JPH0488363A - Automatic document feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To stably reload by reloading by fluctuating a sheet material platen to a state of inclination suitable for a carrying mode according to size of the sheet material or the state of mixed load of different sizes. CONSTITUTION:When the sheet material plate 1 is brought down approximately horizontally, that is in a second carrying mode where ejection is carried out from the reverse side of the sheet carrying direction, a guide member 201 guiding a leading tip of an ejected original is positioned, and in a first carrying mode where ejection is carried out from the same direction as the sheet carrying direction, that is when the sheet material platen 1 is inclined in the upper direction, the guide member 201 is evaded to the upper direction and the ejection of the original ejected from the first carrying mode is guided or moved to a position where it is not in the way. Therefore, when the original sheet set on the original tray 1 is the large size in the length of the carrying direction or a mixed load of the large size and the small size, the paper ejecting operation of a switchback mode is carried out and if it is the small size, the paper ejecting operation of a closed loop mode can be carried out. Thus, the productivity of the image processing is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention is applicable to an automatic document feeder, in particular, for example, a copying machine,
The present invention relates to a document feeding device that conveys and places a sheet document at a predetermined position in an image forming section or the like in an image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, a document feeding device has been used to automatically transport and place a document at a predetermined reading position on the platen of a copying machine serving as an image forming device, and to place the document back onto the original sheet material loading table after image formation has been completed. There is a document transport device that is designed to return the document. This type of document feeder includes a switchback type circulation document feeder M (hereinafter referred to as switchback RDF) as shown in FIG. 22, and a closed loop type circulation document feeder (hereinafter referred to as closed loop document feeder) shown in FIG. (referred to as RDF).

In FIG. 22, the switchback RDFC sequentially separates the originals one by one from the bottom of the stack of originals P on the original tray 1, transports and stops them at a predetermined position on the platen 3 of the main body A of the copying machine, and makes copies. Image reading is performed by an optical system inside the machine. By switching back the sheet document P 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 is conveyed by the large roller 49 rotating in the direction of the arrow and the roller 49a that comes into contact with the large roller 49, and is conveyed to the top of the document bundle P on the original tray 1. The sheet originals P are carried out and reloaded from the same side as the side from which they were fed, and this operation is repeated in sequence to form images using a plurality of sheet originals P.

For this type of switchback RDFC, the document tray l
An image-processed sheet original P is brought in from the same side as the leading edge of a stack of originals P to be loaded on the tray L, and due to the inclination, the rear end of the sheet original P reloaded on the original tray L is always on the paper feed slot side. The paper falls under its own weight and its end is aligned with the paper feed slot. Therefore, even if sheet originals P having different lengths in the transport direction are stacked on the original tray 1, 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 the original tray 1 with the auxiliary tray 1a, the length of the original tray 1 can be extended without causing any hindrance to the transport paper bus or transport operation, and with good consistency. It is possible to reload the sheet originals P onto the original tray 1.

On the other hand, the closed-loop RDFD shown in FIG. 23 separates the originals one by one from the lowest one of the stack of originals P on the original tray 1, transports and stops them at a predetermined position on the platen 3 of the main body A of the copying machine, and after reading the image. , the side opposite to the side from which it was brought into platen 3 (
This configuration sequentially repeats the operations of carrying out the document bundle P to the right side in the figure, and carrying out and reloading it to the top of the document bundle P on the document tray 1 from the side opposite to the side from which the sheets were fed.

In the case of this type of closed-loop RDFD, when exchanging the image-processed sheet original P on the platen 3 with the next unprocessed original, the processed original is transferred to the platen 3 at the same time as the image processing ends. Since the operation for carrying in the next document can be started, the document can be exchanged without any loss of time, and the time required to exchange the sheet document P can be shortened compared to the above-described switchback RDFC.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in the above-mentioned switchback RDFC, there is a loss time between the end of document processing and the start of the next document loading operation until the processed document is reliably transferred to the next conveying means downstream. There were certain limits to increasing productivity in 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 can only process document bundles P having the same length in the transport direction.

