JP6853761B2 - Paper feed interval adjustment device, multifunction device and paper feed interval adjustment method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a paper feed interval adjusting device, a multifunction device, and a paper feed interval adjusting method.

Cited Document 1 describes an invention in which a second sheet is fed after confirming that the first sheet after returning from jam has reached a predetermined section in the multifunction device.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-102814

However, this conventional invention is merely an invention in which jam reoccurs due to the paper that cannot be completely removed even by the auto-purge function after the jam occurs, and it is possible to avoid the occurrence of the first jam. Can not. Therefore, it is not possible to obtain the effect of reducing the residual paper in the cabin generated by the first jam.

A plurality of mounting devices (for example, one-stage or multi-stage large-capacity feeding device, relay device, finisher device, decaler device, punch device, inserter device, stapler device, etc.) that are detachable from each other are mounted on the multifunction device. At least one mounting device (device) may be mounted inside or outside the multifunction device. When a large number of mounting devices are mounted on the multifunction device, the transport path becomes long and the amount of residual paper in the machine increases.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a paper feed interval adjusting device, a multifunction device, and a paper feed interval adjusting method capable of reducing the amount of residual paper in the machine due to the jam even if the jam occurs.

According to the present invention, when paper is replenished or replaced at the feeding unit, at least the feeding interval from the first paper to the next paper after replenishment or replacement at the feeding unit is set to the normal time. Provided is a paper feed interval adjusting device including a paper feed interval adjusting means for adjusting the paper feed interval to be longer than the paper feed interval.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a multifunction device including the above-mentioned paper feed interval adjusting device.

Further, according to the present invention, when paper is replenished or replaced at the feeding unit, at least the feeding interval from the first paper after the replenishment or replacement at the feeding unit to the next paper is usually set. Provided is a paper feed interval adjusting method characterized by having a paper feed interval adjusting step for adjusting the paper feed interval to be longer than the time feed interval.

Further, according to the present invention, a program for operating a computer as the above-mentioned paper feed interval adjusting device is provided.

According to the present invention, even if a jam occurs, the amount of paper remaining in the machine due to the jam can be reduced.

FIG. 5 is an external view of a system including a multifunction device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a first mounting device connected to the multifunction device, and a second mounting device. It is sectional drawing of the multifunction device by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the 1st mounting apparatus and 2nd mounting apparatus according to 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the paper feed interval adjustment method by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the paper feed interval adjustment method by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the residual paper in the machine in the 1st mounting apparatus and the 2nd mounting apparatus according to the conventional example. It is a figure which shows the residual paper in the machine in the 1st mounting apparatus and the 2nd mounting apparatus according to the embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the paper feed interval adjustment method by 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the paper feed interval adjustment method by 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the paper feed interval adjusting apparatus according to the 6th Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
The first embodiment relates to a system 100 including a multifunction device 110, a first mounting device 210 connected to the multifunction device 110, and a second mounting device 220 as shown in FIG. The following paper feed interval adjusting device is applied.

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing an overview of the system 100. Further, FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing the components of the multifunction device 110 in the system 100 as seen through.

The multifunction device 110 shown in FIG. 1 functions as an image processing device (not shown) such as a personal computer or a high-speed printing printer connected to an image reading device 2 for reading an original image. In the multifunction device 110, a color or monochrome image is formed on a recording sheet P (see FIG. 2) such as recording paper based on the image data output from the image reading unit 20 or the image data received from the outside. To do.

The compound machine 110 is based on the image reading unit 20 that reads the image of the document G (see FIG. 2) and outputs the image data, the image data output from the image reading unit 20, or the image data received from the outside. An image forming unit 3 that forms an image on the recording sheet P (see FIG. 2), and one or more (three in this case) paper feed trays 12 that act as a sheet supply unit that supplies the recording sheet P to the image forming unit 3. To 12 and a sheet discharging unit (specifically, a discharging tray 13) for discharging the recording sheet P from the image forming unit 3.

The multifunction device 110 includes an operation unit 120 (see FIG. 1) and an image forming unit 3. The image reading unit 20 is provided in the upper part of the multifunction device 110 in the vertical direction Z. The image reading unit 20 irradiates the document G placed on the document table 21 (see FIG. 2) with light to move the scanner section 20a (see FIG. 2) in the sub-scanning direction, or the document G Is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the automatic document feeder 30, the image light reflected from the document G is read in the main scanning direction (depth direction X), and the image light read through the condenser lens 25a is the photoelectric conversion unit 25. (See FIG. 2) is converted into an electric signal as image data.

The operation unit 120 is provided on the upper portion of the multifunction device 110 on the front side (operation side). The operation unit 120 is configured to accept input operations such as instruction operations and selection operations by an operator such as a user, and is composed of an input unit 121 and a display unit (specifically, a display panel) 122 that displays various processing information. And have. The image forming unit 3 is provided below the image reading unit 20. The image forming unit 3 forms an image on the recording sheet P based on the image data obtained by reading the image light of the document G by the image reading unit 20 and converting the image light.

