JPH03147682A - Sheet member transporting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To spread the width of the usable original size by permitting the mixed loading of different size to a sheet member loading board by forming the second paper discharge passage, besides the first paper discharge passage for the paper discharged from the sheet member loading board. CONSTITUTION:Sheet members P on a sheet member loading board 1 are driven out one by one from the lowermost part in succession by separating means 41 and 42, and sent into an image reading-out part 3 through a sheet transport passage I, and returned on the sheet member loading board 1 through a sheet discharge passage II or a sheet discharge passage III. Further, a sheet transport passage IV which converges to the first or second sheet discharge passage I or II from the outside of a sheet member transporting device is formed. Further, the second sheet member loading board 62 different from the sheet member loading board 1 is installed, and the sheet member P is discharged from the third sheet member discharge passage V, branched from the second sheet discharge passage III. Accordingly, in correspondence with the mixed loaded state of different size, paper can be discharged through switch back or closed loop mode, and the width of the usable original size can be spread.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (a) Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to a sheet material that is conveyed and placed at a predetermined position in an image forming section, etc. in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer. Regarding a conveyance device.

(B) Conventional technology Conventionally, a sheet material conveying device has been used to automatically convey and place a document at a predetermined position on the platen of a copying machine serving as an image forming device, and to transfer the document back to the original sheet after image formation has been completed. There is a document conveying device that returns the document onto the material loading table. Examples of this type of document conveying device include a switchback type circulating document conveying device (hereinafter referred to as Switchhack RD F') as shown in FIG. There is a closed-loop type circulation document feeder (hereinafter referred to as closed-loop RDF) not shown in FIG.

+ii In Fig. 1, the switchback RDFC sequentially separates the stack of originals P on the original tray 11 one by one starting from the bottom 6, transports and stops them at a predetermined position on the platen 3E in the section △ of the main body of the copying machine, and copies them. Image reading is performed using an optical system inside the machine. By switching back the sheet original I (4P) after image reading to the same side as the side on which it was carried into the platen 3, the sheet original P is carried out from the platen 3 and comes into contact with the large roller 49 rotating in the direction of the arrow. The sheet documents P are conveyed by the rollers 49a to the top of the document stack P on the document tray 1.This sheet document P is carried out and reloaded from the same side as the one from which it was fed, and this operation is repeated in sequence. Image formation using a plurality of sheet originals P is being performed.

For this type of switch hack RDFC, document tray 1
The image-processed sheet original P is carried in from the same side as the leading edge of the original bundle P to be loaded on the original tray L, and the rear end of the sheet original P that is tilted and reloaded on the original tray l is placed in the paper feed slot. It falls to the side under its own weight and is aligned with the edge or the paper feed slot side. Therefore, even if sheet originals P having different lengths in the transport direction are stacked on the original tray l, the leading edges of the originals are always aligned.

In addition, even for large size originals with different lengths in the transport direction, by extending the length of originals 1 to 1 with an auxiliary tray, the paper path and transport operation can be maintained without any hindrance and with good consistency. It is possible to reload the sheet originals P onto the original tray 1.

In addition, in this type of switch hack RDFC, when exchanging the sheet original P on the platen 3 with the next sheet original P,
When the leading edge of the transported document is securely held in the conveying means closest to the downstream side of the platen 3, that is, the nipping portion between the large roller 49 and the rollers 14a, the wide belt 2, which is the conveying means on the platen 3, By changing the conveying direction and carrying the next original onto the platen 3, and exchanging the original by letting the image-processed original and the processing unit original pass each other, the original can be replaced.
,), thereby increasing the productivity of image processing.

On the other hand, the closed loop RDFD (not shown in FIG. 13) separates the originals one by one from the lowest one of the stack of originals P in the original tray 1L, transports and stops them at a predetermined position on the platen 3 of the main body A of the copying machine, and reads the images. Then, carry out the document stack P to the side opposite to the side from which it was fed into the platen 3 (the right side in the figure), and carry it out to the top of the document stack P on the document tray L from the side opposite to the side from which the paper was fed.・The structure is such that the reloading operation is repeated sequentially.

In the case of this divine closed-loop RDFD, when exchanging the image-processed sheet document P on platen 3H with the next unprocessed document, the processed document transfer is started at the same time as the image processing is completed; Since it is possible to start the operation of carrying the next original into the original document, the original can be replaced without any loss 09, and the time required to replace the sheet original P can be shortened compared to the above-described switchback RD FΩ.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in the above-mentioned switchback RDFC, from the end of document processing until the start of the next document transport operation, the processed document cannot be reliably held in the next conveying means downstream. Because of the lost time, there was a certain limit to the productivity improvement of image processing.

In addition, in closed-loop RDFD, switchback R
There is no loss time compared to DFC. However, if the ejected originals are reloaded onto the original bundle P from the side opposite to the leading edge of the original in the paper feeding direction on the original tray 1, and sheet originals P of different sizes are mixed in the transport direction, Since the ejection port is located behind the rear edge of the largest document, there is a risk that the leading edge of the document to be ejected will collide with the rear edge of the document that has already been placed and is to be fed. Circulation cannot be performed. Therefore, this type of apparatus has the disadvantage that it cannot process a bundle of originals P having the same length in the transport direction.

In addition, the document stack P that is set just above the leading edge of the ejected document
In order to avoid collision with the f& edge, the paper ejection slot must be placed near the rear edge of the stack of originals P set on the original tray 1. Is it necessary to change the position of the paper opening? Therefore, the length of the path from the platen 3 to the paper ejection port must be changed, which results in a rather complicated structure and an increase in cost. Furthermore, since there are considerable limitations on the configuration in order to change the length of the paper ejection path, the width of document sizes that can be accommodated is inevitably limited.

Furthermore, in any of the above-mentioned RDFs, there is a certain limit to the ability of the separating section to separate sheet originals P.

Furthermore, there is a certain limit to the number of sheets that can be accommodated in the document tray due to the relationship between the stacking height and the paper ejection port. Therefore,
- When attempting to perform image processing on a large number of sheet originals P at one time, there is a drawback that the sheet originals P must be set on the original tray 1 several times.

