JPH03138252A - Sheet size detecting device for hand-operated tray - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate control on copy preparing action by operating sheet width detecting sensors so as to perform sheet size detecting action when a sheet sensor provided at the intermediate part of a hand-operated paper feed path detects a sheet. CONSTITUTION:A sheet sensor S4 is disposed in the specified position of a hand-operated tray 2, and a sheet sensor S5 is provided in the intermediate position of a hand-operated paper feed path 10 spaced by a specified gap in the sheet conveying direction from the sheet sensor S4, as well as plural sheet width detecting sensors S0-S3 are disposed in the width direction of the sheet conveying path, between two sensors S4, S5. When the sheet sensor S5 provided at the intermediate part of the hand-operated paper feed path 10 detects a sheet, the width detecting sensors S0-S3 are operated to perform sheet size detecting action. The size of the inserted sheet can be thus detected automatically, so that control on copy preparing action can be performed easily using information on the sheet size.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a paper size detection device provided in a manual paper feeder, and particularly in a manual feed tray in which sheets are loaded and fed one by one. The present invention relates to a device that allows the size of loaded paper to be detected.

(Prior Art) Image forming apparatuses such as electronic copying machines and laser printers are provided with paper feeding means from a manual feed tray in addition to paper feeding means such as paper cassettes and paper trays. There are many. When multiple paper trays, etc. are installed in the paper feed unit, the paper size can be specified via the control panel of the image forming device, or the appropriate Operations such as selecting a paper size and making a copy are performed.

As mentioned above, when feeding paper from a paper cassette or paper tray, the operator can select the appropriate size of paper even if the image forming apparatus is equipped with an editing function. A copy of a predetermined size can be obtained by simply inputting information such as the original size and reduction/enlargement ratio.

On the other hand, in the case of a paper feed device from a manual feed tray, an operation is generally performed to form a copy on the paper inserted from the manual feed tray, regardless of the size of the document. However, although the manual paper feed path connected to the manual feed tray is equipped with a paper sensor to detect the inserted paper, the current situation is that there is no particular means for detecting the paper size. .

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, when the image forming apparatus is equipped with an editing function, etc., the paper fed from the manual feed tray may be
There is a need to be able to detect the paper size and clearly display whether or not a specified image can be covered.

However, in the case of conventional devices that feed paper one sheet at a time, the aforementioned paper size is not considered at all, and if paper of an inappropriate size is used, There was a problem in that defective copies were created.

In response to this, it has been proposed to input the size of paper fed from the manual feed tray via a control panel and perform signal processing operations similar to those of paper feed cassettes, etc. There is. However, when an operator feeds paper from a manual feed tray, it is extremely difficult for the operator to specify the paper size, and there is also the problem that mistakes are likely to occur.

Furthermore, the manual feed tray is equipped with side guides that regulate both sides of the paper, and when paper is inserted through the manual feed tray, the side guides are moved according to the paper size, and the position of the side guides is detected by a sensor. Therefore, it is also conceivable to use means such as setting the paper size.

However, even with the configuration described above, operators do not reliably use the side guides, and there are cases where small-sized paper is inserted with the side guides set to a wide width, so this method is not always effective. The problem is that it is not.

Furthermore, in conventional manual feed trays, a paper sensor is placed at a predetermined position, and there is a means for detecting when paper is inserted and starting the operation of other devices according to that information. It is provided.

However, the paper sensor described above only detects a predetermined position such as the leading edge of the paper, and is not equipped with a detection means to detect skewed paper feeding. Even in such a case, as soon as the leading edge of the paper is detected, the copying operation is started, which has the disadvantage that defective copies are frequently produced.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention solves the drawbacks of the conventionally used devices as described above, and is capable of easily detecting the size of paper inserted from the manual feed tray, and preventing diagonal feeding of paper. It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper size detection device for a manual feed tray that can effectively detect paper of special sizes such as postcards and postcards.

(Means and operations for solving the problem) The paper size detection device for a manual feed tray of the present invention includes a paper sensor arranged at a predetermined position of the manual feed tray, and a predetermined interval from the paper sensor in the paper conveyance direction. A paper sensor is provided in the middle of the manual paper feed path across from the paper feed path, and a plurality of paper sheets 1
1" is configured by arranging detection sensors.

Then, when the paper sensor installed in the middle of the manual paper feed path detects paper, the paper width detection sensor is activated.
Enable paper size detection.

Therefore, since the paper size detection device for the manual tray of the present invention can automatically detect the size of the inserted paper, it is possible to easily control the copy making operation using the paper size information. I can do it.

