JPH01187178A - Copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the erroneous stapling of copying paper by discharging the copying paper left in a staple tray by an all reset mechanism, in a finisher unit provided in a copying machine. CONSTITUTION:A copying machine including a finisher unit 50 is equipped with an all reset mechanism for resetting the mode of the copying machine to the initial mode when the copying machine is not operated for a certain time after the copying operation, a staple tray 90 which accommodates and arranges a prescribed pieces of paper discharged from the copying machine body and carries out staple processing and discharges paper, and a sensor SE3 for detecting a copying paper which detects if a paper is accommodated in the tray 90. If the presence of paper in the tray 90 is detected by the sensor SE3, when the mode of the copying machine is reset by the all reset mechanism, a discharge control means performs control so that the paper is discharged. Therefore, the paper which is left in the tray 90 can be discharged by the all reset mechanism.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a copying machine equipped with a paper storage device that accommodates and aligns sheets discharged from a copying machine main body and performs stapling processing and the like.

4 Atsushi to 1 Osaka Conventionally, copying machines equipped with the above-mentioned paper accommodating device were disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-43765 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 60-18.
Those described in JP-A No. 3461 and JP-A-60-248563 are known.

Further, this type of paper storage device is usually called a finisher, and is configured to stack copied sheets on a tray or the like, align them, perform staple processing, etc., and then transfer them to a stacking section for stacking and storage. There is.

As a tray for this finisher, a type that stores sheets substantially vertically is also considered for the sake of space saving of the apparatus and accommodation alignment.

Incidentally, the stapling process using the finisher has a mode called manual stapling in which the user can freely perform the stapling process by pressing a predetermined key. In this manual stapling mode, if the user leaves the copying machine while the stapling process is in progress, or if the user forgets to press the specified key to perform the stapling process even though the copy sheets are stored and aligned in the stable tray, etc. If another user performs the stapling process, the copy paper that was being stapled and the copy paper left by the previous user will be left in the stable tray. This causes the inconvenience that both are stabilized together. Moreover, such inconveniences are likely to occur frequently when the copy paper stored in the stable tray is not visible or difficult to see from the outside.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a copying machine equipped with a paper storage device according to the present invention resets the mode of the copying machine to the initial mode when the copying machine is not operated for a certain period of time after a copying operation. a paper storage device that accommodates and aligns a predetermined number of sheets of paper ejected from the copying machine body, performs stapling processing, and ejects the sheets; and a paper storage device that detects whether or not paper is stored in the paper storage device. paper detection means; and an ejector that controls the paper to be ejected when the paper detection means detects that there is paper in the paper storage device when the mode of the copying machine is reset by the auto-reset mechanism. It is characterized by comprising a control means.

According to a copying machine having a one-discharge or higher configuration, sheets left in a sheet storage device are ejected by an auto-reset mechanism.

夾jlfi- Hereinafter, embodiments of a copying machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Configuration of copying machine main body and ADF] First, the configuration of the copying machine main body (1) will be described according to FIG. 7.

The copying machine main body (1) is placed on a desk (45), and a circulating automatic document feeder (30) (hereinafter referred to as AD) is mounted on the top surface.
) is attached. Inside the copying machine body (1), there is a photosensitive drum (2) that can be rotated in the direction of arrow (a), an optical system (3), a charger (4),
Known image forming elements such as a phenomenon device (5), a transfer charger (6), a cleaning device N (7), and an eraser lamp (8) are arranged. Since these devices and copying processes are well known, their explanation will be omitted.

Copy paper is stored in automatic paper feed cassettes (10) and (11), and is selectively fed one sheet at a time from either cassette (10) or (11), and is fed by a pair of timing rollers (15).
) is conveyed to the transfer section (2a) in synchronization with the toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum (2). After the transfer, the copy paper is transferred to the fixing device (17) via the conveyor belt (16).
), where the toner is fixed, and then discharged from a pair of discharge rollers (18).

The ADF (30) generally includes an original loading tray (31), a paper feed belt (32), a pair of paper feed rollers (33), a reversal guide plate (34), a conveyance belt (35), and a reversal roller (36).
, a pair of discharge rollers (37).

The ADF (30) circulates and transports originals in order from the last page, and the originals are placed in the tray (30) with the back side of the last page facing down.
1) The paper feed belt (
Next, the paper is pulled out by the rotation of the paper feed roller pair (33) and fed between the paper conveyor belt (35) and the document table glass (9) via the reversing guide plate (34). 35), the document is set at a predetermined position on the document glass (9), and is scanned with light by an optical system (not shown).After one image exposure, the document is transferred to the document glass (9) by the conveyor belt (35). It is conveyed from the top to the right in FIG. 7, and is ejected via a reversing roller (36) from a pair of ejection rollers (37) onto a document placed on a tray (31) with the image side facing up. . Here, one image exposure for all documents is defined as one cycle of copying processing. The ADF (30) performs one cycle of copy processing by pressing the number button (
304) for the number of times input, and 1
The number of originals copied by the cycle copying process also increases.
It is input using the number button (304). Furthermore, the ADF (30) is provided so that it can be opened and opened with respect to the copying machine main body (1), so that the ADF (30) can be opened and a document can be manually set on the document platen glass (9). You can also make copies. ADF (30) does not operate when opened. In addition, opening the ADF (30)
It is detected by a switch (not shown) provided near the document table glass (9).