Furthermore, while a certain user is processing an image using a sheet material conveying device, a sheet document P that the next user wants to image process is
If the next user brings a new one, the next user has to wait on the spot until the previous user's image processing is finished, which may impair the next user's work efficiency.

Also, even if the next user does not wait there and returns to his or her own seat and waits for the previous user to finish, the time from the previous user's finishing time to the next user's start of use may vary. If there is a gap in time, the operating efficiency of the image processing device during that time will decrease.

Therefore, the present invention is applicable to the switchback R of the conventional example described above.
A sheet material conveying device that uses only the advantages of DF and closed-loop RDF and eliminates their respective disadvantages, increases productivity in image processing by shortening document exchange time, and enables mixed loading of documents of different sizes. The purpose is to provide the following.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances. For example, referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. A sheet material loading table (1) to be loaded, and a sheet material separating means (41,
42), a sheet feeding path (I) that guides the sheet material (P) separated by the sheet material separating means (41, 42) to the image reading section (3), and a sheet feeding path (I) for guiding the sheet material (P) separated by the sheet material separating means (41, 42) to the image reading section (3). A first sheet discharging path (n) that returns to the sheet material loading table (1) from the same side as the feeding path (I), and a first sheet discharging path (n) that returns the sheet from the opposite side to the sheet feeding path of the image reading section (3). A second sheet discharge path (III) returning to the material loading table.

Further, the present invention includes a sheet carry-in path (Vl) that joins the first or second sheet discharge path (I, II) from the outside of the sheet material conveying device (tan).

Further, the present invention provides a second sheet material loading platform (62) different from the sheet material loading platform (1), branched from the second sheet discharge path (III), A third sheet discharge path (
V).

(e) Function Based on the above configuration, the sheet original (P) set on the original tray (1) has a large size in the conveying direction, or when a large size and a small size are mixed together. It is possible to perform a switchback mode paper ejection operation, and in the case of a small size, a closed loop mode paper ejection operation, thereby improving the productivity of image processing.

Further, the sheet original (P) from outside the sheet material conveying device is transferred to the sheet discharging path (II) via the sheet discharging path (III).
I), large capacity sheet originals (P
) processing becomes possible and the productivity of image processing improves.

Note that the above-mentioned symbols in parentheses are shown for reference to the drawings, and do not limit the configuration of the present invention in any way.

(f) Example Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, an RDF (circulating document feeder of the present invention), which is a sheet material conveying device, has a document tray 1 above, and a drive roller 31 and other turn rollers 32 wound around the document tray 1 below. A wide belt 2 is arranged. This wide belt 2 is in contact with a platen 3 connected to the main body of the copying machine, and conveys a sheet original P placed on the original tray 1 and places it on a predetermined position on the platen 3. The sheet document P on 3 is carried out onto the document tray 1.

Further, in the document tray 1, a pair of width direction regulating plates 33 are arranged so as to be slidable in the width direction of the sheet document P.
The width direction of the sheet original P placed on the original tray 1 is regulated to ensure stability during feeding of the sheet original P and to improve the stability of the sheet original P placed on the original tray 1.
Consistency is ensured when moving upwards. The width direction regulating plate 33 has a built-in shogging mechanism, which will be described later.
is pressed against the document reference guide 33 one by one to further improve consistency. Furthermore, a document tray elevating mechanism, which will be described later, allows the document tray to swing between a solid line position and a chain line position in the figure about a swing center 35.

Adjacent to the document tray 1, a half-moon-shaped paper feed roller 5 and a stopper 37 that moves up and down by a stopper solenoid 36 (see Fig. 6) are arranged. The original sheet MP is regulated by the protruding stopper 37 to prevent it from advancing downstream.

Then, when the copying conditions are entered manually on the operation panel of the copying machine and the start key is pressed, the stopper 37 sinks and the path of the sheet original P is opened, and the sheet original P is fed by the paper feed roller 5. and advance downstream. At this time, the partition member 40 connected to the partition member motor 39 (see FIG. 6) built in the document standard guide 33 on the document tray 1 rotates and lands on the uppermost sheet document P, causing the unprocessed document to be processed. Distinguish between a manuscript and a processed manuscript.

A conveying roller 41 and a separating belt 42, which constitute a separating section, are disposed downstream of the stopper 37, and each rotates in the direction of the arrow to separate the sheet originals P advanced from the original tray 1 one by one. and transported further downstream.

Further, a weight 43 is provided above the stopper 37, and if the sheet original I) on the original tray 1 is small and the feeding force of the paper feed roller 5 is insufficient, the sheet original P will advance to the separating section 41, 42. If this is not possible, the weight solenoid 45 (see FIG. 6) moves the document sheet P downward to sandwich the sheet document P between it and the paper feed roller 5, thereby improving the feeding force of the paper feed roller 5. A document regulating plate 46 is provided near the separating belt 42 to prevent a large number of sheet documents P from entering the separating section 41, 42 at one time.

A document feeding path (I) is formed from the separating sections 41', 42 to the platen 3. Induce. In addition, near the paper feed roller 5,
An entry sensor 47a is a transparent optical sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet document P placed on the document tray 1.
, 47b are arranged.

A large roller 49 is disposed on the left side of the main body of the RDF, and a first document ejection path (2) extending from the platen 3 around the outer periphery of the large roller 49 and above the document tray 1 is formed. ing. Further, a document reversing path (2) is configured, which branches from above the large roller 49 of the first document ejection path (2) and for reversing the front and back sides of a double-sided document. It merges with the document feeding path 1. A first paper discharge roller 50 is provided on the downstream side of the first document discharge path (■), and the sheet document P conveyed through the first document discharge path (■) is transferred onto the document tray 1. It is carried out to the top of the document bundle P.

