JP3261277B2 - Image forming apparatus provided with document feeder - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a document feeder which is preferably mounted on an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or the like, and automatically loads a document inserted from outside into an image forming position of the image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with a document feeder that automatically discharges outside after executing predetermined processing in the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a copy original is placed on a transparent platen, a document cover is closed, and a copy switch is operated to copy the placed document. The image is formed on a sheet that is appropriately conveyed.

In this case, if the copy original is in the form of a sheet, it is troublesome to manually place the original on the platen. Therefore, the sheet original is placed on a placing tray, and the placed sheet original is removed. A document feeder that automatically feeds paper using a paper feeding unit is provided on a document table. This document feeder feeds the documents on a document placing tray one by one to a document exposing unit in accordance with a feed command from the copying apparatus main body, one by one, starting from the uppermost or lowermost one. Is discharged to the paper discharge tray, and the apparatus becomes very large-sized, and the cost becomes extremely high.

For this reason, if the automatic document feeder is mounted on the main body of the copying apparatus, the cost naturally increases. When the original to be copied is one or several sheets, the use of the automatic document feeder makes it possible to set the original on the tray and to synchronize with the copying apparatus. The copying time is rather long, and there is no difference in the copying time even if the original is manually placed.

For the purpose of cost reduction and the like, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, a document feeder has been proposed which inserts and feeds sheet documents one by one to other exposure positions, separately from a document table which is an exposure unit for placing a document and forming an image. This automatic document feeder has been proposed as Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-67497. In the figure, a document feeder 102 is mounted on a document cover 126 supported to be openable and closable about a shaft 125, and a document tray 130 using the upper surface of the document cover 126 and a document tray 13.
0, a feed roller 131 for feeding the original D, a feed roller 132, and a guide plate 133 for guiding the original D to an exposure unit A on one side of the exposure glass 120. A discharge roller 136 for conveying the original D on the exposure unit A. Etc. are provided.

In this configuration, when the document feeder 102 operates, a document D is fed from a document tray 130, and the document D is conveyed in a state where it is bitten by a platen roller 134 and a driven roller 137. 1
The paper 36 is discharged to a paper discharge tray 135 via. At this time,
The optical system 121 connects the copy lamp 122 to the platen roller 1.
Then, the original D is copied while passing through the exposure area A of the exposure glass 120 while the optical system 121 is fixed.

A transparent platen 120 for image exposure
The original D is placed on the exposure glass 12 and the optical system 121 is
In a normal copying process in which copying is performed by scanning along the line 0, the copy lamp 122 and the like are moved to a position to be exposed by a copy start signal, and the exposure area B is scanned from left to right in the drawing to copy. Do.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-67.
The document feeder described in Japanese Patent No. 497 uses the document cover on the exposure glass serving as a document table, and sequentially feeds the documents to the exposure position. Therefore, the cost can be somewhat reduced.

However, since the exposure area B is provided separately from the normal exposure area A, and the exposure is performed in the exposure area B, the optical system is moved each time by moving the original document to the exposure position. Therefore, it is necessary to control the movement separately from the exposure position to be placed on the document table 120, and the structure is complicated and the scale becomes large as in the conventional automatic document transport device. Therefore, the original is transported from the original tray to the paper discharge tray. In this respect, there is no difference from the conventional automatic document transport apparatus, and there is a disadvantage that the cost is increased accordingly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an original transporting apparatus which has a simple configuration, is small in scale, is inexpensive in cost, and has good operability. The present invention is particularly advantageous when performing copying of one or several sheet documents, and moreover, a document transport device that transports the document manually to an exposure unit on which the document is placed is provided. The purpose is to provide.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for floating a document cover for bringing the document into close contact with the document table when the document is transported to the exposure position, thereby enabling the transport of the document. Another object of the present invention is to provide a document transporting apparatus capable of securely transporting a document, transporting the document to a document table, and then bringing the document into close contact with the document table.

A further object of the present invention is to make it possible to connect a driving force from a driving source on the image forming apparatus main body side to a conveying means on the document cover side in connection of driving to the means for conveying the document. I do.

Another object of the present invention is to ensure that a document is guided into a gap between a document cover and a document table.

[0014]

A document feeder provided in an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a document table for placing a document for image copying and exposing an image of the document. (2) an openable and closable document cover (3) including a document pressing mat (3b) for pressing a document placed on the document table against the document table, and the document cover facing the document table. A lifting mechanism for forming a gap (d) through which the document can pass between the document holding mat and the document table in a closed state, and transporting the sheet document to the gap formed by the floating mechanism. In the image forming apparatus provided with the document transport device having the transport device (34), the transport device is configured by a transport roller (34), and the transport roller is rotatably provided on the document cover side; The levitation mechanism is In conjunction with the document carrying-operation by the rotation of the roller to form a clearance document can pass between the platen and the platen of the document pressing mat,
It is characterized in that it is configured to operate by transmitting the rotation of the rotation shaft of the transport roller.

The drive of the transport roller (34) as the transport means is performed by, for example, providing a document stocker (35), which is a rotating member mounted on the document cover (3), as shown in FIG. A document inserted by opening the document stocker is used as a document guide for guiding the sheet to the above-described transporting means. When the document is rotated, a driving unit (see FIG. 10 and FIG. 11) on the image forming apparatus main body side is used. 350) and a driven gear (341) fixed to the shaft (340) of the transport roller.

In the floating mechanism, in order to correct wrinkles and waving of the original, the rotating cam (345) is driven when the transport roller for transporting the original is driven in the direction opposite to the normal rotation.
Is similarly driven in reverse to release the state in which the document cover is raised above the document table and press the document cover against the document table.

Furthermore, a document holding mat for a document cover
A gap (d) formed between (3b) and the platen (2)
To ensure that the original is conveyed , as shown in FIG.
And a document holding mat (3b) on the side where the document is conveyed.
In addition, an inclined space (e) is formed between the platen (2).
It is configured to be .