In this embodiment, the paper storage device is the main body of the copying machine (1).
Copy sheets discharged from the tray are selectively stored on a paper discharge tray (80), or are stored and aligned in a stable tray (90) and stapled with a stapler (130). Therefore, when copying and stapling a plurality of copies using the ADF (30), the copy sheets are sequentially stored in the stable tray (90) and one
When the copying process of the cycle is completed, the copying machine body (1)
The stapler (130) is operated based on the staple signal outputted from the printer to staple the copy sheets. The bound copies are stored in a stack box (161).

[Operation panel of the copying machine main body] Here, the ninth section regarding the operation panel (300) of the copying machine main body is explained.
This will be explained with reference to the figures. This operation panel (300) is
A print button (301) is installed on the top front of the copying machine body (1) to start the copying operation, and a number button (301) is used to set the required number of copies, number of originals to be copied, magnification, etc. 304), an exposure setting button (305) for setting the image density when copying, and an upper cassette (9) for copy paper.
1) Alternatively, there is a paper selection button (308) for switching to the lower cassette (92), a magnification setting button (311) for setting the copy magnification, etc. In addition, special input keys such as the magnification calculation button, zoom memory set button, zoom memory button, and book copy button are covered with an opening/closing lid (330), and can only be used when this opening/closing lid (330) is opened. Become. (303) is an all reset button, which is used to reset the mode of the copying machine to the initial mode. Further, (322) is a display unit that displays the number of copies, magnification, paper size, etc.

[Configuration of finisher unit] Next, regarding the configuration of the finisher unit (50),
This will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

This finisher unit (50) generally includes rollers (60) and (61) for receiving copy paper, a switching member (70) for switching the conveyance path, a paper ejection tray (80), and a paper ejection tray (80). Copy paper ejection rollers (85), (86) to the paper ejection tray (80) and stable tray (90)
, copy paper transport rollers (100), (101) to this stable tray (90), and stable tray (90).
) is a pressing member that can press the upper end of the copy paper stored in ( ).
110), a paddle wheel (120) for aligning the copy paper stored in the stable tray (90) with the corner part (A), and a stapler (130).

In addition to the aforementioned rollers (60) and (61), the copy paper receiving section includes a guide plate (62) facing the ejection roller pair (18).
, (63), a guide plate (6) provided in the unit (50)
4), and the guide plate (65) extends from the receiving portion to the discharge rollers (85) and (86).

The guide plate (65) is attached to a support shaft (65) for clearing paper jams, etc.
It can be released upward using the roller (66) as a fulcrum.
1) is attached to this guide plate (65).

In addition, a static elimination brush (19
) and a photo sensor (S E 1 ) for detecting copy paper are installed.

The switching member (70) has a beak shape and is rotatably attached around a support shaft (71>), and is rotated from the dotted chain line position to the solid line position in FIG. 1 by turning on a solenoid (not shown). - When in the dot-dashed line position, the copy paper is guided to the output tray (80) side with the top surface (70a), and when in the solid line position, the copy paper is guided to the stable tray (90) side with the curved surface (70b). Guide.

The paper ejection tray (80) is fixed to the outside of the unit (50) via support plates (81) and (82), and has a step at the lower end with ejection rollers (85) and (86), so that the paper ejection tray (80) It intersects with the end regulation piece (81m). Ejection roller (85), (
Guide plates (87) and (88) are installed near the guide plate (86), and the discharge roller (86) is attached to the guide plate (87).

The stable tray (90) includes a substrate (91) and a guide plate (
92), this substrate (91), a guide plate (93) opposite to the guide plate (92), and a stopper (95), and is installed in an upright state with a slight inclination to the left. The upper part of the guide plate (92) extends to the vicinity of the curved surface (70b) of the switching member (70), and the guide plate (92) is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. Can be opened. The upper part of the guide plate (93) faces the upper part of the guide plate (92) at a narrow interval, and the switching member (
70). In addition, a guide plate (9
3) has a paddle wheel (120
) The facing distance of the portion (93m) facing the substrate (91) is narrower than the facing distance of the other portions.

Specifically, the distance between the facing portion (93a) and the substrate is set to be slightly larger than the thickness for detecting copy sheets that can be accommodated in the stable tray (90). In this way, the reason why the distance in the thickness direction of the stable tray (90) is narrowed near the paddle wheel (120) and widened elsewhere is that it is different between the copy paper that has been accommodated and aligned and the copy paper that is being accommodated and aligned. The contact resistance of the copy paper is reduced as much as possible, and the alignment reference line (Ao), (
This is to match Ao).

Furthermore, a sensor (SE3) for detecting copy paper fed into the stable tray (9o) is installed in this part.

The stopper (95) constitutes the bottom plate of the stable tray (9o), and is attached to the support shaft (97) via the arm (96).
It is rotatably held. The arm (96) has a pin (
A torsion spring (96m) is connected to the solenoid (SL2) via a torsion spring (96m) and is wound around a support shaft (97).
Both ends of the arm (96) are engaged with a protrusion (96b) of the arm (96) and a protrusion (52) provided on the frame (51).

