JPH04153665A - Electrophotographic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent sheets exceeding the maximum housing number of the sheets of one paper receiver from being placed therein by allowing a passage switching means to carry out a switching action based on a count-up signal issued when a counter counts the set number of the sheets. CONSTITUTION:The switching action of a paper ejecting path switching means 25 after prescribed processing is carried out, based on the count-up signal issued when the counter 6 counts the set number of the sheets. In other words, when the number of the sheet passing the upper stream side compared with the passage switching means 25 of a paper carrying path exceeds a set value, the count-up signal is issued from the counter, and a switching control means 5 receives this signal and allows the passage switching means to carry out the switching action so that the sheet is ejected toward a different paper receiver. Thus, the sheets exceeding the maximum housing number of the sheets of one paper receiver can be prevented from being placed therein.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field 1] The present invention relates to electrophotographic devices such as copying machines, facsimile machines, and laser printers.

[Conventional technology 1 FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of a conventional electrophotographic apparatus.

In the figure, 1 is the main body of the device. The apparatus main body 1 is provided with an image forming section 10 and a document reading section 50.

Here, the image forming section 10 includes a paper feed section 100, a paper conveyance path 217, a path switching means (25+), a print processing section 31, and a paper ejection means (42, 43).

Specifically, the paper feed section 11 includes a paper cassette and a paper feed roller capable of feeding out the papers in the cassette one by one. Here, the paper strength cent is 2 to meet the current demand for continuous printing on a large number of papers.
It is often provided individually. Note that the number of paper feed rollers corresponding to the number of paper cassettes is also provided.For example, in the electrophotographic apparatus shown in FIG. It is formed by a second paper cassette 12.13 and paper feed rollers 14.15.

Further, the paper conveyance path 21 conveys the paper sent out from the paper feed section 11 to the print processing section 31, and
It is means for conveying the paper ejected from the paper to the paper ejection means (first and second paper receivers 42 and 43), and the conveyance roller 22
a, 22b, 22c.

22d, auxiliary kite 23. It is composed of an upper kite 24, passage switching means (25), and the like. Here, the passage switching means is a means for switching the passage of paper discharged from the print processing section 31, and is formed of a passage switching lever 25 that can be positioned in two positions by one manual operation. When positioned at the ball ejection position shown by the solid line in the figure.

The paper discharged from the print processing unit 31 is conveyed to the first paper receiver 42 via the lever 25°, conveyance rollers 22b, 22c, upper kite 24, and the like. Furthermore, when the path switching lever 25 is switched and positioned at the lower ejection position shown by the dotted line in the figure, the ejected paper is moved between the lever 25 and the conveyance roller 22.
b, 22d, etc., and are conveyed to the second paper receiver 43.

The print processing section 31 also includes an optical system 33 and a developing device 34.
The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 32 is transferred and fixed onto the paper from the paper feed section 11 using a transfer device 35 and a fixing device 36.

Furthermore, the paper ejection means includes two first paper cassettes 12.13 provided corresponding to the first and second paper cassettes 12.13. Second
It consists of paper receivers 42 and 43.

On the other hand, the document reading unit 50 transfers the paper sent out from the document tray 51 by the pickup roller 52 to the ADF roller 5.
3 and a separation pad 54, the document is passed between a white roller 55 and a reading scanner 56, and after the image is read by the reading scanner 56, it is ejected to a document ejection tray 59 via an ejection roller 58. .

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention 1] Incidentally, in the above-described conventional electrophotographic apparatus, for example, more discharged sheets may be conveyed to the first paper receiver 42 than the maximum number of sheets that the paper receiver 42 can accommodate. If such a situation occurs, the paper cannot be smoothly conveyed and placed on the first paper receiver 42, and a paper jam or the like may occur.

Therefore, in order to prevent such inconvenience, it is conceivable that the operator should remove the ejected paper placed on the first paper tray 42 before it exceeds the maximum number of sheets that can be accommodated in the paper tray 42. It is conceivable to switch the path switching lever 25 so that the ejected paper placed on the first paper receiver 42 is conveyed to the second paper receiver 43 before the number of ejected sheets exceeds the maximum number of sheets that can be accommodated. However, in either case, the operator must continuously monitor the state of paper discharge from the first paper receiver 42, resulting in an inconvenience that reduces work efficiency. Moreover, especially in the latter case, the operator must operate the path switching lever 25 one by one depending on the paper discharge situation, which places an additional burden on the operator.

