JPH02261746A - Sheet conveyor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To guide a sheet properly and smoothly at time of its delivery by moving a conveyor guide in a conveying passage continuing to a movable stretching part by a moving roller of a conveyor belt to be followed to displacement of the moving roller. CONSTITUTION:A driven roller 88 stretching a conveyor belt 86 receiving an original on platen glass is pivotally supported on a slide plate 751 supported shiftably on a frame 753, and it is kept to tenseness with a spring 752. In this slide plate 751, a bearing 755 fitted in this plate is guided to an L type guide hole 753a of a frame 753, and a guide hole 751a is guided to a pin 755, making it slidable. On the other hand, a V-type guide plate 756 of a return conveying passage 122 fits a long hole 756b of its setting piece 756a in both pins 757, 758 of the frame 753, and follows in displacement of the driven roller 88 with a spring 759, keeping a clearance S in space with the conveyor belt 86 constant. Thus, delivery of a sheet is smoothly performed and a jam or the like can be prevented from occurring.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a sheet conveying device used for automatically feeding original documents in, for example, a copying machine or a laser beam printer, and particularly relates to a belt conveying means and a belt conveying device. The present invention relates to a sheet conveyance device that includes a movable tensioning section including a movable roller and a conveyance guide for a conveyance path following the movable tensioning section.

(Prior art) This type of sea) [feeding device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-2820, for example
It has been widely adopted as seen in the automatic document feeder disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 29. The belt transport means keep the belt under tension at all times to ensure stable transport. For this reason, the conveyor belt is biased to the side that tensions the conveyor belt by movable a driven roller. Further, the movable stretching portion of the conveyor belt formed by the movable roller has an end connected to the conveyance path adjacent to the conveyance belt, and is set in an appropriate positional relationship with the conveyance guide of the adjacent conveyance path.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) However, while the conveyance guide is fixedly provided,
The driven roller is a dancer at the end of the adjacent conveyor belt.
It moves as it moves, and the gap between the end of the conveyor belt, which is the movable tensioned part, and the conveyance guide changes. For this reason, sheets being passed between the conveyance path formed by the conveyance belt and the conveyance path formed by the conveyance guide are not properly guided.
It may jam or enter in an inappropriate direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet conveyance device that can solve such conventional problems by improving the installation structure of the conveyance guide.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention includes a belt conveyance means and a conveyance guide of a conveyance path following a movable tensioned portion of the conveyance belt by a movable roller. The sheet conveyance device is characterized in that the conveyance guide is driven by the displacement of a movable roller.

(Function) When the conveyor belt of the belt conveyor is loosened or pulled strongly due to a loose or high object, such as jammed paper, the movement of the movable rollers tensioning the conveyor belt creates a constant tension. maintained at a certain degree. When the movable roller moves, the position of the movable tension section stretched by the movable roller of the conveyor belt changes. At this time, since the conveyance guide adjacent to the movable tensioning section follows the displacement of the movable roller and accompanies the movement of the movable tensioning section, the positional relationship between the movable tensioning section of the conveyance belt and the conveyance guide is can be kept constant.

(Example) An embodiment of the present invention shown in the drawings will be described.

This embodiment shows a case where an automatic document feeder RDH is used in a copying machine A as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the copying machine A has a platen glass 1 on the upper surface of its main body, and a photosensitive drum 2 is provided approximately at the center of the upper part of the main body so as to be rotatable in a counterclockwise direction. Around the photoreceptor drum 2, an eraser lamp 3, a charger 4, an inter-image eraser 5 consisting of an LED array, a developer 6.7, a transfer charger 8, a separation charger 9, and a blade type cleaning device 10 are installed around the photoreceptor drum. They are sequentially arranged in the two rotational directions. The photoreceptor drum 2 has a photoreceptor layer provided on its surface, and after residual charges are removed by an eraser lamp 3, the photoreceptor drum 2 passes through a charger 4 and is uniformly charged.

A projection optical system 11 is provided below the platen glass 1, and exposes the image of the document on the platen glass 1 onto the charged surface of the photoreceptor drum 2. The projection optical system 11 includes an exposure lamp 13 supported by a first slider 12 as a scanner that moves along the lower surface of the platen glass 1, and a first mirror 14.
, second and third mirrors 16,17 supported by a second slider 15 operating in conjunction with the first slider 12, and a projection lens 18 and a fourth mirror 19, each supported separately.

The first and second sliders 12.15 are driven by a scan motor (not shown), and include an exposure lamp 13 and a first mirror 1.
4 at a speed of V/n relative to the circumferential speed V of the photosensitive drum 2, and the second and third mirrors 16 and 17 are moved at a speed of V/2n. By the movement of the exposure lamp 13 and the first mirror 14, the document positioned on the platen glass 1 and in a stopped state is scanned, and the second and third mirrors 14 are scanned for the entire image.
6.17, slit exposure is performed on the photosensitive drum 2 through the projection lens 18 and the fourth mirror 19. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the entire image of the document can be formed on the photosensitive drum 2, and copying can be performed in the optical system movement scanning mode. The movement of the second and third mirrors 16 and 17 prevents the optical path length from changing due to the movement of the first mirror 14.

The projection optical system 11 also scans the original as it is conveyed over the platen glass 1 even when the exposure lamp 13 and the first mirror 14 are stopped at the position of the portion of the platen glass 1 where the image can be exposed. , slit exposure can be performed on the photoreceptor drum 2 for the entire image of the original,
Enables copying in document movement scanning mode. The document is conveyed on the platen glass 1 by an automatic document feeder RDH.

In the projection optical system 11, the projection lens 18 is further moved in the optical axis direction by a variable magnification motor (not shown) to change the projection magnification during image exposure, that is, the copy magnification. At this time, the fourth mirror 19 is slightly moved and swung to correct the conjugate length and to prevent the exposure point onto the photosensitive drum 2 from changing.

On the other hand, the scanning speed is changed by V/n as the copying magnification is changed. In the optical system moving scanning mode, the moving speeds of the exposure lamp 13 and the first mirror 14 change, whereas in the document moving scanning mode, the document conveyance speed changes to correspond to the change.

The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum 2 by image exposure is developed with toner by passing through a developing device 6.7 and becomes visible. When this developed toner image reaches the transfer charger 8, it is transferred onto the copying paper being fed with the leading edge aligned with the toner image. After the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 has been transferred, residual toner is removed by a cleaning device 10, and then subjected to processing by an eraser lamp 3 and a charger 4, and then subjected to exposure again.

The developing device 6 stores a black developer, and the developing device 7 stores a developer other than black, such as red. Either developer 6, 7 can be selected for developing the electrostatic latent image. In addition, when developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum 2 in one exposure, by switching the developing device in the middle, the copy image formed on the copy paper in one pass can be changed. The colors can be changed midway. This copying operation mode is called the simultaneous color mode.

By the way, the color switching position in this simultaneous color mode is determined by an indicator 31a provided next to the platen glass l.
31b to the original color switching position on the platen glass 1. This set position is determined by detecting the magnets 32a and 32b provided on the indicators 31a and 31b by the reed switch 33 on the first slider 12 while the first slider 12 is scanning in the optical system movement scanning mode. , the developer to be used is switched depending on this detection timing.

A toner replenisher 3 provided at the upper side of the main body of the copying machine A is installed in the developing device 6 that stores black developer, which consumes a large amount of toner.
It is possible to replenish toner from 4 onwards.

The copy paper used for the transfer is supplied from any one of the first paper feed section 35, second paper feed section 36, and paper re-feed section 37 provided in the lower half of the main body of the copying machine A, or from the main body side. It is fed from the manual feeding table 38. The copy paper is supplied to the first and second paper feed sections 35.
36 and the pickup roller 39 from the paper refeeding section 37.
40 and 41, respectively, and a pair of separating rollers 4
After being separated one by one by steps 2, 43, and 44, the sheets are fed by the feeding roller 45. The manually fed copy paper from the manual feeding table 38 is fed as is by the feeding roller 46.

The fed copy paper reaches the temporarily stopped register roller 47, and its leading edge is aligned with the nip portion to correct the skew. Thereafter, the register roller 47 is restarted at an appropriate timing, and the register timing is set to align the leading edge of the copy paper being fed with the toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum 2, and the copy paper is sent out for transfer. .

After the copy paper has been transferred, it is separated from the photosensitive drum 2 by a separation charger 9 and transferred to a fixing device 4 by a conveyor belt 4.
Sent to 9th. The fixing device 49 fixes the toner image transferred onto the copy paper and sends it out. The copy paper after the fixing process is transported by a transport roller 50, and is sent to a paper discharge path 52 or a re-transport path 53 depending on the position selection of a switching claw 51.

The paper discharge path 52 discharges the received copy paper to the outside of the main body by a paper discharge roller 54. The re-conveying path 53 conveys the received copy paper by a conveying roller 55, and feeds it to the re-feeding section 37 in a face-up state with the image forming surface facing upward, or in a face-down state with the image forming surface facing downward. I'm going to get into it. Copy paper fed face-up is re-fed and transferred face-down, resulting in double-sided copying.