Therefore, when the solenoid (SL2) is turned off, the stopper (95) is at the solid line position l in FIG. 1 due to the spring force of the torsion spring (98), and the stable tray (
90) is closed at the bottom. On the other hand, the solenoid (SL
When 2) is turned on, the stable tray (9o) is rotated to the dashed line position using the support shaft (97) as a fulcrum, and the bottom of the stable tray (9o) is opened. The conveyance rollers (100), (101) are installed in narrow upper portions of the guide plates (92), (93), and are guided downward by the curved surface (70b) of the switching member (7o). This is for feeding the copied paper into the tray (9o), and a photo sensor (SE2) for detecting the copy paper is installed directly above it.

A strip-shaped mylar sheet (105) is attached to the upper part of the guide plate (93). This myra sheet (10
5) overlaps the nip portion of the transport rollers (100) and (1o1) and hangs down inside the stable tray (90°), and the lower end has the minimum size ( It extends to a position slightly lower than the top edge of the copy sheet B5) and reaches the static elimination brush (106) attached to the guide plate (93). When the copy paper is being fed into the stable tray (90), this Mylar sheet (105) is provided with a "firmness" according to the thickness of the copy paper to ensure that the copy paper is fed into the stable tray (90).
), and also comes into contact with the upper end of the housed copy paper together with the electricity removal brush (106);
It functions to prevent the copy paper from falling or buckling toward the guide plate (93).

Further, the nip portion of the conveyance rollers (100) and (101) is set so that the sandwiched copy paper faces the guide plate (93). This is to reduce the contact resistance between the copy paper fed into the stable tray (90) and the copy paper already stored.

As shown in FIG. 3, the holding member (110) is attached to a support shaft (11
1), (111), the support shaft (111) is connected to the solenoid (SL3) via the arm (112), and the arm (112) is connected to the coil spring (113).
is biased in the opposite direction to arrow (b), therefore,
The holding member (110) is a solenoid (S L 3 )
When the coil spring (113) is turned off, it is biased in the direction opposite to the arrow (b) by the spring force of the coil spring (113), contacts the stopper pin (114), and moves the guide as shown by the solid line in Figure 1. It is waiting outside the board (93). On the other hand, when the solenoid (S L 3 ) is turned on, the support shaft (111),
(111) as a fulcrum and rotates in the direction of arrow (b), and the head portion (110a) is connected to the window portion (93b) of the guide plate (93).
It enters into the stable tray (90) and presses the upper end of the copy paper stored in the stable tray (90). In addition, the head portion (110m) has the mylar sheet (105
), a notch (110b) is formed to avoid contact with the static elimination brush (106).

The paddle wheel (120) has a shaft (
A plurality of blade members are attached radially to the tip of the copy paper, and the angle (θ) with respect to the conveyance direction is
The shaft (121) is rotatably attached to a bracket (122) fixed to the outside of the guide plate (93), and a part of the paddle wheel (120) is attached to the guide plate (93).
It protrudes into the stable tray (90) through a long hole (93c) formed in the hole (93).

A motor (M2) fixed to a bracket (122) and capable of rotating in forward and reverse directions is connected to a gear (123) via a deceleration means (not shown).
), and the gear (123) meshes with a gear (124) fixed to the shaft (121). Therefore, the paddle wheel (120) can be rotated in forward and reverse directions by the motor (M2).

That is, this paddle wheel (120> rotates in the direction of arrow (c) to move the copy paper conveyed into the stable tray (90) to a part of the corner where alignment reference lines (A') and (A') intersect. (A) direction. In this case, the peripheral speed (V) of the paddle wheel (120>) is the vertical component (V
y) is set to be faster than the circumferential speed of the transport roller (100);
), (101) is set to be weaker than the conveying force. Therefore, the paddle wheel (120
) The conveyance force due to the rotation in the direction of arrow (c) is applied after the trailing edge of the copy sheet passes through the nip portion of the conveyance rollers (100) and (101). Conveyance rollers (100), (101)
The positions of the copy paper when it passes through are the positions indicated by A4 and B5 in FIG. Please note that the copy paper is centered on the center line (C
It is transported with a central reference centered at L).

The inclination angle (θ) of the paddle wheel (120) is determined when the trailing edge of the copy paper passes through the conveyance rollers (100) and (101) and the conveyance force of the paddle wheel (120) begins to act.
It is set to be approximately parallel to the straight line connecting the corner of the copy paper and the part of the alignment corner (A).

This moves the copy paper directly to the alignment corner portion (A) over the shortest distance by rotating the paddle wheel (120),
This is to improve consistency. Therefore, the alignment corner part (A) is an extension line (θ) at an angle (θ) from the copy paper corner.
C) It is desirable to be located above, but the angle (θ) is 45
If the angle (θ) is 45° or more, it may be a position moved downward from the extension line (C), and if the angle (θ) is 45° or more, it may be a position moved above the extension line (C). The vertical position W between the wheel (120) and the conveying rollers (100) and (101) must be set so that the copy paper receives a conveying force from at least one of them.