[0018]

In the above-described configuration of the present invention, the document cover (3) is manually opened and closed with respect to the document table (2),
Other performing mounting image formation with the original to the platen, can <br/> be conveyed to automatically platen the document by using the document feeder. That is, in a state where the document cover is closed to the document table, the document is inserted into the insertion section where the transport roller (34) is disposed.
When the document is inserted into the document, the document is detected by , for example, document detection means, and the conveyance roller starts rotating in the normal rotation direction for conveying the document, and conveys the document to the document table. At this time, the document cover manuscript Press
Even the mat (3b) is in close contact with the platen by its own weight, but the floating mechanism operates in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller,
Clear the document cover mat on the document cover from the platen (d)
Just to surface . This ensures that the document pressing mat (3
b) is separated from the platen (2) by the gap (d), and the document is carried into the platen by driving the transport rollers.

In this case, when the document stocker (35), which is a rotating member, is opened, the document stocker can be used as a document guide. In connection with this opening operation, the driving unit (350) on the image forming apparatus main body side is connected to the transport roller. That is,
When the document stocker is closed and the document transport device is not used, the transport roller is not driven even if the detection lever operates. Therefore, even if the transport roller is provided on the document cover side, the operation can be performed safely, and at the same time, the drive source for the transport roller on the document cover side need not be provided.

Further, after the original is conveyed by the conveying roller (34), by rotating the conveying roller in the reverse direction,
By this rotation, the floating mechanism releases the floating state of the document cover. That is, the rotating cam (345) that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller to lift the document cover (3)
Rotates in the opposite direction, so that a part of the rotating cam comes off the state in which it comes into contact with the upper plate surface (1a) of the image forming apparatus main body, and the state in which the document cover is lifted is released. Therefore, the original cover comes into close contact with the original table (2) by its own weight. Therefore, even if some wrinkles or undulations are formed on the conveyed sheet-like original, these are pushed and stretched, and the wrinkles and undulations are corrected, and the original comes into close contact with the document table. Therefore, an image of a shadow due to wrinkles or waving of the document is not formed.

Further, an original pressing mechanism of the original cover (3) is provided .
Since the document loading side of the tray (3b) is formed in an inclined shape so that the interval (e) is formed in advance from the document table (2), the gap (d) formed by the floating mechanism is reduced. Even if the interval is set slightly larger than the thickness of the original,
The leading edge of the document is not caught on the holding mat and the conveyance is not hindered. That is, when the leading edge of the conveyed document passes through the gap (d), it is not caught and jammed, and is smoothly guided to the gap (d).

[0022]

1 and 2 are sectional views showing a state in which a document feeder according to the present invention is used. FIGS. 3 and 4 show an image forming apparatus provided with the document feeder of the present invention;
In particular, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the outline of the internal structure of the copying apparatus and a perspective view showing the appearance.

First, in FIGS. 3 and 4, a document table 2 made of transparent glass for exposing an image is provided on an upper portion of the copying apparatus main body 1, and above the document table 2 is a back side in the figure. A document cover 3 is disposed so that one side of the document cover 3 is pivotally supported and can be opened and closed. An optical system 4 is disposed inside the copying apparatus main body 1 below the document table 2. The original cover 3 is for pressing the original placed on the original platen glass 2 against the original platen surface. The original cover 3 is provided inside the exterior 3a formed of a relatively hard plastic resin constituting the original cover and facing the original platen. A document holding mat 3b made of a relatively soft member is attached to the surface to be fixed.

The optical system 4 includes a light source lamp 4a for optically scanning a document placed on the document table glass 2, mirrors 4b, 4c, 4d for guiding light reflected from the document, and mirrors 4b to 4d. A lens 4e for condensing the reflected light passing through,
A mirror 4f, which guides the collected reflected light to an exposure point on the surface of the drum-shaped photosensitive member 5 installed in the center of the main body.
4g and 4h. In particular, the exposure lamp 4a and the reflection mirror 4b are supported on a first moving member,
Reference numerals c and 4d are supported by a second moving member, and both of them are moved in the left-right direction in FIG. In particular, the speed of the second moving member is driven at half the speed of the first moving member. As a result, an image of a document on the document table 2 can be formed on the photosensitive member 5 by guiding a light image at a desired magnification.

The photoreceptor 5 is for forming an image of a document placed on the document table 2. A charger 6 for uniformly charging the surface of the photoreceptor is provided around the photoreceptor. A developing device 7 for developing the subsequent electrostatic latent image with the colored toner; a transfer device 8 for transferring a toner image formed on a sheet of paper conveyed as appropriate; and a cleaning device 9 for removing toner remaining after the transfer. The static elimination lamps 10 for making the potential of the photoconductor surface uniform so that the photoconductor is repeatedly used are arranged in the order described above. The above is an image processing system for image formation.

In addition to the image processing system related to the above-described image formation, the sheet is conveyed to the toner image transfer position of the transfer unit 9, and after the image is transferred, the sheet is peeled off and the main body of the copying apparatus is removed. A sheet conveying system for discharging the sheet to the outside is provided in the copying apparatus. The transport system includes a paper feed unit configured to feed paper, a transport unit configured to transport the fed paper to the transfer position described above, and an unloading unit configured to transport the transferred paper to the outside of the copying apparatus main body. Is provided.

The paper supply unit is a paper storage unit (paper supply cassette) detachably provided at the lowermost part in the main body 1 of the copying apparatus.
And a paper feed tray 12 for manual insertion, which protrudes outside of the copying apparatus main body 1.

At the upper front end (right side in the figure) of the paper storage unit 11, a substantially half-moon-shaped paper supply roller 13 is disposed, and the paper supply roller 13 is used for the copy stored in the paper storage unit 11. Paper P is fed one by one from the top. In particular, the paper storage unit 11 includes a rotating member 11a on which the paper P is placed.
Is rotatably provided, and a spring (not shown) is pushed up by an urging force to position the uppermost sheet stored at a predetermined height by a separation claw 11b which enables one sheet feeding.

