JPH04257873A - Automatic document feeder for copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily hold the tip and base ends of a frame supported rotatably between an opening position distant from the platen glass of a copying machine main body having the platen glass on its top surface, and the top surface of the copying machine at specific intervals even when the frame is made of a material which has high reliability in strength and high rigidity. CONSTITUTION:A frame supporting means (U) consists of a rotary arm (6) which has its base end side part supported rotatably on the copying machine main body (A), a hinge coupling member (9) which couples the intermediate part between the tip and base end of the frame (F) with the tip side part of the rotary arm (6), and a rotatable quantity control means (R) which is arranged between the frame (F) and rotary arm (6) to control the quantity of relative rotation on the hinge coupling member (9).

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention is a copying machine installed on the upper surface of a copying machine body having a platen glass, and conveys an original for copying to an original copying position on the upper surface of the platen glass, and copies a copy at the original copying position. The present invention relates to an automatic document conveyance device for a copying machine that includes a document conveyance means for automatically conveying a document to a document discharge tray.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, as copying machines have become faster and more automated, automatic document feeders for copying machines have come into use that automatically feed multiple sheets of originals one after another to the original copying position on the top of the platen glass. It's here. This type of automatic document feeder for a copying machine is rotatably supported on the copying machine body via a frame support means between an open position away from the platen glass and a copying position close to the platen glass. A frame is provided, and the frame allows a document setting section into which a document to be copied is set, a document ejection tray into which a copied document is ejected, and a document placed in the document setting section to be placed on the upper surface of the platen glass. and a document conveying means for conveying the copied document to the document copying position and conveying the copied document copied at the document copying position to the document ejection tray. The document conveying means normally uses a document conveying belt to convey the document to a document copying position on the top surface of the platen glass of the main body of the copying machine, with the copy surface facing downward.

[0003] Copying is performed while the original is fixed at the original copying position. At this time, if a copy is made with the original lifted off the platen glass, black lines may appear on the copy or distortion may occur in the copied image. Therefore, in order to obtain a high-quality copy, it is necessary to copy the document while it is tightly pressed against the top surface of the platen glass. The original is pressed against the upper surface of the platen glass by the original transport means, but if the force with which the original is pressed against the platen glass is too small, the original will rise from the platen glass, and if it is too large, the original will not be transported smoothly. I will not be able to go to Therefore, it is important to appropriately adjust the distance between the frame that supports the document conveying means and the platen glass.

Therefore, conventionally, the position of the frame of an automatic document feeder for a copying machine with respect to the upper surface of the platen glass (
Various means have been proposed to maintain the appropriate height. A conventional automatic document feeder for a copying machine equipped with this type of means has a frame that is rotatably supported by the copying machine main body, and the lower end of the tip on the side away from the center of rotation is connected to the top surface of the copying machine main body. A contact member is provided. The distance (height) between the tip of the frame and the upper surface of the copying machine main body is maintained at a predetermined value by the abutting member. However, the end portion of the frame near the center of rotation, that is, the base end portion of the frame, is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft supported by the copying machine main body. Therefore, in order to maintain the vertical distance between the top surface of the copying machine main body and the base end of the frame at a predetermined value, the distance between the top surface of the copying machine main body and the rotation shaft in the vertical direction must be maintained at a predetermined value. or other suitable means should be provided.

Means for maintaining the vertical distance between the upper surface of the copying machine main body and the base end of the frame at a predetermined value is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 57-68858 and Japanese Utility Model Application No. 1-1999.
It is described in Publication No. 133145 and the like. Said Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5
Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-68858 describes an automatic document conveying device in which a frame supporting rolls, a conveyor belt, etc. is made flexible so that the frame is bent downward by its own weight. When the frame is bent downward, a contact member disposed at the lower end of the frame base contacts the top surface of the copying machine main body, so that the distance between the frame and the top surface of the platen is maintained at a predetermined value. There is. Further, the above-mentioned Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 1-133145 describes an automatic document feeder in which the position of the rotation shaft rotatably supporting the base end of the frame can be adjusted with respect to the top surface of the main body of the copying machine. has been done.