A plurality of mounting devices (here, the first mounting device 210 and the second mounting device 220) are detachably connected to each other and one end portion of a mounting device group mounted in series in one direction on the outside of the multifunction device 110. (Here, the first mounting device 210) is mounted. Specifically, in the mounting device group, a plurality of mounting devices are arranged in a row in a string in a width direction Y orthogonal to both the depth direction X and the vertical direction Z.

(Image forming device body)
Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the internal configuration of the multifunction device 110 will be described while explaining the image forming operation of forming an image on the recording sheet P.

The image reading device 2 includes an image reading unit 20 and an automatic document feeding device 30 that is openably and closably attached to the image reading unit 20. The image scanning unit 20 is configured to perform scanning by the document fixing method and scanning by the document moving method.

When scanning by the document fixing method, the image reading unit 20 emits light from the light source unit 23 while moving the light source unit 23 and the mirror unit 24 in the sub-scanning direction. At this time, the light emitted from the light source unit 23 is applied to the document G placed on the platen glass 21 via the platen glass 21. Further, when scanning by the document moving method, light is emitted from the light source unit 23 with the light source unit 23 stopped at the scanning position (position shown in FIG. 2). At this time, the light emitted from the light source unit 23 irradiates the document G conveyed on the document reading glass 22 via the document reading glass 22.

In the automatic document feeder 30, the pickup roller 34 conveys the document G placed on the document tray 31 from the document tray 31 when the document is read by the document moving method. Then, the document G conveyed from the document tray 31 is separated by the separating members 35a and 35b, and is conveyed one by one to the transfer path 33a and passes through the reading position via the transfer roller pair 36. The surface image of the document G that has passed the reading position is read by the image reading unit 20 here.

Then, when only the surface of the document G is read, the document G is ejected to the ejection tray 32 by the ejection roller pair 37. On the other hand, when both sides of the document G are read, the document G is conveyed to the upstream side of the reading position via the transfer path 33b. As a result, the image reading unit 20 reads the image on the back surface of the document G.

The image forming unit 3 has an intermediate transfer including photoconductor drums 4 to 4, chargers 5 to 5, exposure devices 6, developing devices 7 to 7, cleaner devices 8 to 8, and intermediate transfer rollers 9a to 9a. The belt device 9, the secondary transfer device 10, the fixing device 11, the paper feed trays 12 to 12, the discharge tray 13, and the sheet transfer device 14 are provided.

The image forming unit 3 forms a color image using each color of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), and a monochrome image using a single color (for example, black). It is said that. Specifically, the image forming unit 3 is composed of an image forming station that forms black, an image forming station that forms cyan, an image forming station that forms magenta, and an image forming station that forms yellow.

The photoconductor drums 4 to 4 have a photosensitive layer on the surface. The chargers 5 to 5 uniformly charge the surfaces of the photoconductor drums 4 to 4 to a predetermined potential.

The exposure device 6 is, for example, a laser scanning unit including a laser diode and a reflection mirror, and exposes the surfaces of uniformly charged photoconductor drums 4 to 4 according to image data, and obtains image data on the surface. Form the corresponding electrostatic latent image.

The developing devices 7 to 7 develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drums 4 to 4 with toners of K, C, M, and Y. The cleaner devices 8 to 8 remove and recover the toner remaining on the surfaces of the photoconductor drums 4 to 4 when they are transferred to the recording sheet P after development and image transfer.

The intermediate transfer belt device 9 is arranged above the photoconductor drums 4 to 4, and is intermediate between the endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer belt 9b, the intermediate transfer belt drive roller 9c, the driven roller 9d, and the tension roller 9e. It is equipped with a transfer belt cleaning device 9f. The intermediate transfer rollers 9a to 9a, the intermediate transfer belt drive roller 9c, the driven roller 9d, and the tension roller 9e support the intermediate transfer belt 9b by stretching it, and move the intermediate transfer belt 9b in the circumferential direction C. Color toner images (toner images of each color) are formed by sequentially superimposing and transferring toner images on the surfaces of the photoconductor drums 4 to 4 on the intermediate transfer belt 9b. The transfer of the toner image from the photoconductor drums 4 to 4 to the intermediate transfer belt 9b is performed by the intermediate transfer rollers 9a to 9a which are pressed against the inside (back surface) of the intermediate transfer belt 9b. The secondary transfer device 10 has a transfer roller 10a that comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 9b.

In the multifunction device 110, the toner images formed on the surfaces of the photoconductor drums 4 to 4 are laminated by the intermediate transfer belt 9b to obtain a color toner image corresponding to the image data. The toner images of each color laminated in this way are conveyed together with the intermediate transfer belt 9b and transferred onto the recording sheet P by the secondary transfer device 10. The intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 9f removes and recovers residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 9b.

The fixing device 11 has a fixing roller 11a and a pressure roller 11b that sandwich and convey the recording sheet P. The temperature of the heat roller 11a is controlled so as to reach a predetermined fixing temperature, and the toner image transferred to the recording sheet P is melted and mixed by thermocompression bonding the recording sheet P together with the pressurizing roller 11b at the fixing nip portion. It has a function of pressure welding and heat fixing to the recording sheet P. Further, the fixing device 11 is provided with an external heating belt 11c for heating the heat roller 11a from the outside.

