JPH0594069A - Copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To execute processing at equal copying speed to that in a multicopying mode even in a single copying mode and to avoid the interruption of copying processing even when a document is erroneously detected in a copying device provided with an automatic document feeder(ADF). CONSTITUTION:The documents are fed one by one to a platen glass 29 through resist rollers 58 and 59 in the ADF 50. In a step feeding mode, the first document is set at a reference position O when it is equal to or under A4Y, and the leading edge of the second document is processed to be previously fed to a position where it abuts on the rollers 58 and 59, which is detected by a sensor SE11. The third document is on a tray 51 and detected by a sensor SE 10. A paper P1 is supplied for the first document, and the paper P2 is supplied for the second document. As to the third document, the paper P3 is processed to be previously fed. Even when the SE 10 erroneously detects that the document does not exist, the copying processing is continued in the case that the SE 11 detects the document.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine, and more particularly to a copying machine having an automatic document feeder for transferring a document image onto a sheet by electrophotography.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as AD
Various copiers provided with F) are provided. A
The DF feeds documents one by one from a tray, sets them in a fixed position on the platen glass, and discharges them from the platen glass after the image scanning is completed.

The ADF is extremely effective for processing in the multi-copy mode (copies of a plurality of copies are made for one original), and the next paper is continuously fed into the paper feed path in advance of the previous paper. By feeding the paper (hereinafter referred to as the first-out processing), the copy processing is speeded up. However, there is a problem in the processing in the single copy mode (one copy is made for one document). That is, in order to perform the first-out processing in the single copy mode, the presence or absence of the next (second) original after the (first) original set on the platen glass is detected, and if there is, the second original is detected. The paper for the original is processed in advance. In this case, the second document is also subjected to the advance processing up to the entrance portion of the platen glass, so that the document can be exchanged efficiently.

However, in the conventional copying apparatus, the paper advance processing is performed only for the second paper, and the paper feed path from the paper feed port to immediately before the image transfer portion is relatively long.
Even if there is a space where the first sheet can be processed first, the third sheet is not processed first.
The copy speed could not be increased anymore. Therefore, it is conceivable that the ADF is configured to detect the third original document and, when the third original document is detected, the paper corresponding to the third original document is processed first. However, even if there is no third original, if the original is detected due to a malfunction of the sensor (such as the influence of external light on the reflection type sensor or the shadow of the operator's hand), the copying machine main body will detect the corresponding paper. Will be fed, and one sheet will remain, resulting in a paper jam problem.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the object of the present invention is to
In the copying apparatus equipped with the ADF, not only the copy process can be performed at the same copy speed as the multi-copy mode even in the single copy mode, but the copy process is interrupted even if the original is erroneously detected. It is to provide a copying machine that does not have a problem.

To achieve the above object, the copying apparatus according to the present invention can detect three unprocessed originals including the original set on the platen glass in the ADF. If the third original is detected, the third paper corresponding to the original is fed into the paper feed path in advance, and the second original is not detected even if the third original is not detected. In this case, the copying process is continued.

By the above control, even in the single copy mode, the sheets are continuously fed at the short intervals equivalent to those in the multi copy mode, and the copy speed is improved. Further, even if the third document is not detected, if the second document is detected, the copy process is continued and the copy process is not interrupted.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of a copying machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 1, the present copying machine is composed of a copying machine main body 1, an ADF 50 provided on the upper portion thereof, and a sorter 90 provided on the right side thereof. A photoconductor drum 10 is installed in a substantially central portion of the copying machine main body 1 so as to be rotationally driven in a direction of an arrow a at a constant peripheral speed v.
Around the photosensitive drum 10 along the rotation direction thereof, a main eraser 11, a charging charger 12, a sub-eraser 13, a magnetic brush type developing device 14, a transfer charger 15, a sheet separating charger 16, and a blade type cleaner 17 are provided. Are arranged. Further, an optical system 20 is arranged above the photoconductor drum 10.

The photoconductor drum 10 is a well-known one having a photoconductor layer provided on the surface thereof, and the main eraser 11, the charger 12, and the sub-eraser 13 are rotated in the direction of arrow a.
Then, the image is removed from the original set on the platen glass 29 by the optical system 20. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 by exposure is converted into a toner image by the developing device 14.

The optical system 20 displays an image of a document set at a fixed position immediately below the platen glass 29 on the photosensitive drum 1.
Scan on 0. That is, at the time of image scanning, the exposure lamp 21 and the first mirror 22 are integrally integrated with respect to the peripheral velocity v of the photosensitive drum 10 (constant regardless of equal magnification or variable magnification), v / m (m: copy magnification ) Moves in the direction of arrow b at the speed of. At the same time, the second mirror 23 and the third mirror 24 are
It moves in the direction of arrow b at a speed of 2 m. When the copy magnification is changed, the projection lens 25 moves on the optical axis and the fourth mirror 26 swings to correct the optical path length.

Copy sheets are accommodated in the upper sheet feeding section 31 and the lower sheet feeding section 34, and are fed one by one from any one of them according to the operator's selection. Each paper feed unit 31, 3
4, paper feed rollers 32 and 35, and separation rollers 33 and 36 including a forward rotation roller and a reverse rotation roller are installed.
The sheet fed from the upper sheet feeding section 31 is conveyed by the transport roller 37.
It is sent out to the timing roller 38 installed immediately before the image transfer section through b and 37c. The sheets fed from the lower sheet feeding section 34 are conveyed by rollers 37a, 37b, 37c.
Through the timing roller 38.