The paper feed tray 12 also includes a paper feed roller 14 for feeding one or a plurality of loaded sheets, and a feed roller 15 and a separating member 16 for preventing the fed paper from being fed two sheets. There is provided a sheet feeding means for sequentially feeding one sheet at a time in accordance with a sheet feeding command.

The transport section for transporting the paper fed through the paper feed section having the above configuration to the next transfer position has a pair of transport rollers 17 and 18. A paper top plate 19 is provided downstream of the transport roller 17 in the paper transport direction.
7 is temporarily stopped. The paper top plate 19 holds the image front end formed on the photoconductor 5
This is for starting the conveyance in conformity with the leading edge of the conveyed paper, and is driven to open the conveyance path in accordance with the rotation position of the photoconductor 5, so that it is disposed immediately before the conveyance roller 17 and the transfer position. The sheet is transported by the transport roller 18 to the transfer position. These means constitute a paper transport unit that transports the copy paper P to a transfer position facing the photoconductor 5.

Then, the paper P passing through the transfer position is separated from the surface of the photoreceptor 5 and then passes through the heating and fixing device 20 disposed in the middle of a passage for carrying out to the outside of the copying apparatus. The heat fixing device 20 is composed of a pair of rollers, one of which is a heat roller and the other of which is a pressure roller which presses the heat roller. Heat and fix the toner image. The sheet passing through the heat fixing device 20 is discharged to a detachable discharge tray 21 corresponding to a discharge opening formed in the copying apparatus main body 1. The above is the transfer section of the sheet after the transfer.

In the copying apparatus shown in FIG. 3, the image of the original placed on the original platen 2 is projected onto the photosensitive member 5 by the optical system 4 and uniformly charged in advance by the charger 6. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 5, and the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 7 as a toner image. The toner image is electrostatically transferred to the copy sheet P appropriately conveyed by the sheet conveying system as described above by the operation of the transfer unit 8, and further conveyed by the heating and fixing device 20, and is simultaneously transferred onto the sheet. Is established. This copy sheet P is finally carried out to the discharge tray 21.

As shown in FIG. 4, an operation panel 22 is arranged below the original cover 3 of the copying machine main body 1 constructed as described above and on the upper front of the copying machine main body. The operation panel 22, as shown in FIG.
A copy button 23, a clear key 24, a copy number setting key 25, a copy number display section 26, an exposure amount adjustment key 27 for adjusting the copy brightness, and the like are arranged.

On the other hand, the original conveying apparatus according to the present invention comprises the above-mentioned original cover 3, a part of the original cover, and an operation panel 22.
And a document transport roller and the like disposed between the document cover 3 and the document cover 3. For example, the document feeder 30 includes a document insertion slot 32 into which a document is inserted, a document detection lever 33 pushed up by the inserted document to turn on a document detection switch, and transports the inserted document onto the document table 2. A transport roller 34 and the like are provided.

The document insertion slot 32 is located between the flat portion of the upper exterior 1a of the copying machine body 1 for providing the document table 2 of the copying machine body 1 at the upper portion and the handle portion 31 of the document cover 3. I have. The transport roller 34 is disposed at a plane position of the upper exterior 1a of the copying apparatus main body 1 between the document table 2 and the operation panel 22. The transport roller 34
Is, for example, the lower drive roller 34b
The plate spring is rotatably provided on a free end side of a leaf spring having one end fixed to an upper frame or the like of a copying apparatus main body provided at a lower portion of the exterior 1a so as to be pressed against the a. The lower roller 34b may be provided on the main body of the copying apparatus such that a spring or the like for urging its shaft upward is provided without being supported by the leaf spring, and the drive roller 34a is pressed against the lower roller 34b.

Driving roller 34a of the transport roller 34
The document cover 3 has a configuration in which a rotation shaft thereof is rotatably supported on the document cover 3 side, and a rotation force from a drive motor (not shown) arranged in a part of the document cover 3 is transmitted.

A detection switch for detecting that a document is inserted into the conveyance area to the conveyance roller 34 and a detection lever 33 thereof are similarly disposed on the document cover 3 side. When the document cover 3 is closed (pressed) on the document table 2, the detection lever 33 enters a concave portion (not shown) formed in the upper exterior 1 a of the copying apparatus main body, and
The document to be inserted is raised on the exterior 1a. As a result, the document detection switch is operated (ON) to detect the document. In particular, if the lower roller 34b is also arranged on the document cover 3 side, even in a copying apparatus having no document transport device, the document transport device can be easily provided by replacing the document cover 3.

The transport roller 34 has a drive roller 34a particularly disposed on the original cover 3 side.
4b, the upper part is covered by a separately formed cover member so as not to be in the way when the document is manually placed on the document table 2 by opening and closing the document cover 3 by opening and closing the document cover 3. A configuration in which an opening through which a document can be inserted may be formed on the side of the member where the document is inserted. With this configuration, although the front portion of the document table 2 projects slightly upward with the cover member, the transport rollers 34 are disposed inside, and the document can be placed safely.
With this configuration, the switch for detecting the document and the detection lever 33 are also arranged inside the cover member, and the configuration of the document cover 3 can be simplified.

On the other hand, the original cover 3 is usually
A document holding mat 3b made of a soft member such as a sponge is in close contact with, for example, its own weight. Therefore, even if the inserted document is transported by the transport rollers 34, the transport is prevented without being transported between the document pressing mat 3b and the document table 2, and a transport jam of the document occurs. Therefore, it is necessary to raise the document cover 3 to form a gap between the document table 2 and the document holding mat 3b such that the document passes therethrough.