In addition, the manual feed tray of the present invention can also detect the state of paper being fed diagonally, so when feeding paper from the manual feed tray, the posture of the paper is accurately controlled, thereby preventing the occurrence of defective copies, etc. This can be prevented.

(Example) The configuration of a paper size detection device for a manual feed tray of the present invention will be described according to an illustrated example.

The embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a manual paper feed device 1 for feeding paper from a manual feed tray 2, and the positional relationship in which sensors are arranged with respect to the manual paper feed device 1. It shows. In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the manual feed tray 2 is held via a support shaft 3 to a bracket 4 provided outside the main body of the paper feeder.

A manual paper feed path 1 provided following the manual feed tray 2
0, the top and bottom of the paper conveyance path are regulated by upper guide plates 11, 12, lower guide plate 13, and opening/opening guide plate 15. If a jam or the like occurs in the manual paper feed path, the 1-fil blank guide plate can be opened to remove the jammed paper.

4. In the manual paper feed path 10, an insertion roller 20 and two driving rollers 21 and 22 are arranged. to be transported to. At that time, sensor S
When the insertion of the paper is detected by O, the insertion roller 20 is driven and the paper is moved into the paper path. Next, the insertion roller 2 is moved in accordance with the operation of the image forming apparatus.
0 and drive rollers 21 and 22, and the main paper feed path 2
The paper is fed out towards the 5th page.

The sensors provided in the manual feed tray 2 and the manual paper feed path 10 of the present invention include a tray sensor S4 placed on the manual feed tray, an end sensor S5 placed at a predetermined distance p from the sensor S4, and Both sensors S4,
It is arranged at a predetermined position between B5 and is composed of a plurality of width detection sensors SO to 3 for detecting the width of the paper.

Each of the above-mentioned sensors detects the paper by using means such as a photo sensor, for example, without using a means that directly contacts the paper. Although it is possible to use a microswitch or the like as the detection means provided in the paper path, a photo sensor is effective in accurately detecting the edges of the paper without damaging them.

The manual feed tray and the sensor provided on the manual paper feed path of the present invention are arranged as shown in the plan view of FIG. 2. The tray sensor S4 provided in the manual feed tray 2 is arranged to correspond to the vertical feeding of B5 size paper, for example, and the distance 1 between the sensor S4 and the edge sensor S5 is set to correspond to the vertical feeding of B5 size paper. The end sensor S5 is set to a length that can be detected at the same time, and the end sensor S5 is disposed close to the registration line 9 and downstream of the insertion row 520 in the paper feeding direction.

Further, in the width detection sensors 80, 81 to 3 disposed between the two sensors S4 and B5, the sensor SO
is arranged in a position close to the checkout line 9, while the other three sensors 81 to 3 are arranged in positions corresponding to the vertical direction of A4, the horizontal direction of B4, the vertical direction of B5, the vertical direction of A3, and the horizontal direction of A4, respectively. Deploy.

In the sensor of the present invention arranged as described above,
When a sheet is inserted from the manual feed tray and the insertion roller is driven, the sheet is detected by the edge sensor S5, and other sensors simultaneously start sensing operations based on the detection signal.

Then, when the edge sensor S5 and the tray sensor S4 detect the paper at the same time, the width detection sensors SO to S
3, the width of the paper is detected, and by inputting this information to the control device, the paper size is determined.

Furthermore, even if only the edge sensor S5 and the width detection sensor SO detect the paper, if the other width detection sensors and tray sensor S4 do not detect the paper, the paper is determined to be of a special size. That will happen. Then, the next operation i, lJ III in the image forming apparatus is performed based on the paper detection information from these sensors.

Therefore, in the apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of sensors are arranged for the manual feed tray and the manual paper feed path, and the detection operation by each of these sensors is performed simultaneously with the end sensor S5 as a reference. This makes it possible to perform the paper size detection operation reliably.

On the other hand, in the apparatus of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to simultaneously detect when the paper is being fed diagonally or when the paper is away from the side guides. In other words, there are four sensors arranged as width detection sensors.
, i~3, sensor SO does not detect paper,
When the sensors 81 to 3 detect, the symbol P in FIG.
As shown in 1, this is a case where the side of the paper is not inserted along the registration line, and as mentioned above, it is determined from the detection information of each sensor that the paper is being fed diagonally. be done. Therefore, in this case, a command such as retrying the insertion of paper from the manual tray is output.

On the other hand, if the paper is detected by the sensor SO but not detected by the other sensors 81 to 3, it is determined that the paper is of a special size such as a postcard, and the paper is transported accordingly. An action will be taken.

In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
The structure is such that the swinging of the manual tray 2 and the opening/closing operation of the opening/closing guide plate 15 are linked. Therefore, between the manual feed tray 2 and the opening/closing guide plate 15, the arm 5 and the
A link means consisting of a letter-shaped link 7 is provided.

