JPH0132138B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides, for example, in an electronic copying machine that performs continuous copying and is connected to a sorter, paper sheets are selectively stored in bins in the sorter after being supplied to the copying machine and conveyed. Related to type of supply conveyance device.

Recently, various electronic copying machines that perform continuous copying and are connected to a sorter have been developed and put into practical use. The copy paper supply and conveyance means in this type of copying machine supplies copy paper from a paper feed cassette in response to a supply command signal, conveys the copy paper to a transfer section through a conveyance path, and then conveys the copy paper through a conveyance path. The sheets are then conveyed through a fixing device to a discharge port, and the paper sheets discharged from the discharge port are conveyed through the conveyance path of the sorter and are selectively stored in one of the plurality of bins in the sorter. It's summery. The number of sheets supplied from the paper feed cassette is displayed as the number of copies on the copy number display. Also, if an abnormality such as a paper jam occurs on the sorter transport path during continuous copying,
After removing the paper jammed in the copying machine or on the conveyance path in the sorter, the copying operation is restarted, thereby supplying and conveying the copy paper. Therefore, in such a case, the number of copies displayed on the copy number display, that is, the number of sheets supplied, does not match the number of sheets actually stored in the bin in the sorter after normal copying, and the There was a problem in that it was difficult to determine the number of sheets stored in the bins in the sorter after normal copying. Therefore, in order for the operator to know the number of sheets stored in the bins in the sorter after normal copying, the operator must perform processing such as checking the storage of copy sheets in each bin in the sorter. Nakatsuta.

This invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to inform the user of the number of copies to be made in normal times, and to notify the user of the number of copies to be made in abnormal situations, by informing the user of the number of copies stored in the storage body after normal supply and conveyance. It is an object of the present invention to provide a conveyance and supply device for paper sheets that can notify a user of the following.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the internal mechanism of an electronic copying machine according to the present invention. That is, the original placed on the original platen 1 is irradiated with light by the light source 2 which moves in the direction of the arrow by the camshaft 20, and the reflected light is reflected by the lens 3 ₁ which moves in the direction of the arrow together with the light source 2. The original document is guided to the mirror 3 ₂ and reaches the photoreceptor drum 4 , and the image of the document is formed on the photoreceptor drum 4 . The photosensitive drum 4 rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure, and is first charged by a charger 5, and then the image of the document is slit exposed to form an electrostatic latent image on its surface. This electrostatic latent image is made visible by adhering toner to it by the developing device 6, and this toner image is attracted to the copy paper 8 by being charged to the copy paper 8 by the transfer charger 7. As a result, the toner image is transferred onto the copy paper 8. After the transfer, the photoreceptor drum 4 is reversely charged by the charger 9, thereby removing the previous charge.

On the other hand, the copy paper 8 is taken out from a supply section, for example, a paper feed cassette 10, by a take-out roller 11 in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 4, and is sent to a transfer section by a conveyance roller 12. The copy paper 8 sent to the transfer section is
The transfer charger 7 comes into close contact with the photoreceptor drum 4, and the image on the photoreceptor drum 4 is transferred. After the transfer, the copy paper 8 is transferred to a fixing device 14 by a conveying roller 13 or the like.
The transferred image is fixed by the heat roller 15 in the fixing device 14, and is discharged from the discharge port 17 by the discharge roller 16 or the like.

A paper feed detector 18 is provided near the take-out roller 11 to detect when copy paper 8 is taken out from the paper feed cassette 10. Also,
Near the ejection roller 16, that is, near the ejection port 17, there is a paper ejection detector 1 for detecting the ejection of the copy paper 8.
9 is provided. The paper feed detector 18 and the paper discharge detector 19 are comprised of, for example, microswitches.