As an example of the structure of the floating mechanism of the present invention for floating the document cover 3, the floating mechanism operates in conjunction with the drive of the transport roller 34 and moves the document to the document table by the transport roller 34. Document cover 3
Is lifted from the document table 2 and after the document is conveyed, the conveyance roller 34 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction for a certain period and stopped.
Release the floating of the document cover 3 and place the document cover 3 on the platen 2
This is a configuration in which the contact is made.

Before describing the floating mechanism according to the present invention,
A configuration in which a document stocker 35 as a rotating member provided on the document cover 3 is used as a guide for document conveyance will be described. The document stocker 35 is rotatably provided on a shaft 36a formed on a shaft support 36 provided on the handle 31 on the front surface of the exterior of the document cover 3. Therefore, the document stocker 35 is placed on both sides and the back side thereof.
A bent portion 35a is formed between the upper surface of the original cover 3 and the upper surface of the original cover 3 to form a space for accommodating the original and the like. Is formed. An elliptical shaft hole 35b into which the shaft portion 36a is inserted is formed in a front portion of the bent portion 35a of the document stocker 35 so that the document stocker 35 can rotate.
The shaft portion 36a of the shaft support portion 36 provided on the front surface of the exterior 3a of the document cover 3 corresponding to the shaft hole 35b is connected to the shaft hole 35b.
It is fitted in. In particular, if the exterior of the document cover 3 is formed of an elastic member such as a resin, the original cover 3 is deformed by utilizing the elastic deformation, and the shaft hole 3a is formed between the shaft portions 36a of the both shaft supports 36.
When the two are brought together in a state where they are bent so that the distance between them becomes short, and the deformed state is released in that state, the shaft portion 36a is fitted into the shaft hole 35b, and the document stocker 35 is turned around the document cover 2. It is movably provided.

With the above configuration, the original stocker 35 is supported by the shaft and is maintained so as to be placed on the original cover 3, so that a space is formed between the upper surface of the original cover 3 and the original stocker 35 by the bent portion 35a. Thus, necessary items such as manuscripts can be stored therein. The document stocker 35 is large enough to accommodate the largest size document that can be copied.
In particular, it is configured to have a size having a width that can be stored in FIG.

As described above, the original stocker 35 is also used as an original placement guide for performing copying by using the original transport device 30, and rotates to the upper surface position of the exterior 1a on the copying apparatus main body side. And maintained in an inclined state. For this purpose, a locking member 37 is provided at a position corresponding to the shaft hole 35b as shown in FIG. The locking member 37 slightly protrudes toward the operation panel 22 and has a curved portion 37a whose lower part is formed in a slightly curved shape.

An engagement portion 35d for engaging with the locking member 37 is formed on the original stocker 35 side corresponding to the locking member 37. The engaging portion 35d is connected to the document stocker 3
5 is formed near the front end of the opening 35c, particularly near the shaft 35b, and is formed in a convex shape so as to fit into the curved portion 37a of the locking member 37. The locking member 37 and the engaging portion 35d constitute a locking mechanism when the document stocker 35 is used as a document guide.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the original stocker 35 placed on the original cover 3 is
The document panel is rotated to the front and the operation panel 2 is
If the document stocker 35 is rotated to a position that covers the top, one end of the document stocker 35 is supported on the plane of the exterior 1a, and further rotation is restricted. Thereby, the above-described locking member 37
And the convex portion of the engaging portion 35c of the document stocker 35 is engaged.
At this time, since the document cover 3 is inserted through the shaft hole 35b of the oval of the document stocker 35, the shaft portion 36a of the document cover 3 slides by its own weight, so that the document cover 3 is kept in close contact with the surface of the document table 2. Become. That is, even if the document stocker 35 is rotated, the document cover 3 always keeps a state of being in close contact with the document table 2 by its own weight.

Next, a mechanism for floating the document cover 3 above the document table 2 in a state where the document stocker 35 is rotated to a position for guiding the inserted document will be described below.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the levitation mechanism, showing a state in which the hard exterior member 3a constituting the document cover 3 has been removed. Therefore, the shaft 340 of the transport roller 34
Is provided with a plurality of transport rollers 34, and is rotatably provided on a side wall of the exterior 3a of the document cover 3 (not shown) via a bearing 341.

The shaft 340 is provided at one end thereof with the transport roller 3.
4 is fixed, and a rotational force is transmitted through a transmission gear 343 meshing with the driven gear 342. The transmission gear 343 transmits rotation from a drive motor (not shown).
Connection lever 34 for driving connection pivoted about 3a
4, for example, this connecting lever 344
Is configured to engage with a drive gear connected to a drive motor (not shown) by descending downward.

The shaft 340 is provided with rotatable cams 345 for lifting the document cover 3 near both ends thereof so as to be rotatable. This rotating cam 345
As shown in FIG. 7, a coil spring 348 interposed between a friction member 346 fixed to a shaft 340 with a pin or the like and a stopper 347 prevented from being removed by an E-ring.
It is pressed in at. Therefore, although the rotating cam 345 is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the transport roller 34, if the frictional force between the rotating cam 345 and the friction member 346 is smaller than the restraining force of the rotating cam by the urging force of the coil spring 348, the shaft is rotated. Even if 340 rotates, it does not rotate and stops at that position.

Therefore, a concave portion 345a is formed in the rotary cam 345 on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the document cover 3 facing the exterior 3a, and a projection 3c is formed on the lower surface of the exterior 3a corresponding to the concave portion 345a. Is formed. The concave portion 345a of the rotary cam 345 is inserted into the protrusion 3c.
It is provided so that it can be locked. Each edge of the concave portion 345a comes into contact with the protruding portion 3c, so that the rotating cam 345
Is restricted in rotation and idles with respect to the shaft 340. Further, on the portion of the rotary cam 345 corresponding to the upper exterior 1a of the copying apparatus main body, a floating convex portion 345b for floating the document cover 3 is formed.