[0006]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, a frame having flexibility as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-68858 has the problem that reliability in terms of strength cannot be obtained. there were. In addition, as described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-133145, in which the position of the rotating shaft supporting the frame is adjusted relative to the upper surface of the copying machine main body, the structure is complicated, and the base end of the frame and There was a problem in that it was not easy to adjust the distance between the top surfaces of the copying machine body. The present invention provides a frame rotatably supported by a copying machine body having a platen glass on the top surface between an open position away from the platen glass and a copying position close to the platen glass. An object of the present invention is to easily maintain the distance between the top and bottom ends of the frame and the upper surface of the copying machine main body at a predetermined value even if the frame is made of a highly rigid material.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an automatic document feeder for a copying machine according to the present invention has the configuration described below. In the description of the present invention, in order to easily understand the correspondence with the constituent elements of the embodiments described later, the same reference numerals as those of the corresponding embodiments are used for the constituent elements of the present invention. Enclose and write. The parenthesized symbols attached to the constituent elements of the present invention should be referred to in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and should not be interpreted as limiting the present invention to the examples. Should not be referenced. In order to solve the above problems, an automatic document feeder for a copying machine according to a first aspect of the present application has a main body (A) of a copying machine having a platen glass (A1) on the upper surface of the copying machine via a frame support means (U). Platen glass (A
1) The open position away from the platen glass (A1)
A frame (F) rotatably supported between a copying position close to the frame (F), and a frame (F) disposed on the lower surface of the distal end remote from the center of rotation of the frame (F) and when in the copying position. A frame tip abutting member (1) that comes into contact with the top surface of the copying machine main body (A) and positions the tip of the frame (F) in the height direction with respect to the top surface of the platen glass (A1).
), and a document setting section (
T1), a document discharge tray (T2), and a document (G) placed on the document setting section (T1) are conveyed to a document copying position on the top surface of the platen glass (A1) and are copied at the document copying position. a document conveyance means (for conveying the copied document (G) to the document discharge tray (T2)
H), the frame support means (U) includes a rotating arm (6) whose base end portion is rotatably supported by the copying machine main body (A); , a hinge connecting member (9) rotatably connecting an intermediate portion between the distal end and the proximal end of the frame (F) and the distal end portion of the rotating arm (6), the frame (F) and the rotating arm; (6) A rotatable amount regulating means (R) disposed between the hinge connecting member (9) and regulating a relative rotatable amount around the hinge connecting member (9). Further, in the automatic document feeder for a copying machine according to a second invention of the present application, in the first invention, relative rotation of the frame (F) and the rotating arm (6) around the hinge connecting member (9) is provided. Rotatable amount adjusting means (R1) for adjusting the rotatable amount
It is characterized by having a.

[0008]

[Operation] In the automatic document feeder for a copying machine of the first invention of the present application having the above-described configuration, the intermediate portion between the tip and the base end of the frame (F) is rotated by the copying machine main body (A). It is rotatably connected to the distal end portion of a pivot arm (6) which is supported so as to be rotatable. The rotatable amount is regulated by the rotatable amount regulating means (R). Therefore, the frame (F) is rotatable relative to the rotary arm (6) within a predetermined rotation amount around the tip side portion of the rotary arm (6). Therefore, when attempting to rotate the frame (F) between the open position away from the platen glass (A1) and the copying position close to the platen glass (A1), the frame (F)
F) is a distal end portion of the rotary arm (6) that rotates relative to the rotary arm (6) by an amount regulated by the rotatable amount regulating means (R); No relative rotation occurs. Therefore, when it is attempted to further rotate the frame (F), the frame (F) rotates together with the rotating arm (6) with the proximal end portion of the rotating arm (6) as the center of rotation. move.

When the frame (F) is thus rotated to the copying position close to the platen glass (A1),
The frame tip abutting member (1), which is disposed on the lower surface of the tip remote from the center of rotation of the frame (F), comes into contact with the top surface of the copying machine main body (A) and presses against the top surface of the platen glass (A1). The position of the tip of the frame (F) in the height direction is determined. In this case, the position of the rotation center of the rotation arm (6) and the position of the frame tip abutting member (1) are determined. When the two positions are determined in this way, if the rotating arm (6) and the frame (F) are configured so that they cannot rotate relative to each other, the proximal end portion of the frame (F) The position of the bottom edge is also determined. For this reason, if the rotating arm (6) and the frame (F) are configured so that they cannot rotate relative to each other, the position of the lower end of the proximal portion of the frame (F) can be changed to the copying machine main body (A ) In order to bring it into contact with the upper surface, means for adjusting the position of the rotation center of the rotation arm (6) (see the above-mentioned Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-133145).
Alternatively, it becomes necessary to provide other means (see the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-68858).

However, in the first invention of the present application, since the rotating arm (6) and the frame (F) are configured to be relatively rotatable, if the relative rotatable amount is set appropriately, the frame (F) is the rotating arm (6
) rotates around the hinge connecting member (9) of the distal end portion, and the lower end of the proximal end portion comes into contact with the upper surface of the copying machine main body (A). Therefore, the positioning of the distal end portion and the proximal end portion of the frame (F) in the height direction with respect to the upper surface of the platen glass (A1) can be easily performed. In this way, when the frame (F) is positioned in the height direction with respect to the upper surface of the platen glass (A1), the platen glass (
A1) Positioning in the height direction with respect to the upper surface is also performed at the same time.