The paper feed trays 12 to 12 are trays for storing the recording sheet P, and the discharge tray 13 is a tray for placing the printed recording sheet P face-down.

The sheet transfer device 14 is provided so that the recording sheet P can be sent from the paper feed trays 12 to 12 to the discharge tray 13 via the secondary transfer device 10 and the fixing device 11. In the sheet transfer device 14, the pickup rollers 14a to 14a, the separation roller pairs (14b, 14c) to (14b, 14c), the transfer roller pair 14d, and the resist roller pair are taken from the paper feed trays 12 to 12 along the sheet transfer path S. A 14e and a discharge roller pair 14f are arranged.

The pickup rollers 14a to 14a are call-in rollers that supply the recording sheets P housed in the paper feed tray body one by one to the sheet transport path S. One of the separation rollers 14b to 14b separates the recording sheets P one by one and conveys them to the sheet transport path S by passing the recording sheets P between the separation rollers 14b to 14c and the other separation rollers 14c to 14c.

The transfer roller pair 14d is a small roller for promoting and assisting the transfer of the recording sheet P. Although only one transport roller pair 14d is provided in the example of FIG. 2, it may be provided at a plurality of locations as needed.

The resist roller pair 14e temporarily stops the recording sheet P conveyed from the paper feed trays 12 to 12, aligns the tips of the recording sheets P, and is intermediate in the nip area between the intermediate transfer belt 9b and the transfer roller 10a. The recording sheet P is conveyed in a timely manner in accordance with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 9b so that the color toner image on the transfer belt 9b is transferred to the recording sheet P.

Each roller in the sheet transfer device 14 is rotationally driven by a drive system (not shown) under the instruction of a control unit (not shown).

The recording sheet P on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed by the heat roller 11a and the pressure roller 11b while the toner image is fixed on the recording sheet P. The recording sheet P on which the toner images of each color are fixed is discharged to the discharge tray 13 by the discharge roller pair 14f.

It is also possible to form a monochrome image using at least one of the four image forming stations and transfer the monochrome image to the intermediate transfer belt 9b of the intermediate transfer belt device 9. Like the color image, this monochrome image is also transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 9b to the recording sheet P and fixed on the recording sheet P.

Further, when forming an image on both sides of the recording sheet P as well as the front surface, the image on the surface of the recording sheet P is fixed by the fixing device 11, and then the recording sheet P is discharged from the sheet transport path S. In the middle of transporting by the roller pair 14f, the discharge roller 14f is stopped and then rotated in the reverse direction, the recording sheet P is passed through the front-back reversal path Sr by the transport roller pair 14g to 14g, and the front and back sides of the recording sheet P are inverted. , The recording sheet P is led to the resist roller pair 14e again, the toner image is transferred and fixed on the back surface of the recording sheet P in the same manner as the front surface of the recording sheet P, and the recording sheet P is discharged to the discharge tray 13.

Further, in the present embodiment, the sheet transfer device 14 has a slide transfer unit 141. The slide transport unit 141 has a sheet carry-in port Ha, and is slidably (movably) mounted in the width direction Y with respect to the multifunction device 110 by a slide member (not shown). The slide transfer unit 141 includes a frame (not shown) provided with a secondary transfer device 10, a transfer roller pair 14d, a resist roller pair 14e, and a transfer roller pair 14g to 14g, and this frame body is attached to the multifunction device 110. On the other hand, it is designed to slide so as to be attached or detached. As a result, the system 100 releases the abnormal operation related to the sheet transport path S by a worker such as a user (specifically, the work of removing the clogged (jammed) recording sheet P on the sheet transport path S). And / or inspection work (specifically, cleaning or replacement of the transport roller pair 14d, 14 g to 14 g, etc. in the sheet transport path S) can be easily performed.

The manual feeding device 230 mounted on the upper part of the second mounting device 220 shown in FIG. 1 will be described later.

Next, the first mounting device 210 and the second mounting device 220 will be described below with reference to FIG.

In the system 100, the first mounting device 210 for transporting the recording sheet P to the multifunction device 110 is mounted on the outside of the multifunction device 110, and the second mounting device 220 for transporting the recording sheet P to the first mounting device 210 is the recording sheet P. It is mounted on the upstream side of the first mounting device 210 in the transport direction of.

(1st mounting device)
FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing the components of the first mounting device 210 and the second mounting device 220 portion of the system 100 as seen through.

Here, the first mounting device 210 is a relay device (specifically, a relay unit) that conveys the recording sheet P from the second mounting device 220 to the system 110. The first mounting device 210 includes a sheet transporting device 211 that transports the recording sheet P from the second mounting device 220 to the multifunction device 110.

