JPH0561293A - Copying controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent reduction in the carrying force of a separating/carrying part by allowing the separating/carrying part to correspond to the state of a recording form after being separated from a transfer drum. CONSTITUTION:This copying controller is provided with a setting means (operating part 600) setting a prescribed mode for forming an image or the recording form as a cardboard, a switching means for changing on part carrying the recording form of the carrying belt of the separating/carrying part to a flat type one, or a projecting type one, and a control means (CPU 701) controlling the changing over of the switching means so as to change over the carrying belt to the projecting type core, when the prescribed mode is set via the setting means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying control apparatus applied to an electrophotographic apparatus having a transfer drum, and more specifically, it separates and conveys the recording paper after it is separated from the transfer drum. The present invention relates to a copy control device that switches the shape of a part.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a copying machine having a transfer drum, the recording paper separated from the transfer drum is conveyed to a fixing section by a separating and conveying section. The separating / conveying unit is composed of a conveying belt, a conveying fan, and the like, and conveys the recording paper on the conveying belt by sucking the recording paper from below the conveying belt with the conveying fan. Further, in a copying machine having such a transfer drum, when copying on a thick recording paper such as a postcard, since such a recording paper has a high bending resistance, for example,
Both ends of the recording paper are clamped, or the recording paper is curled and then held on the transfer drum. Further, some copiers have a function (manual feed mode) that allows the user to manually feed the recording paper into the machine in addition to feeding the recording paper from a paper feed cassette or the like.

[0003]

However, according to a conventional copying machine having a transfer drum, when an image is formed on thick recording paper such as postcards, these recording papers are temporarily held on the transfer drum. Then, even after being separated from the transfer drum, the curl is still present, and a gap is created between the recording paper and the conveyor belt, so that the recording fan cannot sufficiently adsorb the recording paper to the conveyor belt, so that the conveying force is reduced. There was a problem that a jam might occur.

Particularly, in the case of recording paper having a small surface area such as a postcard, the carrying force of the separating and carrying section is further reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in the conveying force of the separating / conveying unit by making the separating / conveying unit correspond to the state of the recording paper after being separated from the transfer drum. To aim.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention comprises a transfer drum which is adjacent to a photoconductor and rotates while holding a recording sheet, a transfer belt, a transfer fan and the like. Setting means for setting a predetermined mode for forming an image on a thick recording paper in a copying control apparatus applied to an electrophotographic apparatus having a separating and conveying section for conveying the recording paper separated from the fixing section to a fixing section And a switching means for switching a portion of the conveyor belt for conveying the recording paper to either a flat shape or a convex shape, and when a predetermined mode is set through the setting means, the conveyor belt is convex. And a control means for controlling the switching of the switching means so as to switch the shape.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention detects a plurality of paper feed cassettes in which recording papers of different sizes are set and a paper size detection for detecting the sizes of the recording papers set in the paper feed cassettes. Means, a transfer drum that is adjacent to the photoconductor and that holds and rotates the recording paper, and a separation / conveyance unit that includes a conveyance belt, a conveyance fan, and the like, and that conveys the recording paper separated from the transfer drum to the fixing unit. In a copying control apparatus applied to an electrophotographic apparatus, a postcard mode setting means for setting a postcard mode for forming an image on a postcard, and a portion of a conveyor belt for conveying a recording sheet are either flat or convex. When the postcard mode is set via the switching means for switching to that shape and the postcard mode setting means, the conveyor belt is switched to the convex shape by the switching means, and the paper feeding size is set. If the knowledge unit detects the paper cassette in which the postcard is set, this paper cassette is selected, and if the paper size detection unit does not detect the paper cassette in which the postcard is set, the fact is notified. (EN) A copy control device provided with a control means for notifying a user via a notification means and controlling a copy operation to be prohibited. In addition, it is preferable that the control unit switches the shape of the conveyor belt from the convex shape to the flat shape by the switching unit when the postcard mode is released via the postcard mode setting unit.