The wide belt 2 disposed above the platen 3 transports and places the sheet original P at a predetermined position on the platen 3, and after reading the image, the sheet original P is carried out from the platen 3. A feeding roller 51 is disposed at the confluence of the document feeding path and the document reversing path (2), and this feeding roller 51 forms a loop around the sheet document P that has reached it. Prevents skewing. Near the upstream side of the feed roller 51, paper feed sensors 52a and 52b, which are transmissive optical sensors that detect the front and rear edges of the sheet document P, are disposed, and the paper feed sensors 52a and 52b are arranged to control the document feed path and reverse the document. It is also possible to detect the sheet document P that has passed through any of the transport paths (3).

Below the large roller 49 in the first document discharge path (2), reversal sensors 53a and 53b, which are transmission type optical sensors, are arranged to detect the sheet document P carried out from the platen 3.
Further, in the first document discharge path II between the large roller 49 and the first paper feed roller 50, there is a sheet document that passes through the first document discharge path ■ and is conveyed onto the document tray 1. 1) A first paper ejection sensor 5 which is a transmission type optical sensor that detects the passage of paper.
5a and 55b are arranged.

A reversing flapper 56 for switching buses is provided at the part where the first document ejection path ■ branches into the document reversing path ■, and a reversing flapper solenoid 57 (see FIG. 6) is turned on and off. The bus is switched by swinging between the solid line position and the chain line position in the figure.

Further, on the right side of the RDF body, a second document discharge path (■) is configured to carry out the sheet document P after the image reading on the platen 3 is carried out in the opposite direction to the direction in which it is carried into the platen 3. There is.

In the second document discharge path (■), a first conveyance roller 59 for conveying the sheet document P in the second document discharge path (■), a second
Conveying rollers 60 are respectively disposed, and a second paper feed roller 61 is disposed on the downstream side of the second document discharging path (2). The sheet original P is carried out to the top of the original bundle P on the original tray 1.

A document discharge tray 62 is disposed above the second document discharge path ■, and the second document discharge path ■ branches from near the downstream of the first conveyance roller 59, and the document discharge tray 62 is arranged above the second document discharge path ■. A third document discharge path V extending to the tray 62 is configured. A paper ejection flapper 63 for switching the conveyance path is provided at the branching part of the second document ejection path (■) and the third document ejection path (2). The bus is switched by swinging between the solid line position and the chain line position in the figure by ON-OFF (see figure).

A third paper ejection roller 6 is provided on the downstream side of the third document ejection path V.
6 is provided, and the sheet document P conveyed through the third document discharge path V is conveyed to the document discharge tray 62-E. In the second document discharge path (2), second document discharge sensors 87a and 67b, which are transmissive optical sensors for detecting the front and rear edges of the sheet document P in the document discharge path, are installed on the platen 3. and the first conveyance roller 59, and also between the branch part of the second document discharge path (■) and the third document discharge path (■), and the second conveyance roller 60.
Third paper discharge sensors 69a and 69b are arranged between them.

On the right side of the RDFB main body, there is an opening for a document carry-in lower 0 that receives a sheet document P from outside the main body into the RDFB main body, and from the document carry-in lower 0 to the second document discharge path ■.
A document carry-in path (2) is formed which joins near the upstream side of the first conveyance roller 59.

An auxiliary tray 72 is disposed inside the document ejection tray 62 and is movable around a central rotation axis 71 at the tip. It is designed to swing between the position and the chain line position.

That is, when document tray 1 is at the solid line position in the figure, the auxiliary tray 72 is raised to the solid line position in the figure to improve the loading of large-sized sheet documents P, and the document tray 1 is raised to the ina position in the figure. , the original output tray 62
The auxiliary tray 72 is housed at the chain line position in the figure so that the sheet originals P can be ejected and stacked.

Next, the drive system of the RDFB of the present invention will be explained using FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 shows a drive system diagram showing motors and solenoids for driving each conveyance roller and flapper.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 81 indicates a separation motor,
This separation motor 81 drives the conveyance roller 41 and the separation belt 42, which are separation sections, in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The belt motor 82 drives the feed roller 51 and the drive roller 31 that drives the wide belt 2 via a feed roller clutch 83. Furthermore, the rotation of the drive roller 31 is transferred to the turn roller 32 by the wide belt 2. At the same time, the first conveyance roller 59 is also driven. Further, a brake 85 is provided on the motor shaft of the belt motor 82 to ensure the position of the wide belt 2 when it is stopped.

The separation motor 81 drives the feeding roller 51 via a separation clutch 86. The reversing motor 87 is connected to the large roller 49 and the first paper ejection roller 50? : It is something that is driven. Reference numeral 89 indicates a paper ejection motor, and this paper ejection motor 89 is connected to the second conveyance roller 60 and the third paper ejection roller 6.
6, respectively.

Each motor shaft is provided with clock discs 81a, 82a, 87a, and 89a each having a plurality of slots, and pulses are generated by recognizing each slot with a transmission type optical sensor. Generating clock sensor 8
1b, 82b, 87b.

89b etc. are provided respectively. By counting the rotation of each motor using clock sensors 81b, 82b, 87b, and 89b, the amount of rotation of each transport roller can be measured, and the amount of movement of the sheet document P can be detected.

Reference numeral 90 indicates a reversing flapper solenoid 57 for swinging the reversing flapper 56. When the reversing flapper 56 is OFF, the reversing flapper 56 is at the solid line position in the figure, and the sheet document P that has passed through the first document discharge path is carried out onto the document tray 1, and when turned on, the sheet document P passing through the first document discharge path (2) is guided to the document reversing path IV.

Reference numeral 91 indicates a paper ejection flapper solenoid for swinging the paper ejection flapper 63, and when it is OFF, it is at the solid line position in the figure, and the sheet original P that has passed through the second original paper ejection path is transferred to the original tray. When ON, the sheet document P passing through the second document discharge path (2) is guided to the third document discharge path V, and is conveyed to the document discharge tray 62.

The stopper solenoid 36 drives the stopper 37 to move up and down, and is at the position shown in the figure when turned OFF to prevent the document bundle P on the document tray 1 from advancing toward the downstream side, and when turned ON.
At times, the stopper 37 sinks to open the path for the sheet document P.