Also, in order to prevent the leading edge of the ejected document from colliding with the rear end of the document stack P that has already been set, the paper ejection port must be placed near the rear end of the document stack P that is set on the document tray 1. Therefore, it is necessary to change the position of the paper ejection port depending on the size of the sheet document P. Therefore, the length of the path leading from the platen 3 to the paper ejection port must also be changed, resulting in a rather complicated structure and high cost. Further, since there are considerable limitations on the configuration in changing the length of the paper ejection path, the range of document sizes that can be accommodated is inevitably limited.

Therefore, the present invention improves the productivity of image processing by shortening the document exchange time by adopting only the respective advantages of the conventional switchbar/reflection RDF and closed-loop RDF and eliminating their respective disadvantages. The object of the present invention is to provide an automatic document feeding device that makes it possible to do this.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned document feeding device, when the ejected originals are reloaded onto the document stack P, if the ejected originals are brought in from the side opposite to the side from which they were brought in depending on the selected mode, the thickness of the originals and the folding of the leading edge of the originals may be affected. The behavior varies depending on the degree of curling or the amount of curling, and there is a fear that the cover part (400) may fly upwards and be improperly stored.

To prevent this, there are methods such as setting the ejection direction downward, but if the ejecting direction is too downward, the first ejected original may be placed under the partition member (7) that separates unprocessed and processed originals. There is a fear that you may fall into it. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic document feeder that eliminates this fear.

That is, the present invention provides a guide member that regulates the direction of the leading edge of the ejected document when reloading the document on the sheet material stacking table to enable good reloading, and makes the inclination angle variable. It is an object of the present invention to provide a document feeding device in which a guide member is moved up and down to an optimal position in conjunction with the movement of a sheet material loading table.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, a sheet material loading table (1) on which sheet materials (P) to be image-processed are loaded. and 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 discharge path (n) that returns to the sheet material loading table (1) from the same side as the feed path (1), and a first sheet discharge path (n) that returns the sheet from the opposite side to the sheet feed path of the image reading section (3). It is characterized by having a second sheet discharge path (I[[) that returns to the material loading table.

Furthermore, the sheet material loading platform descended substantially horizontally. In the second transport mode, in which the sheet is ejected from the opposite side to the sheet transport direction, the guide member that guides the leading edge of the ejected original is positioned, and in the first transport mode, the sheet is ejected from the same direction as the sheet transport direction. In other words, when the sheet material loading table is tilted upward, the guide member is retracted upward to guide the ejection of the document ejected in the first transport mode, or moved to a position where it does not interfere with the ejection of the document. It is something to do.

[Effect]

Based on the above configuration, if the sheet original (P) set on the original tray (1) has a large size in the transport direction or a mixture of large and small sizes, the sheet original (P) set on the original tray (1) is ejected in the switchback mode. In the case of a small size, closed-loop mode paper ejection operation can be performed, improving the productivity of image processing.

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.

〔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) B, which is a sheet material conveyance 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 the platen 3 of the copying machine main body A, and conveys the sheet original P placed on the original tray L and places it on a predetermined position on the bulletin 3. The sheet document P on 3 is carried out onto the document tray 1.

Further, a pair of width direction regulating plates 33 are arranged on the document tray 1 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 L is regulated to improve 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 jogging mechanism to be described later, and the sheet document P that is carried out onto the document tray.
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.

A stopper 37 that moves up and down from the half-moon-shaped paper feed roller 5 and the stopper solenoid 92 is adjacent to the document tray l.
is provided, and the sheet original P set on the original tray l is regulated by the protruding stopper 37 and cannot advance downstream.

When the copying conditions are input on the operation panel of the copying machine and the start key is pressed, the stopper 37 sinks to open the path for the sheet original P, and the sheet original P is fed by the paper feed roller 5. and advance downstream. At this time, the partition member 7 connected to the partition member motor 39 built in the document standard guide 33 on the document tray 1 rotates and rides on the uppermost sheet document P, separating the unprocessed document and the processed document. Make a distinction.