Further, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention has a function of manually feeding a recording sheet, and a sheet feeding cassette in which the recording sheet is set and a recording sheet which is adjacent to a photoconductor are provided. In a copying control apparatus applied to an electrophotographic apparatus, which includes a transfer drum that holds and rotates, and a separation / conveyance unit that includes a conveyance belt, a conveyance fan, and the like, and that conveys a recording sheet separated from the transfer drum to a fixing unit. , A postcard mode setting means for setting a postcard mode for forming an image on the postcard, a switching means for switching a portion of the conveyor belt for conveying the recording paper to either a flat shape or a convex shape, and the inside of the apparatus. When the postcard mode is set via the paper feed size detection means for detecting the size of the fed recording paper and the postcard mode setting means, the switching means is operated based on the detection result of the paper feed size detection means. And it provides a copy control device and a control means for performing switching control of the shape of the conveyor belt. When the paper feed size detection means detects the postcard size, the control means makes the conveyor belt into a convex shape by the switching means, and when the paper feed size detection means detects that the postcard size is not the flat belt. It is desirable to control so as to switch to a different shape. Further, it is preferable that the control unit cancels the postcard mode when the paper feed size detection unit detects that the postcard size is not the postcard size.

[0009]

In the copying control apparatus according to the present invention, when a predetermined mode for forming an image on thick recording paper is set,
When the separation / conveyance section is automatically switched to a convex shape and the specified mode is released, the separation / conveyance section is changed to the original shape (flat).
Automatically switch to.

Further, in the copying control apparatus according to the present invention, when the postcard mode for forming an image on the postcard is set, the separating / conveying unit is automatically switched to the upward convex shape so that the plurality of paper feeding cassettes can be selected. Select the paper cassette in which the postcard is set. At this time, if there is no paper feed cassette in which the postcard is set, the fact is notified by the notifying means, and the image forming operation is prohibited. Further, when the postcard mode is released, the separation / conveyance unit is automatically switched to the original shape (flat).

Further, in the copying control apparatus according to the present invention, when the postcard mode for forming an image on the postcard is set, the size of the recording sheet fed into the apparatus is detected, and the fed recording sheet is detected. Based on the detection result of whether the size is postcard or not, switching control of the shape of the separation / conveyance unit is performed. At this time, when it is detected that the size of the fed recording paper is not the postcard size, the postcard mode is automatically released.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in the order of the first embodiment and the second embodiment with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of a color copying machine to which the copying control apparatus according to the first embodiment is applied, in which an ADF (automatic document feeder: Auto Documen) arranged on an upper portion of a main body 101 of the apparatus.
t Feeder) 102, a contact glass 103 on which a document (not shown) is placed, a scanner 104 arranged in a space below the contact glass 103, and a color copying mechanism by an electrophotographic method described later. ..

In this color copying mechanism, a drum-shaped photoconductor 105 to which the reading light from the scanner 104 is exposed, a charging charger 106 that charges the surface of the photoconductor 105 prior to the exposure process, and toner of different colors. A plurality of developing devices 107 having a built-in printer, and a transfer drum 108 for winding the recording paper.
And a transfer charger 1 installed in the transfer drum 108 for transferring the toner image on the photoconductor 105 onto the recording paper surface.
09, and the recording paper that has undergone the transfer process is transferred onto the transfer drum 108.
A separation charger 110 for separating the recording paper from the transfer drum 108, a separation conveyance unit 111 for conveying the recording paper separated from the transfer drum 108, and a fixing device 11 for fixing the toner image on the recording paper.
2, a paper ejection tray 113 for accommodating the recording paper ejected from the fixing device 112, recording paper of a frequently used size is set in advance, and a plurality of recording papers of a specified size are supplied at a predetermined timing. Paper feed cassette 114. In addition, on the optical path of the emission part of the scanner 104,
A color separation filter 115 for inserting a color filter corresponding to the toner color into the optical path is provided.

In the above configuration, for example, in the case of performing a copying process in the full color mode, when the document is conveyed onto the contact glass 103 by the ADF 102, the scanner 104 moves from one end of the document to the other end for scanning. The reflected light from the original reaches the photoconductor 105 via the scanner 104, and the surface of the photoconductor 105 is exposed.
At this time, first, the first color filter is the color separation filter 11
5 is inserted in the optical path. Color separation filter 115
The filter color is switched every time the exposure process is performed once.