In the link means, the arm 5 has elongated holes 5a at both ends.
, 5b are arranged, and are swingably provided by a shaft 5C that supports the intermediate portion, and the bins 6 of the tray and
The single-shaped link 7 is engaged with the bin 6a so that the arm 5 can be swung following the swiveling of the manual feed tray 2. Further, as shown in the figure, the single-shaped link 7 is formed in an abbreviated shape, the middle portion of which is supported by a support shaft 7a, and the other end provided with a pressing roller 8.

By swinging the manual feed tray 2, the opening guide plate 15 is caused to swing via the link device, but when the manual feed tray is set at the paper feeding position, the link device is Each link member is set at the position shown by the solid line in the figure. At this time, the pressing roller 8 provided at the tip of the single-character link 7 presses the spring plate 17 of the opening/closing guide plate 15, thereby fixing the opening/closing guide plate at the conveyance position.

Further, when the manual tray 2 is not used, the manual tray is swung through the shaft 3 as shown by tAIil in the figure, so the arm 5 and the single-shaped link 7 each have a support shaft. The opening/closing guide plate 15 is swung through the hinge 16 to open the manual paper feed path 10.

Therefore, in the manual feed path 10 of the present invention, the opening/closing guide plate 1 follows the movement of swinging the manual feed tray.
5 will now open automatically, and even when handling jammed paper in the manual feed path, the document feed path can be opened simply by swinging the manual feed tray to a non-use position. Become.

The manual paper feeding device can be provided, for example, in a paper feeding section of an image forming apparatus together with a plurality of paper feeding units to which paper trays are attached. The paper feed path 27 from each paper tray of the paper feed unit is connected to the main body paper feed path 25 via the merging path 28, and a conveyance roller device is provided in the paper conveyance path 25! 26, it is possible to send it out toward the image transfer position of the image forming apparatus.

In the apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, the paper inserted from the manual feed tray is shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, a sensor S6 can be provided.

The sensor 86 makes it possible to set a large reflection angle by applying light at a large angle to the paper.In the case of normal paper, the light from the light emitting part of the sensor is directed to the light receiving part. However, for transparent objects such as OHP films, the light should not be reflected.

As mentioned above, detecting the OHP film means that after the toner image is transferred, when the toner image is fixed in the fixing device, the fixing temperature is adjusted depending on the type of paper that carries the image. This is particularly useful when it is necessary to That is, compared to the fixing temperature for ordinary paper, reliable fixing may not be possible for other films at the same temperature.

In such a case, the fixing device should be configured in advance so that the fixing temperature can be changed depending on the paper type. By making it possible to perform this, it is possible to reliably fix the toner image.

Note that the manual paper feeding device of the present invention is not limited to being provided in a paper feeding unit, but can also be used in a VT system in which a manual feeding tray is arranged separately from the paper feeding unit in the main body of an image forming apparatus. However, it can be applied.

(Effects of the Invention) Since the paper size detection device for the manual feed tray of the present invention has the above-described configuration, it is possible to automatically detect the size of paper inserted through the manual feed tray during transportation. Therefore, the copy making operation can be easily controlled using the paper size information.

Furthermore, since the manual feed path of the present invention can open and close the guide plate following the swinging of the manual feed tray, operations such as handling jammed paper in the document transport path can be easily performed. I can do it.

Furthermore, the manual feed tray of the present invention can also detect the state of paper being fed diagonally, so when feeding paper from the manual feed tray, the posture of the paper can be accurately controlled to prevent the occurrence of defective copies, etc. can be prevented.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the configuration of the manual paper feeder of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of sensors provided on the document conveyance path according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the case where the sensor of the present invention is used to detect oblique feeding of a sheet. Reference numerals in the figure 1...Manual paper feeder, 2...Manual feed tray, 5...Arm, 7...L-shaped link, 10... ...Manual paper feed path, 11/12...
...Top guide plate, 13...F guide plate,
15... Opening/closing guide plate, 16... Hinge, 20-22... Drive roller, 25...
...Main paper feed path, SO~S5...Sensor 1

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A paper sensor is disposed at a predetermined position of the manual feed tray, a paper sensor is provided at a position in the middle of the manual paper feed path separated from the paper sensor by a predetermined interval in the paper conveyance direction, and Multiple paper width detection sensors are arranged in the width direction of the paper transport path between the two sensors, and when the paper sensor installed in the middle of the manual paper feed path detects paper, the paper width detection sensor is activated. A paper size detection device for a manual feed tray, characterized in that it is configured to perform an operation of detecting paper size.