With the above configuration, when the transport roller 34 is rotated, the rotary cam 345 provided on the shaft 340 is connected by the frictional force with the friction member 346 and rotates similarly. When one edge of the concave portion 35a of the rotating cam 345 is locked to the convex portion 3c of the document cover 3 as shown in FIG. 8, the rotation is stopped, and only the transport roller 34 rotates. At this time, the floating convex portion 345b of the rotating cam 345 is
As shown in the actual battle in FIG. 8, the original cover 3 comes into contact with the upper exterior 1 a of the copier and pushes the original cover 3 upward from the original table 2. In this case, the document cover 3 is movable upward with respect to the shaft hole 35b of the document stocker 35 because the shaft portion 36a on the document cover 3 moves in the elliptical region of the shaft hole 35b. In this manner, the document cover 3 floats above the document table 2 and a gap d is formed.

On the other hand, if the transport roller 34 rotates in the opposite direction, the rotation of the rotary cam 345 is not restricted but also rotates. Then, the concave portion 3 of the rotating cam 345
The rotation is stopped in a state where the other edge of 45a is in contact with the projection 3c (a state shown by a broken line in FIG. 8). As a result, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 8, the floating projection 345b of the rotating cam 345 is disengaged from the upper exterior 1a, and the floating state is released, not the state of lifting the original cover 3, and the original cover 3 It descends by its own weight and comes into close contact.

Next, the operation of the document feeder 30 and the copying apparatus main body of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the document cover 3 is closed, and the document stocker 35 in the state shown in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the curved portion 37a of the locking member 37 is engaged with the engaging portion 35c, so that the document stocker 35 is maintained in an inclined state, and the inserted document is conveyed. It functions as a guide for guiding to the roller 34 side. In this case, the original cover 3 is configured such that the original holding mat 3b is
Closely adhered to. This state is as shown in FIG.

In the above state, when the document (D) is inserted from the document insertion port 32 along the upper surface of the document stocker 35, the detection lever 33 is pushed up by the document D, and the document detection switch is turned on (step S1). S1).

When the original is inserted, for example, if the left end of the original table 1 in FIG. 3 is a reference position for placing the original, the left side of the bent portion 35a of the original stocker 35 is made to coincide with the reference position. The bent portion 35a can be used as a guide for the leading edge of the document. With this configuration, the leading edge of the document can be transported along the reference position of the document table 2.

Next, the detection lever 3
When the document detection switch is turned on by the operation of FIG. 3, the conveyance roller 34 rotates forward, that is, the direction in which the document is conveyed (FIG.
(In the clockwise direction) (step S2).
The document D is placed between the document glass 2 and the document holding mat 3a.
Is being carried in. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the rotation of the transport roller 34 causes the rotation cam 345 to rotate similarly. Therefore, the floating projection 345b of the rotating cam 345 contacts the upper exterior 1a of the copying apparatus, and lifts the document cover 3 upward (step S3).

For this reason, as shown in FIG.
A gap d is formed between the holding mat 3b and the document table 2 so that the document conveyed by the conveyance rollers 34
It is transported to. In this case, the document holding mat 3a
The surface facing the document table 2 functions as a document guide. The gap d is desirably 0.1 mm or more in consideration that a normal sheet has a thickness of about 0.08 mm. The gap d can be easily adjusted by specifying the shape of the floating projection 345b of the rotating cam 345.

Further, the rotation of the rotary cam 345 is
5a is stopped by being locked to the projection 3c of the document cover 3, and the forward rotation of the transport roller 34 is continued (S3).

Thereafter, the rear end of the document D passes through the detection lever 33 and the document detection switch is turned off (step S).
4) The rotation of the transport roller 34 is stopped (Step S)
5), the rear end of the document D is held in a state of being held between the transport rollers 34.

When the automatic transfer of the document D to the document table 2 is completed, the document cover 3 is brought into close contact with the document table 2 in order to remove wrinkles and wavy lines of the document. For this purpose, the rotation of the transport roller 34 is reversed for a certain time. This time is a time during which the concave portion 345a of the rotary cam 345 is locked to the projecting portion 3c of the document cover 3, and the floating convex portion 345
b is the rotation angle apart from the exterior 1a of the copying apparatus main body. By this rotation, the rotating cam 345 also moves to the concave portion 345.
a is rotated in the reverse direction until it locks with the protruding portion 3c, and the floating convex portion 345b is separated from the upper exterior 1a. The pressing mat 3b comes into close contact with the document, and the document is pressed against the document table 2 (S7).

After the above operation, when the copy button 23 is pressed, the copying apparatus main body enters a similar copying operation, and performs copying processing from exposure to copy sheet discharge (step S9). In this case, the rear end of the document D is
Since the copying process is executed in the state where the document is conveyed, the difference between the document placing positions is, for example, about 10 mm as shown in FIG. This is the distance between the end of the document and the reference end of the document table 2 since the rear end of the document is sandwiched by the transport rollers 34. To solve this,
In this embodiment, the center of the document D is made coincident with the center of the sheet by shifting the position of the lens 4e of the optical system from the reference position.

Specifically, when the document detection switch is turned on, the copying apparatus is configured to perform the same processing as when the copy button 10a is operated. Therefore, the copy operation starts when the document detection switch is turned on when the document is inserted without operating the copy button 10a. Before this, the lens 4e is moved about 5 mm by a lens moving solenoid or a motor (not shown), and the image of the end of the sandwiched document D is shifted by 10 mm to form an image on the photoconductor 5. As a result, the copy reference position of the copy sheet conveyed properly can be matched (step S8). For this reason, the lens 4e is provided so as to be movable in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis (the front-back direction in FIG. 1). Move to the right about 5 mm and wait.

In this case, the back surface supporting the document table 2, particularly, the irradiation surface of the optical system in the region where the document is sandwiched is desirably a white surface so that an image is formed on the photosensitive member 5. this is,
In the case of darkness, the toner adheres and is transferred to the sheet, so that a black streak is formed with a width of about 10 mm.

