JP3170308B2 - Sheet material feeding device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a plurality of sheet material stacking units.
Conveys the sheet to the image forming unit from
The present invention relates to a sheet material feeding device to be used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, a sheet material feeding device called a large-capacity paper deck having a plurality of sheet material stacking portions for feeding to an image forming apparatus has been put to practical use. Then, there is a case where a sequence of selecting a single sheet material stacking section of the paper deck and continuously feeding the sheets is executed according to the sheet size or the like in the image forming mode set in the image forming apparatus. .

[0003]

However, in the above-described conventional example, even when a plurality of sheet material stacking units store sheet materials of the same size, the sheet is supplied from a single sheet stacking unit. The drive system for sheet conveyance is continuously driven, and there is a physical limit when performing sheet conveyance at high speed, and at the same time, the margin for slippage of the drive system such as the conveyance rollers during high speed conveyance is limited. There were problems such as smallness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has a plurality of conveying means for conveying a sheet from a plurality of paper feeding means to an image forming section via respective conveying paths. When a sheet jam is detected in the sheet feeding unit, the sheet feeding is continued from a sheet feeding unit capable of feeding a sheet having the same size as the sheet where the jam is detected, and the sheet is detected. By displaying the occurrence of a jam after a series of conveyance is completed without displaying the occurrence of a jam immediately, it is possible to prevent the paper feed from being interrupted halfway even if a jam occurs, and to improve the efficiency of the device. While the printer can be operated well, the operator stops the operation of the apparatus in order to clear the jam while switching the paper feeding means and continuing paper feeding, and conversely, the operating efficiency is reduced. Or it is, for its object to obtain a sheet material feeding apparatus can be prevented by causing further jams. Further, when continuously feeding a plurality of sheets of the same size from a plurality of sheet feeding units and a plurality of conveying units, the sheet feeding is performed while sequentially switching a sheet feeding unit capable of feeding the same size sheets , Anomaly is detected
Paper feeder and transporter are sequentially excluded from switching
By, it is possible to prevent the use in succession one of the sheet feeding means would accelerate the wear of the roller and the motor, also can extend the operation interval of the roller and the motor, slip of each transport path drive system while ensuring a margin for, it is possible to improve the sheet conveying efficiency, the Atsushi Nobori of each conveyance path drive system suppresses, it is possible to improve the durability further, Ja
Processing by the paper feeding means and the conveyance means in which an abnormality such as
It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet material feeding device capable of preventing the processing from being interrupted .

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a sheet feeding apparatus comprising: a plurality of sheet feeding means for feeding a sheet; and image forming of a sheet from the plurality of sheet feeding means via respective conveying paths. A plurality of conveying means for conveying the sheet to the sheet feeding unit; a jam detecting means for detecting a sheet jam in the plurality of conveying means and the plurality of sheet feeding means; a display means for displaying that a sheet jam has occurred; feeding a size detecting means for detecting the size of sheets to be fed by the paper feeding means, the jam Ri by the said jam detecting means is detected, the sheet of the same size as the size of the sheet jam is detected in the Control means for continuing sheet feeding from a possible sheet feeding means, and when sheet feeding from another sheet feeding means is continued by the control means, even if a jam is detected by the jam detecting means, The one having a display control means for displaying the occurrence of a jam on the display means after completing a series of transport without displaying the occurrence of a jam.

A plurality of sheet feeding means for feeding sheets.
From the plurality of paper feeding means via the respective conveyance paths.
A plurality of conveying means for conveying the sheet to the image forming unit;
Check the size of the recording medium fed from each of the paper
Multiple size sheets of the same size
If you are instructed to feed paper continuously,
Multiple sheets that can feed the same size based on the detection result of the
Sheets while sequentially switching the number of sheet feeding means and conveying means
Paper feed control means for feeding paper,
Abnormality detecting means for detecting a transport abnormality in the transport means.
The sheet feeding control means includes a sheet feeding means in which an abnormality is detected and
And the transfer means are sequentially excluded from the switching targets .

Further, the paper feed control means sequentially switches the paper feed means for each sheet .

[0008]

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

[0017]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a sheet feeding apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a copying apparatus which copies a document image by executing a known electrophotographic process on a recording medium (sheet material) fed through a plurality of transport paths.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a large-capacity front loading deck (PFU) comprising three decks of upper, middle, and lower tiers and a multi-bypass unit. The upper / interrupted section is configured to be slid out to improve the jam (JAM) processing. 2a to 2e are sensors, PFU
The CPU 2 notifies a CPU (described later) of a sheet material conveyance state signal for controlling the conveyance timing of the sheet material sent out from the printer 2 and monitoring a jam on the conveyance path. The sensor 2a functions as an upper path sensor, and the upper path PATH
1 is notified to the CPU of the state signal of the sheet material conveyed. The sensor 2b functions as a first middle pass sensor, and notifies the CPU of a state signal of the sheet material conveyed on the middle pass PATH2. Further, the sensor 2c functions as a second middle pass sensor, and notifies the CPU of a state signal of the sheet material conveyed on the middle pass PATH2. The sensor 2d functions as a first lower path sensor, and notifies the CPU of a state signal of the sheet material conveyed on the lower path PATH3. Further, the sensor 2e functions as a second lower pass sensor, and notifies the CPU of a state signal of the sheet material conveyed on the lower pass PATH3.

Reference numeral 3 denotes an automatic document feeder (RDF) with a document reversing mechanism, which conveys the document to a predetermined position on the platen glass of the copying apparatus 1, and after the document scanning is completed,
The document discharging direction is controlled to discharge the document to a predetermined position. Reference numeral 4 denotes a sorter which has a plurality of bins and sorts the discharged sheets so that the sheet material on which image formation has been completed is discharged to a designated bin destination in accordance with a set discharge mode (non-sort, sort, group). I do. In addition, 5 is a multi-hand feed unit, 6
Is an upper deck, 7 is a middle deck, 8 is a lower deck, and 9 is a multi-manual feed cover.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram for explaining a control mechanism of the PFU 2 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 12a denotes a multi-paper presence / absence detection sensor which detects whether or not a paper is placed on the multi-manual feed portion 5 and outputs it to an input port 34. An upper sheet presence sensor 12b detects whether a sheet is placed on the upper deck 6 and outputs a state signal to the input port 34. Reference numeral 12c denotes a middle sheet presence / absence sensor which detects whether a sheet is placed on the middle deck 7 and outputs a state signal to the input port 34. A lower sheet presence sensor 12d detects whether a sheet is placed on the lower deck 8, and outputs a status signal to the input port.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a multi-use open / close switch which detects the open / close state of the multi-manual feeder cover 9 and outputs a state signal to the input port 34. 14 is an upper open / close switch,
The button is pressed when the upper deck 6 is pulled out, and the state signal is output to the input port 34. Reference numeral 15 denotes a middle opening / closing switch, which is depressed when the middle deck 7 is pulled out, and the state signal is output to the input port. Reference numeral 16 denotes a lower opening / closing switch, which is pressed when the lower deck 8 is pulled out,
The status signal is output to the input port 34.

An upper limit detection switch 17 outputs a status signal to the input port 34 when the upper deck 6 moves up in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 19 denotes a middle-stage upper limit detection switch, which outputs a state signal to the input port 34 when the middle-stage deck 7 moves up in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. Reference numeral 21 denotes a lower-stage upper-limit detection switch, which outputs a status signal to the input port 34 when the lower deck 8 ascends in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 18 denotes an upper stage lower limit detection switch, which outputs a state signal to the input port 34 when the upper deck 6 descends in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 20 denotes a middle-stage lower limit detection switch which outputs a state signal to the input port 34 when the middle deck 7 descends in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. Reference numeral 22 denotes a lower-stage lower-limit detection switch, which outputs a state signal to the input port 34 when the lower-stage deck 8 descends in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 23a denotes an upper paper surface sensor, and the upper deck 6
It detects that the position of the upper surface of the paper loaded on the printer is at a predetermined position, and outputs a state signal to the input port. 23
Reference numeral b denotes a middle paper level sensor, which detects that the upper surface of the paper stacked on the middle deck 7 is at a predetermined position, and outputs a status signal to the input port 34. Reference numeral 23c denotes a lower paper level sensor, which detects that the upper surface of the paper loaded on the lower deck 8 is at a predetermined position, and outputs a status signal to the input port 3.
4 is output.