In addition, just above the upper sheet feeding section 31, double-sided /
An intermediate tray 47 for processing the synthetic copy is installed. The sheet re-fed from the intermediate tray 47 by the sheet re-feeding roller 48 and the sheet separated by the separating roller 49 is sent to the timing roller 38 through the conveying roller 37c. The sheet sent to the timing roller 38 once waits here, and is sent to the transfer section by turning on the timing roller 38 in synchronization with the image formed on the photosensitive drum 10. The paper is brought into close contact with the photoconductor drum 10 at the transfer portion, and the transfer charger 15
The toner image is transferred by the corona discharge from the photoconductor drum 10 and is separated from the photoconductor drum 10 by the AC corona discharge from the separation charger 16 and the stiffness of the paper itself. After that, the paper is sent to the fixing device 40 through the conveyor belt 39,
After the toner is fixed, the toner is accommodated in the sorter 90 through the transport rollers 41 and 42.

On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 10 has an arrow a after the transfer.
The cleaner 17 removes the residual toner and the main eraser 11 erases the residual charge, and prepares for the next copying process. In the composite copy mode, the paper to which the images of the odd-numbered originals have been transferred is changed in the paper-passing direction downward by the paper-passing switching claw 43, and the transport roller 4
It is accommodated on the intermediate tray 47 through 4, 45 and 46. In the double-sided copy mode, the paper is temporarily sorted by 90
The sheet is conveyed to the entrance portion of the sheet, and is switched back by reversing the conveying roller 42, and the sheet passing direction is changed downward by the switching claw 43.
It is accommodated on the intermediate tray 47 through 5, 46. After that, the paper is re-fed from the intermediate tray 47 for duplex / composite copying of the image of the even-numbered original.

The sheet conveying system is driven by various motors and clutches shown in FIG. Conveyor rollers 37a, 3
7b, 37c and the timing roller 38 are driven by the main motor M1, and the on / off of the drive is interlocked with the on / off of the clutches CL1, CL2. To drive the sheet feeding motor M2 to drive the sheet feeding roller 32 and the sorting roller 33, to drive the sheet feeding motor M3 to drive the sheet feeding roller 35 and the sorting roller 36, to drive the sheet re-feeding roller 48 and the sorting roller 49 Refeed motors M4 are installed respectively.

Sensors SE1, SE2, SE3 for detecting the fed sheets are installed near each sheet feeding port. Further, a sensor SE4 is installed just before the timing roller 38 to detect the paper. By the way, in the copying machine body 1, the copying process is started,
When the first sheet is waiting immediately before the timing roller 38, a first-out process is performed in which not only the second sheet but also the third sheet is fed to the sheet feeding path in advance. For example, in the paper feeding from the lower paper feeding unit 34, the second paper P ₂ is fed to the paper feed path after the _first paper P ₁
Further, the third sheet P ₃ is also fed until just before the conveyance roller 37a. Such a first-out process is performed not only in the multi-copy mode but also in the single-copy mode to improve the copy speed. It should be noted that the first-out processing in the single copy mode and the detection of the document which is the premise thereof will be described in detail later.

On the other hand, the sorter 90 is a non-sort tray 9
Since this is a well-known one having a 1- and 20-stage sort tray 92, its description is omitted. Next, the ADF 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 2, ADF5
0 is an outline, document tray 51, pickup roller 5
4, the registration rollers 58 and 59, the conveyor belt 60, the discharge rollers 64 and 65, and the discharge tray 66. The ADF 50 is installed on the upper surface of the copying machine main body 1 so that the conveyor belt 60 is located on the platen glass 29, and the platen glass 29 can be opened by a hinge fitting (not shown) provided on the back side. When the operator manually sets the original on the platen glass 29, the AD
This is done by raising F50 upwards. A
The opening / closing of the DF 50 is detected by a magnet sensor (not shown), and the ADF 50 can be operated only when the sensor detects that the ADF 50 is properly closed.

The document tray 51 includes a pair of side regulating plates 5.
2. The tip stopper 53 is provided. The original is placed on the tray 51 with the first page facing downward. When the sheet is fed, the leading end stopper 53 swings downward with the pin 53a as a fulcrum and retracts from the regulation position. Pickup roller 54
Is attached to the tip of a lever 57 which is rotatable around the support shaft of the forward separating roller 55 as a fulcrum, and is lowered during paper feeding to press the upper surface of the document. The reverse rotation separation roller 56 is pressed against the forward rotation separation roller 55 from below with a constant pressure contact force. The pickup roller 54 and the forward rotation separating roller 55 are rotationally driven in the direction of arrow c, and the reverse rotating separation roller is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow cr.

The registration rollers 58, 59 temporarily hold the fed original at the nip portion thereof, and after a certain time, the upper roller 58 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow c to convey the original to the entrance of the platen glass 29. To do. Lower roller 59
Rotates following the upper roller 58. Conveyor belt 60
Are endlessly stretched between the driving roller 61 and the driven roller 62 so as to cover the entire surface of the platen glass 29. A large number of backup rollers 63 are rotatably installed inside the transport belt 60 in order to press the belt 60 against the platen glass 29. Conveyor belt 60
Is rotated in the direction of arrow c, and the original is set at the reference position O which is the boundary between the scale 28 and the platen glass 29 with the rear end of the original aligned. The document feeding / conveying / stopping / discharging process will be described in detail below.

The paper discharge tray 66 has a cover 67 that can be opened and closed. The document on the platen glass 29 is discharged from the platen glass 29 by the rotation of the arrow c of the transport belt 60, and is discharged from the discharge roller 64 to the tray 66 through the discharge roller 64. Here, the document advance processing by the ADF 50 will be briefly described. The originals are fed from the uppermost layer by the pickup roller 54, separated into one sheet by the separating rollers 55 and 56, and stand by with their leading ends in contact with the nip portions of the registration rollers 58 and 59. This process is called a first-out process. This first-out processing is performed immediately after the original document is conveyed onto the platen glass 29 and set in a fixed position, and the time for document exchange is shortened.

