JP2990951B2 - Automatic paper feeder - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic sheet feeder for feeding stacked sheets one by one.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an automatic document feeder provided in an electrophotographic copying machine, a sheet feeding unit for feeding documents stacked on a tray one by one onto a platen glass is fed by friction to the documents. A paper feed roller (or belt) that applies force, a pressing plate that presses the document against the paper feed roller (paper feed pressure), and regulates the leading edge of the document in the paper feeding direction to align the document on the tray And a leading end regulating plate. Conventionally, the pressing plate has been retracted from the pressing position each time a document is fed one by one. If the pressing plate constantly presses the original during the paper feeding operation, when the original is pulled out by the registration roller, which temporarily waits immediately after the paper is fed, the driven resistance increases and slip occurs, and the original stop position on the platen glass becomes This is because the load goes out of order or the load torque increases. Another reason is that when the trailing end of the preceding document passes through the separation section, the subsequent document is immediately conveyed, and erroneous size detection or paper jam due to the shift feeding occurs. On the other hand, when the document feeding operation is started, the leading edge regulating plate is retracted from the regulating position until the feeding of all the documents is completed. This is because if the leading end regulating plate repeatedly moves between the regulating position and the retracted position for each sheet feeding operation, the leading end of the document may be damaged or the document may be skewed.

[0003] Conventionally, the pressing plate and the tip regulating plate are
They were driven by independent drive sources (solenoids). However, when independent drive mechanisms are provided, there is a problem that the structure is complicated and the size is increased. In addition, when the drive source is a solenoid, the speed of the solenoid at the moment when the plunger is completely pulled out (at the moment when the load stops) is increased, so that there is also a problem that the operation sound is loud.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic sheet feeder having a simple driving mechanism. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic sheet feeder that does not generate noise during driving.

In order to achieve the above object, an automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention comprises a leading end regulating means for regulating a leading end of a sheet stacked on a tray in a sheet feeding direction, and a sheet feeding mechanism for feeding sheets stacked on the tray. A pressing unit that presses against the paper unit; and a driving unit that performs an interlocking operation so that the positions of the leading end regulating unit (regulating position and retreat position) and the positions of the pressing unit (pressing position and retreat position) relatively change. ing.

That is, the leading end regulating means and the pressing means are moved by a single driving means to move between the regulating position and the retracted position or between the pressed position and the retracted position. By combining both drive systems into one drive means, it is structurally simple and compact. Further, in the automatic sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention, the driving means includes a cam plate driven in forward and reverse rotations, and the leading end regulating means and the pressing means move based on forward and reverse rotations of the cam plate. By driving the tip regulating means and the pressing means with the cam plate, the speed at the moment when the load stops based on the cam shape can be reduced,
The operation becomes smoother and no noise is generated as compared with the case where the solenoids are separately driven.

The automatic paper feeder according to the present invention includes a document feeder of an automatic document feeder, a copy paper feeder of a copying machine or a printer, and a refeeder of a sheet refeeding device for a first-side copied sheet. It can be applied to the paper section.

[0008]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic sheet feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiments described below, the present invention is applied to an automatic document feeder (ADF). In FIG. 1, the ADF 60 is a copying machine main body 1.
It is provided on the upper part.

At a substantially central portion of the copying machine main body 1, a photosensitive drum 10 is installed so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow a at a constant peripheral speed v. Around the photosensitive drum 10, along a rotation direction thereof, a main eraser 11, a charging charger 12, a sub-eraser 13, a developing device 14 using a magnetic brush system, a transfer charger 15, and a paper separating charger 1.
6. A blade-type cleaner 17 is provided. Further, an optical system 20 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 10.

The photoreceptor drum 10 is a well-known type having a photoreceptor layer provided on the surface thereof. The main eraser 11, the charging charger 12, the sub-eraser 13
As a result, the image of the document set on the platen glass 29 is exposed by the optical system 20. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 by the exposure is converted into a toner image by the developing device 14.

The optical system 20 scans an image of a document set with one end thereof aligned with the reference position SP on the photosensitive drum 10 directly below the platen glass 29. That is, at the time of image scanning, the exposure lamp 21 and the first mirror 22 are integrated with the peripheral speed v of the photosensitive drum 10 (constant irrespective of the same magnification or variable magnification) by v / m (m: copy magnification). Move in the direction of arrow b at the speed of (3). At the same time, the second mirror 23 and the third mirror 23
The mirror 24 moves in the direction of arrow b at a speed of v / 2m. When changing the copy magnification, the projection lens 25 is used.
Moves on the optical axis, and the fourth mirror 26 swings,
Correct the optical path length.

Copy sheets are accommodated in an upper sheet feeding section 31 of an elevator type and a sheet feeding section 34 of a lower tray type, and are fed one by one from one of them based on an operator's selection. Each of the paper feed units 31 and 34 has a paper feed roller 3
2, 35, and separation rollers 33 and 36 including a forward rotation roller and a reverse rotation roller. The paper fed from the upper paper feed unit 31 is sent out to the timing roller 38 installed immediately before the image transfer unit via the transport rollers 37b and 37c. The paper fed from the lower paper feed unit 34 is sent out to the timing roller 38 through the transport rollers 37a, 37b, 37c.

On the other hand, in this copying machine, manual paper feeding is enabled by an operator, and copy paper inserted from a manual paper feeding port 40 is fed from a paper feeding roller 41 to a timing roller 3.
It is sent to 8. The sheet sent to the timing roller 38 once waits here, and is sent to the transfer section by turning on the timing roller 38 in synchronization with the image formed on the photosensitive drum 10. The paper adheres to the photoconductor drum 10 at the transfer section, and the toner image is transferred by corona discharge from the transfer charger 15. Separated. Thereafter, the sheet is sent to a fixing device 43 through a conveyance belt 42, where the toner is fixed, and is discharged onto a sheet discharge tray 46 through a conveyance roller 44 and a discharge roller 45.

On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 10 keeps the arrow a even after the transfer.
Then, the remaining toner is removed by the cleaner 17 and the remaining charge is erased by the main eraser 11 to prepare for the next copy process. Further, in the main body 1 of the copying machine, a re-feeding unit 50 and paper feeding path switching claws 47 and 48 are provided for processing double-sided / combined copying. The switching claw 47 is normally set at the solid line position, and guides the sheet to the discharge tray 46. At the time of double-sided copying or composite copying, the sheet on which the image of the odd-numbered document has been transferred to the first side (front side) is set at a position where the switching claw 47 is slightly rotated in the counterclockwise direction. Transport roller 51
a, 51b, 51c, and 51d are stored in the intermediate tray 52 with the image surface facing upward. When a predetermined number of sheets are stored in the intermediate tray 52 and a refeed signal is generated, the sheets are transferred one by one from the bottom layer to the transport roller 37c by the rotation of the refeed belt 53 and the separating roller 54. Paper is fed.

In the two-sided copy mode, the re-fed paper is guided upward by the switching claw 48 set at the solid line position, is sent out to the timing roller 38, and is imaged on the second surface (back surface). Is transferred and fixed, and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 46. On the other hand, in the composite copy mode, the re-fed sheet is transported in the direction of arrow c by the transport roller 37d when the switching claw 48 is set at a position slightly rotated clockwise. Immediately before the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the nip portion of the conveyance roller 37d, the conveyance roller 37d is switched to the reverse rotation.
Sent out to. After that, the image is transferred onto the first surface (front surface), fixed, and discharged onto the discharge tray 46.

By the way, in the copying machine main body 1, the copying process is started and the first sheet is
When the printer is on standby immediately before step 8, the first sheet feeding process is performed to feed the second and subsequent sheets to the sheet feeding path in advance. For example, in the sheet feeding from the lower sheet feeding unit 34, the second sheet is fed to the sheet feeding path following the first sheet, and the third sheet is also fed immediately before the transport roller 37a. Is fed up to Such advance feed processing is performed not only in the multi-copy mode but also in the single copy mode using the ADF 60, thereby improving the copy speed.

Next, the configuration and operation of the ADF 60 will be described in detail. First, the schematic configuration and operation of the ADF 60 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The ADF 60 generally includes a document tray 61, a leading end regulating plate 63, a pickup roller 65, a document pressing plate 70, a separating roller 75, a separating pad 80, a registration roller 90, a transport belt 95, a reversing roller 100, a discharge roller 110, a discharge tray. 115. The ADF 60 is installed on the upper surface of the copying machine main body 1 so that the transport belt 95 is located on the platen glass 29, and the platen glass 29 can be opened by a hinge (not shown) provided on the back side. When the operator manually sets a document on the platen glass 29, the AD
This is done by lifting F60 upward. AD
The opening and closing of the F60 is detected by a magnet sensor (not shown), and the operation of the ADF 60 becomes possible only after it is detected that the ADF 60 is properly closed.

Documents are stacked on the tray 61 with the first page facing upward. At this time, the position of the side of the document is regulated by the side regulating plate 62, and the leading end is regulated by the leading end regulating plate 63. The front end regulating plate 63 and the pressing plate 70 are rotatable in the vertical direction about the support shafts 64 and 71, respectively. The leading edge regulating plate 63 is retracted downward from the time of feeding the first document to the time when the feeding of the last document is completed. When the first document is fed, the pressing plate 70 pivots downward from the upper retreat position shown by a solid line in FIG. 2, presses the leading end of the document against the pickup roller 65, and reduces the feeding pressure. Give.

Pickup roller 65, separating roller 75
Are driven to rotate clockwise during sheet feeding. The originals pass through the separation roller 75 and the separation pad 80 one by one from the lowermost layer, and the registration rollers 9.
Sent to 0. The registration roller 90 temporarily stops the fed document at its nip portion, and conveys the document to the entrance of the platen glass 29 by being rotated after a predetermined time.

The transport belt 95 is stretched endlessly between a driving roller 96 and a driven roller 97 so as to cover the entire surface of the platen glass 29. A number of backup rollers 98 are rotatably provided inside the transport belt 95 to press the belt 95 against the platen glass 29. The conveyor belt 95 is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow d, and the original is set at a reference position SP for starting exposure, which is a boundary between the scale 120 and the platen glass 29, with the leading end thereof set.

The reversing roller 100 includes a pinch roller 10
1 and 102, and a switching claw 1 for switching a paper passing path for reversing the original in the duplex original mode.
03. Normally, the switching claw 103 is set at the solid line position, and after the exposure is completed, the document is ejected from the platen glass 29 based on the rotation of the conveyance belt 95 in the direction of arrow d and the rotation of the reversing roller 100 in the clockwise direction. Guided upward by the plate 104 and the switching claw 103,
The paper is discharged from the discharge roller 110 onto the paper discharge tray 115. On the other hand, in the case of a double-sided original, the switching claw 103 is set to the position indicated by the dashed line when the double-sided original is fed onto the platen glass 29 in order to copy the second side (back side) first. The sheet is reversed and conveyed around the roller 100 and is returned onto the platen glass 29 with the second surface facing downward.
At this time, the transport belt 95 is driven to rotate in a direction opposite to the arrow d. Further, after the exposure of the second side of the double-sided document is completed, the reversing roller 10
It is reversed and transported around 0.

The reversing roller 100 and the discharge roller 11
0 is rotationally driven by a discharge motor M4 (see FIG. 39). The ADF 60 has various sensors SE for detecting a document.
1, SE2, SE3, and SE10 are provided. The sensor SE1 detects the presence or absence of a document on the tray 61. The sensor SE2 is installed immediately before the registration roller 90, and detects arrival and passage of the document, and detects the length of the document in cooperation with a timer when the document is sent out from the registration roller 90. The sensor SE10 is installed side by side with the sensor SE2, and detects the size of the document in the width direction. Based on the document detection signals from the sensors SE2 and SE10, the size of the document is vertically fed (the long side of the document is parallel to the transport direction).
The determination is made including whether the sheet is fed in the horizontal direction (the short side is parallel to the transport direction). The sensor SE3 is provided at the entrance of the reversing roller 100 and detects a document passing therethrough.

Next, each part of the ADF 60 will be described in detail. The scale 120 is provided with a scale for placing one end of the original according to its size when the ADF 60 is lifted and the original is placed on the platen glass 29, and is used for manual original exchange. In addition to the document position indicating function, the document scanner has a function of forcibly stopping the document conveyed on the platen glass 29 by the conveyance belt 95 at the exposure reference position SP when the ADF 60 operates.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the scale 120 is rotatable about a pin 122 on a holder 121 provided on the upper frame 2 of the copying machine main body 1 and a plate. It is attached in a state where the tip is urged upward by a spring 123. The upward rotation of the scale 120 is regulated by the tip of a lever 124 connected to the wall 121a of the holder 121 or the solenoid SL1. The lever 124 has a pin 125 inside the ADF 60.
Is mounted so as to be rotatable around the fulcrum, and the rear end thereof is connected to the plunger of the solenoid SL1. Lever 124
Is the return spring 1 when the solenoid SL1 is off.
26 rotates in the direction of arrow e in FIG. 4 with the pin 125 as a fulcrum, and its tip presses the scale 120. At this time, the scale 120 is set at a position slightly retracted from the upper surface of the platen glass 29 (see FIG. 4).

When exchanging documents manually, the ADF
When 60 is lifted from platen glass 29, AD
With the upward movement of F60, the tip of the lever 124 separates from the scale 120, and the scale 120 rotates slightly upward until it is regulated by the wall 121a of the holder 121 (see FIG. 3). At this time, the tip of the scale 120 is set at a position slightly elevated from the end face of the platen glass 29, and the operator places the original on the platen glass 29 based on the scale attached to the scale 120 in this state.

On the other hand, when the document is automatically conveyed by the ADF 60, the leading edge of the document is stopped accurately at the reference position SP.
This embodiment has a scale mode and a pulse control mode. The scale mode is a mode in which the leading edge of the document conveyed by the conveyance belt 95 is brought into contact with the scale 120 and is forcibly stopped. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the solenoid SL1 is turned on, and the lever 124 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow e. As a result, the scale 120 rises to a position regulated by the wall 121 a of the holder 121 and is exposed on the platen glass 29. The leading end of the document D transported in the direction of arrow d by the transport belt 95 abuts on the scale 120 and the reference position S
It will be stopped exactly at P.

