JP3461341B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises first and second sheet feeding means arranged to be distributed right and left along a sheet feeding direction of a transfer sheet, and the transfer sheet fed from the second sheet feeding means. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a feeding unit that feeds a sheet to a main body via a sheet feeding / conveying path disposed above the first sheet feeding unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in addition to a normal transfer paper accommodating means, a feeding means for accommodating a large amount of transfer paper is connected to the main body so that a plurality of paper feeding means can be used in accordance with various image forming modes. An apparatus configured so as to be capable of feeding an image and supporting image formation that requires a large number of copies has also been commercialized.

In this case, in particular, it is provided with first and second paper feeding means arranged to be distributed right and left along the transfer paper feeding direction, and the transfer paper fed from the second paper feeding means is first. In an image forming apparatus having a feeding unit that feeds to a main body via a paper feeding conveyance path disposed above the paper feeding unit, when a main body jam occurs, the transfer sheet is fed to the conveyance path by the feeding unit. Had no special control.

[0004]

Therefore, in the above-mentioned conventional image forming apparatus, when the main body jam occurs, the transfer sheet feeding of the entire image forming apparatus including the feeding means is stopped, and the transfer sheet is not transferred. The paper may stop without being removed from the second paper feeding means, or may stop between the feeding means and the main body. It is difficult to remove the transfer paper stopped at these positions, and the jam clearance processing burden is imposed. There was a problem that was heavy.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is provided with first and second sheet feeding means arranged to be distributed rightward and leftward in the sheet feeding direction of a transfer sheet, and a second sheet feeding means. In an image forming apparatus having a feeding unit that feeds a transfer sheet fed from a sheet feeding unit to a main body via a sheet feeding conveyance path arranged above the first sheet feeding unit, When it is determined that the transfer sheet is not at the predetermined position in the transport path when the jam of the transfer sheet is detected, the second sheet feeding unit is delayed by delaying the stop of the transport of the transfer sheet in the sheet transport path. If the main body jam occurs during image formation on the transfer sheet fed from the transfer sheet, the transfer sheet cannot be completely removed from the second sheet feeding unit, or the transfer sheet between the feeding unit and the main unit is Preventing the machine from stopping at a position that is difficult to remove, and reducing the jam clearance processing burden on the user. And to provide an image forming apparatus capable Gensa.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first aspect of the present invention is a first and second sheet feeding means (right deck 125 shown in FIG. 1) which are arranged to be distributed right and left along a transfer sheet feeding direction. ，
The left deck 126) is provided, and the transfer paper fed from the second paper feeding means (the left deck 126 shown in FIG. 1) is used as the first paper.
In the image forming apparatus having the feeding means for feeding the sheet to the main body through the paper feeding / conveying path disposed above the paper feeding means (the right deck 125 shown in FIG. 1), A transfer paper discriminating means (sensor 362 shown in FIG. 1) for discriminating whether or not there is a transfer paper at a position, and the transfer paper discriminating means determines that the transfer paper is the predetermined one when a jam of the transfer paper in the main body is detected. When it is determined that the transfer sheet is not in the position, a conveyance control unit (microcomputer Q1 shown in FIG. 3) that delays the stop of the conveyance of the transfer sheet in the sheet conveyance path is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the case where the transfer control means determines that the transfer paper is at the predetermined position by the transfer paper determination means when a jam of the transfer paper in the main body is detected. The conveyance of the transfer paper in the paper feed conveyance path is stopped without the delay (“YES” in the judgment of step (4) in FIG. 17 → (drive system stop)).

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the transfer paper discriminating means discriminates whether or not the transfer paper is at a position after the predetermined position is reached, and the conveyance control means causes the transfer paper in the main body to be transferred. When the transfer paper determining unit determines that the transfer paper is at the position after reaching the predetermined position when the paper jam is detected, the transfer paper in the paper feed path is transferred to the main body and then transferred. It is characterized in that the conveyance of the paper is stopped (“NO” → (6) → (drive system stop) in the judgment of step (5) in FIG. 17).

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the transfer paper discriminating means discriminates whether or not the transfer paper is in a position before reaching the predetermined position, and the conveyance control means is arranged to transfer the transfer paper in the main body. When it is determined that the transfer sheet is at the position before the predetermined position is reached by the transfer sheet determination unit when the jam of is detected,
Transport the transfer paper in the paper feed transport path to the predetermined position,
The conveyance of the transfer sheet is stopped at the predetermined position (“YES” → (7) → (drive system stop) in the determination of step (5) in FIG. 17).

A fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the predetermined position is a position where the transfer sheet can be easily taken out from the paper feed / conveyance path.

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view for explaining the structure of an image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. The drive system in this embodiment is a main drive system for driving the paper feed unit, the transport unit, the photoconductor, and the fixing unit, an optical drive system for driving the optical system, and a magnification change unit. It is separated into a lens drive system for driving the zoom lens and a deck drive system for driving the paper feed unit, the transport unit, and the lifter unit of the cassette deck.

The main drive source and the deck drive source include a DC motor (main drive motor) 25, a DC motor (deck drive motor) 325, an optical drive source (including a mechanism for reading an image), and a lens drive system (image formation). (Including a mechanism for changing the magnification) includes stepping motors 26, 27.
Has been adopted. CONT is a controller unit, which includes a microcomputer Q1, an expansion IC unit Q2, a static RAM Q3, which will be described later, and a static RA even after the power is turned off.
A drive circuit including a battery BAT or the like for supplying electric power to hold the stored contents of the MQ3 is provided. In addition,
When the excitation drive method is selectively designated by the expansion IC section Q2 of the microcomputer Q1, the phase excitation signal applied to each phase A, B, C, D, E of the stepping motor 26 is output.

As the paper feeding method, paper feeding from the cassettes 123 and 124, the right deck 125 and the left deck 126, and paper feeding from the manual paper feeding unit 127 can be selected. Cassette 12
When feeding from 3,124, the cassettes 123,124
Switch group 13 for detecting the size of transfer paper stored in
The status is managed by switches 137 and 138 that detect the presence or absence of the transfer paper in the cassettes 1 and 132 and cassettes 123 and 124, and when an abnormality is detected by the above switches, the status is displayed on a display unit described later. Reference numerals 117 and 118 denote paper feed rollers.

When feeding from the right deck 125 and the left deck 126, a switch for detecting the presence or absence of the right deck 125 and the left deck 126, a switch group (not shown) for designating the sizes of the right deck 125 and the left deck 126, and a right side The state is managed by a switch for detecting the presence or absence of the transfer paper in the deck 125 and the left deck 126 and a lifter limit switch for detecting the positions of the right lifter and the left lifter. In addition, when an abnormality is detected by the switch, the fact is displayed on a display unit described later.

On the other hand, in the case of manual paper feeding, the manual paper feeding unit 1
The state is managed by the switch that detects the state of 27,
When an abnormality is detected, it is displayed on the display unit described later.

When the photosensitive member 12 is rotated clockwise in the drawing, the surface of the photosensitive member 12 is uniformly charged by the primary charger 13, and an image is exposed at a photosensitive position described later to form an electrostatic latent image. , The electrostatic latent image is the developing unit 15
The image is transferred onto the transfer paper which has been developed in and transferred from the paper feeding section in the transfer unit section 14. After the transfer, the residual toner is removed from the photoconductor 12 by the cleaning unit 38, the residual potential is removed by the pre-exposure lamp 16, and the process of forming an image again is repeated.

