JPH05278957A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve workability in refilling paper sheets, carry out refilling operation efficiently by simplifying refilling movement. CONSTITUTION:In an image forming device which is provided with plural paper sheet storage parts 130 for storing paper sheets, plural paper sheet mounting means 201, 202 which are disposed being exposed to the outside of the device, plural feeder means which deliver paper sheets placed on the paper sheet mounting means, and a sheet feed start indicating means which indicates feed start to the feeder means own a part of carrier passages jointly each other. Besides, plural carrier means 140 which carry paper sheets delivered by a feeder means to the paper sheet storage part 130, and a control means which makes the feed movement of the other feeder means standby temporarily when a sheet feed start indication is made for the other feeder means while one of the plural feeder means is in feed operation, and which starts the feed movement of the feeder means which is in a standby condition after the feeder means in operation completes.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus provided with a paper placing table for supplying paper in a state of being exposed outside the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus, such as a copying machine, which has been widely spread, has a paper storage unit such as a cassette for storing paper inside the device, and the paper storage unit supplies paper. This is a configuration for forming an image on a sheet to be sent. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus, a predetermined amount of paper is stored in the paper storage unit in the apparatus and is sent to the image forming unit one by one as needed.

That is, since the paper is a consumable item consumed by image formation, it is necessary to replenish it regularly. Conventionally, this paper replenishing operation is generally performed manually. Further, since the amount of paper that can be stored in the image forming apparatus is constant, the replenishment frequency needs to be increased as the frequency of use of the image forming apparatus increases.

On the other hand, as a means for facilitating such a paper supply operation, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-
No. 97145, "Feeding device", Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Sho 49-105.
No. 431, "Cut sheet bundle for feeding", JP-A-1-
No. 242336, “Sheet feeding device” and the like have been proposed.

In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 60-97145, "Feeding device", a sheet wrapping material is made of a strong material such as cardboard and resin into a box shape, and a feeding roller and a separating claw are provided. After the contacting portion is separated by the box-shaped member, it is mounted at the sheet feeding position of the image forming apparatus main body. That is, by using the packaging material of the sheet as a cassette for feeding the sheet of the box-shaped member, the sheet can be easily handled while being stored in the packaging material, and the operability of the manual replenishment operation is improved. Is intended.

[0006] In Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. Sho 49-105431, "Cut Sheet Bundle for Feeding", the end portion of the sheet bundle is fixed by a band, and the sheet aligning operation when replenishing the sheet to the cassette is unnecessary. By doing so, the operability of the supply operation is improved.

Further, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1-2242336, "Sheet feeding device", the first and second cassettes are placed on a transfer belt, and when the sheets in the first cassette are exhausted, the second cassette is conveyed. Transferred to the position, with which the first
The cassette is automatically ejected out of the device.

[0008]

However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, when paper is replenished, it is basically necessary to manually stack the paper in a paper storage unit (for example, cassette) inside the apparatus. Therefore, there were the following problems.

In the image forming apparatus, it is necessary to efficiently feed the sheet from the sheet storage section to the image forming section inside the apparatus, and therefore the position of the sheet storage section in the apparatus main body is inevitably fixed. It is necessary to supply paper to the position where the paper storage section is located. That is, in the case of the conventional cassette type, the paper replenishing operation is an operation of removing the cassette (paper storage unit) from the apparatus main body, loading the paper in the cassette, and mounting the paper again in the apparatus main body, which is very troublesome. There was a problem that was.

Further, in the case of the front loading method which has become widespread in recent years, in the paper supply operation, the tray (paper storage unit) is pulled out from the main body of the apparatus, paper is loaded in the tray, and the tray is stored in the main body of the apparatus. That is the operation. This has the advantage that there is no need to have a heavy cassette compared to the cassette type, but because of the configuration of the front loading type, the tray, which is the paper storage unit, is often provided below the device, so there is no need to worry about it. There was a problem that the workability was poor because the user had to bend down to supply the paper.

Further, the sheet storage section needs to store the stacked sheets for a long period of time to protect it from moisture absorption, falling objects, etc. Therefore, for example, the cassette system requires a cover for the sheet storage section (cassette). In the front loading method, the paper storage unit (tray) is stored in the main body of the device. Therefore, when replenishing the paper, it is necessary to remove the cover or pull it out of the apparatus main body, which makes the replenishment operation more complicated and troublesome.

Further, in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper storage units, it is necessary to supply paper to the paper storage unit that has run out of paper, so the operator is required to identify the paper storage unit that has no paper. There is also a problem that the work is complicated because it is necessary to check the display section of the main body and search for the paper storage section that needs replenishment.

On the other hand, according to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 60-97145, "Feeding device", the operability of the manual replenishing operation is improved by using the sheet packaging material as a cassette for feeding the sheet. However, since it is necessary to give the sheet packaging material sufficient strength to be used as a cassette, the cost will inevitably increase compared to the case where the original sheet storage is the only purpose, and the packaging material Also, there is a problem in that the receiving portion of the apparatus body is a dedicated product and lacks versatility.