In the pulse control mode, as will be described below, the registration roller 90 and the conveyance belt 95 are driven by a single main motor M3 (stepping motor) so that the conveyance speeds of the two are the same, and the original is conveyed. Transfer length L
(See FIG. 15). The document conveyance amount with respect to the number of drive pulses of the main motor M3 is known in advance. Therefore, the stop position of the document is determined by driving the main motor M3 with the number of pulses corresponding to the length L by which the document waiting immediately before the registration roller 90 is transported to the reference position SP. During execution of the pulse control mode, the solenoid SL1 is maintained in the off state (FIG. 4).
), The scale 120 holds a position slightly retracted from the upper surface of the platen glass 29.

The scale mode has an advantage that the stop position accuracy is high because the original is stopped by hitting the scale 120. However, when the document is thin, there is a problem that the leading end is easily broken or a paper jam occurs. The pulse control mode has an advantage that no trouble occurs at the time of stopping even for a thin document, but has a problem that the stop position accuracy is not always as high as that of the scale mode due to slippage of the document and a shift in response of the driving mechanism. .

In this embodiment, the scale mode and the pulse control mode, in which the advantages and disadvantages are opposite to each other, can be selected. The selection is made by the dip switch S provided in the copying machine body 1.
W1 and SW2 (see FIG. 39). Next, the document feeder will be described. In FIG. 6, the document guide plate 131 is moved from the tip of the tray 61 to the pickup roller 6.
5. It is installed at a position slightly lower than the upper part of the separating roller 75, and its tip is extended to the registration roller 90. Further, another document guide plate 132 is provided from above the separating roller 75 to the downstream side of the registration roller 90. The distal end regulating plate 63 is installed below the guide plate 131 while being fixed to the support shaft 64, and is located between a restricted position where the distal end protrudes from the guide plate 131 and a retracted position retracted below the guide plate 131. Can be moved. Normal,
The leading edge regulating plate 63 is set at the regulating position, has a function of receiving the leading edge of the document set on the tray 61, giving the operator a sense of setting, and aligning the leading edge of the document. When the document feed start signal is issued, the leading end restricting plate 63 retreats below the guide plate 131 and is held at this retreat position until the last document is fed.

The document pressing plate 70 is mounted on a support shaft 71 via a holder 72. As shown in FIG. 7, the pressing plate 70 is located to face the two pickup rollers 65, and the holder 72 has a pin 73 as a fulcrum and an arrow f.
(See FIG. 11). The pressing plate 70 is movable between an upper retracted position shown in FIG. 6 and a pressing position in which the pressing plate 70 is rotated downward and elastically presses the leading end of the document onto the pickup roller 65. Normally, the document is retracted upward, and moves to a lower pressing position at the timing when the documents are fed one by one. The reason that the pressing plate 70 is rotatably mounted in the direction of arrow f with the pin 73 as a fulcrum on the holder 72 is that the pressing plate 70 is well fitted to the upper surface of the original document on which the pressing plate 70 is stacked and uniformly applies a pressing force. It is to make it. The feeding force of the pickup roller 65 reliably acts on the lowermost document by the feeding pressure uniformly applied by the pressing plate 70.

The empty sensor SE1 (see FIG. 6) is a transmission type photosensor, and an actuator 138 which can move forward and backward on the optical axis thereof is rotatably mounted on a support shaft 139 as a fulcrum. The actuator 138 hangs down due to its own weight, and when the document is not present on the tray 61, its lower end enters below the guide plate 131. At this time, the upper end of the actuator 138 shields the optical axis of the sensor SE1. When a document is set on the tray 61, the actuator 138 rotates upward, and the upper end opens the optical axis of the sensor SE1. The registration sensor SE2 and the width sensor SE10 are reflection-type photosensors, and detect a document from the holes 132a of the guide plate 132.

Pickup roller 65, separating roller 75
Are installed two by two, and both are covered with a rubber layer on the outer peripheral surface,
The document is driven to rotate by a single sheet feeding motor M2 (see FIG. 39), and the document is fed from the lowermost layer with a high frictional force.
The separation pad 80 is made of a rubber material and is fixed to a plate 81, and the plate 81 is held by a holder 82.
As shown in FIG. 12, the separating pad 80 is pressed against two separating rollers 75 by a coil spring 83 located at the center. The plate 81 is a recess 82 of the holder 82.
The protrusion 81a on the both sides is loosely fitted and is prevented from coming off by the protrusions 81a on both sides, and the protrusions 81b on the upper surface protrude into the concave portions 82b of the holder 82. The holder 82 is set in the notch 132b (see FIG. 6) of the guide plate 132, and the projection 82c is pressed against the guide plate 132 by the spring force of the coil spring 83 as shown in FIG. That is, the separating pad 80 is rotatable up, down, left, and right with a small stroke individually using the projection 81 b of the plate 81 as a fulcrum.
Is rotatable up, down, left and right with a small stroke as a whole with the projection 82c as a fulcrum. With such a configuration, the inclination of the holder 82 with respect to the separation roller 75 due to deformation of the guide plate 132 or the like is automatically corrected, and the separation pad 80 can be uniformly pressed against the separation roller 75. In addition, adjustment of the separating pressure only requires adjusting the spring pressure of the coil spring 83.

By the way, the frictional force μ1 between the separating roller 75 and the document, the frictional force μ2 between the separating pad 80 and the document, and the frictional force μ3 between the documents are set so that μ1>μ2> μ3. As a result, of the two or three originals “fed” by the pickup roller 65,
The sheet passes between the separating roller 75 and the separating pad 80.

Further, in order to improve the separating performance, a front separating plate 85 and an elastic sheet 86 attached to the front separating plate 85 are provided immediately before the separating pad 80 (see FIG. 6). The front separating plate 85 is provided with a downward slope in the sheet feeding direction from above the front end regulating plate 63, and the lower end is close to the surface of the separating roller 75 immediately before the separating pad 80 with a slight gap. The lower end of the elastic sheet 86 is in light contact with the surface of the separating roller 75. The plurality of originals conveyed by the pickup roller 65 have their leading ends abutting on the front separating plate 85, where the lower-layer originals advance, and only one or two originals pass through the lower end of the front separating plate 85. I will do it. The elastic sheet 86 assists the front separation plate 85 in the front separation operation.

Next, a description will be given of a driving mechanism of the leading end regulating plate 63 and the pressing plate 70. In FIG. 7, the support shaft 64 to which the distal end regulating plate 63 is fixed has a lever 140 integrally fixed to an end thereof, and is constantly urged in a counterclockwise direction by a torsion spring 141. By this urging force, the tip end regulating plate 63 is set at a regulating position protruding from the guide plate 131. The support shaft 71 to which the holder 72 of the pressing plate 70 is fixed has a lever 142 integrally fixed to an end thereof,
The torsion spring 143 constantly urges the counterclockwise direction. The pressing plate 70 elastically presses the original on the pickup roller 65 by this urging force.

Fan-shaped cam plates 145 and 146 are provided between the levers 140 and 142.
The 46 support shafts 147 are connected to a pickup motor M1 (see FIG. 39) that can rotate forward and reverse. The lever 140 faces the outer peripheral surface of the cam plate 145, and the lever 142 faces the outer peripheral surface of the cam plate 146. Cam plate 145, 146
The levers 140 and 142 are rotated based on the forward / reverse rotation of the lever, and the positions of the distal end regulating plate 63 and the pressing plate 70 are set. Disks 148 and 149 are fixed to the cam shaft 147,
The notched edges 148 of these disks 148, 149
a, 148b, 149a, and 149b pass through the optical axes of the transmissive photosensors SE11 and SE12 (light emitting element x and light receiving element y). Photosensor SE11, S by this
The turning on and off of E12 controls the rotation of the cam plates 145, 146.

More specifically, when the ADF 60 is in the standby state, the levers 140 and 142 and the cam plates 145 and 146 are at the positions (home positions) shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the leading end regulating plate 63 is set at the regulating position, and is pressed. The plate 70 is set at the retracted position. When the ADF operation start signal is issued, the pickup motor M1 is driven to rotate forward, and the cam plates 145, 146 and the disc 148,
149 rotates counterclockwise. Immediately after the forward rotation, the sensor SE11 detects the edge 148a of the disk 148 and turns on, whereby the home positions of the cam plates 145 and 146 are confirmed, and the pickup motor M1 is once turned off. Thereafter, when a document exchange signal is issued, the pickup motor M1 is driven to rotate forward, and the cam plates 145 and 146
When the counterclockwise rotation is 0 °, the lever 140 comes into contact with the large-diameter portion of the cam plate 145 and rotates downward against the spring force of the torsion spring 141, as shown in FIG. The tip regulating plate 63 retracts below the guide plate 131. On the other hand, the lever 142 maintains a state in which it contacts the large-diameter portion of the cam plate 146, and the pressing plate 70 maintains a state in which it is set to retract upward. Further, the pickup motor M
1 is driven to rotate forward, and when the cam plates 145, 146 rotate forward in the counterclockwise direction of 160 ° (for convenience, when they rotate forward by 250 °), the sensor SE11 is turned on by the edge 148b of the disk 148. The pickup motor M1 is turned off. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the lever 140 maintains a state of being in contact with the large-diameter portion of the cam plate 145, and the distal end regulating plate 63 maintains the retracted position below. On the other hand, the lever 142 separates from the large-diameter portion of the cam plate 146, rotates downward by the spring force of the torsion spring 143, and
Is rotated downward, and the leading end of the original is
5 to apply paper feed pressure.

In this state, the pickup roller 65 and the separating roller 75 are driven to rotate, and the first document is fed. When the leading edge of the fed document reaches the registration roller 90, the pickup motor M1 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction, and when the cam plates 145, 146 rotate in the clockwise direction by 160 °, the sensor SE12 is turned on by the edge 149a of the disk 149. Then, the pickup motor M1 is turned off. At this time, the levers 140 and 142 return to the state shown in FIG.
The pressing plate 70 is retracted upward, and the pressing on the document is released. With respect to the second and subsequent originals, the pickup motor M1 repeats the forward and reverse rotations of 160 ° each time the original exchange signal is issued, and the pressing plate 70 moves to the pressing position and the retracted position with the leading end regulating plate 63 retracted. repeat.

That is, in the present embodiment, the drive mechanism of the front end regulating plate 63 and the pressing plate 70 is simplified by a single system, and furthermore, since the driving mechanism is driven by the cam plates 145 and 146, no noise is generated at the time of driving. . Further, since the leading end regulating plate 63 is held at the retracted position from the start to the end of the sheet feeding operation, the leading end of the document is not damaged and the document is not skewed. Further, the pressing plate 70 presses the original only when the leading end of the original passes through the separating roller 75, and thereafter retreats upward, so that there is no possibility that a paper feeding error such as the feeding of the original occurs.

Next, the registration roller 90 will be described. The registration roller 90 corrects the skew of the document by temporarily receiving the leading edge of the document fed by the rotation of the pickup roller 65 and the separating roller 75 at the nip portion, thereby aligning the leading edge of the document at the nip portion. A predetermined time after the leading end of the fed document is detected by the sensor SE2, the paper feeding motor M2 is turned off, and the rotation of the pickup roller 65 and the separating roller 75 is stopped. At this time, the leading end of the document comes into contact with the nip of the registration roller 90 to form a slight loop.

Thereafter, the registration roller 90 is driven to rotate by turning on the main motor M 3 in synchronism with the copying operation in the copying machine main body 1, and sends out the original to the entrance of the platen glass 29. in this way,
In this embodiment, the pickup roller 65 and the separation roller 75
Means the sheet feeding motor M2, and the registration rollers 90 are separately driven by the main motor M3 together with the transport belt 95. One-way clutches 67 and 77 (see FIG. 6) are provided between the pickup roller 65 and its drive shaft 66 and the separation roller 75 and its drive shaft 76, respectively.
Even when the document 2 is off, the pickup roller 65 and the separating roller 75 can idle in the clockwise direction in FIG. 6 when the document is sent out by the registration roller 90.

Here, the driving mechanism of the registration roller 90 and the conveyor belt 95 will be described. As shown in FIG. 14, the registration roller 90 and the conveyor belt 95 are directly connected without a clutch by a main motor M3. That is, as the main motor M3, a stepping motor that can be driven to rotate forward and backward by a pulse signal is used. A timing belt 155 extends between the output pulley 151 of the main motor M3 and the pulley 153 fixed to the support shaft 152 of the drive roller 96 of the transport belt 95. The pulley 1 provided integrally with the pulley 153
A timing belt 157 is stretched between the pulley 54 and the pulley 156 fixed to the support shaft 91 of the registration roller 90.

In the above configuration, the main motor M3
Is driven forward (counterclockwise in FIG. 14), the rotation is transmitted to the drive roller 96 via the pulley 151, the belt 155, the pulley 153, and the support shaft 152, and the transport belt 95 is moved in the direction of arrow d. Drives forward. At the same time, the rotation of the belt 155 is controlled by the pulley 154, the belt 157, and the pulley 1
And transmitted to the support shaft 91 via the registration roller 90.
To rotate.

Next, the document transport mode of the ADF 60 will be described. In the present embodiment, the original transport mode includes a pre-step mode, a 2-in-1 mode, and a count mode in addition to the single-sided mode and the double-sided mode which are conventionally performed.
There are five types, and there are the above-described scale mode and pulse control mode as the document stopping operation. When the original is transported, the original is set at the exposure position when the leading end is set to the exposure reference position SP, the pre-step position when the original is set to the intermediate position IP, and set at the nip portion of the registration roller 90. Is called the advance position. When the size of the document is not specifically described, the small size is assumed to be A4 horizontal feed, and the large size is assumed to be A3 vertical feed.

In the pre-step mode, when the size of the original is less than half the size from the exposure reference position to the advance position of the original, as shown in FIGS.
1 is stopped at the exposure reference position SP, and the next original D
2 is transported to the intermediate position IP, and the next original (third sheet) is first-fed until the leading edge contacts the registration roller 90. In this pre-step mode, when combined with the pulse control mode, the main motor M3 is controlled by the registration roller 9 when replacing the original.
The document is driven to rotate forward by a pulse P02 so as to convey the document by a distance corresponding to 1/2 of the distance L from 0 to the reference position SP (see FIG. 15). That is, each time the exposure of the first document D1 set at the exposure reference position SP is completed, the main motor M3 is driven to rotate forward by the pulse P02, and the second document D2 is transported to the exposure reference position SP. The third document waiting at the registration roller 90 is moved to the intermediate position IP.
Transported to

On the other hand, when the pre-step mode is combined with the scale mode, at the time of document exchange, the main motor M3 drives the pulse P02 so as to convey the document by a distance corresponding to (L / 2) + (α / 2). ′ Is driven forward (see FIG. 16). α is the scale of the leading edge of the original
This is the amount of overrun for ensuring contact with zero. Therefore, the second original D2 is fed from the registration rollers 90 (L
/ 2) + (α / 2) and waits at the intermediate position IP ′. The second document D2 is provided with a transport force that moves by (L / 2) + (α / 2) from the intermediate position IP ′ by the transport belt 95, but is transported by (L / 2) − (α / 2). At this point, the leading end comes into contact with the scale 120 and stops at the exposure reference position SP, and the transport belt 95 slips with respect to the document by the distance α.