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, so that the sheet document P on the document tray 1 is small (
With only the feeding force of the paper feed roller 5, the sheet original P is separated into the separating section 4.
1. If you cannot advance to 42, wait solenoid 9
3 to move the sheet document P downward to the feed roller 5.
The feeding force of the paper feeding roller 5 is improved by being sandwiched between the paper feeding roller 5 and the paper feeding 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 configured from the separation section 41, 42 to the platen 3. Induce. Further, in the vicinity of the paper feed roller 5, an entry sensor 47a which is a transmission type optical sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet document P placed on the document tray L;
47b is arranged.

A large roller 49 is disposed on the left side of the main body of the RDFB, 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 configured. There is. Further, a document reversing path (2) is configured, which branches from above the large roller 49 of the first document ejecting path (2) and for reversing the front and back sides of the double-sided document, and the downstream portion of this document reversing path (2) is configured as described above. It is designed to merge with the document feed route.

A first paper ejection roller 5 is provided on the downstream side of the first document ejection path ■.
0 is provided, and the sheet document P conveyed through the first document discharge path (3) is conveyed to the top of the document bundle P on the document tray 1.

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 original feeding path I and the original reversing path (■), and this feeding roller 51 forms a loop around the sheet original 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 ends of the sheet document P, are disposed. It is also possible to detect the sheet document P that has passed through any of the transport paths (3).

Reversing sensors 53a and 53b, which are transmissive optical sensors, are arranged below the large roller 49 in the first document discharge path 49 to detect the sheet document P carried out from the platen 3, and the large roller 49 and the first paper feed roller 50, a sheet document P that passes through the first document discharge path ■ and is carried out onto the document tray L passes through the first document discharge path ■. The first paper ejection sensor 55 is a transmission type optical sensor that detects
a and 55b are provided.

A reversing flapper 56 for switching the path is disposed at a portion where the first document ejection path (■) branches into the original reversing path (2).
F, the path is switched by swinging between the solid line position and the chain line position in the figure.

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

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
Conveyance rollers 60 are respectively disposed, and a second paper feed roller 61 is disposed downstream of the second document discharge path (■), and a second document feed roller 61 is disposed downstream of the second document discharge path (■). The sheet original P is carried out to the top of the original bundle P on the original tray 1.

One place above the second document output path ■ is the document output tray 62.
A second document discharge path {circle around (2)} branches from near the downstream of the first conveyance roller 59, and the document discharge tray 62
A third document discharge path V is configured to extend to. A paper ejection flapper 63 for switching the conveyance path is disposed at the branching portion of the second document ejection path (■) and the third document ejection path (■), and the paper ejection flapper solenoid 99 is turned on and off. When turned off, the bus is switched by swinging between the solid line position and the chain line position in the 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 onto the document discharge tray 62 . Inside the second document ejection path, there is a sheet document P in the second document ejection path.
A second paper ejection sensor 67a is a transmission type optical sensor for detecting the front end and rear end of the sheet.

67b between the platen 3 and the first conveyance roller 59, and
A third paper ejection sensor 69a is provided between the branching part of the second document ejection path (■) and the third document ejection path V and the second conveyance roller 60.

69b is provided.

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 pivotable around a central rotation axis 71 at the tip. It is designed to swing between the position and the chain line position.

In other words, when document tray L is at the solid line position in the figure, the auxiliary tray 72 is raised to the solid line position in the figure in order to improve the loading of large-sized sheet documents P, and the document tray 1 is at the chain line position in the figure. When the document output tray 62
2 is stored at the position indicated by the chain line in the figure.

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 8 is provided on the motor shaft of the belt motor 82.
5 is provided to ensure the position of the wide belt 2 when it stops.

The separation motor 81 drives the feeding roller 51 via a separation clutch 86. The reversing motor 87 drives the large roller 49 and the first paper discharge roller 50. 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.