Further, in the automatic document feeder for a copying machine according to a second invention of the present application having the above-described configuration, in the first invention, the hinge connecting member of the frame (F) and the rotating arm (6) (9) A rotatable amount adjusting means (R1) is provided for adjusting the relative rotatable amount of the surroundings. By the way, as explained in the first invention, when the frame (F) is rotated to the copying position, the position of the rotation center of the rotation arm (6) and the frame tip abutment member are When the position of (1) is determined, if the rotating arm (6) and the frame (F) are configured so that they cannot rotate relative to each other, the lower end of the proximal part of the frame (F) The location is also determined. When the lower end of the base end portion of the frame (F) is raised above the top surface of the copying machine main body (A), the relative rotation is possible.
The frame (F) is moved by its own weight to the copying machine main body (
A) Rotates around the position of the frame tip abutting member (1) that abuts the top surface. At this time, the base end portion of the frame (F) moves so as to approach the top surface of the copying machine main body (A). The amount of movement is determined by the amount of relative rotation. Therefore, the rotatable amount adjusting means (R1) of the second invention is used to adjust the relative rotatable amount of the frame (F) and the rotating arm (6) around the hinge connecting member (9). By this, the position of the base end side portion of the frame (F) in the height direction with respect to the top surface of the copying machine main body (A) (that is, the position in the height direction with respect to the top surface of the platen glass (A1)) can be adjusted. .

0012

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in the figure, the direction of arrow X1 indicates the normal conveyance direction (ie, forward direction) of the document. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a first embodiment of an automatic document feeder B for a copying machine according to the present invention is installed on the top surface of a copying machine main body A. FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the automatic document feeder B shown in FIG.
3 is a view seen from the arrow III in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the frame of the automatic document feeder B, and FIG. A sectional view taken along the line VI-VI, FIG. 7 shows a registration sensor S3 and a document size sensor S4 arranged in the document conveyance path of the automatic document feeder B.
, S5 is an explanatory diagram.

In FIG. 1, an automatic document feeder B for a copying machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention is installed on the top surface of a platen glass A1 on the main body side of a main body A of the copying machine. The automatic document feeder B includes a document setting section T1 on which documents G of various sizes to be copied are stacked, a document discharge tray T2 from which copied documents G are discharged, and the document setting section T.
a document conveying means H that sequentially takes out the documents G set on the first page and conveys them to the document copying position on the platen glass A1, and conveys the copied documents G that have been copied at the document copying position to the document discharge tray T2; It is equipped with The document setting section T1, document ejection tray T2, document conveyance means H, etc. of the automatic document feeder B are connected to the frame F.
Supported by This frame F is shown in Figures 2 and 4.
, 5.

In FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the frame F is composed of a flat front frame F1, a rear frame F2, and a pair of tie plates F3, F3 connecting the two frames F1, F2. A frame tip abutting member 1 is provided at the lower end of the front frame F1. This frame tip abutment member 1 comes into contact with the top surface of the copying machine main body A to maintain the position (height) of the top end of the frame F relative to the top surface of the copying machine main body A at a predetermined value. Further, a similar frame base end abutment member 2 is provided at the lower end of the rear frame F2. The tie plate F3 has a horizontal upper wall 3 and a pair of side walls 4, 4.
It is formed into a substantially inverted U-shape in cross section. As shown in FIG. 5, hinge pin insertion holes 4a, 4a are formed in the intermediate portion of the tie plate F3. An opening 5 is formed in the rear frame F2 at a connecting portion with the tie plate F3, and a tip end portion of a rotating arm 6 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is inserted into the tie plate F3 through the opening 5. is configured to be

Hinge pin insertion holes 6a, 6a are formed at the distal end of the rotation arm 6, and rotation shaft insertion holes 6b, 6b are formed at the base end. A rotation shaft 7 (see FIG. 4) is inserted and fixed into the rotation shaft insertion holes 6b, 6b of the rotation arm 6, and this rotation shaft 7 is connected to a support bracket fixed to the upper surface of the copying machine main body A. It is rotatably supported by 8. The hinge pin insertion holes 6a, 6a at the tip of the rotating arm 6 and the hinge pin insertion holes 4a, 4a (see FIG. 5) of the tie plate F3 are connected to the hinge pin, that is, the hinge connecting member 9 (see FIGS. 2, 4, 5). (see).

Therefore, the rotating arm 6 and the frame F are connected by the hinge connecting member 9 so as to be relatively rotatable. The frame support means U is constituted by the components indicated by the above-mentioned numerals 6 to 9, etc. In the state shown in FIG. 4, the frame front end contact member 1 and the frame base end contact member 2 contact the upper surface of the copying machine main body A, and the position (height) of the frame F relative to the upper surface of the platen glass A1 is adjusted. is held in place. Holding the frame F at the predetermined position in this way is necessary in order to press the original G against the platen glass A1 with a predetermined pressure.