The copy paper fed face-down is re-fed and transferred face-up, resulting in a composite copy.

On the other hand, the automatic document feeder RDH has a cover-type case 61 that covers the platen glass 1 on the top surface of the main body of the copying machine A, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. This case 61
Then, a device 0D consisting of a document storage section 63 that stores document documents OD in a stack and sends them out one by one by a paper feeding means 62, and a document storage section 63 is fed to the top of the platen glass 1.
A circulating conveyance path 64 is also provided for returning the original OD from the platen glass 1 to the original storage section 63.

The case 61 is removably connected to one side of the upper surface of the main body of the copying machine A by a hinge connecting portion, and can be raised and lowered around the hinge connecting portion to open and close the platen glass 1. This allows it to be handled and copied in the same way as a normal document cover.

The document storage section 63 is formed as a concave portion on the upper surface of the case 61, as shown in FIGS. Can be stored in a stacked state. The paper feeding means 62 includes a pickup roller 66 that faces the tip of the bottom plate 65 of the document storage section 63 from below so as to be substantially flush with it.
and a pre-handling piece 67 facing directly above the pickup roller 66 leaving a gap for feeding out the document. As a result, the stacked documents OD are sequentially sent out from the bottom layer by the pickup roller 66 while being subjected to positional regulation and feeding restrictions by the pre-separation piece 67 except for the lower layer documents. Therefore, it is avoided that a large number of stacked originals 00 are sent out from the original storage section 63 at once, and the next handling becomes easier.

The paper feeding means 62 also has a feeding roller 68 located immediately after the pickup roller 66 and a sorting pad 69 that presses against the upper part of the feeding roller 68, so that a small number of original documents OD that have been pre-sorted are The pick-up roller 66 sends the paper between the feeding roller 68 and the sorting pad 69 . At this time, the upper document OD is prevented from advancing by the sorting pad 69, and only the lowest document conveyed by the feeding roller 68 is fed forward.

The front sorting piece 67 and the sorting pad 69 are attached to a lever 71. The lever 71 presses the sorting pad 69 against the feeding roller 68 and becomes stable due to its downward movement due to its own weight around the shaft 70 and the bias of the pressure spring 72. In this state, the pre-separation piece 67 is placed at a predetermined height position immediately behind the pickup roller 66.

Note that the pre-cleaning piece 67 may be fixed to the main body.

A document stopper 111 is provided in front of the front handling piece 67 to once receive and align set documents at a predetermined position.
It can be switched between an active position and a non-active position by swinging around 12. This switching is performed by a solenoid (not shown) or the like, and is kept in a non-operating position while the original OD is being fed.

Further, a document presser 113 is provided above the pink-up roller 66 to press the set document thereon and help convey the document. The document presser 113 is pivotally supported by a shaft 114, and is swung by a solenoid (not shown) to switch between an active position and a non-active position, and is kept in the active position while the original OD is being fed. Furthermore, a return document stopper 115 is provided at a position upstream in the conveyance direction from the point of action of the pickup roller 66 and the document presser 113 to feed and convey the sheet.

The return document stoppers 115 are a pair of left and right supports that are idly rotated by a shaft 116, and operate by protruding downward from the window 134b of the upper guide 134, as shown in FIG.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, it is retracted upward and becomes inactive. A stopper lifting piece 601 is fixed to the shaft 116. The stopper lifting piece 601 faces the sideways passive piece 115a of each return original stopper 115, and in the counterclockwise rotated position in FIG. However, at the position rotated clockwise in FIG. 5, it moves away from the opposing passive piece 115a and returns to release the lifting of the document stopper 115. For this reason, each return document stopper 115 becomes free from each other on the shaft 116, and moves downward until it is received by the previous document OD set as shown in FIG. Even if there is some lifting, each return original stopper 115 will surely contact the original OD and will not float.Therefore, the returned original OD that is sent back will hit any of the return original stoppers 115 without sinking. There will be no skew caused by the contact being stopped.

Since an elastic pad 115b made of rubber or the like is attached to the front surface of the tip of each return original stopper 115, it is possible to easily make contact with the original 00 and more reliably prevent the return original 00 from slipping through.

Furthermore, even if the return original stopper 115 presses the set original OD and exerts transport resistance on it, the point of action of the pressing is lower than the application point where the original OD receives the paper feeding transport force from the pickup roller 66. Since it is located on the upstream side in the direction, the resistance acts so as to stop the document OD that is about to be fed by the paper feeding and conveying force. Therefore, although it works to extend the document OD, it is possible to prevent the document from escaping from the paper feed and conveyance and from causing wrinkles.
There will be no inconveniences such as jams or poor paper feeding.

The shaft 116 is provided with a spring 603 that holds the stopper 115 in a non-acting position via a lever 602, and a spring 603 that holds the stopper 115 in a non-acting position.
A solenoid 604 is actuated against the solenoid 03 to be in the active position. The stopper 115 is normally set to the non-operating position so as not to interfere with setting or replacing the original OD, and is set to the operative position each time the paper is fed, so that the stopper 115 returns the original OD onto the set original OD as shown in Fig. 5. The original 00 is received at an intermediate position so that the set original 00 and the returned original 00 can be distinguished. With this, it is possible to easily and repeatedly detect the empty state when the original 00 has finished being fed using a simple sensor 153 that is kicked by the original 00.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the circulation conveyance path 64 is located between the platen glass 1 and a curved conveyance path 81 on the feeding side that guides the document OD fed from the paper feeding means 62 onto the platen glass 1. A straight conveyance path 82 formed on the platen glass 1 is continuous with a curved conveyance path 83 on the return side for returning the original OD on the platen glass 1 to the document storage section 63. The curved conveyance path 81 on the feeding side is provided with a timing roller 84 that is slightly faster than the feeding roller 68 at its starting end, and a pair of pinch rollers 85 at its rear end. The timing roller 84 is stopped for a certain period of time when the original OD is sent from the paper feeding means 62, and is driven after waiting for the leading edge of the original OD to come into pressure contact with the nip portion and align with the original OD. skew can be corrected. After the timing roller 84 starts driving and receives the original OD, the timing roller 84 takes out the original OD from the paper feeding means 62 and sends it to the curved conveyance path 81 via the pinch roller pair 85. At this time, the feeding roller 68 idles and rotates by an internal one-way clutch section.

By setting the pinch roller pair 85 at the same speed as or slightly slower than the timing roller 84, it is possible to prevent a change in the transport speed of the original OD when the original OD passes through the timing roller 84.

Therefore, even if copying is performed in the document movement scanning mode, variations in conveyance speed will not affect the copied image. - A relief 605 is provided in the conveyance path to prevent the document 00 from sagging due to the speed difference between the rollers 84 and 85.

The straight conveyance path 82 is formed by the platen glass 1 and a conveyance belt 86 provided so as to be in pressure contact with the upper surface of the platen glass 1.

The conveyance belt 86 is stretched under the bottom plate 65 of the document storage section 63 by a driving roller 87 and a driven roller 88 driven by a motor (not shown), and is pressed against the platen glass 1 by a backup roller 89 in the middle. As a result, the conveyor belt 86 can receive the original OD fed from the curved conveyance path 81 via the pinch roller pair 85 onto the platen glass 1, and can also receive the original OD received onto the platen glass 1 on the return side. curved conveyance path 83
can be sent to.

Similar to the relationship between the pinch roller 85 and the timing roller 84, the speed of the conveyor belt 86 is set to be the same or slightly slower than that of the pinch roller 85 on the upstream side in the conveyance direction. Therefore, the original OD transported over the platen glass 1 by the transport belt 86 has a constant speed, which is particularly advantageous for copying in the original movement scanning mode.

A document scale 91 is provided at a position away from the platen glass 1 in the straight conveyance path 82 in the return direction. The rear end of the document scale 91 is pivotally supported on the main body of the copying machine A by a shaft 92, and the front end surface is at a normal position lower than the platen glass 1 by driving means such as a solenoid (not shown), and the front end surface is lower than the platen glass 1. The posture is controlled so that the stopper position becomes higher. This manuscript scale 9
1 is placed in the normal position, it scoops up the document OD sent out from the platen glass 1 and guides it to the curved conveyance path 83 on the return side. At the stopper position, the leading edge of the original OD sent onto the platen glass 1 toward the curved conveyance path 83 is received by the front end surface and positioned at a predetermined printing position on the platen glass 1.

This positioning is necessary when the scanning mode is an optical system movement scanning mode, an entire surface simultaneous exposure method, or an entire surface simultaneous exposure method, but is not necessary in the original moving scanning mode.

The curved conveyance path 83 on the return side has a large diameter conveyance roller 93 in the middle.
The driven rollers 94 and 95 are brought into pressure contact with the upper and lower sides of the side circumferential surface of the transport roller 93, and the document OD sent into the curved transport path 83 from above the platen glass 1 is moved to the side of the transport roller 93. The document is conveyed while being curved along the circumferential surface and returned to the document storage section 63 from the rear end.