The sheet transfer device 211 includes a sheet transfer path S1 that guides the recording sheet P from the second mounting device 220 to the multifunction device 110, and one or more pairs (here, three pairs) of transfer rollers provided on the sheet transfer path S1. A pair (212, 213) to (212, 213) and at least one of a pair of transfer roller pairs (212, 213) to (212, 213) (upper transfer rollers 212 to 212 in this example) are provided. It is provided with a transport roller portion 214 that separates (specifically, opens and closes) the upper transport rollers 212 to 212 from the other roller (in this example, the lower transport rollers 213 to 213).

Specifically, the sheet transport path S1 is formed in a straight line along the width direction Y, the upstream end of the recording sheet P is the sheet carry-in inlet H11, and the downstream end is the downstream end. Is the sheet carry-out port H12.

Then, the sheet carry-out port H12 of the sheet transport path S1 communicates with the seat carry-in port Ha (see FIG. 2) of the multifunction device 110.

Specifically, in the sheet transfer device 211, the transfer roller unit 214 is openable and closable with respect to the first mounting device main body 210a, and when the transfer roller unit 214 is in the closed state, the upper transfer rollers 212 to 212 The upper transfer rollers 212 to 212 are separated from the lower transfer rollers 213 to 213 while in contact with the lower transfer rollers 213 to 213 and when the transfer roller portion 214 is in the open state.

The transport roller portion 214 rotatably supports the upper transport rollers 212 to 212 in the sheet transport path S1 around the rotation axis along the depth direction X, and is one side of the first mounting device main body 210a in the width direction Y. (In this example, the side opposite to the side of the multifunction device 110) is openable and closable around the rotation fulcrum axis W1 (see the rotation direction V11) provided along the depth direction X. As a result, the system 100 performs the work of canceling the abnormal operation related to the sheet transport path S1 by a worker such as a user (specifically, the work of removing the recording sheet P clogged on the sheet transport path S1) and / or the inspection. The work (specifically, cleaning or replacement of the transport roller pairs (212, 213) to (212, 213) in the sheet transport path S1) can be easily performed.

The lower transport rollers 213 to 213 are rotatably supported by the first mounting device main body 210a, and are rotationally driven by a drive system (not shown) under the instruction of a control unit (not shown). ing.

Further, the first mounting device 210 includes a first space Q11 on the upper side and a second space Q12 on the lower side with the seat transport path S1 as a boundary. The first space Q11 is surrounded by the sheet transport path S1, the top plate 214a, the side plates 214b and 214b, and the back plate 214c. The second space Q12 is surrounded by the sheet transport path S1, the bottom plate 215a, the side plates 215b and 215b, the back plate 215c, and the fixed cover member 320.

In the present embodiment, the first space Q11 is used for the release work and / or the inspection work of the abnormal operation related to the seat transport paths S and S1 by the operator such as the user in the multifunction device 110 and the first mounting device main body 210a. It is said that it is a necessary space for. Specifically, the first space Q11 is a space required for the multifunction device 110 to slide the slide transfer unit 141 of the sheet transfer device 14 with respect to the multifunction device 110 in the width direction Y. Further, the first space Q11 is a space required for opening and closing the transport roller portion 214 in the seat transport path S1 in the rotation direction V11 with respect to the first mounting device main body 210a.

On the other hand, the second space Q12 is merely an empty space in which nothing is used. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the second space Q12 is covered with the fixed cover member 320 so as not to be opened and closed. Specifically, the fixed cover member 320 is detachably fixed to the first mounting device main body 210a (specifically, the main body frame) by a fixing member such as a screw.

Further, the top plate 214a is one of the first mounting device main bodies 210a in the depth direction X from the viewpoint that it interferes with sliding the slide transport unit 141 (see FIG. 2) with respect to the multifunction device 110 in the width direction Y. It is openable and closable around the rotation fulcrum axis W2 (see rotation direction V12) provided along the width direction Y at the end portion on the side (back side, back side in this example).

(Second mounting device)
Here, the second mounting device 220 is a one-stage or multi-stage (here, two-stage) large-capacity paper feed device (specifically, a large-capacity paper feed cassette, LCC) that supplies the recording sheet P to the first mounting device 210. : LargeCapacityCasette). The second mounting device 220 is mounted on the upstream side of the first mounting device 210 in the transport direction of the recording sheet P. The second mounting device 220 is capable of accommodating a large amount of recording sheets P of the same type or a plurality of different sizes. The second mounting device 220 includes a sheet transporting device 221 that transports the accommodated recording sheet P to the first mounting device 210, and a first sheet accommodating device 221a that accommodates the recorded sheet P and supplies it to the sheet transporting device 221 in the lower stage. A second sheet accommodating device 221b for accommodating the recording sheet P and supplying the recording sheet P to the sheet conveying device 221 is provided in the upper stage.

The sheet transfer device 221 includes a sheet transfer path S2 for guiding the recording sheet P from the first sheet accommodating device 221a or the second sheet accommodating device 221b to the first mounting device 210, and a plurality of pairs (here, 3) on the sheet transfer path S2. Pair) At least one of the provided transport roller pairs (222, 223) to (222, 223) and the transport roller pairs (222, 223) to (222, 223) (upper or left side in this example). The transport rollers 222-222) are provided so that the upper or left transport rollers 222-222 are separated from the other roller (in this example, the lower or right transport rollers 223 to 223) (specifically, opening and closing). It is provided with a transport roller unit 224 for causing the transfer.