The transfer sheet on which the image has been transferred is the transport unit 2
It is sent to the fixing unit 21 on the 0 transport belt. The fixing unit 21 is composed of two rollers, a fixing roller 35 and a pressure roller 44. A halogen heater 43 is used as the heater. In addition, the fixing roller 3
5, a temperature detecting element (thermistor) 41 is attached, and the temperature detecting element 41 is in direct contact with the surface of the fixing roller 35. The fixing roller 35 presses the pressure roller 44 with a predetermined pressure.

The paper that has passed through the fixing unit 21 is discharged from the fixing unit 21 by the paper discharge rollers 22 and is stored on the paper discharge tray 39. The sensor 34 is a sensor that detects whether or not the transfer sheet normally passes through the fixing unit 21.

The drive source of the optical drive system is the stepping motor 26 as described above, and the exposure lamp 4 and the first
A unit composed of the mirror 5, the second mirror 6, and the third mirror 7 is driven. The drive source of the lens drive system is the stepping motor 27, which drives the units that form the zoom lens 8.

The stepping motor 26 of the optical drive unit of the present embodiment controls the speed of the lamp systems 4 to 7 in a multi-step magnification selection function, and an optical sensor for detecting the reflected light of the original placed on the original glass surface 3. 40, a function of automatically selecting a density, a function of automatically selecting an image forming magnification (having a communication means) by connecting to an external device (not shown), and a position control of the zoom lens 8 by a stepping motor 27 of a lens driving unit, Further, in the unlikely event that an abnormality such as a paper jam occurs, various states such as a remaining number of sheets, a magnification value, and abnormality information are stored in the static RAM Q3, and the position of the exposure lamp 4 is controlled by the stepping motor 26. Page continuous shooting function, and by replacing the developing unit 15, multiple color images can be displayed. A but can be formed, developing Tsu unit 15
By providing the switch 36 for detecting the replacement of the above, it has a function of switching the control according to this state.

A power cord (not shown) of this apparatus is connected to a predetermined power outlet. For example, an operation panel shown in FIG. 2 is provided on the front side of the upper portion of the main body. When the power switch 51 is pressed down on one side, power is supplied to the apparatus and the power display lamp 52 is lit and displayed. When the power is turned on, the operation panel display is set to the standard mode and the following contents are displayed. That is, the number display 59 displays "1", the magnification display 67 displays 1x (100%), and the automatic density adjustment display 76 displays "A".

The display portion of the copy start key 56 is displayed in red at the time of initial setting when the power is turned on (moving the lens to the same magnification position, etc.) and during copying. Normally, the image is displayed in green. Indicates that the forming operation is possible. The controlled temperature of the fixing unit 21 differs depending on the type of the developing unit 15, and the type of the developing unit 15 is discriminated by the switch 36 provided in the developing unit 15 to switch the set temperature.

Next, the structure of the feeding device will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

When image formation by feeding the transfer paper from the right deck 125 and the left deck 126 is selected and the copy start key 56 is pressed, the transfer paper is generated by an input signal of a paper size designation switch (not shown) in the deck. Size data, number data set by the number key 54,
The image forming operation is started based on the magnification data by the magnification selection keys 61, 62, 64, 65, 66 and the data by other various mode selection means.

When the copy start key 56 is received,
The display is changed from green to red, and the mode switching keys such as the numeral key 54 and the magnification selection keys 61, 62, 64, 65 and 66 are prohibited. The main drive motor 25 and the deck drive motor 325 start rotating, and the driving force is transmitted to the main body registration roller 18, the photoconductor 12, the transport unit 20, the fixing unit 21, and the like. Vertical transport first roller 2
11. The driving force from the main drive motor 25 is transmitted to the vertical conveyance second roller 212 by the vertical conveyance first clutch and the vertical conveyance second clutch (not shown). Right deck 1
The feeding operation from 25 to the main body will be described with reference to FIGS.

4 to 6 are timing charts for explaining the transfer sheet feeding operation from the right deck shown in FIG.

In the case of feeding from the right deck 125, a right deck feeding clutch (not shown) operates a predetermined time X seconds after the rotation of the main drive motor 25 and the deck drive motor 325 starts, and accordingly, the right deck feeding. The paper roller 201 and the right deck paper feed / feed roller 203 rotate to feed the transfer paper in the right deck 125 toward the deck registration roller 205.

The right deck paper feed roller 201 is moved up and down by a right deck paper feed feed roller pickup solenoid (not shown). During pickup, the right deck paper feed roller 201 ascends to a position above the uppermost paper in the deck to feed paper. Will not do. When the pickup of the right deck paper feed roller pickup solenoid is released, the right deck paper feed roller 201 descends to the uppermost sheet, and the right deck paper feed roller 201 is rotated to allow paper feeding.

When the transfer paper reaches the right deck paper feed feed roller 203, the right deck paper feed roller pickup solenoid picks up the right deck paper feed roller 201 and leaves the paper until the next paper feed. Waiting. The right deck paper feed roller pickup release time and the transfer paper feed amount of the right deck paper feed feed roller 203 are controlled by the paper size data in the deck. That is, when the transfer paper is larger than the predetermined value, the pickup release time and the feed amount are increased.

When the pre-deck registration sensor (sensor) 361 detects that the transfer paper has reached the deck registration roller 205, the deck registration roller 205 is driven and the paper is delivered to the second vertical conveyance roller 212 of the main body. A paper feeding operation from the left deck 126 to the main body will be described with reference to FIGS.

7 to 9 are timing charts for explaining the transfer sheet feeding operation from the left deck shown in FIG.

In the case of feeding paper from the left deck 126, a left deck clutch (not shown) operates at the same time when the main drive motor 25 and the deck drive motor 325 start rotating,
Along with that, the left deck paper feed roller 202 and the left deck paper feed feed roller 204 rotate, and the transfer paper in the left deck 126 is transferred to the deck transfer second roller (deck roller) 207 and the deck transfer first roller (deck roller) 206. Send to. Like the right deck, the left deck paper feed roller 202 is also moved up and down by a left deck paper feed feed roller pickup solenoid (not shown) according to the timing of paper feed.

The left deck paper feed roller pickup release time and the transfer paper feed amount of the left deck paper feed feed roller 204 are controlled by the paper size data in the deck, as in the right deck. That is, when the transfer paper is larger than the predetermined value, the pickup release time and the feed amount are increased. Further, the first deck transport roller 206 and the second deck transport roller 207 are provided.
Are driven by the same drive source by a deck transport clutch (not shown), and the left deck paper feed roller 202 and the left deck paper feed roller 204 are started to be driven at the same time. Then, the two deck transport rollers 206, 20
Numeral 7 rotates until the transfer paper reaches the deck transport path standby position (predetermined). The time required for the transfer sheet to reach the standby position is determined by measuring the time after the transfer sheet passes through the deck conveyance path sensor (sensor) 362. After waiting for a predetermined time at the standby position, driving of the deck transport rollers 206 and 207 is started again, and the transfer paper is delivered to the deck registration roller 205.