By the way, in such a scale mode, as shown in FIG. 4, the solenoid SL1 is normally turned off, and the scale 120 is retracted downward. The solenoid SL1 is turned on immediately before the document reaches the exposure reference position SP, and the scale 120 protrudes above the platen glass 29 (see FIG. 5). Then, the original is moved to the exposure reference position S.
When P is set, the solenoid SL1 is turned off at the same time as the main motor M3 is turned off, and the scale 120 is retracted downward.

FIG. 17, FIG. 18, and FIG. 19 show the state of document conveyance in the pre-step mode. FIG. 17A shows a state where a document is set on the tray 61. Here, it is assumed that three small-size documents D1, D2 and D3 are set. First, the leading end regulating plate 63 retracts downward, the pressing plate 70 moves down, the pickup roller 65 and the separating roller 75 are driven to rotate, the first document D1 is fed, and the leading end contacts the registration roller 90. It stands by in the contact state (see FIG. 17B). Next, the main motor M3 is driven to rotate forward by the pulse P02, and the document D1 is transported to the intermediate position IP (see FIG. 17C). Next, the pickup roller 65 and the separating roller 75 are driven to rotate, and the second document D2 waits at the registration roller 90 (see FIG. 17D). Further, the main motor M3 is driven to rotate forward by the pulse P02, and the document D1 is transported to the exposure reference position SP and the document D2 is transported to the intermediate position IP (see FIG. 18E). Here, in the copying machine body 1, the feeding of the copy sheet and the exposure by the optical system 20 are performed a number of times corresponding to the number of copies. During the exposure, the third original D3 is first fed to the registration roller 90 (see FIG. 18F).

When the exposure of the document D1 is completed, the main motor M3 is driven to rotate forward by the pulse P02, and the discharge motor M4 is driven to rotate the reverse roller 100 and the discharge roller 110. As a result, the document D1 is
5 and the document D2 is moved to the exposure reference position SP.
D3 is conveyed to the intermediate position IP (FIG. 18).
(G)). Here, the exposure of the document D2 is performed. When the exposure is completed, the main motor M3 is driven to rotate forward by the pulse P02, and the discharge motor M4 is also driven. Therefore, the document D2 is sent out to the tray 115, and the document D3 is moved to the exposure reference position S.
It is transported to P (see FIG. 18 (h)). After the exposure of the document D3 is completed, the main motor M3 and the discharge motor M4 are driven, and the document D3 is discharged onto the tray 115 (FIG. 19).
(See (i)).

In this embodiment, the original fed first is fed by the registration roller 90 to the platen glass 2.
9 and the trailing edge of the original is
If detected by E2, the empty sensor SE1 is checked, and if the original remains on the tray 61, the sheet is fed out first, and if there is no original, the leading end regulating plate 63 is returned to the upper regulating position.

As described above, in the pre-step mode, the document is stepped in units of (L / 2), so that the document replacement time is short, and the optical system 20 after the exposure is completed.
Can be exchanged within the time required for returning to the home position, thereby improving copy productivity. In addition, the succeeding document (third document) is fed in advance until the leading end thereof contacts the registration roller 90. This advance feeding is performed during the exposure of the previous document, which contributes to an improvement in copy productivity.

As shown in FIG. 14, the registration roller 90 and the conveyance belt 95 are connected to a single main motor M3.
And the main motor M3 is driven by a pulse as a stepping motor, so that the number of pulses supplied to the motor M3 from the registration roller 90 can be accurately controlled by controlling the number of pulses supplied to the motor M3. It can be transported / stopped to the position SP. Even if the motor M3 is not a stepping motor, a similar effect can be obtained by attaching an encoder to the rotating shaft and converting the number of rotations into the number of pulses to control on / off of the motor M3.

Here, the copy productivity will be described.
The ratio of the speed at which a one-to-one (1 copy) copy is made using the ADF to the copy speed when multi-copying is performed in the copying machine body is called ADF copy productivity. A copy productivity of 100% means that one-to-one copies can be made using the ADF at the same speed as multi-copy. Table 1 below shows scan speed, copy time per sheet, scan time of the optical system, and return time at various copy speeds.

[0054]

[Table 1]

When the copying machine is classified into three models according to copy speed, the maximum copy speed (60 cpm)
The return time of the optical system is 0.38 seconds in a model of (cpm: copies per minute, the same applies hereinafter), and it is necessary to replace the original within this return time in order to achieve 100% copy productivity. . In this embodiment, as described above, the registration roller 90 and the conveyor belt 95 are connected to a single motor M3 without a clutch to eliminate mechanical displacement, and the motor M3 is controlled by the number of pulses. By controlling the control based on the timing at which the document is fed from the registration rollers 90, the control can be realized in an extremely short time and with an accurate document stopping process.

On the other hand, when there are copying machines having various copy speeds, it is not always necessary to match the ADF document conveyance speed to the model having the highest copy speed. If the speed of the ADF is set to be high for a copying machine having a slow copy speed, the specifications of the copying machine will be over-specified, which is disadvantageous in terms of noise and component life. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the document transport speed of the ADF 60 can be changed according to the copy speed of the copying machine body 1. Specifically, a copy speed signal is sent from the control unit of the copying machine body 1 to the control unit of the ADF 60, and the ADF control unit controls the number of rotations of each motor in accordance with the copy speed signal.

In the ADF 60, the document transport speed may be set to various values independently of the copying machine body 1 by using a built-in dip switch. Next, the 2-in-1 mode will be described. The 2-in-1 mode is a mode in which two originals are arranged as a set on the platen glass 29 and an image is formed on one copy sheet. FIGS. 20, 21, and 22 show the document transport state in the 2-in-1 mode.

FIG. 20A shows a state in which the original is set on the tray 61. In this case, four small-size originals D1 and D1 are set.
It is assumed that D2, D3, and D4 are set. First, the first document D1 is fed, and the apparatus stands by with the leading end abutting on the registration roller 90 (see FIG. 20B). Next, the main motor M3 is rotated forward to feed the document D1 onto the platen glass 29. Platen glass 2 at the rear end of document D1
9 (see FIG. 20C), the main motor M3 is switched to the reverse rotation, and the document D1 is switched back in the direction opposite to the arrow d. As a result, the rear end of the document D1 enters below the guide plate 132 (see FIG. 20D). The switchback amount corresponds to the same length as the rear end of the document reaches the nip portion of the registration roller 90. At the time of switchback, a resin film 133 is attached to the guide plate 132 so that the rear end of the document does not return to the registration roller 90 (see FIG. 2). The feeding of the second document D2 is started a predetermined time after the trailing edge of the first document D1 is detected by the registration sensor SE2, and immediately after the switchback of the document D1 is completed, the leading edge of the document D2 is started. Comes into contact with the registration roller 90 and stops (see FIG. 20D).

Next, the main motor M3 is driven to rotate forward to transport the originals D1 and D2 on the platen glass 29, and
The main motor M3 is turned off when the leading end of the first motor reaches the exposure reference position SP. Thus, the originals D1 and D2 are arranged side by side on the platen glass 29 (FIG. 21).
(E)). The rotation of the main motor M3 is reduced just before the document D1 reaches the exposure reference position SP. The feeding of the third document D3 is started in synchronization with the timing of the deceleration. Then, before the exposure of the originals D1 and D2 is completed, the leading end of the original D3 comes into contact with the registration rollers 90, and the first sheet feeding is completed (see FIG. 21F).

When the exposure of the originals D1 and D2 is completed, the main motor M3 is driven to rotate forward and the discharge motor M4 is driven. The document D1 has a reversing roller 100 and a discharging roller 1
The document D2 is sent to the tray 115 by the
After the first document, the third document D3 is the platen glass 29.
It is sent upward (see FIG. 21 (g)). When the rear end of the document D3 reaches the platen glass 29, the main motor M3 is switched to the reverse rotation, and the document D3 is switched back in the same manner as the document D1. At this time, the document D1 is given a conveying force by the reversing roller 100, and is discharged onto the tray 115 as it is. Since the leading end of the document D2 has not yet reached the reversing roller 100 at the start of switchback, the document D2 is switched back together with the document D3 (see FIG. 21H). Immediately after the switchback is completed, the fourth document D4 is advanced and fed to the registration rollers 90.

The discharge motor M4 is driven as it is, and then the main motor M3 is driven forward. The main motor M3 is driven to rotate forward until the leading end of the document D3 reaches the exposure reference position SP, whereby the documents D3 and D4 are juxtaposed on the platen glass 29 and the document D2 is discharged onto the tray 115. The discharge motor M4 is turned off when the document D2 is discharged. As described above, the interval between the originals D1 and D2 is increased by temporarily switching back the subsequent original D3 while the originals D1 and D2 are being discharged. Tray 115 with no gap between two documents
When the document is pushed upward, the subsequent document protrudes the preceding document and the alignment on the tray 115 is disturbed, or the subsequent document enters under the preceding document and the page order is disturbed. However, by providing an interval between the two originals at the time of discharging as in the present embodiment, the disorder of the originals on the tray 115 can be eliminated.

When the exposure of the originals D3 and D4 is completed, the main motor M3 is driven to rotate forward and the discharge motor M4 is driven. Then, the main motor M3 is turned off once when the rear end of the document D3 is separated from the transport belt 95 (FIG. 2).
2 (j)). The time during which the main motor M3 is turned off corresponds to the time during which the interval between the documents D3 and D4 can be opened to such an extent that the tray 115 is not disturbed (FIG. 22).
(K)). Here, the main motor M3 is driven to rotate forward, and the document D4 is discharged onto the tray 115 (see FIG. 22 (l)).

In the above-described two-in-one mode or pre-step mode, the platen glass 29
When originals of a size larger than 1/2 of the area are mixed, special control is temporarily required. Hereinafter, a case where such a mixed document is transported by the ADF 60 will be described. FIGS. 23, 24, and 25 show the state of document transport when large-size documents are mixed on odd-numbered pages in the 2-in-1 mode.

As shown in FIG. 23A, originals D1, D
When 2, D3 (large size) and D4 are set,
Feeding of the first document D1 (see FIG. 23B), sending out from the registration roller 90 (see FIG. 23C), switchback of the document D1, and feeding of the second document D2 (see FIG. 23). 23 (d)) and the transport / stop of the originals D1 and D2 to the exposure position (see FIG. 24 (e)) are the same as the original transport from FIG. 20 (a) to FIG. 21 (e). In addition, 3
The same is true for feeding the original D3 to the registration roller 90 (see FIG. 24F). After the exposure of the originals D1 and D2 is completed, the main motor M3 and the discharge motor M4 are driven, and the original D1 is rotated by the reversing roller 100 and the discharge roller 110.
The third original D3 is fed onto the platen glass 29 during the ejection of the original. However, if the original D3 is determined to be a large size by the combination of the registration sensor SE2 and the timer,
The main motor M3 is turned off when the rear end of the document D1 is separated from the conveyor belt 95 (see FIG. 24G). The drive of the discharge motor M4 is continued as it is, and the main motor M3 is driven to rotate forward when the interval between the originals D1 and D2 is increased (see FIG. 24H). Then, following the document D1, the document D2 is discharged onto the tray 115 at a predetermined interval (the main motor M3 may be temporarily decelerated), and when the leading end of the document D3 reaches the exposure reference position SP. Turns off the main motor M3 (see FIG. 25 (i)). That is, the large-sized document D3 is transported to the exposure reference position SP without being switched back, and the fourth document D4 is firstly fed to the registration roller 90 during that time. That is, if the document D3 is large, advance feeding of the next document D4 is temporarily prohibited, and the original D3 is delayed by one tempo.

When the exposure of the document D3 is completed, the main motor M3 and the discharge motor M4 are driven, the document D3 is discharged to the tray 115, and the document D4 is sent from the registration roller 90 onto the platen glass 29, and the leading end thereof is moved. Reaches the exposure reference position SP, the main motor M3 is turned off (see FIG. 25 (j)). When the exposure of the document D4 is completed, the main motor M3 and the discharge motor M4 are driven similarly, and the document D4 is discharged onto the tray 115 (see FIG. 25 (k)).

FIG. 26, FIG. 27, and FIG. 28 show the document transport state when large-size documents are mixed on even-numbered sheets in the 2-in-1 mode. As shown in FIG. 26A, when the originals D1, D2 (large size), D3, and D4 are set, the feeding of the first original D1 and the registration rollers 9 are performed.
The processing from the start from 0 to the switchback of the document D1 and the feeding of the second document D2 are the same as those in FIGS. 20A to 20E (see FIG. 26B). Thereafter, when the main motor M3 is driven forward, the originals D1, D
2 is conveyed without a gap, and the main motor M3 is turned off when the leading end of the document D1 reaches the exposure reference position SP.
At this time, the fact that the document D2 is large is detected by the combination of the registration sensor SE2 and the timer.
Advance feeding of the third original D3 is prohibited (FIG. 26).
(C)). Further, if the even-numbered document D2 is large, no paper jam is detected.

In this state, copy processing is performed only on the document D1. More specifically, the scan length of the optical system 20 is controlled to the length of the document D1, or the sub-eraser 13 deletes the image of the first half of the document D2 that has been exposed together with the image of the document D1. When the exposure of the document D1 is completed, the main motor M3 and the discharge motor M4 are driven. The leading end of the document D2 is positioned at the exposure reference position S.
When the motor reaches P, the main motor M3 is turned off (see FIG. 26D). At this time, the feeding of the third original D3 has started, and the original D3 is
It waits immediately before 0 (see FIG. 27 (e)). When the document D1 is discharged onto the tray 115, the discharge motor M4
Is turned off.

When the exposure of the document D2 is completed, the main motor M3 and the discharge motor M4 are driven.
Is switched to the reverse rotation (see FIG. 27 (f)). Therefore, the document D3 is switched back by a predetermined amount,
At this time, the fourth document D4 is fed in advance just before the registration roller 90 (see FIG. 27G). on the other hand,
The document D2 is discharged by the reversing roller 100 and the discharging roller 110, and even after the main motor M3 is switched to the reverse rotation, the conveying belt 9 is driven by the conveying force of the reversing roller 100.
The discharge is continued by overcoming the conveyance force due to the reverse rotation of No. 5.