On the shaft of each motor are clock discs 81a, 82a, 87a, 89 with a plurality of slits formed therein.
Clock sensors 81b, 82b, 87b, 89b, etc., which generate pulses by recognizing each slit with a transmission type optical sensor, are provided. A clock sensor 81 controls the rotation of each motor.
By clock counting using clocks b, 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 L, and when ON, the sheet document P passing through the first document discharge path (2) is guided to the document reversing path (2).

Reference numeral 99 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 (2), and is conveyed to the document discharge tray 62.

The stopper solenoid 36 drives the stopper 37 to move up and down, and is in the position shown in the figure when turned OFF to prevent the document bundle P on the document tray l 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. When it is OFF, it is in the position shown in the figure, and when it is ON, the weight 43 is lowered and the sheet original is placed on the paper feed roller 5. By pressing 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, and when the tray swing arm shaft 99 rotates, The tray swing arm 97 swings between the solid line position and the chain line position in the figure, and swings the document tray 1 around the swing center 35 between the solid line position and the chain line position in the figure.

Reference numeral 105 indicates an upper limit switch 105 that detects when the original tray 1 has reached the upper position (solid line position), and reference numeral 106 indicates an upper limit switch 105 that detects when the original tray 1 has reached the lower position (dashed line position).
The lower limit switch 106 detects that the
The rotation of the tray swing motor 95 is controlled by detection of upper and lower limit switches 105 and 106.

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

The rotation center shaft 71 of the auxiliary tray 720 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. Furthermore, a tray link 111 is engaged with a tray link 110 on the opposite side of the swing center 35 of the document tray 1 . Reference numeral 112 is fixed to the RDFB main body, engages with the swing lever 103, and serves as the center of swing of the swing lever 113.

A tray engaging pin 115 that engages with the tray link 110 is located at one end of the swing center 112, and an auxiliary tray engaging pin 116 that engages with the auxiliary tray link 109 is located at the other end.
is provided.

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

Therefore, when loading large size originals on the original tray 1, the original tray 1 swings upward and the auxiliary tray 72 also swings upward, so that the rear end of the large size original does not hang down. Sheet originals P can be stacked in a state where stable feeding is possible.

In addition, when a small-sized document is stored in the document ejection tray 62 by the document tray 1 swinging downward and the auxiliary tray 72 also swinging downward, the document is stored in the document ejection tray 62. The sheet document P that has passed through V is placed in the document output tray 6.
2, by stacking the original on the upper surface of the auxiliary tray 72, the original can be placed on the original discharge tray 62 smoothly.

Here, we have shown a configuration in which the auxiliary tray rotates in conjunction, but as shown in FIG. 3(b), the rotation center 3 is located at the original tray 1.
Auxiliary tray 72 (A) with a configuration that can rotate around 00
It goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained by providing a 72 (B) and moving it manually.

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 motor 39
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 rotationally drives the partition flag 1.19 are arranged coaxially. As shown in the figure, the partition flag 119 has a part of its circumference cut out, and the partition member 7 is fixed on the circumference and rotates on the output shaft 117 integrally with the partition flag 119. do.

In addition, 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 when the partition member 7 comes to the position directly below 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.

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 jogging rings 1 on the opposite side of the jogging guide 122 to the document side.
23. Link pin 126 . that engages one side of 125 .
127 is provided.

Jogging link 123. The other end of 125 has a jogging lever 129 and a lever pin 130. It is engaged at 131.

Further, the jogging lever 129 is engaged with a jogging 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 the jogging solenoid 132 is turned off.
Then, the jogging guide 12 is moved by the return spring 133.
2 moves away from the edge of the document.

That is, each time the sheet documents P are reloaded one by one on the document tray L, 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 l is improved.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of the paper feeding process of the closed-loop RDFB. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9(b), the original ■ is conveyed in the direction opposite to the input side, and the next original ■ is placed in a predetermined position as shown in FIG. 6(b). It has become so.

In FIG. 7, another sheet material conveying device F is provided and connected to the outside of the sheet material conveying device B, and a sheet document P conveyed from the sheet material conveying device F is passed through the document carrying path ■. The document can be carried into the second document discharge path (3) and transported to the document tray (1).