When the pre-deck registration sensor 361 detects that the transfer paper has reached the deck registration roller 205,
The deck registration roller 205 is driven, and the sheet is delivered to the second vertical conveyance roller 212 of the main body.

When the paper is repeatedly fed by the deck paper feed roller, the uppermost position of the paper in the deck is lowered, so that it is necessary to lift the paper by the lifter to return it to the reference position.

The operation of lifting by the lifter for returning to the reference position will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of essential parts for explaining the lifter mechanism of the left and right decks shown in FIG.

As shown in this figure, a photo interrupter 601 is used for detecting the lifter position, and the lift-up operation is performed based on the signal of the photo interrupter when the position of the uppermost sheet in the deck is changed. When the paper in the deck is reduced and the position of the uppermost paper is lowered and the signal of the photo interrupter 601 is changed, the driving force from the deck drive motor 325 is transmitted to the lifter by the lifter clutch, and the signal from the photo interrupter is restored. Lift-up operation is performed until. Reference numeral 602 is a paper size detector, and 603 is a paper presence / absence sensor.

As shown in the timing chart of FIG. 11, the lift-up operation is controlled so that the right and left decks are not simultaneously operated to reduce the load on the deck drive motor.

The exposure unit (4 to 7) is allowed to start scanning the original at a predetermined timing until the transfer sheet is sent through the vertical conveying path and reaches the registration roller 19. At this time, the exposure lamp is at a position detected by the home position sensor (HP sensor) 29. More specifically, during the initial operation or the backward movement of the copy operation, the vehicle stops at a position backward from the position detected by the HP sensor 29 by a distance corresponding to the selection magnification at that time.

When the scanning of the original is started, the stepping motor 26, which is the optical system driving source, causes the exposure unit (4 to 7).
The pulse rate gradually increases in the forward direction (to the right) until the drive pulse rate according to the selected magnification value is reached (referred to as slow-up control). That is, the moving speed is gradually accelerated to reach the target speed. In particular, the pulse motor drive circuit of the present apparatus (not shown) adopts a constant current control method and is capable of switching the drive current value in a plurality of stages (two stages in this embodiment) (optical drive as shown in FIG. 3). It is selected by the control signal PB4 among the pulse motor control signals for use).

In general, the characteristics of the pulse motor are such that the pull-in torque decreases as the pulse rate increases.
Therefore, a means for switching the constant current set value is provided, and the current value is switched as needed. In the present embodiment, the set current is lowered during a relatively low pulse rate from the start of movement, and the set current value is controlled to increase when the speed exceeds a predetermined value. The set current value is controlled to be lowered again with the passage of time. This mainly prevents the noise, temperature rise, and step-out phenomenon of the pulse motor.

In this embodiment, the detection signal of the sensor 362 for detecting the presence / absence of the transfer paper in the deck conveyance path shown in FIG. 1, the right deck transfer paper size detection sensor S12, and the left deck transfer paper size detection The transfer sheet size information from the sensor S11 is read by the microcomputer Q1 shown in FIG.

Further, the memory in the microcomputer Q1 stores the size of the transfer sheet waiting in the conveying path. When the transfer sheet size of the left deck 126 is changed, the transfer sheet in the conveying path is transferred. It is designed to be comparable to the size of the paper. Further, in this embodiment, the right deck 12
5 and the transfer paper size of the left deck 126 are automatically determined, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a structure in which the transfer paper size is manually switched by a DIP switch or an input from the operation unit. .

In the thus constructed first image forming apparatus, the detection result of the second paper feed detecting means (paper sensor S1) and the transfer paper detecting means (sensor 362) during the image forming operation standby. Since the control means (the microcomputer Q1 of the controller CONT) controls the transfer sheet feeding and the image formation at the time of the image formation start instruction based on the detection result and the second size detection means (size sensor S11), When the transfer paper of the paper feeding unit (left deck 126) of the second paper is cut and the transfer paper has already been fed from the second paper feeding unit into the paper conveyance path and stopped, the transfer paper already fed Depending on whether or not there is a difference between the size and the size of the transfer paper replenished and stored in the second paper feeding means, it is possible to continuously feed the stopped transfer paper without jamming.

Further, in the control means, during the designation of the continuous copy mode, the second paper feed paper detection means detects the transfer paper shortage state, and the transfer paper detection means detects the presence of the transfer paper on the paper feed conveyance path. In this case, since the image forming operation is stopped and the transfer paper running out state in the second paper feeding means is displayed, the transfer paper is fed from the second paper feeding means and stopped when the transfer paper is stopped on the paper feed conveyance path. It is possible to reliably notify that the transfer paper is out of the second paper feed stage.

Further, the control means, in the case of feeding from the second paper feeding means while the continuous copy mode is designated, after the image formation on the transfer paper on the paper feeding and conveying path is completed, the control means in the second paper feeding means The transfer paper out condition is displayed.
It is possible to notify the transfer paper run-out of the second paper feeding means while the transfer paper fed from the paper feeding means is not retained.

Further, the control means detects the presence of the transfer paper on the paper feed / conveyance path by the transfer paper detection means and the change of the transfer paper size detected by the second size detection means, and the second paper supply. If the transfer paper size in the paper means and the transfer paper size on the paper feed / conveyance path are different, a message prompting the removal of the transfer paper that stops on the paper feed / conveyance path is displayed in accordance with the image formation start instruction input. When the size of the transfer paper and the size of the staying transfer paper are the same, it is possible to continue the image formation without releasing the staying transfer paper.

Further, the control means displays a message prompting the removal of the transfer sheet which is stopped on the sheet feeding / conveying path according to the image forming start instruction input, and then the main body of the transfer sheet on the sheet feeding / conveying path according to the image forming start instruction input. Since a blank sheet is ejected to the outside of the machine through the paper conveyance path, if the transfer paper on the paper feed conveyance path cannot be manually released, the transfer paper should be clearly notified immediately before the image formation is stopped, and then the transfer paper should be released. It is possible to automatically eject the blank sheet outside the machine.

Further, in accordance with the input of the image formation start instruction, the blank sheet discharge of the transfer sheet which is stopped on the sheet feeding / conveying path is displayed as a reminder and the image formation is temporarily stopped, so that the remaining transfer sheet can be manually released.

Further, since the transfer paper on the paper feeding / conveying path is discharged to the outside of the machine via the main body feeding / conveying path in accordance with the image forming start instruction input after the image forming is temporarily stopped, the transfer paper is promptly taken out of the machine. It is possible to discharge.

Further, the control means detects the presence of the transfer paper on the paper feed / conveyance path by the transfer paper detection means and the change of the transfer paper size detected by the second size detection means, and the second paper supply. If the transfer paper size in the paper unit and the transfer paper size on the paper feed / conveyance path are different, and if the transfer paper size on the paper feed / conveyance path and the transfer paper size in the single copy mode being specified are the same, Since the image formation is performed on the transfer sheet on the sheet feeding and conveying path and the standby mode is set, it is possible to feed the transfer sheet without releasing it and complete the image formation without any trouble.