When the switchback of the document D3 and the feeding of the document D4 are completed, the main motor M3 is driven to rotate forward, and when the leading end of the document D3 reaches the exposure reference position SP, the main motor M3 is turned off ( FIG. 27 (h)). At this point, the document D2 has been discharged onto the tray 115. When the exposure of the originals D3 and D4 is completed, the main motor M3 and the discharge motor M4 are driven, and the originals D3 and D4
Is discharged onto the tray 115 (see FIG. 28 (i)).
At this time, the main motor M3 is turned off once when the rear end of the document D3 is separated from the conveyance belt 95, and the documents D3, D4
Are provided to prevent the disturbance on the tray 115.

FIGS. 29 and 30 show the document transport state when large-size documents are mixed in the pre-step mode. Here, as shown in FIG. 29A, a case will be described as an example where a large-size document D2 is mixed on an even-numbered sheet. The processes from the feeding of the first document D1 to the conveyance to the intermediate position IP to the feeding of the second document D2 are the same as those in FIGS. 17A to 17D (see FIG. 29B). ). Next, the main motor M3 is rotated forward by the pulse P02, and the document D1 is transported to the exposure reference position SP. At the same time, the leading end of the document D2 also reaches the intermediate position IP, but since the document D2 is large, it does not pass through the registration roller 90, and is now large due to the combination of the registration sensor SE2 and the timer. Is determined,
Feeding of the third document is prohibited (see FIG. 29C). Also, detection of a paper jam is prohibited. In this state, the document D1 is exposed. When the exposure is completed, the main motor M3 is driven forward by the pulse P02, and
The discharge motor M4 is driven. Thus, the document D1 is discharged to the tray 115, and the document D2 is transported to the exposure reference position SP (see FIG. 29D). Further, the third original D3 is fed, and the registration rollers 90
Wait just before.

Here, the image exposure of the original D2 is performed. However, since the original D2 has a large size, so-called book division copying is performed. Book split copy refers to a copy mode in which a large-size document is divided into a first half A area and a rear B area, and an image is formed for each area. Next, the main motor M3 is driven forward by the pulse P02, and the discharge motor M4 is driven. Here, the document D3 is transported / stopped to the intermediate position IP (see FIG. 30E). The document D2 is conveyed even if the rotation of the conveyance belt 95 is stopped by the conveyance force of the reversing roller 100, and
15 is discharged. Further, the fourth document D4 is fed, and waits immediately before the registration roller 90.

Next, the main motor M3 is driven to rotate forward by the pulse P02, and the document D3 is conveyed to the exposure reference position SP and the document D4 is conveyed to the intermediate position IP (see FIG. 30 (f)). The discharge of the original D2 is continued as it is, and the discharge motor M4 is turned off when the discharge is completed. At the same time, the exposure of the document D3 is performed.
Is driven forward by pulse P02 and the discharge motor M
4 is driven. Accordingly, the document D3 is discharged onto the tray 115, and the document D4 is transported to the exposure reference position SP (see FIG. 30 (g)). After the exposure of the document D1, the main motor M3 and the discharge motor M4 are driven, and the document D4 is discharged onto the tray 115 (see FIG. 30H).

When the large-size document D2 is set at the exposure position during execution of the pre-step mode (FIG. 29).
(See (d)), book division copy is performed. In addition, when the image exposure of the first half area of the original D2 is completed, the original D2 is transported by half the length, that is, the center of the original D2 is positioned at the exposure reference position SP, and the image exposure of the remaining second half area is performed. May go.

In the first embodiment described above, the reversing roller 100 and the discharging roller 110 for discharging the original are connected to the discharging motor M4 which is different from the main motor M3 for driving the registration roller 90 and the conveying belt 95. Are shown. Separately, the reversing roller 10
A second embodiment in which the main roller M0 and the discharge roller 110 are driven by the main motor M3 in synchronization with the registration roller 90 and the conveyance belt 95 will be described below.

In FIG. 31, a pulley 160 is fixed to the output shaft of the main motor M3, and a timing belt 162 is stretched between the pulley 160 and the pulley 161. Gear 163 fixed coaxially with pulley 161
And the gear 16 mounted on the support shaft 166 of the reversing roller 100
7, gears 164 and 165 are interposed. A pulley 168 is fixed to one end of the support shaft 166. The pulley 168, a pulley 171 fixed to one end of the support shaft 170 of the discharge roller 110, and a support shaft 174 of the gear 165
Timing belt 1 with pulley 175 attached to one end of
72 are stretched. The timing belt 172 is tensioned by a roller 173.

Further, the gear 167 and the pulley 175
Are mounted on support shafts 166 and 174 via one-way clutches 181 and 182, respectively. The one-way clutch 181 attached to the gear 167 has the gear 167 as shown in FIG.
When rotated in the direction of the arrow indicated by the solid line, the rotation is not transmitted to the support shaft 166, but is transmitted to the support shaft 166 only when rotated in the direction of the arrow indicated by the dotted line. The one-way clutch 182 attached to the pulley 175 transmits the rotation to the pulley 175 when the support shaft 174 rotates in the direction indicated by the solid line, and transmits the rotation to the pulley 175 when rotated in the direction indicated by the dotted line. Will not be communicated to.

The one-way clutches 181 and 182
During the execution of the IN1 mode, the main motor M3 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction to rotate the transport belt 95 in the reverse direction.
The reverse roller 100 and the discharge roller 110 are provided to maintain the normal rotation even when the switchback is performed. That is, the reversing roller 100 and the discharge roller 110 always rotate forward in the document discharge direction regardless of whether the main motor M3 rotates forward or backward.

More specifically, when the main motor M3 is driven to rotate forward, each member rotates in the direction of the arrow shown by the solid line. In this case, the gear 167 rotates in the direction of the arrow shown by the solid line, but the one-way clutch 181 is turned off, and this rotation is not transmitted to the support shaft 166. On the other hand, the gear 165
The rotation in the direction of the arrow indicated by the solid line of FIG.
Is turned on, so that the pulley 17
5 and the rotation of the pulley 175 is transmitted to the timing belt 172. Based on the rotation of the timing belt 172 in the direction of the arrow indicated by the solid line, the reversing roller 100 rotates forward via the pulley 168 and the support shaft 166, and
The discharge roller 110 rotates forward via the pulley 171 and the support shaft 170.

On the other hand, when the main motor M3 is driven in reverse rotation, the pulleys 160 and 161 and the timing belt 16
2. The gears 163, 164, 165, and 167 rotate in the directions indicated by the dotted lines. The support shaft 174 of the gear 165 also rotates in the direction of the arrow indicated by the dotted line. At this time, the one-way clutch 182 is turned off, and this rotation is
Is not transmitted to On the other hand, the one-way clutch 181 of the gear 167 is turned on, the rotation of the gear 167 is transmitted to the support shaft 166, and the reverse roller 100 maintains the normal rotation. The rotation of the support shaft 166 is transmitted to the timing belt 172 via the pulley 168, and further transmitted to the support shaft 170 via the pulley 171. The discharge roller 110 also maintains the normal rotation. At this time, the pulley 175 is
72, but the one-way clutch 182 is in the off state as described above, so that the support shaft 174 and the pulley 17 are rotated.
5, idle rotation in the opposite direction to each other.

FIG. 32, FIG. 33, and FIG. 34 show the document transport state in the 2-in-1 mode in the second embodiment. This second
The 2-in-1 mode in the embodiment is basically the same as the 2-in-1 mode in the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 20, 21, and 22. The difference is that the on / off control of the discharge motor M4 is unnecessary in the second embodiment. FIG.
3 (h), the main motor M3 is rotated in the reverse direction,
When the third document D3 is switched back, the reverse roller 100 and the discharge roller 110 are maintained in the normal rotation state by the action of the clutches 181 and 182, and the first document D1 is discharged. However, the second original D2 is the original D3
Is switched back together with the two originals D1,
The interval at the time of discharging D2 is widened, and disturbance on the tray 115 is prevented. As shown in FIG. 34 (k), when the originals D3 and D4 are discharged, the main motor M3 is turned off when the rear end of the original D3 is separated from the transport belt 95.
Is reversed for a predetermined time, and then rotated forward. As a result, the distance between the originals D3 and D4 can be increased similarly to the originals D1 and D2.

FIGS. 35, 36, and 37 show an example in which a large-size document is mixed with an odd numbered sheet in the 2-in-1 mode in the second embodiment. The document transport processing in this case is basically the same as the document transport processing described with reference to FIGS. 23, 24, and 25. The difference lies in the processing when the document is discharged. That is, as shown in FIG.
The originals D1 and D2 are juxtaposed at the exposure position on the platen glass 29, and after the exposure is completed, the third large-size original D3
Is transported to the exposure reference position SP, when the leading end of the document D2 slightly exceeds the discharge roller 110, the main motor M
The normal rotation of No. 3 is temporarily turned off (see FIG. 36 (g)). Then, when the time for surely discharging the first document D1 onto the tray 115 has elapsed, the main motor M3 is rotated forward. Such control prevents the document D2 from projecting the document D1 and disturbing the alignment on the tray 115. When the leading end of the third document D3 reaches the exposure reference position SP, the main motor M3 is turned off (FIG. 36).
(H)). At this time, the document D2 has not yet completely passed through the discharge roller 110, but is stopped in this state.

Next, the document D3 is exposed, and
The fourth document D4 is fed, and waits immediately before the registration roller 90 (see FIG. 37 (i)). After the exposure, the main motor M3 is driven to rotate forward, and the document D2 is completely discharged onto the tray 115. When the leading end of the document D4 reaches the exposure reference position SP, the main motor M3 is turned off (see FIG. 37 (j)). At this time, the document D3 is still being discharged, but is stopped in this state, and the document D4 is exposed. After the exposure, the main motor M3 is driven to rotate forward, and the document D4 is discharged after the document D3 is completely discharged onto the tray 115.

It is to be noted that the case where large-size documents are mixed on even-numbered sheets in the 2-in-1 mode in the second embodiment is not shown. However, in this case, too, FIGS.
This is basically the same as the document transport processing in the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. The difference is that as shown in FIG. 27E, when the main motor M3 is turned off when the leading end of the second large-size document D2 reaches the exposure reference position SP, the first document D1 Is temporarily stopped on the way.

Next, the count mode will be described.
The count mode refers to a mode in which a document is cycled in advance by the ADF 60 without a copy operation before the copy process is started using the ADF 60, and the number of documents is counted. In the 2-in-1 mode, if the number of originals is odd, the ADF 60 that starts feeding from the last page
A problem that the image of the page is formed on half of one copy sheet, that is, a problem that half of the cover of the copy becomes blank. Accordingly, the ADF 60 counts the number of documents in advance, and if the number is an odd number, only one sheet of the last page document fed first is transported onto the platen glass 29, and the subsequent documents are transported in the aforementioned 2-in-1 mode. I decided to. In addition, similar problems occur in both-sided copying and combined copying, so it is necessary to count the number of originals in advance in the count mode.

Since the copy operation is not involved in the count mode, it is preferable to perform the processing at the highest possible speed (short time). However, the ADF 60 employs a method in which the leading end of the document is stopped at the reference position SP on the downstream side in the transport direction of the platen glass 29. Therefore, even if the document is stopped at the reference position SP even in the count mode, the distance between the document and the document is reduced. Will increase, and the time during idle feeding will increase.

Therefore, in the count mode, the rear end of the original is positioned at the position X on the platen glass 29 (see FIG. 15).
The document is temporarily stopped based on the point in time when the document reaches. As a result, the interval between the originals during the execution of the count mode becomes the length from the stop reference position X to the nip portion of the registration roller 90, and the processing time is greatly reduced. The arrival of the rear end of the original at the reference position X can be detected by detecting the rear end of the original with the registration sensor SE2 and then counting the number of pulses for driving the main motor M3.

The reference position X here can be set arbitrarily in addition to the position shown in FIG. 15. If the reference position X is upstream of the rear end of the document set at the stop reference position SP during the copy operation, This contributes to shortening of the processing time in the count mode. The reference position X does not need to be set on the platen glass 29, and may be any position as long as it is downstream of the nip of the registration roller 90. As the reference position X approaches the nip portion of the registration roller 90, the processing time is shortened.

Further, in the count mode, it is preferable that the ADF 60 conveys the document at a speed higher than the reference speed at which the document is conveyed during copy processing. Further, not only the count mode, but also the operation of the ADF 60 that delays the copy operation, that is, the copy productivity 1 described above.
When performing actions that cause a reduction of 00%
It is preferable that the document conveying speed be higher than the reference speed. The operation of delaying the copy operation includes, when reversing the two-sided document by the reversing roller 100, transporting the first document fed to the exposure reference position SP, and feeding the last document fed from the platen glass 29 to the tray. It is time to discharge to 115.

Next, a control circuit and a control procedure of the ADF 60 will be described. In the following description, the discharge motor M is basically used.
4 will be described. Then, the main point of the second embodiment in which the discharge motor is used in common with the main motor M3 will be described. The control is executed by a CPU 1 (see FIG. 38) for controlling the copying machine body 1 and a CPU 2 for controlling the ADF 60. CPU1, CPU
2 exchanges information at necessary timing.

In the following control, on-edge means that switches, sensors, signals, and the like are switched from off to on, and off-edge is that switches, sensors, signals, and the like are switched from on to off. Means to replace. In addition, the sensors SE1, SE2,
SE3, SE10, SE11, and SE12 are turned on when the optical axis is shielded, and turned off when the optical axis is opened. In the case of a flag, “1” is on and “0” is off.

FIG. 40 shows a CPU 1 for controlling the main body 1 of the copying machine.
The main routine of FIG. When the power is turned on and the CPU 1 is reset and the program starts, in step S1, the RAM is cleared, various registers are reset, and initial settings for setting various devices to the initial mode are performed. Subsequently, the internal timer is started in step S2. The internal timer determines the time required for one of the main routines, and its value is set in step S1. Further, this internal timer is a reference for counting of various timers appearing in each subroutine.