An upper deck set switch 24a detects that the upper deck 6 is pushed in and set at a predetermined position, and outputs a status signal to the input port 34. Reference numeral 24b denotes a middle deck set switch, which detects that the middle deck 7 is pushed in and is set at a predetermined position, and outputs a state signal to the input port 34.
A lower deck set switch 24 c detects that the lower deck 8 has been pushed in and set at a predetermined position, and outputs a status signal to the input port 34.

Reference numeral 25 denotes an upper path sensor, which is disposed on the paper transport path (a predetermined position on the upper path PATH1) and obtains a timing signal necessary for a transport sequence of the paper transported from the upper deck 6. Reference numeral 26a denotes a first middle path sensor, which is on the paper transport path (a predetermined position on the middle path PATH2).
And a timing signal necessary for the transport sequence of the paper transported from the middle deck 7 is obtained. 26b is the second
With the middle path sensor, on the paper transport path (middle path PATH2
(A predetermined upper position), and obtains a timing signal necessary for the transport sequence of the paper transported from the middle deck 7. Reference numeral 27a denotes a first lower path sensor, which is disposed on a paper transport path (a predetermined position on the lower path PATH3) and obtains a timing signal required for a transport sequence of the paper transported from the lower deck 8. Reference numeral 27b denotes a second lower path sensor, which is disposed on the paper transport path (a predetermined position on the lower path PATH3) and obtains a timing signal necessary for the transport sequence of the paper transported from the lower deck 8.

Reference numeral 28 denotes a lower one-pack sensor, which detects a state in which the upper surface of the sheet is at a predetermined position in the lower deck 8 which is a large-capacity deck so that the upper surface of the sheet is lowered by a fixed amount, and sends a status signal to an input port. 34. Reference numeral 29 denotes a joint switch, which is configured to be able to pull out the upper deck 6 and the middle deck 7 in order to improve a paper jam process at a connection portion with the main body. It detects whether or not it is connected to the apparatus main body, and outputs a status signal to the input port 34. A paper size detection switch 30 sets the size of the paper placed on the upper deck 6, the middle deck 7, and the lower deck 8, and outputs a size setting state signal to the input port. Reference numeral 32 denotes a ROM, which will be described later.
A program for controlling the driving of the PFU 2 in accordance with the procedure of the chart is stored. 33 is a RAM, a CP
It functions as a work memory of U31, and mainly PFU2
Status information necessary to control the drive of
The flag is stored. Reference numeral 35 denotes an upper transfer motor encoder, which includes a clock disk and a photo interrupter mounted on the upper / middle shared motor output shaft, and outputs a pulse signal generated in accordance with the rotation of the motor to the input port 34. Reference numeral 36 denotes a lower transfer motor encoder, which includes a clock disk and a photo interrupter mounted on the lower motor output shaft, and outputs a pulse signal generated according to the rotation of the motor to the input port 34. Reference numeral 37 denotes a middle transfer motor encoder which includes a clock disk mounted on the middle motor shaft and a photo interrupter, and outputs a pulse signal generated according to the rotation of the motor to the input port 34.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a load driving circuit showing a control target of the CPU 31 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 42 denotes a multi-feed motor, which is driven based on a drive signal output from an output port 41 to drive the multi-manual feed unit 5. Reference numeral 43 denotes a multi-pickup solenoid, which is driven based on a driving signal output from the output port 41, and
Is pressed against the sheet by a pickup roller that feeds out the sheet placed on the sheet. Reference numeral 44a denotes an upper pickup solenoid which is driven based on a drive signal output from the output port 41, and presses a pickup roller for sending out the sheet placed on the upper deck 6 against the sheet. Reference numeral 44b denotes a middle pickup solenoid which is driven based on a drive signal output from the output port 41 and presses a pickup roller for sending out the sheet placed on the middle deck 7 against the sheet. 44c is a lower stage pickup solenoid, which has an output port.
The pickup roller is driven based on a drive signal output from the sheet 41 and feeds out the sheet placed on the lower deck 8 against the sheet.

An upper deck raising / lowering motor 45a drives a motor forward / reverse circuit 49a based on a driving signal output from an output port 41 to push up the upper deck 6 as the number of sheets decreases and to replenish the sheets. Or to lower it. 4
Reference numeral 5b denotes a middle deck raising / lowering motor, which is driven based on a drive signal output from an output port 41, and pushes up the middle deck 7 with a decrease in the number of sheets by a motor forward / reverse circuit 49b, or lowers the sheet for paper supply. Or A lower deck raising / lowering motor 45c drives a motor forward / reverse circuit 49c based on a drive signal output from an output port 41, and pushes up the upper deck 8 as the number of sheets decreases and lowers the sheet for paper supply. Or

Reference numeral 46a denotes an upper clutch constituted by an electromagnetic clutch, which is driven based on a drive signal output from the output port 41, and transmits the drive of the upper motor to the upper transport section. Reference numeral 46b denotes a middle clutch constituted by an electromagnetic clutch, which is driven based on a drive signal output from the output port 41, and transmits the drive of the middle motor to the middle transport unit. 4
6c is a lower clutch composed of an electromagnetic clutch, which is driven based on a drive signal output from the output port 41,
The drive of the lower motor is transmitted to the lower transport unit.

47a is an upper deck lock solenoid,
Driving is performed based on the driving signal output from the output port 41, and the latch for setting the upper deck 6 to the sheet feeding position is operated. 47b is a middle deck lock solenoid which is driven based on a drive signal output from an output port 41,
The latch for setting the middle deck 7 to the sheet feeding position is operated. 47c is a lower deck lock solenoid which has an output port
The lower deck 8 is driven based on the drive signal output from the switch 41 to operate the latch for setting the lower deck 8 to the sheet feeding position.

An upper deck opening / closing LED 48a blinks while the upper deck 6 is being lowered when the upper deck 6 is pulled out. Reference numeral 48b denotes a middle deck opening / closing LED, which blinks while the middle deck 7 is being lowered when the middle deck 7 is pulled out. Reference numeral 48c denotes a lower deck opening / closing LED, which blinks while the lower deck 8 is being lowered when the lower deck 8 is pulled out.

In the sheet feeding apparatus configured as described above, the jam detecting means (the various sensors 2a shown in FIG. 1)
~ 2e etc.) to a plurality of transporting means and a plurality of paper feeding means
Control means when a sheet jam has been detected.
(By the CPU 31 shown in FIG. 2)
Interruption by continuing sheet feeding
Sheets are fed sequentially to the image forming unit and the image forming operation is continued.
To resume an interrupted image forming operation
Operation burden for the user can be greatly reduced .

When a jam is detected, the size
Detecting means (such as the paper size detecting switch 30 shown in FIG. 2)
Detects the size of sheets fed by multiple paper sources
The control means (by the CPU 31 shown in FIG. 2)
Feeding a sheet of the same size as the sheet that was
Means to continue feeding sheets,
Sheet materials are sequentially fed to the image forming unit to change the sheet size.
It is possible to continue the image forming operation without making any further changes .

Further, even if a jam is detected, another paper
Display control means when sheet feeding from a column is continued
Displays a jam on the display unit after a series of conveyance is completed.
It is necessary to clear the jam by the operator by displaying
Delays the jam display until the
Can reliably prevent the interruption of the image forming operation .

[0039]

[0040]

[0041]

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a drive control circuit of a transport motor for transporting each deck shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation will be described.