The rear end of the original document storage section 63 guides the rear end of the original documents 0D to be stacked and stored, and moves the original documents OD to the return original stopper 115.
A rear end guide unit 101 is provided. The trailing edge guide unit 101 holds the document 00 in the document storage section 63.
It can be moved back and forth depending on its size. The rear end guide unit 101 has a discharge port 10 at the upper part of its front surface.
2, and a pair of discharge rollers 103 is provided. The rear end guide unit 101 also has an L-shaped guide wall 104 below the outlet 102. As a result, the trailing edge guide unit 101 receives the trailing edge of the document ODO discharged from the discharge port 102 on the L-shaped guide wall 104, and moves from the receiving position toward the paper feed means 62 to transfer the document 00 to the document stopper 111. It can be aligned in a predetermined position by bringing it into contact with the In particular, since the lower end piece 104a of the L-shaped guide wall 104 receives the rear end of the returned document 00 from below, the guide wall 104
can be prevented from getting between the guide wall 104 and the bottom plate 65 of the document storage section 63 when the document 00 is being pushed.

Further, the L-shaped guide wall 104 of the rear end guide unit 101
The rising surface 104b is a high friction coefficient surface with a satin finish or minute irregularities. As a result, the L-shaped guide wall 104 returns and pushes the original 00, but due to the frictional resistance between the original 00 and the bottom plate 65, the rear end of the original 00 slides upward on the rising surface 104b of the L-shaped guide and wall 104 and escapes. The original OD is stopped by the original stopper 11.
This is so that it can be reliably pushed up to 1 and positioned at a predetermined position.

The rear end guide unit 101 includes a cover 10 made of synthetic resin.
5 has a document ejection path 106 in which a document receiving opening 106a opens wide downward between the L-shaped guide wall 104 and the rear wall of the cover 105. The document ejection path 106 is the ejection port 10
The document OD received from the document receiving port 106a is guided toward the discharge roller pair 103, and the document OD received from the document receiving port 106a is guided to the discharge port 102 by the discharge roller pair 103.
so that it is discharged from A partition wall 106b that divides the passage into two is located in the half of the original discharge path 106 on the side of the original receiving opening 106a.
is provided to prevent the received document 00 from becoming unstable due to the passage being too wide.

On the other hand, the bottom plate 65 of the document storage section 63 is provided with document feed ports 65a to 65d at various positions depending on the size of the document OD, and a common auxiliary conveyance path 121 for these ports is provided on the bottom plate 65.
It is provided along the bottom of 5.

Furthermore, a return conveyance path 122 reverses the original OD sent out from the curved conveyance path 83 and sends it back to the straight conveyance path 82.
Also provided.

The sent document OD from the curved conveyance path 83 is transferred to the auxiliary conveyance path 12.
Switching claw 1 is used to sort between 1 and return conveyance path 122.
This is done by selecting the position in step 07.

Note that the trailing edge guide unit 101 can be stably moved by being guided by the inner surface of the document storage section 63, and is automatically moved to the document ejection position according to the selected copy paper size by the driving means shown in FIG. After all the documents have been returned, the document is temporarily advanced to a predetermined push-out position for feeding the next document. Furthermore, if the feeding of the original is completed, the most retracted position (Figs. 2 and 3) will not interfere with setting or replacing the original OD.
It is returned to the home position shown in the figure.

Here, the document discharge position is as shown in FIG. 15, where the rear end guide unit 101 returns and sends the document 00 to the return document stopper 115 and the rising surface 104b of the L-shaped guide wall 104.
The distance α from the detected document size β is set to a position with a margin of γ relative to the detected document size β. This is because the ejected return original OD is sent to the return original stopper 115 and the L-shaped guide wall 1
This is because it can be comfortably settled between the rising surface 104b of 04 and the rising surface 104b of 04.

Further, the protruding piece 104a that receives the rear end of the returned original OD has a length of 2 or more, so that the rear end of the returned original 00 can be reliably received. Furthermore, the rear end guide unit 101 is positioned so that the tip of the protruding piece 104a has a margin of δ with respect to the rear end of the previously set original 00 positioned by the original stopper 111.

The original pushing position is the position where the original OD is pushed out to the original stopper 111 and reset as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. The distance between is α
Therefore, there is a margin of T for the document size β. This causes the original OD to be returned to the original stopper 111.
The paper is extruded to a certain extent, but this is done so that it does not become excessive and damage the original.

The rear end guide unit 101 has a document receiving port 106a facing any one of document sending ports 65a to 65d formed in the bottom plate 65 of the document storage section 63 at positions corresponding to the document size. The document receiving port 106a is the document sending port 65.
When facing any one of documents a to 65d, the position of the trailing end guide unit 101 can be further adjusted according to the document size within a range where both of them do not come out of opposition. Therefore, it is possible to accommodate the differences between JIS standard A and B columns, other millimeter sizes and inch sizes, and differences in horizontal and vertical threading.

Original scooping plates 131a, 131b, and 131c, which also serve as lids, are provided in the document sending ports 65a, 65b, and 65c. Facing the conveyance path 121. As a result, the document 00 sent out from the movable conveyance path 107 is sent to the auxiliary conveyance path 121, and the document receiving openings 106a face the document sending ports 65a to 65a.
5c, the original scooping plate 131a=
131c, the original is scooped up by one of the
Guided to 06. When the document receiving port 106a faces the document sending port 65d, each document scooping plate 131a
131c is raised, and the original OD fed into the auxiliary conveyance path 121 reaches the original delivery port 65d and is guided to the original delivery path 106.

Document scooping plates 131a to 13 of the sending ports 65a to 65c corresponding to respective positions of the rear end guide unit 101
The opening/closing mechanism of 1c will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 6, each of the original scooping plates 131a to 131c has a frame 702 fixed to a shaft 701 that pivotally supports them, and a driven roller 703 is pivotally supported on the frame 702. On the other hand, a cam 704 facing each of the driven rollers 703 is formed on the lower edge of the rear side wall 101a of the rear end guide unit 101,
Among the document scooping plates 1018 to 131c, the driven rollers 70 correspond to the position of the rear end guide unit 101.
3 is pushed down by the downwardly protruding edge 704a of the cam 704, and the document scooping plate associated therewith is opened.

As shown in FIG. 6, on the back side of the rear end guide unit 101, a connecting plate 711 fixed to the back side wall 101a passes through a slit 712 of the case 61 (FIG. 2) and connects to the Accuride rail 713 inside the case 61. By being fixed, it is movably supported and guided. A roller 715 is provided on a shaft 714 protruding from the front side wall 101b of the rear end guide unit 101 to assist in movement. By receiving the rollers 715 on the rails 716 inside the case 61, movement resistance can be reduced, and dirt caused by the rollers 715 coming into contact with the bottom plate of the case 61 can be avoided.

The connecting plate 711 is also connected by a metal fitting 719 to a timing belt 718 connected to a drive motor 717, and when the timing belt 718 is driven by the motor 717, the rear end guide unit 101 is moved. The motor 717 and the timing belt 718 are connected via a transmission mechanism 720 and a sliding mechanism 721.
A pulse disk 722 for detecting the position of the rear end guide unit 101 is provided on the downstream side of the rear end guide unit 101 . This causes motor 7
17 is transmitted to the timing belt 718 via a transmission mechanism 720 and a sliding mechanism 721. As already mentioned,
Since the automatic document feeder is handled in the same way as a normal document cover, the document storage section 63 may be loaded with foreign objects such as books. may occur. Further, the rear end guide unit 101 is connected to the automatic document feeder RD.
Since the upper surface of the H has a large opening R, it may be subjected to load during driving by an operator or the like. At this time, it is possible to avoid damage to the drive mechanism or rear end guide unit 101 due to slipping in the sliding mechanism 721 due to the load.

Here, the pulse circle +Ji 722 corresponds to the actual movement of the rear end guide unit 101 because it is on the downstream side of the sliding mechanism 721, and detects the occurrence of slippage and the amount of slippage due to the difference with the drive amount of the motor 717. be able to.

Therefore, it is possible to issue a warning or stop the drive based on this detection. Further, by detecting the amount of slippage, the current position of the rear end guide unit 101 can be known, and after the slippage is eliminated, the rear end guide unit 101 can be corrected to an appropriate position. However, in this embodiment, the rear end guide unit 101 is temporarily returned to its home position. To return to the home position, connect plate 711
The sensor 722 detects the protruding piece 711a.

When switching from double-sided original mode to reverse side copying, the switching claw 107
is switched to the upper position. As a result, the curved conveyance path 8
The original document OD sent out from 3 is guided to a return conveyance path 122. At this time, the conveyance belt 86 is driven in the reverse direction to guide the reversed original OD from the return conveyance path 122 onto the platen glass 1 again and position it at a predetermined position.

Guys provided on both sides of the tip side of the document storage section 63)'1
One guide 133 of 32 and 133 is movable so as to press the original OD against the fixed guide 132. The size of the document OD in the width direction is detected depending on the position of the guide 133 when the guide 133 is pressed.

Note that the document receiving opening formed by both guides 132 and 133 is designed to be wider on the front side in order to facilitate receiving the document.