By this exposure processing, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original image is formed on the photoconductor 105, and the development processing is performed with the first color (toner color corresponding to the filter color of the color separation filter 115) in the developing device 107. Is executed. Recording paper of a specified size is sent out from a predetermined paper feed cassette 114 at the timing when the toner image (visible image) due to this development processing reaches the transfer position, and is wound around the rotating transfer drum 108. .. By the rotation of the photoconductor 105, the transfer drum 108 rotates at the same timing as the first color toner image on the photoconductor 105 reaches the transfer position.
The leading edge of the recording paper reaches the transfer position. Transcription charger 1
Due to the electrostatic attraction force of 09, the toner image on the photoconductor 105 is transferred onto the recording paper, and the transfer drum 108 rotates while holding the recording paper as it is. On the other hand, the exposure corresponding to the second color is started, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor 105 via the second color filter of the color separation filter 115. The developing device 107 executes a developing process on the electrostatic latent image with the second toner color, and the transfer drum 10 is timed to reach the transfer position of the toner image.
8 rotates while holding the recording paper, the toner image of the second color reaches the transfer position at the same timing as the leading end of the recording paper reaches the transfer position, and the toner image of the transfer process of the first color is performed. It is transferred onto the completed recording paper.

After that, the transfer processing of the third color and further the fourth color is performed in the same manner as described above. When the transfer processing for all colors is completed, the recording paper is separated from the surface of the transfer drum 108 by the action of the separation charger 110, and the separated recording paper is conveyed to the fixing device 112 by the separation conveyance unit 111. The fixing device 112 fixes the multiple-transferred toner images of a plurality of colors on the recording paper by predetermined heating and pressurizing means. The recording paper on which the fixing process is completed is ejected to the paper ejection tray 113.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing the structures of the separation / conveyance unit 111 and the fixing device 112. As illustrated, the fixing device 112 includes a fixing roller 112a and a fixing roller 11a.
It is composed of a fixing heater 112b for supplying heat to 2a and a pressure roller 112c adjacent to the fixing roller 112a. In addition, the separation / conveyance unit 111 includes the conveyance belt 111.
a, a conveyance fan 111b for sucking the recording paper on the conveyance belt 111a, and a drive roller 111c for driving the conveyance belt 111a. It should be noted that the conveyor belt 111a is formed by the conveyor fan 111b.
A gap (not shown) so that the recording paper on 11a can be sucked
Is provided, and 201 is a paper ejection roller for ejecting the recording paper for which the fixing process has been completed to the outside of the machine.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a mechanism for switching the shape of the separation / conveyance unit 111. Here, the switching of the shape of the separation / conveyance unit 111 is to change the shape of the part of the conveyance belt 111a that conveys the recording paper, and in this embodiment, as shown in the figure, the separation / conveyance unit uses a solenoid 301. The shape of 111 is switched. That is, the movable iron core 30 is driven by driving (energizing) the solenoid 301.
1a moves up and down, and vertically moves up the push-up member 303 via the arm member 302 connected to the movable iron core 301a. A transport fan 111b is arranged on the push-up member 303. When the push-up member is moved upward, the transport fan 11b is moved.
When 1b pushes up the conveyor belt 111a from below, the conveyor belt 111a is switched from a flat shape to an upward convex shape. Further, the arm member 302 is provided with a hole 302a, one end of which is engaged with the hole 302a, and the other end of which is provided an arm member 304 which is axially supported by a fixed wall, and the arm member which is engaged with the hole 302a. The spring 30 is provided between one end of 304 and the axially fixed portion of the arm member 302.
5 are provided. A force is applied to the spring 305 in a contracting direction, and the spring 305 has a function of suppressing vibration of the push-up member 303 in each state.

The shape of the separation / conveyance unit 111 is detected by an optical sensor (separation / conveyance unit sensor) 306 including a light emitting diode and a phototransistor. That is, when the light emitted from the light emitting diode is reflected by the protrusion 303a provided on the push-up member 303 and the reflected light is incident on the phototransistor to turn on the separation / conveyance sensor 306, the push-up member 303 is moved to the normal position. When the separation / conveyance sensor 306 is turned off, the push-up member 303 is detected to have moved upward. In this embodiment, the solenoid 30 is used to switch the shape of the separation / conveyance unit 111.
However, it is also possible to use a motor, a clutch or the like.

Here, the shape of the separation / conveyance unit 111 that can be switched by the solenoid 301 will be described. Figure 4
5 shows the shape of the separation / conveyance unit 111 in the normal state (hereinafter referred to as the shape for plain paper), and FIG. 5 shows the shape of the separation / conveyance unit 111 in the thick paper or postcard mode (hereinafter referred to as the shape for thick paper or postcard). Note) respectively. In the figure,
Reference numeral 403 denotes a separation claw for surely separating the recording paper from the transfer drum 108.