Reference numeral 93 indicates a weight solenoid, which swings the weight 43 up and down, and is at the position shown in the figure when 01 = "F, and when ON, the weight 43 is lowered and placed above the paper feed roller 5. By pressing the sheet document P, the conveyance force by the paper feed roller 5 is increased.

Next, the swinging operation of the document tray 1 will be explained.

Reference numeral 95 indicates a tray swing motor, and the motor output shaft is connected to a tray swing arm 96. A tray swinging roller 96 is engaged with the lower surface of the document tray 1. The tray swing roller 96 is provided at the tip of the tray swing arm 97 , and the opposite side of the tray swing arm 97 is fixed to a tray swing arm shaft 99 .
By rotating, the tray swinging arm 97 swings between the solid line position and the chain line position in the figure, and the document tray 1 swings around the swing center 35 between the solid line position and the chain line position in the figure.

Reference numeral 105 denotes an upper limit switch 105 that detects when the document tray 1 reaches the upper position (solid line position).
The reference numeral 106 is a lower limit switch 10 that detects when the document tray 1 has reached the lower position (dash line position).
6, the rotation of the tray swing motor 95 is controlled by the detection of the upper and lower parts 105 and 106.

Next, the interlocking mechanism between the document tray 1 and the auxiliary tray 72 will be explained using FIG. 3. Figure 3 shows the document tray■
A detailed diagram of the interlocking mechanism of the auxiliary tray 72 is shown.

The rotation center shaft 71 of the auxiliary tray 72 is connected to the document output tray 6
It is fixed at 2. Rotation center axis 71 of auxiliary tray 72
On the opposite side, an auxiliary tray link 109 is engaged by an auxiliary tray link pin 107. Further, a tray link 111 is engaged with the tray link 110 on the opposite side of the swing center 35 of the document tray 1 . code 1
12 is fixed to the main body of the RD l'' tool, engages with the swinging lever 103, and serves as the swinging center of the swinging lever 113.

At one end of the swing center 112, there is a tray engaging pin 115 that engages with the tray link 110, and at the other end, there is an auxiliary 1-lay engaging pin 11 that engages with the auxiliary tray link 109.
There are 6.

With the above configuration, when the document tray 1 swings upward (the position shown by the chain line in the figure), the auxiliary tray 72 also swings upward (the position shown by the chain line in the figure) by each link, and the document tray 1 also swings downward (the position indicated by the chain line in the figure).
When the auxiliary tray 72 swings to the position indicated by the chain line in the figure), the auxiliary tray 72 also swings downward (the position indicated by the chain line in the figure) by each link.

Therefore, when loading a large size original on the original tray 1, the original tray 1 swings upward and the auxiliary tray 726 swings upward, so that the rear end of the large size original does not hang down, making it stable. Sheet originals P can be stacked in a state where they can be fed in a controlled manner. Also, for small-sized documents, the document tray L will swing downward and the auxiliary tray 7 will move downward.
2 is also stored in the document discharge tray 62 by swinging downward, so that when the sheet document P that has passed through the third document discharge path V is conveyed to the document discharge 1-Reiro 2, By stacking documents on the upper surface of the auxiliary tray 72, documents can be placed smoothly in the document discharge tray 62.

Next, the partition member of the document tray 1 will be explained using FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of the structure of the partition member.

In FIG. 4, the output shaft 117 of the partition member upper
Above is a partition flag 1 that is freely supported in the rotational direction.
19 and a partition lever 120 which is fixed to the output shaft 117 and rotates the partition flag 119 are arranged coaxially. As shown in the figure, the partition flag 119 has a part of its circumference cut out, and a partition member 7 made of a flexible material such as a polyester film or a leaf spring is fixed on the circumference. and rotates on the output shaft 117 integrally with the partition flag 119.

Furthermore, since the center of gravity of the partition flag 119 is on the partition member 7 side, when the partition lever 120 is not driven, the partition flag 119 stops at a position directly below the partition member 7 due to its own weight. Reference numeral 121 indicates a partition sensor, and by detecting the partition flag 119,
The position of the partition member 7 is determined.

In FIG. 4(a), a sheet original P is placed on the original tray 1.
When the sheet document P is fully loaded, the distance between the end surface of the sheet document P and the partition member 7 is short and the partition member 7 is strong, so the partition member 7 does not deform and the sheet document P is attached as shown in the figure.
It is in a flat state along.

In FIG. 4(b), when the number of sheet originals P stacked on the original tray is small, if the partition member is a rigid partition member like the conventional one, the tip of the member will be in contact with the surface of the sheet original 2. Therefore, at the end position of the document, a gap is created between the partition member and the surface of the document, causing it to rise up. Then, when the sheet original P was reloaded above the partition member, the leading edge of the original collided with the partition member and could not be stably stacked on the original tray 1, but as shown in FIG.
), the partition member 7 has flexibility, so
Due to the driving force of the partition lever 120, the partition member 7 is moved to the surface of the document bundle 2, and becomes flat along the surface of the document as in the case of a fully loaded state.

Therefore, the partition member 7 is always in close contact with the surface of the document bundle 2, regardless of whether there are many or few sheet documents P on the document tray 1. Even if the sheet originals P are reloaded, they will not collide with the partition member 7, so the sheet originals P can be stably stacked without causing any hindrance to the conveyance of the sheet originals P.

Next, the jogging mechanism will be explained using FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a top view of the document tray 1.

Reference numeral 122 in the figure is a jogging guide forming a part of the widthwise regulating plate 33a, and is supported by the widthwise regulating plate 33a so as to be freely retractable. There are two shopping links 1 on the side opposite to the document surface side of the shopping guide 122.
Link pin 126,1 engaged with one side of 23,125
27 are provided. Jogging link 123,1
The other end of the lever 25 is engaged with the shopping gear 129 through lever bins 130 and 131.

Further, the shogging lever 129 is engaged with the shogging solenoid 132. Therefore, when the jogging solenoid 132 is turned on, the jogging guide 12
2 operates to press the sheet original P against the original reference guide 33, and turns off the shock solenoid 132.
Then, the jogging guide 12 is moved by the return spring 133.
2 operates to IM from the edge of the document.