Further, the upper guide 134 on the leading end side of the case 61 has an inclined guide surface 134a that restricts and guides the leading end of the document OD inserted into the document storage section 63 so that it faces the pickup roller 66 in an appropriate manner.

A conveyance roller 135 is provided in a portion of the curved conveyance path 83 and the return conveyance path 121 closer to the straight conveyance path 82 side, and an appropriate number of conveyance rollers 136 are also provided in the middle of the auxiliary conveyance path 121.

The driven roller 88 on which the conveyor belt 86 is stretched is the seventh
As shown in the figure, a slide plate 751 movably supported by a frame 753 in the case 61 bears a bearing, and a spring 75
The conveyor belt 86 is maintained in a tensioned state by the urging force of 2. The slide plate 751 has a bearing 75 fitted thereto.
4 is guided by the L-shaped guide hole 753a of the frame 753, and its own L-shaped guide hole 751a is guided by the pin 755G on the frame 753 so that it can slide. On the other hand, a V-shaped guide plate 756 provided at a continuous portion of the curved conveyance path 83 and the return conveyance path 84 with the straight conveyance path 82
Now, attach the mounting pieces 756a provided on both sides to the frame 75.
The elongated hole 756b is fitted to the pins 757 and 758 on the top 3 to enable back and forth movement. The mounting piece 756a is the pin 75.
The biasing force G of a spring 759 applied between the slide plate 751 and the slide plate 751 causes the slide plate 751 to come into contact with the slide plate 751 and be driven. Therefore, even if the end position of the conveyor belt 86 is displaced due to the dancer action of the driven roller 88, the guide plate 756 follows the movement, and the distance S between the guide plate 756 and the conveyor belt 86 is kept constant. As a result, the entrance of the original OD from the straight transport path 82 to the curved transport path 83 and the entrance of the original 00 from the return transport path 122 to the straight transport path 82 are always performed smoothly, and the document OD is prevented from jamming or incorrectly. prevent the progress of

The paper output port 140 of the main body to the copying machine has a Fico Nsha 14.
1 is provided. A discharge passage 143 that discharges copy sheets discharged from a paper discharge port 140 onto a paper discharge tray 142; and a stack conveyance passage 14 that branches from the middle of the discharge passage 143 and leads to a stack section 144.
5, and by switching the switching claw 139, the discharge passage 1
Copy sheets discharged to the paper tray 43 are selectively guided to a paper discharge tray 142 or a stack section 144.

The paper discharge tray 142 sequentially receives and stacks the copy sheets after copying, which are sequentially discharged. This gap-manuscript OD
When copying is performed continuously, the stacked copy sheets P become a group of copy sheets P1 and P2 as shown in FIG. 8(a). When a multi-page original is continuously copied one by one, the stacked copy sheets P are the sorted copy sheets Pi', P2' with the pages aligned as shown in FIG. 8(b). ...-.

Note that the paper output tray 142 is used for each copy paper group P1, P2'-5P.
By shifting in the horizontal direction to receive L', P2', etc., each copy paper group PI (PI'), P
2(P2'), P3(P3'), etc. can be received in a shifted position as shown in FIG. 8(c), which facilitates sorting.

Note that the automatic document feeder RDH is capable of handling in a so-called two-in-one mode in which two documents OD, which are sequentially fed, are lined up for simultaneous copying.

For this purpose, a branch path 81a is formed immediately after the register roller 84 of the curved conveyance path 81, branching toward the downstream side. Then, the document OD sent out earlier from the document storage section 63 is temporarily stopped so that its rear end is located between the branch point of the branch path 81a and the pinch roller pair 85, as shown in FIG. Then, the conveyor belt 86 is reversed so that the trailing edge of the previous document 00 is located away from the pinch roller pair 85 by a distance equal to or less than the distance between the timing roller 84 and the pinch roller pair 85. Use the branch path 81a to send it backwards as shown by the broken line.

Next, the next document OD is fed to the timing roller 84 as shown in FIG.

Thereafter, both original documents OD are conveyed simultaneously and sent onto the platen glass 1. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the originals oD are positioned in contact with the original scale 91 and subjected to exposure.

At this time, two originals O are fed onto the platen glass 1.
The interval between D can be adjusted by the amount of backward feeding of the previous document 00, and in some cases, there may be no interval. However, even if there is a slight gap, the document can be sent to the previous original OD and the gap disappears.

The two originals 00 that have been used for copying are returned to the original storage unit 63 in the same way as the one-sheet original, but if this is done, the trailing edge of the original ODO that was ejected first will be kicked by the leading edge of the original 00 that will be ejected next. There have been cases where such a situation has arisen that the re-storing condition becomes poor, or the next original OD is hidden below the previous original OD, causing the storage order to be out of order. Therefore, by setting the conveyance speed of the ejection roller 103 faster than the reversing roller 93 or the like immediately upstream thereof, the next original OD is held in the ejection roller 103 from the time when the previous original OD is held in the ejection path 103. The ejection speed of the previous document OD is made faster than that of the next document OO until the document is loaded. This will cause the previous document 00
Since the document OD is ejected with a large distance from the next document OD, the above-mentioned problem is avoided.

The stack unit 144 sequentially receives and stacks the copied sheets that are sequentially discharged. As described above, the stacked copy sheets are grouped or sorted depending on the copy mode. The stack part 144 is the first
As shown in the figure, a stamper 146 and a stapler 147 are installed.

The standber 146 and the stapler 147 are operated in accordance with the selection when a group of copied sheets or a set of copied sheets are stacked to perform predetermined stamping and binding. Each time these stamping and binding operations are completed, the stack section 144 releases the copy paper and discharges it from the discharge port 148.

The automatic document feeder RDH is used as follows.

It is desirable to first move the receiving opening of the document storage section 63 and the movable guide 133 to the maximum size position, and then store a predetermined number of documents 00 in the document storage section 63 in a stacked manner. This is the rear end guide unit for stacking and storing documents OD.
1 and the movable guide 133 do not get in the way. However, since the rear end position of the ID 101 is set as the home position, it is possible to save the trouble of manually moving the rear end position.

To stack and store the originals OD, hold the rear end of the originals OD group in your hand and move the front end of the originals OD group forward so that it slides under the upper guide 134 so that it comes into contact with the original stopper 111 of the paper feeding means 62. (Figure 12)
. This allows the document OD group to be positioned at approximately a predetermined paper feeding position by the document stopper 111. At this time, if the pickup roller 66 is left in a free state, the original 0
The insertion of group 0 can be performed smoothly. If the print switch is operated in this state, the pickup roller 66 and the feeding roller 68 are driven. As a result, the lowest original OD of the stacked original OD group is sent out. The sent document OD is transferred to the timing roller 84
When the tip is reached, it is not yet driven so that the tip is aligned with the nip and skew is prevented. Thereafter, the original OD is conveyed along the curved conveyance path 81 by the delivery roller 84 which starts to be driven. A sensor 152 is provided just before the timing roller 84 on this curved conveyance path 81 to measure the drive timing and the like.

Further, the paper passing width size of the document OD is detected based on the position of the movable guide 133, and the paper passing direction size is detected by counting the time while the sensor 155 provided in the middle of the curved conveyance path 81 detects the paper passing document OD. Ru. Since the size of the original document 00 is limited, the paper passing width size can also be determined by whether or not a sensor provided at an appropriate position in the width direction of the conveyance path detects the original OD.

The size of the original OD is detected using these rain detection data, and the corresponding copy paper size can be automatically selected.

The original document 00 conveyed through the curved conveyance path 81 is conveyed to the straight conveyance path 82 on the platen glass 1 by the pinch roller pair 85 and the conveyance belt 86 driven simultaneously with the feed roller 84 . (13th
figure). When using the optical scanning method, the document stopper 91
is placed in the upper movement position and the document O being conveyed to it
D makes contact.

As a result, the original OD is stopped at a predetermined printing position on the platen glass 1. Further, by aligning the leading edge of the original OD with the original stopper 91, the skew of the original OD is corrected.

On the other hand, the trailing edge guide unit 101 is moved forward as shown in FIG. 14 according to the size of the document OD in the paper passing direction.

Immediately after the document OD contacts the document stopper 91 in an aligned state, the driving of the conveyor belt 86 is stopped, and in this state, printing is performed by exposure using the optical system movement scanning method. The document scale 91 has been moved down before or after the printing is finished, and on the condition that the printing is finished, the drive of the conveyor belt 86 is resumed and the curved conveyance path 8 on the return side is resumed.
Make 3 work. At the same time, the rear end guide unit 10
The first discharge roller pair 103 is also driven.

The document OD after printing on the platen glass 1 is driven by the conveyor belt 86, and in this illustrated example, passes from the curved conveyance path 83 to the auxiliary conveyance path 121, the document sending port 65d, the document receiving port 106a, and the document ejecting path 106 to the discharge roller pair. 103
transported to. The document is then discharged from the discharge port 102 to the document storage section 63 by the discharge roller pair 103 (FIG. 15).
. The pair of discharge rollers 103 are stepped and can create longitudinal waves in the conveyance direction in the document OD to be discharged, thereby imparting straightness to the discharged document OD.