The relative rotatable amount between the rotating arm 6 and the frame F is restricted for the following reasons. That is, when the front frame F1 is lifted from the state shown in FIG. 4, the frame F rotates clockwise relative to the pivot arm 6 about the hinge connection member 9. During the relative rotation, the rotating arm 6 is attached to the base end (right end in FIG. 4) 3a of the upper wall 3 of the frame F.
When the upper edges of the frame F and the rotating arm 6 come into contact with each other, no further relative rotation between the frame F and the rotating arm 6 is performed. Further, when the frame F rotates counterclockwise relative to the rotating arm 6 around the hinge connecting member 9, the tip 6c of the upper edge of the rotating arm 6 (the left end in FIG. 4) When the frame F comes into contact with the upper wall 3 of the frame F, no further relative rotation between the frame F and the rotating arm 6 takes place. In this way frame F
The amount of relative rotation between the rotary arm 6 and the rotary arm 6 is regulated. Therefore, the proximal end of the upper wall 3 of the frame F (Fig.
the upper edge of the rotating arm 6 that contacts this, the tip (left end in FIG. 4) 6c of the upper edge of the rotating arm 6, and the upper edge of the frame F that contacts this. The wall 3 constitutes a rotatable amount regulating means R of this embodiment. The rotatable amount regulating means R is disposed between the frame F and the rotating arm 6, and regulates the relative rotatable amount thereof around the hinge connecting member 9.

The frame F includes various other components of the automatic document feeder, such as a front cover K1, a main cover K2, a rear cover K3, and a document feeder H (which will be described in detail later) as shown in FIG. ) etc. are supported.

In FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7, the main cover K2 is formed with an original setting portion T1 for placing an original G for copying.
1 is formed with a recess 11 into which the fingers of the hand are inserted when handling the placed document G. The main cover K2 also supports a document output tray T2 so as to be rotatable between a document storage position (the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 2) P1 and an upright position (the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) P2. bearing hole 13 for
13 (see FIGS. 3 and 6). The document ejection tray T2 includes a tray body 14 and a tray body 14.
An auxiliary tray 15 is provided at the distal end of the tray 15, which is supported movably between a storage position (solid line position in FIGS. 2 and 3) and a protruding position (double-dashed line position in FIGS. 2 and 3). This auxiliary tray 15
is moved to the protruding position and used when the document G to be discharged is large (long) in shape.

The tray body 14 has protruding shafts 14a, 14a inserted into the bearing holes 13, 13 at its base end.
and a pair of leg portions 14b, 14b (Fig. 6
). Tray support means Ts that rotatably supports the document ejection tray from the bearing holes 13, 13 and the protruding shafts 14a, 14a inserted therein;
(See Figures 3 and 6).

The protruding shafts 14a of the tray body 14 are inserted into the bearing holes 13, 13 provided in the main cover K2.
14a, the tray body 14 is bent to bring the distance between the protruding shafts 14a, 14a closer to each other so that it is narrower than the distance between the bearing holes 13, 13. In this state, the protruding shaft 14 is placed between the bearing holes 13, 13.
a, 14a, and the tray body is released from the curved position to be in a flat state. Then, the protruding shafts 14a, 14a of the tray body 14 are inserted into the bearing holes 13, 13 provided in the main cover K2.

A pair of magnets 16 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) are fixed to the upper surface of the base end of the tray body 14. When the original ejection tray T2 is in the upright position, these magnets 16 attract a pair of magnetic metal plates 17 fixed to the main cover K2 to hold the original ejection tray T2 in the upright position. act.

Next, the original G placed on the original setting section T1 is conveyed to the original copying position on the platen glass A1, and the copied original G is transferred to the original output tray T2.
The document conveying means H that discharges the document will be explained. Figure 2
In this case, the document conveyance means H has a first conveyance path 21 connected to the document setting section T1. The first transport path 21 is provided with a document presence sensor S1 that detects the presence or absence of a document G placed on the document setting section T1, and a nudger roll 22 that sequentially takes out the document G. This nudger roll 22 is detected by a nudger roll home sensor S2 that detects its attitude, and is held in a predetermined attitude when not in operation. A sorting roll device 24 is provided between the first conveyance path 21 and the second conveyance path 23 connected thereto. Sorting conveyance roll device 2
4 has a drive roll 24a and a non-rotatable retard roll 24b, and takes out the documents G conveyed through the first conveyance path 21 by the nudger roll 22 one by one into the second conveyance path 23. It has the role of transporting vehicles.

A registration roll device 26 is provided between the second conveyance path 23 and the third conveyance path 25 connected thereto. The registration roll device 26 has a drive roll 26a and a pinch roll 26b, and has the role of transporting the document G, which has been transported through the second transport path 23 by the sorting roll device 24, within the third transport path 25. are doing. The surfaces of each of the rolls 26a and 26b form a frictional contact surface with the document G being conveyed.
When the drive roll 26a rotates with the document G being supplied between the friction contact surfaces a and 26b, the document G is conveyed in the direction of movement of the friction contact surfaces.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the inside of the second transport path 23. In FIG. 7, the straight line indicated by the reference numeral 26 indicates the position of the register roll device 26 (hereinafter, this position will be referred to as the "pre-registration position").
), and reference numeral 27 indicates a guide wall for positioning and guiding one side edge of the document G being conveyed through the second conveyance path 23 . As shown in Figure 7, the second
The conveyance path 23 has a length of 14 m in front of the register roll device 26.
A registration sensor S3, and a first size sensor S4 and a second size sensor S5 for detecting the size of the document G are disposed at a position m. Therefore, 14 m after the registration sensor S3 detects the front end of the transported document G.
When the original G is conveyed by m, the front end of the original G reaches the position of the registration roll device 26, that is, the pre-registration position. Normally, the document G currently being copied is held at the document copying position on the platen glass A1, and the document G to be copied next is configured such that its front end stops at the pre-registration position and waits. Hereinafter, the position of the original G in which the front end of the original G is stopped at the pre-registration position will also be referred to as the original standby position.