In the second image forming apparatus, when the jam detecting means (pre-registration sensor 33, sensor 34, etc.) detects a jam of the transfer paper in the main body feed transport path, the transfer paper detecting means (sensor 362). ) Detects the stop position information of the transfer sheet fed from the feeding device detected by the storage means (SRAMQ).
3) and the discriminating means (controller unit CONT) discriminates the jammed state of the transfer paper inside the feeding device after the jam processing based on the stored detection result of the transfer paper detecting means. It is possible to reliably recognize the jam caused by the stopped state of the transfer paper in the feeding device at the time of occurrence.

Further, when the jam detecting means detects a jam of the transfer sheet in the main body feeding / conveying path,
If the transfer paper is staying in a predetermined standby position in the feeding device, the transfer paper in the feeding device is determined to be in a non-jammed state, so the remaining transfer paper continues without being released. Then it can be delivered.

Further, when the jam detecting means detects a jam of the transfer sheet in the paper feed / conveyance path of the main body, the determining means sets the transfer sheet to a position other than a predetermined standby position in the feeding device. If the transfer sheet in the sheet feeding device is jammed and a jam cancellation prompt is displayed, the sheet of transfer sheet staying in the sheet feeding device should be released before the start of image formation. Is possible.

Further, the determining means determines the jam state based on the transfer sheet detection state of the transfer sheet detecting means after the transfer sheet is unjammed in the main body sheet feeding / conveying path. Accordingly, even when the power is turned off, it is possible to detect the presence / absence of a jam of the transfer sheet remaining in the feeding device when the power is turned on again.

Further, if the transfer paper detecting means does not detect the transfer paper after the jam detecting means clears the transfer paper jam in the main body paper feed / conveyance path, it is judged as a non-jam state. At the time of occurrence, when the transfer paper is not retained in the feeding device, it is possible to determine the non-transfer paper detection state after the main body jam recovery as a normal state.

In the third image forming apparatus, when the jam detecting means (pre-registration sensor 33, sensor 34, etc.) detects a jam of the transfer sheet in the main body feed transport path, it is stored in the storage means (SRAMQ3). Based on the detection result of the transfer paper detection means, the control means discharges the transfer paper inside the feeding device after the jam processing to the outside of the machine through the main body feeding / conveying path. If the transfer paper is retained from the device, it is possible to eject the transfer paper outside the machine.

In the fourth image forming apparatus, when the jam detecting means (pre-registration sensor 33, sensor 34, etc.) detects a jam of the transfer sheet in the main body feeding and conveying path, the transfer sheet in the feeding apparatus is From the time of occurrence of a jam, the first and second control means (the microcomputer Q of the controller unit CONT
(After the first functional processing), the image forming sequence is stopped after the conveyance for the first or second predetermined time is continued according to the flowchart described later.
The transfer sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit or the second sheet feeding unit can be conveyed to a predetermined standby position and stopped.

Further, the first control means causes the transfer paper fed from the second paper feed means to the timing roller when the jam detection means detects a jam of the transfer paper in the main body feeding and conveying path. Since the timing of stopping the timing roller and the timing of stopping the copy sequence are controlled on the basis of the loop formation state of abutting formation, the transfer sheet fed from the second sheet feeding unit is fed at an accurate timing after the main body jam is restored. Ready to start.

Further, the first control means causes the transfer paper fed from the second paper feed means to the timing roller when the jam detection means detects the jam of the transfer paper in the main body feeding and conveying path. After the loop formation for abutting formation, the copy sequence is stopped after driving the timing roller for the loop formation time from the occurrence of the jam, so after the main body jam is recovered, the transfer fed from the second sheet feeding unit is performed. It is possible to hold the transfer paper in a flat state where the paper loop is removed.

Further, the first control means causes the transfer paper fed from the second paper feed means to the timing roller when the jam detection means detects a jam of the transfer paper in the main body feeding and conveying path. Before the loop formation for abutting formation, the copy sequence is stopped after the timing roller is continuously driven for the arrival time to the timing roller from the occurrence of the jam and the loop formation time after the arrival. The transfer sheet from which the skewed state has been removed from the second sheet feeding unit can be started to be fed at an accurate timing.

Further, the second control means (due to the functional processing of the microcomputer Q1 of the controller unit CONT) makes the first feeding when the jam detection means detects the jam of the transfer paper in the main body paper feed path. After the transfer sheet fed from the sheet unit is fed to a predetermined standby position in the sheet feeding device, the copy sequence is stopped. Therefore, after the main body jam is recovered, the transfer sheet fed from the first sheet feeding unit and stayed there. Paper can be fed at the correct timing.

In the fifth image forming apparatus, when the jam detecting means (pre-registration sensor 33, sensor 34, etc.) detects the jam of the transfer paper in the main body paper feed path, the feedback control means (controller section CONT). (By the functional processing of the microcomputer Q1) controls the reverse rotation drive of the first and second feeding drive sources, and the transfer paper fed from the feeding device is fed back to the first or second feeding means. Therefore, even if the transfer paper fed in the feeding device stays at the time of the main body jam, the first or second paper feeding means is set to the feed start position of the transfer paper after the main body jam is recovered. It is possible.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an example of the deck feeding control procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (20) indicate each step. Further, this control is basically for the case where the left deck is preferentially fed, and the control procedure may be different when the right deck size transfer sheet is selected by the automatic transfer sheet selection.

As described above, when the transfer paper size of the left deck 126 is changed while the transfer paper fed from the left deck 126 is on standby in the conveyance path of the feeding device, The sizes of the transfer paper in the transport path and the transfer paper in the left deck are different.

Therefore, first, it is judged whether or not the transfer paper on the left deck 126 is different from the transfer paper in the conveyance path (1),
If YES, it is judged whether the copy mode is continuous copy or single copy (2), and if YES, the sizes of the transfer sheet in the transport path and the transfer sheet in the left deck 126 are different, and when the copy is finished, the copies having irregular sizes are copied. Therefore, it waits until the copy start key 56 is pressed (3), and when the copy start key 56 is pressed, a warning display indicating that only the transfer sheet in the transport path is to be discharged blank (4) is displayed. In this embodiment, the case of displaying the blank sheet discharge warning has been described, but the display may be controlled so as to remove the transfer sheet in the transport path.

Next, waiting for the copy start key 56 to be pressed again (5), when the copy start key 56 is pressed, a mode for forcibly discharging a blank sheet is set (6), and the blank sheet is removed from the machine. To discharge.

On the other hand, in the case of NO in step (5), it is judged whether or not the transfer paper in the conveying path has been removed during the warning (7). If NO, the process returns to step (5), and if YES, a warning is issued. Is canceled, and paper is fed from the normal left deck 126 (8).

On the other hand, if NO in step (2) (single copy), it is determined whether the size of the selected transfer paper is the same as the size of the transfer paper accommodated in the left deck (9). , YES, when copying to the transfer paper of the left deck size, the transfer papers of different sizes in the transport path will be obstacles, so step (3) as above
Perform the following processing.