According to Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. Sho 49-105431, "Cutting Sheet Bundle for Feeding", it is possible to improve the operability of the replenishing operation by eliminating the sheet aligning operation, but to remove the cassette Since it is necessary to perform operations such as mounting, tray withdrawal and storage, and paper loading operations, the complexity of paper supply still remains.

Further, according to the "sheet feeding device" of JP-A-1-242336, the operability can be improved by automatically exchanging the cassette, but the paper supply to the exchange cassette is complicated. Was left.

Further, according to the conventional image forming apparatus, it is roughly classified into an image forming function for forming an image on a transfer sheet, an automatic document conveying function for automatically conveying a document, and a transfer sheet from a sheet storage section. Although the functions directly related to the image forming process, such as the paper transport function that supplies paper and discharges the paper to a predetermined paper discharge unit, are fulfilled, the time and effort involved in paper replenishment are accepted as unavoidable. Therefore, the concept itself of automating the paper supply to the paper storage unit is not applied, and there is a problem that a function for paper supply operation is not provided.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an object of the present invention to improve workability in paper supply, simplify the supply operation, and easily supply paper.

Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a new function for easily and efficiently supplying paper.

[0019]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus having a plurality of sheet storage sections for storing sheets, in which the sheets stored in the sheet storage section are Separation and feeding means for separating and feeding the sheets one by one, image forming means for forming an image on the sheets fed by the separation and feeding means, and a plurality of sheet placing means arranged in an exposed state outside the apparatus. , A plurality of feeding means for feeding the sheets placed on the sheet placing means, a feeding start instructing means for instructing the feeding means to start feeding, a part of the conveyance path shared by each other, and If there is a feeding start instruction to another feeding means while one of the plurality of feeding means feeds the sheet sent out by the feeding means to the sheet storage section and one of the plurality of feeding means, The feeding operation by the feeding means of There is provided an image forming apparatus and a control means for starting the feeding operation of the feeding means in the standby state after completion execution of the feeding means in operation.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a plurality of sheet storage sections for storing sheets, in which the sheets stored in the sheet storage section are separated one by one. Separation and feeding means for feeding, image forming means for forming an image on the paper fed by the separation and feeding means, a plurality of paper placement means arranged in an exposed state outside the apparatus, and paper placement A plurality of feeding means for feeding the paper placed on the feeding means, a feeding start instruction means for instructing the feeding means to start feeding, and a plurality of feeding means for feeding the paper fed by the feeding means to the paper storage section. A first transport means,
A plurality of second conveying units that share a part of the conveying path with the first conveying unit and convey the sheet sent out by the feeding unit to the image forming unit, the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit. A plurality of selecting means arranged on a common conveying path of the conveying means for selecting either one of the first conveying means and the second conveying means, and one of the plurality of feeding means during the feeding operation, the other When there is a feeding start instruction to the feeding means of No. 1 and one of the feeding means is the feeding operation using the second conveying means,
Control for executing the feeding operation using the second conveying means, temporarily setting the other feeding operation in the standby state, and starting the feeding operation in the standby state after the completion of the feeding operation using the second conveying means And an image forming apparatus including the means.

[0021]

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the sheet is placed on the sheet placing means and the feeding of the sheet is instructed through the feeding start instruction means, the sheet placing means is automatically operated by the feeding means. The sheet is fed from the sheet, and then is conveyed to the sheet storage unit by the conveying unit.

When one of the plurality of feeding means is in the feeding operation and a feeding start instruction is given to another feeding means,
The reservation function is realized by temporarily setting the feeding operation by the other feeding means to the standby state and starting the feeding operation of the feeding means in the standby state after the execution of the operating feeding means.

Further, while one of the plurality of feeding means is in the feeding operation, there is an instruction to start feeding to another feeding means, and
When either one of the feeding means is the feeding operation using the second conveying means, the feeding operation using the second conveying means is preferentially executed.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the following, when the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied to a copying machine, [schematic structure of copying machine], [configuration of automatic document / transfer sheet conveying device], [configuration of main control section], [main] The control operation of the control unit] and [a specific operation example] will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Schematic Configuration of Copying Apparatus] FIG. 1 is an external view of a copying apparatus (image forming apparatus) of the present embodiment, in which an automatic original / transfer sheet is conveyed to the upper surface of the copying apparatus main body 100 in the upward projection plane. The device 200 is mounted. As shown in the figure, the automatic document / transfer sheet conveying device 200 includes two sheet loading tables 2
01 and 202 are provided. In addition, the copying machine body 1
An operation display unit 300 is provided on the front surface of 00.

FIG. 2 shows the structures of the copying apparatus main body 100 and the automatic document / transfer sheet conveying apparatus 200. The automatic document / transfer sheet conveying device 200 is mounted on the platen glass 111 of the copying apparatus main body 100, and is provided with a sheet placing table 201, 202 for placing a sheet (original or transfer sheet) and a sheet placing table 201, The sheet sent from the sheet 202 is fed to the platen glass 111 side or a sheet feeding cassette 131 to be described later.
Switching unit 203, 204, 205 for guiding to the 134 side
And a conveyor belt 206 that conveys the paper sent from the paper trays 201 and 202 onto the platen glass 111.
And a paper ejection tray 2 for ejecting the paper for which exposure processing has been completed
07 and.