The clock generator 58 connected to the CPU 31 outputs reference clock pulses (reference pulses) P1 and P2 corresponding to the transport speeds of the upper deck 6, the middle deck 7, and the lower deck 8, and outputs each of the PLs.
It is supplied to L control circuits 55 and 56. These reference pulses P1 and P2 and the upper transport motor 51 and the upper transport motor 5 for driving the upper deck 6, the middle deck 7, and the lower deck 8, respectively.
2, frequency comparison and phase comparison are performed with the encoder pulses E1, E2, and E3 generated by the rotation of the lower conveying motor 53, and the respective difference signals and the pulses output from the PWM pulse generator 59 connected to the CPU 31 are calculated. The motor application execution voltage is made variable and the motor rotation speed is made constant by the pulse duty ratio obtained by comparison with the sawtooth wave or the triangular wave integrated by the integration circuits 60 and 61. When the upper deck 6 and the middle deck 7 are driven, the switching signal 5 output from the output port 41 is used.
4a, the motor switching circuit 54 switches its driving main body. The CPU 31 writes desired frequency data and changes the clock pulse frequency generated from the clock generator 58 so that the motor rotation speed can be set to various values. Reference numeral 57 denotes a pulse switching circuit.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a connection state between the PFU 2 and the copying apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 501 denotes a multi-feed roller, which is linked to a multi-feed motor. Reference numeral 502 denotes an upper-stage paper feed roller, which can be linked to the upper-stage transport motor 51 via the upper-stage clutch 46a. Reference numeral 503 denotes a middle-stage paper feed roller, which can be linked to the middle-stage transport motor 52 via the middle-stage clutch 46b. Reference numeral 504 denotes a lower feed roller, which is configured to be able to interlock with the lower transfer motor 53 via the lower clutch 46c. A multi-pickup roller 505 is interlocked with the multi-sheet feed roller 501, and is brought into contact with and non-contact with the paper surface by the multi-pickup solenoid 43. Reference numeral 506 denotes an upper pickup roller, which is linked to the upper paper feed roller 502, and is brought into contact with and non-contact with the paper surface by the upper pickup solenoid 44a. Reference numeral 507 denotes a middle pickup roller, which is linked to the middle paper feed roller 503, and is brought into contact with and non-contact with the paper surface by the middle pickup solenoid 44b. Reference numeral 508 denotes a lower pick-up roller, which is linked to the lower feed roller 504, and is brought into contact with and non-contact with the paper surface by the lower pick-up solenoid 44c.
Reference numeral 509 denotes an upper conveying roller, which conveys the paper fed from the upper deck 6 or the paper fed from the multi manual feed unit 5 in conjunction with the upper conveying motor 51. Reference numeral 510 denotes a first middle conveyance roller, which interlocks with the upper conveyance motor 51 to feed paper fed from the upper deck 6 or paper fed from the middle deck 7 or paper fed from the multi manual feed unit 5. Carry inside the main unit. Reference numeral 511 denotes a second middle conveyance roller which conveys the paper fed from the first middle conveyance roller 510 to the main body to a position where a registration roller is provided inside the main body. Reference numeral 512 denotes a first lower transport roller, which is a lower transport motor 5.
In conjunction with 3, the sheet fed from the lower deck 8 is conveyed into the main body. A second lower conveying roller 513 conveys the paper fed from the first lower conveying roller 512 to the main body to a position where a registration roller is provided inside the main body.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a main processing procedure in the sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention. Incidentally, (1) to (9) show each processing routine, and each processing routine is processed in parallel.

Each processing routine is an upper lifter processing routine.
(1), middle lifter processing routine (2), lower lifter processing routine (3), multi-transport processing routine (4), upper transport processing routine (5), middle transport processing routine (6), lower transport processing routine (7 ), A mode monitoring processing routine (8), a registration processing routine (9), and the like. Hereinafter, individual processing of each processing routine (excluding the upper lifter processing, the middle lifter processing, the lower lifter processing, the multi-transport processing, and the upper transport processing according to the present invention) will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of the mode monitoring processing routine shown in FIG. Note that (1) to (20) indicate each step.

First, the paper feed start signal from the main body is turned on.
It is determined whether or not it is in the state (1). If the sheet feed start signal is ON, the sheet feeding operation from the PFU 2 to the copying apparatus 1 is started. When the paper feed start signal is turned on, a flag indicating that the sheet is being conveyed is set (specific bits set corresponding to the status management area set on the RAM 33) (2). Then, the number data N set by the operation unit (not shown) and the size data S of the selected or automatically selected paper size are loaded into the RAM 33 (3).
.

Next, it is determined whether or not the copy number data N is "0", that is, whether or not the copy processing of the set number has been completed (4). If YES, the process proceeds to step (20).
In step (2), the transport flag set on the RAM 33 is reset, and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (4) is NO, the paper size data is compared with the paper size set on the lower deck 8 to determine whether or not they match.
(5) If YES, it is determined whether or not the lower transport flag is set (6). If NO, it is determined whether or not the lower deck 8 has no paper from the output of the lower paper presence sensor 12d.
(7) If NO, the lower conveyance flag is set (8), the number data N is decremented by "1" (9), and step
Return to (4).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (5) is NO and the determinations in steps (6) and (7) are YES, the paper size data is compared with the paper size set in the middle deck 7 and both are compared. It is determined whether or not coincides (10), if YES, it is determined whether or not the middle conveyance flag is set (11),
If NO, it is determined from the output of the middle paper presence / absence sensor 12c whether or not the middle deck 7 has no paper (12). If NO, the middle conveyance flag is set (13), and the number data N is set to "1". Increment (9) and return to step (4).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (10) is NO, and if the determination in steps (11) and (12) is YES, the paper size data is compared with the paper size set on the upper deck 6 and both are compared. Are determined (14). If YES, it is determined from the output of the upper paper presence / absence sensor 12b whether the upper deck 6 has no paper (15). If NO, the upper transport flag is set (16). ), The number data N is decremented by "1".
(9) Return to step (4).

On the other hand, if NO in step (14), step (1)
In the case of YES in 5), the paper size data is compared with the paper size set in the multi-bypass unit 5 to determine whether they match (17). Multi paper presence detection sensor 12 to determine whether paper is present
It is determined from the output of a (18), and if NO, the multi-conveyance flag is set (19), the number data N is decremented by "1" (9), and the process returns to step (4).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (17) is NO and the determination in step (18) is YES, the process returns to step (4).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of the lower transport processing routine shown in FIG. Note that (1) to (10) indicate each step.

First, it is checked whether or not the lower conveyance flag is set (1). If the lower conveyance flag is set, the lower pickup solenoid 44c is turned on to convey the paper in the paper stacking section, and the lower paper feeder is turned on. The lower clutch 46c and the lower transport motor 53 are turned on to rotate the rollers.
(2). When the first lower path sensor 2d is turned on
(3) The lower transport counter for counting pulses from the encoder attached to the lower transport motor 53 is started (4), and when the count set in the lower transport counter is completed (5), the first The sheet is transported between the lower path sensor 2d and the first lower transport roller 512, and the sheet is reliably transported to the position where the first lower transport roller 512 is provided.

Next, the lower pickup solenoid 44
c and the lower clutch 46c are both turned off (6), and when the paper passes through the second lower pass sensor 2e and is turned on (7),
The lower conveyance motor 53 is turned off (8), and the conveyance of the paper is stopped, and a lower ready flag indicating that the leading end of the paper has been conveyed to the position where the second lower path sensor 2e is disposed is set (9). Then, it waits for the lower ready flag to be reset by the registration processing routine described later (1).
0), When reset, return to step (1).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of the registration processing routine shown in FIG. Note that (1) to (12) indicate each step.

First, it is determined whether or not the lower ready flag is set (1). If the lower ready flag is set, it is determined whether or not the middle register flag is set (2). Since the sheet is being conveyed, the process returns to step (1) to wait for sheet conveyance. If NO, the lower register flag is set (3), and the lower resist processing is performed (4). This lower register flag is lower deck 8
Indicates that the paper from is being registered.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (1) is NO, it is determined whether the middle-stage ready flag has been set (5). If the middle-stage ready flag has been set, whether the lower-stage registration flag has been set (6),
If YES, the sheet is being conveyed, so that the sheet is conveyed, the process returns to step (1), and if NO, the middle register flag is set (7) and the middle register processing is performed (8).
The middle register flag indicates that the sheet from the middle deck 7 is being registered.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (5) is NO, it is determined whether or not the upper transport flag is set (9). If YES, the upper register processing is executed (10).
Returning to step (1), if NO, it is determined whether or not the multi-transport flag is set (11) .If NO, the process returns to step (1) .If YES, the multi-registration processing is executed (12). Return to step (1).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of the lower registration processing routine shown in FIG. Note that (1) to (9) indicate each step.