Specifically, the first seat accommodating device 221a and the second seat accommodating device 221b include pickup rollers 227a, 227a and separation roller pairs (227b, 227c), (227b, 227c), respectively. The pickup rollers 227a and 227a are call-in rollers that supply one recording sheet P accommodated in the first sheet accommodating device 221a main body and the second sheet accommodating device 221b main body to the sheet transport path S2, respectively. One of the separation rollers 227b and 227b passes the recording sheet P between the other separation rollers 227c and 227c, thereby separating the recording sheets P one by one and transporting them to the sheet transport path S2.

The sheet transport path S2 includes a first sheet transport path S21 that guides the recording sheet P from the first sheet accommodating device 221a to the sheet transport path S1 in the first mounting device 210, and a recording sheet P from the second sheet accommodating device 221b. It is provided with a second sheet transport path S22 that merges with an intermediate portion of the first sheet transport path S21 and leads to the first sheet transport path S21.

The first sheet transport path S21 is formed in a straight line along the width direction Y, and the upstream end in the transport direction of the recording sheet P is the first sheet carry-in inlet H21, and the downstream end. The part is the first sheet carry-out port H22.

The second sheet transport path S22 is formed in a straight line along the width direction Y, is bent downward at a right angle or a substantially right angle, and is formed in a straight line along the vertical direction Z, and further, the first mounting device. It is bent at a right angle or substantially at a right angle to the 210 side (left side in FIG. 3), the upstream end is the second sheet carry-in inlet H23 in the transport direction of the recording sheet P, and the downstream end is the second. It is said to be a two-sheet carry-out port H24.

In the present embodiment, the system 100 includes, in addition to the first mounting device 210 and the second mounting device 220, a manual paper feeding device 230 detachably mounted on the second mounting device 220. Therefore, in the sheet transfer path S2, in addition to the first sheet transfer path S21 and the second sheet transfer path S22, the recording sheet P from the sheet transfer port Hb of the sheet transfer path S3 in the manual paper feed device 230 is transferred to the second sheet. A third sheet transport path S23 leading to an intermediate portion of the path S22 is provided.

The third sheet transport path S23 is formed in a straight line along the vertical direction Z and is formed in a shape bent toward the manual paper feed device 230 side at the upper part from the state, and is formed at the upstream end in the transport direction of the recording sheet P. The portion is designated as the third sheet carry-in inlet H25, and the downstream end portion is designated as the third sheet carry-out outlet H26.

Then, the third sheet carry-in inlet H25 of the third sheet transport path S23 communicates with the sheet carry-out port Hb of the manual feed device 230, and the third sheet carry-out port H26 is the transport direction of the recording sheet P of the second sheet transport path S22. It communicates with the portion between the most upstream transfer roller pair 222,223 and the next upstream transfer roller pair 222,223. Further, the first sheet carry-in inlet H21 of the first sheet transport path S21 faces the nip position of the separation rollers 227b and 227c provided in the first sheet accommodating device 221a, and the first sheet carry-out port H22 is first mounted. It communicates with the sheet carry-in port H11 of the sheet transfer path S1 in the device 210. Further, the second sheet carry-in inlet H23 of the second sheet transport path S22 faces the nip position of the separation rollers 227b and 227c provided in the second seat accommodating device 221b, and the second sheet carry-out port H24 faces the first seat. The recording sheet P of the transport path S21 communicates with the portion between the most upstream transport roller pair 222,223 and the next upstream transport roller pair 222,223 in the transport direction.

Specifically, the transfer roller unit 214 includes a first transfer roller unit 224a and a second transfer roller unit 224d. In the sheet transfer device 221, the first transfer roller portion 224a is openable and closable with respect to the second mounting device main body 220a, and when the first transfer roller portion 224a is in the closed state, the upper transfer rollers 222 to 222 are lowered. The upper transfer rollers 222 to 222 are separated from the lower transfer rollers 223 to 223 when they are in contact with the side transfer rollers 223 to 223 and the first transfer roller portion 224a is in the open state. Further, in the sheet transfer device 221, the second transfer roller portion 224d is openable and closable with respect to the second mounting device main body 220a, and when the second transfer roller portion 224d is in the closed state, the left transfer rollers 222 to 222 Is in contact with the transport rollers 223 to 223 on the right side, and the transport rollers 222 to 222 on the left side are separated from the transport rollers 223 to 223 on the right side when the second transport roller portion 224d is in the open state.

