JPH0519564A - Paper feeder for copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a paper feeder for a copying machine capable of preventing irregularities in an image caused by a mechanical shock at the time of attaching/detaching by inhibiting the attachment/detachment of a paper feeding base while the image is written. CONSTITUTION:In the copying machine provided with an image forming means having a photosensitive body, a beam irradiation means irradiating the photosensitive body with laser beams to form an electrostatic latent image, a recording sheet supplying means 3 which can be attached/detached to/from a copying machine main body and store a recording sheet 4, and attaching/detaching means 54 executing the attachment/detachment of the recording sheet supplying means 3, an attaching/detaching operation inhibiting means, at least, inhibiting the operation of the attaching/detaching means 54 while the electrostatic latent image is provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper feeder for a copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional copying machine, for example,
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-98535 discloses "a recording medium supply device".
There are some that have been filed by the applicant. Therefore, a conventional example of this type will now be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the overall configuration of this apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. This apparatus comprises a beam irradiating means 1 located above the main body of the copying machine, an image forming means 2 located below the beam irradiating means 1, a recording paper feeding means 3 which is detachable from the main body of the copying machine, and this recording. Recording paper feeding / conveying means 5 for feeding and conveying the recording paper 4 from the paper feeding means 3, discharging means 6 for discharging the recording paper 4 conveyed by the recording paper feeding / conveying means 5, and the recording paper feeding means 3 It is roughly classified into a detaching means (not shown) for attaching and detaching. Hereinafter, each of these means will be sequentially described.

In the beam irradiating means 1, a laser beam emitted from a laser light source (not shown) is read into image information of an original document (not shown), and then enters a polygon mirror 7 to become scanning light, and this scanning light is corrected for surface tilt. After passing through the lens 8, the fθ lens 9, and the three mirrors 10 in order, the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 (called a scorotron charger with grid) as a photoconductor is irradiated.

Further, in the image forming means 2, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is previously charged with −850 by the charger 12.
It is uniformly charged to v, and upon irradiation with a beam (scanning light), the charge on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 flows to the ground and disappears due to a photoelectric conversion phenomenon. As a result, the area where the original density is low (the binarized signal is at the non-recording level)
Does not turn on (irradiate) the beam, and turns on (irradiates) the beam in a portion where the original density is high (the binarized signal is at the recording level). As a result, the photosensitive drum 1
The beam non-irradiation part of No. 1 is at −850V potential, and the irradiation part is −
The potential becomes 100 V, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the light and shade of the image is formed. Thereafter, such a charged latent image is developed by the developing unit 13. The toner in the developing unit 13 is negatively charged by stirring,
Since the bias is applied to -600V, the toner adheres only to the beam irradiation portion.

On the other hand, in the recording paper supply means 3, the recording paper 4 is wound around the three paper feed trays 14 in a roll shape,
The recording paper 4 selected from these three is fed out by a feed roller 15 which is a part of the recording paper feeding / conveying means 5 and cut into a predetermined length by a cutter 16 as a recording paper cutting means (note that , In case of repeat copy, it is fed without being cut. The fed recording paper 4 is conveyed by the paper feed roller 17, passes through the lower portion of the photoconductor drum 11, and the toner image is transferred by the transfer charger 18 and separated by the separation charger 19.

After that, in the ejecting means 6, the separated recording paper 4 is conveyed by the conveying tank 20 and is sent to the fixing unit 21 so that the toner is fixed on the recording paper 4. The recording paper 4 thus fixed is sent to a cutter unit (not shown) by the transport roller 22, and in the case of a beat, the cutting is performed here and discharged to the outside of the machine.

Next, the internal structure of the control device of the copying machine as described above will be described with reference to FIG. This apparatus can be roughly classified into a copying apparatus 23 and a reading apparatus 24. Copying device 23
Is composed of an image information storage device 25 for storing the read document information, a copying circuit 26 for executing a series of processes for copying the stored information on paper, and an operating device 27. In this case, the image information storage device 2
Reference numeral 5 includes an image memory unit 28 and a system controller 29. The copying circuit 26 includes a writing device 30 and
It is composed of a write drive control circuit 31 and a drive device 32. The operation device 27 includes an operation control circuit 33 and an operation panel 34. Further, the reading device 24
Inside, CCD 35, image amplification circuit 36, A / D conversion circuit 37, shading correction circuit 38, image processing circuit 39, synchronization control circuit 40, and read control circuit 41.
It has become.