First, the lower-stage clutch 46c is turned off and the lower-stage conveyance motor 53 is turned on to convey the sheet to the registration roller of the main body (1). Next, the lower register count is started (2), and when the lower register count is completed (3), the lower transport motor 53 is turned off (4).
By counting this lower resist count,
The sheet is conveyed to the main body registration roller, and stops at that position. Then, it waits for a registration signal, which is a signal for conveying the sheet into the main body of the copying apparatus 1, to be turned on.
(5) When the registration signal is turned on, the lower conveyance motor is turned on (6). When the rear end of the sheet turns off the second lower path sensor 2e (7), the lower conveying motor 53 is turned off (8), the lower conveying flag and the lower ready flag are reset (9), and a series of processing is performed. To end. Note that the middle-stage transfer process conforms to the lower-stage transfer process, and the middle-stage resist process conforms to the lower-stage resist process.

In the above embodiment, the upper, middle, lower,
A case has been described in which sheets of the same size are sequentially and cyclically conveyed from a deck capable of feeding paper through a dedicated conveyance path set for each sheet stacking unit such as a multi-sheet stacking unit. The present invention can be applied to a sheet material feeding apparatus to which a plurality of sheet conveying paths are added. Hereinafter, a second embodiment will be described. Second Embodiment FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a sheet feeding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in this figure, in this embodiment, the sheet transport path PAT for the paper fed from the lower deck 8 is used.
H1 and PATH2 are provided.

FIG. 12 is a control block diagram for explaining the control mechanism of PFU 2 shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of a load drive circuit indicating a control target of CPU 31 shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 shows each of the decks 6, 8 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a drive control circuit of a transport motor that transports the images. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation will be described.

A clock generator 58 connected to the CPU 31 generates a reference clock pulse (reference pulse) P corresponding to the transport speed of the upper deck 6 and the lower deck 8.
1 and P2 are output, and the respective PLL control circuits 55 and
56. These reference pulses P1 and P2 and the upper transport motor 5 for driving the upper deck 6 and the lower deck 8
1, frequency comparison and phase comparison with encoder pulses E1 and E3 generated by rotation of the lower conveying motor 53,
Each differential signal and the PW connected to the CPU 31
The motor application execution voltage is made variable and the motor rotation speed is made constant by a pulse duty ratio obtained by comparing a pulse output from the M pulse generator 59 with a sawtooth wave or a triangular wave integrated by the integration circuits 60 and 61.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a connection state between PFU 2 and copying apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
The same components as those in 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 501 denotes a multi-feed roller, which is linked to a multi-feed motor. Reference numeral 502 denotes an upper-stage paper feed roller, which can be linked to the upper-stage transport motor 51 via the upper-stage clutch 46a. Reference numeral 504 denotes a lower feed roller, which is configured to be able to interlock with the lower transfer motor 53 via the lower clutch 46c. Reference numeral 505 denotes a multi-pickup roller, which is linked to the multi-sheet feed roller 501, and is brought into contact with the paper surface by the multi-pickup solenoid 43.
Non-contact. Reference numeral 506 denotes an upper pickup roller, which is linked to the upper paper feed roller 502, and is brought into contact with and non-contact with the paper surface by the upper pickup solenoid 44a. Reference numeral 508 denotes a lower pick-up roller, and a lower feed roller.
The lower stage pickup solenoid 44c makes contact with and non-contact with the sheet of paper. 509
Denotes an upper conveying roller, which is a sheet fed from the upper deck 6 or a multi-manual feed unit 5 in cooperation with the upper conveying motor 51.
Transports the paper fed from.

Reference numeral 510 denotes a first middle conveyance roller, which conveys the paper fed from the upper deck 6 into the main body in conjunction with the upper conveyance motor 51. Reference numeral 511 denotes a second middle conveyance roller which conveys the paper fed from the first middle conveyance roller 510 to the main body to a position where a registration roller is provided inside the main body.
Reference numeral 512 denotes a first lower conveying roller, which conveys the paper fed from the lower deck 8 to the inside of the main body in conjunction with the lower conveying motor 53. A second lower conveying roller 513 conveys the paper fed from the first lower conveying roller 512 to the main body to a position where a registration roller is provided inside the main body. Reference numeral 520 denotes a first flapper, which controls a sheet conveying direction from the upper deck 6 and the like and a sheet conveying direction from the lower deck 8. 522 is the second
The flapper controls the sheet conveying direction from the lower deck 8 to one of the sheet conveying paths PATH1 and PATH2.

When the middle flapper solenoid (not shown) is off, the upper path is valid, and when the middle flapper solenoid is on, the lower path is valid. Similarly, when the lower flapper solenoid is off, the lower pass is valid, and when the lower flapper solenoid is on, the sheet transport path PATH1 is valid. The second lower transport roller 513 is configured to operate in conjunction with the lower transport motor 53 when the intermediate clutch 1 (not shown) is turned on, and similarly, the second middle transport roller 511 is configured to operate in conjunction with the lower transport motor 53 when the intermediate clutch 2 (not shown) is turned on. Have been.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the second main processing procedure in the sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention.
It is. Note that (1) to (8) indicate each treated routine,
Each processing routine is processed in parallel.

Each of the processing routines is an upper lifter processing routine.
(1), lower lifter processing routine (2), multi-transport processing routine (3), upper transport processing routine (4), first lower transport processing routine (5), second lower transport processing routine (6), mode monitoring Processing routine (7), resist processing routine (8)
And so on. Hereinafter, individual processing of each processing routine (excluding the upper lifter processing, the middle lifter processing, the lower lifter processing, the multi-transport processing, and the upper transport processing according to the present invention) will be described.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of the mode monitoring processing routine shown in FIG. Note that (1) to (15) indicate each step.

First, the paper feed start signal from the main body is turned on.
It is determined whether or not it is in the state (1). If the sheet feed start signal is ON, the sheet feeding operation from the PFU 2 to the copying apparatus 1 is started. When the paper feed start signal is turned on, a flag indicating that the sheet is being conveyed is set (specific bits set corresponding to the status management area set on the RAM 33) (2). Then, the number data N set by the operation unit (not shown) and the size data S of the selected or automatically selected paper size are loaded into the RAM 33 (3).
.

Next, it is determined whether or not the copy number data N is "0", that is, whether or not the copy processing of the set number has been completed (4). If YES, the process proceeds to step (15).
In step (2), the transport flag set on the RAM 33 is reset, and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (4) is NO, the paper feed size data is compared with the paper size set in the lower deck 8 to determine whether or not they match.
(5) If YES, it is determined whether the first lower transport flag is set (6). If NO, the first lower transport flag is set (7), and the number data N is set to "1". Decrement (8), and return to step (4). The first lower transport flag is a flag indicating that the paper on the lower deck 8 is transported using the lower sheet transport path PATH1.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (6) is YES, it is determined whether the second lower transport flag is set.
(9) If NO, set the second lower transport flag (1
0), the number data N is decremented by "1" (8), and the process returns to step (4). The first lower transport flag is a flag indicating that the paper on the lower deck 8 is transported using the upper sheet transport path PATH2.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (5) is NO, the paper size data is compared with the paper size set on the upper deck 6 to determine whether or not they match.
(11) If YES, set the upper conveyance flag (12),
The number data N is decremented by "1" (8), and the process returns to step (4).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (11) is NO, the paper size data is compared with the paper size set in the multi-manual feeder 5 to determine whether or not they match (1).
3) If YES, set the multi-transport flag (14),
The number data N is decremented by "1" (8), and the process returns to step (4).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (13) is NO, the process returns to step (4).

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of the first lower-stage transport processing routine shown in FIG. Note that (1) to (11) indicate each step.

First, it is confirmed whether or not the first lower transport flag is set (1). If the first lower transport flag is set, the lower pickup solenoid 44c is turned on to transport the paper in the paper stacking section, and the lower lower solenoid 44c is turned on. The lower clutch 46c and the lower transport motor 53 are turned on to rotate the paper feed roller (2). Then, when the first lower path sensor 2d is turned on (3), the second middle clutch is turned off (4), the first middle clutch is turned on, the lower flapper solenoid is turned off, and an encoder attached to the lower transfer motor 53 is turned on. The lower transport counter for counting the pulses from the lower transport counter is started (5), and when the count set in the lower transport counter is completed (6), the interval between the first lower transport sensor 2d and the first lower transport roller 512 is started. Is transported, and the paper is reliably transported to the position where the first lower transport roller 512 is disposed.