The stapler (130) is a well-known electric type, and as shown in FIG. Then, the corners of the copy sheets housed and aligned in the stable tray (90) are bound.

"Operation of Finisher Unit" Next, the operation of the finisher unit (50) will be explained.

(Non-stable mode) Copy paper ejected from the ejection roller pair (18) of the copying machine main body (1) is transferred to the ejection tray (80) without being stabilized.
This is the operating mode for loading and accommodating.

In this case, the switching member (70) is located as shown by the dotted chain margin line in FIG. 1, and the copy paper received from the rollers (60) and (61) is Top surface (7
0 m> and a guide plate (65), and is discharged from discharge rollers (85) and (86) onto a paper discharge tray (80).

(Staple mode) After storing and aligning the copy sheets in the stable tray (90) and binding them with the stapler (130), the stack box (1
61) (see Figure 7) or stack unit (160)
(See FIG. 6) etc.

In this case, the switching member (70) is switched to the position shown by the solid line in FIG.
0b) and the upper parts of the guide plates (92) and (93), and are fed into the stable tray (90) from the conveyance rollers (100) and (101).

Simultaneously with the rotation of the conveyor rollers (100) and (101), the paddle wheel (120) also rotates forward in the direction of arrow (e). A part of the corner moves in the direction (A) under the conveyance force caused by the rotation of (120), and is aligned.

At this time, the copy paper is transported by transport rollers (100) and (101).
The guide plate (93
) side, and receives the conveying force so as to face the Mylar sheet (1
05) and are given a "stiffness" according to the thickness of the paper, and are sequentially stored in the stable tray (90) in a state where the contact resistance with the stored copy paper is minimized as much as possible. At the same time, it also comes into sliding contact with the static elimination brush (106), and the static electricity is eliminated. Further, the tips of the mylar sheet (105) and the static eliminating brush (106) come into contact with the upper end of the stored copy paper, thereby preventing the copy paper from falling over or buckling.

By the way, if the copy paper is curled by heating by the fixing device (17) and stored in the stable tray (90) with the upper end curved toward the guide plate (93), the next copy paper to enter will be The leading edge collides with the curled upper edge of the stored copy paper, causing a paper jam. In order to prevent this, in this embodiment, the upper end of the housed copy paper is pressed by the pressing member (110).

That is, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the leading edge of the copy paper is detected by the photosensor (SE2), for example, at the timing when the copy paper is aligned with the corner part (A) by rotation of the paddle wheel (120), the solenoid ( Sl3) is turned on, and the holding member (110) moves in the direction of the arrow (b) with the support shaft (111) as the fulcrum.
) direction, and (110m) of the head part is the guide plate (
93) from the window (93b) of the stable tray (90)
The upper end of the stored copy paper (Sl) is pressed (see Fig. 4), and the curled copy paper (Sl) is
) is pressed toward the tray bottom [guide position (92)], and the curl is corrected.

On the other hand, the holding member (110) is moved as shown by the arrow (b) by turning off the solenoid (S L 3 ) immediately before the leading edge of the next copy sheet (S2) reaches at least the vicinity of the holding member (110). It rotates in the opposite direction to release the pressed state against the stored copy paper (Sl).

With the above operation, the curling of the upper end of the stored copy paper (Sl) toward the guide plate (93) is corrected, and the copy paper (S2) to be fed next to the stable tray (90) is corrected. It is possible to reliably prevent paper jams from occurring due to collisions.

In addition, as in this embodiment, when the head portion (110a) of the pressing member (110) presses the upper end of the copy paper (Sl), if it intersects with the Mylar sheet (105) at the notch (110b). , further improvement in the capacity for copy paper can be expected. That is, as shown in FIG.
0) head section (110m) accommodated copy paper (Sl)
When pressing the upper end of the Mylar sheet (105)
is located in the notch (110b) and is not biased to the left, and the copy paper (S2) fed next is held in place by the holding member (110) on the stable tray (S2) as shown in FIG.
90) in the same way as when you evacuated the stored copy paper (
SL) and the stable tray (90
) is contained within.

With the above operation, the copy paper is moved one sheet at a time to the guide plate (
93) In order of the pages towards the side, the stay tray (90)
Contained and matched within. Then, the circulating ADF (3
0), based on the staple signal output at the end of one cycle of copy processing, or
When the DF (30) is not used, the stapler (130) is operated based on the staple processing signal from the operator.
) operates to staple the copy sheets at the stapling position (D>).

When the stapling process is completed, the solenoid (SL2) is turned on and the stopper (95) is retracted to the position indicated by the dotted chain line in FIG. 1, opening the bottom of the staple tray (90).

At the same time, the motor (M2) is switched to reverse rotation and the paddle wheel (120) rotates in the opposite direction to the arrow (c). As a result, the bound copy sheets are discharged downward from the stable tray (90) while turning in the lower right direction in FIG. 2 by their own weight and the rotational biasing force of the paddle wheel (120).

That is, the copy paper is turned to the right by the biasing force generated by the reverse rotation of the paddle wheel (120), so that the stapled portion avoids the stapling position (D) and is ejected.