As shown in FIG. 4, a recording paper 401 having a thick paper thickness
In the case of No. 3, since the curl is generated even after being separated from the transfer drum 108, a gap is formed between the recording paper 401 and the conveyor belt 111a, and the recording paper 401 cannot be sucked onto the conveyor belt 111a by the conveyor fan 111b. It can be seen that the power decreases. On the other hand, in the case of the recording paper 402 having a small paper thickness, it can be seen that the recording paper 402 is in close contact with the conveyor belt 111a and the conveying force does not decrease.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, by moving the transport fan 111b upward, the transport belt 11 is moved.
When 1a has a convex shape, the adhesion between the recording paper 401 and the conveyor belt 111a can be improved, and a decrease in the conveying force can be prevented. Here, the conveyor belt 11
1a has a stretchable structure, and in the case of the shape as shown in FIG. 5, the gap of the conveyor belt 111a becomes larger than in the normal state, and the suction force by the conveyor fan 111b can be improved. There is.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the operation unit 600 provided on the upper portion of the copying machine. The start key 601 for starting the copy and the paper feed cassette 114 for feeding the recording paper are selected. A cassette key 602, a paper size display 603 for displaying the recording paper size selected by the cassette key 602, a number / count display 604 for displaying the number of copies, etc., and recording paper by hand from a predetermined location. Manual feed mode indicator 605 that lights up when feeding paper
And the postcard mode key 6 to select the postcard mode
06, a postcard mode indicator 607 that lights up when the postcard mode is selected, a thick paper mode key 608 for selecting the thick paper mode, and a thick paper mode indicator 609 that lights up when the thick paper mode is selected. I have it.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the configuration of the copy control section. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 701 that executes various processes of the entire copying machine according to a preset program is used for control as shown in FIG. ROM that stores the program
(Read-only memory) 702, RAM (random access memory) 703 for storing control values for operation of each part of the copying machine, copy mode currently set, serial port 704, I / O ( (Input / output interface) 705 is connected. Further, a drive signal for a transport motor (a motor for rotating the fixing roller 112a: not shown), a transport motor speed signal for switching the rotation speed of the transport motor, a separation transport portion switching drive signal for controlling the solenoid 301, CPU via I / O 705
A cassette size signal, which is a signal output from 701 and which notifies the size of the recording paper set in the paper feeding cassette 114, a separation conveyance unit switching sensor signal which is a signal which notifies the current shape of the separation conveyance unit 111, and the like, It is input to the CPU 701 via the I / O 705. An operation unit 600 is connected to the serial port 704. In addition,
Since thick recording paper such as postcards requires a larger amount of heat for fixing processing than plain paper, in the case of postcard mode covering thick paper, the CPU 701 outputs the conveyance motor speed signal so as to be slower than the normal time.

Next, copy control according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the thick paper mode key control. First, it is determined whether or not the thick paper mode key 608 has been pressed (S751). If it is determined that the thick paper mode key 608 has not been pressed, a series of processes ends here. It is determined whether the mode is set, that is, whether the thick paper mode flag is set (S752). If it is determined that the thick paper mode is not set, the thick paper mode flag is set (S75
3), the thick paper mode display is turned on, that is, the thick paper mode indicator 609 is turned on (S754), and a series of processing is ended.
If it is determined in step S752 that the thick paper mode is set, the thick paper mode flag is reset (S75
5) Then, the thick paper mode display is turned off, that is, the thick paper mode indicator 609 is turned off (S756), and a series of processing is ended.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing postcard mode key control. First, it is determined whether or not the postcard mode key 606 has been pressed (S801). If it is determined that the postcard mode key 606 has not been pressed, a series of processes ends here. It is determined whether or not the mode is set, that is, whether or not the postcard mode flag is set (S802). If it is determined that the postcard mode is not set, the postcard mode flag is set (S803), the postcard mode display is turned on, that is, the postcard mode display 607 is turned on (S804),
It is determined whether or not there is a postcard set in the plurality of paper feed cassettes 114 (S805). Here, the size of the recording paper set in the paper feed cassette 114 is five continuous protrusions (not shown) that are provided on the main body 100 side and have different shapes depending on the size of the recording paper set in the paper feed cassette 114. The push switch (not shown) is pressed to detect.