Next, the lower pickup solenoid 44
c and the lower clutch 46c are both turned off (7), and when the paper passes through the second lower pass sensor 2e and is turned on (8),
The lower conveyance motor 53 is turned off (9), the paper conveyance is stopped, and the first lower ready flag indicating that the leading end of the paper has been conveyed to the position where the second lower path sensor 2e is disposed is set (10). Then, it waits until the lower ready flag is reset by a registration processing routine described later.
(11) When reset, return to step (1).

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the detailed procedure of the second lower-stage transport processing routine shown in FIG. Note that (1) to (11) indicate each step.

First, it is checked whether the second lower transport flag is set (1). If the second lower transport flag is set, the lower pickup solenoid 44c is turned on to transport the paper in the paper stacking section, and the lower lower transport solenoid 44c is turned on. The lower clutch 46c and the lower transport motor 53 are turned on to rotate the paper feed roller (2). When the first lower pass sensor 2d is turned on (3), the second middle clutch is turned on (4), the lower flapper solenoid is turned on, and the lower transfer motor 53 is turned on.
The lower transport counter for counting pulses from the encoder attached to the lower transport counter is started (5), and when the count set in the lower transport counter is completed (6), the first lower transport sensor 2d and the first lower transport are started. The sheet is conveyed between the rollers 512, and the sheet is reliably conveyed to the position where the first lower conveying roller 512 is provided.

Next, the lower pick-up solenoid 44
c and the lower clutch 46c are both turned off (7), and when the paper passes through the second middle pass sensor 2c and is turned on (8),
The lower conveyance motor 53 is turned off (9), the conveyance of the paper is stopped, and a second lower ready flag indicating that the leading end of the paper has been conveyed to the position where the second middle path sensor 2c is disposed is set (10). Then, the process waits for the second lower-stage ready flag to be reset by a later-described registration processing routine (11), and when reset, returns to step (1).

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of the registration processing routine shown in FIG.
Note that (1) to (12) indicate each step.

First, it is determined whether the first lower-stage ready flag is set (1). If the first lower-stage ready flag is set, it is determined whether the second lower-stage register flag is set (2). If YES, the sheet is being conveyed, so that the sheet is conveyed, and the process returns to step (1). If NO, the first lower register flag is set (3).
Then, a first lower resist process is performed (4). The first lower register flag indicates that the sheet is fed from the lower deck 8 and the sheet from the lower sheet transport path PATH1 is being registered.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (1) is NO, it is determined whether or not the second lower ready flag is set (5). If the second lower ready flag is set, the first lower ready flag is set. It is determined whether or not the flag is set (6). If YES, the sheet is being conveyed, so that the sheet is conveyed, and the process returns to step (1). If NO, the second lower register flag is set (7). ), A second lower resist process is performed (8). The second lower register flag indicates that the sheet is fed from the lower deck 8 and the sheet from the upper sheet transport path PATH2 is being registered.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (5) is NO, it is determined whether or not the upper transport flag is set (9). If YES, the upper register processing is executed (10).
Returning to step (1), if NO, it is determined whether or not the multi-transport flag is set (11) .If NO, the process returns to step (1) .If YES, the multi-registration processing is executed (12). Return to step (1).

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of the detailed procedure of the first lower registration processing routine shown in FIG. Note that (1) to (9) indicate each step.

First, the lower-stage clutch 46c is turned off and the lower-stage conveyance motor 53 is turned on to convey the sheet to the registration roller of the main body (1). Next, the first lower register count is started (2). When the first lower register count is completed (3), the lower transfer motor 53 is turned off (4). By counting the lower registration count, the paper is conveyed to the main body registration roller and stopped at that position. Then, the control waits until a registration signal serving as a signal for conveying the sheet into the copying machine 1 is turned on (5). When the registration signal is turned on, the lower conveyance motor 53 is turned on (6). When the rear end of the sheet turns off the second lower sensor (lower path sensor 2) 2e (7), the lower conveying motor 53 is turned off (8), and the first lower conveying flag and the first lower ready flag are reset. do it
(9) Then, a series of processing ends.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the detailed procedure of the second lower register processing routine shown in FIG. Note that (1) to (9) indicate each step.

First, the lower-stage clutch 46c is turned off and the lower-stage conveyance motor 53 is turned on to convey the sheet to the registration roller of the main body (1). Next, the second lower register count is started (2). When the second lower register count is completed (3), the lower transport motor 53 is turned off (4). By counting the second lower registration count, the paper is conveyed to the main body registration roller,
Stop at that position. Then, the control waits until a registration signal serving as a signal for conveying the sheet into the copying machine 1 is turned on (5). When the registration signal is turned on, the lower conveyance motor 53 is turned on (6). When the rear end of the sheet turns off the second middle sensor (middle pass sensor 2) 2c (7), the lower conveyance motor 53 is turned off (8), and the second lower conveyance flag and the second lower ready flag are reset. Then, (9), the series of processing ends.

In the first and second embodiments, it is possible to detect the size of paper loaded on each of the decks 6 to 8 and the presence or absence of the paper, and if the same size paper can be fed to a plurality of decks. As long as each of the decks 6 to 8 is sequentially selected and the paper is conveyed, the case where the paper of the same size is continuously conveyed without lowering the conveyance efficiency has been described. Since the paper conveyed from 6 to 8 is conveyed to the registration roller position of the main body via a plurality of conveyance paths, a jam may occur on any of the conveyance paths. In this case, if the sheet conveyance is stopped due to a jam on one conveyance path, the conveyance to the conveyance path that can be conveyed is forcibly stopped, and the user is forced to stop the conveyance on one conveyance path. If the jam release process is not performed, continuous continuous copy processing cannot be performed, and the paper transport must be restarted as a completely different job by the jam release process, thereby increasing the control load.

Therefore, as in a third embodiment described later,
By controlling the above-described transport path selection mode processing while individually detecting an abnormal state on each transport path, it is possible to further increase the transport efficiency. Third Embodiment FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of a mode monitoring processing procedure in a sheet feeding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Incidentally, (1) to (22) indicate each step. Also,
The configuration of the sheet feeding apparatus to be applied is the same as that shown in the first embodiment.

First, the feed start signal from the main body is turned on.
It is determined whether or not it is in the state (1). If the sheet feed start signal is ON, the sheet feeding operation from the PFU 2 to the copying apparatus 1 is started. When the paper feed start signal is turned on, a flag indicating that the sheet is being conveyed is set (specific bits set corresponding to the status management area set on the RAM 33) (2). Then, the number data N set by the operation unit (not shown) and the size data S of the selected or automatically selected paper size are loaded into the RAM 33 (3).
.

Next, it is determined whether or not the number data N is "0", that is, whether or not the set number of copies has been completed (4). If YES, the process proceeds to step (20).
In (2), the transport flag set on the RAM 33 is reset, and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (4) is NO, the paper feed size data is compared with the paper size set in the lower deck 8 to determine whether or not they match.
(5) If YES, it is determined from the sensors 2d and 2e whether or not a jam has occurred on the lower conveying path (6).
If O, it is determined whether the lower conveyance flag is set (7), and if NO, the lower conveyance flag is set.
(8) The number data N is decremented by "1" (9),
Return to step (4).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (5) is NO, and if the determination in steps (6) and (7) is YES, the paper size data is compared with the paper size set on the middle deck 7 and both are compared. Are determined (10). If YES, it is determined from the sensors 2b and 2c whether a jam has occurred on the middle transport path (11). If NO, the middle transport flag is set. It is determined whether or not the sheet is present (12). If NO, the middle-stage transport flag is set (13), the number data N is decremented by "1" (9), and the process returns to step (4).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (10) is NO, and if the determination in steps (11) and (12) is YES, the paper size data is compared with the paper size set on the upper deck 6 and both are compared. Is determined (14), if YES, it is determined from the sensor 2a whether a jam has occurred on the upper transport path (15), and if NO, the upper transport flag is set (16). ), The number data N is decremented by "1".
(9) Return to step (4).