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

Furthermore, if the next user sets the sheet document P to be image-processed in advance on the external sheet material conveyance device F as shown in FIG. 11 while the previous user is processing the image, the next user can There is no need to wait on the spot until the user's processing is completed, and the image processing device operates continuously, so that work can be done efficiently and the sheet material conveying device can be operated effectively. I can do it.

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

5 step (represented by S in the figure) At step 1, perform the tray UP process to raise the document tray 1 to the position indicated by the solid line in Figure 1. In the initial state where no documents are set, the tray is always raised and the operation is performed. This makes it easy for people to set up.

Then, in step 52, the entrance sensor 47 detects whether or not 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 5, the lowest one of the document bundles is fed (separation processing to be described later is performed).

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.
Proceed to step 7, and determine whether the partition lever has fallen. If the determination is positive, the document is a single document, so wait for the copying machine to finish copying (step 9), and perform switchback paper ejection processing. is started (step), and document conveyance control is ended. The original passes through paths ■ and ■ to tray l.
will be returned to.

If a negative judgment is made regarding the partition lever at step 7 (if there are multiple documents), the results of the document size detection process performed during the paper feeding process at step 5 and the mixed document specification on the operation panel of the copier main body are determined. The flow of conveyance control is determined according to the result of the determination as to whether or not the transfer has occurred (step 8).

In the case of this embodiment, the original size is A4 and mixed originals are not specified, so at 5 tepH, tray DOWN processing is performed to lower the original tray 1 to the position indicated by the broken line in Fig. 1, and the closed loop paper ejection processing described later is executed. Prepare to improve the consistency of the output document at the time of printing.

Then, separate the next document (step 4')
, and after performing the pre-feeding process described later (step 13)
, wait for the copying machine to finish copying (step 9')
, 5tep14, it is determined whether the switchback circulation flag is set. In the case of this example,
In step 5, the switchback circulation flag is not set because the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step 15 to start the closed-loop ejection process (the scanned original is ejected to tray 1 through bus ■), which will be described later. Te (ste)
p15), perform paper feeding processing for the next document (step 5')
.

When the paper feeding process is completed, the copying machine main body starts the copying operation (step 6'), and it is determined whether the partition lever has fallen during the copying (step 8'), and if the determination is negative, the process is continued.

If the result in step 7' is affirmative, this 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. (ste)
p14'), in this embodiment, as described above, the determination is negative, so the process proceeds to step 15', starts closed-loop paper ejection processing, and then waits for the ejection processing 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 first
Raise the tray to the position indicated by the solid line in the figure (, perform the tray UP process to return the tray to its initial state (step 1'), and end the document transport control.5 If the judgment is negative in step 17, the number of documents is 4 or less. It is determined whether or not (st
ep18), if the determination is affirmative, a switchback circulation flag is set (step 19), and the process returns to the separation process in step 5. If the determination is negative, the process directly returns to step 4. This is to perform optimal control depending on the number of originals.

In order to raise the document tray 1 to the position shown by the solid line in Fig. 1 at 5 tepl, perform the tray UP process, and make sure that the tray is raised in the initial state where no documents are set.
It is designed to be easy for the operator to set up.

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

Next, at step 54, separation processing, which will be described later, is performed to feed the lowest one 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 main body A starts the copying operation.5tep6), 5t
Proceeding to ep7, it is determined whether the partition lever 120 has fallen or not. If the determination is affirmative, since the original is a single original, the process waits for the copying machine A to finish copying (step 9).
, starts switchback paper ejection processing, which will be described later, and ends document conveyance control. The original is returned to tray 1 through the path ■'→■.

If the determination is negative in step 5, the transport is carried out 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 section of the copying machine main body A. Determine flow of control (st
ep8). In the case of this embodiment, since the original size is A3 and mixed originals are not specified, the process advances to step 512 and a switchback circulation flag is set.