The following document detection sensor is installed in the ADF 50. The sensor SE10 is provided on the surface of the document tray 51 and detects the presence or absence of a document from below. Sensor SE
Reference numeral 11 is a pickup roller 54 and a forward rotation separating roller 55.
And the presence or absence of a document on the tray 51 is detected from above the tip of the tray 51. The sensor SE10 is
When performing copy processing in the single copy mode using the ADF 50, it is installed to detect the third document for the purpose of speeding up the copy speed in the same manner as in the multi-copy mode.

That is, in the main body 1 of the copying machine, three sheets of A4Y size (Y is lateral feed: the short side of the sheet is parallel to the conveying direction) or B5Y size sheet from the lower sheet feeding section 34. The papers P ₁ , P ₂ , and P ₃ can be sent out to the paper feed path. For that purpose, it is necessary to detect the third original document on the tray 51 in addition to the first original document set at the reference position O on the platen glass 29 and the first original document that has been processed first. .. The second document is the sensor SE1
It can be detected by 1. In this embodiment, the sensor SE10 is provided on the tray 51 for detecting the third document.

By the way, the problem here is that the state of the original set on the tray 51 is not always normal, and the original is curled or bent as shown by the dotted line in FIG. Can be expected. For such an abnormal document, the sensor SE10 may detect that there is no document, even though the document exists on the tray 51. If the paper advance processing in the copying machine main body 1 is controlled only by the detection signal from the sensor SE10, the paper advance processing will not be performed due to the malfunction of the sensor SE10 (when it cannot be detected even if there is a document), and the copy processing will end. And However, since the document still exists despite this, there occurs a problem that the copying operation is not performed on the document thereafter. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even if the sensor SE10 malfunctions, the sensor SE1
If the document detection signal is generated by No. 1, the paper advance processing in the copying machine body 1 is started from that point and the copy processing is continued. 3 by such control
The problem that the copy process is stopped due to the malfunction of the sheet detection sensor SE10 is solved.

As another problem, although the original document is not present on the sensor SE10, the original document is present on the sensor SE10 due to the fact that a piece of paper is placed, the operator's hand is placed on the sensor SE10, or the influence of external light. There is a risk that you will judge. Due to such an erroneous detection of the sensor SE10, a sheet of paper corresponding to the erroneously detected document is fed, and one sheet is left in the main body feed path. As a result, the paper jam detecting means operates and the copying operation is stopped.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the document on the tray 51 is first advanced to the registration rollers 58 and 59, and if the sensor SE10 detects the document at that time, and the paper is fed to the document (first-out process). If possible,
Feed paper. The sensor SE 1
If 1 detects that there is no document, the sorter 90 does not perform the copy operation on the sheet if the sheet has already been fed.
It is discharged onto the tray 91 of. If the paper has not been fed yet, control is performed so that the paper feeding operation is not performed.

By the above control, even if the sensor SE10 makes an erroneous detection despite the absence of the third original, the copying process is not interrupted and the usability is improved. By the way, the sensor SE10 must be arranged at a position satisfying the following conditions in order to reliably detect the third document. That is, as shown in FIG.
From the document detection point of the sensor SE10 to the registration roller 58,
The distance to the nip portion of 59 is L ₁ , the distance from the document detection point of the sensor SE10 to the nip portion of the separating rollers 55 and 56 is L ₂ , and the maximum size among the document sizes that can be simultaneously conveyed by the conveyor belt 60 is two or more sheets. l ₁ the transport direction length of, when the conveying direction length of a minimum size was l _2, it is required to be _{L 1 ≧ l 1 L 2 <} l 2. The maximum size and the minimum size of the original document here correspond to the maximum size and the minimum size of the paper in which the _third paper P3 can be processed in advance in the paper feed path in the copying machine body 1.

In the present embodiment, l ₁ corresponds to the short side length of A4Y size (Y is lateral feed: the short side of the document is parallel to the conveying direction), and l ₂ corresponds to the short side length of B5Y size. ..
Therefore, the sensor SE10 can detect an A4Y or B5Y size document when it is set on the tray 51, and when the A4Y or B5Y size document is advanced to the nip portion of the registration rollers 58 and 59,
The presence or absence of the next original can be detected.

Further, the sensor SE12 is installed immediately before the nip portion between the registration rollers 58 and 59. The sensor SE12 is turned on by the leading edge and the trailing edge of the fed document,
It is turned off and has the role of detecting the document length as described below. The sensor SE13 has a role of detecting the size of the document in the width direction. The sensor SE14 is installed in the document discharge passage and detects the document discharged from the platen glass 29.

The ADF 50 is driven by various motors, solenoids and clutches shown in FIG. That is, the pickup roller 54 and the sorting roller 5
5, 56, the registration rollers 58, and the conveyor belt 60 are driven by a main motor M11 capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions, and the discharge rollers 64, 65 are driven by a discharge motor M12. During sheet feeding, the pickup roller 54 and the sorting rollers 55 and 56 are driven by the normal rotation of the main motor M11. On the other hand, when the original is conveyed on the platen glass 29, the registration roller 58 and the conveyance belt 60 are used.
Is driven by the reverse rotation of the main motor M11. The drive mechanism will be described in detail later.