As described above, the copy paper that has not been ejected from the stable tray (90) is stored in the stack box (161) shown in FIG. 7 or in the stack box (162) of the stack unit (160) shown in FIG. The loading capacity is accommodated.

[Configuration and Operation 1 of Stack Unit Next, the stack unit (160) will be explained with reference to FIG. 6.

This stack unit (160) connects a stack box (162) to a belt (163) that is rotationally driven in forward and reverse directions by a motor (M3) via a metal fitting (164),
It can be moved up and down. In addition, a photo sensor (SE4) for detecting copy paper faces the windows (162m) formed on both sides of the stack box (162), and detects the height of the copy paper stacked in the stack box (162). It is designed to be detected.

That is, a stack of copy sheets that have been stapled is discharged from the stable tray (90) and placed in the stack box (90).
162), and the upper part is the sensor (SE
4), the motor (M3) will move as indicated by the arrow (d).
As the belt (163) rotates, the stack box (162) descends. As a result of this descent, the upper part of the stacked copy paper is detected as a sensor (S E 4).
When the sensor (SE4) is turned off, the first motor (M3) is turned off. In this way, copy sheets are always ejected and stacked at the same height position.

[Operation Panel 1 of Finisher Unit Next, the operation panel of the finisher unit (50) will be explained with reference to FIG. 9.

(SWI) is a mode selection switch, (170) is a non-staple mode display LED, and (171) is a staple mode display LED. In the initial state, it is set to non-staple mode, and the selection switch (SWI) is pressed once. Each time, the staple mode and male staple mode are switched sequentially, and the display LEDs (170) and (171)
Which one lights up.

When executing the stapling mode using the ADF (30), the timing of the stapling operation, etc. is automatically processed through communication with the control section of the copy paper main body (1), as described below. When executing stapling mode without using the ADF (30), first press the selection switch (SWI).
) to select the stable mode, and after copying a predetermined number of sheets, turn on the selection switch again to perform the stapling process.

Also, (SW2) is the staple release switch.
(30) is used to cancel the staple mode by turning it on while executing the stable mode. 0 For example, while copying 10 copies, staple only 8 copies and staple the remaining copies. If you want to take out the second copy without stapling, turn on this release switch (SW2) while the eighth copy is in stapling mode.
Control is performed so that the ninth and subsequent copy sheets are discharged to the paper discharge tray (80).

Reference numeral (172) is a stack copy number display, which displays the number of set copies that have been stapled, and is incremented based on a signal from the control unit of the copying machine main body (1), and reset based on a clear signal or the like.

[Control Circuit] FIG.
00) is a microcomputer that controls the operations of the ADF (30) and the copying machine main body (1).

Control signals to various movable elements of the ADF (30) are output from the boat (QB), and signals indicating the status of the ADF (30) are input to the boat (QC).

Control signals to various elements of the copying machine main body (1) are output from the boat (QD), and signals indicating the status of the copying machine main body (1) are input to the boat (QE). Numerical data and the like from various setting buttons and a numeric keypad (304) on the operation panel (300) are input to the boat (QF).

CPU2 (2000) has a finisher unit (50
) is a microcomputer that controls the operation of the The boat (PB) has a display LED via a decoder (175).
(170) and (171) are connected, and the stack copy number display (1
72) is connected. The boat (PD) has O-ra (
60), (85), and (100).
) is connected to the boat (PE), and the forward/reverse driver (1
A motor (M2) that drives the paddle wheel (120) is connected via the motor (77). Bo) (PF), (P
C) and (pi) include a solenoid (S L 1 ) that drives the switching member (70), a solenoid (Sl2) that drives the stopper (95), and a solenoid (S L 3 ) that drives the pressing member (110). are connected to each other. A stapler (130) is connected to the boat (PI) via a driver (178). Also, the boat (
Switches (SWl) and (SW2) are used for PJ) to (PN).
, sensors (sE2), and (SE3) are connected.

Then, the CPUI (1000) and CPU2 (200
0) is between boat (Q^) and boat) (PA),
It sends and receives DF signals, staple signals, copy signals, ejection signals, copy wait signals, auto-reset signals, all-reset signals, etc. Here, the auto-reset signal is a signal issued by the CPU (1000) when the auto-reset mechanism is activated to reset the mode of the copying machine to the initial mode when the copying machine is not operated for a certain period of time after the copying operation is completed. , the all reset signal is cPUl (100
0). Further, the above-mentioned predetermined operation key is not limited to the all reset button (303), but may also be used as another operation key.

[Control Procedure] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the main routine of the copying machine executed by the CPU (1000).

When the power is turned on, the CPUI (1000) is reset and the program starts. Stella 7 (Sl)
In step (S
2) Start the internal timer. An internal timer determines the time required for one routine of this routine.

In step (S3), the state of the wait signal sent from the CPU 2 (2000) is determined. If the wait signal is "1", the process directly advances to step (S7); if the wait signal is r□, the signal processing subroutine is executed in step (S4), the ADF control subroutine is executed in step (S5), and the process proceeds to step (S6). The copy control subroutines are executed sequentially and the process proceeds to step (S7), and then step (
In S7), the process waits for the internal timer started in step (S2) to end, and then returns to step (S2).