When it is determined that the postcard is set among the plurality of paper feed cassettes 114, the paper feed cassette 114 in which the postcard is set is selected (S80).
6) On the contrary, if it is determined that there is no postcard set in the plurality of paper feed cassettes 114, the warning display is turned on (S807), and the series of processes is ended. In this embodiment, this warning display is performed by displaying a predetermined error message code U56 on the number / count display 604, and when this warning display is turned on,
Copying operation is prohibited.

When it is determined in step S802 that the postcard mode is set, the postcard mode flag is reset (S808), the postcard mode display is turned off, that is, the postcard mode indicator 607 is turned off (S809).
The warning display is turned off (S810), and a series of processing is ended.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the cassette key control. First, it is determined whether or not the cassette key 602 has been pressed (S821). If it is determined that the cassette key 602 has not been pressed, a series of processes ends here. It is determined whether or not is set (S822). When it is determined that the postcard mode is set, it is then determined whether the paper feed cassette 114 in which the postcard is set is selected (S823), and the paper feed cassette 11 in which the postcard is set is selected.
If it is determined that 4 has been selected, the warning display is turned off (S8
24), the selected cassette tray is displayed on the paper size indicator 60.
3 is displayed (S825), and a series of processing ends. If it is determined in step S823 that the paper feed cassette 114 in which the postcard is set is not selected, the warning display is turned on (S826), and the process proceeds to step S825.

Paper feed cassette 114 in which postcards are set
In the case where there is only one card, when the postcard mode is selected, the paper cassette 114 in which the postcard is set is automatically selected (see FIG. 8). Therefore, in the processing shown in FIG. 9, the postcard is set. This is performed when there are a plurality of sheet feeding cassettes 114.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the separation / conveyance unit switching control. First, it is determined whether or not a predetermined mode (thick paper or postcard mode) is set (S83).
1) If it is determined that the predetermined mode is set, then it is determined whether the separating / conveying unit 111 has a shape for thick paper (S).
832). If it is determined that the separation / conveyance unit 111 does not have a shape for thick paper, the solenoid 301 that switches the shape of the separation / conveyance unit 111 is turned on so as to move the conveyance fan 111b upward (S833), and the separation / conveyance unit sensor 306 turns off.
Wait until F (S834), separation / conveyance unit sensor 306
If it is determined that the power supply is turned off, the separation / conveyance unit switching solenoid 301 is turned off (S835), and the series of processing is ended. In step S832, the separation / conveyance unit 1
When it is determined that 11 is a shape for thick paper, a series of processing ends here.

If it is determined in step S831 that the predetermined mode has not been set, then the separating and conveying section 11
It is determined whether the shape of 1 is for plain paper (S836), and when it is determined that the shape of the separating and conveying unit 111 is not for plain paper, the solenoid 301 that switches the shape of the separating and conveying unit 111 is moved down the conveying fan 111b. To turn on (S8
37), wait until the separation / conveyance sensor 306 is turned on (S838), and if it is determined that the separation / conveyance sensor 306 is turned on, the separation / conveyance switching solenoid 301 is turned off.
Then, (S839), a series of processing ends. If the separation / conveyance unit 111 determines in step S836 that the shape is for plain paper, the series of processes ends here.

As described above, in the first embodiment, when the thick paper and postcard modes are set, the shape of the separating / conveying unit 111 is automatically changed. Therefore, the operation required for changing the shape of the separating / conveying unit 111 is performed. No, it is convenient. Further, in the case of the postcard mode, the paper feed cassette in which the postcard is set is automatically selected from the plurality of paper feed cassettes 114, which is more convenient. In addition, if there is no paper feed cassette with a postcard set, the fact is notified and the copying operation is prohibited, so that the recording paper other than the postcard is not fed when the postcard mode is set. Has the effect of

Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the paper feed cassette 1
A paper feed size sensor 15 for detecting the size of the fed recording paper in the middle of the paper feed path from the recording medium 14 to the transfer drum 108.
The configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment except that 1 is provided.

This paper feed size sensor 151 has four LEDs 151a, 151c, 151 as shown in FIG.
e and 151g and four phototransistors 15
1b, 151d, 151f, and 151h,
The light emitted from the LED 151a is reflected on the recording paper to the phototransistor 151b, and the light emitted from the LED 151c is reflected to the recording paper to the phototransistor 151d.
The light emitted from the ED 151e is reflected on the recording paper and enters the phototransistor 151f, and the light emitted from the LED 151g is reflected on the recording paper and enters the phototransistor 151h. Further, in the figure, L is the width of the postcard, and the postcard size is detected by the phototransistor 151.
Only d and 151f are turned on, or the time when one of them is turned on is detected by comparing with the length obtained from the postcard length and the time obtained from the linear feeding speed (depending on whether it is approximate).