On the other hand, if the judgment in step (9) is NO, that is, if the size of the selected transfer paper is different from the size of the left deck, it is judged whether or not the selected transfer paper is the right deck size ( 10) If YES, the right deck 12 regardless of the transfer paper in the left deck and the transfer paper in the transport path.
Paper is fed from 5 (11), and if NO (when the transfer paper used for copying is different in size from the transfer paper in the right deck), check whether the size is the same as the size of the transfer paper staying in the transport path. If it is judged (12) and if YES, it means that the copy is a single copy, so one copy is made on one sheet of transfer paper in the conveyance path to execute the sequence (14), and the standby mode is entered.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (12) is NO, it is determined that there is no proper size transfer sheet, and the display of the absence of the proper size transfer sheet is performed (13).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (1) is NO, that is, if the transfer paper size in the left deck is not changed (when the transfer paper in the transport path has the same size as the transfer paper in the left deck), transfer in the transport path is performed. It is judged whether the paper is the last paper from the left deck (15), and if YES, it waits until the copy start key 56 is pressed (17). If YES, the image is formed on the transfer paper in the conveyance path. After that (18), the copy sequence is ended (19) and the left deck paper is displayed (20).

On the other hand, if the judgment in step (15) is NO, a normal copy sequence is executed (16) and the process is terminated.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the microcomputer Q1 performs a software judgment process to determine the difference between the transfer sheet size staying in the conveyance path and the transfer sheet sizes of the left and right decks has been described. It is also possible to configure with a logic circuit as shown.

FIG. 13 is a logic circuit block diagram for determining the transfer sheets of the left and right decks shown in FIG. The number of bits of the in-deck transfer paper size data is determined according to the type of transfer paper that can be loaded in the deck. However, in the present embodiment, four types of transfer paper (A
Assuming that 4, A5, B5, B6) can be loaded on the deck, the number of bits is set to "2", and 2-bit data corresponding to each size is set to A4 ("00"), A5 ("0").
1 ”), B5 (“ 10 ”), and B6 (“ 11 ”). Further, the transfer sheet size information is detected by the latch 801 by the sensor 36 that detects the transfer sheet in the conveyance path.
It is held while 1 detects the presence of paper.

When the information held in the latch 801 and the bit information from the timer 364 are different, the L level is output from the comparator 802 to the selector SEL, and the information held in the latch 801 and the information from the timer 364 are compared with each other. If they match, the H level is output to the selector SEL.

In this state, when the copy start key 56 is pressed, a warning is displayed immediately when the size of the transfer paper in the left deck 126 and the size of the transfer paper in the transport path are different. Further, when copying to the size of the transfer paper in the conveyance path with only one copy, the signal of the comparator 802, the signal from the latch 801, the signal from the sensor S12 for detecting the transfer paper size, and the copy number setting Judging from the above, a warning (ALARM) is output when one copy is completed. That is, when the output of the comparator 802 is L level, when the signal of the sensor 362 in the transfer paper conveyance path is L level, when the signal of the sensor 362 in the transfer paper conveyance path changes from L level to H level. Then, the image forming operation is finished and the fact is displayed on the display unit.

On the other hand, when paper is fed from the left deck 126 whose transfer paper size has been changed, a signal from the latch 801, a signal from the transfer paper size detecting sensor S12, and a signal from the transfer paper size detecting sensor S12. From this, only one sheet is discharged.

Hereinafter, the stay transfer sheet processing operation in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the timing charts shown in FIGS.

During continuous copying, for example, when the paper is fed from the right deck, at the timing tj shown in FIG. 4, if the paper feeding / conveying sequence is stopped due to a jam, the paper comes out from the right deck paper feeding roller 203, and is fed to the right. There is a case where the transfer paper is stopped because the transfer paper is sandwiched between the deck paper feed rollers 203. Even if the right deck door is opened in this state, the transfer paper may not be accessible.

In the case of paper feeding from the left deck 126,
When jammed at the timing tk shown in FIG. 7, the transfer paper is transferred to the left deck paper feed roller 20 like the right deck paper feed.
4 and the second deck conveying roller 207 are stopped while being bitten by both. Further, when jammed at the timing tl shown in FIG.
And the deck registration roller 205 are both bitten and stopped. Furthermore, the deck transport rollers 206, 20
When the transfer paper delivered by 7 is stopped at a predetermined standby position, it is left in the deck as it is during the jam processing of the main body.

In the present embodiment, the static RAM Q3 shown in FIG. 3 stores in the static RAM Q3 shown in FIG. 3 as follows the position at which the paper delivered from the left deck 126 to the deck conveyance path is stopped during the main body jam. It is controlled so that

From the timing of the main body jam and the driving time of the left deck paper feed roller 204 and the deck transport rollers 206 and 207, it is determined whether the paper position in the deck transport path is stopped at a predetermined standby position.

In the normal sequence, the transfer sheet fed from the left deck 126 is temporarily stopped at the standby position in the deck transport path and then is stopped at the standby position for a certain time in order to be sent to the deck registration rollers 205. It will be.

That is, when the main body is jammed within this fixed time, the transfer paper in the deck conveyance path is stopped at a predetermined standby position.

As described above, in the main body jam at the timing when the paper in the deck transport path is placed at the predetermined standby position, the transfer paper left in the deck transport path is not judged to be a jam.

Therefore, the static RAM shown in FIG.
Q3 memorizes that the transfer paper in the deck transport path is stopped at a predetermined standby position, and after the power is switched from off to on by the jam processing of the main body, the residual paper in the deck (transfer paper in the deck transport part is ) Shall be used for delivery.

The above control is performed when the transfer sheet in the deck transport path is at the predetermined standby position, but when it is not at the predetermined standby position, the control is performed as follows.

That is, when the paper is fed from the left deck 126, the main body jam in which the fed transfer paper reaches the standby position or reaches the standby position is as described above. A detailed description will be given below regarding the case where the printer stops at a position deviated from the standby position, or the case where the transfer sheet that has been fed cannot be reached to the predetermined standby position because the previous transfer sheet remains in the deck transport path. .

Jam timing on the main body side, left deck paper feed feed roller 204, deck feed rollers 206, 207
The drive position of the transfer paper in the deck transport section is calculated from the drive time of the deck and the detection signal of the deck transport section sensor 362, and the static R
Store in AMQ3.

When it is determined that the player is not in the predetermined standby position, the in-deck jam display is output at the same time as the main body jam display. In the main body jam processing, if the jammed paper inside the main body is not removed even if the accumulated paper inside the main body is removed, it is controlled to output only the jammed paper inside the deck when the power is restored.

Next, a case will be described in which the transfer paper in the deck transport section is removed as a jam process when the paper is fed from the left deck 126 and a main body jam occurs, even though the transfer paper is in the standby position.

The position of the transfer paper in the deck carrying section when paper is fed from the left deck 126 and the main body is jammed is determined by the positions of the left deck feeding roller 204 and the deck carrying rollers 206, 20.
It can be calculated from 7. When the main body jam occurs and the jam is cleared, it is only necessary to remove the accumulated paper in the main body,
If the transfer paper inside the deck transport unit is also removed, the output of the deck transport unit sensor 362 changes before and after the jam process.

In this case, after the power is restored at the end of the jam processing, the removal of the transfer paper in the deck transport section is detected by the deck transport section sensor 362, and the sequence is started by the normal feeding sequence from the left deck. Is.

Hereinafter, the main body jam processing operation during continuous copying in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the second main body jam processing procedure during continuous copying in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (10) indicate each step.