In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to cut the paper so that when the number of sheets discharged to one paper tray reaches a set number, the paper is automatically discharged to another paper tray. To provide an electrophotographic device capable of preventing more than the maximum number of sheets of paper from being placed on one paper tray.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention has a paper feed center disposed on the upstream side of a paper conveyance path and two paper receivers disposed on the downstream side thereof, and has a In an electrophotographic apparatus configured to be able to eject paper to a paper receptacle selected by a path switching means, the electrophotographic apparatus includes: a counter for counting the number of sheets of paper passing upstream of the path switching means in the paper transport path; a switching control means for switching the path switching means based on a count-up signal issued when a set number of sheets is counted; and a paper non-detection means for detecting that no paper is placed on at least one of the paper receivers. and a reset signal generating means for resetting the count value of the counter based on the output signal of the paper non-detecting means.

[Function] In the present invention, when the number of sheets passing upstream of the path switching means in the sheet conveying path exceeds a set value, the counter issues a count-up signal.

Then, in response to this, the switching control means switches the path switching means so that the paper is ejected toward another paper receptacle.

Further, when the paper non-detection means detects that no paper is placed on the paper tray, an output signal is generated.

Then, based on this output signal, the reset signal generating means causes the count value of the counter to be reset.

As a result, when the number of sheets of paper ejected into one paper tray reaches the set number, the paper is automatically switched to be ejected to another paper tray, and the maximum number of sheets that can be accommodated in one paper tray is set. It is possible to prevent paper from being placed beyond the limit.

[Example] An embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrophotographic apparatus according to this embodiment has a main body 1. Control means 5. In addition to having a counter 6, a switching control means, a paper non-detecting means 1 and a reset signal generating means, the paper feeding section 11. Paper conveyance channel N21. Print processing section 31. 1st. It is configured to include second paper receivers 42 and 43 and a document reading section 50.

Components that are the same as those shown in FIG. 4 are given the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted or simplified.

Here, the control means 5 is formed of a drive control circuit that drives and controls the entire electrophotographic system, and includes a CPU, ROM,
, RAM, etc.

Further, the counter 6 is a means for counting the number N of sheets passing upstream of the path switching means (25) of the sheet conveyance path R21. This counter 6 is the number of paper sheets N or the set number of sheets N
s, a count-up signal CNU is issued to the control means 5. Here, the set number of sheets Ns
Therefore, the number of sheets is selected such that the first sheet tray 42 does not receive more than the maximum number of sheets that can be accommodated.

In this embodiment, the switching control means is a means for switching the passage switching means (25) based on the count amplifier signal CNU that is issued when the counter 6 counts the set number Ns. is constructed using some functions of the control means 5.

Further, the paper non-detecting means is the first one. Second paper tray 42.4
In this embodiment, the paper non-detection means is formed by the reflective sensor 7 provided on the first paper receiver 421tl.

Further, the reset signal generating means includes a paper non-detecting means (7).
In this embodiment, the reset signal generating means is a means for resetting the count value of the counter 6 based on the output signal e from the control means 5.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the paper feed unit 11 is equipped with two paper feed rollers (11
Second paper cassette 12, 13 and paper feed roller 14.1
5).

Note that the passage switching lever 25 is configured to be switched by a solenoid 25a.

Furthermore, since the sheets discharged into the first paper receiver 42 are placed one after another with the printed side facing down, in the case of printing with page numbers, if the sheets are turned over after printing is completed, they will be arranged in numerical order starting from the front side. It's convenient.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the path switching lever 25 is used to eject the paper to the first paper receiver 42 first, and then discharge the paper to the second paper receiver 43 when the paper exceeds the storage capacity of the paper receiver 42. It is configured to switch the discharge direction.

In FIG. 2, reference numerals 61 and 62 indicate paper sensors for detecting whether or not there is paper in the first and second paper cassettes 12 and 13.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

When a print command signal is input via a keyboard or the like, the control means 5 reads out a built-in switching control program and executes the program.