At this time, an auxiliary feed wheel 108 having an elastic feed blade 108a made of urethane or the like provided immediately before the paper feeding means 62 of the document storage section 63 is driven, and the returned documents are stacked and stored in the document storage section 63 first. Since an elastic feeding action is exerted on the OD, the document can be more reliably fed to the predetermined position where it contacts the return document stopper 115.

At an appropriate time before or after the printing of the original OD on the platen glass 1 is completed, the paper feeding means 62 is operated again to feed the original 0, which is the lowest layer, from the original storage section 63.
Sends one 0. Thereafter, the original OD is printed in the same way as the previous time and then returned to the original storage unit 63 again.

In this way, when the last of the previous stacked unit documents OD is sent out, the empty sensor 153 falls and detects this (FIG. 16).

The final copied original OD is also discharged to the original storage section 63 and the first
The state shown in Figure 6 will be obtained.

The movement of the document OD at this time is as shown in FIG. 23, and by scanning each document OD a plurality of times, copy paper groups P1 to P5 in the grouping state shown in FIG. 24 are obtained.

In the sorting mode, as shown in FIG. 16, the returned original 00 is repeatedly fed and used for copying until the set number of copies have been completed. Prior to this paper re-feeding, the trailing edge guide unit 101 is advanced a predetermined amount from the position shown in FIG. 16 to the document pushing position. With this, the returned original OD
The rear end of the sheet is pushed by the L-shaped guide wall 104, and the sheet is fed to the sheet feeding position where it abuts the document stopper 111, and is reset.

Next, the trailing edge guide unit 101 is moved back a little as shown in FIG. 17, and stands by at the document discharge position where it receives the trailing edge of the returned document 00. At the same time, the document stopper 111 is moved down to the non-operating position, and the document presser 113 is moved down to the operating position. Originally, the document presser 113 is the rear edge guide unit 1
01 is preferably moved downward from the point at which it is retracted from the original pushing position to the original ejecting position. From that point on, the document 00 is picked up by the pickup roller 66 and the document presser 133.
By holding the document in place, when the trailing edge guide unit 101 is retreated, the lower part or the entire document ODO will not be pulled back due to the movement of the L-shaped guide wall 104 that receives the trailing edge of the document ODO. can be avoided.

Paper re-feeding is performed in the re-cented state. When the set number of copies have been completed, the trailing edge guide unit 101 is returned to the most retracted home position in FIG. 22, making it convenient to take out and replace the original OD.

Next, the case of document movement scanning mode will be explained. In this mode, as in the case of the optical system movement scanning mode, the operation starts from setting the original OD to the state where the paper can be fed as shown in Figs. 101 movement is performed.

However, the document scale 91 continues to move downward, and the document OD is not positioned on the platen glass 1.

Subsequently, the bottom original OD after the size detection is ejected to the original storage section 63 as shown in FIG. 15, and then all the remaining originals OD set in the original storage section 63 are sequentially and continuously fed. As shown in FIG. 16, the document is discharged to the document storage section 63. With this operation, the number of set originals OD is counted. This count corresponds to the fact that the copy paper is fed before the original 00 is fed in order to increase the speed of copying multiple sheets. In other words, when paper is fed first, if the set number of originals 00 is unknown, the final original cannot be determined, and therefore, when copying of the final original is completed, the copy paper that is put out first is ejected without being copied and is wasted. Manuscript OD
By detecting the number of sheets, it is possible to prevent unnecessary paper feeding.

The returned originals OD after the number of originals has been detected are reset to the paper feeding position as shown in FIG. 17, and then the originals OD are re-fed in order from the lowest original OD. When the fed original OD passes through the exposure position EX shown in FIG. 18, it is subjected to image exposure in the original movement scanning mode and is copied. After all the originals OD have been copied and returned to the original storage unit 63 as shown in Fig. 19, the rear end guide unit 01 moves forward from the position shown in Fig. 19 and returns the originals OD to the paper feeding position shown in Fig. 20. After setting the 19th
It is returned to the original position shown in FIGS. After the set number of copies have been completed as shown in FIG. 21, the machine is returned to the home position (FIG. 22).

The movement of the document OD at this time is as shown in FIG. 25, and by repeating the copying of each document one by one for the set number of sheets, the copy paper group PI' in the sorted state as shown in FIG.
, P2', P3' ----- are obtained.

On the other hand, the original size is 1. Depending on various conditions such as the number of originals set, the paper feeding cycle and conveyance speed for sequentially feeding and returning the originals, and the conveyance distance, when the final original OD is fed from the original storage section 63, the final original OD may be fed first. The timing at which the first original document 00 is ejected to the original document storage section 63 by return may coincide with the timing. In this case, if the ejection speed of the original OD is faster than the feeding speed of the original OD, the original 00 will return under the original OD that is being fed, and the returned original O
D may be carried along with the fed document OD, or the document may return to the trailing edge of the fed document and the leading edge of the document OD may be caught, disrupting the stored state.

In order to avoid these problems, in this embodiment, after the first document OD is discharged to the document storage section 63, the second and subsequent documents OD are fed.

Specifically, in the document movement scanning mode, the above process is always performed when the document OD is circulated and conveyed in order to first count the number of document sheets. However, since the number of originals is known at the time of panning, that is, at the time of copying, the above process is performed when the original OD is four or less, which is a problem depending on the size of the original.

Next, the operation panel of copying machine A will be explained.

In the operation panel 201 shown in FIG. 27, the first operation area API includes the first group of modes that can be realized by devising the control of the main standard equipment among the various modes that can be executed in the copying machine A. Operation keys for selection and indicator lights corresponding to the first group of modes are arranged, and the second operation area A
An operation key indicator light for selecting a second group of modes executed using additional equipment is arranged at R2. Further, the third operation area ΔR3 includes operation keys that are a means for setting copying conditions when copying in various modes, as well as a print key 202 for starting a copying operation.
For example, a numerical display device 203 composed of 7 segment L-LEDs and capable of displaying 3-digit numerical values, each having 1.2...9
．． Numeric keys 210 to 219 corresponding to the numerical value 0, an interrupt key 220 for specifying interrupt copying, a clear/stop key 221, a vapor selection key 222 for specifying copy paper in paper feed cassettes inserted in multiple stages by size.
, up and down keys 223 and 224 for changing and specifying the copy image density step by step, paper feed section 35 and 36
An auto/manual key 225 is provided for switching between an automatic paper selection mode (APS) for automatically selecting a magnification, an automatic magnification selection mode (AMS) for automatically selecting a magnification, and a manual mode for manually selecting a magnification.

In addition, in the operation area HD adjacent to the first operation area API,
Setting keys and indicator lights related to the editor copy mode that can be executed when the optional editor sheet and pen-type input device (not shown) are installed are located, and if this operation is not performed, the sliding door By covering it with Z, the operation panel 201 can be visually simplified.

Further, at the right end of the figure, a data reading key IC is installed when selecting a mode and setting conditions using an IC card that stores data such as modes and copying conditions.

FIG. 28 shows the first operation area AR in the operation panel 201.
It is a partially enlarged view showing the arrangement relationship in I.

As shown in the figure, in the first operation area API, a matrix arrangement method is adopted in order to enable more selections with a smaller number of operation keys and to simplify hardware such as wiring.

That is, pictograms corresponding to each mode of the first group or characters indicating functions that can be specified in each mode are arranged in a grid pattern, and column designation keys 231 to 236 are provided at the bottom of each column in principle. One row is provided for each row, and row designation keys 241 to 244 are provided at the right end of each row. Further, above the line specification key 241, line specification keys 241 to
In order to display that it is waiting for input from H.244,
A selection input indicator light 245 using ED, legislation, etc. is provided.

By pressing any one of the column designation keys 231 to 236 and any one of the row designation keys 241 to 244, one mode in the first group is selected or one mode is selected. Functions can be specified.

The row designation key 231 is used to designate the leftmost column of the diagram in which pictographs corresponding to Anamo resized copy mode, non-copy mode, and book copy mode are drawn, one by one, in order from the top to Fuyume, the base. , the column designation key 232 is operated to select one of the binding 1 copy mode, binding margin 2 copy mode, frame empty mode, punch hole erase mode, and the margin value of each mode. Binding allowance 2
The copy mode is suitable for copying on both sides of copy paper, but when duplex copying is performed using only standard equipment, the operator manually turns the copy paper upside down.

Column designation keys 233 and 234 are operation keys for selecting enlarged copy mode or reduced copy mode, respectively, and when these modes are selected, row designation key 2
By pressing any one of 41 to 244, one of four preset magnifications can be selected.

Note that the column designation keys 235 and 236 are both operation keys related to the zoom function to arbitrarily select the magnification in the enlarged copy mode or reduced copy mode, and are used to select the magnification setting means and to store and read the magnification. Operated when making selections.