On the other hand, the copy paper 8 discharged from the discharge port 17 is conveyed by conveyor belts 20, 21, and 22 into a storage body, for example, a sorter 23, which is arranged in parallel with the main body of the copying machine. The copy paper 8 transported into the sorter 23 by the transport belt 22 is transferred to the transport belt 24 and transport rollers 25, 25, . . . in the sorter 23.
conveyed above it by The conveying rollers 25, 25, . . . are provided corresponding to a plurality of storage units, for example, bins 26, 26, .
The conveyance belt 24 is connected to the conveyance rollers 25, 25...
The copy paper 8 conveyed by the bins 26, 2
They are selectively stored in the respective bins 26, 26, . The bins 26, 26, . . . are sequentially numbered 0, 1, etc. from the bottom. A conveyance detector 27 for detecting the conveyance of the copy paper 8 is provided on the conveyor belt 21 side of the conveyor belt 22, and is composed of, for example, a micro switch. Further, near the entrance of each of the bins 26, 26..., a storage detection unit 28 is provided which is composed of a light emitting unit 28a and a light receiving unit 28b which face each other and sandwich all of the bins 26, 26... . Further, a paper jam release switch 29 is provided near a door (not shown) of the sorter 23, which is turned on when the door is opened or closed. Note that the conveyor belts 20, 2
A conveyance system drive section (not shown) that drives the conveyance system such as 2, 24 and conveyance rollers 25, 26, etc. is adapted to operate in response to a detection signal from the discharge detector 19.

FIG. 2 shows the operation section of the electronic copying machine. That is, a copy switch 31 instructs to start copying, a numeric keypad 32 to set the number of copies, a self-illuminating interrupt switch 33, a self-illuminating sorter switch 34 instructing whether the sorter 23 is in sort mode or non-sort mode, and continuous copy mode. A set number display 35 displays the set number of copies, a copy number display 36 displays the number of copies, and indicates a paper jam in the copying machine. “Paper jam” display 37 and “sorter inspection” that displays paper jams in the sorter 23
It is composed of a display 38 and the like.

FIG. 3 shows the main parts of the electric circuit, which is configured as follows, for example. That is, the control circuit 41 provided within the copying machine body adds the detection signal from the paper feed detector 18 with a first counting circuit 42, displays this counted content on the copy number display 36, and When the sorter switch 34 is turned on, it outputs a signal instructing the sort mode, and in response to turning it on again, it outputs a signal instructing the non-sort mode. The control circuit 41 also receives a detection signal from the paper feed detector 18, a detection signal from the discharge detector 19, a detection signal from the conveyance detector 27 supplied from a control circuit 45 (described later), and a storage detector 2.
8, the abnormality detection circuit 43 detects an abnormality such as a paper jam, and depending on the abnormality detection, a "paper jam" indicator 37 or a "sorter check" is displayed.
This is to light up the display 38. That is, even if a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the feed of the copy paper 8 was detected by the paper feed detector 18, the copy paper 8 corresponding to the detection
When the ejection of paper is not detected by the ejection detector 19, it is detected that a paper jam has occurred, and a "paper jam" is detected.
The display 37 is turned on. Also,
When the conveyance detector 27 does not detect the conveyance of the copy paper 8 corresponding to the elapse of a predetermined period of time after the discharge of the copy paper 8 is detected by the discharge detector 19, or when the conveyance of the copy paper 8 is not detected. When the storage detector 28 does not detect the storage of the copy paper 8 corresponding to the detection even after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the paper jam was detected by the conveyance detector 27, a paper jam is detected and a "sorter inspection" is performed. The display 38 is turned on. Furthermore, the control circuit 41 turns off the "paper jam" indicator 37 in response to a signal from the paper jam release switch 44, and also outputs a second counter supplied from a control circuit 45 provided in the sorter 23. The contents of the circuit 46 are displayed on the copy number display 36, and the "sorter check" display 38 is turned off in response to the output signal of the paper jam release switch 29 supplied from the control circuit 45. The second, which will be described later, is supplied from
The contents of the counting circuit 46 are displayed on the copy number display 38. Above paper jam release switch 4
Reference numeral 4 is provided near the door in the copying machine, and is inserted by closing the door after removing the jammed copy paper 8.

On the other hand, the discharge detector 19 from the control circuit 41
The detection signal, the signal instructing sort mode or non-sort mode, and the read command signal of the second counting circuit are supplied to a control circuit 45 provided on the sorter 23 side. The control circuit 45 includes the storage detector 2
The contents of the second counting circuit 46 are output in response to the detection signal from the paper feed detector 8, the detection signal from the conveyance detector 27, the output signal from the paper jam release switch 29, or the supplied read command signal. Also,
For example, when a signal instructing the non-sort mode is supplied, the control circuit 45 stores the copy paper 8 in the 0th bin, and when a signal instructing the sort mode is supplied, the control circuit 45 stores the copy paper 8 in order from the 1st bin. 8. Furthermore, the control circuit 45 adds the detection signals from the storage detector 28 using a second counting circuit 46.