That is, in step (hereinafter referred to as rsT) 10, it is determined whether the number N of sheets passing upstream of the path switching means (25) of the sheet transport path 21 is equal to or greater than the set number NS, and the above steps are performed. When this happens, the counter 6 issues a count-up signal CNU.

Then, the switching control means (5) drives and controls the solenoid 25a at 5T12 to switch the passage switching lever 25 from the upper ejection position to the upper ejection position.

Then, the paper ejected from the print processing section 31 is ejected from the first paper receiver 42 to the second paper receiver 43. This prevents more sheets than the maximum number of sheets that can be accommodated from being loaded onto the first sheet tray 42.

Further, at 5T14, when the paper placed on the first paper tray 42 is removed by an operator or the like, the reflection sensor 7 detects the absence of paper and sends an output signal e to the control means 5 (
reset signal generating means). Then, at 5T16, the reset signal generating means (5) resets the count value of the counter 6 based on the output signal e from the reflection sensor 7. Then, at -3T18, the switching control means (5) drives and controls the solenoid 25a to switch the passage switching lever 25 from the upper ejection position to the upper ejection position. As a result, the paper ejected from the printing section 31 is ejected to the first paper receiver 42 again.

According to this embodiment, the counter 6 counts the number N of sheets passing upstream of the path switching means (path switching lever 25) of the sheet conveyance path 21, and the counter 6 counts the set number Ns of sheets. a switching control means for switching the path switching means (25) based on a count-up signal CNU issued when the paper is loaded; The structure includes a paper non-detection means (reflection sensor 7) for detecting the presence of paper, and a reset signal generation means for resetting the count value of the counter 6 based on the output signal of the paper non-detection means. (First paper receiver 42)
When the number of sheets to be ejected reaches N or the set number of sheets Ns, the paper is automatically switched to be ejected to another paper receiver (second paper receiver 43), and the maximum number of sheets that can be accommodated in one paper receiver is automatically switched. It is possible to prevent more than the number of sheets from being placed.

In the above solid line example, the paper non-detection means is formed from the reflective sensor 7 provided on the first paper receiver 42 side, but a sensor having the same configuration as the reflective sensor 7 is provided on the second paper receiver 43 side to detect the presence of paper. A non-detection means may also be configured.

Further, the paper non-detecting means may be configured in any manner as long as it can detect that no paper is placed on at least one of the paper receivers (42, 43).

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, there is provided a counter that counts the number of sheets of paper passing upstream of the path switching means of the paper conveyance path, and a count-up signal that is generated when the counter counts a set number of sheets. switching control means for switching the path switching means; and paper no-detection means for detecting that no paper is placed on at least one of the paper receivers; Since the configuration is equipped with a reset signal generating means for resetting and sorting the counted value, when the number of sheets to be ejected to one paper tray reaches the set number, it is automatically ejected to the other paper tray. It is possible to prevent more than the maximum number of sheets of paper from being placed on one of the paper receivers by switching the paper tray so that the number of paper sheets exceeds its maximum capacity.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 to 3 are diagrams showing one embodiment of the present invention, with Figure 1 mainly showing the electrical configuration, Figure 2 mainly showing the mechanical configuration, and Figure 3 showing the operation. It is a flowchart for explaining. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional electrophotographic apparatus. 6... Counter, 7... Reflective sensor (paper non-detecting means), 12... First paper cassette, 13... Second paper cassette, 25... Passage switching lever (passage switching means) 642・・・
・First paper tray, 43...Second paper tray.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) It has a paper cassette arranged on the upstream side of the paper conveyance path and two paper receivers arranged on the downstream side thereof,
In an electrophotographic apparatus configured to be able to discharge paper after a predetermined process to a paper receptacle selected by a path switching means, the electrophotographic apparatus further comprises: a counter for counting the number of sheets of paper passing through an upstream side of the path switching means in the paper transport path; , switching control means for switching the path switching means based on a count-up signal issued when the counter counts a set number of sheets; and detecting that no paper is placed on at least one of the paper receivers. An electrophotographic apparatus comprising: a sheet-absence detecting means; and a reset signal generating means for resetting the count value of the counter based on an output signal of the sheet-absent detecting means.