Further, the pickup roller 54 and the front end stopper 53 are configured to be interlocked with ON / OFF of the solenoid SL11. That is, when the solenoid SL11 is turned on, the pickup roller 54 descends to press the document, and the tip stopper 53 swings downward with the support shaft 53a as a fulcrum to allow the document to pass. When the solenoid SL11 is turned off, on the contrary, the pickup roller 54
Rises to release the pressure on the document, and the tip stopper 5
3 returns to the regulation position. However, the front end stopper 53 is biased to the regulation side by a slight spring force, and is configured so as not to affect the conveyance of the document while the document is being fed.

Further, in order to detect the number of rotations of the main motor M11, a decoder for generating a rotation pulse signal is attached, and the pulse signal is input to EV1 of the microcomputer CPU2. The pulse signal is used for detecting the document length and for the process of setting the document at the reference position O. Further, the off-edge signal of the sensor SE12 is input to INT1 of the CPU2 for interrupt processing.

Next, the drive mechanism by the main motor M11 will be described with reference to FIGS. The output pulley 71 of the main motor M11 is connected to a pulley 73 mounted on a shaft 86 via a timing belt 72. The gear 74 integrally provided with the pulley 73 is connected to the gear 77 via the gear 76, and the gear 77 is attached to the shaft 87. The gear 77 rotates the pickup roller 54 in the normal direction, and also rotates the normal rotation separating roller 55 and the reverse rotating separating roller 56 in the normal direction and the reverse direction, respectively. A pulley 75 is fixed to the shaft 86, and the pulley 75 is connected to a pulley 79 via a timing belt 78. Pulley 79 is gear 80
The gear 80 is connected to a gear 81 fixed to the drive shaft 61 of the conveyor belt 60. A gear 82 is fixed to the belt drive shaft 61, and the gear 82 is connected via a gear 83 to a gear 84 fixed to a support shaft 88 of the registration roller 58.

Further, a one-way clutch is interposed between the pulley 73 and the shaft 86 and between the gear 77 and the shaft 87 to regulate the on / off of the driving force as described below. That is, at the time of feeding the document, as shown in FIG. 5A, the main motor M11 is normally driven in the direction of arrow c. As a result, the pulley 73 rotates in the arrow c direction via the timing belt 72, the gear 77 rotates in the arrow c direction via the gears 74 and 76, and the pickup roller 54 rotates in the arrow c direction together with the shaft 87. Then, the forward rotation separating roller 55 and the reverse rotation separating roller 56 rotate in the normal direction and reverse direction, respectively. The one-way clutch built in the pulley 73 causes the pulley 73 to rotate freely in the direction of arrow c with respect to the shaft 86. Therefore, the rotation of the pulley 73 in the direction of arrow c is not transmitted to the shaft 86, and the registration roller 58 and the conveyor belt 60 are not rotationally driven at the time of paper feeding.

On the other hand, when the original is conveyed on the platen glass 29, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the main motor M1 is used.
1 is reversely driven in the direction of arrow cr. This rotation is axis 8
6, is transmitted to the pulley 79 via the pulley 75 and the timing belt 78. Further, it is transmitted to the belt drive shaft 61 via the gears 80 and 81, and the conveyor belt 60 is moved to the arrow c.
Rotate in the normal direction. Further, it is transmitted to the support shaft 88 via the gears 82, 83, 84 to move the registration roller 58 to the arrow c.
Rotate in the normal direction. The rotation of the pulley 73 in the direction of the arrow cr causes the gear 77 to rotate in the direction of the arrow cr via the gear 76. However, the one-way clutch built in the gear 77 causes the gear 77 to freely rotate with respect to the shaft 87 in the direction of the arrow cr. Therefore, the rotation of the gear 77 in the direction of the arrow cr is not transmitted to the shaft 87, and the pickup roller 54 and the separating rollers 55 and 56 are not rotationally driven when the document is conveyed.

Now, the document feeding / conveying process by the ADF 50 will be described in detail. The document is placed on the tray 51 with the final page facing upward, and both sides are regulated by the side regulation plates 52, and the leading edge is regulated by the stopper 53. It is assumed that four originals are set, and D ₁ , D ₂ , D from the top
₃ and D ₄ (see FIG. 7A). Manuscript is sensor SE1
0 is detected and the copy process (document feeding operation) is enabled. When the print key is turned on by the operator, the solenoid SL11 is turned on, the pickup roller 54 descends onto the document D ₁ , and the stopper 53
Will evacuate. At the same time, the main motor M11 is normally driven in the direction of arrow c, and the rollers 54, 55, and 56 are rotationally driven, so that the first document D ₁ is separated into one sheet and fed from between the rollers 55 and 56. The paper is printed, and its leading end abuts on the nip portion of the registration rollers 58 and 59. After a certain period of time from the detection of the leading edge of the document D ₁ by the sensor SE12, if the leading edge of the document D ₁ forms a slight loop immediately before the registration rollers 58 and 59 [see FIG. 7 (b)], the main motor M11 Is turned off, the rollers 54, 55, 56
Rotation is stopped. At the same time, the solenoid SL11 is also turned off, the pickup roller 54 rises, and the stopper 53 returns to the regulation position.

Next, the main motor M11 is reversely driven in the direction of the arrow cr, and the document D ₁ is conveyed toward the entrance of the platen glass 29 as the registration rollers 58 and 59 rotate. The separating roller 55 acts as a resistance against the conveyance of the document D ₁ , but as described above, the gear 77 is used.
Due to the function of the one-way clutch built in, the separating roller 55 is freely rotated in the direction of arrow c, and the sheet passing resistance is reduced. Due to the reverse rotation of the main motor M11, the conveyor belt 60 also rotates in the direction of arrow c, and the registration rollers 58,
The document D ₁ fed from 59 is carried on the platen glass 29.