In such a structure, FIG. 6 shows an external structure of the reading device 24. When an operator inserts a document (not shown) into the roller 42, the document is transferred to the roller 4
It is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction between the contact glass 43 and the reflection plate 44 according to the rotation of 2. Fluorescent lamp 4 during this transportation
The light from 5 scans the document surface in the main scanning direction. The reflected light from the document surface is imaged on the image pickup device (CCD) 35 through the lens 46, and the document information is read. The original image formed on the CCD 35 is written as an analog signal, is output in synchronization with the clock generated from the synchronization control circuit 40, and is amplified by the image amplification circuit 36. The A / D conversion circuit 37 converts the amplified analog image signal into multi-valued digital image information shown for each pixel. In the shading correction circuit 38, noise of the original image, uneven light amount, dirt on the contact glass 43, CCD 3
The distortion of the digital image information due to the sensitivity unevenness of 5 is corrected. The image processing circuit 39 converts the digital recorded image information. This digitally recorded image information is stored in the image information storage device 2.
5 and is written in one page memory of the image memory unit 28. The digital recording image information stored in the page memory is converted into a laser beam and emitted from the laser light source 49 via the line driver circuit 47 and the laser driver circuit 48 in the next copying circuit 26. After that, the emitted laser beam is copied according to the operation procedure described in FIG.

[0010]

In the copying machine as described above, the recording paper remaining amount detecting means (not shown) for detecting the remaining amount of the recording paper 4 wound in a roll shape, and the type of the recording paper 4 are detected. A recording paper type detection unit (not shown) and a control unit (not shown) are provided. In this case, the control means controls the paper feed tray 14 selected by the recording paper type detection means.
When the remaining amount of the upper recording paper 4 becomes zero, if the recording paper 4 of the same type and the same size as the selected recording paper 4 also exists in the other paper feed tray 14, the switching is automatically performed. We have done it and are eliminating interruptions on the way. By using the control means in this way, when the recording paper 4 runs out from the preselected paper feed tray 14 during continuous paper feeding, the paper feed tray 14 having the recording paper 4 of the same type and the same size is used. By continuing to feed the paper, it is possible to supply new recording paper 4 to the emptied paper feed tray 14 while allowing the operator to perform continuous copying without interrupting the copy work.

However, in the case of the above-mentioned apparatus, if the paper feed table 14 is attached or detached during laser beam writing, the electrostatic latent image is disturbed due to mechanical shock at the time of attachment or detachment.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming means having a photoconductor, and a beam irradiating means for forming an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the photoconductor with a laser beam. In a copying machine provided with a recording paper supply means for storing removable recording paper from the main body of the copying machine, and a mounting and demounting means for mounting and dismounting the recording paper supply means, at least during the formation of the electrostatic latent image, the mounting / demounting means. A means for prohibiting attachment / detachment is provided to prohibit the operation of.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a recording paper remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the recording paper wound in a roll, a recording paper type detecting means for detecting the type of the recording paper, and the recording. Recording paper feeding / conveying means for feeding and conveying paper, recording paper cutting means for cutting the recording paper into a predetermined length, a plurality of recording paper feeding means each having the recording paper cutting means, and this recording paper There is another attachment / detachment means for attaching / detaching the supply means and another recording paper of the same type and size as the selected recording paper when the remaining amount of the recording paper supply means selected by the recording paper type detection means becomes zero. In a copying machine equipped with a control means for switching to the recording paper supply means, the operation is such that the recording paper supply means is attached / detached except when the electrostatic latent image is formed. Detaching operation control means for controlling

[0014]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the attachment / detachment operation prohibiting means is provided, the attachment / detachment of the paper feed table which causes a large mechanical shock at the time of writing the laser beam on the photoconductor can be prohibited. Image distortion can be eliminated.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, by providing the attachment / detachment operation control means, even if a plurality of paper feed trays are used and no paper is left during continuous paper feeding, the other paper feed trays are automatically operated. It is possible to switch and continue the copy operation. In addition, because the paper is fed only when the latent image is being formed, laser writing is performed by a mechanical shock when a new paper is fed to the paper feed table that has run out of paper. It will not disturb the latent image inside.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the invention described in claim 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Since the entire configuration of the copying machine and its internal configuration have been described in the above-mentioned conventional example (FIGS. 4 to 6), description thereof will be omitted here. The same parts as those of the conventional example are designated by the same reference numerals, and the same parts are designated by the same reference numeral.