First operation area AI? The lights of the LEDs 251 to 269, which are backlights, can be seen directly at the upper left of the pictographs or displayed characters arranged in 1, as indicated by circles. These LEDs 251 to 269 blink while the corresponding mode or function is being operated, and when the operation is completed, the one corresponding to the selected mode or function is lit and the others are turned off.

Now, the procedure for selecting the book copy mode, which is one of the standard modes, by operation in the first operation area API will be explained.

First, in the initial state of the copying machine A, the print key 202 is lit in green. If you press the column designation key 231 now, the three LEDs 251 to 253 in the leftmost column will flash in green, the selection input indicator 245 will flash to prompt you to press the row designation keys 241 to 244, and the print key will flash. 2
02 lights up in red.

When the row designation key 243 is pressed to select the book copy mode, only the LED 253 corresponding to the book copy mode lights up in green among the blinking LEDs 251 to 253, and the others turn off.

This completes the operation for selecting book copy mode E, and the print key 202 lights up in green again.

After that, when you turn on the print key 202, it swells. Copying in the P mode is started, and two scans are performed with different lighting times of the exposure lamp 13 and different scan lengths.

FIG. 29 shows the second operation area AR in the operation panel 201.
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view showing the arrangement relationship in FIG.

The second operation area AR2 is an operation area for selecting a mode related to additional equipment installed especially for the convenience of copying work with a large number of sheets, and for selecting various functions provided in the additional equipment.

In the second operation area Al22, additional equipment is installed to automate a series of copying operations from placing the original to tidying up the copy paper after copying, and to improve work efficiency especially when copying a large number of sheets. Feeding device 1? A mode that can be executed when the DH, paper refeed unit 37, sorter (not shown), and finisher 141 are installed is selected.

In this second operation area AR2, the arrangement of pictograms representing options is devised so as to follow the flow of thought of an operator who is making preparations for a copying operation.

In other words, ■ What is the format of the manuscript? ■ How should the copy image be laid out on the copy paper? ■ How should the copy paper be sorted after copying? ■ How should the copy paper be final processed? There are four selection sections, namely, a document selection section 261, a layout selection section 262, and a layout selection section 262, so that the selection operation can be performed step by step in the order of ■→■→■→■ (such as folding several sheets at a time or folding them in half). For sorting, a selection section 263 and a paper processing selection section 264 are arranged in order from the left.

However, the selection area that can be operated is limited depending on the installation status of additional equipment. For example, when selecting the sorting method in ■, when a sorter (not shown) is installed as an additional equipment, you can select one of non-sort mode, sort mode, or grooving mode, or you can select either sort mode or grooving mode without a sorter installed. In addition, when the paper processing mechanism is installed, the final processing mode (■) can be selected: no processing mode, Stellar pull mode where several sheets are closed with Stellar pull metal fittings, stamp mode where stamps are stamped, You can select either , or Stellar Stamp mode.

In the document selection section 261, options for the RDH mode using the automatic document feeder RDH are collected and arranged. However, as mentioned above, this document selection section 2
Since 61 is regarded as a selection area for the format of the document, the book copy mode can be selected even within this section, although it is a book copy mode that can be executed as standard equipment.

That is, in the manuscript selection area 261, pictographs are arranged to indicate one-sided manuscripts, double-sided manuscripts, book manuscripts, and two-in-one manuscripts, which are provided as options.At the upper left of each pictograph, there are symbols indicated by circles. The LED backlight is directly visible. LED 271 that constitutes each document display area along with each pictogram
274 are turned on when the corresponding options are selected by pressing the rotation type original selection key 281 provided below the original selection section 261.

Two-in-one originals refers to a set of adjacent originals that are handled in two-in-one mode.

When a single-sided original, double-sided original, or two-in-one original is selected as the original by operating the original selection section 261, the automatic original feeder RDH automatically feeds and transports the original, and reverses the original. Due to its bulk, it is assumed that the automatic document feeder RDH is not used, and when the empty sensor 153 confirms that the document OD is set in the document storage section 63, copying in the book copy mode is not executed.

In the layout selection section 262, the layout selection key 2
82, pictograms and LH0275 to LH0277 corresponding to selectable one-sided copy mode, double-sided copy mode, and composite copy mode are arranged, and the method of using the paper refeeding section 37 is selected.

FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing the control circuit of copying machine A.

The operation panel 20 is connected to input buffers 307 to 310 controlled by the first CPU 301 via a decoder 314.
The operation keys arranged in 1 and the sensors and switches provided in each part are connected, and the output buffers 311 to 313, which are controlled via a decoder 315, include a main motor (not shown), a developing motor 1.2, Various clutches, the transfer charger 8, the charging charger 4, and a display matrix circuit 31B for lighting various indicator lights on the operation panel 201 are connected. Note that 316 indicates a decoder, and 330 indicates a RAM backed up by a battery.

The first CPU 301 communicates with the second CPU 302 and the third CPU 303 through a communication line 319.

The second CPU 302 controls the operation of the projection optical system 11, and includes a scan motor control circuit 305, a variable power lens control circuit 306 for moving the projection lens 18, a fixed position switch 161, and a control circuit for rotating the register roller 47. A timing switch 401 that generates a register timing signal and the like are connected.

The third CPU 303 controls the automatic document feeder R[]Fl, and controls the transport motor 501 and the paper feed motor 502.
It outputs control signals to each of the reversing motors 503 and 503, and inputs signals from various sensors 152, 153, 154, and 155 provided in the automatic document feeder RD)I.

The main operational controls of the first, second, and third CPUs will be explained below based on the flowcharts shown in FIG. 31 and subsequent figures.

First, the operation of the first CPU 301 will be explained.

FIG. 31 shows the main routine of main control by the first CPIJ 301. When the first CPU 301 is reset and the program starts, 1, step #
1 clears the RAM, initializes the microcomputer by setting various registers, and performs initial settings to bring the main body of the copying machine A to its initial state.

Next, the internal timer built in the first CP[I 301 and whose value is set by the initial setting is activated in step #2.
Start with . After that, the subroutines in steps #3 to #7 are sequentially called, and when the processing in all subroutines is completed, the process waits for the internal timer to end in step #8.
End the routine and return to step #2.

In step #3, processing corresponding to each key operation of auto selection, original selection, layout selection, second group mode setting, sorter mode selection, simultaneous color mode selection, and finishing mode selection by the finisher 141 is performed.

Further, in step #4, a process is performed to determine the scanning mode, which is the optical system moving operation mode or the document moving scanning mode.

Copy operation processing is performed in step #5, other processing is performed in step #6, and second and third CPIJ 3 are processed in step #7.
Communication with 02.303 takes place.

FIG. 32 shows a scanning mode determination processing subroutine. In this routine, the scanning mode is preferentially selected between the optical system movement scanning mode and the document movement scanning mode in relation to other mode settings. First, in step #131, it is determined whether the mode is sorting mode. If the sorting mode is not selected, the process proceeds to step #132 and the optical system movement scanning mode is selected preferentially. This is because the optical system movement scanning mode is suitable when not in the sorting mode.

Even in sorting mode, if the number of copies is 1, if the number of copies is 1, if the simultaneous color mode is, if the enlarged copy mode is, if the automatic magnification selection mode is, if the book original mode is, or if the double-sided copy mode is selected. case,
The optical system moving scanning mode is selected because copying in the original moving scanning mode is not suitable, difficult, or impossible in both the double-sided copy mode, the composite copying mode, and the manual feeding mode (steps #133 to 133). 142
).

33 to 36 show the copying operation subroutine. In this routine, as shown in FIG. 37, first, in step #151, it is determined whether or not the print key 202 is on-edge. If there is an on-edge and the ° sensor 153 is on, the document movement scanning mode processing subroutine is called (steps #152 and #153).

The document movement scanning mode processing subroutine is shown in FIG. In this routine, first, it is determined whether the mode is document movement scanning mode (step #205). If so, the exposure lamp 13 of the projection optical system 11 and the first to third mirrors 1
4.16.17 is moved to the document movement scanning mode position and fixed therein, and the document scale 91 is fixed in the downward movement position (steps #206 and #207). Also, if the document movement scanning mode is not in the mode, the exposure lamps 13 of the projection optical system 11, the first to third
Move the mirrors 14, 16, and 17 to their home positions and return to the optical system movement scanning mode (step 4).
208).

After adjusting the state of the projection optical system 11 according to the scanning mode in this way, the process returns to the copying operation subroutine, turns on the start signal of the automatic document feeder RDH in step #154, and then steps #166 in the flowchart of FIG. to move to.

If the print key 202 is turned on and there is no original in the original storage section 63 in step #152, it can be said that the original is placed manually without using the automatic document feeder RDH, so the optical system is set to moving scanning mode, and the exposure lamp 13, The home positions of the first to third mirrors 14, 16, and 17 are moved (step #155).

Next, it is determined whether or not the copy paper size of the selected paper feed section is incompatible (step #156). If it is incompatible, the process directly proceeds to step #166 in FIG. 34. If it is not non-conforming, set the copy start flag to "1", and if the back side copy flag is "1", leave it as is; if it is "0", set the front side copy flag to "1" and proceed to step #166 in Fig. 34. (Steps #157 to #159).