The main motor M11 is turned off after a lapse of a certain time from the detection of the rear end of the document D ₁ by the sensor SE12, that is, when the rear end of the document D ₁ reaches the reference position O.
Thus, the document D ₁ is set at the reference position O. During document transportation here, the main motor M1
The pulse signal emitted from 1 is input to CPU2,
The length of the document D ₁ is detected by the number of pulses from the start of the reverse rotation of the main motor M11 until the rear end of the document D ₁ is detected by the sensor SE12. Further, the width of the document D ₁ is detected as the document D ₁ passes the detection point of the sensor SE13. The size of the document D ₁ is determined based on the combination of these detection results. Further, the control for stopping the document D ₁ at the reference position O is also performed by controlling the number of drive pulses of the main motor M11.

An image scan by the optical system 20 is performed on the document D ₁ . During this time, the main motor M1
1 is driven in the normal direction, and the second document D ₂ is first advanced to the nip portion of the registration rollers 58 and 59 [FIG.
See (c)]. By the way, when the leading edge of the document D ₂ hits the registration rollers 58, 59, the registration roller 58 rotates in the c direction, and the conveyor belt 60 moves in the direction of the arrow via the belt drive shaft 61 connected to the registration roller 58 by the gear group. It may rotate in the c direction. In this case, document D
The stop position of ₁ deviates from the reference position O, which causes a problem that a copy with a missing edge image is created. In order to prevent such a problem, in the present embodiment, the shaft 86 shown in FIG. 4 is provided with an electromagnetic brake BR11 so that the leading edge of the document D ₂ is brought into contact with the nip portions of the registration rollers 58 and 59 from just before the leading edge. The electromagnetic brake BR11 is turned on and the support shaft 88 is locked until a loop is formed in the portion. As a result, the registration roller 58 and the belt drive shaft 61 do not rotate due to the collision of the leading edge of the original in the first-out process, and the deviation of the original during the scanning operation is prevented.

As a mechanism for preventing the above-mentioned problems, instead of providing the electromagnetic brake BR11 on the shaft 86,
As shown in FIG. 6, a kick spring 89 may be provided between the support shaft 88 of the registration roller 58 and the gear 84.
The kick spring 89 transmits a rotational force to the support shaft 88 when the gear 84 rotates in the direction of arrow c, and idles when the support shaft 88 independently rotates in the direction of arrow c. Therefore, when the leading edge of the document collides with the nip portion of the registration rollers 58 and 59, the rotation of the support shaft 88 in the direction of arrow c is absorbed by the kick spring 89, so to speak, and the belt drive shaft 61 and the conveyance belt 60 do not rotate. Absent.

When the image scan for the document D ₁ is completed, the main motor M11 is driven in reverse, and the document D ₁ is conveyed on the platen glass 29 to the downstream side. In synchronization with this, the document D ₂ is carried onto the platen glass 29, and when the rear end reaches the reference position O, the main motor M11
Is turned off. Then, the image scan for the document D ₂ is started, and the first-out process is performed for the _third document D ₃ (see FIG. 7D). The platen glass 29 corresponds to the A3T size. Therefore, when the size of the document is 210 mm (A4Y size) or less in the transport direction, the document D ₁ is located downstream of the platen glass 29 when the document D ₂ is set at the reference position O. And
When the third document D ₃ is carried onto the platen glass 29, the document D ₁ is pinched by the discharge roller 64 and the roller 6
It is discharged onto the tray 66 through 4, 65. The discharge motor M12 is controlled independently of the main motor M11,
The document D ₁ is turned off after a lapse of a predetermined time after the trailing edge of the document D ₁ is detected by the sensor SE14. Further, when the document is discharged, the discharge motor M12 is decelerated before the trailing edge of the document passes through the discharge roller 65. This is for accommodating the originals on the tray 66 with good alignment.

Thereafter, the same document feeding / transporting / discharging process as described above is repeated. Such a document conveyance process is called a step feed mode. FIG. 8E shows the time of the scanning process for the document D ₃ , and the document D ₄ is processed in advance.
FIG. 8 (f) shows the scanning process for the document D ₄ .
FIG. 8 (g) shows a state in which the originals D ₃ and D ₄ are ejected because there are no subsequent originals.

On the other hand, the size of the original is 210 m in the conveying direction.
If it is larger than m (A4Y size), when the rear end of the document D ₂ reaches the reference position O, the front end of the document D ₁ reaches the discharge roller 64, and the discharge motor M12 is driven to move the document D ₁ to the original position. The sheet is discharged as it is onto the tray 66. Such a document conveyance process is called a normal mode. 9 and 10 show the operation of the ADF 50 in the 2-in-1 mode.

The 2-in-1 mode is a document transport mode for simultaneously transporting two documents onto the platen glass 29 and arranging them side by side in the transport direction to copy images for two sheets onto one sheet. Here, first, the document D ₁ is conveyed to the registration rollers 58 and 59 by the normal rotation of the main motor M11, and after being registered, the main motor M11 is turned off [see FIG. 9 (a)]. After that, the main motor M11 is rotated in the reverse direction, and after a lapse of a fixed time after the rear end of the document D ₁ is detected by the sensor SE12, the main motor M11 is turned off.
At this time, the trailing edge of the document D ₁ has registration rollers 58, 59.
It is located on the outlet side of the nip part.