The first transport roller portion 224a supports the upper transport rollers 222 to 222 in the first sheet transport path S21 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis along the depth direction X, and the second mounting device main body 220a is supported in the depth direction X. It is openable and closable around the rotation fulcrum axis W3 (see the rotation direction V21) provided along the width direction Y at the end of one side (the back side and the back side in this example). The second transport roller portion 224d rotatably supports the left transport rollers 222 to 222 in the second sheet transport path S22 around the rotation axis along the depth direction X, and also supports the second mounting device main body 220a in the depth direction X. It is openable and closable around the rotation fulcrum axis W4 (see the rotation direction V22) provided along the vertical direction Z at the end of one side (the back side and the back side in this example). As a result, the system 100 performs the work of canceling the abnormal operation related to the sheet transport path S2 (specifically, the work of removing the recording sheet P clogged on the sheet transport path S2) and / or the inspection by a worker such as a user. The work (specifically, cleaning or replacement of the transport roller pairs (212, 213) to (212, 213) in the sheet transport path S2) can be easily performed.

Further, the second mounting device 220 makes it easier to remove the recording sheet P clogged with the most upstream transfer roller pair 222, 223 and / or the separation roller pair (227b, 227c), (227b, 227c). From the viewpoint, a rotation operating member that manually rotates the transport roller pair 222,223 and the separation roller pair (227b, 227c), (227b, 227c) on the most upstream side via a drive transmission mechanism (not shown). It has. As a result, the system 100 facilitates the work of releasing the abnormal operation related to the sheet transport path S2 (specifically, the work of removing the recording sheet P clogged on the sheet transport path S2) by a worker such as a user. be able to.

The lower or right transfer rollers 213 to 213 are rotatably supported by the second mounting device main body 220a, and are rotationally driven by a drive system (not shown) under the instruction of a control unit (not shown). It has become.

Further, the second mounting device 220 includes a first space Q21 on the upper side and a second space Q22 on the lower side with the first sheet transport path S21 as a boundary. The first space Q21 is surrounded by the first sheet transport path S21, the top plate 224a, one side plate 224b, the second transport path S22, the third transport path S23, and the back plate 224c. The second space Q22 is surrounded by the first sheet transport path S21, the bottom plate 225a, the side plates 225b, 225b, and the back plate 225c.

In the present embodiment, the first space Q21 is a space required for the release work and / or the inspection work of the abnormal operation related to the seat transport path S2 by the operator such as the user in the second mounting device main body 220a. ing. Specifically, in the first space Q21, the first transport roller portion 224a in the first sheet transport path S21 and the second transport roller portion 224d in the second sheet transport path S22 rotate with respect to the second mounting device main body 220a. It is a space required to open and close in the directions V21 and V22.

On the other hand, the second space Q22 is a storage space for accommodating the accessory member 232 of the system 100 used as needed.

Examples of the accessory portion 232 of the system 100 housed in the second space Q22 include accessories used in the manual feed device 230 (see also FIG. 1). The accessory 232 used in the manual feed device 230 is here as an indicator member for non-standard-size paper that restricts the backward movement of non-standard-size paper (for example, tab paper) placed on the manual feed tray 231. Specifically, the manual feed tray 231 of the manual feed device 230 is a part of the rear end of the standard paper in the depth direction X in order to restrict the backward movement of the standard paper of a normal standard size (for example, A4 size). A regulating member for standard paper that regulates (for example, the central portion) is provided. However, for example, as non-standard-sized paper, a tab paper having an index (heading) portion in which a part of the depth direction X protrudes rearward from the rear end for an index (heading) is placed on the bypass tray 231. In this case, even if the restricting member for standard paper is shifted backward by the index (heading) portion, the restricting member for standard paper indicates a part of the rear end of the standard paper in the depth direction X. Therefore, depending on the position of the index (heading) portion of the tab paper in the depth direction X, it may not be possible to come into contact with the index portion of the tab paper. Therefore, the bypass tray 231 may be replaced with a regulation member for standard paper or as a regulation member for standard paper, if necessary (for example, when tab paper is placed on the bypass tray 231). When attached, a regulating member for non-standard size paper (for example, tab paper) that indicates the entire rear end of non-standard size paper (for example, tab paper) in the depth direction X is provided. Then, the restricting member for non-standard-size paper (for example, tab paper) is stored in the second space Q22 when it is not necessary (for example, when standard paper is placed on the bypass tray 231).

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, immediately after the paper is replenished or the paper is replaced in the feeding unit, as shown in FIG. 4, the paper feed interval is set to be longer than the normal paper feed interval A. Set to B.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a paper feed interval adjusting method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 5, first, it is determined whether or not the paper has just been replenished or replaced in the feeding unit (step S111), and if so, the process proceeds to step S113, and if not, step S121. Proceed to. The feeding section here means a sheet feeding section or a manual feeding section.

In step S113, it is determined whether or not the number of printed sheets is N or more (N is an integer of 2 or more).

If the number of printed sheets is N or more (YES in step S113), the first sheet is fed (step S115), and then the first sheet is waited until it passes through a predetermined section in the transport path (step S117). Then, the second sheet is fed (step S119). In this case, the distance interval and time interval between the first sheet and the second sheet are adjusted to be longer than the normal distance interval and time interval. It may be determined that the paper has passed the predetermined section when the leading edge of the paper arrives at the final position of the predetermined section, or the trailing edge of the paper arrives at the final position of the predetermined section. You may judge that it has passed. In the former case, the spacing is the spacing from the front edge of the paper to the front edge of the next sheet, and in the latter case, the spacing is the spacing from the rear edge of the paper to the front edge of the next sheet.