Further, if the print key 202 is not turned on at step #151, the process moves to step #160.

Here, it is determined whether the original position signal is on. If it is not on, the process directly proceeds to step #166 in FIG. 34. If it is on, it is manual selection only if paper selection is not set to either automatic paper selection mode or automatic magnification selection mode, and the process advances to step #156. If any mode is set, size selection processing is performed in the set mode. Then, in the automatic magnification selection mode, the process continues as is after the processing, and in the automatic paper selection mode, the process proceeds to step #156 only when the search size unset flag is not "1" after the processing, and the process proceeds to step #156 only when the search size unset flag is "1". If so, it is assumed that automatic paper selection is not possible, and the automatic paper selection mode is canceled and the third
Proceed to step #166 in Figure 4 (steps #161 to #
167).

At step #166 in FIG. 34, the copy start flag is set to “
1" is determined. Copy i only if it is "1"
The main motor, developing motor, exposure lamp 13, charger 4, and transfer charger 8 in the main body of A are turned on to start copying, and the copy start flag is set to "O".
” and set the paper feed timers TA and TB,
In the case of double-sided copying, one of the clutches of the pickup rollers 39, 40, 41 and the manual feed roller 46 of the paper feed units 35 to 37 is turned on depending on the state of the flag, the selection of the paper feed unit, or the presence or absence of manual feed. Paper feeding is started (steps #167 to #173). Then, when the paper feed timer TA ends, the pickup rollers 39, 40, 4
1 and manual feed conveyance roller 46 clutches are turned off.
Finish feeding the sheet (steps #174, #177
).

Subsequently, steps #181 to #187 in FIG. 35 are executed. Here, when the paper feed timer TB ends, the scan signal is turned on to set the optical system movement scanning mode, when the register signal is turned on, the clutch of the register roller 47 is turned on, and when the transfer end timer TC is turned on, the clutch of the register roller 47, the exposure lamp 13, and the charger are turned on. 4 and the scan signal is turned off in sequence, completing one image exposure and the transfer of the image formed thereby.

Subsequently, in step #191 of FIG. 36, it is determined whether the return signal of the projection optical system is on. If it is "1", when it is determined that the continuous copying has ended and the front copy flag = 1, the front side copy of the set number of bones has been completed, and the front side copy flag is set to ``0'' and the back side copy flag is set to ``1'', and the back side copy operation is started. (Steps #192 to #
195).

If the front copy flag is not 1 in step #193, the copy start flag is set to 1, and the first slider 1 is set to 1.
2 returns to the home position and if there is no on/off detected by the fixed position switch 161, unfinished surface copying is performed, and if there is any on/off, it is assumed that copying is complete and the developing motor and transfer charger 8 are turned off and the operation is performed. Set end timer TD (steps #196 to #19
8).

If continuous copying has not been completed, the copy start flag is set to "1" to continue the copying operation (steps #192 and #199).

On the other hand, if the return signal is not on in step #191 and the document conveyance end signal is on, copying is completed and the operation end timer TO is set (step #200,
#201).

Next, when timer TD expires, the main motor is turned off, all operations of copying machine A are stopped, and the results up to now are output (
Steps #202, #204).

FIG. 38 shows a flowchart showing the main routine of control by the third CPtl 303.

Initial settings, internal timer setting (step #301,
#302) After performing steps #303 and #304
It is determined whether the mode is document movement scanning mode or two-in-one document mode, and if it is neither, the document control routine, document size detection routine, and other processing subroutines (steps #305 to #307) are sequentially called. , wait for the internal timer to end and step #30
Return to step 2 (step #308).

If the document movement scanning mode is selected in step #303, the control subroutine (step #309) for the document to be flown in that mode is called, and then step #307
to move to. If the two-in-one mode is selected in step #304, the two-in-one document control subroutine (step #310) and the two-in-one document size detection subroutine (step #311) are sequentially called, followed by step #307. to move to.

Also, if there is an interrupt request from the first CPU 301, communication with the first CPU 301 is performed (step #312).
.

FIGS. 39 to 41 show flowcharts of the panning document control processing subroutine.

In this routine, a jump operation is executed to each state according to the count value of the state counter. If the state counter is O in step #521, the state counter is set to 1 only when the sensor 153 of the document storage section 63 is on and the start signal of the automatic document feeder RDH is on.

If the state counter is 1, the conveyor belt motor is turned on, the document feed motor is turned on, and the document holding solenoid is turned on, and then the state counter is set to 18 (step #5).
31~#533).

When the state counter is 1a, the document feeding process and accompanying document size detection process are performed, and on condition that the document positioning on the platen glass 1 is completed and the document position signal is turned on, the state counter is set to 1b. (Steps #541 to #544 and #306).

When the state counter is 1b, the trailing edge guide unit 101 is advanced to the document ejection position according to the document size, and when this is completed, the state counter is set to 10 (step #
551 to #554).

If the state counter is 10, the conveyor belt motor is rotated forward, the document discharge timer TN is started, and the state counter is set to 1d (steps #561 to #564).
.

If the state counter is 1d, wait for the timer TN to end and set the state counter to 2 (step #571).
~#573).

If the state counter is 2, the state counter is set to 3 when the document storage section 63 is empty.
If it is not empty, the blank feeding of the original and the counting of the number of originals are continued, and the counting of the number of originals is ended (steps #581 to #585).

If the state counter is 3, if the number of originals is 4 or less, the state counter is set to 4, and if the number of originals is 4 or less, the state counter is set to 5. Change (Step #59
1 to #594).

If the state counter is 4, the first document is flown, and the state counter is set to 5 after waiting for the first document to be ejected (steps #601 to #601).
604).

If the state counter is 5, panning is repeated until the document storage section 63 becomes empty, and the number of copies is incremented to set the state counter to 6 (
Steps #611 to #615). Therefore, the processing in this state is performed for four or less original documents 00 from the second page, and for five or more original documents, it is performed for all of them.

If the state counter is 6, the state counter is set to 7 as the ejection of the last document is completed (steps #621 to #623).

When the state counter is 7, the rear end guide unit 101 is retreated to the home position when the set number of copies have been completed, and the state counter is set to 11.
If the set number of copies has not been completed, the state counter is set to 8 (steps #631 to #634).

If the state counter is 8, the document push-out amount timer A is set, the rear end guide unit 101 is advanced to the push-out position, and the state counter is set to 9 (steps #641 to #644).

When the state counter is 9, the end of timer A causes the trailing edge guide unit 101 to stop at the document ejecting position, and a retreat amount timer B to the document ejecting position is set to move the trailing edge guide unit 101 to the document ejecting position. retreat to. Also, turn on the document presser solenoid and press the document presser 11.
3 to prevent the document from being pulled back into the trailing edge guide unit 101. Then, the state counter is set to 10 (steps #651 to #657).

If the state counter is 10, the trailing edge guide unit 101 is stopped at the document discharge position upon expiration of timer B, the document holding solenoid is turned off, and the state counter is set to 3 (steps #661 to #664). This restarts the next paper feed.

When the state counter is 11, the sensor 722 detects the return of the rear end guide unit 101 to the home position, and the rear end guide unit 101 is stopped at the home position.

Then, the state counter is set to 0, and the automatic document feeding operation ends (steps #671 to #673).

42 and 43 show a flowchart of the document control subroutine in FIG. 38. In this routine, first, in steps #401 and #402, if there is a document in the document storage section 63, the sensor 153 is on, and the start signal of the automatic document feeder RDH is on, the front side flag is flagged in step #403. Determine whether or not is "0", set the surface flag to "l" only when it is "0",
Turn on the conveyor belt motor in normal rotation, turn on the document feed motor and document holding solenoid, and feed the document for front side copying (steps #404 and #405).
. If the RD11 start signal is not on in step #402, it is determined whether the document feed flag is "1",
If the value is "1" and the second document is to be fed next, wait until the ejection of the first document is completed and set the document feed flag to "0".
” and proceed to step #403 onwards (step #40
6, #407) Allow the next paper feed to be performed.

Subsequently, in step #408, it is determined whether the double-sided original signal is on. If it is on, call the document feed processing subroutine (step #409), and if it is not on, call the document feed reversal processing subroutine (step #410).
).

Furthermore, in step #411, it is determined whether scanning has been completed for the number of copies, and if it has been completed, the scan completion flag is set to "1".
” (step #412).

If the scan end flag is "1" in the next step #413, the process advances to step #414. If the double-sided original signal is off, set the front side flag and scan end flag to “
After setting it to O'', call the document ejection processing subroutine (
Step #415, #4 step 6). Also step #41
If the double-sided original signal is off in step #4, check whether the front side flag is 1" in step #417, and if it is "1", call the document reversal processing subroutine (step #418), and deal with the back side copying. “If not, step #41
Proceed to step 5 onwards.

FIG. 44 shows a flowchart of the document feeding process subroutine in FIG. 42. If the sensor 152 detects the leading edge of the document on edge in step #421, the flag K is set to "1" and the paper feed end timer TJ is started (step #422).