On the other hand, if NO in step (14), step (1)
If YES in 5), the paper size data is compared with the paper size set in the multi-bypass unit 5 to determine whether they match (17). It is determined from the sensor 2a whether or not a jam has occurred (18). If NO, the multi-conveyance flag is set (19), and the number data N is decremented by "1" (9).
And return to step (4). On the other hand, if the determination in step (17) is NO and the determination in step (18) is YES, step (4)
Return to

On the other hand, if the determination in step (1) is NO, it is determined whether or not a jam has been detected (21).
If O, return to step (1). If YES, perform an abnormal processing routine such as processing, display, communication, etc. of the drive unit such as a transport operation.
(twenty two).

As described above, in the present embodiment, control is performed so as not to start the conveyance from the loading section where the jam is detected. Therefore, for example, when a jam is detected in the lower stage during continuous conveyance in the lower stage and the size of the stacking paper in the middle stage is the same size as the lower stage, the image forming operation of the copying apparatus main body is not interrupted, and the conveyance from the middle stacking portion is performed. Can be switched. Then, after the end of a series of continuous operations, the lower jam is displayed. Therefore, operability is improved because there is no recovery operation after unnecessary interruption of the copy operation.

In this embodiment, a jam has been described as an abnormal state. However, another cause such as a motor drive error (the motor does not rotate due to poor contact or the like) may be used as the abnormal state.

Hereinafter, the lower transfer processing operation in the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing an example of a lower conveying process procedure in the sheet feeding apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Note that (1) to (14) indicate each step. First, it is checked whether the lower conveyance flag is set (1). If it is set, the lower pickup solenoid 4 is used to convey the paper in the paper stacking section.
4c is turned on, and the lower clutch 46c and the lower transport motor 53 are turned on to rotate the lower paper feed roller 504;
Further, a check counter (delay jam count) for jam detection is started (2). In other words, if the above-described delay jam count ends before the first lower pass sensor 2d is turned on (11), it is determined that the sheet is not being conveyed normally and a jam is performed (12).

When the first lower path sensor 2d is turned on (3), the lower transport counter for counting pulses from the encoder attached to the lower transport motor 53 is started.
(4) When the count set in the lower conveyance counter is completed (5), the paper is conveyed between the first lower pass sensor 2d and the first lower conveyance roller 512, and the paper is conveyed to the first lower conveyance roller 512. Is securely transported to the disposition position.

Next, the lower pick-up solenoid 44
c and the lower clutch 46c are both turned off, and a check counter (delay jam counter) is started (6). When the above-described delay jam count ends before the second lower pass sensor 2e is turned on for the sheet,
(13) It is determined that the paper is not normally conveyed, and a jam occurs (14).

Next, when the sheet passes through the second lower path sensor 2e and is turned on (7), the lower conveying motor 53 is turned off (8), the sheet conveyance is stopped, and the leading end of the sheet is moved to the second lower path sensor. The lower-stage ready flag indicating that the sheet has been transported to the location 2e is set (9). Then, it waits for the lower ready flag to be reset by a registration processing routine described later (10), and when reset, returns to step (1).

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of a registration processing routine in the sheet material feeding apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. (1) to (12)
Indicates each step.

First, it is determined whether or not the lower ready flag is set (1). If the lower ready flag is set, it is determined whether or not the middle register flag is set (2). Since the sheet is being conveyed, the process returns to step (1) to wait for sheet conveyance. If NO, the lower register flag is set (3), and the lower resist processing is performed (4). This lower register flag is lower deck 8
Indicates that the paper from is being registered.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (1) is NO, it is determined whether the middle-stage ready flag is set (5). If the middle-stage ready flag is set, whether the lower-stage registration flag is set (6),
If YES, the sheet is being conveyed, so that the sheet is conveyed, the process returns to step (1), and if NO, the middle register flag is set (7), and the middle register processing is performed (8).
The middle register flag indicates that the sheet from the middle deck 7 is being registered.

On the other hand, if the judgment in the step (5) is NO, it is judged whether or not the upper conveyance flag is set (9). If the judgment is YES, the upper registration processing is executed (10).
Returning to step (1), if NO, it is determined whether or not the multi-transport flag is set (11) .If NO, the process returns to step (1) .If YES, the multi-registration processing is executed (12). Return to step (1).

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of the detailed procedure of the lower registration processing routine shown in FIG. Note that (1) to (12) indicate each step.

First, the lower-stage clutch 46c is turned off and the lower-stage conveyance motor 53 is turned on to convey the sheet to the registration rollers of the main body (1). Next, the lower register count is started (2), and when the lower register count is completed (3), the lower transport motor 53 is turned off (4).
By counting this lower resist count,
The sheet is conveyed to the main body registration roller, and stops at that position. Then, it waits for a registration signal, which is a signal for conveying the sheet into the main body of the copying apparatus 1, to be turned on.
(5) When the registration signal is turned on, the lower transport motor 5
3 and turn on the jam detection counter (remaining jam count) (6). If the jam counter is terminated (10) before the trailing edge of the sheet turns off the second lower sensor 2e (7), a jam clearing routine is executed (11).

On the other hand, in step (7), the second lower sensor 2e
Is turned off, the lower conveying motor 53 is turned off (8), and the lower conveying flag and the lower ready flag are reset (9).
, A series of processing ends. Fourth Embodiment FIGS. 27 and 28 are flowcharts showing an example of a mode monitoring processing procedure in a sheet feeding apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
It is a chart. Incidentally, (1) to (32) indicate each step. In addition, as a configuration of the sheet material feeding device to be applied,
It is the same as that shown in the first embodiment.

First, the paper feed start signal from the main body is turned on.
It is determined whether or not it is in the state (1). If the sheet feed start signal is ON, the sheet feeding operation from the PFU 2 to the copying apparatus 1 is started. When the paper feed start signal is turned on, a flag indicating that the sheet is being conveyed is set (specific bits set corresponding to the status management area set on the RAM 33) (2). Then, the number data N set by the operation unit (not shown) and the size data S of the selected or automatically selected paper size are loaded into the RAM 33 (3).
.

Next, it is determined whether or not the copy number data N is "0", that is, whether or not the set number of copies has been completed.
(4) If YES, go to step (24), step (2)
Then, the transport flag set on the RAM 33 is reset, and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (4) is NO, the paper size data is compared with the paper size set in the lower deck 8 to determine whether or not they match.
(5) If YES, it is determined from the sensors 2d and 2e whether a jam has occurred on the lower conveying path (6), and Y
If ES, the process proceeds to step (27) and later. If NO, it is determined whether or not the lower deck 8 has no paper from the output of the lower paper presence sensor 12d (7). If NO, it is determined whether or not the lower transport flag is set. It is determined (8), and if NO, the lower conveyance flag is set (9), the number data N is decremented by "1" (10), and the process returns to step (4).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (5) is NO, and if the determination in steps (7) and (8) is YES, the paper size data is compared with the paper size set on the middle deck 7 to compare the two. Are determined (11), and if YES, it is determined from the sensors 2b and 2c whether a jam has occurred on the middle conveying path (12), and if YES, the step (30) is performed.
If NO, it is determined whether or not the middle deck 7 has no paper from the output of the middle paper presence sensor 12c (13).
If it is, it is determined whether the middle conveyance flag is set (14), and if NO, the middle conveyance flag is set (1
5) The number data N is decremented by "1" (10), and the process returns to step (4).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (11) is NO and the determination in steps (11) to (14) is YES, the paper feed size data is compared with the paper size set on the upper deck 6 and both are compared. (16), and if YES, it is determined from the sensor 2a whether or not a jam has occurred on the upper conveyance path (17), and whether or not the upper deck 6 has no paper is determined by the presence or absence of upper paper. Judgment is made from the output of the sensor 12b (18), and if NO, the upper conveyance flag is set (19), the number data N is decremented by "1" (10), and the process returns to step (4).