FIG. 1 shows the recording paper feeding means 3 shown in FIG.
One of the paper feed trays 14 is taken out and shown. A roll-shaped recording paper 4 (transfer paper) is wound around the paper feed table 14, and the recording paper 4 is fed out by a feed roller 15 which is a first pair, and the recording paper 4 that has been fed and run. After passing through the cutter 16 which cuts this,
The second pair of feed rollers 50 convey the recording paper to the recording paper feeding / conveying means 5 (see FIG. 4). At a position close to the second feed roller 50, a paper feed length sensor 51 that detects the length of the fed recording paper 4 is provided. Further, an operation switch 52 for attaching and detaching the sheet feeding unit is attached to the side plate of the sheet feeding table 14, and a display lamp (not shown) is built in this switch so that the detachable state of the sheet feeding unit can be displayed. Has become. A roll end sensor 53 is provided on the side plate of the paper feed table 14 opposite to the operation switch 52 as a recording paper remaining amount detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the remaining amount of the recording paper 4. The roll end sensor 53 includes a light emitting element that emits light toward the recording paper 4 and a light receiving element that receives the reflected light of the recording paper 4. In this case, the recording paper 4 has a portion painted in black, which causes a large amount of reflected light when the remaining amount of the recording paper 4 is present, and when the remaining amount of the recording paper 4 is exhausted, the reflected light disappears, so that the presence or absence of the remaining amount is determined. It is possible to judge. Further, between the first feed roller 15 and the cutter 16, a type detector 55 is provided as a recording sheet type detecting means for determining whether the sheet is plain paper or the second original by the reflected light from the recording sheet 4. ing. Further, an attaching / detaching device 54 as an attaching / detaching means for attaching / detaching the sheet feeding portion is arranged on the lower surface side of the sheet feeding table 14. The attaching / detaching device 54 drives a rack and a pinion by a stepping motor (not shown). Further, here, an attachment / detachment operation inhibiting means (not shown) for inhibiting the operation of the attachment / detachment device 54 is provided at least during the formation of the electrostatic latent image.

In such a structure, the attachment / detachment prohibiting means is provided so that the attachment / detachment cannot be performed during formation of the electrostatic latent image, that is, writing on the photosensitive drum 11 by the laser beam. When it is not detachable, the stepping motor is energized and locked so that it cannot be moved even by manual operation. Therefore, by providing the attachment / detachment prohibiting means in this manner, it is possible to inhibit attachment / detachment of the paper feed table 14 which causes a large mechanical shock at the time of writing the laser beam on the photoconductor drum 11, so that it is formed. It is possible to eliminate image distortion.

Next, an embodiment of the invention described in claim 2 will be described. Since the configuration of each paper feeding unit of the recording paper feeding means 3 is the same as that in the case of FIG. 1 described above, the description thereof will be omitted. Here, instead of providing the attachment / detachment operation prohibiting means described above, an attachment / detachment operation control means (not shown) for controlling the operation of attaching / detaching the recording paper supply means 3 except when the electrostatic latent image is formed is provided. is there. Therefore, an operation example of the attaching / detaching operation control means will now be described based on the flow of FIG.

Here, when the designated paper feed tray 14 runs out of paper during continuous paper feeding and is switched to another paper feed tray 14, an operation for detaching the empty paper feed tray 14 will be described. I do. First, it is judged whether it is the roll end or not, and if there is no paper of the same size and type on the other paper feed tray 14, "no paper" is displayed to interrupt the continuous copy,
If there is such paper, the paper is switched to another paper feed tray 14. In this state, the operator is writing a latent image on the photoconductor drum 11 when the operator presses the detaching switch of the paper feed tray 14 in order to replenish the empty paper feed tray 14 with new recording paper 14. If you want to avoid a mechanical shock, wait until that timing and turn on the stepping motor. FIG. 3 shows the state of the timing when it is desired to avoid the mechanical shock. It is supplied only during the time T when there is no laser beam writing between the nth sheet during continuous copying and the (n + 1) th sheet. The paper table 14 is made detachable. After that, the stepping motor is the limit SW
When turned ON, the operation is stopped and the operation is completed.