Next, the subroutines of steps S3 to S6 are sequentially called to perform necessary processing, and in step S7, the process returns to step S2 after the internal timer has expired. In step S3, the copy paper is moved to the timing roller 38.
This is a subroutine for feeding paper up to. Step S4
Is a subroutine for erasing the surface charge of the photosensitive drum 10. Step S5 is a subroutine for forming the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10 by scanning the optical system 20. Step S6 is other processing,
That is, the processing of driving the photosensitive drum 10 and its surrounding elements, transporting and fixing the copy sheet, detecting a paper jam, and the like are performed.

The CPU 1 is connected to the CPU 2 via a serial communication line, and transmission and reception are performed in step S8 by interrupt processing. FIG. 41 shows step S4.
Shows a subroutine for erasing executed by. First, in step S11, it is determined whether or not the flag HERASE is "1". The flag HERASE is set to “1” when the second document of the pair is large in the 2-in-1 mode, and is transmitted to the CPU 1. Therefore, the flag HE
If RASE is "1", the electrostatic latent image in the latter half of the scan area is erased in step S12. Flag HER
If ASE is “0”, normal charges in the inter-image portion are erased. Note that the optical system 2 is replaced with the process in step S12.
The scan area with 0 may be only the first half.

FIG. 42 shows a scan subroutine by the optical system 20 executed in step S5. First, in step S21, it is determined whether or not the pre-step mode is set, in step S22, it is determined whether or not the flag LSIZE is "1". In step S23, it is determined whether or not small-size paper has already been fed. The flag LSIZE is set to “1” when a large-size document is set at the exposure position,
Sent to PU1. Steps S21, S22, S23
If all are determined to be YES, the book scan is processed in step S24. The book scan refers to a scan mode of the optical system 20 in the book division copy process described in the document transport in the pre-step mode. Then, in step S25, the paper for transferring the image is fed in advance in the latter half of the book scan.

Next, a control procedure of the CPU 2 for controlling the ADF 60 will be described. Before that, a counter used for the control, a pulse for controlling the main motor M3, and a timer will be described. Counter DCNT1: Used to feed copy paper to copying machine main body 1, and its value is transmitted to CPU 1 by interrupt processing. When a document is set on the tray 61 (when the empty sensor SE1 is turned on), the value is set to “1”, and the sensor SE is set at the off edge of the registration sensor SE2.
If 1 is on, it is incremented and decremented at the on-edge of the flag DCHG requesting the exchange of the original. The copier body 1 controls so as to feed the number of sheets obtained by multiplying the value of DCNT1 by the number of copies.

Counter DCNT2: Counts the number of documents in the transport path of ADF 60 in the count mode. It is incremented at the on-edge of the registration sensor SE2, and decremented when the discharge of the document is completed. Counter DCNT3: Pre-step mode and 2-in-1
In the mode, it is used to count the number of sheets ejected at the time of document exchange processing. The number of originals set on the platen glass 29 in the original exchange processing is set,
It is decremented when the discharge of the document is completed.

Counter GCNT: Used to count the number of documents during copy processing. Registration sensor S
It is incremented at the off-edge of E2 and reset at the end of the copy processing. Counter PLSCNT1: counts the number of pulses since the main motor M3 was turned on. It is incremented during forward rotation, and decremented during reverse rotation.

Counter PLSCNT2: counts the number of pulses of main motor M3 since resist sensor SE2 was turned off. It is incremented during forward rotation and decremented during reverse rotation. Counter SIZCNT1: Used to detect the size of the document. P when the registration sensor SE2 is turned off
The value of LSCNT1 is stored.

Pulse P01: the number of pulses from when the main motor M3 is driven to rotate forward to when it is decelerated when a small-size document is conveyed in the pre-step mode. At the end of this pulse number, advance feeding of the next document is started. Pulse P02: The number of pulses from when the main motor M3 is driven to rotate forward to when it is turned off when a small-size document is conveyed in the pre-step mode, and corresponds to L / 2.

Pulse P03: The number of pulses from the time when the main motor M3 is driven to rotate forward to the time when the main motor M3 is decelerated when the original is not a small size original in the pre-step mode. At the end of this pulse number, advance feeding of the next document is started. Pulse P04 (corresponding to L): the number of pulses from when the main motor M3 is normally driven to when it is turned off, except when a small-size document is conveyed in the pre-step mode.

Pulse P05: Two small-size originals are set on the platen glass 29 in the 2-in-1 mode.
Next, when a large-size document is conveyed, the main motor M3
The number of pulses from deceleration drive to deceleration. Pulse P06 (corresponding to A4 horizontal feed + α or L / 2):
When a large-sized document is conveyed following two small-sized documents on the platen glass 29 in the 2-in-1 mode, the number of pulses from the time when the main motor M3 is driven to rotate forward until the main motor M3 is turned off (for discharging the previous document) Temporarily stop).

Pulse P07: The number of pulses from when the registration sensor SE2 is turned off to when the main motor M3 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction when a small-size original is conveyed in the 2-in-1 mode. Pulse P08: Number of pulses when a small-size document is switched back in the 2-in-1 mode.

Pulse P09: the number of pulses from when the registration sensor SE2 is turned off in the count mode to when the main motor M3 is turned off. Timer T101: The timing at which the feed motor M2 is turned on after the pickup motor M1 is turned off. Timer T102: The timing at which the sheet feeding motor M2 is turned off after the registration sensor SE2 is turned on.

Timer T201: The timing at which the stopper solenoid SL1 is turned off after the main motor M3 is turned off. Timer T202: Registration sensor SE in 2-in-1 mode
The timing at which the pickup motor M1 is turned on is taken after the switch 2 is turned off. Timer T301: The timing at which the discharge motor M4 is turned off after the discharge sensor SE3 is turned off.

Timer T401: 2 in the second embodiment.
When the last two originals are ejected in the in-one mode, a timing is taken in which the main motor M3 is turned on after being turned on. Timer T501: In the second embodiment, when the document is switched back in the 2-in-1 mode, the main motor M3 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction and then turned off. FIG. 43 shows a main routine of the CPU 2 for controlling the ADF 60.

When the power is turned on and the CPU 2 is reset and the program is started, step S101 is executed.
To clear the RAM, reset various registers, and perform initial settings for setting various devices to the initial mode. Subsequently, the internal timer is started in step S102.
The internal timer determines the time required for one of the main routines, and its value is set in step S101. The internal timer also serves as a reference for counting various timers appearing in a subroutine described below.

Next, the subroutines of steps S103 to S106 are sequentially called, necessary processing is performed, and in step S107, the internal timer is terminated, and step S10 is performed.
Return to 2. Step S103 is a subroutine for setting the document transport speed of the ADF 60. Step S
Reference numeral 104 denotes a subroutine for exchanging documents on the platen glass 29. Step S105 is a subroutine for counting various timers. Step S106 performs other processing, that is, A / D conversion, input processing, output processing, paper jam detection, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 44, the interrupt process for the CPU 2 includes various interrupt processes such as controlling the main motor M3 in step S111, and steps S112 and S11.
The data transmission process and the data reception process with the CPU 1 in 3
The processing is appropriately performed regardless of the processing in the main routine of the CPU 2. FIG. 45 shows an initialization subroutine executed in step S101.

In step S121, each data and each counter in the RAM are cleared. In step S122, the timers T101, T102, T202, and T301 are reset. In step S123, each flag is reset. In step S124, each motor M1, M2, M3,
M4, the scale solenoid SL1 is turned off. In step S125, the internal timer is set to a predetermined value. In step S126, the paper feed status K is set to "1". In step S127, other initial settings are processed.

FIG. 46 shows a speed setting subroutine executed in step S103. Here, the conveyor belt 9
5 is V ₀ , V ₁ ,
Set to five of _{V 2, V 3, V 4} . Belt speed V ₁ ,
As V _2, V ₃ are three copies speed due to a difference in the model of the copier body is a value corresponding to each copy speed.

The belt speed V ₁ is a speed at which 100% copy productivity is maintained in combination with a model of A4 horizontal feed and a copy speed of 60 cpm. In other words, it means the speed at which the document can be replaced within the return time of the optical system 20. Specifically, assuming that the system speed of the copying machine body is 300 mm / sec, the scan length in the A4 horizontal feed is 210 mm. The return time of the optical system 20 is (60 sec / 60 cpm) − (210 mm / 300 mm
/sec)=0.3 sec. Assuming that the distance from the nip portion of the registration roller 90 to the exposure reference position SP is L as shown in FIG. / 2
V1).

Thus, L / 2V ₁ ≦ 0.3 V ₁ ≧ L / 2 × 0.3. Belt speed V ₂ copy speed is 45c
pm of the main body of the copying machine, the belt speed V ₃ is copying speed corresponds to the copying machine main body of 30 cpm. Here V ₁
> V ₂ > V ₃ .

The belt speed V ₀ is the speed at which the first document is conveyed to the exposure reference position SP, and is set to a value larger than the belt speed V _{1 in} order not to lower the copy productivity. Also, the belt speed is
Otherwise the pre-step mode, i.e., in the case of the count mode or the like of the two-sided document conveyance mode and the number of documents are set to V _0.

The belt speed V ₄ is the transport speed when the final document is discharged, and is equal to the belt speed V ₀ . In this subroutine, first, it is determined whether or not the process of setting the first document at the exposure position in step S131 is completed. If not completed, step S132
In to set the belt speed V _0. If completed,
In step S133, it is determined whether or not the mode is the pre-step mode.
Move to 2. Step S if pre-step mode
At 134, the copy speed is checked. The copy speed is checked based on the copy speed data of the copying machine 1 transmitted from the CPU 1. If copying speed is at 60 cpm, and set the belt speed V ₁ at step S135, step S13 if 45cpm
6 to set the belt speed V _2. Also, 30cp
If m in step S137 to set the belt speed V _3.

[0115] Next, it is determined whether discharging or not the final document in step S138, if YES in step S139 to set the belt speed V _4. The belt speeds V ₁ , V ₂ , and V ₃ may be set by a DIP switch built in the ADF 60, instead of being set based on data transmitted from the CPU 1. Alternatively, this type of data detection means may be provided in a contact portion of the ADF 60 with the copying machine main body 1. Specifically, a magnet indicating the copy speed is provided on the upper frame of the copying machine body 1, and a sensor for detecting the magnet is provided on the ADF 60. The CPU 2 reads the copy speed of the copying machine main body 1 based on the signal from the sensor and indicated by the magnet, and sets the belt speed.

FIG. 47 shows a document exchange subroutine executed in step S104. In this subroutine, MODE is checked in step S140, and the following processing is performed based on the value. MODE is set to a predetermined value according to the document conveyance mode selected by the operator (see FIG. 48, steps S167 to S170).

If MODE is "0", step S14
At 1 the start check is processed. If it is "1", paper feeding is performed in step S142, pre-step setting is performed in step S143, and paper discharging is performed in step S144. If it is "2", paper is fed in step S145, and 2 is fed in step S146.
In one set, paper discharge is processed in step S147.
If it is "3", paper is fed in step S148, and step S1
At 49, counting of the number of documents is performed, and at step S150, counting discharge is performed. If MODE is a value other than the above, other operations such as a double-sided mode are processed in step S151.

FIG. 48 shows a subroutine of the start check executed in step S141. This subroutine is executed when MODE is "0", that is, when the ADF 60 is on standby. First, in step S161, it is determined whether the empty sensor SE1 is on. If it is not turned on, the document has not yet been set on the tray 61, and the DCNT1 is reset to "0" in step S162. When the sensor SE1 is turned on (when a document is set on the tray 61), step S1 is performed.
At 63, DCNT1 is set to "1", and step S16 is executed.
At 4, it is determined whether or not the flag DCHG is "1". The flag DCHG is a command requesting replacement of a document when it is “1”, and is transmitted from the CPU 1. This flag DC
HG is set to "1" when the print key is turned on and the scan for the number of copies is completed. Therefore, the flag DC
If HG is "0", the routine immediately returns. If it is "1", the flag DCHG is reset to "0" in step S165, and the status K is set to "3" in step S166. The status K is used in the subroutine of paper feeding, and is set to “3” to feed the documents one by one.

Next, the document mode is checked in step S167. If in the pre-step mode, step S1
MODE is set to "1" at 68, MODE is set to "2" at step S169 if it is a 2-in-1 mode, and MOD is set at step S170 if it is a count mode.
Set E to "3". In the other document modes, the description is omitted.

In the case of the count mode, this subroutine ends. In the case of the pre-step mode and the 2-in-1 mode, DCNT1 is decremented in step S171.
In step S172, it is determined whether the dip switch SW1 is on. The dip switch SW1 is a switch for setting the stop mode of the document to the scale mode.
In step 173, α / 2 is added to the pulse P02, and step S17
In step 4, α is added to the pulse P04 (see FIG. 16, α is an overrun amount). Pulse P0 in pulse control mode
2. Such correction for P04 is unnecessary.

FIGS. 49 to 52 show steps S142 and S1.
45 and 45 show a subroutine for paper feed executed in S148. In this subroutine, the paper feed status K is checked in step S180, and the following processing is performed based on the values "0" to "8". When the status K is “1” (see step S126 of the initial setting), the leading end regulating plate 63
And the pressing plate 70 are moved to the home position. That is,
In step S181, the pickup motor M1 is rotated forward, and in step S182, it is determined whether the cam sensor SE11 is on-edge. As shown in FIG.
The home position 3 is the regulation position for the original (upward movement)
The home position of the pressing plate 70 is a position where the pressing of the document is released (upward movement). The pickup motor M1 connected to the camshaft 147 is rotated forward, and the cam sensor SE1 is rotated.
When 1 is turned on while being shielded from light by the edge portion 148a of the disk 148, both are set to the home positions. Therefore, when the on-edge of the cam sensor SE11 is confirmed in step S182, the pickup motor M1 is turned off in step S183, and the status K is set to "2" in step S184.

When the status K is "2", no processing is performed. When the status K is "3" (see step S166 of the start check), the leading end regulating plate 63 is moved to the retracted position, and the pressing plate 70 is moved down to apply the sheet feeding pressure to the document. That is, in step S185, the pickup motor M1 is rotated forward, and in step S186, it is determined whether or not the cam sensor SE11 is off-edge. The discs 148 and 149 rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 7 by the forward rotation of the pickup motor M1, and the cam sensor SE11 turns the disc 14
8 and is turned off at the edge portion 148b. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the leading end regulating plate 63 maintains the retracted position, and the pressing plate 70 presses the leading end of the document against the pickup roller 65. Therefore, when the on-edge of the cam sensor SE11 is confirmed in step S186, the pickup motor M1 is turned off in step S187, and the timer T101 is set in step S188. Further, the status K is set to "4" in step S189.