In this state, the copying process in step S9 is performed, and when this process is completed, the transport roller 34 is rotated reversely by the reverse rotation of the drive motor (step S10), and the original D is unloaded to the original insertion slot 32. I do. In this unloading, the rotation time of the transport roller 34 at the time of insertion of the document D is stored, and is shorter than the storage time (for example, 10
(Step S11), and the reverse rotation of the transport roller 34 is stopped (Step S12).

For this reason, since the original D is stopped while being slightly nipped by the transport roller 34, when another copy is desired again, the copy button is stopped within a predetermined time (for example, within 2 seconds) after the transport roller is stopped. Is confirmed (S13), the transport roller 34 rotates forward (S2), and
The state of the copying operation described above is entered again, and the operation described above is repeated.

Thus, a plurality of copies can be made. Further, if a predetermined time or more has elapsed (S14), the transport roller 34 reversely rotates again (S15), and after a predetermined time, the drive of the transport roller 34 is stopped (S16), so that the original D
Is discharged to the document stocker 35. If the number of copies of the document is set in advance, the required number can be easily obtained by one operation.

As described above, the copying of one document is performed using the document transport device 30. However, when copying two or more documents, the copied document must be copied. By placing the original on the flat surface of the cover 3 and inserting the next sheet-shaped original from the original insertion slot 32 in the same manner, desired copying can be performed in the same manner.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the original is transported in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the sheet, and is placed on the original table 2. Therefore, since the center of the paper does not coincide with the center of the original because copying is performed while holding one end of the original, the image forming lens is moved in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction, and the center of the original and the center of the paper are moved. To match.

However, the original can be conveyed in the same direction as the sheet feeding direction. For example, in FIG. 3, the right side of the document cover 3 is pivotally provided to be pivotally supported, and an insertion port is provided so as to insert a document from a side opposite to the pivotally supported portion.
After that, the configuration described above may be applied as it is. In this case, when the image of the original is exposed while the rear end of the original is sandwiched by, for example, about 10 mm, the leading end of the conveyed sheet and the leading end of the image formed on the photoconductor are shifted by 10 mm. In order to eliminate this deviation, it can be easily implemented by controlling the drive so that the paper transport timing is advanced by 10 mm.

As described above, when the original is image-exposed on the photoreceptor as it is, a center shift between the original and the sheet or a leading end shift between the sheet and the formed image occurs. However, in an image forming apparatus that digitally reads a placed document and writes it on a photoreceptor with a laser, as described above, the center deviation between the document and the paper and the positional deviation between the paper and the formed image are not considered. Can be repaired during laser irradiation. That is, there is no image of a document that is not placed on the document table 2 and the processing is performed as plain, that is, the image is read, and laser irradiation may be performed including the plain. In order to read an image digitally, for example, an image sensor such as a CCD is arranged behind the imaging lens 4e, the image of the document is A / D converted and stored, and based on the data of the stored digital image. By controlling the modulation of the laser, it is possible to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 5 corresponding to the image of the original by dots.

As described above, the document feeder 30
Is constituted by simple means and can greatly contribute to cost reduction. In this case, since a floating mechanism for forming a gap d between the document cover 3 and the document table 3 is interlocked by utilizing the rotation of the transport roller 34 for transporting the document, a special drive source is used. Also do not need. In particular, at the timing of transporting the inserted document, the document cover 3 is separated from the document table 2 by a predetermined gap d, so that no special means is required for timing the document cover 3 to float, and To the document table 2.

Further, the original cover 3 can be brought into close contact with the original table 2 after the original is conveyed, and the original can be pressed against the original table 2 so as to eliminate wrinkles and waving of the sheet-shaped original. No shadow or the like is formed.

When the original is carried out, the mat 3b of the original cover 3 is pressed against the original table 2 by the weight of the original cover 3, but one end of the original is sandwiched by the transport rollers 34. If the conveying force of the conveying roller 34 is larger than the pressing force, the document can be easily discharged even in the pressed state.

The document stocker 35 has been described as an example in which it is formed so as to store a document or the like. However, the document stocker 35 may be formed by a simple rotating member separately from the document stocker 35. . In particular, the use of the document stocker 35 is useful in that this portion can be used as a storage unit when the document transport device is not used.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the document stocker 35 is rotated and used as a document guide. However, providing such a document stocker 35 is not an essential component according to the present invention. That is, the document stocker 35
Is provided for the purpose of easy insertion of the manuscript,
A guide for regulating one side edge of the original is provided on the surface of the upper exterior 1a in accordance with the reference position of the original table 2, and is inserted into the transport roller 34 so as to be placed on the surface of the upper exterior 1a. If not, the original can be easily inserted along the reference position.

On the other hand, it has been described that the driven gear 342 is rotated through the transmission gear 343 to drive the transport roller 34. In this case, a configuration has been described in which a motor as a drive source is provided on the document cover 3 side, and the rotation of the motor is transmitted to the transmission gear 343. However, if a drive source is provided on the original cover 3 side, the original cover 3
The weight of the user becomes very large, and a large force is required for the opening / closing operation.

Further, when the original is carried out, if the weight of the original cover 3 is large, it is necessary to increase the carrying output at the time of carrying out, and it is necessary to increase the driving force. In addition, since it is necessary to draw a power source for driving the driving source from the main body of the copying apparatus, it is necessary to provide a power supply line and the like on the document cover 3 for opening and closing. There is a problem with trouble.

Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problem, a motor serving as a driving source is not provided on the original cover 3 side.
It is important that the information be transmitted from the copying apparatus main body side. The connection portion of the drive will be described with reference to FIGS.