On the other hand, if NO in step (16), step (1)
If YES in steps 7) and (18), the paper size data is compared with the paper size set in the multi-bypass unit 5 to determine whether they match (20). It is determined from the sensor 2a whether or not a jam has occurred on the transport path (21). If NO, it is determined from the output of the multi-paper presence / absence detection sensor 12a whether or not the multi-hand feed unit 5 is out of paper (22). If NO, the multi-conveyance flag is set (23), and the number data N is decremented by "1" (1).
0), and return to step (4).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (20) is NO and the determination in steps (21) and (22) is YES, the process returns to step (4).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (1) is NO, it is determined whether a jam has been detected (25).
If O, return to step (1). If YES, perform an abnormal processing routine such as processing, display, communication, etc. of the drive unit such as a transport operation.
(26).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (6) is YES, it is determined whether the size of the sheet placed on the lower deck 8 matches the size of the sheet on the middle deck 7 (27), and NO
Then, the process returns to step (11), and in the case of YES, it is determined whether or not a jam has occurred on the middle conveyance path (28), and N
If O, return to step (11). If YES, perform an abnormal processing routine such as processing, display, communication, etc. of the drive unit such as a transport operation.
(29).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (12) is YES, it is determined whether the size of the sheet placed on the lower deck 8 and the size of the sheet on the middle deck 7 match (30), and NO
Then, the process returns to step (16), and in the case of YES, it is determined whether a jam has occurred on the lower transport path (31), and N
If O, return to step (16). If YES, perform an abnormal processing routine such as processing, display, communication, etc. of the drive unit such as a transport operation.
(32).

As described above, in the present embodiment, control is performed so as not to start the conveyance from the loading section where the jam is detected. Therefore, for example, when the lower jam is detected during the continuous conveyance in the lower stage and the size of the stacking paper in the middle stage is the same size as the lower stage, the image forming operation of the copier main body is not interrupted, and the conveyance is switched to the middle stage. Is shown. Then, at this time, if a jam is detected in the middle stage, the jam is displayed immediately. Then, control is performed so as to wait for the subsequent jam release. Fifth Embodiment FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an example of a mode monitoring processing procedure in a sheet feeding apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Note that (1) to (28) indicate each step. Also,
The configuration of the sheet feeding apparatus to be applied is the same as that shown in the first embodiment.

First, the paper feed start signal from the main body is turned on.
It is determined whether or not it is in the state (1). If the sheet feed start signal is ON, the sheet feeding operation from the PFU 2 to the copying apparatus 1 is started. When the paper feed start signal is turned on, a flag indicating that the sheet is being conveyed is set (specific bits set corresponding to the status management area set on the RAM 33) (2). Then, the number data N set by the operation unit (not shown) and the size data S of the selected or automatically selected paper size are loaded into the RAM 33 (3).
.

Next, it is determined whether or not the copy number data N is "0", that is, whether or not the set number of copies has been completed (4). If YES, the process proceeds to step (24).
In step (2), the transport flag set on the RAM 33 is reset, and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (4) is NO, the paper feed size data is compared with the paper size set on the lower deck 8 to determine whether or not they match.
(5) If YES, it is determined from the sensors 2d and 2e whether or not a jam has occurred on the lower conveying path (6).
If O, it is determined from the output of the lower paper presence / absence sensor 12d whether the lower deck 8 has no paper (7), and if NO, it is determined whether the lower transport flag is set (8), NO
Then, the lower conveyance flag is set (9), and the number data N
Is decremented by "1" (10), and the process returns to step (4).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (5) is NO, and if the determination in steps (6) to (8) is YES, the paper size data is compared with the paper size set on the middle deck 7, and Are determined (11), and if YES, it is determined from the sensors 2b and 2c whether a jam has occurred on the middle transport path (12), and if NO, the middle deck 7 has no paper. It is determined from the output of the middle paper presence sensor 12c (13), if NO, it is determined whether the middle paper transport flag is set (14), and if NO, the middle paper transport flag is set (15), Data N is decremented by "1" (10), and the process returns to step (4).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (11) is NO, and if the determination in steps (12) to (14) is YES, the paper size data is compared with the paper size set on the upper deck 6 and both are compared. (16), and if YES, it is determined from the sensor 2a whether or not a jam has occurred on the upper conveyance path (17), and whether or not the upper deck 6 has no paper is determined by the presence or absence of upper paper. Judgment is made from the output of the sensor 12b (18), and if NO, the upper conveyance flag is set (19), the number data N is decremented by "1" (10), and the process returns to step (4).

On the other hand, if NO in step (16), step (1)
If YES in steps 7) and (18), the paper size data is compared with the paper size set in the multi-bypass unit 5 to determine whether they match (20). It is determined from the sensor 2a whether or not a jam has occurred on the transport path (21). If NO, it is determined from the output of the multi-paper presence / absence detection sensor 12a whether or not the multi-hand feed unit 5 is out of paper (22). If NO, the multi-conveyance flag is set (23), and the number data N is decremented by "1" (1).
0), and return to step (4).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (20) is YES, and if the determination in steps (21) and (22) is YES, it is determined whether there is any stacking portion in which there is no paper (27), and NO If it is, return to step (4).
Execute the chin (28).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (1) is NO, it is determined whether a jam has been detected (25).
If O, return to step (1); if YES, perform an abnormal processing routine such as processing, display, communication, etc. of the drive unit such as a transport operation.
(26).

As described above, in the present embodiment, control is performed so as not to start the conveyance from the loading section where the jam is detected. Therefore, for example, when the lower jam is detected during the continuous conveyance in the lower stage and the size of the stacking paper in the middle stage is the same size as the lower stage, the image forming operation of the copier main body is not interrupted, and the conveyance is switched to the middle stage. Is shown. Then, at this time, when the absence of paper is detected in the middle stage, the paper conveyance is stopped, and the display of the absence of paper is performed. Sixth Embodiment FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing an example of a mode monitoring processing procedure in a sheet feeding apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Incidentally, (1) to (32) indicate each step. Also,
The configuration of the sheet feeding apparatus to be applied is the same as that shown in the first embodiment.

First, the paper feed start signal from the main body is turned on.
It is determined whether or not it is in the state (1). If the sheet feed start signal is ON, the sheet feeding operation from the PFU 2 to the copying apparatus 1 is started. When the paper feed start signal is turned on, a flag indicating that the sheet is being conveyed is set (specific bits set corresponding to the status management area set on the RAM 33) (2). Then, the number data N set by the operation unit (not shown) and the size data S of the selected or automatically selected paper size are loaded into the RAM 33 (3).
.

Next, it is determined whether or not the copy number data N is "0", that is, whether or not the copy processing for the set number of copies has been completed (4). If YES, the process proceeds to step (24).
In step (2), the transport flag set on the RAM 33 is reset, and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (4) is NO, the paper feed size data is compared with the paper size set in the lower deck 8 to determine whether or not they match.
(5) If YES, it is determined from the sensors 2d and 2e whether or not a jam has occurred on the lower conveying path (6).
If O, it is determined whether or not the lower deck 8 has no paper from the output of the lower paper presence sensor 12d (7). If YES, the process proceeds to step (27). If NO, it is determined whether or not the lower transport flag is set. It is determined (8), and if NO, the lower conveyance flag is set (9), the number data N is decremented by "1" (10), and the process returns to step (4).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (5) is NO and the determinations in steps (6) and (8) are YES, the paper size data is compared with the paper size set on the middle deck 7 to compare Are determined (11), and if YES, it is determined from the sensors 2b and 2c whether a jam has occurred on the middle transport path (12), and if NO, the middle deck 7 has no paper. It is determined from the output of the middle paper presence / absence sensor 12c (13), and if YES, the process proceeds to step (30) and the subsequent steps.
If it is, it is determined whether the middle conveyance flag is set (14), and if NO, the middle conveyance flag is set (1
5) The number data N is decremented by "1" (10), and the process returns to step (4).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (11) is NO, and if the determination in steps (12) and (14) is YES, the paper size data is compared with the paper size set on the upper deck 6 and both are compared. Is determined (16), if YES, it is determined from the sensor 2a whether a jam has occurred on the upper transport path (17), and if NO, it is determined whether the upper deck 6 has no paper. Judgment is made from the output of the upper paper presence sensor 12b (1
8) If NO, the upper conveyance flag is set (19), and the number data N is decremented by "1" (10).
Return to (4).