Next, the operation in such a configuration will be explained.
First, when the sorter switch 34 is turned on, the control circuit 41 outputs a sort mode signal to the control circuit 45. This causes the control circuit 45 to enter the sort mode. Now, if the number of copies is set using the numeric keypad 32, the number of copies is displayed on the set number display 33. When the copy switch 31 is turned on, a main motor (not shown) is driven, and the photosensitive drum 4 is rotated in the direction of the arrow. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the take-out roller 11, the conveyance roller 12, and the like operate. When copy paper 8 is taken out from paper feed cassette 10, paper feed detector 18 detects the paper feed. As a result, the control circuit 41 counts up the first counting circuit 42 and displays "1" on the copy number display 36. At this time, the light source 2 and the lens 3 ₁ start moving forward. The operations of the take-out roller 11 and the transport roller 12 are stopped, and the copy paper 8 is stopped in front of the charger 7. After that, light source 2 and lens 3
₁ moves to a predetermined position, the conveyor rollers 12,
13 operates, and the temporarily stopped copy paper 8 is conveyed again. When the copy paper 8 is conveyed to a predetermined position, the light source 2 and lens ₃₁ are moved back. At this time, the second copy paper 8 is taken out from the paper feed cassette 10. As a result, the paper feed detector 18 detects the paper feed, the first counting circuit 42 counts up, and "2" appears on the copy number display 36.
is displayed. After that, after a prescribed copying operation,
The first copy paper 8 is discharged from the discharge port 17.
At this time, the control circuit 45 starts the operation of a conveyance system drive section (not shown) in response to a detection signal from the discharge detector 19, and drives the conveyance belts 20, 21, 22, 24, conveyance rollers 25, 25, etc. As a result, the copy paper 8 discharged from the discharge port 17 is transferred to the conveyance rollers 20, 21, 22, 24 and the conveyance roller 2.
5, 25, . . . and stored in the first bin by controlling the gate corresponding to the first bin by the control circuit 45. This one
When storage is done in the number bin, the storage detector 28
detects storage of the copy paper 8, and uses this detection signal to count up the second counting circuit 46.

Then, when the light source 2 and the lens ₃₁ return to the starting position, they are moved forward again. after that,
The second copy paper 8 is subjected to the same operation as the first copy paper 8, and is stored in the second bin. At this time, the second counting circuit 46 counts up. Thereafter, each time the copy sheets 8 are discharged from the discharge port 17, they are conveyed and stored in different bins in sequence. At this time, each bin 26, 26...
The second counting circuit counts up every time copy paper 8 is stored in the second counter.

Also, without turning on the sorter switch 34,
Even when the control circuit 45 is in the non-sort mode, it operates as described above, and the copy sheets 8 conveyed into the sorter 23 are stored in the No. 0 bin.

By the way, during continuous copying as described above, for example, when paper feed cassettes 10 to 20
Assume that after the 18th copy paper 8 is taken out, an abnormality such as a paper jam occurs in the 18th copy paper 8 in the copying machine. Then, even after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the feeding of the 18th copy paper 8 was detected, the ejection of the copy paper 8 is not detected, so the abnormality detection circuit 43 detects an abnormality within the copying machine. As a result, the control circuit 41 turns on the "paper jam" indicator 37. Based on the display, the operator removes the jammed copy paper 8 from inside the copying machine, and then closes a door (not shown), thereby turning on the paper jam release switch 44. Then, the control circuit 41 turns off the "paper jam" indicator 37, and the content of the second counting circuit 46 supplied from the control circuit 45, that is, the copy paper 8 stored in the bins 26, 26, . . . of the sorter 23. Copy number display 3 shows the number of stored sheets.
Display on 6. Therefore, "17" is displayed on the copy number display 36. As a result, the operator knows that the number of sheets stored in the sorter 23 is 17 after they have been successfully copied and ejected. As a result, by turning on the copy switch 31 again, the set number of copies are made and stored in the respective bins 26, 26, . . . in the sorter 23.