Next, copy control according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing postcard mode key control. First, it is determined whether or not the postcard mode key 606 has been pressed (S841). If it is determined that the postcard mode key 606 has not been pressed, a series of processes ends here, and conversely, the postcard mode key 606 is pressed. If it is determined, it is then determined whether or not the current mode is the postcard mode, in other words, whether or not the postcard mode flag is set (S842). If it is determined that the postcard mode is not set, the postcard mode flag is set (S843), and the postcard mode display is set to O.
N, that is, the postcard mode indicator 607 is turned on (S84
4) Next, it is determined whether or not there is the paper feed cassette 114 in which the recording paper of the postcard size is set, or whether or not the manual feed mode is set (S845). Here, the manual feed mode is set when the cover for manually feeding the recording paper is opened inside the machine.

When it is judged that there is the paper feed cassette 114 in which the recording paper of the postcard size is set, or when it is judged that the manual feed mode is set, a series of processing is ended here, and conversely, the recording paper of the postcard size is set. If it is determined that the paper cassette 114 is not present and the manual feed mode is not set, the warning display is turned on, that is, the same as the case of the first embodiment.
After displaying U56 on the count display 604 (S84
6), a series of processing ends.

When it is determined in step S842 that the current mode is the postcard mode, the postcard mode flag is reset (S847), the postcard mode display is turned off, that is, the postcard mode indicator 607 is turned off (S848). , A series of processing ends.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the cassette key control. First, it is determined whether or not the cassette key 602 has been pressed (S851). If it is determined that the cassette key 602 has not been pressed, a series of processes ends here. It is determined whether or not is set (S852). If it is determined that the postcard mode is set, it is then determined whether the paper feed cassette 114 in which the postcard is set is selected by pressing the cassette key 602 next, or whether the manual feed mode is set ( S853). It is determined that the paper feed cassette 114 in which the postcard is set is selected,
Alternatively, if it is determined that the manual feed mode is set, the warning display is turned off (S854), and 114 sheets of the selected paper feed cassette are displayed by the paper size display 603 (S).
855), and a series of processing ends. If it is determined in step S853 that the paper cassette 114 in which the postcard has been set has not been selected and the mode is not the manual feed mode, the warning display is turned on (S856), and step S85
The process moves to step 5. If it is determined in step S852 that the postcard mode is not set, the process proceeds to step S855.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the separation / conveyance unit switching control. First, it is determined whether or not the postcard mode is set (S861). When it is determined that the postcard mode is set, it is determined whether or not the next fed recording paper is the postcard (S862). If it is determined that the fed recording paper is a postcard, it is next determined whether or not the shape of the separation / conveyance unit 111 is for postcards (S863). If it is determined that the shape of the separation / conveyance unit 111 is for postcards, a series of processing is performed here. Ends,
On the other hand, if it is determined that the shape of the separation conveyance unit 111 is not for postcards, the solenoid 301 for switching the shape of the separation conveyance unit 111 is turned on to move the conveyance fan 111b upward (S864), and the separation conveyance unit sensor is detected. Wait for 306 to turn off (S865), and separate / convey unit sensor 3
When 06 is turned off, the solenoid 301 is turned off (S866), and a series of processing is ended.

If it is determined in step S862 that the fed recording paper is not a postcard, then the separating / conveying unit 1
It is determined whether the shape of 11 is for postcards (S867). When it is determined that the shape of the separating and conveying unit 111 is for postcards, the solenoid 301 for switching the shape of the separating and conveying unit 111 is turned on so as to move the conveying fan 111b downward (S
868), waits until the separation / conveyance sensor 306 turns on (S869), and when the separation / conveyance sensor 306 turns on,
The solenoid 301 is turned off (S870), the postcard mode flag is reset (S871), the postcard mode display is turned off, that is, the postcard mode indicator 607 is turned off (S872), and a series of processing is ended. If it is determined in step S867 that the shape of the separating and conveying unit 111 is not for postcards, the process proceeds to step S871.