Next, the original D ₂ is fed by the forward rotation of the main motor M11, the registration rollers 58 and 59 to the tip
The registration is performed at the nip part of [see FIG. 9B]. As a result, the two originals D ₁ and D ₂ are arranged side by side with the nip portions of the registration rollers 58 and 59 interposed therebetween. Here, the main motor M1
1 is switched to reverse rotation, and originals D ₁ and D ₂ are placed on the platen glass 2
9 is conveyed. The rear end of the subsequent document D ₂ is the sensor SE1.
The main motor M11 is turned off after a lapse of a certain time after the detection in 2. As a result, the two originals D ₁ and D 2 are placed side by side on the platen glass 29 with the trailing edge of the original D ₂ coinciding with the reference position O. In this state, the image scanning is started, and at the same time, the third original D ₃ is processed in advance.
See (c)]. The original D ₁ is fed to the timing rollers 58 and 59.
The control for stopping immediately after the nip portion and the control for stopping the documents D ₁ and D ₂ at the reference position O are performed by controlling the number of drive pulses of the main motor M11.

After the scanning of the originals D ₁ and D _{2 is} completed, the main motor M11 is rotated in the reverse direction, and while the original D ₃ is conveyed right after the registration rollers 58 and 59, first, the original D
₁ is discharged onto the tray 66. The originals D ₃ and D ₄ are subjected to the same paper feeding process as the originals D ₁ and D ₂ , and the originals D ₃ and D ₄ are arranged at the nip portion of the registration rollers 58 and 59 [FIG. 9]. See (d)]. Here, the main motor M11 is switched to the reverse rotation, the document D _3, D ₄
Are placed side by side on the platen glass 29, and the document D ₂ is discharged onto the tray 66 [see FIG. 10 (e)].

Thereafter, the same paper feeding / conveying / discharging process as described above is repeated for the documents set on the tray 51.
FIG. 10F shows the state in which the document D ₃ is being discharged,
(G) shows a state in which the document D ₄ is discharged. When the number of originals is an odd number, the last remaining one original is processed in the normal mode. Further, when there are mixed documents of a size larger than A4Y, only one document of a large size is set on the platen glass 29.

In the above 2-in-1 mode, when two originals are set on the platen glass 29 and a subsequent original is detected, the main motor M11 is rotated in the forward direction to register the subsequent original with the registration rollers 58, 58. First-out processing is performed up to 59. As a result, the next document is read from the platen glass 2 from the end of scanning without increasing the document feeding interval.
The time required for loading onto the sheet 9 is shortened, and the copy processing speed is improved. In addition, the original replacement time is set so that the succeeding originals that have already been processed in advance are loaded onto the platen glass at the same time when the scanned originals are ejected (at the same time as the ejection is started or at least earlier than the completion of the ejection). Is shortened and the copy processing speed is improved.

Next, the control procedure of the copying machine will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 11, the control is performed by the CPU 1 for controlling the copying machine main body 1 and the C for controlling the ADF 50.
It is performed by the PU 2, a CPU (not shown) for controlling the optical system 20, and a CPU for controlling the sorter 90. The CPU 1 processes communication with each CPU at a necessary timing.

In the following control, on-edge means that the switch, sensor, signal, etc. are switched from the off state to on-state, and off-edge is the switch, sensor, signal, etc. are switched from the on-state to the off-state. Means to replace. The sheet detection sensor is turned on while detecting the sheet. Figure 12 is C
The main routine of PU1 is shown.

When the power is turned on, the CPU 1 is reset, and the program starts, R is read in step S1.
Initialization for clearing AM, resetting various registers, and setting various devices to the initial mode is performed. Then, in step S2, an internal timer is started. The internal timer defines the time required for one routine of this main routine, and its value is set in step S1.
Further, this internal timer serves as a reference for counting various timers that appear in the subroutine described below.

Next, the subroutines of steps S3 to S6 are sequentially called to perform necessary processing, and step S7 is executed.
Then, the process returns to step S2 after waiting for the end of the internal timer. Step S3 is a subroutine for instructing the ADF 50 to replace the original, step S4 is a subroutine for checking the paper feeding, and step S5 is a subroutine for feeding the paper from the selected paper feeding port. Detailed description. In step S6, other processing, that is, input / display processing with the operation panel, setting of a paper feed port and magnification, charging, exposure, transfer, fixing and the like are performed.

Further, the CPU 1 is connected to the CPU 2 via a serial communication line, and its transmission / reception is carried out by an interrupt process in step S8. FIG. 13 shows step S
3 shows an ADF control subroutine executed in 3. Here, when the print key on the operation panel is turned on by the operator, or when the image scanning for the number of copies (the number of copies set by the operator) of the original set on the platen glass 29 is completed, the ADF 5
The DCHG flag is set to "1" in order to change the original to 0.

That is, it is determined in step S101 whether or not the print key is on edge, and if it is on edge, the counter DCNT1 is checked in step S102. DC
NT1 operates when the ADF 50 is controlled by the CPU 2, and indicates that there is no unprocessed document when "0", and one unprocessed document except the set document when "1". If there is "2", it means that there are two unprocessed originals. If DCNT1 is other than "0", that is, if there is an unprocessed document, step S103.
Then, it is determined whether the ADF 50 is operable. ADF50
Is not completely closed on the platen glass 29, or if the document is jammed, it is determined to be inoperable. Therefore, if the operation is possible, D in step S105
Set the CHG flag to "1". When the DCHG flag is set to "1", the ADF 50 is instructed to replace the original.

Step S101 or Step S10
If NO in step 2, it is determined in step S104 whether or not the scan corresponding to the number of copies has been completed. If YES, the DCHG flag is set to "1" in step S105. Figure 1
4 and FIG. 15 show a paper feed check subroutine executed in step S4.