When a main body jam occurs during continuous copying,
The state of the transfer paper inside the deck when the main body jam occurs is judged, and it is judged whether or not the transfer paper inside the deck is in a predetermined standby position (1). If YES, after the jam status is stored in the non-volatile memory ( 2) Only the main body jam is displayed (3).

On the other hand, if the judgment in step (1) is NO, the jam state is stored in the non-volatile memory (4), and then both the main body jam display and the deck jam are displayed (5). In response to this display, the user turns off the power, opens the main body or the deck door, and performs jam processing (6). Then, when the power is turned on again, it is judged whether or not the residual paper inside the machine has been released (7), and if YES, it is considered that the jam processing has ended, and the recovery sequence is executed (10). At this time, if the transfer paper in the deck transport path has been removed, it is considered that the jam processing is completed, and it does not matter whether the transfer paper in the deck was at a predetermined position when the main body jam occurred.

On the other hand, if the judgment in step (7) is NO (if it is judged that the transfer paper remains in the deck)
Determines the status of residual paper in the deck from the contents of the non-volatile memory when the main body jam occurs. That is, it is judged whether or not the transfer paper remains in the predetermined position in the content of the non-volatile memory (8), and if YES, it is not necessary to remove the transfer paper, and it is not treated as a jam, and the step (10) is performed. Proceed to the following.

On the other hand, if the judgment in step (8) is NO, a warning jam display prompting the user to cancel the deck jam so that the transfer paper inside the deck is not in the predetermined position and has not been removed (9) and returns to step (6).

In the above embodiment, the case where the stop position of the in-deck transfer paper is stored in the SRAM Q3 which is calculated and backed up by the microcomputer Q1 to control the jam release state of the in-deck transfer paper has been described. 1
As shown in FIG. 5, the configuration may be such that the position calculation process of the transfer paper in the deck is performed by the logic circuit.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of a main body jam processing circuit during continuous copying in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

In the figure, X1 is an oscillator, which sends the basic clock to the clock input of the frequency divider V. SEL is a selector that selects one of the divided clocks divided by the divider V and outputs it to the counters C1 to C4. L1
L4 is a data latch, and the corresponding switches SW1 to SW
The count value set by 4 is output to the counters C1 to C4. Counters C1 to C4 are data latches L1 to L
When the count value set by 4 is reached, a 4-bit signal is output to the parallel / serial converter P / S, and the value is stored in the EEPROM (E ² PROM) Q11.
Note that the E ² PROM Q11 does not need to supply electric power, unlike a static RAM that requires electric power for backup after the power is turned off. A 24V power supply for supplying power to a drive system (not shown) is turned off at the same time as a jam occurs, and then 5V is supplied to a signal system and an arithmetic element.
Turn off the power.

The counter circuit constituted by the illustrated counters C1 to C4, etc., passes from the time when the transfer paper reaches the sensor in the feeding device conveyance path until the next transfer paper arrives. When the time is being counted and the output of the counter circuit is at the H level, it is a delay or retention jam in the feeding device, so when the transfer paper in the main body is completely discharged, the sequence is stopped and a jam display is displayed. .

The time counted by the counter within the time from turning off the 24V power supply to turning off the 5V power supply is stored in the E ² PROM Q11 as transfer paper position information. When the jam is cleared and the power is turned on again, E
² Read the information from PROMQ11 and judge whether it is stopped at a predetermined position. Based on the determination information, it is determined whether to display the jam display or allow the copy as it is.

E² In PROMQ11, the jam on the main body side
At the same time, indicate whether the jam is on the side of the paper feeding device, and how often it occurs.
It is also possible to judge the durability of the drive system and the consumable parts.
Noh. In addition, E² PROM Q11 is the controller section
A serviceman can be detached from the CONT control board
It has been replaced by E or ² 
It is mounted on a socket such as PROMQ11.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the timing tj at the time of continuous copying, for example, when the right deck is fed.
At times, if a jam occurs and the paper feed / transport sequence is stopped, the transfer paper stops when the paper exits from the right deck paper feed roller 203 and the transfer paper is sandwiched by the right deck paper feed roller 203. There is a case.

In the case of paper feeding from the left deck 126,
When a jam occurs at the timing tk shown in FIG. 7, the transfer sheet is stopped while being bitten by both the left deck feeding roller 204 and the deck conveying roller 207 as in the right deck feeding. Further, when a jam occurs at the timing tl, the transfer sheet is stopped while being bitten by both the deck transport roller 206 and the deck registration roller 205.

Further, the deck conveying rollers 206, 207
When the transfer paper delivered to the printer is stopped at a predetermined standby position, it remains in the standby position as it is during the main body jam processing.

In this embodiment, the left deck 126 is thus
When the paper passed from the deck to the deck conveyance path is jammed in the main body, the information on where the paper is stopped is stored in the SRAM Q3 shown in FIG. 3, and in the case of the jam only in the main body, it is stored in the deck. No matter what position the transfer paper fits, it is not treated as a jam, and the display for removal is controlled not to be output.

That is, the timing of the main body jam, the left deck paper feed feed roller 204, the deck feed roller 206,
From the drive time of 207, the position of the paper in the deck transport path
The position in the deck where it is stopped is determined.

In the normal sequence, the transfer paper fed from the left deck 126 is temporarily stopped at the standby position in the deck transport path and is sent to the deck registration rollers 205, so that it remains at the standby position for a certain period of time. . That is, when the main body is jammed within this fixed time, the transfer paper in the deck transport path remains at the predetermined standby position. Therefore, the static RA shown in FIG.
The MQ3 remembers that the transfer paper in the deck transport path is stopped at a predetermined standby position, and after the power is turned off / on by the main body jam processing, the residual paper in the deck (transfer paper in the deck transport part) It will be sent from. The above control is performed when the transfer sheet in the deck transport path is at the predetermined standby position. The control when the transfer sheet is not at the predetermined standby position will be described in detail below.

That is, when the paper is fed from the left deck 126, the main body jam in which the fed transfer paper reaches the standby position or reaches the standby position is as described above. If you get out of the standby position, or if the previous transfer paper remains in the deck transport path and the transferred transfer paper cannot reach the predetermined standby position, the timing of the main body side jam and the left side feed Paper feed roller 204, deck transport roller 206,
The drive time of 207 and the position of the transfer paper inside the deck transport section are calculated from the detection signal of the deck transport section sensor 362, and the SRAM
Store it in Q3. When it is determined that the predetermined jam position is not set, the main body jam display is output, but the in-deck jam display is not output.

In the main body jam processing, if the jammed paper in the main body is removed even if the jammed paper in the main body is not removed, the transfer paper in the deck is forcibly discharged to the standby position or to the standby position when the power is restored. It is for carrying.

Hereinafter, the transfer paper jam control operation during deck feeding in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the timing charts shown in FIGS.

During continuous copying, for example, when the paper is fed from the right deck, and when the paper feeding / conveying sequence is stopped at the timing tj shown in FIG. Paper feed roller 2
There is a case where the transfer paper is stopped because the transfer paper is sandwiched by 03. In this case, even if the right door of the deck is opened, the transfer paper cannot be reached.

In the case of paper feeding from the left deck 126,
When a jam occurs at the timing tk shown in FIG. 7, the transfer sheet is stopped while being bitten by both the left deck feeding roller 204 and the deck conveying roller 207 as in the right deck feeding.