Further, suppose that after the 20th copy paper 8 is taken out from the paper feed cassette 10 and discharged from the discharge port 17, an abnormality such as a paper jam occurs in the 18th copy paper in the sorter 23. Then, even if a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the ejection of the 18th sheet of copy paper 8 has elapsed, or even if a predetermined time has elapsed since the transport of the copy paper 8 has been detected. Since the storage of the copy paper 8 in the intended bin is not detected, the abnormality detection circuit 43 detects an abnormality in the sorter 23. This causes the control circuit 41 to display the "sorter check" display 3.
Turn on 8. The operator can use the sorter 2 according to the display.
After removing the jammed copy paper 8 in 3,
By closing a door (not shown), the paper jam release switch 29 is turned on. Then, control circuit 4
1 turns off the "sorter check" display 38 by the output signal of the paper jam release switch 29 supplied from the control circuit 45, and also checks the contents of the second counting circuit 46, that is, the copies stored in each bin in the sorter 23. The number of stored sheets of paper 8 is "17" on the copy number display 36.
to be displayed. As a result, the operator knows that the number of sheets stored in the target bin in the sorter 23 is 17 after the sheets have been correctly copied and ejected.
As a result, by turning on the copy switch 31 again, the set number of copies are made and stored in each bin 26, 26, . . . .

Therefore, if an abnormality such as a paper jam occurs in the copying machine or in the sorter 23 during continuous copying, when the copy paper 8 that has become the paper jam is removed, the sorter will be removed after the copies have been made normally. It is possible to know the number of copy sheets 8 stored in each bin 26, 26, . , continuous copying can be resumed. Furthermore, since the control unit of the copying machine displays whether an abnormality has occurred within the copying machine or within the sorter 23, processing in the event of an abnormality is facilitated.

In the above embodiment, the case where the first counting circuit adds up each time it detects paper feeding from the paper feeding cassette has been described, but the invention is not limited to this. The first counting circuit may perform addition every time a signal is supplied. In addition, although the case where a conveyance abnormality is detected based on the conveyance time of copy paper has been described, the case is not limited to this, and the case where a conveyance abnormality is detected according to a signal from a detector that detects the presence or absence of copy paper can be similarly described. Can be detected. Further, although the second counting circuit is provided within the sorter, it may also be provided within the copying machine. Furthermore, although the paper sheet supply and conveyance device used in a copying machine has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be similarly implemented in a paper sheet supply and conveyance device used in an electronic printing device or a facsimile machine having a similar mechanism.

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, there is provided a main body consisting of a supply section for supplying paper sheets one by one, a conveyance path for conveying the paper sheets supplied from the supply section and passing through the supplied section; In a storage body connected to the main body and selectively storing paper sheets supplied from the conveyance path into a plurality of storage sections, normally one sheet of paper supplied from the supply section is transported. The content of the first count that is added each time is displayed as the number of copies on the display, and when an abnormality is detected in the middle of continuous feeding operation, the content is added every time sheets are fed into the storage unit. Since the content of the second count is displayed on the above display as the number of copies stored in the storage unit, the user can be informed of the number of copies in normal times, and in the event of an abnormality, the number of copies stored in the storage unit is displayed. It is possible to provide a conveyance/feeding device for paper sheets that can notify a user of the number of sheets stored in a paper sheet.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show one embodiment of the invention.
The figure is a side view schematically showing the internal mechanism of the electronic copying machine, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing the operation section of the electronic copying machine.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main parts of the electric circuit. 8... Copy paper (sheets), 10... Paper feed cassette (supply section), 17... Output port, 18... Paper feed detector, 19... Output detector, 23... Sorter storage body, 26, 26~...Bin storage body, 27...Transportation detector, 28...Storage detector, 29...Paper jam release switch, 36...Copy number display, 41,
45... Control circuit, 44... Paper jam release switch, 42... First counting circuit, 43... Abnormality detection circuit, 46... Second counting circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A main body consisting of a supply section that supplies paper sheets one by one, a conveyance path that conveys the paper sheets supplied from this supply section and passes through the supplied section, and a main body that is connected to this main body and is supplied from the conveyance path. In a paper sheet feeding and conveying device comprising a storage body that selectively stores paper sheets to be stored in a plurality of storage sections, the amount is added each time one sheet of paper is conveyed from the supply section. a first counting circuit; a display that displays the contents of the first counting circuit; a second counting circuit that adds paper sheets each time paper sheets are supplied to the storage unit; characterized by comprising: an abnormality detection circuit for detecting an abnormality in the conveyance of paper sheets; and means for displaying the contents of the second counting circuit on the display when the abnormality detection circuit detects an abnormality. A feeding and conveying device for paper sheets.