That is, each time the sheet documents P are reloaded one by one on the document tray 1, the jogging solenoid 132 is turned 0N.
By repeating -OFF, the sheet original P is reliably pressed against the original reference guide 33, and the alignment of the sheet original P on the original tray 1 is improved.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of the paper feeding process of the closed-loop RDFB. As shown in FIG. 9(a), when the image reading of the document ■ is completed at a predetermined position, the wide belt 2 moves counterclockwise in the figure. As shown in FIG. 9(b), the original document ■ is conveyed in the direction opposite to the input side, and the next original document ■ is placed in a predetermined position as shown in FIG. 9(b). It has become so.

In FIG. 11, another sheet material conveying device fiF is provided and connected to the outside of the sheet material conveying device 1, and the sheet document P conveyed from the sheet material conveying device 2 is transferred to the document input path
The document can be carried through the second document discharge path (3) and transported to the document tray 1.

Therefore, after the image-processed sheet document P is transferred to the second document discharge tray 62, the sheet document P from the external sheet material conveyance device F is transferred onto the first document tray 1 and the image processing operation is performed. By repeating the restart operation, image processing of a large volume of sheet originals P becomes possible.

Furthermore, if the next user loads the sheet document P to be image-processed into the external sheet material conveyance device F as shown in FIG. 11 in advance while the previous user is processing the image, the next user can There is no need to wait on the spot until the previous user's processing is finished, and the image processing device operates continuously, making it possible to work more efficiently and making it possible to use the sheet material conveyance system. can be operated.

RDF Control Device (100) FIG. 6 is a solo diagram showing the circuit configuration of the control device (100) of the circulation type automatic document feeder of this embodiment, and the control circuit 100 has a built-in ROM, RAM, etc. It is composed mainly of a one-chip microcomputer (CPU) 101, and the input ports It to 113 of the microcomputer 101 are
Signals from various sensors are input to the .

Further, each load is connected to the output ports 01 to O15 of the microcomputer 101 via drivers D1 to D15, and control data is exchanged with the copying machine main body via a communication IC, 102. Is going. The data sent from the RDF to the main body of the copying machine is a paper feeding completion signal indicating the completion of feeding the original onto the platen glass.

A control procedure (control program) as shown in FIG. 7 is stored in advance in the ROM, and each input/output is controlled according to the control procedure.

(Main Flow) Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained using the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 and the drawings in FIGS. 8 to 10.

In particular, FIG. 7 is a main flowchart in this embodiment, and various operations described below will be explained using this flowchart.

(One-sided to one-sided copy, 4.5 A4 originals, no mixed loading specified) step (represented by S in the diagram) 1. Perform tray UP processing to raise the original tray 1 to the position shown by the solid line in Figure 3, and then set the original. In the initial state, the tray is always raised to make it easier for the operator to set it.

Then, in step 52, the large-end sensor 47 detects whether the original has been loaded or not, and the operation is started by turning on the copy key located in the 1 digit part of the main body of the copying machine (not shown).

Next, in 5tep4, separation processing, which will be described later, is performed in order to avoid feeding the topmost sheet of the stack of documents.

Next, in step ρ5, the separated documents are conveyed onto the platen 3 after being subjected to paper feeding processing, which will be described later. When the paper feeding process is finished, the copying machine will start the copying operation.5tep6), 5t
Proceed to ep7 and judge whether the partition lever has fallen. If the judgment is affirmative, the original is a single original, so wait for the copier to finish copying (step 9), and perform the Sui-Sochiback ejection process described later. Start paper processing (steplO)
, ends document transport control.

If the determination is negative in step 5, the transport control is performed according to the result of the document size detection process performed during the paper feeding process in step 5 and the result of determining whether or not mixed document loading was specified on the operation unit of the copying machine main body. determine the flow of
p8). In the case of this embodiment, the original size is A4 and mixed originals are not specified, so in step 1, the tray DOWN is used to lower the original L/ray 1 to the position indicated by the broken line in Fig. 3.
Processing is performed to prepare the discharged document to improve the consistency of the discharged document when executing the closed-loop discharge processing described later.

Then, the next document is separated (step 4').
Furthermore, after performing the pre-feeding process described later (step 3),
Wait for the copying machine to finish copying (step 9'),
In step 14, fJI is determined to determine whether the switchback circulation flag is set. In the case of this embodiment, the switchback circulation flag is set because the determination is negative in step 8.
p], the program proceeds to Step 5 to start a closed-loop paper ejection process to be described later (step 15), and performs paper feeding processing for the next original (step 5').

When the paper feeding process is completed, the copying machine starts the copying operation (5te96'), and it is determined whether the partition lever has fallen during the copying (step8'), and if the determination is negative, the process returns to step4'. continue processing.

If the determination in step 7′ is affirmative, this document is the final document, so wait for the copying machine to finish copying (step 9”), and then determine whether the switchback discharge flag is set. (step1
4') In this embodiment, since the judgment is negative as described above, the process proceeds to step 515', starts the closed loop paper ejection processing, and then waits for the ejection processing of all documents to be completed (s
t, eρ16) Next, it is determined whether the circulation is the final circulation (s
tepl7), if it is the final circulation, move document tray 1 to the third
In order to raise the tray to the position indicated by the solid line in the figure, a tray UP process is performed to return to the initial tray state (step ρ1'), and document conveyance control is ended.

In step 5, if the determination is negative, it is determined whether the number of originals is 4 or less (step 8), and affirmative ↑
If +l is constant, a switchback circulation flag is set (step 9), and the process returns to the separation process of 5step 4. If the determination is negative, the process directly returns to step 4. this is,
This is to perform optimal control depending on the number of originals.

(One-sided to one-sided copy, A3.5 original, no mixed printing specified,
(Multiple Circulation Mode) Step 1 performs the tray UP process to raise the document tray 1 to the position shown by the solid line in Figure 3, and in the initial state where no documents are set, the tray is always raised.
It is designed to be easy for the operator to set and set.

Then, in step 52, the population sensor 47 detects whether a document has been set, and the operation is started by turning on the copy key on the operation section of the copying machine body (not shown).