The copying apparatus main body 100 is roughly divided into an optical system 110, an image forming system 120, a sheet storing / feeding system 130, and a replenishing / conveying system 140.

The optical system 110 includes a platen glass 111 for placing a document and an exposure lamp 112 for illuminating the document.
And a V mirror 113, a lens 114, and a mirror 115 for guiding the reflected light to a photosensitive belt 121 described later.

The image forming system 120 includes a photosensitive belt 121,
A charging charger 122 that uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor belt 121, and a developing device 123 that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor belt 121 with a toner to make it a visible image.
And a transfer charger 124 for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive belt 121 obtained by the development to a transfer paper.
A separation charger 125 for separating the transfer paper after the transfer from the photosensitive belt 121, a cleaning device 126 for removing the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive belt 121 after the transfer paper separation, and a cleaning device 126 on the transfer paper. It is composed of a fixing device 127 for fixing the toner image.

The paper storage / feed system 130 has four paper feed cassettes 131, 132, 133, 13 for storing transfer paper.
4 and a transport path for guiding the transfer paper fed from these paper feed cassettes 131 to 134 to the image forming system 120.
In the paper feed cassettes 131 to 134, the upper two paper feed cassettes 131 and 132 are fixed paper size paper feed cassettes, and the lower two paper feed cassettes 133 and 134 are paper size variable paper feed cassettes. The upper two stages are used for A4 size, letter size, etc., which are frequently used, and the first copy time (the time from when the print start key is turned ON until the transfer paper is ejected from the copying apparatus main body 100) is minimized or the paper capacity of the cassette is increased. It is possible to increase the number of times and cope with high frequency of use.

Paper feed cassettes 131 and 1 with fixed paper size
Since the size of the paper to be stored in 32 is determined, when the paper sent from the replenishment / conveyance system 140 described later is stored as it is, the paper is stacked in the cassette in an aligned state. On the other hand, a paper cassette 1 with variable paper size
The sizes of the sheets 33 and 134 to be stored are variable, and in order to align and stack the sheets in the cassette, it is necessary to change the conveyance end timing of the rear end portion of the sheets depending on the sheet size. Therefore, in this embodiment, the paper feed cassette 133,
A plurality of transport rollers 136 for transporting the sheet into the sheet 134, and switching sections 137a, 137b, 137c, for adjusting the transport end timing of the rear end of the sheet according to the sheet size.
137d is provided. Reference numeral 135 is a shift roller for aligning the sheets replenished in the sheet feed cassettes 131 to 134 to the front end portion of the cassette, and 138 is a sheet roll placed in the sheet feed cassettes 131 to 134. It is a separating and feeding device that separates and feeds sheets one by one.

The replenishing / conveying system 140 transfers the paper sent from the automatic document / transfer paper conveying device 200 to the image forming system 120,
Alternatively, the switching unit 14 is a transport path for transporting the sheet to the sheet storage / feed system 130 and guiding the sheet to the image forming system 120.
1 and a paper feed cassette 1 of the paper storage / feed system 130
Switching unit 14 for guiding to 31, 132, 133, 134
It has 2,143,144. In addition, the replenishment transport system 1
The linear velocity of 40 (paper transport velocity) can be set higher than the linear velocity of transporting to the image forming system 120 during the image forming operation, because the linear velocity of replenishing the sheets to the sheet feeding cassettes 131 to 134 can be set higher. A motor having a variable speed (for example, a stepping motor) as a motor for driving a roller or a roller on the conveyance path between the table 201 and 202 and the switching unit 141.
Are using.

In addition, the automatic document / transfer sheet conveying device 200,
The sensors S1 to S12 are arranged in the copying apparatus main body 100 as shown in the figure.

Here, the sensor S1 is the paper loading table 20.
Paper placed on 1,202 (original or transfer paper)
It is a size detection sensor that detects the size of the photo sensor and is composed of a combination of multiple photo sensors.

The sensor S2 is used for the paper trays 201 and 202.
It is a timing sensor that detects the leading edge of the paper fed from the paper and measures the delivery timing.

The sensor S3 is a paper discharge sensor for detecting that the original document for which the exposure process has been completed is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 207.

The sensor S4 is used for the paper trays 201 and 202.
This is a conveyance sensor that detects that the sheet fed from is conveyed to the replenishment conveyance system 140.

The sensor S5 is a conveyance sensor which is arranged in a common conveyance path of the image forming system 120 and the paper storage / feeding system 130 in the conveyance path of the replenishment conveyance system 140 and detects the presence / absence of paper conveyance.

The sensor S6 is a conveyance sensor for detecting that a sheet has been conveyed to the side of the sheet storage / feed system 130 in the conveyance path of the replenishment conveyance system 140.