The signal processing subroutine of step (S4) above will be explained below. Note that the above steps (S5) and (S6
The ADF control subroutine and the copy control subroutine of ) are the same as well-known ones, and their explanation will be omitted in this embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows the signal processing subroutine of step (S4) in FIG. 11.

First, in step (S401) it is determined whether the ADF is being used. If the ADF is not being used, the ADF signal is set to "0" in step (S403) and the process proceeds to step (S408); if the ADF is being used, the ADF signal is set to "1" in step (S402). '', it is determined in step (S404) whether the staple signal is ``0'' or not. Here, the staple signal is r
If it is not QJ, the staple signal is set to "0" and the process goes to step (S408);
” and if one cycle of copying has not been completed, the process directly proceeds to step (3408); if one cycle of copying has been completed, the staple signal is set to "1" in step (S407) and step (S408) In other words, when one cycle of copying using the ADF is completed, the staple signal is set to "1" and stapling processing is performed.

In Stella 7 (S408), it is determined whether copying is in progress. If copying is in progress, the copy signal is sent to rQJ in step (S409); if copying is not in progress, step (S410)
Set the copy signal to "1" with .

Next, in step (S411), the Q tr sensor (SEI) is
It is determined whether or not it is FF, and if it is OFF, step (S41
In step 3), the discharge signal is set to rlJ, and if it is not OFF, the discharge signal is set to "0" in step (S412).

Next, in step (S414), it is determined whether or not the auto-reset mechanism has operated, and if it has not operated, step (S414) is performed.
Set the auto-reset signal to "0" in S415), and if it is activated, set the auto-reset signal to "0" in step (3416).
1”. In the next step (S417), it is determined whether the all reset button (303) is on edge, that is, the all reset button (303) is on edge.
If is pressed, the all reset signal is set to "1" in step (S419), and if it is not on-edge, step (S4
18) Set the all reset signal to "OJ" and return to the main routine of the copying machine.

Next, FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the main routine of the finisher unit (50) executed by the CPU 2 (2000).

When CPU2 (2000) is reset and the program starts, first, at step (SlO) (RA
M), initialize various registers, and make initial settings to put each device into the initial mode.
In step (S20>), an internal timer is started. The internal timer determines the time required for one routine of this main routine.

Next, each subroutine shown in steps (S30) to (S70) is called, and when the processing of all subroutines is completed, the process waits for the internal timer to end in step (S80), and then returns to step (S20).

The time length of one routine is used to count the various timers that appear in each subroutine.

Further, when an interrupt request is received from the CPU (1000) of the copying machine main body (1), interrupt processing is performed in step (S90).

FIG. 14 shows an auto-reset/all-reset check subroutine executed in step (S30) according to the present invention. In step (S301), the copying machine body (1
) side, and if not, then in step (S302) it is determined whether there is an all-reset signal output from the copying machine main body (1) side. , otherwise returns. If it is determined that each signal is present in step (S301) or step (S302), a sensor (S) detects the presence or absence of copy paper in the stable tray (90) in step (3303).
Determine whether E3) is on. If it is on (there is no copy paper), return; if it is off (there is paper), in step (S304), the solenoid (S L2) is turned on, the stopper (95) is released, and the timer (T4) is turned on.
). This timer (T4) is used to determine the timing for reversing the paddle wheel (120). When the end of the timer (T4) is confirmed in step (S305), the motor (M2) is activated in step (S306).
is off, turn on the motor (M2) in reverse at step (S307), and turn the paddle wheel (120
) in the direction opposite to the arrow (e) in FIG. By the above operation, the copy paper is discharged from the staple tray (90). In step (S308), the sensor (SE3
) is on, that is, the stable tray (
When it is detected that there is no copy paper in 90), step (
In S309), the discharge flag is set to "1", the solenoid (SL2) and motor (M2) are turned off, and then the process returns.

FIG. 15 shows the subroutine for canceling the stapling mode executed in step (840).

First, in step (S41) it is determined whether the discharge flag is "1" or not, and in step (842) it is determined whether the staple mode release flag is "1" or not. This discharge flag indicates that the stapled copy paper is in the stack box (161).
), the flag is set to "1", and when the copy paper of the subsequent copy cycle is stored in the stable tray (90), it is reset to "OJ". Also, the staple mode release flag is cleared. When the switch (SW2) is turned on, rlJ is set. If both are "1", the operation mode is set to non-staple mode in step (343), the discharge flag is reset to "0",
Reset the staple mode release flag to "0".

Next, in step (S44), the release switch (SW2
) is on-edge, and if it is on-edge, it is determined in step (S45) whether the staple mode is set as the operation mode, and if it is set in staple mode, the staple mode is set in step (S46). Set the mode release flag to "1". In other words, the release switch (SW2) allows reception even during copying.
The staple mode release flag is set to "1", the copy paper of the current copy cycle is stapled in steps (S41) to (S43), and the stack box (
161), the operation mode is changed from staple mode to non-stable mode.

FIG. 16 shows the mode setting subroutine executed in step (S50).