When the mounting device is not mounted on the multifunction device, a predetermined section of the transport path inside the multifunction device (particularly, a section near the discharge sheet loading section of the multifunction device) is selected as the predetermined section in the transport path. Is done. When the mounting device is mounted on the multifunction device, the predetermined section of the transport path is a predetermined section of the transport path inside the multifunction device or a predetermined section of the transport path inside the mounting device (particularly near the exit). Section, etc.) is selected.

By doing so, when the number of printed sheets is N or more, even if a jam occurs before the first sheet passes through the predetermined section, the feeding of the second sheet does not start, so that the second sheet is fed. It is possible to prevent the paper from causing jam in a chain in the section leading to the place where the jam occurs in the transport path. In particular, the probability that the first sheet of paper will jam immediately after the paper is replenished or replaced is higher than the probability that the second and subsequent sheets will jam. , It means that measures have been taken against the chain of jams. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of paper remaining in the cabin due to jams, even when looking at the overall operation.

For example, in the conventional example, when a jam occurs in the multifunction device 110 as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of sheets of paper are moving across the first mounting device 210 and the second mounting device 220 in the transport path. , These sheets are wasted and may be caught in jam. However, in the present embodiment, by setting a section near the discharge port of the multifunction device as a predetermined section, as shown in FIG. It is possible to prevent the generation of paper.

Further, when the number of printed sheets is small, even if a jam occurs, the number of chains of jams can be small, so it may not be necessary to take such measures. Therefore, the number of sheets N in step S113 should be adjusted. This can be dealt with.

After feeding the second sheet, it is determined whether or not there is remaining printing, and if not (NO in step S121), printing ends, but if there is (YES in step S121), the feeding conditions are set. Wait until it is satisfied (step S123). Further, even when the step S121 is reached in step S111 to NO, it is determined whether or not there is remaining printing, and if there is (YES in step S121), the paper feed condition is satisfied (step S123). The paper feed condition here is the paper feed condition at the time of normal printing, and the time until this is satisfied is the paper interval time at the time of normal printing. Therefore, the interval between the sheets fed with the step S123 in between is the normal feeding interval.

If this condition is satisfied, it is determined again whether or not the paper has just been replenished or replaced (step S125). Step S125 is provided because there is a possibility that paper replenishment or paper replacement may be performed during printing of N sheets.

If it is not immediately after the paper is replenished or the paper is replaced (NO in step S125), the next paper is fed (step S127), and the process returns to step S121.

If the paper has just been replenished or replaced (YES in step S125), the same as in step S113, and if the remaining number of printed sheets is N or more (YES in step S129), the paper is replenished or the paper is replaced. The first sheet after replacement is fed (step S131), and then waits until the first sheet after paper replenishment or paper replacement passes a predetermined section in the transport path (step S133), and then the paper replacement or paper is replaced. The second sheet after replenishment is fed (step S135). From step S135, the process returns to step S121.

When NO in step S113 and NO in step S129 (that is, when the number of remaining sheets is less than N), normal paper feeding is executed (step S137).

[Third Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, only the interval between the first sheet and the second sheet immediately after the paper replenishment or the paper exchange is adjusted, but in the third embodiment, for the second and subsequent sheets up to the predetermined number of sheets. Adjust the paper spacing in the same way. For this purpose, the operations of steps S117 and S119 are repeated a plurality of times, and the operations of steps S133 and S135 are also repeated a plurality of times.

By doing so, for example, even if jam does not occur in the first sheet immediately after paper replenishment or paper replacement, it is possible to deal with the case where jam occurs in the second sheet.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the above embodiment, the amount of adjustment of the distance interval and the time interval of the paper to be adjusted is set to the ease of jam occurrence and the normal time from the most upstream position of the paper transport path to a predetermined section. It may be variable depending on the number of sheets existing or a combination thereof. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the paper feed interval B in the second embodiment is changed as the paper feed intervals B ′ and B ″.

Specifically, depending on the paper size, paper orientation, paper type, cumulative number of prints since the last maintenance, environmental temperature, environmental humidity, jam history, system configuration including the multifunction device, or a combination of two or more of these. , The amount of adjustment may be variable.

If the normal spacing between papers in the transport path is narrowed due to the combination of paper size and paper orientation, the adjustment amount is relatively large relative to the normal spacing in order to obtain the same adjustment amount. You may. Further, if the number of sheets of paper from the most upstream position of the transport path to passing through the predetermined section increases depending on the combination of the paper size and the paper direction, the adjustment amount may be increased in terms of the number of sheets. For example
The adjustment amount may be increased in the order of A3 <A4 <A5 <postcard.

The more difficult it is for the paper to pass through the transport path, the higher the possibility of jamming, so the amount of adjustment may be increased. For example
The adjustment amount may be increased in the order of recommended paper <recycled paper <thick paper.

The larger the cumulative number of prints from the last maintenance, the higher the possibility of jamming, so the amount of adjustment may be increased.