Next, in 5tep4, separation processing to be described later is performed to feed the last sheet of the stack of originals.

Next, the document separated in step 5 is conveyed onto the platen 3 after being subjected to paper feeding processing, which will be described later. When the paper feeding process is completed, the copying machine body △ will start the copying operation. 5step 6), 5
Proceeding to step 7, it is determined whether or not the partition bar 120 has fallen. If the determination is affirmative, it is an original or a single original, and the process waits for the copying machine body Δ to finish copying (step 9).
), start the switch hack paper ejecting station ■IP described in f& and end the document conveyance control.

In st op7, if negation ↑, stc
[) The flow of conveyance control is determined according to the result of the document size detection process performed during the paper feeding process in step 5 and the result of determining whether mixed document loading was specified on the operation panel of the copying machine body △ (step 8 ). In this embodiment, the original size is A3 and there is no mixed original specification, so the process goes to step 12 and the switchback IJIIi ring flag is set to 1~.

Then, the next document is separated (step 4').
Furthermore, after performing the pre-feeding process described later (step 3),
Wait for the copying machine body Δ to finish copying (step 9')
, 5tep14, it is determined whether the switchback circulation flag is set. In the case of this example,
Since the judgment in step 8 was affirmative, the switchback circulation flag was set, and the switchback paper ejection process (described later) was started (step 15), and the next H
Paper feeding processing for the manuscript is performed (step 5'). When the paper feeding process is finished, the copying machine will start the copying operation.5step6
), it is determined whether the partition lever has fallen during the copying (step 7'), and if the determination is negative, 5 is returned.
Return to step 4' and continue the process.

If it is an affirmative judgment in 5tep'7',
Since this document is the final document, we wait for the copying machine to finish copying (step 9"), and then determine whether the switchback discharge flag is set (step 9").
14') In this embodiment, since the determination is affirmative as described above, the process proceeds to step 5, starts the switchback paper ejection process, and then waits for the ejection process of all documents to be completed (step 16).

Next, it is determined whether the circulation is the final circulation (s
step 17), if it is the final circulation, move document tray 1 to the third
In order to raise the tray to the position indicated by the solid line in the figure, a tray UP process is performed to return the tray to its initial state (step 1'), and document conveyance control is ended.

In 5 step 17, if the judgment is negative, it is the number of manuscripts or 4
Determine whether the number is less than or equal to 1 (steplg > 1
If it is determined that q is constant, a switchback circulation flag is set (step 19), and the process returns to the separation process of step 4.

If the determination is negative, the process directly returns to step 4. This is to perform optimal control depending on the number of originals.

(One-sided to one-sided copy, 4.5 A4 originals, mixed loading specified, multiple circulation mode) At step 1, tray UP processing is performed to raise the original tray 1 to the position shown by the solid line in Figure 3. Make sure that the tray is raised when
It is designed to be easy for the operator to set up.

Then, in step 52, the population sensor 47 detects whether a document has been set, and the operation is started by turning on a copy key on the operation section of the copying machine main body (not shown).

Next, in step 4, separation processing, which will be described later, is performed to feed the topmost sheet of the document bundle.

Next, the document separated in step 5 is conveyed onto the platen 3 after being subjected to paper feeding processing, which will be described later.

When the paper feeding process is completed, the copying machine will start the copying operation (5step 6), proceed to 5step7, and press the partition lever 1.
20 has fallen or not, and if the judgment is affirmative, since the document is a single document, wait for the copying machine itself to finish copying (step 9), and start the switchback paper ejection process described in f&. to end document transport control.

In the case of a negative determination in 5tep7, transport control is performed according to the result of the document size detection process performed during the paper feeding process in 5tep5 and the determination result of whether or not mixed originals were specified on the operation panel of the copying machine main body △. determine the flow of
p8). In the case of this embodiment, since the original size is A4 and mixed originals are specified, the process proceeds to step 512 and sets the switchback circulation flag.

Then, the next document is separated (step 4').
Furthermore, after performing the pre-feeding process described later (Step 13),
Wait for the copying machine body Δ to finish copying (step 9')
, 5tep14, it is determined whether the switchback circulation flag is set. In the case of this embodiment, since the affirmative determination was made in step 5, the switchback circulation flag is set, and the switchback paper ejection process (described later) is started (step 5) to start the paper feeding process for the next document. (step ρ5').

When the paper feeding process is completed, the copying machine main body starts the copying operation (5step 6'), and it is determined whether the partition lever 120 has fallen during the copying (Step 7'). and continue processing.

If the determination is affirmative in step 7', this document is the final document, so wait for the copying machine to finish copying (step 9''), and then determine whether the switchback discharge flag is set. (step 1
4') In this embodiment, since the judgment is affirmative as described above, the switch hack paper ejection process is started at 5 steps, and then the process waits for the ejection process of all originals to be completed (step 16). .

Next, it is determined whether the circulation is the final circulation (s
step 17), for the final circulation, move document tray 1 to the third
In order to move up to the position indicated by the solid line in the figure, a tray UP process is performed to return the tray to its initial state (step 1'), and document conveyance control is ended.

In step 17, if the judgment is negative, it is the number of manuscripts or 4
It is determined whether the number is less than or equal to one sheet (step 18), and if the determination is positive, a switchback circulation flag is set (step 18).
ep19), return to the separation process in step 5. If the determination is negative, return to step 5 directly. This is to perform optimal control depending on the number of originals.

(Separation Process) The separation process in step ρ4 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 will be explained based on FIG. 8(a).

In the separation process (step 4), if the document is the first sheet (step 4-1), the partition member mote 39 is turned on to operate the partition member 40 for detecting the separation of the document bundle P. Minute a7- to carry out the judgment of
At the same time as the step 81 is turned on (step 4-3), jogging processes to be described later are started (step 4-5) to align the document bundle P in the width direction.