Here, first, it is determined in step (S51) whether the mode selection switch (SWI) is on-edge or not, and if it is on-edge, it is determined in step (S52) whether or not the copy signal is "0". The copy signal is set to "1" during the copying operation in the copy paper main body (1).

Therefore, if the copy signal is "0" and it is determined that the copy operation is not in progress, it is determined in step (353) whether or not the stapling mode is set as the operation mode. If it is not the staple mode, the staple mode is set in step (S57). If the stapling mode is set in step (853), A
It is determined whether the DF signal is rlJ, that is, whether copying is performed using ADF (30), and if it is used, step (
In step S55), the non-stable mode is set. ADF(
30) is not used, in step (S56) a sensor (
SE3) is off or not, and if it is not off (when there is no copy paper in the tray (90)), step (S
55) to set the non-stable mode. Sensor (S
If E3) is turned off (if there is copy paper in the tray (90)), the process moves to step (S615) of the conveyance alignment routine shown in FIG. 18. That is, ADF(30)
When copying and stapling without using the
When the sensor (SE3) is turned on, stapling is forcibly performed.If the sensor (SE3) is turned off, the stable tray (9
Since there is copy paper in 0), it is stapled, but if it is on, there is no copy paper, so only the operation mode is changed to non-stable mode without stapling.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show a subroutine for conveyance alignment executed in step (S60).

First, it is determined in step (S601) whether the copy signal is "1" or not, and in step (S602) it is determined whether the stapling mode is set as the operation mode. If both are YES, in step (S603) the solenoid (
S L 1 ) is turned on, the switching member (70) is switched to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, and the discharge flag is reset to "0".

Next, in step (S604), the on-edge of the ejection signal indicating the state of the sensor (SEI) installed in the paper ejection section of the copying machine main body (1) is confirmed, and then the motor (Ml) is turned on in step (S605). At the same time, the motor (M2) is turned on for forward rotation. With this, the rollers (60), (85), (10
0) is rotationally driven, and the paddle wheel (120
) is driven forward in the direction of arrow (e).

Next, in step (S606), the off-edge of the sensor (S E 2 ) installed in the stable passage is confirmed, and in step (S607), the solenoid (S L 3 ) is turned off and the timer (T1) is started. . When the solenoid (SL3) is turned off, the head portion <110a) of the holding member (110) retreats from the stable tray (90). Then, in step (S608), the timer (T1
), it is determined in step (S609) whether or not the matching completion flag is "0". If both are YES, in step (S610) the solenoid (
S L 3 ) is turned on, the head (110a) of the holding member (110) is thrust into the stable tray (90), and presses the upper end of the stored copy paper.

Next, in step (S611), after confirming the end of the timer (T1) again, start the motor (Ml) with Stella 7 (8613).
, (M2) is turned off. Next, in step (S614), it is determined whether the stable signal is "1" or not. If it is "1", matching is completed in order to perform stable processing in step (S615). The flag is set to "1" and the wait signal is set to "1" to prohibit the operation of the copying machine main body (1). Furthermore, if the ADF (30) is not used, it is not clear whether stapling should be performed or not, so the process returns to the main routine and the next subroutine (S7
0).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (S602) is No and the non-stable mode is to be executed, first in step (S621) the solenoid (S L 1 ) is turned off and the switching member (70) is turned off as shown in FIG. - 0th order to hold at the dot-dashed line position and reset the discharge flag to "0";
After confirming that the discharge signal is on in step (S622),
In step (S623), the motor (Ml) is turned on to rotate the rollers (60) and (85).

Next, when the off-engine of the discharge signal is confirmed in step (S624), the timer (T2) is activated in step (S625).
). The timer (T2) is set for the time until the copy paper is ejected to the paper ejection tray (80), and the end of this timer (T2) is confirmed in step (S626), and the copying starts in the following step (S627). If it is determined that the signal is r(g), the motor (Ml) is turned off in step (8628), and this subroutine is ended.

FIG. 19 shows a stable stack processing subroutine executed in step (S70) of the main routine.

First, in step (S701), the matching end flag is set to "1".
It is determined whether or not the timer (T3
) Determine whether the flag is "0" or not. If both are YES, that is, when the alignment of the copy sheets in the staple tray (90) is completed, the timer (
T3) Set the flag to "1" and use the stapler (130
) and bind the copy paper.

Note that this stapler operation signal is instantaneously turned off.

At the same time, a timer (T3) is started.

The timer (T3) is used to determine the timing for opening the stopper (95), and when the end of the timer (T3) is confirmed in step (S704), the timer (T3) is set in step (S705).
It is determined whether the solenoid (SL2) is turned off. If it is off, in step (S706) the solenoid (SL2) is turned on to open the stopper (95) and the timer (T4) is started. At this point, the stapled copy paper begins to fall. Timer (T4
) is to determine the timing for reversing the paddle wheel ('120), and when the end of the timer (T4) is confirmed in step (S707), step (8708
), confirm that the motor (M2) is turned off, and then turn on the motor (M2) in reverse at step (S709) and rotate the paddle wheel (120) in the opposite direction to the arrow (c). At , the copy paper falls while turning to the right in FIG. 2, and the stapled portion avoids the stapling position (D) and is ejected from the staple tray (90).