As described above, the connecting lever 344 that rotates about the shaft 340 of the transport roller 34 has one end via the spring 349 and the rigid outer cover 3 of the document cover 3.
a. That is, the spring 349
The connection lever 344 is constantly urged to rotate clockwise in FIG. The connection lever 344 is connected to the document cover 3 irrespective of the document transport area as shown in FIG.
At one end.

The transmission gear 3, which is rotatably engaged with the driven gear 342, is connected to the connecting lever 344.
Reference numeral 43 denotes a driving gear 350 provided on the copying apparatus main body side in a state where the document cover 3 is closed on the document table 2 side.
And can be engaged with each other. Drive gear 350
The rotation is transmitted via a clutch or the like from the drive motor of the copying apparatus main body (not shown). The rotation corresponds to the transmission gear 343. In particular, the transmission gear 343 is positioned lower than the plane of the upper exterior 1a. To place. This drive gear 35
An opening 1b is formed in a portion of the exterior 1a opposite to the opening 0b. The transmission gear 342 is provided to be able to mesh with the drive gear 350 via the opening 1b.

The connecting lever 344 is connected to the spring 34
9, the transmission gear 342 is not connected even if the document cover 3 is closed to the document table 2 because the transmission gear 342 is urged to rotate upward. That is, the drive gear 350 and the transmission gear 342 are kept separated (the state of FIG. 11).

The means for connecting the transmission gear 342 to the drive gear 350 is the same as the original stocker 3 described above.
5, and the two are connected by using the document stocker 35 as a document guide. Therefore, the connecting lever 344 is provided with the protruding portion 34 on the side opposite to the spring 349.
4a, the protruding portion 344a and the engaging portion 35e provided on the bent piece 35a on the document stocker 35 side are provided in an engageable relationship.

In particular, while rotating the original stocker 35 onto the exterior 1a of the copying machine main body, the engaging portion 35e is engaged so as to lift the projecting portion 344a of the connecting lever 344 from below. Therefore, the connection lever 344 is rotated around the shaft 340 of the transport roller 34 in the counterclockwise direction in the figure against the urging force of the spring 349. As a result, the transmission gear 342 rotatably provided on the connection lever 344 is lowered toward the drive gear 350 on the copying apparatus main body side, and the two are connected so as to mesh with each other. Therefore, the drive gear 350 increases the rotational force of the drive motor,
When it is rotated via rotation control means such as a clutch, it is transmitted to the transport roller 34, and the transport roller 34 is rotated.

The rotation of the transport roller 34 causes the rotation cam 345 to rotate, thereby separating the document cover 3 from the document table 2 by the gap d. The drive gear 350 includes:
The rotation direction is controlled and driven via the above-described various clutches and the like in the direction in which the transport roller 34 is driven to rotate in the forward direction and the direction in which it is driven in the reverse direction.

Accordingly, when a sheet-shaped document is automatically conveyed to the document table 2 using the document conveying device 30 to perform copying, the document stocker 35 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 3 to the state shown in FIG. By doing so, the driven gear 342 that drives the transport roller 34 is connected to the drive gear 350 on the copying apparatus main body side via the transmission gear 343, so that the driven gear 342 can be rotationally driven in accordance with the rotation of the drive gear 350. . Therefore, if the document detection switch by the detection lever 33 detects (ON) that the document is inserted, the detection signal is sent to the copying apparatus main body side. Thus, the rotation is transmitted to the drive gear 350, the driven gear 341 is rotated, and the transport roller 34 can be rotationally driven. When the original is conveyed to the original platen 2, the rotation of the drive gear 350 is stopped.

When the document feeder 30 is not used, the document stocker 35 is turned in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG.
The fourth driven gear 341 is separated from the driving gear 350 and cannot be rotated.

With the above configuration, the transport roller 3
There is no need to provide a drive motor for driving the document cover 4 on the document cover 3 side, and a drive motor on the copying apparatus main body side can be used. Therefore, the number of components of the document transport device 30 provided on the document cover 3 side is reduced, and the load of the document cover 3 itself can be reduced. This is done by opening and closing the document cover 3 and manually
The operation of placing a document on the document table 2 can be simplified. When used as the document feeder 30, the load on the document cover 3 is reduced when the document is carried out. Can be carried out sufficiently.

When the original is conveyed to the original table 2 side, even if the pressing mat 3b of the original cover 3 is separated from the original table 2 by a gap d in the whole area, the leading end of the original is guided to the gap d. When it is done, there is a risk of jamming at the entrance. In other words, if the interval of the gap d is very small, the probability of occurrence of a jam is very strong, and the document is conveyed satisfactorily using the conveyed document mat 3b as a guide. That is, the original can be carried into the original table 2 while correcting wrinkles and waving. On the other hand, if the gap d is wide, the probability of jamming is very small, but the conveyed original is turbulent, conveyed in a wavy or wrinkled state, and the original cover 3 is pressed as it is to eliminate wrinkles and wavy. Therefore, the possibility that a shadow is formed becomes very high.

[0089] Therefore, FIG. 12 in order to solve the above problems, a white sheet 3d are joining al is the original pressing mat 3b in loading side of the document is extended to the conveyance roller 34 side, and the platen 2 A large interval e inclined between
Is formed. The distance e is, by providing in correspondence with one of the reference edge 2a for regulating an end of a document, not a problem when pressing the document to the document table 2. That is, the image on the reference end 2a is not formed, and the image is formed starting from the reference end 2a. Further, even if an inclined space e is provided in this region, the document is not pressed from above the document, so that there is no problem such as floating of the document.

Therefore, even if the gap d is small, the leading end of the document conveyed via the conveyance roller 34 is
Is securely guided to the gap d by the white sheet 3d, and is conveyed to the document table 2. Therefore, when the original is carried into the original platen, the leading end thereof is not caught, which is useful for preventing a jam or the like. Here, FIG. 13 shows the pressing mat 3b.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a positional relationship between a white sheet 3d to be attached to a sheet and conveyance rollers 34. That is, the white sheet 3
d extends the area corresponding to between the transport rollers 34 to the axis 340 of the transport rollers.