Then, separate the next document (step 4')
, and after performing the pre-feeding process described later (step 13)
, wait for copying machine A to finish copying (step 9').
), in step 14 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 15), and the next document is fed ( step 5'). When the paper feeding process is completed, the copying machine will start the copying operation.5tep6'
), determine whether the partition lever fell q during the copying (step 7'), and if the determination is negative, proceed to 5 steps.
Return to step 4' and continue processing.

In 5step7', if the judgment is affirmative,
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' and starts switchback paper ejection processing, and then waits for the completion of paper ejection processing for all documents (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 first
In order to raise the tray to the position indicated by the solid line in the figure, tray UP processing is performed to return the tray to its initial state (step 1'), and document conveyance control is ended. In step 17, if the determination is negative, it is determined whether the number of original sheets is 4 or less, and (st
ep18), if the determination is affirmative, a switchback circulation flag is set (step 19), and the process returns to the separation process in step 5. If the determination is negative, the process directly returns to step 4. This is to perform optimal control depending on the number of originals.

At 5 tepl, perform the tray UP process to raise the original tray l to the position shown by the solid line in Figure 1, and make sure that the tray is raised in the initial state when no originals are set.
It is designed to be easy for the operator to set up.

Then, in step 52, the entrance 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).

The following is the same as the case of document A3.

Next, using FIGS. 9 and 10, a guide 20 for implementing the present invention
0, its operation will be explained.

The guide 200 has a paper guide 201 attached to an arm 202 with a shaft 2.
It is attached rotatably around arm 2.
02 is attached to a support member 230 attached to the cover 207 so as to be rotatable about the shaft 204. Further, the arm 202 is urged in the direction of an arrow 206 by a spring 205.

When the document tray 1 is in the raised position as shown in FIG.
8 parts are the original reference guide 33 and the jogging guide 33a
is pressed by a spring 205 against the top of the arrow 210
The positioning portion 209 touches the upper surface of 33a at 33 degrees, resulting in the state shown in FIG.

In this state, the document passes through the document ejection path ■ and follows the arrow 2.
Although the paper is discharged in the 11 direction, it is not restricted by the paper guide 201 and is stacked on the tray l.

FIG. 9 shows a state in which a document is being discharged after passing through the document discharge path (2), and at this time, the tray 1 is in the lowered position as shown in the figure.

At this time, a portion 214 on the right side of the shaft 203 of the paper guide 201 hits the upper surface of the guides 33, 33a, rotates in the direction of the arrow 212, and comes into contact with the positioning portion 213 of the arm 202 by the spring 205. The document is then discharged in the 215 direction by the roller 61, but since the guide 200 is positioned ahead of it in the shape shown in FIG.
The tip trajectory is downstream of the partition member 7 and is oriented in the direction of arrow 216, and is loaded onto the tray l. Therefore, even if the document is curled at the top or folded at the top, the document can be stored well without the tip getting caught in the entrance portion 217 of the cover 400, the roller 50, or the like.

FIG. 15 is an α view of FIG. 9.

The paper guide 201 has a width that touches the document reference guide 33, the jogging guide 33a, and their sliding areas (33a when the document is at its maximum and 33a' when the document is at a small size), and guides the entire sheet material.

FIG. 16 shows a modified embodiment of the paper guide 201, which is divided into two parts, but it is constructed so that it always contacts 33 and 33a in its sliding area and guides both ends of the sheet material, as described above.

In this embodiment, the paper guide 201 was in a retracted state when the document was ejected through the document ejection path (2), but even if the leading edge of the paper is regulated in the direction shown by the arrow 218 as shown in FIG. Needless to say that it is good. FIG. 11 is a state diagram when the tray I is lowered.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a structure in which the paper guide guides the document only when it passes through the document discharge path (2) and is discharged. Even in this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a sheet material conveyance device having both document ejection paths (■) and (2), that is, first and second conveyance paths, has been described, but in the case where it has only the first conveyance path (■), If the guide is configured to function as shown in Figures 11 and 12, and only the second conveyance path (■) is provided (there is no paper ejection roller 61), then the paper ejection roller 50 is not provided. ) No. 13
Similar effects can be obtained even if the guide is configured to function as shown in FIGS.