Next, in step (S710), the stable tray (90
) is on or not, and if it is on, that is, when it is detected that the copy paper has been ejected from the stable tray (90), In step (S711), the timer (T3) flag, matching end flag, and wait signal are reset to "0", the discharge flag is set to "1", and the solenoid (SL)
2) Turn off the motor (M2), count up, and display the number of stacked copies on the display (172).

[Staple Operation Mode] When performing stapling processing, there are an auto staple mode and a manual staple mode as operation modes that can be selected by the user.

(Auto stapling mode) In auto stapling mode, the user can
This is for stapling using ADF.
The stack unit (160) copies a predetermined number of copies of the original transported by the stack unit (30) and automatically staples them.
). To briefly explain the processing procedure in this case, first, since the ADF (30) is used, the ADF signal is set to "1" in step (S402) in FIG. The staple signal is also set to "1". Then, in step (S615) of the transport alignment routine in FIG. 18, the alignment end flag is set to "
1”, and as a result, the staples shown in FIG.
After the sheets are stapled in step (8703) of the stacking routine, the stopper (95) for paper ejection is released in step (S706). In other words, auto stay 1
In the manual mode, the above process is automatically performed a predetermined number of times.

(Manual Table Mode) In the manual table mode, the user makes copies and staples them without using the ADF (30). The user's operation is to first select the stapling mode using the mode selection switch (SWl), and then copy the amount to be stapled. Then, by pressing the mode selection switch (SWI) again, stapling processing and ejection from the stable tray (90) are performed. Briefly explaining the processing procedure in this case by Broachyard, first, since the ADF (30) is not used, the ADF is
The signal is set to "0". After copying is completed, when the mode selection switch (SWl) is pressed for stapling processing, it is judged as "rYES" at step (S51) in FIG.
Step (S52), Step (S53), Step (
S54), and in step (S54), A
Since the DF signal is set to r□, the step (S
In step (S56), the sensor (SE3) is turned off because there is paper in the stable tray (90), and the process moves to step (S615) in FIG. 18, where the alignment end flag is set to " 1”. As a result, after being stapled in step (S703) of the staple stack routine in FIG.
At step 06), the stopper (95) for paper ejection is released, and manual stapling is completed.

[Modification] In the above embodiment, when the copy paper left in the stable tray (90) in the manual stapling mode is ejected by the auto-reset mechanism or the all-reset mechanism, the stapling process is performed as shown in FIG. The control system is such that it is discharged as is, without being carried out. However, if the copy paper in the stable tray (90) is ejected as is, there is a risk that the copy paper will fall apart. Therefore, a control method that performs stapling processing before ejecting the copy paper will be described as a modified example. In this control method,
The routine shown in FIG. 20 is used instead of the auto-reset/all-reset check routine shown in FIG. 14. The routine shown in FIG. 20 is obtained by replacing step (S304) and subsequent steps in FIG. 14 with the processing subsequent to step (S7102) of the staple stack routine shown in FIG. However, the count up and count display processing in step (S711) are omitted since they are the processing in the auto staple mode. In other words, if the routine shown in Figure 20 is used, when the auto-reset signal or all-reset signal is detected, the stable tray (9
The copy sheets in 0) are subjected to stapling processing in step (S311) and are then discharged to the stack unit (160).

Light 14 Example Button - As is clear from the above description, the copying machine according to the present invention accommodates and aligns a predetermined number of sheets discharged from the copying machine main body, performs stapling processing, and discharges them. By ejecting the remaining copy paper using the auto-reset mechanism or all-reset mechanism, it is possible to accidentally staple the remaining copy paper with an unrelated copy paper that is then ejected from the copying machine main body into the paper storage device. This has the effect of preventing you from getting stuck.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the paper storage device, FIG. 2 is a view taken in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the paper holding member inside the paper storage device, and FIGS. A cross-sectional view of the stable tray to explain the state of copy paper conveyance into the table tray, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the stack unit attached to the paper storage device, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the paper storage device into the copying machine main body. 8 is a plan view of the operation panel of the copying machine main body, FIG. 9 is a plan view of the operation panel of the finisher unit, FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the control circuit,
11 to 20 are flowcharts showing the control procedure. (1)...Copy machine body (30)...Circulating automatic document feeder (ADF)
) (50) Finisher unit (90)
... Stable tray (95) ... Stopper (130) ... Stapler (303) ... All reset key Applicant Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. Figure 2 Figure 3 1% 6 Figure ffFigure 76

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) An auto-reset mechanism that resets the mode of the copying machine to the initial mode when the copying machine is not operated for a certain period of time after the copying operation is completed, and a predetermined number of sheets of paper ejected from the copying machine are accommodated, aligned, stapled, and ejected. a paper storage device that detects whether or not paper is stored in the paper storage device; a paper detection device that detects whether or not paper is stored in the paper storage device; A copying machine comprising: an ejection control unit that controls ejecting paper when it is detected that the paper is present in a paper storage device. (2) Claim (1) further comprising a discharge control means for controlling the paper so that when the paper in the paper storage device is discharged by the discharge control means, the paper is stapled and then discharged. copy machine.