Further, when a jam occurs at the timing tl, the transfer paper is stopped while being bitten by both the deck transport roller 206 and the deck registration roller 205.

In this embodiment, the sequence of deck feeding and carrying is not stopped at the same time as the main body jam, but the sequence is stopped after the carrying is continued for a certain time. In addition, the feeding time until the sequence is stopped is shown in FIG.
It is determined by counting with the microcomputer Q1 shown in FIG. By conveying the transfer paper by the feed amount counted by the microcomputer Q1, in the case of right deck feeding, the transfer paper is conveyed to a position where the right door of the main body can be opened and taken out, and then stopped.

In the case of the left deck paper feeding, even if the main body jam occurs at the timing shown in FIG. 7, the paper feeding / conveying sequence is not stopped at the same time as the jamming, and the conveyance of the transfer paper is continued for a certain period of time before the sequence. It has stopped. even here,
The feeding time until the sequence is stopped is determined by counting with the microcomputer Q1 shown in FIG.

Further, when the main body jam occurs at the timing tl shown in FIG. 7, the transfer paper transferred from the left deck to the deck transport path is controlled so as to stop at the position out of the deck registration rollers 205. To be done.

Further, when the main body jam occurs at the timing tl shown in FIG. 7, the left deck paper feed roller 2
It is controlled to stop when the transfer paper is delivered from 04 to the deck conveying rollers 206 and 207.

The deck paper feed processing operation in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing an example of the deck paper feed processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (18) indicate each step.

When paper feed from the deck is started and the drive system is driven, at that time, the timer 1 starts counting (1), and the count time t ₁ is sequentially added (incremented) (2), and the count time is increased. If t ₁ is less than or equal to the predetermined time k ₁ (3), if NO (if the transfer paper does not reach the predetermined position within the predetermined time k ₁ from the start of counting), a paper feed delay jam is determined. (4) The jam is displayed to that effect (5).

On the other hand, if the judgment in step (3) is YES, it is judged whether or not the transfer paper has reached the paper sensor within the time counting time k ₁ of the timer 1 (6), and if NO, the step (2) If YES, the timer 2 starts counting (7), count time t ₂ is sequentially added (incremented) (8), and it is determined whether the count time t ₂ is a predetermined time k ₂ or less (9). , NO, the process returns to step (8), and if YES, the drive system is stopped (12) and the predetermined position flag is changed from “0” to “1” to check that the transfer paper is in the standby position. Allow (13).

Then, when the drive system starts again, the predetermined position flag is returned from "1" to "0" (14), the timer 3 starts counting (15), and the count time t
₃ is sequentially added (incremented) (16), and it is determined whether the count time t ₃ is a predetermined time k ₃ or less (1
7) If YES, that is, it is confirmed whether or not the transfer paper leaves the sensor position within the time k ₃ (18), if NO, the process returns to step (16), and if YES, the next sheet feeding waits.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (17) is NO, it is determined that there is a sensor position retention jam (10), and that fact is displayed as a jam (11).

Hereinafter, the main body jam processing operation during continuous copying in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a third main body jam processing procedure during continuous copying in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (7) indicate each step.

When a main body jam occurs during continuous copying,
It is judged whether there is a transfer paper in the deck (1), and YE
If S, it is judged from the contents of the predetermined position flag ("1" is in the predetermined standby position) whether the transfer paper inside the deck is in the predetermined standby position (4), and if YES, the drive system is stopped at the moment of jam. If NO, that is, if the paper inside the deck is not in the predetermined standby position even if the paper sensor detects the presence of the paper (predetermined position flag “0”)
In the case of), it is determined whether or not the count time t ₂ counted by the timer 2 is positive (5). If YES (before the predetermined standby position is reached), the count time t ₂ is determined to be the predetermined time k ₂ or more. Until it reaches the specified standby position, the drive system for feeding and conveying the deck is continuously driven (7), and the transfer sheet fed from the deck is stopped at the position where it is easy to clear the jam. Stop the drive system that feeds the paper.

On the other hand, if the judgment in step (5) is NO, the transfer paper is sent to the main body until the count time t ₃ becomes a predetermined time k ₃ or more (after the predetermined standby position is reached). The drive system for feeding and transporting is continuously driven (6). If YES, the transfer sheet fed from the deck is stopped at a position where the jam clearance process is easy to be performed, so that the drive system for feeding the transfer sheet is stopped.

On the other hand, if the judgment in step (1) is NO, that is, if the main body jam occurs when there is no transfer paper in the paper sensor, it is judged whether or not the paper feeding operation is started (2), and NO. If so, since the paper feeding operation has not started,
It is determined that the transfer paper is out of the standby position and out of the paper sensor, the process proceeds to step (6), the transfer paper is conveyed to the main body side, and if YES, the paper feed is started. Until t ₁ exceeds a predetermined time k ₁ (3), the transfer paper is continuously conveyed, and the transfer paper is stopped at a predetermined standby position.

In the above embodiment, the case where there is a single drive system for feeding the transfer paper from the left deck 126 and the right deck 125 shown in FIG. 1 has been described.
Each right deck 125 is driven by an independent drive system /
The present invention can be applied to a configuration in which stop is controlled, and the jam drive control operation during continuous copying will be described below with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 shows the left deck 126, shown in FIG.
6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a feeding drive system of the right deck 125. FIG.

As shown in this figure, when a jam occurs,
The transfer paper is conveyed to a predetermined position according to the state of the in-deck sensor 361 and the drive transmission is stopped. In this embodiment, the sensors 361 and 362 in the deck output the “L” level when detecting the presence of the transfer paper, and output the H level when there is no transfer paper. If paper is being fed from the left deck 126 shown in FIG. 1 and a jam has occurred while the transfer paper has not reached the in-deck sensor 361, the transfer paper will not be transferred between the left deck 126 and the transport section. Existing.

Therefore, in order to convey the transfer paper to a position where it can be easily taken out, the drive is continued until the signal of the in-deck sensor 361 becomes L level, and further the drive is performed until the output of the in-deck sensor becomes L level. Continue, and drive is stopped by driving for a fixed time after the output of the in-deck sensor becomes L level. The counter 901 starts counting from the moment when the signal of the in-deck sensor 361 changes from H level to L level.

On the other hand, when the signal from the main body jam is input, if the output of the in-deck sensor 361 is at L level, that is, if there is a transfer sheet, the counter 901 is configured to stop after counting a certain period of time. ing.

Here, the time counted by the counter 901 is set in advance so that the drive transmission is continued for the time for carrying in the jam processing after the output of the in-deck sensor 361 becomes H level. 902 is a counter and 904 is a timer.

When the main body jam occurs when the transfer paper reaches the deck registration roller shown in FIG. 1 by feeding paper from the left deck 126, the signal from the deck registration pre-sensor 362 shown in FIG. Is to determine the drive transmission time.

Further, when the paper is fed from the right deck, the counter is also counted based on the signal from the pre-deck registration sensor 362 to determine the drive continuation time.

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, at the time of further continuous copying, for example, the right deck is fed, and if a jam occurs at the timing tm shown in FIG. Deck feeding roller 203
The transfer paper may have stopped just before it arrived.