The sensor S7 is a conveyance sensor disposed immediately after the switching unit 142 and immediately before the sheet feeding cassette 131, and the sensor S8 is immediately after the switching unit 143 and immediately before the sheet feeding cassette 132. S9 is the switching unit 14
The sensor S10 is a transport sensor disposed immediately after the sheet feeding cassette 133 and immediately before the sheet feeding cassette 133. The sensor S10 is a transport sensor disposed immediately before the sheet feeding cassette 134. That is, the sensors S7-10
Is a conveyance sensor that detects that a sheet has been conveyed to each of the sheet feeding cassettes 131 to 134.

The sensors S11 are respectively connected to the paper feed cassette 1
A stacking amount detection sensor that detects when the sheets stacked in 31 to 134 are full by height, and detects a height that has a margin above the limit of stacking.

The sensor S12 is a paper discharge sensor disposed downstream of the fixing device 127 for detecting paper discharge.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the operation display unit 300,
Numeric keypad 301 for setting the number of copies and clear /
A stop key 302, a start key 303 for copying start, a mode clear key 304 for initializing various modes, an enter key 305 that is pressed for recognition when a numerical value is input in a special mode, and an interrupt mode is set or released. An interrupt key 306 for selecting a mode, a mode selection key group 307 for selecting other various modes (for example, paper selection, scaling, image density, etc.), and a liquid crystal display unit 308 for displaying various messages. .. still,
The liquid crystal display unit 308 has a fixed pattern unit 308a for displaying a mode state such as the number of copies, and a character (dot) display unit 308b capable of displaying characters.

[Structure of Automatic Original / Transfer Paper Conveying Device] Next, referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, the automatic original / transfer paper conveying device 2 will be described.
00 will be described in more detail.

FIG. 4 shows an automatic document / transfer sheet conveying device 200.
3 is a perspective view from the front right side of the apparatus of FIG. The automatic document / transfer sheet conveying device 200 includes the above-described sheet placing tables 201 and 202,
Separation and feeding section 210 for separating and feeding the sheets placed on sheet placement tables 201 and 202 one by one, and function selecting section 220 for selecting the function of automatic document / transfer sheet conveying apparatus 200.
And a carrying / reversing unit 230 in which the above-mentioned carrying belt 206 is housed.

Here, the transporting / reversing section 230 needs to be used as a pressure plate when a thick copy such as a book is to be copied, and therefore is configured to rotate around the hinge section AA (see FIG. 2). .. The rotation about the hinge portion AA is because the sheet loading tables 201 and 202 are located above the transport / reversing section 230, and the sheet loading tables 201 and 202 are rotated.
Rotate to the maximum position that does not interfere with. 231 is
It is a handle part used when the transport / reversal part 230 is rotated as a pressure plate.

The separating and feeding section 210 and the sheet stacking table 2 are also provided.
01 and 202 rotate centering on the hinge part BB. As shown in FIG. 2, the rotation angle is about 45 ° to the upper left, and the leading end portions of the sheet mounting tables 201 and 202 are located at the copying apparatus main body 10.
0 It is configured so that it does not fall to the left from the extension line on the left end. This is to save space at the time of rotation and to prevent damage to an adjacent object or the sheet placing table itself due to excessive rotation. The rotation of the separation / feeding unit 210 and the paper trays 201 and 202 makes it possible to perform a paper jam caused at the connecting portion with the copying apparatus main body 100 and maintenance of the connecting portion.
Although not shown, the separation sheet feeding section 210 and the conveyance / reversing section 230 are provided with open detection sensors using transmissive photosensors, and the respective open states are independently recognized.

FIG. 5 shows the construction of the paper trays 201 and 202 and the separation / feeding section 210. Paper loading table 201, 20
2 is a trailing edge regulating plate 201a, 202 that regulates the trailing edge of the placed sheet and pushes the sheet forward (in the sheet feeding direction).
a is provided. This rear end regulating plate 201a, 202
When the start key 303 of the operation display unit 300 is pressed after the paper is placed, a moves automatically to regulate the rear end of the paper.

The separating / feeding section 210 is provided in addition to the switching sections 203, 204, 205 for guiding the sheet sent out from the above-mentioned sheet placing tables 201, 202 to the platen glass 111 side or the replenishing and conveying system 140 side. , Paper tray 20
A pickup roller 211 that rotates while being pressed against the uppermost sheet of 1,202 with a predetermined pressure, a feed roller 212 that sends out the sheet moved by the pickup roller 211, and a reverse roller 213 for preventing double feeding. I have it. As a motor for driving these rollers, a speed-variable motor (for example, a stepping motor) is used.

As shown in FIG. 6, the size detection sensor S1 for detecting the size of the paper (original or transfer paper) placed on the paper trays 201 and 202 comprises a combination of a plurality of photosensors. When all of the plurality of photosensors do not detect the paper, the paper loading tables 201, 20
It is also used as a paper detection sensor for detecting the presence / absence of paper by determining that the paper is not placed on 2.