[Change example]

FIGS. 17 and 18 are diagrams showing modified embodiments.

This is the paper guide 2 with the configuration shown in Figures 9 and 12 as described above.
01 and an arm 202 are integrated, and a paper guide arm 231 is biased in the direction of an arrow 233 by a spring 205 so as to be rotatable about a shaft 232 in a support member 230. 33°33 (a
), the same effect as described above can be obtained.

19, 20 and 21 show further modified embodiments.

As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the paper guide 234 is located inside the document reference guide 33 and the jogging guide 33a (
In particular, the jogging guide 33a side is mounted so as not to interfere with the jog plate. Even in this configuration, the guide surface 234 (a) guides the leading edge of the document when the tray 1 is at the ascending point, and the guide surface 234 (b) guides the leading edge of the document when the tray 1 is at the descending point, achieving the effect described above. is possible.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, the sheet material carried out from the image reading section is transferred to the sheet material loading table in the first conveyance mode or the second conveyance mode depending on its size or the state of mixed loading of different sizes. The document is reloaded by swinging to an inclined state according to the transport mode, and the guide member, which is positioned in response to the rocking of the sheet material loading table, allows stable reloading even if the leading edge of the document is bent or curled. A sheet material conveying device can be realized.

Furthermore, the consistency of the sheet materials when reloading them on the sheet material loading platform is improved, and the sheet materials can be stably fed from the sheet material loading platform.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal side view of a sheet material conveying device showing an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a system diagram showing the drive system, and Fig. 3 is a side view showing the swing mechanism of the original tray and auxiliary tray. , FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of the partition member portion, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the jogging mechanism, and FIG. 6(a)
, (b) is a diagram showing the movement of a document, FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of a sheet material conveying device to which an external sheet material conveying device is connected, FIG. 8 is a flowchart, and FIG. 9 and FIG. FIGS. 11 and 12 are sectional views of the second embodiment, FIGS. 13 and 14 are sectional views of the third embodiment, and FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the guide. are plan views in the α direction of FIGS. 9 and 10, FIG. 16 is a plan view of another example, FIGS. 17 and 18 are sectional views of the fourth embodiment, and FIGS. 19 and 20. is a sectional view of the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 21 is a sectional view of the 19th embodiment.
20, FIG. 22, and FIG. 23 are cross-sectional views of the conventional example. 1... Original tray (sheet material loading table) 2... Wide belt 3... Platen (image reading section) P... Sheet original (sheet material) 41, 42... Sheet material separating section 201. ...Paper guide Figure 3/1 Kru 2 A sword 6 Figure (α) (b)

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] The sheet materials to be image-processed are sequentially separated one by one from the lowest one on the sheet material loading platform on which the sheet materials are loaded, and are conveyed and stacked to the image reading section, and after the image reading is completed, a first conveyance mode in which the sheet material is carried out from the same side as the side from which the sheet material is carried in from the image reading unit, and is again stacked on the top of the sheet material on the sheet material loading table; Transport the sheet material to the image reading section
at least one of a second transport mode in which the sheet material is loaded, and after the image reading is completed, the sheet material is carried out from the image reading unit from the side opposite to the side from which the sheet material is carried in, and the sheet material is stacked again on the top of the sheet material on the sheet material loading table; The sheet material loading platform is swingably supported to vary the loading angle of the sheet materials, and in response to switching of the transport mode, the sheet feeding side is tilted in a downward direction when in the first transport mode. , controlling the angle of the sheet material loading platform so that it is approximately horizontal in the second conveyance mode, and reloading the sheet materials on the sheet material loading platform in at least one of the first or second conveyance mode. An automatic document feeder comprising a guide member that regulates the direction of conveyance of the sheet material and guides the sheet to a reloading position when the sheet material is loaded, and the guide member is swung by the movement of the sheet material loading table. .