When the status K is "4", when the end of the count of the timer T101 is confirmed in step S190, the sheet feeding motor M2 is turned on in step S191. Thus, the pickup roller 65 and the separating roller 75 are driven to rotate, and the lowermost document is fed. Further, the status K is set to "5" in step S192.

When the status K is "5", if the on-edge of the registration sensor SE2 is confirmed in step S193 (if the leading edge of the document is detected by the sensor SE2),
In step S194, the timer T102 is set, and in step S195, DCNT2 is incremented. Further, the status K is set to "6" in step S196.

When the status K is "6", when the end of the count of the timer T102 is confirmed in step S197, the width sensor SE10 is turned on in step S198.
Judge off. The width sensor SE10 detects the width of the fed document. If the width sensor SE10 is on, the width flag is set to "1" in step S199. If the width sensor is off, the width flag is set to "0" in step S200. Reset to.
Subsequently, in step S201, the paper feeding motor M2 is turned off,
In step S202, the pickup motor M1 is reversed. As a result, the cam plates 145 and 146 start rotating clockwise from the state shown in FIG. Further, the status K is set to "7" in step S203.

When the status K is "7", the pressing plate 7
0 is moved to the upper evacuation position. Cam plates 145, 14
When 6 is rotated 160 ° in the clockwise direction (see FIG. 9),
The distal end regulating plate 63 maintains the retracted position below, while the pressing plate 70 retracts upward. At this time, the cam sensor SE
12 is turned on after being shielded from light by the edge portion 149 a of the disk 149. Therefore, in step S204, the cam sensor SE12
Is confirmed, the pickup motor M1 is turned off in step S205. Subsequently, step S2
At 06, it is determined whether or not the flag DSET is "0". This flag DSET is set when the document is set at the exposure position.
Set to “1” (Steps S241 and S259 in pre-step mode, Step S36 in 2-in-1 mode)
1). Only when the flag DSET is "0", the set status S is incremented in step S207.
Further, the status K is set to "8" in step S208.

Thus, the document feeding process is completed. When the status K is "8", no processing is performed. FIG.
59 show a pre-step set subroutine executed in step S143. In this subroutine, the set status S is checked in step S210, and the following processing is performed based on the values " 0" to "9".

When the status S is "0", no processing is performed. When the status S is "1" (paper supply completed, see step S207), the main motor M3 is rotated at high speed in step S211. As a result, the original is fed from the registration roller 90 onto the platen glass 29. Then, in step S212, PLSCNT1 outputs the pulse P01.
It is determined whether or not has been counted. When the PLSCNT1 counts the pulse P01, it is determined in a step S213 whether or not the registration sensor SE2 is off.
At 14, it is determined whether or not the empty sensor SE1 is on. The pulse P01 is the number of pulses corresponding to the small-size document. If the registration sensor SE2 is off and the empty sensor SE1 is on, that is, if the fed document is small and the next document remains on the tray 61. If so, the status K is set to "3" in step S215, and the main motor M3 is decelerated in step S216.
At 7, the status S is set to "2".

On the other hand, if the registration sensor SE2 is turned on, the document is large, and the flag LSIZE is set to "1" in step S219, and the process proceeds to step S22.
At 0, the status S is set to "7". If the empty sensor SE1 is off, there is no next document, and the status K is set to "1" in step S218.
In step S220, the status S is set to "7".

When PLSCNT1 is counting the pulse P01 (NO in step S212), if the off-edge of the registration sensor SE2 is confirmed in step S221, the size of the document is detected in step S222.
Further, in step S223, it is determined whether or not the empty sensor SE1 is on. If it is on (if there is a next original), DCNT1 is incremented in step S224.

If the status S is "2", it is determined in a step S225 whether or not the PLSCNT1 has counted the pulse P02. The pulse P02 moves the document to a distance L / 2.
(See FIG. 15) This is the number of pulses required for transport. Therefore, when PLSCNT1 counts pulse P02 (when the leading edge of the document reaches intermediate position IP), main motor M3 is turned off in step S226, and step S22 is performed.
At step 7, the status S is set to "3". PLSCNT
When 1 is counting the pulse P02, the above-described steps S221 to S224 are processed.

When the status S is "3", no processing is performed. If the status S is "4" (the advance feeding of the next document is completed, see step S207, or the DCH
G check 1 step S288), step S2
At 28, the main motor M3 is rotated forward at high speed. As a result, the first document is conveyed to the exposure position, and the second document is conveyed to the pre-step position. Then, in step S229, PL
If it is determined that SCNT1 has counted the pulse P01, it is determined in step S230 whether or not the registration sensor SE2 is off, and in step S231, the empty sensor S2 is determined.
It is determined whether E1 is on. If the sensor SE2 is off and the sensor SE1 is on, that is, if the succeeding document is small and the next document remains on the tray 61, the paper feed status K is set to "3" in step S232, In step S235, the main motor M3 is decelerated, and in step S235
The scale 120 is protruded at 236 (in the case of the scale mode, see FIG. 60), and at step S237, the status S is set.
Is set to “5”.

On the other hand, if the registration sensor SE2 is turned on, the succeeding document is of a large size.
At 34, the advance prohibition flag is set to "1", and the above-described steps S235 to S237 are processed. If the empty sensor SE1 is off, there is no next document, so the paper feed status K is set to "1" in step S233, and the above-described steps S235 to S237 are processed.

When PLSCNT1 is counting the pulse P01 (NO in step S229), the above-described steps S221 to S224 are processed to detect the size of the subsequent document. If the status S is "5", it is determined in step S238 whether or not the PLSCNT1 has counted the pulse P02. If YES, that is, if the leading edge of the preceding document reaches the exposure reference position SP and the leading edge of the subsequent document reaches the intermediate position IP, step S239 is performed.
To turn off the main motor M3. Subsequently, step S2
In step S241, the timer T201 is set. In step S241, the flag DSET is set to "1".
To set the status S to "6". Flag DSET
Indicates that the document is set at the exposure position when is "1", and is transmitted to the CPU 1. When the flag DSET is "1" in the copying machine main body 1, the scanning operation of the optical system 20 becomes possible. When the PLSCNT1 is counting the pulse P02, the above-described steps S221 to S224 are processed.

When the status S is "6", when the end of the count of the timer T201 is confirmed in step S243, the scale solenoid SL1 is determined in step S244.
Turn off. In the scale mode, the scale 120 is retracted downward, and in the pulse control mode, the scale 120 remains retracted. Further, DCHG check 1 is processed in step S245. The subroutine of DCHG check 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

When the status S is "7", (DCHG
Check 1 Step S292), Step S24
In step 6, the main motor M3 is rotated forward at high speed. Thus, the large-size document is conveyed from the intermediate position IP. Then, in a step S247, it is determined whether or not the PLSCNT1 has counted the pulse P03. PLSCNT1 is pulse P
When the counter 03 is counted, it is determined in a step S248 whether or not the registration sensor SE2 is off, and in a step S249, it is determined whether or not the empty sensor SE1 is on. If the registration sensor SE2 is off and the empty sensor SE1 is on, step S250 is executed to feed the next original.
Sets the status K to "3". Further, in step S252, the main motor M3 is decelerated, and in step S2
The scale 120 is extended at 53 (see FIG. 60 in the case of the scale mode), and the status S is set to "8" at step S254.

On the other hand, if the registration sensor SE2 is on, the rear end of the large-size document has not yet passed the registration roller 90 at this time, so that a paper jam is processed in step S255. If the empty sensor SE1 is off, there is no next original, so the status K is set to "1" in step S251, and the above-mentioned step S25 is set.
2 to S254 are processed.

When PLSCNT1 is counting the pulse P03 (NO in step S247), steps S221 to S224 described above are processed to detect the size of the document. If the status S is "8", the step S2
At 56, it is determined whether or not PLSCNT1 has counted the pulse P04. If YES, that is, if the leading end of the large-size document reaches the exposure reference position SP, step S2
At 57, the main motor M3 is turned off. Subsequently, in step S258, the timer T201 is set, and in step S25
In step 9, the flag DSET is set to "1", and step S2
At 60, the status S is set to "6". PLSCN
When T1 is counting the pulse P04, steps S221 to S224 described above are processed.

When the status S is "9", (DCHG
Check 1 step S293), step S26
In step 1, the main motor M3 is rotated forward at high speed. Thus, the document is discharged from the exposure position. Then, step S26
When the off-edge of the discharge sensor SE3 is confirmed in step 2, that is, when the rear end of the document is separated from the transport belt 95, the main motor M3 is turned off in step S263. Subsequently, MODE is reset to "0" in step S264, and status S is reset to "0" in step S265.

Here, detection of a paper jam in the pre-step mode will be described. When the status S is "1", the paper jam is not processed even if the registration sensor SE2 is ON (even if NO in step S213). However, when the status S is "7",
If the registration sensor SE2 is turned on after transporting for 03 minutes (NO in step S248), a paper jam is processed. That is, the pulse P03 is set slightly shorter than the distance L (see FIG. 15), and the determination of NO in step S248 means that the document is longer than L (500 mm).
This is a case where the sheet is staying near the registration roller 90 due to a conveyance failure. In such a case, a paper jam is detected. Further, when the status S is “4”, even if the registration sensor SE2 is on (N in step S230)
O) The advance prohibition flag is set to "1", but the paper jam is not processed.

According to the above-described processing, even if large-size originals are mixedly set on the tray 61 in the pre-step mode, the originals can be transported without any trouble. Figure 60
Indicates a scale subroutine executed in steps S236 and S253 and step S347 described below. Here, in step S271, the dip switch S
It is determined whether or not W1 is on. If it is on (if the scale mode is selected), the solenoid SL1 is turned on in step S272, the scale 120 is slightly protruded above the platen glass 29, and the document is exposed to the exposure standard. Forcibly stop at position SP.

FIG. 61 is a flowchart showing the operation of D executed in step S245.
The subroutine of CHG check 1 is shown. Here, it is determined whether or not the flag DCHG is “1” in step S281, and the following processing is performed only when the flag DCHG is “1”. Flag DCH
G is transmitted from the CPU 1 of the copier main body 1 to request the ADF 60 to replace the original.

If the flag DCHG is "1", the value of the paper feed status K is checked in step S282. Here, the following processing is performed only when the status K is “2” and “8”. If the status K is "8" (when the next original has been fed in advance), the status K is set to "2" in step S283, and it is determined in step S284 whether the flag LSIZE is "1". . Flag LSIZ
If E is "1" (if a large-size document is fed), the status S is set to "1" in step S285, DCNT1 is decremented in step S286, and the document to be discharged in step S287. DCNT3 for counting the number of sheets is set to "1". If the flag LSIZE is "0" (if a small-size document has been fed), the status S is set to "4" in step S288, and the above-described steps S286 and S287 are performed.
Process.

On the other hand, when the status K is "2" (when the next original is not fed, that is, when there is no next original or in the advance state), DCNT is set in step S289.
It is determined whether 1 is “0”. If "0", it is determined in step S290 whether the advance prohibition flag is "1". If the advance prohibition flag is “1”, step S2
In step 91, the flag LSIZE is set to "1", in step S292, the status S is set to "1", and the above-described steps S286 and S287 are processed. If the advance prohibition flag is “0”, the aforementioned steps S288 and S28
6, S287 is processed. If DCNT is not "0", the status S is set to "9" in step S293, and step S287 is processed.

FIG. 62 shows steps S211, S228, S
26 shows a subroutine for high-speed normal rotation of the main motor M3 executed in S261 and S246. Here, step S30
In step S302, it is determined whether the main motor M3 is turned off. If the main motor M3 is already turned on, this subroutine is immediately terminated. If it is determined in step S301 that the switch is turned off, that is, if the set status S is "1",
If "4" or "9", the flag L is set in step S303.
SIZE is reset to “0”, and P is set in step S304.
LSCNT1 is reset to “0”, and step S305 is performed.
Resets the flag HERASE to "0". Subsequently, the advance prohibition flag is reset to “0” in step S306, and the flag DCHG is set to “0” in step S307.
And the flag DSET is reset to "0" in step S308. Further, in step S309, the paper discharge status H is set to "1", and in step S310.
To set the main motor M3 to high-speed normal rotation, and permit interruption. The main motor M3 is driven for each interruption,
PLSCNT1 and PLSCNT2 are counted.

On the other hand, in step S302, the main motor M
3 is turned off, that is, when the set status S is "7", the above-described steps S306 to S306 are performed.
Process 310. FIGS. 63 to 70 show steps S146.
Shows a two-in-one set subroutine executed by.

In this subroutine, the set status S is checked in step S320, and its value "0" to "1" is checked.
The following processing is performed based on “1”. When the status S is "0", no processing is performed. If the status S is "1" (paper feeding completed, see step S207)
In step S321, the main motor M3 is rotated forward at high speed (see FIG. 62). As a result, the original is fed from the registration roller 90 onto the platen glass 29. Then, in a step S322, it is determined whether or not the registration sensor SE2 is off-edge. If it is an off-edge (if the trailing edge of the document passes the detection point of the sensor SE2), the size of the document is detected in step S323, and it is determined in step S324 whether the empty sensor SE1 is on. If the registration sensor SE2 is on-edge and the empty sensor SE1 is on, that is, if the fed document is small in size and the next document remains on the tray 61, the timer T202 is set in step S325, and in step S326 The main motor M3 is decelerated, and the status S is set to "2" in step S327.

On the other hand, if the empty sensor SE1 is off, there is no next original, so the flag HERASE is set to "1" in step S328. Flag HERAS
E instructs to erase the charge on the photosensitive drum 10 in the latter half scan area of the optical system 20 in the 2-in-1 mode. Subsequently, in step S329, it is determined whether or not DCNT3 is "2". If "2", that is, if two originals to be discharged are on the platen glass 29 at this time, the main motor M3 is determined in step S330. Is decelerated, and step S3
At 31, the status S is set to "8". DCNT3
Is not "2", the status S is determined in step S332.
Is set to “5”.

At the step S322, the registration sensor S
If it is determined that E2 is not an off-edge, step S33
At 3, it is determined whether or not the PLSCNT1 has counted the pulse P05. The pulse P05 is the number of pulses corresponding to a large-size document, and when counted, the flag LSIZE is set to "1" in step S334, and the above-described steps S329 to S331 or S332 are processed.