FIG. 7 shows an automatic document / transfer sheet conveying device 200.
The function selection part 220 for selecting the function of is shown. The automatic document / transfer sheet conveying device 200 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes (1) sheets placed on the sheet placing tables 201 and 202 (in this case,
A replenishment function for conveying the transfer paper) to the paper feeding cassettes 131 to 134, and (2) a manual feeding function for conveying the papers (transfer papers in this case) placed on the paper trays 201 and 202 to the image forming system 120. , (3) The sheets (original documents in this case) placed on the sheet trays 201 and 202 are placed on the platen glass 111.
It has three functions of an ADF function (automatic document feeding function) of conveying to the upper side, and the function selecting section 220 selects a replenishing function for the upper (201) and lower (202) of the paper placing table, respectively. Replenishment key 221a, a manual feed key 222a for selecting a manual feed function, and LEDs 221b, 222b, 223b for displaying the selected function. When a sheet is placed on 201 or 202, it is automatically selected. Therefore, when a function other than the ADF function is used, the desired selection key is pressed. In addition, the function selection canceling means is not provided, and the selected function is canceled by removing the placed paper.

According to the configuration shown in FIG. 7, when a sheet is placed, the use of the ADF is preferentially selected, so that it is possible to prevent the operability of the normally used ADF from being deteriorated. In addition, if the original is mistakenly written in the image forming system 120 or the paper feed cassette 131,
It is possible to prevent the situation where the data is sent to ~ 134.

[Configuration of Main Control Unit] FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the main control unit. The main control unit controls a CPU 401a that controls the operation of the entire copying apparatus, a ROM 401b that stores a control program and control data, a RAM 401c for storing data, and a clock I that outputs current time data.
C 401d, interfaces 401e and 401f to which various crossflow loads such as a motor and a clutch are connected, and an optical control plate 401 for controlling the optical system 110 shown in FIG.
g, and a serial communication decoder 40 for communicating with each control unit (that is, another slave CPU) such as the operation display unit 300.
1h, an analog interface 401i to which various analog sensors are connected, a digital interface 401j to which various digital sensors are connected, and a light load from a power supply unit corresponding to an instruction from the CPU 401a obtained via the serial communication decoder 401h. Solid-state relay intervening in the supply line of the power supply voltage VL, and
It is provided with a relay driver 401k for independently turning on / off the solid state relays intervening in the supply line of the heavy load voltage VH. The power source of this device is a commercial power source, and the voltage Vcc for logic load such as the CPU 401a and various sensors from the power source generated by the power source unit, the voltage VL for light load for operating the IC, the motor, the clutch, the heater, etc. Voltage V for heavy load
H and are supplied. However, in the RAM 401c and the clock IC 401d, in case the commercial power supply is cut off,
A backup power source 401l is connected.

[Control Operation of Main Controller] FIGS. 9 to 12
3 is a main control flow chart showing a control operation of a main control unit of the present embodiment. Here, prior to the description of the main control flowchart, the flags used in the present embodiment.
Table 1 shows (flags) 1 to 10.

[0055]

[Table 1]

Main switch SW of copying apparatus main body 100
When 1 is turned on, the main control unit executes the following steps. First, it is determined whether or not the sensor S1 of the sheet mounting table 201 (hereinafter referred to as the upper stage) is ON (S10).
1) If not ON, f related to the upper mounting table
lag1, 3, 5, and 7 are set to 0 (S102).

When the sensor S1 is ON, flag2 =
If it is 1 (S101, S103), the lower mounting table is in operation, so if the upper supply key is ON, f
If flag7 is set to 1 to reserve the upper supply, and the upper supply key is not ON and flag7 is not 1, the process proceeds to S114 (S104, S105, S10).
6).

When the sensor S1 is ON and flag2 =
If the upper supply key is ON instead of 1, (S101, S1
03, S107), based on the sheet size detected by the sensor S1, it is determined whether there is a storable sheet cassette among the sheet cassettes 131 to 134 (S108). The mounting table replenishing operation is executed to supply the paper on the upper mounting table to the relevant sheet feeding cassette, 1 is set to flag1 and 0 is set to flag7 (S109, S110). On the other hand, when there is no sheet cassette that can be stored, a no-cassette display such as "No corresponding cassette" is displayed (S111).

If the upper replenishment key is not turned on in S107 and there is an upper replenishment reservation (flag7 = 1) (S112), the process proceeds to S109 to execute the upper stage mounting replenishment operation. Also, if the upper supply key is not ON, fl
If ag7 is not 1 and flag1 = 1 (during the upper mounting table supply operation), the process proceeds to S124 (S112, S11).
3).

If flag1 = 1 is not satisfied in S113,
It is determined whether or not flag4 = 1 (during lower-stage mounting table manual insertion operation) (S114).

If the upper table manual feed key is ON while the lower table is manually fed, the upper table manual reservation is made (fla
g9 ← 1) Proceed to S124 (S114, S115, S1)
16). The upper manual feed key is not ON, flag9 = 1
If S9, the process proceeds to S124. If the upper manual feed key is not ON and flag9 = 1 is not satisfied, the process proceeds to S123 (S
114, S115, S117).