Therefore, by providing the attachment / detachment operation control means as described above, when a plurality of paper feed trays 14 are used, one paper feed tray 14 is in a state of no paper during continuous paper feeding. Also, it is possible to automatically switch to another paper feed tray 14 and continue the copy operation. In this case, since paper feed is performed except when latent images are formed, paper feed tray 14 with no paper It is possible to prevent a latent image during laser writing from being disturbed by a mechanical shock when replenishing new paper.

[0022]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image forming means having a photoconductor, a beam irradiating means for irradiating a laser beam on the photoconductor to form an electrostatic latent image, and a copying machine main body are provided. In a copying machine provided with a recording paper supply means for storing removable recording paper and an attachment / detachment means for attaching / detaching the recording paper supply means, the operation of the attachment / detachment means is prohibited at least during formation of an electrostatic latent image. Since the attachment / detachment prohibiting means is provided, it is possible to prohibit the attachment / detachment of the paper feed table that causes a large mechanical shock when writing the laser beam on the photoconductor, and thus it is possible to eliminate the image disturbance. is there.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a recording paper remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the recording paper wound in a roll, a recording paper type detecting means for detecting the type of the recording paper, and the recording. Recording paper feeding / conveying means for feeding and conveying paper, recording paper cutting means for cutting the recording paper to a predetermined length, and a plurality of recording paper feeding means each having the recording paper cutting means,
When the remaining amount of the attaching / detaching means for attaching / detaching the recording paper supply means and the recording paper supply means selected by the recording paper type detecting means becomes zero, the recording of the same type and the same size as the selected recording paper is performed. In a copying machine provided with a control means for switching to another recording paper supply means when the paper is also present in the other recording paper supply means, an operation of attaching and detaching the recording paper supply means is performed except when an electrostatic latent image is formed. Since the attachment / detachment operation control means for controlling to perform the operation is provided, even if a plurality of paper feed trays are used and the paper runs out during continuous feeding, the paper feed tray is automatically switched to another paper feed tray and the copy operation is continued. In addition, since the paper feeding operation is performed only during latent image formation, the latent image is disturbed during laser writing due to mechanical shock when replenishing the paper feeding table that is out of paper with new paper. Can be eliminated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing one sheet feeding tray portion in a sheet feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a detachment operation stop control means.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram showing the timing of the attachment / detachment operation of the paper feed tray.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing the overall configuration of a copying machine.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a control device of the copying machine.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the external appearance of the reading device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 beam irradiation means 3 Recording paper supply means 4 recording paper 5 Recording paper feeding and conveying means 11 photoconductor 16 Recording paper cutting means 53 Recording paper remaining amount detecting means 54 Detaching means 55 Recording paper type detection means

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image forming unit having a photosensitive member, a beam irradiating unit for forming an electrostatic latent image by irradiating a laser beam on the photosensitive member, and a recording paper detachable from a copying machine main body. In a copying machine provided with a recording paper supply means and an attachment / detachment means for attaching / detaching the recording paper supply means, an attachment / detachment operation inhibiting means for inhibiting the operation of the attachment / detachment means is provided at least during the formation of the electrostatic latent image. A paper feeder for a copying machine, which is characterized in that 2. A recording paper remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the recording paper wound in a roll, a recording paper type detecting means for detecting the type of the recording paper, and feeding the recording paper. Recording paper feeding / conveying means, recording paper cutting means for cutting the recording paper into a predetermined length, a plurality of recording paper feeding means each provided with the recording paper cutting means, and attachment / detachment of the recording paper feeding means When the remaining amount of the attachment / detachment means and the recording paper supply means selected by the recording paper type detection means becomes zero, the recording paper of the same type and the same size as the selected recording paper is transferred to the other recording paper supply means. In a copying machine equipped with a control means for switching to the supply means when there is also an attachment / detachment operation control for controlling the operation to attach / detach the recording paper supply means except when the electrostatic latent image is formed. Of the copying machine characterized by the provision of means Paper feeder.