[0091]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the conveying means for conveying the original between the closed original cover and the original plate is arranged at one edge of the original plate to transfer the original. Since the apparatus is provided with a simple document transport device having a transport unit, the cost can be reduced as a device having the document transport device.

In this case, when the original is conveyed to the original table using the conveying apparatus, the original pressing mat of the original cover is separated from the original table in synchronization with the rotation of the conveying means. At times , a gap can be formed between the document holding mat and the document table, so that a special timing means for forming the gap is not required, and the document is transported reliably. In addition, it is not necessary to provide a driving means on a document cover or the like in order to form a gap .

In addition, by reversely driving the conveying roller as the conveying means , the original pressing mat of the original cover can be brought into close contact with the original table, and the role of the original cover can be utilized as it is to correct the wrinkles and wavy of the original. Later, the copy can be made and no wrinkles or wavy shadows are formed on the image.

When the rotating member for guiding the document is set after the document cover is closed, the document can be driven to the transporting means. Therefore, the transporting means rotates during the copying operation by manual operation of the document cover. There is no danger of being driven and it can be used safely. Also, there is no drive source on the document cover side, and the load on the entire document cover is reduced,
Even if the document cover presses the document against the document table, the operation of unloading the document is ensured.

[0095] In addition, the original of the document cover during the conveyance of the document
By providing an inclined space between the holding mat and one end of the document table side, it is possible to prevent the leading edge of the conveyed document from being caught and to prevent a conveyance jam or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of a document feeder provided in an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a mechanism for floating a document cover for enabling the document to be transported above a document table in a document transport device provided in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and a state of the mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of a copying apparatus which is an image forming apparatus provided with the document conveying device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an external fitting of a copying apparatus which is an image forming apparatus provided with the document feeder according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of an operation panel in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a document cover floating mechanism according to the present invention, in which a part of the document cover is removed and a mechanism for floating the document cover in conjunction with a document conveying means is shown.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a relationship between a rotating cam and a document cam according to a document cover floating mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a document cam floating mechanism according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a mechanism that raises a document cover from a document table in conjunction with a conveying unit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation control of the document feeder according to the present invention and a control operation related to image formation.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a mechanism for transmitting a rotational force to a conveying unit included in the document conveying apparatus according to the present invention, in a connected state.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a function of transmitting a rotational force to a conveying unit included in the document conveying apparatus according to the present invention, in a disconnected state.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing an example for reliably carrying in a document in the document feeder of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an example for reliably carrying in a document in the document feeder of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a conventional document feeder.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier main body 2 Original platen glass 3 Original cover 3b Original press mat 3c Projection 3d Press sheet 5 Photoconductor 30 Original transport device 32 Original feed port 33 Original detection lever 34 Transport roller 340 Rotating shaft 341 Driven gear 342 Transmission gear 344 Connecting lever 344a Projecting portion 345 Rotating cam 345a Concave portion 345b Floating projecting portion 350 Drive gear 35 Document stocker 35e Connecting portion

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-2-181172 (JP, A) JP-A-2-114277 (JP, A) JP-A 4-185057 (JP, A) JP-A-59-1985 198239 (JP, A) JP-A-2-13534 (JP, A) JP-A-1-148771 (JP, A) JP-A-1-304470 (JP, A) JP-A-2-69651 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Application No. Sho 64-179742 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Application No. Sho 62-157244 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/00 107 G03G 15/00 550 H04N 1 / 00 108 B65H 5/02-5/02 Z B65H 5/06-5/06 Z B65H 5/22-5/22 Z G03B 27/62

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] An original platen for mounting an original for image copying and exposing an image of the original, and an original holding mat for pressing the original placed on the original platen against the original platen. A document cover that can be opened and closed, a floating mechanism for forming a gap through which the document passes between the document pressing mat and the document table when the document cover is closed to face the document table, and the floating mechanism An image forming apparatus provided with a document conveying device having a conveying means for conveying a document to the gap formed by the above, wherein the conveying means is constituted by a conveying roller, and the conveying roller is disposed on the document cover side. The lifting mechanism forms a gap through which the document can pass between the platen and the document holding mat of the platen in conjunction with the loading operation of the document by the rotation of the transport roller. To An image forming apparatus having a document conveying device, characterized in that the serial rotation of the rotary shaft of the conveying roller is configured to operate is transmitted. 2. A rotatably provided to the document cover, and on the document cover, without pivotable between said platen is provided an image forming apparatus on the body, a document to be inserted
Comprising a rotating member for guiding to said conveyance roller, a rotation shaft of the conveying roller in the document guiding position of the pivoting member,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a connection mechanism that connects the driving unit of the image forming apparatus main body. 3. The floating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the rotation of the rotation shaft of the transport roller is transmitted, and a gap is formed between the document table and the document holding mat in conjunction with the operation of transporting the document by the transport roller. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation is stopped, and the rotation of the rotation axis of the transport roller in the reverse direction is transmitted in the stopped state, whereby the document holding mat is brought into close contact with the document table. 3. An image forming apparatus provided with a document conveying device. 4. The document holding mat is formed such that an inclined space is formed between the document holding mat of the document cover on the side where the document is conveyed by the conveyance roller and the document table. An image forming apparatus comprising the document conveying device according to claim 1. 5. The document holding mat according to claim 4, wherein the document holding mat is provided so as to extend a white sheet provided on the mat and in close contact with the document table so as to incline toward the conveying roller. An image forming apparatus provided with a document conveying device. 6. A detecting means for detecting a document guided to the transport roller, driving the transport roller in response to the detection of the detecting means, and driving the document table and the document pressing mat by the driving. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the floating mechanism is operated by transmitting the rotation of the rotating shaft of the transport roller so that a gap is formed between the two.