If the upper manual feed key is ON or flag9 = 1 when the lower table is not being manually fed, the upper table manual feed is set (flag3 ← 1), and the upper table manual feed reservation is canceled (flag9 ← 0). ) And proceeds to S124 (S114, S118, S119, S120).

Further, when the lower placement table manual feed operation is not in progress, the upper stage manual feed key is not ON, and the upper placement table manual feed reservation is not in progress, and both flag3 and flag6 are not 1, the process proceeds to S123, otherwise to S124. Go forward (S1
21, S122).

In S123, it is determined by the processes of S103 to S122 that the upper mounting table ADF is in operation, 1 is set in flag5, and the process proceeds to S124.

In S124, it is determined whether or not the sensor S1 on the lower mounting table is ON. If it is not ON, the flags 2, 4, 6, and 8 related to the lower mounting table are set to 0 (S125).

When the sensor S1 is ON, flag1 =
If it is 1 (S124, S126), the upper mounting table is in operation, so if the lower replenishment key is ON, f
If the lower supply key is not ON and the flag8 is not 1, the process proceeds to S137 (S127, S128, S12).
9).

When the sensor S1 is ON, flag1 =
If the lower supply key is ON instead of 1, (S124, S1
26, S130), based on the paper size detected by the sensor S1, it is determined whether there is a storable paper cassette among the paper cassettes 131 to 134 (S131). The mounting table replenishing operation is executed to supply the paper on the lower mounting table to the relevant sheet feeding cassette, and flag2 is set to 1 and flag8 is set to 0 (S132, S133). On the other hand, if there is no sheet cassette that can be stored, a no-cassette display such as "There is no corresponding cassette" is displayed (S134).

If the lower replenishment key is not ON in S130 and there is a lower replenishment reservation (flag8 = 1) (S135), the process proceeds to S132, and the lower stage mounting table replenishing operation is executed. Also, if the lower supply key is not ON, fl
If ag8 is not 1 and flag2 = 1 (during the lower mounting table supply operation), the process proceeds to S147 (S135, S13).
6).

If flag2 = 1 is not satisfied in S136,
It is determined whether or not flag3 = 1 (during manual operation of the upper mounting table) (S137).

If the lower table manual feed key is ON during the manual operation of the upper table, the upper table manual reservation is made (fla
g10 ← 1) Proceed to S147 (S137, S138, S
139). The lower manual feed key is not ON, flag10
When = 1, the process proceeds to S147, and the lower manual feed key is turned on.
If not flag10 = 1, the process proceeds to S146 (S137, S138, S140).

If the lower manual feed key is ON or flag10 = 1 while the manual operation of the upper mounting table is not being performed, the manual operation of the lower mounting table is set (flag4 ← 1), and the manual reservation of the lower mounting table is canceled (flag10 ← 0). ) Then S147
(S141, S142, S143).

If the lower table manual feed key is not ON and the lower table manual feed is not reserved and both flag4 and flag5 are not 1, the process proceeds to S146. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S147. Go forward (S1
44, S145).

In S146, it is determined by the processing of S126 to S145 that the lower mounting table ADF is in operation, 1 is set to flag6, and the process proceeds to S147.

In S147, if the copy start key is turned on, the process proceeds to the next S148, and if not, the process returns to S101.

When the copy start key is turned on, first, the upper mounting table ADF is operating or the lower mounting table A is in operation.
It is determined whether the DF is in operation (flag5 = 1 or flag6 = 1), and if either is in operation, S171 (FIG. 12).
Reference) (S148).

Next, during the manual operation of the upper mounting table or during the manual operation of the lower mounting table (flag3 = 1 or flag4).
= 1), and if none of them is in the manual feeding operation, it is determined whether or not the mounting table has an appropriate size. If not, whether there is an appropriate size in the sheet feeding cassettes 131 to 134. It is determined whether or not (S150, S151). If there is an appropriate size in each of the paper feed cassettes 131 to 134, the paper is fed from the corresponding paper feed cassette and the copy operation is executed. If there is no next copy, the copy operation is stopped and the process returns to S101 ( S152-S155). On the other hand, if there is no proper size in the paper cassettes 131 to 134,
A paper replenishment display such as "please replenish paper" is displayed (S1
56).

If it is determined in S150 that the mounting table has an appropriate size, the operation of the upper or lower mounting table during the replenishing operation is stopped and the replenishment reservation state is set (S157 to S162).

Subsequently, if the lower placing table is being manually fed,
The manual feed operation is executed from the lower mounting table (S163, S1
64). When the lower placement table manual feed operation is not being performed but the upper stage placement table manual feed operation is being performed, the manual placement operation is executed from the upper stage placement table (S165, S167). When the lower placement table manual feed operation is not being performed and the upper stage placement table manual feed operation is not being performed, a placement table having an appropriate size is selected and the manual feed operation is executed (S166).

When the paper is replenished by the manual feed operation, the copy operation is executed, and if there is no next copy, the copy operation is stopped and the process returns to S101 (S168 to S17).
0).