The registration sensor S3 is connected to the guide wall 23.
It is arranged at a position Lo away from a. Further, the first size sensor S4 is located at a distance L from the guide wall 23a.
The third size sensor S5 is disposed at a distance Lb from the guide wall 27. the guide wall 23 of the second conveyance path 23;
When the document G is being conveyed while being guided along one side edge by a, the width size of the document G can be detected by detecting the other side edge. For example, if a document G whose width is less than La is a small size document, a document G whose width exceeds La and is less than Lb is a medium size document, and a document G whose width exceeds Lb is a large size document. The width size of the document G can be detected from the combination of the detection signals of the sensors S4 and S5.

The lengthwise size of the original G is detected from the amount of transport of the original G from when the registration sensor S3 detects the front edge of the original G until when the registration sensor S3 detects the rear edge of the original G. Then, on the side of the copying machine main body A, a copy sheet corresponding to the detected size of the original document G is taken out from the copy paper tray and a copy is made. Furthermore, when a large number of original documents G are placed on the original document setting section T1 at one time, a high-speed copy mode is provided as a method for successively copying the plurality of original documents G. In this high-speed copying mode, when copying the nth original G, n+1
In addition to transporting the original sheet to the original standby position, it is also necessary to transport the (n+1)th sheet of copy paper to the paper standby position on the copying machine main body A side. However, when the (n+1)th document G is in the document standby position,
Since the rear end of the original G has not reached the position of the registration sensor S3, the lengthwise size of the (n+1)th original G is still unknown. In this way, in the high-speed copy mode, it is necessary to take out the copy sheet corresponding to the document G from the tray and transport it to the paper standby position in a state where the size of the document G is unknown. Therefore, in the high-speed copying mode, the length of the first transported original G among the many originals is detected, and the length of the second and subsequent originals G is the same as the first transported original G. The copy paper is selected based on the size of the original.

A register gate 28 is provided below the third conveyance path 25 and is rotationally controlled around a shaft 28a by a solenoid (not shown). This regigate 28
is normally held in the state shown in FIG. 2, but is rotated downward from the state shown in FIG. 2 when the document G is reversed for double-sided copying. Said third conveyance path 25
The fourth conveyance path 31 connected to the platen glass A
1 and a conveyor belt 32 disposed in contact with the upper surface. A register position is set in this fourth conveyance path 31. This registration position is the position where the rear end of the original G is placed when the original G is conveyed to the copying position on the platen glass A1, that is, the original reading start position. A main body side registration sensor Sg is arranged to detect the position of. Hereinafter, the position of the original G in which the trailing edge of the original G is stopped at the registration position will be referred to as the original copying position. Placing the original G at the original copying position is carried out by transporting the original G by a predetermined amount from the original waiting position.

The conveyor belt 32 is an endless belt, and is wound between a belt drive roll 33 and a free roll 34. The belt driven roll 33 and the free roll 34
A plurality of pressure rolls 35 are arranged between. These pressure rolls 35 press the conveyor belt 32 against the upper surface of the platen glass A1 with a predetermined pressure.

A fifth conveyance path 36 is connected to the fourth conveyance path 31 . A discharge side conveyance roll device 38 is provided between the fifth conveyance path 36 and the sixth conveyance path 37 connected thereto. The discharge side conveyance roll device 38 is
It has a drive roll 38a and a pinch roll 38b, and has the role of transporting the document G, which has been transported through the fifth transport path 36 by the transport belt 32, within the sixth transport path 37.

A document ejection sensor S6 for managing the ejection of the document G is disposed in the middle of the sixth conveyance path 37.
A discharge roll device 39 is disposed at the end of the sixth conveyance path 37. The discharge roll device 39 includes a drive roll 39
a and pinch rolls 39b, and has the role of discharging the document G conveyed through the sixth conveyance path 36 by the discharge side conveyance roll device 38 onto the discharge tray T2.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the document conveying means H is
It includes a double-sided copying conveyance path 40 used when performing double-sided copying, and double-sided copying conveyance roll devices 41 and 42 disposed along the double-sided copying conveyance path 40. Further, the document transport means H includes a manual document insertion slot 43 and a manual document transport path 44 that connects the manual document insertion port 43 and the second transport path 23 . The manual document transport path 44 is provided with a manual document transport roll device 45, a manual document sensor S7, and the like.