After that, when the jogging process is finished (step 4-
7) Turn on the stopper solenoid 36 to lower the paper feed stopper 7 so as to separate only one document at the bottom of the document bundle P step 4-9), proceed through the sheet bus ■, and check the registration sensor 52. When the leading edge of the document is detected (
step 4-11), start speed control to drive the separation motor 81 at low speed, and start the separation loop timer S step 4-13), and after this set time ends (step 4-15), start the separation motor 81. By turning it off (step 4-17), the leading edge of the original is brought into contact with the nip of the pair of feeding rollers 51 at low speed, which prevents damage to the leading edge of the original and reduces collision noise. Stops when a loop is formed. This has the effect of correcting a slanted line when it occurs during separation.

(Paper feeding process) The paper feeding process in step 5 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 will be explained based on FIG. 8(b).

In the paper feeding process (step 5),
18, and the wide belt 2 to pass the document through the sheet ■
A belt motor 82 is used to transport the sheet from the
When normal rotation is turned on (step 5-1), at the same time, a size check counter that counts by the clock signal input from the belt clock interrupter is started (s
step 52), at the same time as starting the measurement of the document size, starts the registration process described later (step 5-3), and at the same time as the document is transported and its leading edge passes the paper feed sensor 52 (step 5-4), the above-mentioned chair is activated. The size check counter is stopped (step 5-5), and the document size is determined in the size check subroutine shown in FIG. 8(j) based on the data (step 5-5).
6). Furthermore, the paper feeding process is completed at the time when the above-mentioned star 1-t registration process is completed (step 5-7).

(Pre-sheet feeding process) The pre-sheet feeding process in step 13 in the flowchart shown in the seventh UA will be described based on FIG. 8(c).

First, turn on the separation clutch 86 (step 3-
1), the separating section and the registration roller are connected to separate the separating roller 42;
The separation conveyance belt 41 and the conveyance roller pair 51 are made operable, and the separation motor 81 is turned on, and at the same time, the pre-feed timer is activated (Sep13-2.13-3). The pre-feed timer drives the separation motor 81 by the timer, thereby transporting the original A from the nip portion of the transport roller 51 by 30 mm from the exposure reference position, as shown in FIG. 9(a). It is set to do so. When the pre-feeding timer ends (step 3-5), the separation motor 81 is immediately turned off (step 3-6), and the pre-feeding process ends (step 3-7).

(Switchback Paper Discharge Process) The switchback paper discharge process of step 10 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 will be explained based on FIG. 8(d).

In switchback paper ejection processing (steplO),
In order to eject the original on the platen 3, the belt motor 82 is turned on in reverse (5teplO-l), and when the leading edge of the original is detected by the first ejection sensor 55 (step 10-2), the reversal motor 87 is turned on ( step-3).

Therefore, when the document is transported from the sheet bus ■ to the sheet path ■ and the trailing edge of the document is detected by the first paper discharge sensor 55 (step O-4), speed control of the reversing motor 87 is started for paper discharge alignment. Start the conveyance counter FCI that controls the timing (step-5), and after the conveyance counter FCI ends, while controlling the subsequent speed,
A counter FC2 that determines the distance for discharging the original onto the original tray 1 is started (step 1).

-7) Continue speed control until counter FC2 ends (step-8), and once it ends (step-9)
), turn off the reversing motor 87 5top 10-10
), an interval is taken until the original falls onto the original tray 1.

Start the paper ejection drop timer ORG-DWN-TM.
plo-11), after completion (step 12), the jogging solenoid 132 is turned on to push out the jogging guide 122 in order to align the ejected originals, and at the same time, a timer EJCT-JOG-T is activated to determine the length of time the jogging solenoid 132 is pressed.
Start M (step-15), and after finishing (s
steplo-17), the jogging solenoid 132 is turned off (steplo-19), and the switchback paper ejection process is completed.

(Closed Loop Paper Discharge Process) The closed loop paper discharge process in step 15 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 will be explained based on FIG. 8(e).

The state of the document P at the time when the closed-loop discharge process is started is as shown in FIG. 10(a). Here, the process waits until the second paper ejection sensor 67 detects the leading edge of the document on page 2 (step 5-1). However, at this time, the entire belt 2 is not driven in the closed loop paper ejection process.

Therefore, Step 4 to Step 5 in Fig. 7
At ', separation of the next original page (2), previous paper feeding, and paper feeding processing are performed, and the relationship between the originals becomes as shown in FIG. 10(b).

Furthermore, closed-loop paper ejection processing is also started for the document on page ■. Furthermore, after separation and pre-feeding processing of the document on page ■ has been performed, the leading edge of the document on page ■ is moved to the second paper ejection sensor 67 as shown in FIG. 10(C). is detected, and here, the third
The process waits until the paper discharge sensor 69 detects the leading edge of the document on page 2 (step 15-3). Further, when the feeding process for the original page (2) is completed, the original arrangement is as shown in FIG. 10(d).

Furthermore, in the middle of the paper feeding process after separating the document on page ■ and the pre-feeding process, the leading edge of the document on page ■ is detected by the third paper ejection sensor 30 as shown in FIG. The paper discharge motor 89 is driven (step 15-5), the document on page 2 is pulled out by the second conveyance roller 60, and it is determined whether the document is the first discharged document (step 41).
pl5-6), 17 constant T, lI, turn on the partition member motor 39 to prevent the ejected original from getting into the partition member. Wait for sensor 69 to be detected (step
5-7) Then, if the partition member 39 is on, stop the motor (step 5-8).

After this, as shown in FIG. 10(f), the feeding process for the document f [■ is completed, the wide belt 2 stops, and the document C6, page ■ is discharged in the direction of the arrow by the second conveyance roller 60. At the same time, the third paper ejection sensor 69 detects the trailing edge of the document on page 2, and at the same time, the third paper ejection sensor 69 detects the trailing edge of the document on page 2.
1 starts the closed loop paper ejection counter 1 corresponding to the distance 10 mm before the nip center of 1 (s
5-9), until the closed-loop paper ejection counter 1 ends, the ejection speed is reduced to 5tep 1.5-1.
1>, when the closed loop paper ejection counter 1 is completed (ste
pl5-13), and stops driving the paper ejection motor 89 (s
step 5-15), start a closed-loop ejection drop timer corresponding to the time it takes for the leading edge of the document ■ to fall from the solid line position in FIG. 10(g) to the broken line position (step 5-15).
17).