The higher the temperature and humidity, the higher the possibility of jamming, so the amount of adjustment may be increased. For example
20 ° C / 60% <35 ° C / 85%
The amount of adjustment may be increased so as to have such a tendency.

Although it cannot be said unconditionally, the greater the number of jams remaining in the jam history, the higher the possibility of jamming, so the amount of adjustment may be increased. For example
The adjustment amount may be increased in the order of 0 cases <1 case <2 cases.

The larger the number of mounting devices in the configuration of the system including the multifunction device, the higher the possibility of jamming, so the adjustment amount may be increased. For example
The adjustment amount may be increased in the order of 0 unit <1 unit <2 units.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Since the paper spacing in step S123 of the second embodiment is a normal paper spacing, the time for completing printing on all papers is adjusted by adjusting the paper spacings after refilling or replacing the papers. , It will be slower than without such adjustment.

In the fifth embodiment, the normal paper spacing is changed to a shorter spacing in order to eliminate the delay. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the paper feed interval A in the second embodiment is shortened to A', which is shorter than that, as shown in FIG.

[Sixth Embodiment]
A sixth embodiment relates to a paper feed interval adjusting device for executing the above paper feed interval adjusting method.

Referring to FIG. 10, the paper feed interval adjusting device includes a paper replenishment / paper exchange detection unit 203, an initial print number / remaining print number detection unit 205, a number threshold holding unit 207, an enable / disable switching unit 209, and a section setting. It includes a unit 211, a section passage detection unit 213, and a paper feed interval adjusting unit 215.

The paper replenishment / paper exchange detection unit 203 detects that the paper replenishment or paper exchange has been performed in the feeding unit 301.

The initial print number / remaining print number detection unit 205 detects the initial print number set at the start of printing or the remaining print number in the middle of printing.

The enable / disable switching unit 209 feeds paper based on the comparison result between the number of sheets detected by the initial print number / remaining print number detection unit 205 and the number threshold N held in the number threshold holding unit 207. Enables / disables the interval adjustment unit 215.

The section passage detection unit 213 detects that the paper passes through the section set by the section setting unit 211 among the plurality of sections included in the transport path.

The paper feed interval adjusting unit 215 includes a detection signal from the paper replenishment / paper exchange detection unit 203, an activation / invalidation signal from the enable / disable switching unit 209, and a section passage detection signal from the section passage detection unit 213. Adjust the paper feed interval based on the paper size, paper orientation, paper type, cumulative number of prints since the last maintenance, ambient temperature, ambient humidity, jam history, and system configuration including the multifunction device.

The above-mentioned paper feed interval adjusting device can be realized by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. Further, the paper feed interval adjusting method performed by the above paper feed interval adjusting device can also be realized by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. Here, what is realized by software means that it is realized by a computer reading and executing a program.

Programs can be stored and supplied to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer readable media. Non-transient computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-temporary computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (eg, flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (eg, magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD- R, CD-R / W, semiconductor memory (for example, mask ROM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (random access memory)) are included. The program may also be supplied to the computer by various types of temporary computer readable media. Examples of temporary computer-readable media include electrical, optical, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can supply the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire and an optical fiber, or a wireless communication path.

The present invention can be practiced in various other forms without departing from its spirit or key features. Therefore, each of the above embodiments is merely an example and should not be construed in a limited manner. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims, and is not bound by the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications and modifications that fall within the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention can be used for adjusting the paper feed interval.

301 Feeding unit 203 Paper replenishment / paper replacement detection unit 205 Initial print number / remaining print number detection unit 207 Number of sheets threshold holding unit 209 Enablement / invalidation switching unit 211 Section setting unit 213 Section passage detection unit 215 Paper feed interval adjustment unit

Claims (4)

If paper is replenished or replaced at the feeding section, at least the feeding interval from the first paper to the next paper after refilling or replacing at the feeding section is longer than the normal feeding interval. Paper feed interval adjusting means for making adjustments
The adjustment is an adjustment that waits for the next paper to be fed until the first paper after replenishment or replacement passes a predetermined section in the transport path.
Before SL feeding interval adjusting apparatus characterized by comprising: a period setting means for setting one of sections of the plurality of sections in the conveying path as the predetermined interval in the conveyance path. The paper feed interval adjusting device according to claim 1.
The amount of the adjustment is the paper size, paper orientation, paper type, cumulative number of prints from the last maintenance, environmental temperature, environmental humidity, jam history, any of the system configurations including the multifunction device, or a combination of two or more of these. A paper feed interval adjusting device characterized by being changed by. A multifunction device including the paper feed interval adjusting device according to claim 1 or 2. If paper is replenished or replaced at the feeding section, at least the feeding interval from the first paper to the next paper after refilling or replacing at the feeding section is longer than the normal feeding interval. adjust the feeding interval adjustment step of performing such as,
The adjustment is an adjustment that waits for the next paper to be fed until the first paper after replenishment or replacement passes a predetermined section in the transport path.
A method for adjusting a paper feed interval , which comprises a section setting step for setting any section of a plurality of sections in the transport path as the predetermined section in the transport path.

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