In this case, although there is no major obstacle such as difficulty in picking up the transfer paper at the time of jam processing, it is not a predetermined standby position, so it is necessary to remove it.

However, if the drive system is rotated in the reverse direction, the position can be immediately returned to the standby position. Therefore, the feeder drive system is temporarily stopped at the same time as the occurrence of the main body jam, and it is reversed to return to the standby position.

In the case of paper feeding from the left deck 126,
When a jam occurs at the timing tn shown in FIG. 7, the transfer sheet is in a state of being stopped just before the deck conveying roller 207 stands, as in the case of feeding the right deck 125. Further, when the jam occurs at the timing tp, the transfer sheet is in a state of being stopped just before reaching the deck registration roller 205.

In the present embodiment, the deck paper feed / conveyance sequence is stopped at the same time as the main body jam, and the sequence is stopped after the reverse conveyance for a certain time.
The feeding time until the sequence is stopped is determined by counting with the microcomputer Q1 shown in FIG. Then, by transferring the transfer paper in the reverse direction by the feed amount counted by the microcomputer Q1, in the case of the right deck feeding, the transfer paper is carried into the right deck and stopped.

Also in the case of left deck feeding, when the main body jam occurs at the timings tn and tp shown in FIG. 7, the feeding and feeding sequence is stopped at the same time as the jam, and the transfer sheet is fed in the reverse direction for a certain period of time. The sequence is stopped after performing.

Here, the feeding time until the sequence is stopped is determined by counting with the microcomputer Q1 shown in FIG.

When the main body jam occurs at the timing tn shown in FIG. 7, the transfer sheet transferred from the left deck to the deck transport path is controlled so as to stop at the standby position in the deck transport path. .

Further, when the main body jam occurs at the timing tp shown in FIG. 7, the left deck paper feed roller 2
It is controlled to stop when the transfer paper is delivered from 04 to the left deck 126.

[0152]

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention
According to the invention, when the transfer paper discriminating means determines that the transfer paper is not at the predetermined position in the conveying path of the feeding means when the jam of the transfer paper in the main body is detected, the conveying control means performs the feeding operation. Since the stop of the transfer of the transfer paper in the transfer path is delayed, the transfer paper fed from the feeding means can be transferred to a predetermined standby position and stopped after the main body jam is detected.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when the transfer control means determines that the transfer paper is at the predetermined position when the transfer paper jam in the main body is detected, the transfer control means delays. Since the conveyance of the transfer paper in the paper feed conveyance path is stopped without performing the above, the transfer paper fed from the feeding means can be made to stand by at a predetermined position when the main body jam is detected.

According to the third invention, the transfer paper discriminating means discriminates whether or not the transfer paper is at the position after the predetermined position is reached, and the conveyance control means causes the transfer paper jam in the main body. When it is determined that the transfer paper is at the position after reaching the predetermined position when the transfer paper is detected, the transfer paper in the paper feed transfer path is transferred into the main body, and then the transfer paper is transferred. Is stopped, the transfer paper fed from the feeding means can be conveyed to the main body and stopped after the main body jam is detected.

According to the fourth invention, the transfer paper discriminating means discriminates whether or not the transfer paper is at the position before reaching the predetermined position, and the conveyance control means causes the transfer paper jam in the main body. When it is determined that the transfer paper is in the position before reaching the predetermined position when the transfer paper is detected, the transfer paper in the paper feed conveyance path is conveyed to the predetermined position and transferred at the predetermined position. Since the conveyance of the paper is stopped, it is possible to convey and stop the transfer paper in the conveyance path of the feeding means to a predetermined standby position after the main body jam is detected.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the predetermined position is a position where the transfer paper can be easily taken out from the paper feed / conveyance path, the transfer paper fed from the feeding means can be easily detected after the main body jam is detected. You can take it out.

Therefore, when an image is formed on the transfer sheet fed from the left deck, if the main body jam occurs, the transfer sheet cannot be completely removed from the left deck or the transfer sheet between the deck and the main body. It is possible to prevent the paper from stopping at a position where it is difficult to remove and reduce the jam clearance processing load on the user.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a detailed configuration of an operation unit provided on the upper portion of the main body shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram illustrating a configuration of a controller unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart for explaining a transfer paper feeding operation from the right deck shown in FIG.

5 is a timing chart for explaining a transfer sheet feeding operation from the right deck shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining a transfer paper feeding operation from the right deck shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart for explaining a transfer paper feeding operation from the left deck shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining a transfer paper feeding operation from the left deck shown in FIG.

9 is a timing chart for explaining a transfer sheet feeding operation from the left deck shown in FIG.

10 is a perspective view of relevant parts for explaining the lifter mechanism of the left and right decks shown in FIG.

11 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the lifter mechanism for the left and right decks shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a deck feeding control procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a logic circuit block diagram for determining the size of transfer paper that remains with the transfer paper of the left and right decks shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second main body jam processing procedure during continuous copying in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of a main body jam processing circuit during continuous copying in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a deck paper feed processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a main body jam processing procedure during continuous copying in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

18 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the left deck and right deck feed drive systems shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

33 sensors 34 sensors 125 right deck 126 left deck 206 deck roller 207 deck roller 361 sensor 362 sensor CONT controller section S1 paper sensor S2 Paper sensor S11 sensor S12 sensor

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Kazuhiko Hirooka 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (56) Reference JP-A-3-182428 (JP, A) JP-A-4 -28675 (JP, A) JP-A-4-361935 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65H 7/06 G03G 15/00 526 G03G 21/00 500

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first and a second paper feeding means arranged to be distributed right and left along a paper feeding direction of the transfer paper, wherein the transfer paper fed from the second paper feeding means is the first paper. In an image forming apparatus having a feeding unit that feeds to a main body via a sheet feeding / conveying path disposed above the sheet feeding unit, it is possible to determine whether or not a transfer sheet exists at a predetermined position in the sheet feeding / conveying path. And a transfer sheet determining unit that determines whether the transfer sheet in the main body is in the predetermined position when the transfer sheet determining unit determines that the transfer sheet is not at the predetermined position. An image forming apparatus comprising: a conveyance control unit that delays conveyance stop. 2. The transfer control means without delaying the transfer paper when the transfer paper determination means determines that the transfer paper is at the predetermined position when a jam of the transfer paper in the main body is detected. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transfer of the transfer paper in the paper feed path is stopped. 3. The transfer paper discriminating means discriminates whether or not the transfer paper is at a position after reaching the predetermined position, and the conveyance control means detects a jam of the transfer paper in the main body. When the transfer sheet determining unit determines that the transfer sheet is at the position after reaching the predetermined position, after the transfer sheet in the sheet feeding / conveying path is conveyed into the main body, the conveyance of the transfer sheet may be stopped. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. 4. The transfer paper discriminating means discriminates whether or not the transfer paper is in a position before reaching the predetermined position, and the conveyance control means is adapted to detect the jam of the transfer paper in the main body. When the transfer sheet determining unit determines that the transfer sheet is in the position before reaching the predetermined position, the transfer sheet in the paper feed / conveyance path is conveyed to the predetermined position, and the conveyance of the transfer sheet is stopped at the predetermined position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined position is a position where a transfer sheet can be easily taken out from the paper feed / conveyance path.