If the status S is "2", it is determined in a step S335 whether or not the counting by the timer T202 has been completed. After finishing the counting, step S3
If it is determined at 36 that the paper feed status K is “2”,
In step S337, the status K is set to "3".
Advance feeding of the next document is started. Whether the count of the timer T202 has not ended or the status K
Is not “2”, the PLSCNT is determined in step S338.
It is determined whether or not 2 has counted the pulse P07. P
When LSCNT2 counts the pulse P07, the main motor M3 is switched to low-speed reverse rotation in step S339. Here, the document starts switchback. Then, the status S is set to "3" in step S340.

On the other hand, when PLSCNT2 is counting the pulse P07, as shown in FIG.
When the off-edge of the registration sensor SE2 is confirmed at 81, the size of the document fed onto the platen glass 29 at that time is detected at step S382. Subsequently, if it is determined in step S383 that the empty sensor SE1 is ON (if the document remains on the tray 61), DCNT1 is incremented in step S384.

If the status S is "3", it is determined in a step S341 whether or not the PLSCNT2 has counted the pulse P08. When the counting is completed, the main motor M3 is turned off in step S342. This completes the switchback of the original. Then, step S3
At step 43, the status S is set to "4". When the status S is "4", no processing is performed.

If the status S is "5" (the next original is sent out from the registration roller 90, step S20).
7, S370, S412), and in step S344, the main motor M3 is rotated forward at high speed (see FIG. 62). As a result, the previous and subsequent documents that have been switched back are conveyed to the exposure position. Then, step S3
If it is determined at 26 that the PLSCNT1 has counted the pulse P03, the main motor M3 is decelerated at step S346, and the scale 120 is projected at step S347 (for the scale mode, see FIG. 60).

Next, it is determined in a step S348 whether or not the registration sensor SE2 is off, and in a step S349, it is determined whether or not the empty sensor SE1 is on. Sensor S
If E2 is off and the sensor SE1 is on, that is, if the succeeding document is small and the next document remains on the tray 61, the paper feeding status K is set to "3" in step S350, and In step S351, the status S is set to "6". If the empty sensor SE1 is off,
Since there is no next original, the paper feed status K is set to "1" in step S352, and the above-described step S351 is processed.

On the other hand, if the registration sensor SE2 is turned on, it is determined in step S353 whether or not the flag LSIZE is "1". If YES, the succeeding document is of a large size, so that in step S354, The flag HERASE is set to "1" in order to copy only the small-size original. Further, the advance prohibition flag is set to "1" in step S355, DCNT1 is incremented in step S356, and the above-described step S351 is processed. In step S353, the flag LSIZE is set to "0".
Is determined, the subsequent document is small in size and stays near the registration roller 90 at this time.
In step S357, a paper jam is processed.

When PLSCNT1 is counting the pulse P03 (NO in step S345), the above-described steps S381 to S384 (see FIG. 70) are processed.
Detect the size of the subsequent document. Status S is "6"
In step S358, it is determined whether PLSCNT1 has counted the pulse P04 in step S358. If YES, that is, if the leading edge of the document reaches the exposure reference position SP, the main motor M3 is turned off in step S359.
At this time, if the succeeding document is of a large size, the latter half of the document remains in the paper feeding unit. Subsequently, step S360
Sets the timer T201, sets the flag DSET to "1" in step S361, and sets the status S to "7" in step S362.

When the status S is "7", when the end of the count of the timer T201 is confirmed in step S363, the scale solenoid SL1 is set in step S364.
Turn off. In the scale mode, the scale 120 is retracted downward, and in the pulse control mode, the scale 120 remains retracted. Further, DCHG check 2 is processed in step S365. The subroutine of DCHG check 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

If the status S is "8" (feeding of a large-size document, see step S331), step S36 is executed.
When the PLSCNT1 confirms the end of the counting of the pulse P06 in step 6, the main motor M3 is turned off in step S367. Further, the status S is set to “9” in step S368. When the status S is "9",
Only when it is determined in step S369 that DCNT3 is "1" (when one document is discharged), step S369 is executed.
At 370, the status S is set to "5".

When the status S is "10" (DC
HG check 2 (see step S413), step S
At 371, the main motor M3 is rotated at high speed (see FIG. 62). Thus, the original is discharged from the exposure position. When the trailing end of the original to be ejected is detected by the ejection sensor SE3 in step S372, that is, when the trailing end of the original is separated from the transport belt 95, the main motor M3 is turned off in step S373. When two originals are ejected at the same time, the intervals between the originals are widened here. Subsequently, in step S374, it is determined whether or not DCNT3 is “2”.
If it is, the status S is set to "11" in step S375, and if it is not "2" (only one document is discharged), the status S is reset to "0" in step S376.

If the status S is "11", it is determined in step S377 whether or not DCNT3 is "1".
If "1", the status S is set to "1" in step S378.
Set to "0". This causes the subsequent document to be discharged.
If DCNT3 is not "1", that is, if DCNT3 is "2", no processing is performed because the document is discharged earlier.

FIG. 71 is a flowchart showing the operation of D in step S365.
The subroutine of CHG check 2 is shown. Here, it is determined whether or not the flag DCHG is “1” in step S401, and the following processing is performed only when the flag DCHG is “1”. Flag DCH
If G is "1", the value of the paper feed status K is checked in step S402. Here, the following processing is performed only when the status K is “2” and “8”.

When the status K is "8" (when the next original has been fed in advance), the status K is set to "2" in step S403, and the status S is set to "1" in step S404. . Further, step S40
In step S5, DCNT1 is decremented, and in step S406, it is determined whether the flag LSIZE is "1". Flag L
If SIZE is "1" (if a large-size document has been fed), DCNT3 for counting the number of documents to be discharged is incremented in step S407. If the flag LSIZE is "0" (if a large-size document has been fed), it is determined in step S408 whether the flag HERASE is "1". Flag HER
If ASE is “1” (if one small-size original is being set or one small-size original and one large-size original are being set), the above-described step S407 is processed, and if “0” is set. For example, after incrementing DCNT3 in step S409, the above-described step S407 is processed.

On the other hand, when the status K is "2" (when the next original is not fed in advance), step S4 is executed.
At 10, it is determined whether the advance prohibition flag is "1". If the advance prohibition flag is "1", the flag LSIZE is set to "1" in step S411, and the process proceeds to step S41.
In step 2, the status S is set to "5", and the above-described steps S405 to S409 are processed. If the advance prohibition flag is "0", the status S is set to "10" in step S413, and the above-mentioned steps S406 to S40 are set.
Process 9

FIG. 72, FIG. 73, and FIG.
4 shows a paper discharge subroutine executed in S147.
The paper discharge here is paper discharge in the pre-step mode and the 2-in-1 mode. In this subroutine, step S4
At 20, the discharge status H is checked, and its value “0”,
The following processing is performed based on “1” and “2”.

When the status H is "0", no processing is performed. When the status H is "1" (see step S309 for driving the motor), the discharge motor M4 is driven at a high speed in step S421, and it is determined whether or not the main motor M3 is off in step S422.
It is determined whether T3 is “0”. If the main motor M3 is off and DCNT3 is "0", there is no document to be discharged, the discharge motor M4 is turned off in step S424, and the status H is reset to "0" in step S425.

If DCNT3 is not "0" even if the main motor M3 is ON or OFF (during document discharge), it is determined in step S426 whether or not the discharge sensor SE3 is off-edge. If the sensor SE3 is off-edge, that is, if the trailing edge of the document passes the detection point of the sensor SE3, the discharge motor M4 is switched to low-speed driving in step S427, and the timer T301 is set in step S428. Further, the status H is set to "2" in step S429.

When the status H is "2", when it is confirmed in step S430 that the count of the timer T301 has been completed, DCNT2 is decremented in step S431, and DCNT3 is decremented in step S432. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not DCNT3 is “0” in step S433. If DCNT3 is "0", that is,
If one document is to be discharged, the discharge motor M4 is turned off in step S434, and the status H is reset to "0" in step S435. If DCNT3 is not “0”, that is, if the number of originals to be discharged is two, step S
In step 436, the status H is set to "1", and the discharging operation is continued.

FIGS. 75, 76 and 77 show steps S14.
9 shows a counting subroutine executed in step S9. In this case, the document is cycled through the subroutine of the count discharge described below, and the number of sheets is automatically counted. In this subroutine, the set status S is checked in step S440, and the following processing is performed based on the values "0" to "4".

When the status S is "0", no processing is performed. If the status S is "1" (feed completed, see step S207), it is confirmed in step S441 that the discharge status H is not "2", that is, if the discharge motor M4 is not decelerated, the process proceeds to step S441. In S442, the main motor M3 is rotated forward at high speed. As a result, the document is sent from the registration roller 90 onto the platen glass 29. Further, in step S443, PLSCNT1 is reset to "0", and in step S444, the status S is reset.
Is set to “2”, and the status H is set in step S445.
Is set to “1”.

When the status S is "2", when the off-edge of the registration sensor SE2 is confirmed in step S446 (when the rear end of the document passes the detection point of the sensor SE2), the size of the document is detected in step S447. I do. Subsequently, in step S448, the main motor M3 is decelerated,
In step S449, GCNT for counting the number of documents is incremented, and in step S450, PLSCNT2 is incremented.
Is reset to “0”. Further, in step S451, it is determined whether or not the empty sensor SE1 is on. If the sensor SE1 is ON, DCNT1 is incremented in step S452 to feed the next original, and the paper feed status K is set to "3" in step S453.
In step S454, the status S is set to "3". If the sensor SE1 is off, there is no next document on the tray 61, and thus the paper feed status K is determined in step S455.
Is set to “1”, and the above-described step S454 is processed.

When the status S is "3", it is confirmed in step S456 that the PLSCNT2 has finished counting the pulses P09, and the main motor M3 is turned off in step S457. The pulse P09 is for temporarily stopping the document on the platen glass 29, and corresponds to the number of main motor drive pulses from when the trailing edge of the document is detected by the registration sensor SE2 until at least when it passes through the nip portion of the registration roller 90. . By such control, the processing time in the count mode is reduced.

Next, in step S458, the discharge sensor SE
It is determined whether or not No. 3 is off, and in step S459, it is determined whether or not the discharge status H is not “2”. Sensor SE
If 3 is off and the status H is not "2" (if the document is not ejected), the ejection motor M4 is turned off in step S460, and the status H is reset to "0" in step S461. Then, in step S462, it is determined whether the empty sensor SE1 is on or off. If the sensor SE1 is on, the status S is reset to "0" in step S463 to wait for the completion of feeding of the next document, and if the sensor SE1 is off, step S464 is performed.
To set the status S to "4". If the status H is "2" even if the discharge sensor SE3 is turned on or off, the step S462 is processed.

When the status S is "4", all the originals have been sent out onto the platen glass 29, and the main motor M3 is driven at a low speed in step S465. If it is confirmed in step S466 that DCNT2 is "0", that is, if the document does not exist on the platen glass 29, the main motor M3 is determined in step S467.
Is turned off, and the status S is reset to "0" in step S468.

FIG. 78 shows a count sheet discharging subroutine executed in step S150. In this subroutine, the discharge status H is checked in step S470,
The following processing is performed based on the values “0”, “1”, and “2”. When the status H is "0", no processing is performed. When the status H is "1" (the main motor M3
When the conveyance of the original due to the normal rotation of the document is started, step S4
In step S471, the discharge motor M4 is driven at a high speed. The reversing roller 100 and the discharge roller 110 rotate, and the document is sent to the tray 115. Step S47
When the off-edge of the discharge sensor SE3 is confirmed in step 2 (when the rear end of the document passes the detection point of the sensor SE3), the discharge motor M4 is decelerated in step S473. Further, the timer T301 is set in step S474, the status H is set to "2" in step S475, and DCNT2 is decremented in step S476.

When the status H is "2", when it is confirmed in step S477 that the timer T301 has finished counting, the discharging motor M4 is turned off in step S478.
In step S479, it is determined whether DCNT2 is “0”. If DCNT2 is “0” (the platen glass 29
If there is no document above), the status H is reset to "0" in step S480. If DCNT2 is not "0" (if there is a document on the platen glass 29), the status H is set to "1" in step S481.

FIGS. 79 and 80 show steps S222 and S3.
23, a subroutine for size detection executed in S382, S447. Here, in step S500, the pulse count value of PLSCNT1 is stored in size detection counter SIZCNT1. The PLSCNT 1 counts the number of forward drive pulses of the main motor M3, and the value corresponds to the length of the document. Next, in step S501, it is determined whether the width flag is “1”. Width flag is width sensor S
The width sensor SE1 is set by turning E10 on and off.
0 is turned on by a document having a width dimension equal to or larger than B5 horizontal feed, and the width flag is set to "1" (step S19).
8, S199, S200). Original size is SIZ
It is set by a combination of the value of CNT1 and the width flag. In FIGS. 79 and 80, Y means horizontal feed and T means vertical feed.

That is, when the width flag is "1", the value of SIZCNT1 is checked in step S502, and if the value corresponds to 182 mm, SIZE is determined in step S503.
Is set to B5 horizontal feed. Hereinafter, similarly, SIZCNT1
SIZE in steps S504 to S506 according to the value of
Is set to a predetermined document size. If it is longer than 420 mm, it is determined to be unknown in step S507. Thereafter, the width flag is reset to "0" in step S508.

On the other hand, if the width flag is "0", the value of SIZCNT1 is checked in step S510, and a predetermined document size is set in SIZE in steps S511 to S513 according to the value. If it is shorter than 297 mm, it is determined to be unknown in step S514. In the 2-in-1 mode, the detected sizes are set as twice as large.

FIGS. 81 to 86 show a document setting subroutine in the 2-in-1 mode in the second embodiment in which the discharge motor is also used as the main motor M3. This subroutine replaces the 2-in-1 set subroutine shown in FIGS. 63 to 71 and the paper discharge subroutine shown in FIGS. 72 to 74. No consideration is given to the case where large-size documents are mixed.

In this subroutine, the set status S is checked in step S600, and its value "0" to "1" is checked.
The following processing is performed based on "2." When the status S is "0", no processing is performed. If the status S is "1" (paper feeding completed, see step S207)
In step S601, the main motor M3 is rotated forward at high speed (see FIG. 62). As a result, the original is fed from the registration roller 90 onto the platen glass 29. Then, in a step S602, it is determined whether or not the registration sensor SE2 is off edge. If the edge is off-edge (if the trailing edge of the document passes the detection point of the sensor SE2), the size of the document is detected in step S603, and it is determined in step S604 whether the empty sensor SE1 is on. If the registration sensor SE2 is off-edge and the empty sensor SE1 is on, that is, if the fed document is small in size and the next document remains on the tray 61, the timer T202 is set in step S605, and in step S606 Status S
Is set to “2”.