The document conveying means H is constituted by the components indicated by the reference numerals 21 to 45.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the automatic document feeder for a copying machine according to the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration will be explained. A large number of documents G placed on the document setting section T1 are conveyed through the first conveyance path 21 by the nudger roll 22,
The second conveyance path 23 is carried out one by one by the sorting roll device 24.
is transported. For example, in high-speed copying mode, the first document G among the many documents G is conveyed to the document copying position on the platen glass A1, but the second document G is transported to the document copying position on the platen glass A1.
The size in the length direction is detected based on the conveyance amount from when the front end is detected to when the rear end is detected by the registration sensor S3 on the conveyance path. Further, the size in the width direction is detected by the size sensors S4 and S5 on the second conveyance path. Then, on the copying machine main body A side, a copy sheet corresponding to the size of the document G is taken out from the paper tray and conveyed to a toner transfer position. While the first original G is being copied, the next original G is conveyed to the original standby position, and the next original G is copied on the copying machine main body A side. The paper is taken out from the tray and conveyed to a paper standby position (that is, a position before the toner transfer position).

When copying the second and subsequent documents G, the document G is conveyed a relatively short distance from the document standby position and reaches the document copying position, and the copy paper is also transferred to the document standby position. Since the toner is conveyed a relatively short distance from the toner transfer position to the toner transfer position, copying is performed at high speed. Further, when conveying the second and subsequent documents G to the document copying position, the registration roll device 26, the conveyance belt 32,
Discharge side transport roll device 38 and discharge roll device 39
are driven at the same time, the copied originals G are simultaneously discharged by the conveyor belt 32. When the original G is transported from the original standby position to the original copying position, the transport belt 32 stops. At this time, the copied original G has not yet been discharged to the discharge tray T2. The copied original G is detected by the original discharge sensor S6, and the discharge side transport roll device 38 and the discharge roll device 39 are operated until the discharge is completed.

The ejection side transport roll device 38 and the ejection roll device 39 need force to pull out the copied original sandwiched between the stopped transport belt 32 and the upper surface of the platen glass A1. Therefore, the discharge side transport roll device 38 and the discharge roll device 39 are given a torque that satisfies the above requirements. Since the document G to be copied next is placed at the document copying position between the stopped conveyor belt 32 and the top surface of the platen glass A1, the conveyor belt 32 moves when pulling out the copied document G. Then, the original G at the original copying position also moves. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the conveyor belt 32 from moving when pulling out the copied original G. For this purpose, a stepping motor is used as a drive motor (not shown) for the conveyor belt 32. Since the stepping motor has a braking force acting on its rotating shaft due to the magnetic force acting from the stator side, the conveyor belt 32 can be prevented from moving when the copied original G is pulled out.

It is also possible to use a motor other than a stepping motor, such as a DC servo motor, as the drive motor (not shown) for the conveyor belt 32, but in that case, when the copied original G is pulled out. In some cases, it is necessary to provide a braking force applying means for applying an appropriate braking force to the conveyor belt 32.

The structure and operation of the document conveying means H are as follows:
Since this is not the gist of the present invention, further detailed explanation will be omitted.

In the automatic document feeder for a copying machine according to the first embodiment, which is equipped with the above-mentioned document feed means H, the frame F is located on the tip end side of the rotating arm 6 which is rotatably supported by the copying machine main body A. rotatably connected to the parts. Therefore, the automatic document feeder for the copying machine is at the copying position (the position shown in FIG. 4).
, the frame F rotates around the hinge connection member 9 at the tip side of the rotating arm 6, and the frame tip contact member 1 at the lower end of the front frame F1 (lower tip of the frame F). Both the frame proximal end abutting member 2 of the rear frame F2 (the lower proximal end of the frame F) abut against the upper surface of the copying machine main body. Therefore, frame F
The platen glass A of the distal end portion and proximal end portion of
1. Positioning in the height direction with respect to the top surface can be easily performed. In this way, the frame F relative to the top surface of the platen glass A1
When the positioning in the height direction is performed, the positioning of the document conveying means H supported by the frame F in the height direction with respect to the upper surface of the platen glass A1 is also performed at the same time.

As described above, when the height of the document transport means H held by the frame F relative to the top surface of the platen glass A1 is determined, the distance between the transport belt 32 of the document transport means H and the top surface of the platen glass A1 is determined. Incidentally, the pressing force acting on the original G that is transported by the original transport means H to the original copying position on the upper surface of the platen glass A1 and pressed against the upper surface of the platen glass A1 by the transport belt 32 is due to
is determined by the height relative to the upper surface of the platen glass A1. Therefore, by attaching the document conveying means H at a predetermined height with respect to the frame F,
The pressing force with which the conveyance belt 32 presses the original G against the upper surface of the platen glass A1 can be easily set to an appropriate value.

Furthermore, the frame F and the rotating arm 6
The relative rotatable amount with respect to the rotatable amount regulating means R
regulated by. Therefore, the frame F
When attempting to rotate the frame F between an open position away from the platen glass A1 and a copying position close to the platen glass A1, the frame F is rotated around the hinge connecting member 9 with respect to the rotation arm 6. , they rotate relative to each other by an amount regulated by the rotatable amount regulating means R, but no further relative rotation occurs. Therefore, when it is attempted to further rotate the frame F, the frame F rotates around the base end portion of the rotary arm 6.
rotates with. Therefore, the frame F can be easily rotated between an open position away from the platen glass A1 and a copying position close to the platen glass A1.