Here, it is determined whether or not the paper should be fed, and if the paper should be fed, the paper feed flag is set to "1". First, in step S11, it is determined whether the APS mode is selected. The APS mode is a processing mode in which an optimum size paper is automatically selected and fed from the document size and the copy magnification. If this APS mode is selected, a predetermined APS operation is executed, and step S
When the completion of the APS operation is confirmed in step 12, step S1
In step S4, the OK flag is set to "1", and in step S15, the counter KCNT1 is set to a numerical value. When the OK flag is set to "1", it indicates that the paper can be fed. Further, KCNT1 displays the number of sheets to be fed thereafter for one original document.

Next, in step S16, it is determined whether or not the OK flag is "1", and if it is set to "1", the counter KCNT1 is checked in step S17. K
If CNT1 is not "0", it is confirmed in step S22 that there is paper in the paper feed unit, the paper feed flag is set to "1" in step S23, and the OK flag is reset to "0" in step S24. .. Furthermore, in step S25, K
Increment CNT2.

On the other hand, if KCNT1 is determined to be "0" in step S17, the counter DC is determined in step S18.
Check NT1. If DCNT1 is other than "0", a copy number is set in the counter KCNT1 in step S21 for copy processing of the next document, and the process proceeds to step S22. If DCNT1 is "0", step S19
Then, it is judged whether the double-sided copy mode or the composite copy mode is selected. If neither mode is selected, the process returns to the main routine. If any mode is selected, the intermediate tray 47 is selected in step S20.
It is determined whether or not a sheet is accommodated above, and if there is no sheet, the process returns to the main routine. If there is a sheet, the steps from step S21 onward are processed for re-feeding.

If the APS mode is not selected (NO in step S11), the on-edge of the print key is checked in step S13. If it is on-edge, the processing in step S14 and thereafter is performed. Process. FIG. 16 processes the paper feed subroutine executed in step S5.

Here, the paper is actually fed based on the instruction of the paper feed flag, and the image scanning by the optical system 20 is processed. First, in step S31, it is determined whether the copying machine body 1 and the sorter 90 are operable. It is mainly checked whether or not there is a paper jam, and if it is operable, it is determined in step S32 whether or not the print key is on edge. If it is on edge, the main motor M1 is turned on in step S33.

In step S34, the currently selected paper feed port is checked, and if the upper paper feed unit 31 is selected, it is recharged in step S35, and if the lower paper feed unit 34 is selected, refeed is performed in step S36. If paper is selected, paper feeding processing is performed in step S37. Thereafter, in step S38, scan control by the optical system 20 is processed, in step S39, control for sending the paper from the timing roller 38 to the transfer portion is processed, and in step S40, it is confirmed that the paper is ejected from the copying machine main body 1. Then, in step S41, the operation of the copying machine body 1 is stopped.

FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 show the upper sheet feeding subroutine executed in step S35. Note that step S
Basically, the same processing as this subroutine is performed for the lower sheet feeding executed at 36 and the sheet re-feeding from the intermediate tray 47 executed at step S37. First, in step S51, it is determined whether the paper feed completion flag is "0". The paper feeding completion flag is set to "1" after a lapse of a fixed time after the paper is detected by the sensor SE4 (see step S87), and indicates that the paper is waiting by the timing roller 38. If the paper feed completion flag is reset to "0",
After confirming that the paper feed flag is set to "1" in step S52, the paper feed motor M2 is checked in step S53.
Is turned on, and the clutch CL1 is turned on in step S54. As a result, the paper feed roller 32 and the separation roller 33
Is driven to rotate and transport rollers 37a, 37b, 3
7c is rotationally driven, and the paper is fed from the paper feed unit 31. On the other hand, if NO at steps S51 and S52, the paper feed motor M2 is turned off at step S59.

Next, in step S55, it is determined whether or not the sensor SE1 is on edge. If it is on edge, that is, if the leading edge of the paper reaches the detection point of SE1, the timer T11 is started in step S56. Timer T11
Is for the timing of turning off the paper feed motor M2, and after starting, it is checked in step S57 whether or not it is finished. That is, as shown in FIG.
If it is determined at 71 that the counting is in progress, step S7
The count is 2, and it is determined in step S73 whether or not the count is completed. When the timer T11 has finished counting, the paper feed flag is reset to "0" in step S58,
In step S59, the paper feed motor M2 is turned off.

Next, in step S60, it is determined whether the sensor SE1 is off edge. If it is off-edge, that is, if the trailing edge of the sheet passes the detection point of the sensor SE1, the timer T12 is started in step S61, and the counter KCNT1 is decremented in step S62. Succeedingly, in a step S63, it is determined whether or not the NG flag is "1". If the NG flag is set to "1", the KC is determined in a step S64.
NT1 is reset to "0", and the NG flag is reset to "0" in step S65. The timer T12 is for setting the timing at which the next sheet can be fed,
After the start, it is checked in step S66 whether it is finished. The processing in step S66 is the same as the subroutine shown in FIG. 19, and when the counting is completed, the OK flag is set to "1" in step S67, and the next paper can be fed.

FIG. 20 shows a scan control subroutine executed in step S38. Here, the optical system 20
The start timing of the image scanning operation by is set.
First, in step S81, it is determined whether the sensor SE4 is on edge. If it is on edge, that is, if the leading edge of the sheet reaches the sensor SE4, the timer T is set in step S82.
Start 21. The timer T21 is for setting the timing at which the optical system 20 starts scanning,
After the start, it is checked in step S83 whether it is finished. The processing in step S83 is similar to that in the subroutine shown in FIG. 19. When the counting is completed, the SE4 flag is set to "1" in step S84 to enable the scanning operation. Further, the timer T22 is started in step S85. The timer T22 is for counting the time until the sheet is registered by the timing roller 38, and after starting, it is checked in step S86 whether or not it ends. The processing in step S86 is similar to that in the subroutine shown in FIG. 19. When the counting is completed, the paper feed completion flag is set to "1" in step S87, and the clutch C
L1 is turned off to stop the rotation of the transport rollers 37a, 37b, 37c.