On the other hand, if the empty sensor SE1 is off, there is no next document, and the flag H is set in step S607.
Set ERASE to "1". Then, step S
At 608, the status S is set to "5". If the status S is "2", it is determined in step S609 whether or not the count of the timer T202 has ended. When the counting is completed, the flag HERAS is set in step S610.
If it is determined that E is "0", the status K is set to "3" in step S611, and the advance feeding of the next document is started. If the count of the timer T202 has not ended, or if the flag HERASE is "1" even after the count has ended, in step S612, the PLSCNT2 outputs the pulse P07.
It is determined whether or not has been counted. When PLSCNT2 counts pulse P07, main motor M3 is switched to low-speed reverse rotation in step S613. Here, the document starts switchback. Then, step S614
To set the status S to "3".

If the status S is "3", it is determined in step S615 whether or not PLSCNT2 has counted the pulse P08. When the counting is completed, the main motor M3 is turned off in step S616. This completes the switchback of the original. Then, step S6
At 17, the status S is set to "4". When the status S is "4", no processing is performed.

If the status S is "5" (the next original is sent out from the registration roller 90, the process proceeds to step S207
), And in step S618, the main motor M3 is rotated forward at high speed (see FIG. 62). As a result, the previous and subsequent documents that have been switched back are conveyed to the exposure position. If it is determined in step S619 that the PLSCNT1 has counted the pulse P03, the process proceeds to step S619.
At 620, the scale 120 is protruded (in the case of the scale mode, see FIG. 60).

Next, it is determined in a step S621 whether or not the registration sensor SE2 is off, and in a step S622, it is determined whether or not the empty sensor SE1 is on. Sensor S
If E2 is off and the sensor SE1 is on, that is, if the succeeding document is small and the next document remains on the tray 61, the paper feed status K is set to "3" in step S623, and In step S624, DCNT1 is incremented, and in step S625, the status S is set to "6". If the empty sensor SE1 is off, there is no next document, and the paper feed status K is determined in step S626.
Is set to “1”, and the above-described step S625 is processed.

If the status S is "6", it is determined in a step S627 whether or not PLSCNT1 has counted the pulse P04. If YES, that is, if the leading edge of the document reaches the exposure reference position SP, step S628
To turn off the main motor M3. Subsequently, step S6
In step S630, the timer T201 is set. In step S630, the flag DSET is set to "1".
To set the status S to "7".

When the status S is "7", when the end of the count of the timer T201 is confirmed in step S632, the scale solenoid SL1 is determined in step S633.
Turn off. In the scale mode, the scale 120 is retracted downward, and in the pulse control mode, the scale remains retracted. Further, step S63
In step 4, the DCHG check 3 is processed. The subroutine of DCHG check 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

If the status S is "8", it is determined in a step S635 whether or not the flag HERASE is "1". If "1", the main motor M is determined in a step S636.
3 is rotated forward at high speed (see FIG. 62). Thus, the discharge of one document is started. Further, the status S is set to "9" in step S637. On the other hand, the flag HER
If ASE is “0”, the main motor M3 is rotated at high speed in step S638 (see FIG. 62). This is 2
The discharge of the original is started. Further, step S63
In step 9, the timer T401 is set, and in step S640, the status S is set to "11".

If the status S is "9", the off-edge of the discharge sensor SE3 is confirmed in step S641 (the rear end of the document passes the detection point of the sensor SE3), and the timer T301 is set in step S642.
At 3, the status S is set to "10". If the status S is "10", the end of the count of the timer T301 is confirmed in step S644, that is, when the document is discharged onto the tray 115, the main motor M3 is turned off in step S645, and step S646 is performed. Resets the status S to "0".

When the status S is "11", when the count completion of the timer T401 is confirmed in step S647, the main motor M3 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction in step S648. As a result, the transport belt 95 rotates in the reverse direction, and the subsequent document is slightly returned on the platen glass 29. On the other hand, the reversing roller 100 and the discharge roller 110 continue to rotate normally, and the preceding document is discharged onto the tray 115. That is, in order to prevent the originals from being disturbed on the tray 115, the intervals between the originals are increased. Further, in step S649, the timer T5
01 is set, and the status S is set to "12" in step S650.

When the status S is "12", when it is confirmed in step S651 that the count of the timer T501 has been completed, the main motor M3 is rotated at high speed forward in step S652 (see FIG. 62). Is set to “9”. Thereafter, the routine in which the status S is [9] or [10] is processed, and two originals are discharged onto the tray 115.

FIG. 87 is a flowchart showing the operation of D executed in step S634.
The subroutine of CHG check 3 is shown. Here, it is determined whether or not the flag DCHG is “1” in step S661, and the following processing is performed only when the flag DCHG is “1”. Flag DCH
If G is "1", the value of the paper feed status K is checked in step S662. Here, the following processing is performed only when the status K is “2” and “8”.

If the status K is "8" (when the next original has been fed in advance), the status K is set to "2" in step S663, and the status S is set to "1" in step S664. . Further, step S66
In step 5, DCNT1 is decremented. On the other hand, when the status K is "2" (when there is no next original), the status S is set to "8" in step S666.

The automatic paper feeder according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified within the scope of the invention. In particular, the present invention may be applied not only to the automatic document feeder, but also to a paper feeder for copying paper in the main body of the copying machine or a refeeder for composite / double-sided copying. In addition, a sheet feeding device configured to feed stacked originals from the uppermost layer may be used. Alternatively, the document is stopped at the rear end with respect to the entrance side of the platen glass,
Exposure may be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

The following figures show a first embodiment of the present invention unless otherwise noted.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic document feeder (ADF) including an automatic paper feeder according to the present invention and a copying machine main body.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an internal configuration of the ADF.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view near the exposure reference position, showing a state where the ADF is slightly lifted.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view near the exposure reference position and shows a state where the scale is retracted.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view near the exposure reference position, showing a state in which the scale protrudes above the platen glass.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sheet feeding unit of the ADF.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a driving mechanism of a tip regulating plate and a pressing plate.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the positions of a tip end regulating plate and a pressing plate with respect to rotation of a cam plate, and shows a home position.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing the positions of the leading end regulating plate and the pressing plate with respect to the rotation of the cam plate, and shows a state in which the leading end regulating plate and the pressing plate have moved to the retracted position during paper feeding.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing the positions of the tip end regulating plate and the pressing plate with respect to the rotation of the cam plate, and shows a state in which the pressing plate is moving to the pressing position during paper feeding.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a mounting structure of a pressing plate.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line PP in FIG. 6;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line QQ in FIG. 6;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a driving mechanism of a conveyance belt and a registration roller.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of document conveyance by a stepping motor, showing a case where a document is stopped in a pulse control mode.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of document conveyance by a stepping motor, showing a case where a document is stopped in a scale mode.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of document conveyance in a pre-step mode.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of document conveyance in a pre-step mode,
Continuation of FIG.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of document conveyance in a pre-step mode,
Continuation of FIG.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of document conveyance in a 2-in-1 mode.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of document conveyance in a 2-in-1 mode, and FIG.
Continuation of 0.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of document conveyance in a 2-in-1 mode, and FIG.
Continuation of 1.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of conveyance of a large-size mixed document (odd numbered sheet) in the 2-in-1 mode.

24 is an explanatory view of conveying a large-size mixed document (odd-numbered sheet) in the 2-in-1 mode, continued from FIG. 23;

25 is an explanatory diagram of conveyance of a large-size mixed document (odd numbered sheet) in the 2-in-1 mode, continued from FIG. 24. FIG.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating conveyance of a large-size mixed document (even numbered sheet) in the 2-in-1 mode.

27 is an explanatory view of conveying a large-size mixed document (even numbered sheet) in the 2-in-1 mode, continued from FIG. 26. FIG.

28 is an explanatory diagram of conveyance of a large-size mixed document (even numbered sheet) in the 2-in-1 mode, continued from FIG. 27. FIG.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram of conveyance of a large-size mixed document in a pre-step mode.

30 is an explanatory view of conveying a large-size mixed document in the pre-step mode, continued from FIG. 29. FIG.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing a driving mechanism of a reversing roller and a discharge roller in a second embodiment in which a discharge motor is also used as a main motor.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram of document conveyance in a 2-in-1 mode in the second embodiment.

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram of document conveyance in the 2-in-1 mode in the second embodiment, continued from FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram of document conveyance in the 2-in-1 mode in the second embodiment, continued from FIG. 33.

FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram of conveyance of a large-size mixed document in a 2-in-1 mode in the second embodiment.

FIG. 36 is an explanatory view of conveying a large-size mixed document in the 2-in-1 mode in the second embodiment, continued from FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 is a view for explaining the conveyance of a large-size mixed document in the 2-in-1 mode in the second embodiment, continued from FIG. 36;

FIG. 38 is a block diagram showing a control unit of the copying machine main body.

FIG. 39 is a block diagram showing a control unit of the ADF.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the CPU 1 for controlling the copying machine main body.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing an erase subroutine in the CPU 1;

FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing a scan subroutine in the CPU 1;

FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the CPU 2 for controlling the ADF.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of an interrupt process in CPU 2;

FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for initialization in the CPU 2;

FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing a speed setting subroutine in the CPU 2;

FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing a document exchange subroutine in the CPU 2;

FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a start check in the CPU 2;

FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing a sheet feeding subroutine in CPU2.

50 is a flowchart showing a paper feed subroutine in CPU 2, and is a continuation of FIG. 49.

FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing a sheet feeding subroutine in CPU 2, and is a continuation of FIG. 50;

FIG. 52 is a flowchart showing a sheet feeding subroutine in the CPU 2, and is a continuation of FIG. 51.

FIG. 53 is a flowchart showing a pre-step set subroutine in the CPU 2;

FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing a sub-step of a pre-step set in the CPU 2, continued from FIG. 53;

FIG. 55 is a flowchart showing a sub-step of a pre-step set in the CPU 2, and FIG. 54 is continued.

FIG. 56 is a flowchart showing a sub-step of a pre-step set in the CPU 2, continued from FIG. 55;

FIG. 57 is a flowchart showing a sub-step of a pre-step set in the CPU 2, and is a continuation of FIG. 56.

58 is a flowchart showing a pre-step set subroutine in CPU 2, and is a continuation of FIG. 57.

59 is a flowchart showing a sub-step of a pre-step set in the CPU 2, and is a continuation of FIG. 58.

FIG. 60 is a flowchart showing a scale subroutine in the CPU 2;

FIG. 61 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of DCHG check 1 in CPU 2;

FIG. 62 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of main motor high-speed normal rotation in CPU 2;

FIG. 63 is a flowchart showing a 2-in-1 set subroutine in the CPU 2;

FIG. 64 is a flowchart showing a 2-in-1 set subroutine in the CPU 2, continued from FIG. 63;

FIG. 65 is a flowchart showing a 2-in-1 set subroutine in the CPU 2, continued from FIG. 64;

FIG. 66 is a flowchart showing a 2-in-1 set subroutine in the CPU 2, and FIG. 65 is continued.

FIG. 67 is a flowchart showing a 2-in-1 set subroutine in the CPU 2, and FIG. 66 is continued.

FIG. 68 is a flowchart showing a 2-in-1 set subroutine in the CPU 2, and FIG. 67 is continued.

69 is a flowchart showing a 2-in-1 set subroutine in the CPU 2, and FIG. 68 is continued. FIG.

70 is a flowchart showing a 2-in-1 set subroutine in CPU 2, and is a continuation of FIG. 69.

FIG. 71 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of DCHG check 2 in CPU2.

FIG. 72 is a flowchart showing a paper discharge subroutine in the CPU 2;

FIG. 73 is a flowchart showing a paper discharge subroutine in CPU2, and is a continuation of FIG. 72.

74 is a flowchart showing a paper discharge subroutine in the CPU 2, and is a continuation of FIG. 73.

FIG. 75 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for counting the number of documents in the CPU 2;

76 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for counting the number of documents in the CPU 2, and is a continuation of FIG. 75.

77 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for counting the number of documents in the CPU 2, and is a continuation of FIG. 76.

FIG. 78 is a flowchart showing a count paper discharge subroutine in the CPU 2;

FIG. 79 is a flowchart showing a size detection subroutine in the CPU 2;

FIG. 80 is a flowchart showing a size detection subroutine in the CPU 2, and FIG. 79 is continued.

FIG. 81 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of 2-in-1 set in the second embodiment.

FIG. 82 is a flowchart showing a 2-in-1 set subroutine in the second embodiment, continued from FIG. 81;

FIG. 83 is a flowchart showing a 2-in-1 set subroutine in the second embodiment, and is a continuation of FIG. 82;

84 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of 2-in-1 set in the second embodiment, and is a continuation of FIG. 83.

FIG. 85 is a flowchart showing a 2-in-1 set subroutine in the second embodiment, and is a continuation of FIG. 84;

86 is a flowchart showing a 2-in-1 set subroutine in the second embodiment, and is a continuation of FIG. 85.

FIG. 87 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of DCHG check 3 in the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 60 ADF (Automatic Document Conveyor) 61 Document Loading Tray 63 Tip Control Plate 65 Pickup Roller 70 Document Pressing Plate 140, 141 Lever 145, 146 Cam Plate 147 Cam Shaft 148, 149 Disk SE11 , SE12 ... Cam sensor M1 ... Pickup motor

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Hirokazu Matsuo 2-3-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Osaka International Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , (DB name) B65H 1/00-3/68

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An automatic sheet feeding apparatus for feeding stacked sheets one by one, wherein a tray capable of stacking a plurality of sheets and a leading end in a sheet feeding direction of the sheets stacked on the tray are regulated. A leading end regulating unit movable between a position and a position retracted from the leading end regulating position; a sheet feeding unit for feeding out the sheets stacked on the tray; and a sheet feeding unit for feeding the sheets stacked on the tray. And a pressing means movable between a pressing position for pressing against the means and a position retracted from the pressing position, and the tip regulating means and the pressing means being operated in conjunction with each other so that their positions relatively change. Bei a driving means for
The driving means controls the leading end regulating means from the start of the sheet feeding operation.
While moving to the retracted position until the end, the pressing means
The retracted position from the pressed position every time one sheet is fed
The automatic paper feeder. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit includes a cam plate driven in forward and reverse rotations, and the tip regulating unit and the pressing unit move based on forward and reverse rotations of the cam plate. Automatic paper feeder.