If it is determined in step S861 that the postcard mode is not set, then the separation / conveyance unit 11 is operated.
It is determined whether the shape of 1 is for plain paper (S873). When it is determined that the shape of the separation / conveyance unit 111 is for plain paper, a series of processing is ended here. Conversely, when it is determined that the shape of the separation / conveyance unit 111 is not for plain paper, the solenoid 301 for switching the separation and conveyance unit is operated. The conveyance fan 111b is turned on so as to move it downward (S874), and the separation conveyance unit sensor 306 waits until it is turned on (S875).
When 6 is turned on, the solenoid 30 for separating / conveying section switching
1 is turned off (S876), and a series of processing ends.

As described above, in the second embodiment, when the postcard mode is set, the size of the recording paper actually fed is detected and the shape of the separating / conveying unit 111 is switched. The shape of the transport unit 111 can be made to correspond to a postcard.

In the first embodiment, the mode is set by operating the dedicated key for both the thick paper and postcard modes. However, when the paper cassette in which postcard or thick paper is set is selected, the mode is automatically set. Alternatively, these modes may be set. Further, in the second embodiment, if the manual feed mode is not set when the postcard mode is set, the paper feed cassette in which the postcard is set is automatically selected from the plurality of paper feed cassettes. Alternatively, the postcard mode may be automatically set when the manual feed mode is not set when the paper cassette in which the postcard is set is selected. Further, in the thick paper mode, the shape of the separation / conveyance unit may be switched by detecting the paper thickness of the recording paper fed into the apparatus. Furthermore, the suction force may be improved by changing the shape of the separation / conveyance unit according to the present invention and increasing the output of the conveyance fan as compared with the normal time.

[0045]

As is apparent from the above, according to the copying control device of the present invention, the transfer drum is formed of a transfer drum which is adjacent to the photosensitive member and rotates while holding the recording paper, a conveyor belt, a conveyor fan and the like. Setting means for setting a predetermined mode for forming an image on a thick recording paper in a copying control apparatus applied to an electrophotographic apparatus having a separating and conveying section for conveying the recording paper separated from the fixing section to a fixing section And a switching means for switching a portion of the conveyor belt for conveying the recording paper to either a flat shape or a convex shape, and when a predetermined mode is set through the setting means, the conveyor belt is convex. Since the control means controls the switching of the switching means so as to switch the shape to the shape described above, the reduction of the conveyance force of the separation conveyance section is prevented by making the separation conveyance section correspond to the state of the recording paper after being separated from the transfer drum. It can be.

Further, as apparent from the above, according to the copy control apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of paper feed cassettes in which recording papers of different sizes are set and the size of the recording papers set in the paper feed cassettes are detected. Paper size detection means, a transfer drum which is adjacent to the photoconductor and which holds and rotates the recording paper, a transfer belt, a transfer fan, etc., and separates and transfers the recording paper separated from the transfer drum to the fixing unit. In a copying control apparatus applied to an electrophotographic apparatus including a section, a postcard mode setting means for setting a postcard mode for forming an image on a postcard, and a flat portion of a conveyance belt for conveying recording paper, or When the postcard mode is set via the switching means for switching to either convex shape or the postcard mode setting means, the conveyor belt is switched to the convex shape by the switching means, On the other hand, if the paper size detector detects a paper cassette with a postcard set, this paper cassette is selected and the paper size detector does not detect the paper cassette with a postcard set. In this case, since it is provided with a control means for notifying the user to that effect through the notification means and controlling so as to prohibit the copying operation, by making the separation / conveyance unit correspond to the state of the recording paper after separation from the transfer drum. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the reduction of the conveyance force of the separation conveyance section.

Further, as is clear from the above, according to the copy control apparatus of the present invention, it has a function of manually feeding recording paper, and is adjacent to the paper feed cassette in which the recording paper is set and the photoconductor. The present invention is applied to an electrophotographic apparatus having a transfer drum that holds and rotates recording paper, and a separation / conveyance unit that includes a conveyance belt, a conveyance fan, and the like, and that conveys the recording paper separated from the transfer drum to a fixing unit. In the copying control device, a postcard mode setting means for setting a postcard mode for forming an image on a postcard, and a switching means for switching a portion of a conveyor belt for conveying recording paper to either a flat shape or a convex shape. , When the postcard mode is set through the postcard mode setting means and the postcard mode setting means for detecting the size of the recording paper fed in the apparatus, based on the detection result of the paper feed size detecting means Since the control means for controlling the switching of the shape of the conveyor belt by the switching means is provided, the separation conveyance section is made to correspond to the state of the recording paper after being separated from the transfer drum, so that the conveyance force of the separation conveyance section is prevented from being lowered. can do.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing the configuration of a color copying machine to which a copying control apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a separation / conveyance unit and a fixing device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a mechanism for switching the shape of the separation / conveyance unit.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the shape of a separation / conveyance unit for plain paper.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the shape of a separating / conveying unit for thick paper (postcard).