In step S171, it is determined whether the upper mounting table ADF is in operation. If the operation is being performed and the lower mounting table replenishing operation is not being performed and the lower mounting table is being manually inserted, the lower manual insertion operation is executed, the upper ADF operation is executed, and the copy operation is executed (S172, S175, S175). S178, S1
79, S180). At this time, if the lower mounting table replenishing operation is in progress, the lower mounting table replenishment is stopped and the flag8 is set to 1
Is set, and 0 is set in flag2 (S173, S1
74).

If the lower table is not in the manual feed operation and the lower tray has an appropriate size, the lower manual feed operation is executed, the upper ADF operation is executed, and the copy operation is executed (S175 to S180). If there is no proper size in the lower stage, it is determined whether or not there is an appropriate size in the paper feed cassettes 131 to 134, and if there is an appropriate size, the paper feed operation of the corresponding paper feed cassette is executed to perform the copy operation. Is executed (S181 to S183). At this time, if there is no proper size, a paper replenishment display such as "please replenish paper" is displayed (S184), and the process returns to S101.

On the other hand, if the upper mounting table ADF is not in operation and the upper mounting table is being manually inserted, the upper manual insertion operation is executed, the lower ADF operation is executed, and the copy operation is executed (S171, S185 to S188). .. Also, at this time,
If the upper mounting table has an appropriate size and the upper mounting table replenishing operation is in progress, the upper mounting table replenishment is stopped, flag1 is set to 1 and flag1 is set to 0 (S189 to S189).
192). If the upper mounting table does not have the proper size, S
Steps 181 to S184 are executed.

After execution of copy operation (S180, S183,
S188), if there is no next copy, stop the copy operation and return to S101 (S193, S194).

In this way, the main control unit executes the control operation according to the main control flowchart. Therefore, when the operator places the sheet on the upper placing table (or the lower placing table) and selects the replenishment function via the function selecting section 220, the sheet placed on the upper placing table is separated by the separating and feeding section 210 and The paper is stored in the paper feed cassette by the paper storage / feed system 130. In other words, the paper is automatically replenished.

[Specific Operation Example] Next, a specific operation example will be described in association with each step of the main control flowchart described above.

(1) When the replenishment key of one of the placing tables is pressed during the replenishing operation of the other placing table, a sheet of size A is placed on the upper placing table (S101), and the upper replenishing key 221a is depressed. (S107), the paper is replenished from the upper mounting table (S109), and the upper mounting table is being replenished (flag1 is set to 1 in S110, S12).
6 (when flag1 = 1 in 6), the size B sheet is placed on the lower placement table (S124), and the lower supply key 221a is pressed (S127), the supply operation of the lower placement table is reserved (S128). To set flag8 to 1.)

Subsequently, the above-mentioned state (paper of size A is being replenished from the upper placing table, and reserving of the lower placing table is reserved)
At that time, when copying using a size A sheet in the pressure plate mode is started (S147), it is determined whether or not there is a proper size sheet on the mounting table (S150). Here, since the size A is placed on the upper placement table, it is determined that there is an appropriate size.

Next, during the replenishing operation of the upper mounting table (flag1
= 1) (S157), the upper mounting table replenishment is stopped, the reserving reservation state is set (S158, S159), and the manual feeding is started from the upper mounting table (S167).

After the copying operation is completed, the replenishing operation from the upper mounting table is started again (S101, S103, S10).
7, S112, S109). When all the sheets placed on the upper tray are not replenished and replenishment is completed (S1
01, S102), and then the supply of the size B from the reserved lower mounting table is started (S124, S126, S1).
30, S135, S132).

(2) The image forming system 1 is manually inserted from one of the mounting tables.
When the replenishment key of the other mounting table is pressed while the sheet is being fed to 20, the sheet of size A is placed on the upper mounting table (S101), and the upper replenishment key 221a is pressed (S107). Paper is replenished from the mounting table (S109), and the upper mounting table is being replenished (flag1 is set to 1 in S110, and S12 is set).
6 (when flag1 = 1), the size A sheet is placed on the lower placing table (S124), and the manual feed key 222a is pressed (S141), the lower placing table is in the manual feeding operation (at S143, the flag 4 is set). Set 1).

Subsequently, when the copy start key 303 is pressed (S147), the upper mounting table replenishing operation is in progress (flag).
Since 1 = 1) (S157), the upper mounting table supply is stopped and the supply reservation state is set (S158, S159). Then, according to the manual operation of the lower placement table (S163), the manual operation is performed from the lower placement table and the sheet is conveyed to the image forming system 120 (S164).

When the copying operation is completed, the manual feed mode is automatically canceled, and according to the upper loading table supply reservation,
Replenishment from the upper mounting table is resumed. On the other hand, if the paper runs out during the manual feeding operation from the lower mounting table (S124),
The operation of the lower stage mounting table is canceled (0 is set to flag4 in S125), and through S149, S150, and S166,
A size A manual feed operation is executed from the upper mounting table (S
167).