Next, a second embodiment of the automatic document feeder for a copying machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 shows the first
This is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4 of the embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 of the first embodiment. In the description of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the constituent elements corresponding to those of the first embodiment, and redundant detailed explanation will be omitted. This second
This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a rotatable amount adjusting means R1 is provided for adjusting the relative rotatable amount of the frame F and the rotating arm 6 around the hinge connecting member 9, and the rotatable amount adjusting means R1 is provided. The rear frame F of the first embodiment
This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the frame base end abutting member 2 at the lower end of the frame is omitted, but there is no difference in other respects.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, a spring locking member 6d is provided at the base end of the rotating arm 6. In FIG. 8, the rear frame F2 is provided with a spring locking member 51 and a screw threading member 52. A tension spring 53 is provided between each of the spring locking members 6d and 51, and a screw 54 is screwed into the screw threading member 52. The lower end of the screw 54 is in contact with the horizontal portion of the rotating arm 6 having the substantially U-shaped cross section. Said code 6d, 51~
The rotatable amount adjusting means R1 of this embodiment is composed of the components indicated by 54 and the like.

As can be seen from FIG. 8, when the screw 54 is loosened, the amount of relative rotation between the frame F and the rotating arm 6 increases, and when the screw is tightened, the amount of relative rotation is decreased. For example, if the screw 54 is loosened to the maximum extent and there is no screw 54, the relative rotatable amount is the same as in the first embodiment, and the screw 54 is the same as the first embodiment.
As the upper edge tip 6 of the rotating arm 6 is tightened more and more,
c comes into contact with the horizontal upper wall 3 of the tie plate F3. In this case, the relative rotatable amount becomes zero. Note that the tension spring 53 is connected to the frame F and the rotating arm 6.
This prevents unnecessary rotation within the allowable rotation range.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration will be explained. In the state shown in FIG. 8, that is, when the automatic document feeder B for a copying machine is in the copying position, the frame tip abutment member 1 at the lower end of the front frame F1 is in contact with the upper surface of the copying machine main body A, and the rear frame The lower end of F2 is in a position raised from the main body A of the copying machine. In the state shown in FIG. 8, the front frame F1
The positions (heights) of the frame tip end abutting member 1 at the lower end and the rotating shaft 7 relative to the upper surface of the copying machine main body A are fixed.

In this state, a gravitational moment is acting on the frame F that causes it to rotate clockwise around the frame tip abutting member 1 at the lower end of the front frame F1. This gravitational moment is a force that tends to rotate the frame F clockwise around the hinge connecting member 9 relative to the rotating arm 6. A force having the same effect is also generated by the tension spring 53. Even if these forces act, the screw 5
4 is in contact with the rotating arm 6, the frame F around the hinge connecting member 9 and the rotating arm 6
Clockwise rotation relative to is not possible. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 8 in which the lower end of the screw 54 is in contact with the rotating arm 6, the lower end of the rear frame F2 is held at a position raised by a predetermined distance from the upper surface of the copying machine main body A.

In the state shown in FIG. 8, if the screw 54 is loosened to create a gap between the lower end of the screw 54 and the rotating arm 6, the frame F and the rotating arm 6 will be separated by the distance. Relative rotation is possible. The frame F rotates clockwise in FIG. 8 relative to the rotating arm 6. At that time, the rear frame F2 of the frame F
The lower end approaches the top surface of the copying machine main body A. Conversely, when the screw 54 is tightened in the state shown in FIG.
The frame F rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 8 relative to the rotating arm 6. At this time, the lower end of the rear frame F2 is separated from the upper surface of the copying machine main body A.

Therefore, by adjusting the amount of relative rotation between the frame F and the rotating arm 6 using the screw 54, the frame F relative to the upper surface of the copying machine main body A can be adjusted.
The height position can be adjusted. Therefore, by attaching the original conveying means H to the frame F at a predetermined height, the conveying belt 3
The pressing force with which the document G is pressed against the upper surface of the platen glass A1 can be easily adjusted to an appropriate value.

Although the embodiments of the automatic document feeder for a copying machine according to the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and the present invention described in the claims Various minor design changes can be made without deviation. For example, the tension spring 53 can be omitted in the automatic document feeder B for a copying machine according to the second embodiment, and the tension spring 53 can be omitted in the automatic document feeder B for a copying machine according to the first embodiment. Example tension spring 53
It is also possible to provide a similar tension spring. Further, the document conveyance means H can also be constructed using only conveyance rolls without using the conveyance belt 32. Further, the frame tip abutment member 1 may be fixed to the lower end of the front frame F1 from the side so that its vertical position can be adjusted. In this case, it is also possible to adjust the position (height) of the front end of the frame F relative to the top surface of the copying machine main body A by adjusting the fixed position of the frame front end abutting member 1 relative to the front frame F1. Similarly, it is also possible to adjust the position (height) of the base end of the frame F relative to the top surface of the copying machine main body A by adjusting the fixed position of the frame base end abutting member 2 relative to the rear frame F2. It is.