When the leap loop ejection drop timer ends (step
5-19), while driving the paper ejection motor 89 (st
epl5-21), start the closed-loop paper ejection counter 2 corresponding to the distance at which the document ■ is completely separated from the third conveyance roller 615tep15-23), wait for the completion of the closed-loop paper ejection counter 2, and then start the paper ejection motor 89. Please stop the drive of
step 15-25) (step 5-27), after discharging the document ■ to the position shown in FIG. Start up 5 steps 1
5-29), after completion (step 5-31), the jogging solenoid 132 is turned on so as to push out the jogging guide 122 in order to align the discharged originals (step 5-29).
15-33) In particular, start the timer L00 P - J OG - i' M that determines the pressing time (
step 5-35), after completion (step 15-3)
7), turn off the jogging solenoid 132 (ste
p25-39), ends the closed loop paper ejection process.

At this time, the feed amount by the closed-loop paper discharge counter and the feed amount by the second conveyance roller 60 and the third conveyance roller 61 reliably match.

(Tray UP Process) The tray tJP process using the RDF will be explained based on FIG. 8(f).

In order to raise the document tray 1 -L to the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3, the tray swing motor 95 is driven until the upper limit 5W105 is turned on, and when the upper limit 5W105 is turned on, the drive of the tray swing motor 95 is stopped. .

(Tray UDOWN Process) The tray DOWN process using the RDF is explained in FIG.
g).

In order to lower the document tray 1 to the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. Stop driving.

(Jogging Process) The flow of the jogging process will be explained according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8(h). Jogging processing (SUBI
), first select JOG to determine the number of times to jog.
- Initialize CN and jogging guide 1 of width regulating member
A timer that can be arbitrarily set at the same time as turning on the jogging solenoid 132 for pushing out the
Start TM (SUBI-3) and set timer JO
When G-TM completes the set time (SOB 1-5)
, turn off the jogging solenoid 132 in order to return the jogging guide 122 to its initial state, start the timer JOG-TM (SUBI-7) in the same way as above, and increase the number of times the jogging is performed when the timer setting time ends. (SUBI-9), 5tJ until the round trip of Shil Gink Gate 65 is completed 3 times (SUBI-11)
Return to B1-3 and process 11! Do not repeat. As a result, the document bundle l) is stacked in the width direction, and skewing, lateral registration, etc. can be prevented.

(Registration Processing) The registration processing will be explained based on FIG. 8(i).

First, when the trailing edge of the document is detected by the paper feed sensor 52 (
S (JB2-1), set the registration counter RGCN for stopping the document at a predetermined position on the platen 3 to star 1~
(SUB2-3). This register counter RGC
N is counted by a belt lock interrupter, and the document feed amount is configured to surely match the count value.

Next, in order to accurately stop the belt motor 82 at the stop position on the platen glass 3, the belt motor 82 is controlled at a low speed.
L. Continue the control until the registration counter RGCN ends (5UB2-4), turn off the output of the belt motor 82 at the end (5UB2-5), and then turn on the electromagnetic brake to stop the document at a predetermined position. Let (SUB
2-6).

(Size check processing) About the size check subroutine Figure 8 (, I).

This size check subroutine uses the size check counter data as a means for determining the original size, and adds the distance from the nip position of the feed roller 51 to the paper feed sensor 52 to obtain the true original size. At this time, the document is being conveyed by the feed roller 51 and the wide bells 1 and 2, and the amount of feed and the count value by the belt clock interrupter reliably match. After that, B5, A4, A4RSB4, A
Perform size judgment for 3rd class.

(g) As described in detail, according to the present invention, the document can be discharged from the sheet material loading table by providing a second paper discharge path in addition to the first paper discharge path. Depending on the size of the sheet document fed from the tray or the state of JIL loading of different sizes, the paper is ejected by switchback or closed loop mode, reducing the time for exchanging documents and allowing mixed sizes of sheet materials to be stacked on the stacking table. This makes it possible to expand the range of document sizes that can be used in C1.

Further, it is possible to process a large amount of sheet material, to make effective use of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and to improve the productivity of image processing.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional side view of a sheet material conveying device:n showing one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a system diagram showing the drive system, and Fig. 3 is a system diagram showing the drive system.
The figure is a side view showing the swing mechanism of the document tray and the auxiliary tray, FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional side view FA of the partition member, FIG. 5 is a plane 1-1 of the jogging m structure, and FIG. A block diagram of the circuit configuration, FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts related to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the pre-feeding process, FIG. 10 is a paper feeding operation diagram, and FIG. 11 is an external sheet diagram. FIGS. 12 and 13 are vertical side views showing an example of a conventional sheet material conveying device. 1... Original tray (sheet material loading table) 3... Platen (image reading section) ■... Sheet feeding path (original feeding path), ■... First sheet feeding path (first 1 document ejection path), I[I... second sheet feeding path (second
(original ejection path) ■...Third sheet feeding path (third original ejection path)
, 41.42...Sheet material separation means 62...Document discharge tray (second sheet material loading table), P...
・Sheet material (sheet manuscript) 19R people Canon Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A sheet material loading table on which sheet materials to be image-processed are loaded; a sheet material separating means for sequentially feeding out the sheet materials on the sheet material loading table one by one starting from the lowest one; a sheet feeding path that guides the sheet material separated by the sheet material separating means to an image reading unit; and a first sheet discharge path that returns to the sheet material loading table from the same side as the sheet feeding path of the image reading unit. A sheet material conveyance device comprising: a second sheet discharge path that returns to the sheet material stacking table from the opposite side to the sheet feed path of the image reading section. 2. The sheet material conveyance device according to claim 1, further comprising a sheet carry-in path that joins the first or second sheet discharge path from outside the sheet material conveyance device. 3. A second sheet material loading table different from the sheet material loading table, and a third sheet discharge path that branches from the second sheet discharge path and guides the sheet material to the second sheet material loading table. The sheet material conveying device according to claim 1, further comprising a path.