As described above, in this embodiment, the paper can be replenished only by placing the replenishment paper on the paper placing table exposed to the outside of the copying apparatus main body, and the cassette can be attached and detached. You can save the trouble of pulling out the tray or pulling out the tray. Further, since the sheet placed on the sheet placing table is immediately conveyed to the sheet feeding cassette, the sheet placing table does not need long-term sheet protection and measures against moisture absorption, and can be simply configured.

[0094]

As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention automatically feeds a sheet when the sheet is placed on the sheet placing means and the feeding start instruction means is instructed to start feeding the sheet. Since the sheet is fed from the sheet placing section by the feeding section and then conveyed to the sheet storage section by the conveying section, the workability of replenishing the sheet is improved, the replenishing operation is simplified, and the sheet is easily replenished. Can be done. In addition, it is possible to provide a new function that allows paper to be easily and efficiently supplied.

When one of the plurality of feeding means is in the feeding operation and a feeding start instruction is given to another feeding means,
Since the feeding operation by the other feeding means is once put in the standby state and the feeding operation of the feeding means in the standby state is started after the execution of the feeding means in operation is completed, the automatic feeding operation is performed after the completion of one feeding operation. The next feeding operation can be started automatically, and the work efficiency is improved. In addition, it is possible to provide a new function that allows paper to be easily and efficiently supplied.

Further, while one of the plurality of feeding means is in the feeding operation, there is a feeding start instruction to the other feeding means, and
When one of the feeding means is the feeding operation using the second conveying means, the feeding operation using the second conveying means is preferentially executed, and the other is once put in the standby state, and then the second conveying means is used. Since the next feeding operation is automatically started after the feeding operation using is ended, the image forming operation can be prioritized and the work efficiency is improved. In addition, it is possible to provide a new function that allows paper to be easily and efficiently supplied.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an external view of a copying apparatus (image forming apparatus) of this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a copying apparatus main body and an automatic document / transfer sheet conveying apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an operation display unit.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the front right of the automatic document / transfer sheet conveying device.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a sheet placing table and a separation sheet feeding unit.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement of a size detection sensor S1.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a function selection unit for selecting a function of the automatic document / transfer sheet conveying device.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a main control unit.

FIG. 9 is a main control flowchart showing a control operation of a main control unit.

FIG. 10 is a main control flowchart showing the control operation of the main control unit.

FIG. 11 is a main control flowchart showing the control operation of the main control unit.

FIG. 12 is a main control flowchart showing a control operation of a main control unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 Copier main body 120 Image forming system (image forming means) 127 Fixing device 130 Paper storing / feeding system 131 to 134 Paper feeding cassette (paper storing section) 138 Separation feeding device (separation feeding means) 140 Replenishing and conveying system ( Conveying means) 141 to 144 Switching section (selecting means) 200 Automatic original / transfer sheet conveying apparatus 201 202 Paper placing table (paper placing means) 210 Separation and feeding section (feeding means) 220 Function selecting section 300 Operation display section

Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor Prince Maruyama 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo In Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yutaka Fukuchi 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo In Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Keisuke Hayashi, Keisuke Hayashi, 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Tokyo, Ota-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Masayuki Koga, 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Tokyo, Ota-ku, Tokyo

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having a plurality of sheet storage units for storing sheets, the sheet feeding unit separating and feeding the sheets stored in the sheet storage unit one by one, and the separation unit. Image forming means for forming an image on the paper fed out by the feeding means, a plurality of paper placing means arranged in an exposed state outside the apparatus, and feeding out the paper placed on the paper placing means A plurality of feeding means, a feeding start instruction means for instructing the feeding start to the feeding means,
A plurality of conveying means that share a part of the conveying path with each other and convey the sheet sent out by the feeding means to the sheet storing section, and another one of the plurality of feeding means during the feeding operation. If there is an instruction to start feeding to the feeding means of
The feeding operation by the other feeding means is once put in a standby state,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that starts the feeding operation of the feeding unit in the standby state after the execution of the feeding unit in operation is completed. 2. An image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper storage units for storing paper, and a separation / feed unit for separating and feeding the papers stored in the paper storage unit one by one, and the separation unit. Image forming means for forming an image on the paper fed out by the feeding means, a plurality of paper placing means arranged in an exposed state outside the apparatus, and feeding out the paper placed on the paper placing means A plurality of feeding means, a feeding start instruction means for instructing the feeding start to the feeding means,
A plurality of first transporting means for transporting the sheet sent out by the feeding means to the sheet storage section, and a part of the transport path shared with the first transporting means, and being sent out by the feeding means. A plurality of second transporting means for transporting the sheet to the image forming means, and a shared transporting path of the first transporting means and the second transporting means, and the first transporting means and the second transporting means. A plurality of selecting means for selecting any one of the means, and a feeding start instruction to another feeding means while one of the plurality of feeding means is in the feeding operation, and one of the feeding means When the means is the feeding operation using the second conveying means, the feeding operation using the second conveying means is executed,
An image forming apparatus further comprising: a control unit that temporarily sets the other feeding operation to a standby state, and starts the feeding operation in the standby state after the completion of the feeding operation using the second conveying unit. apparatus.