[0050]

According to the above-described automatic document feeder of the present invention, the main body of the copying machine having the platen glass on the upper surface can be rotated between the open position away from the platen glass and the copying position close to the platen glass. Even if the movably supported frame is made of a highly reliable and highly rigid material, the distance between the top and bottom ends of the frame and the top surface of the copying machine main body can be easily maintained at a predetermined value. be able to.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1: A first automatic document feeder B for a copying machine according to the present invention.
2 is a diagram showing a state in which the embodiment is installed on the top surface of a copying machine main body A. FIG.

2 is a front cross-sectional view of the automatic document feeder B shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view seen from arrow III in FIG. 2;

4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 2, and is a side sectional view of the automatic document feeder B. FIG.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the frame of the automatic document feeder B. FIG.

6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 2; FIG.

FIG. 7: Registration sensor S3 and document size sensors S4 and S5 arranged in the document conveyance path of the automatic document feeder B.
FIG.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of a second embodiment of an automatic document feeder B for a copying machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a frame of an automatic document feeder B for a copying machine according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

A　Copier main body A1 platen glass B. Automatic document feeder for copying machines F Frame F1 front frame F2 rear frame F3 tie plate G　Document transport device H Original transport means K1 Front cover K1 Main cover K1 Rear cover P1 Original storage position P2 Standing position R　Rotatable amount regulating means R1 Rotatable amount adjustment means S1 Original sensor S2 Nudger roll home sensor S3 Register sensor S4 1st size sensor S5 2nd size sensor S6 Original discharge sensor S7 Manual feed original sensor Sg Main body side register sensor T1 Original setting section T2 Original output tray Ts Tray support means U Frame support means 1 Frame tip contact member 2 Frame base end contact member 3 Upper wall 4 Side wall 4a Hinge pin insertion hole 5 Opening 6 Rotating arm 6a Hinge pin insertion port 6b Rotation shaft insertion port 6c Top edge tip 6d Spring locking member 7 Rotation axis 8 Support bracket 9 Hinge connection member 11 Recess 13 Bearing hole 14 Tray body 14a Protruding shaft 14b Legs 15 Auxiliary tray 16 Magnet 17 Magnetic sheet metal 21 First conveyance path 22 Najar Roll 23 Second conveyance path 24 Sorting roll device 24a Drive roll 24b Retard roll 25 Third conveyance path 26 Cash register roll device 26a Drive roll 26b Pinch roll 27 Guide wall 28 Regigate 28a axis 31 4th conveyance path 32 Conveyor belt 33 Belt driven roll 34 Free roll 35 Pressure roll 36 5th conveyance path 37 6th conveyance path 38 Discharge side conveyance roll device 38a Drive roll 38b Pinch roll 39 Discharge roll device 39a Drive roll 39b Pinch roll 40 Conveyance path for double-sided copying 41 Conveyance roll device for double-sided copying 42 Conveyance roll device for double-sided copying 43 Manual feed original insertion slot 44 Manual document feed path 45 Manual feed document transport roll device 51 Spring locking member 52 Screw fitting member 53 Tension spring 54 screw

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A copying machine main body (A) having a platen glass (A1) on its upper surface is arranged in an open position away from the platen glass (A1) and in an open position away from the platen glass (A1) via a frame support means (U). The frame (F) is rotatably supported between the copying position and the copying position.
The tip of the frame (F) is disposed on the lower surface of the tip remote from the center of rotation of the frame (F) and comes into contact with the top surface of the copying machine main body (A) when in the copying position, so that the tip of the frame (F) is in contact with the top surface of the platen glass (A1). a frame tip abutting member (1) for positioning the unit in the height direction; a document setting unit (T1) supported by the frame (F); and a document output tray (T2) from which copied documents are discharged. and the document setting section (
The original (G) placed on T1) is placed on the platen glass (
A1) Document conveying means (H) that conveys the copied document (G) that has been copied at the document copying position to the document ejection tray (T2) while conveying the document to the document copying position on the upper surface.
In the automatic document feeder for a copying machine, the frame support means (U) has a base end portion that is connected to the copying machine main body (A).
), a hinge that rotatably connects the intermediate portion between the distal end and the proximal end of the frame (F) and the distal end portion of the pivot arm (6); A connecting member (9) and a hinge connecting member (9) disposed between the frame (F) and the rotating arm (6).
1. An automatic document feeder for a copying machine, comprising a rotatable amount regulating means (R) for regulating a relative rotatable amount around the periphery. 2. A rotatable amount adjusting means (R1) for adjusting a relative rotatable amount of the frame (F) and the rotating arm (6) around the hinge connecting member (9). 1. The automatic document feeder for a copying machine according to 1.