. The stopper (16
0) opens the bottom of the staple tray (150), and the stapled copy paper bundle printed with the stamp (200) is discharged to the stacking car (220). The timer (D) is a timer for returning the staple tray (150) to the initial state in the staple + stamp mode.

That is, when it is confirmed in step (S290) that the timer (D) has completed counting, in step (S291), the discharge solenoid is turned off and the paddle motor is turned off, and the timer B flag, staple flag, discharge flag, and alignment flag are reset. Each is reset to “0”, and one staple + stamp process is completed.

[Other Embodiments] The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified within the scope of the gist.

In particular, the means for aligning the copy paper discharged on the paper discharge tray (80) is not limited to the paddle (99). Various shapes can be used as long as the copying paper on the paper discharge tray (80) can be biased in one direction. Further, only the paddle (99) needs to be shifted in conjunction with the paper discharge tray (80), and the discharge roller (95) does not necessarily need to be shifted.

Alternatively, as a means for shifting the paper, a method of shifting the discharge tray (80) itself as in the above-described embodiment and a method of moving the discharge roller in the axial direction to distribute the paper itself in the left-right direction are employed. You may.

Effects of the Invention As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect, there is provided a means for detecting that the capacity is exceeded when a predetermined amount of paper less than the allowable amount of paper is stored in the paper discharge tray, When the capacity over is detected during the execution of one cycle of image formation, the image forming operation is continued until the image formation of the last page of the image group is completed, and the image forming operation is prohibited after the image formation of the last page of the image group is completed. In this case, the operator has already formed an image on a sheet on which a half-page of the image group already stored in the paper output tray is formed, and on the remaining pages of the image group on which image formation is performed by resuming image formation. This eliminates the need to match the paper.

Further, according to the second invention, when the excess capacity is detected in the middle of one cycle of copying by the circulating automatic document feeder, copying is performed until the completion of one cycle of copying of the document group. Continue operation,
Since the copying operation is inhibited after one cycle of copying, it is not necessary to set the remaining originals of one cycle again and restart copying, or to copy one cycle more times from the beginning.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram including a copying machine main body, FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of a finisher unit, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view for explaining copy paper discharge to a paper discharge tray, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a rear side of a shift block, FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an elevator block, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a shift cam, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a paddle wheel in a staple tray, and FIG.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a stopper of the staple tray, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a copy sheet bundle discharge unit of the staple tray, FIG.
12 and 13 are plan views of the respective operation panels, FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the control circuit, FIGS. 15, 16, 17, and
Figure 18a, Figure 18b, Figure 19, Figure 20, Figure 21, Figure 22a,
FIG. 22b, FIG. 22c, FIG. 23, FIG. 24, and FIG. 25 are flowcharts showing the control procedure. (1) Copier body, (30) Recirculating automatic document feeder, (31) Document tray, (50) Finisher unit, (80) Discharge tray, (90) ... Shift block, (95) ... Eject roller, (100) ... Shift frame, (120) ... Cam, (130) ... Elevate block, (150) ... Staple tray, (190) ... Stapler, (401), (402), (403): microcomputer, (SE3): paper top surface level detection sensor, (S
E5) Output tray lower limit detection sensor.

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-60-50549 (JP, A) JP-A-62-1116948 (JP, A) JP-A-62-109072 (JP, A) JP-A-62-269258 (JP, A) JP-A-56-144447 (JP, A) JP-A-61-128267 (JP, A) JP-A-62-116471 (JP, A) JP-A-62-100344 (JP, A) 56-74262 (JP, A) JP-A-63-96672 (JP, A) JP-A-61-151663 (JP, A) JP-A-60-50546 (JP, A) JP-A-61-20057 (JP, A) A) JP-A-62-17768 (JP, A) JP-A-59-173658 (JP, U) JP-A-50-72245 (JP, U)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cycle of forming an image group including a plurality of pages one by one from a first page to a last page.
An image forming apparatus that forms an image of a plurality of sets of images by repeatedly executing this one cycle includes: a sheet storage device that sends a sheet on which image formation has been completed to a discharge tray and stores the sheet; Means for detecting that the capacity is exceeded when a predetermined amount of paper less than the allowable amount of paper is accommodated; and when the capacity of the discharge tray is detected by the capacity excess detection means during execution of the one cycle. Control means for continuing the image forming operation until the image formation of the last page of the image group of plural pages is completed, and prohibiting the image forming operation after the image formation of the last page of the image group of plural pages is completed. An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. A document group comprising a plurality of pages is sequentially conveyed one page at a time to a document reading position of a copying machine, and the document located at the document reading position is copied by a copying machine. A cycle-type automatic document feeder is used to copy a plurality of sets of originals by repeating the one cycle by setting the operation of returning to the set position from the first page to the last page of the originals as one cycle. In the image forming apparatus, there is provided a sheet storage device for sending and stacking sheets discharged from the copying machine onto a discharge tray, and a capacity exceeding at a time when a predetermined amount of paper less than a sheet allowable amount is stored in the discharge tray. Means for detecting that the capacity of the discharge tray is exceeded by the capacity excess detection means during copying in one cycle by the circulating automatic document feeder. 1 cycle copying until the end of the allowed to continue copying operation, the image forming apparatus characterized by comprising: a control means for prohibiting the copying completion after the copying operation of one cycle, the.