On the other hand, if NO in step (16), step (1)
If YES in steps 7) and (18), the paper size data is compared with the paper size set in the multi-bypass unit 5 to determine whether they match (20). It is determined from the sensor 2a whether or not a jam has occurred on the transport path (21). If NO, it is determined from the output of the multi-paper presence / absence detection sensor 12a whether or not the multi-hand feed unit 5 is out of paper (22). If NO, the multi-conveyance flag is set (23), and the number data N is decremented by "1" (1).
0), and return to step (4).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (20) is NO and the determination in steps (21) and (22) is YES, the process returns to step (4).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (1) is NO, it is determined whether a jam has been detected (25).
If O, return to step (1). If YES, perform an abnormal processing routine such as processing, display, communication, etc. of the drive unit such as a transport operation.
(26).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (7) is YES, it is determined whether or not the size of the sheet placed on the lower deck 8 matches the sheet size of the middle deck 7 (27), and NO
Then, the process returns to step (11), and in the case of YES, it is determined whether or not a jam has occurred on the middle conveyance path (28), and N
If O, return to step (11). If YES, perform an abnormal processing routine such as processing, display, communication, etc. of the drive unit such as a transport operation.
(29).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (12) is YES, it is determined whether the size of the sheet placed on the lower deck 8 and the size of the sheet on the middle deck 7 match (30), and NO
Then, the process returns to step (16), and in the case of YES, it is determined whether a jam has occurred on the lower transport path (31), and N
If O, return to step (16). If YES, perform an abnormal processing routine such as processing, display, communication, etc. of the drive unit such as a transport operation.
(32). Steps (27) to (32) are the same as those in FIG.

As described above, in the present embodiment, control is performed so as not to start the conveyance from the loading section where the jam is detected. Therefore, for example, when the lower jam is detected during the continuous conveyance in the lower stage, and the size of the stacked paper in the middle stage is the same size as the lower stage, the image forming operation of the copying apparatus main body is not interrupted, and the conveyance is switched to the middle stage. Thereafter, when the absence of paper is detected in the middle stage, the conveyance of the paper is stopped, and the jam in the lower stage is displayed. At this time, the fifth
In addition to the embodiment, it is also possible to display that there is no paper. Thereafter, control is performed so as to be in a state of waiting for jam release.

[0153]

As described above, according to the present invention, the jam detection is performed.
By means of the knowledge, in a plurality of conveyance means and a plurality of paper feeding means
When the jam of the sheet is detected, the control means
Sheet of the same size as the sheet on which the
Switch to a paper source that can feed paper and continue feeding sheets.
And the jam is detected by the jam detection means.
Display control means will immediately indicate that a jam has occurred.
After a series of conveyance is completed without any
Is displayed, so if a paper jam occurs, feed
Can be prevented from being interrupted, and the
As well as switching the paper feeding means
While the paper is being fed, clear the jam
The operation of the equipment is stopped,
Or cause more jams
Can be prevented .

When it is instructed to continuously feed a plurality of sheets of the same size from a plurality of sheet feeding means and a plurality of conveying means, the size detection means detects the size of the sheet recording medium. Then, the sheet feeding control means causes the sheet to be fed while sequentially switching the plurality of sheet feeding means and conveying means capable of feeding the same size, and detects an abnormality.
Paper feed means and transport means
Because the outer, it is possible to prevent the use in succession one of the sheet feeding means would accelerate the wear of the roller and the motor, also,
The operation intervals of the rollers and motors can be extended, and the sheet conveyance efficiency can be improved while securing a margin against slippage of each conveyance path drive system, and the temperature rise of each conveyance path drive system is suppressed to increase durability. Can , moreover, jam etc.
Processing is performed by the paper feeder and transporter that detected the
Interruption can be prevented.

Further, since the paper feeding control means sequentially switches the paper feeding means for each sheet, it is possible to prevent the use of one paper feeding means continuously to accelerate the consumption of the rollers and the motor. In addition, the operation intervals of the rollers and motors can be increased, and the sheet conveyance efficiency can be improved while securing a margin against slippage of each conveyance path drive system, and the temperature rise of each conveyance path drive system can be suppressed, resulting in durability. Can be increased .

[0156]

[0157]

[0158]

Therefore, even if a jam occurs, it is possible to prevent the sheet feeding from being interrupted halfway, and the apparatus can be operated efficiently. In addition, it is possible to prevent the roller and the motor from being worn out by using one sheet feeding means continuously, and to further increase the operation interval of the roller and the motor.
While ensuring a margin for slippage of the conveyance path drive system, it is possible to improve the sheet conveying efficiency, to suppress the Atsushi Nobori of each conveyance path drive system, it is possible to improve the durability, and
In addition, the paper feeding means and transport
Preventing steps from interrupting processing
It has excellent effects such as being able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a sheet material feeding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram illustrating a control mechanism of the PFU shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a load driving circuit indicating a control target of a CPU illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a transport motor drive control circuit for transporting each deck shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a connection state between the PFU shown in FIG. 1 and a copying apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a main processing procedure in the sheet material feeding apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of a mode monitoring processing routine shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of a lower transfer processing routine shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of a registration processing routine shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of a lower resist processing routine shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a sheet material feeding device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a control block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a PFU shown in FIG.

13 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a load driving circuit indicating a control target of the CPU illustrated in FIG.

14 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a drive control circuit of a transport motor that transports each deck illustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a connection state with the copying apparatus shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a second main processing procedure in the sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of a mode monitoring processing routine shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of a first lower transfer processing routine shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of a second lower transfer processing routine shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of a registration processing routine shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of a lower-stage resist processing routine shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of a second lower resist processing routine shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing an example of a mode monitoring processing procedure in the sheet feeding apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
It is.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an example of a lower conveying process procedure in the sheet feeding apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of a registration processing routine in the sheet material feeding apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of a lower registration processing routine shown in FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an example of a mode monitoring processing procedure in the sheet feeding apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
It is.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing an example of a mode monitoring processing procedure in a sheet feeding apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
It is.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an example of a mode monitoring processing procedure in the sheet material feeding apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
It is.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing an example of a mode monitoring processing procedure in a sheet feeding apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
It is.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Large capacity front loading deck (PF
U) 2a sensor 2b sensor 2c sensor 2d sensor 2e sensor 6 upper deck 7 middle deck 8 lower deck 31 CPU PATH1 upper path PATH2 middle path

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65H 7/06 B65H 3/44 B65H 3/44 340 B65H 5/36 G03G 15/00 516

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of sheet feeding means for feeding a sheet, a plurality of conveying means for conveying a sheet from the plurality of sheet feeding means to an image forming unit via respective conveying paths, and the plurality of conveying means Jam detection means for detecting a sheet jam in the plurality of paper feeding means; display means for displaying that a sheet jam has occurred; and detecting the size of the sheet fed by the plurality of paper feeding means. a size detection means, the by Ri jam the jam detection means is detected, to continue the sheet of paper feeding switches the sheet of the same size as the size of the sheet jam is detected in the feedable paper feeding means When sheet feeding from another sheet feeding means is continued by the control means and the control means, even if a jam is detected by the jam detecting means, the occurrence of the jam is immediately displayed without displaying the occurrence of the jam. And a display control means for displaying the occurrence of a jam on the display means after the conveyance of the sheet material is completed. 2. A plurality of sheet feeding means for feeding a sheet, a plurality of conveying means for conveying a sheet from each of the plurality of sheet feeding means to an image forming unit via a conveying path, and the plurality of sheet feeding means. Size detection means for detecting the size of the sheet fed from each of the above, and when instructed to continuously feed a plurality of sheets of the same size, the same size based on the detection result of the size detection means Paper feed control means for feeding sheets while sequentially switching a plurality of paper feed means and transport means capable of feeding paper, and detecting a transport abnormality in the plurality of paper feed means and transport means.
Abnormality detecting means for detecting the abnormality, wherein the sheet feeding control means includes
It is characterized in that means are sequentially excluded from switching targets.
Sheet material feeding device. 3. The paper feed control means according to claim 2, wherein said paper feed control means sequentially switches the paper feed means for each sheet.
The sheet material feeding device according to the above.