In the next step #423, if the flag is "1", the sensor 152 waits for the off-edge to detect the trailing edge of the document, sets the flag K to "0", and starts the document positioning timer TK (step #424, #425).

Next, when the timer TJ ends, the document feeding mode and document holding solenoid are turned off in step #426.
#427), and when the timer TK ends, the conveyor belt motor is turned off to complete the positioning of the document to be sent to the document scale 9, and the document normal position signal is turned on (
Steps #428 to #430).

FIGS. 45 and 46 show a flowchart of the document feed reversal process subroutine in FIG. 42.

If the sensor 155 is on edge in step #441, the reversal switching solenoid and reversing motor that switches the switching claw 107 to the reversing side are turned on, and the reversing paper feed end timer TL is started (steps #442 and #44
3). Next, when the timer TL ends, the document feeding motor and the document holding solenoid are turned off in step #444.
, #445), because the transport motor is rotating normally,
The sensor 154 provided between the return conveyance path 122, the curved conveyance path 83, and the straight conveyance path 82 waits for the on-edge detection of the leading edge of the document, and then sets the flag K to "1" (steps #446 to 4448). ).

If the flag indicates a force of 1'', the sensor 154 waits for the off-edge to detect the trailing edge of the document, and then turns on the conveyor belt motor in reverse (steps #449 to #452).

Next, since the conveyor belt motor is in reverse rotation, the sensor 154 moves from the curved conveyance path 83 to the return conveyance path 121.
After waiting for the on-edge to detect the leading edge of the original again, the inversion original positioning timer TM is started (steps #453 to #455). Then, when the timer TM ends, the reversal switching solenoid, conveyance belt motor, and reversing motor are turned off, the reversal of the original is completed, the reversed original is stopped at a predetermined position on the platen glass 1, and the original position signal is turned on. (Steps #456 to #46
0).

Note that for a reversed document, it is also possible to overrun the document scale 91, then switch the conveyor belt motor to normal rotation, and then send the reversed document to the document scale 91 and position it.

FIG. 47 shows a flowchart of the document discharge processing subroutine in FIG. 43. If the sensor 153 is on in step #471, the document feeding flag is set to 1'' so that the next document is fed (step #472), and if the sensor 153 is not on, the document storage section 6 Since there is no remaining document, the conveyor belt motor is rotated forward to discharge the document on the platen glass 1, and the document discharge end timer TN is started (step #473).
, #474). When the timer TN ends, the conveyance belt motor is turned off (step #
476).

FIGS. 48 and 49 show a flowchart of the document reversal processing subroutine in FIG. 43. Step #48
1 and the scan end flag is @1, return the scan end flag to "0", turn on the reversal switching solenoid, turn on the conveyor belt motor for forward rotation, turn on the reversal motor, and turn on the reverse rotation motor to move the image on the platen glass 1. The original is sent out once (steps #482 to #484).

Next, since the conveyor belt motor is rotating normally, the flag J is set to "1" after waiting for the sensor 154 to turn on (steps #485 to #487). If the flag J is "1", wait for the off-edge of the sensor 154 and return the flag J to "O" to reverse the conveyor belt motor (
Steps #488 to #491).

Next, since the conveyance belt motor is in reverse rotation, the reversal document positioning timer To is started after waiting for the sensor 154 to turn on again (steps #492 to 492).
#494).

When the timer TO ends, the front flag is set to "0", the reversal switching solenoid, the conveyor belt motor, and the reversing motor are turned off, the reversed original is positioned at a predetermined position on the platen glass 1, and the original position signal is turned on. (Steps #495 to #499).

FIG. 50 shows a flowchart of the document size detection processing subroutine in the main flow of FIG. 38. The document size detection in this routine is executed in a normal document mode other than two-in-one. But sensor 15
5 detects the leading edge of the original and the trailing edge of the original using the count of the timer TP from the on-edge to the off-edge.The determined size is set as the original size (steps #501 to #516).

Note that FIG. 51 shows an operation time chart of the main components of the automatic document feeder RDH.

Note that in this embodiment, the conveyance speed of the conveyance roller 135 on the downstream side of the conveyance belt 86 is not made slower than that of the conveyance belt 86, but the conveyance speed of the conveyance roller 135 etc. on the downstream side of the conveyance belt 86 is not made slower than the conveyance speed of the conveyance roller 135, etc., depending on the position setting of the image scanning point in the document movement scanning mode. 135 acts on the document at the image scanning point, it is preferable that the conveying roller 135 also has a slower conveying speed than the conveying belt 86 on the upstream side.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, the movable roller moves to keep the conveyor belt of the belt conveying means in a tensioned state, and even if the position of the movable tensioning portion tensioned by the movable roller of the conveyor belt changes. , the conveyance guide adjacent to the movable tensioning section follows the displacement of the movable roller and accompanies the movement of the movable tensioning section, thereby maintaining a constant positional relationship between the movable tensioning section of the conveyor belt and the conveyance guide. Therefore, the sheet can be properly and smoothly guided when transferring the sheet between the conveyance path formed by the conveyance belt and the conveyance path formed by the conveyance guide adjacent to the movable tensioned portion.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sheet from jamming or moving in an inappropriate direction.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram showing a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of sorting, and FIGS. 3 to 13 are an illustration of a circulating automatic document feeder. 14 and 15 are cross-sectional views explaining the operation in each document scanning mode, and FIGS. Figures 16 and 17 are perspective views showing the movement of the original in the original movement scanning mode and the resulting state of copies obtained in the sorting mode.・A sectional view illustrating the operation in the in-one mode; FIGS. 21 to 23 are plan views showing the entire and partially enlarged operation panel of the copying machine; FIG. 24 is a block diagram of the control circuit; Fig. 25 is a flowchart showing the control operation main routine of the first CPU, Fig. 26 is auto selection key processing, Fig. 27 is original selection key processing, Fig. 28 is layout selection key processing, Figs. 29 and 30. 31 shows the mode selection key processing for sorting, FIG. 32 shows the simultaneous color mode selection key processing, FIG. 33 shows the finishing mode selection key processing, FIG. 34 shows the manual feeding process, and FIG. 36 is the scanning mode determination process, FIG. 36 is the size mismatch warning process, FIGS. 37 to 40 are flowcharts showing each subroutine in the main flow of FIG. 25 of the copying operation process, and FIG. Flowchart showing mode processing subroutine, No. 42
The figure is a flowchart showing the control operation main routine of the second CPU, FIG. 43 is a flowchart of the scanner control processing subroutine of FIG. 42, and FIG.
45 is a flowchart of the control operation main routine, FIG.
The figure shows the two-in-one document control process, FIG. 49 shows the two-in-one document size detection process, FIGS. 50 and 51 show the document control process, and FIG. The figure shows the document feeding process, Figures 53 and 54 show the document feeding and reversing process, Figure 55 shows the document ejecting process, and Figures 56 and 57 show the document reversing process. FIG. 58 is a flowchart showing the document size detection processing subroutine in the main flow of FIG. 44. 1-・・−−−−−1−−・・−−1−−−・−・Platen glass 82・−−1−−−−−−−−−−−−−
−−−−−・・−・・−Straight conveyance path 83−・−−−−
・・−−−１−−−−−・−−１〜−−−−−−Curved conveyance path 86・−・・・・−−１−−−−・−・〜・−・
・-----1 conveyor belt 88--1----...
−−−−1・−1−−−−～・−・・−Followed roller 12
2・・・・−・−m−〜−・・・・−・−・−Return conveyance path 303−−−=−−−−−−−−−−−−−−Part 3 CPU751・−− −−−−m−−−−～−−・
....-m---...Slide plate 751a---1-
−・−・−・−・・−・〜−−−−−−L type guide hole 752-1−−−〜−・−・−・−・−・・−−−
・・Spring 753・−・−・−・−・・−・−・・
---Frame 753 a--------
・−・−・−・−L type guide hole 754・−・・−・・
------1--・--・Bearing 755.757.75
8-・・Bin 756 ・−・・・・−−−−・・・・−−−−・−・
・−1−−Guide plate 759− ・−・−・・−・−−
−−−−1・・・−・Spring agent Patent attorney Ishihara
Sheet #153 Procedural Amendment (Bin) 11 (Ushi no Gyo Heisei 1 Feather Insertion No. 82205 No. 2, Name of Invention Sheet Conveying Device 3, Person making the correction a (607) Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. 4, Yueji Io! 2 people, address ■550 1-13-2 Kyomachibori, Nishi-ku, Osaka Heisei
June 12, 1999 (formerly sent on July 4, 1999) 6. Subject of amendment 7, Contents of amendment (■), The column for a brief explanation of the drawings in the specification is amended as follows. (1) “First line” on page 76, line 1 to page 78, line 3 of the specification
The figure is -------. ' is corrected as follows. Record

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In a sheet conveying device equipped with a belt conveying means and a conveyance guide of a conveyance path following a movable tensioning section formed by a movable roller of the conveyance belt, the conveyance guide is made to follow the displacement of the movable roller. Sheet conveyance device.