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an operation unit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a copy control unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing thick paper mode key control according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing postcard mode key control according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing cassette key control according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing separation / conveyance unit switching control according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a location of a paper feed size sensor according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a paper feed size sensor.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing postcard mode key control according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing cassette key control according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing separation / conveyance unit switching control according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 Color Copying Machine Main Body 108 Transfer Drum 111 Separation Conveying Section 111a Conveying Belt 111b Conveying Fan 111c Driving Roller 151 Feeding Size Sensor 301 Solenoid 301a Movable Iron Core 302 Arm Member 302a Hole 303 Push-up Member 303a Protrusion 304 Arm Member 305 Spring 306 Separation Conveying Section Sensor 401 Recording paper (thick paper) 402 Recording paper (thin paper) 600 Operation unit 604 Number / count display 606 Postcard mode key 607 Postcard mode display 608 Thick paper mode key 609 Thick paper mode indicator 701 CPU 702 RO
M 703 RAM 704 Serial port 705 I / O

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Kiyotaka Fushino 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tetsuya Hirama 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stock Company Ricoh

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A separating / conveying unit which is adjacent to a photosensitive member and includes a transfer drum which holds and rotates a recording sheet, a conveying belt, a conveying fan, and the like, and which conveys the recording sheet separated from the transfer drum to a fixing unit. In a copying control apparatus applied to an electrophotographic apparatus including: a setting means for setting a predetermined mode for forming an image on a thick recording sheet; and a flat portion of the conveying belt for conveying the recording sheet. Alternatively, when a predetermined mode is set via the switching means for switching to either of the convex shape and the setting means, the switching control of the switching means to switch the conveyor belt to the convex shape. And a control means for performing the above. 2. A plurality of paper feed cassettes in which recording papers of different sizes are set, a paper size detection unit for detecting the size of the recording papers set in the paper feed cassettes, and recording papers adjacent to the photoconductor. Control applied to an electrophotographic apparatus including a transfer drum that holds and rotates a transfer belt, and a separation / conveyance unit that includes a conveyance belt, a conveyance fan, and the like, and that conveys the recording paper separated from the transfer drum to a fixing unit In the apparatus, a postcard mode setting means for setting a postcard mode for forming an image on a postcard, and a switching means for switching a portion of the conveyor belt for conveying recording paper to either a flat shape or a convex shape. When the postcard mode is set via the postcard mode setting means, the switching means switches the conveyor belt to a convex shape, and the paper feed size detecting means causes When a paper cassette in which a card is set is detected, this paper cassette is selected, and when the paper size detecting means does not detect a paper cassette in which a postcard is set, a notification means to that effect is provided. And a control unit for notifying the user of the copy operation and for prohibiting the copy operation. 3. The control means switches the shape of the conveyor belt from a convex shape to a flat shape by the switching means when the postcard mode is released via the postcard mode setting means. Copy control device. 4. A function of manually feeding recording paper,
A sheet feeding cassette in which recording paper is set, a transfer drum which is adjacent to the photoconductor and rotates to hold the recording paper, a conveyor belt, a conveyor fan, etc., and the recording paper separated from the transfer drum is fixed to a fixing unit. In a copy control apparatus applied to an electrophotographic apparatus having a separation and conveyance section that conveys a sheet, a postcard mode setting unit that sets a postcard mode for forming an image on a postcard, and conveys the recording paper of the conveyor belt. Switching means for switching the portion to either a flat shape or a convex shape, a paper feed size detection means for detecting the size of the recording paper fed in the apparatus, and a postcard mode via the postcard mode setting means. When the setting is made, the control means controls the switching of the shape of the conveyor belt by the switching means based on the detection result of the paper feed size detecting means. Copy control apparatus. 5. The control means, when the paper feed size detection means detects a postcard size, the switching means makes the conveyor belt into a convex shape, and the paper feed size detection means is not the postcard size. 5. The copying control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when detected, the conveyor belt is controlled so as to switch to a flat shape. 6. The copying control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit cancels the postcard mode when the paper feed size detecting unit detects that the postcard size is not the postcard size.