Next, in step S89, it is determined whether or not the SE4 flag is "1", and if it is set to "1" (when the scan is possible), step S90.
Then, it is determined whether the DSET flag is "1". DSET
The flag indicates that the document is set at the reference position O of the platen glass 29 when it is set to "1". Therefore, if YES in step S90, the SCAN flag is set to "1" in step S94, the SE4 flag is reset to "0" in step S95, and KCNT2 is decremented in step S96. SCA
The N flag is transmitted to the CPU that controls the optical system 20,
When set to "1", the scanning operation by the optical system 20 is started.

On the other hand, if NO in step S90, it is determined in step S91 whether or not the scan for the number of copies has been completed. If completed, it is determined in step S92 whether the counter DCNT1 is "0", and in step S93 whether the counter KCNT2 is other than "0". If all are YES, steps S94 to S96 are processed. In steps S91 to S93, processing for discharging the excessively fed paper to the tray 91 is performed.

FIG. 21 shows a timing control subroutine executed in step S39. Here, the timing roller 38 feeds the sheet to the transfer portion at a predetermined timing. First, in step S111, it is determined whether or not it is the timing for feeding the paper. At this timing, the scanning operation by the optical system 20 is started, and the photoconductor drum 10
It is the timing when the toner image formed on the upper surface and the sheet are synchronized with each other at the transfer portion, and the CPU controlling the optical system 20 outputs C
It is sent to PU1. If it is the sheet delivery timing, the clutches CL1, CL2 are turned on in step S112, and the transport rollers 37a, 37b, 37c and the timing roller 38 are rotated. Furthermore, step S113
The paper feed completion flag is reset to "0".

Next, in step S114, it is determined whether or not the sensor SE4 is off edge. If it is an off edge, that is, if the trailing edge of the sheet has passed the detection point of the sensor SE4, the timer T23 is started in step S115. The timer T23 is for counting the time until the trailing edge of the sheet passes the timing roller 38, and after starting, it is checked in step S116 whether or not it ends. The processing in step S116 is the same as that in the subroutine shown in FIG.
The clutch CL2 is turned off at 117, and the timing roller 3
Stop rotation of 8.

Next, referring to FIGS. 22 to 40, the ADF5
The control procedure of 0 will be described in detail. FIG. 22 shows the main routine of the CPU 2. When the power is turned on and the CPU 2 is reset and the program starts, in step S201, the RAM is cleared, various registers are reset, and initial settings for setting various devices to the initial mode are performed. Then, in step S202, an internal timer is started. The internal timer determines the time required for one routine of this main routine, and its value is determined in step S20.
Set at 1. This internal timer also serves as a reference for counting various timers that appear in the subroutine described below.

Next, the subroutines of steps S203 to S205 are sequentially called to perform the necessary processing, and in step S206, the internal timer is awaited, and then step S2.
Return to 02. Step S203 is a subroutine for detecting a document, and step S204 is a subroutine for processing document replacement, which will be described in detail below. Step S205 performs other processing, that is, paper jam detection processing and the like.

There are the following three types of interrupt processing. In the communication interruption, data is communicated with the CPU 1 in step S207. I
The NT1 interrupt is performed in step S208 by the off-edge signal of the sensor SE12 to detect the size of the document. The EV1 interrupt is sent to the main motor M in step S209.
11 pulse interrupts. FIG. 23 shows a document detection subroutine executed in step S203.

First, in step S211, it is determined whether the ADF 50 is on standby. If the ADF 50 has already started its operation, the subroutine for detecting the third sheet is executed in step S221, and the process returns to the main routine. If it is on standby, it is determined in step S212 whether the ADF 50 is operable. "Operable" means that the ADF 50 is correctly set on the platen glass 29, the document is not jammed, and the ADF 50 is in a normal standby state. If the ADF 50 is operable, step S21
In step S214, it is determined whether or not the sensor SE11 is on, and in step S214, it is determined whether or not the sensor S10 is on. If both are on, the third sheet detection prohibition flag is reset to "0" in step S215, and the process proceeds to step S217. If the sensor SE10 is off, the third sheet detection prohibition flag is set to "1" in step S216, and step S217
Move to.

Next, in step S217, the counter DCN
T1 is set to "1", and the K status, S status, and H status are reset to "0" in step S218. K status is a counter used to control the feeding of documents. The S status is a counter used to control the document conveyance. The H status is a counter used to control the discharge of the document. Further, in step S219, an odd number flag,
The last one-sheet flag is reset to "0". When the odd-numbered flag is "1", it indicates the start of feeding the odd-numbered original, and when it is "0", it indicates the start of feeding the even-numbered original (see steps S284 and S285). When the last one-sheet flag is "1", the final original is A4 in the 2-in-1 mode.
It is displayed that the size is Y or less and the number is one (step S
457).

On the other hand, if NO at step S212 or S213, the counter DCNT1 is reset to "0" at step S220, and the process returns to the main routine. FIG. 24 shows the original exchange subroutine executed in step S204. Here, feed the original,
A process is performed in which the sheet is conveyed, stopped at the reference position O, and discharged to the tray 66 after scanning is completed.

First, after confirming that the ADF 50 is operable in step S231, the ADF 50 is operated in step S232.
It is determined whether the operation mode of the DF 50 is the step feed mode or the 2-in-1 mode. If any mode is selected, the original is fed in step S233, the original is conveyed in step S234, and the original is ejected in step S235. These processes will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 27 to 35.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S231 that the ADF 50 cannot operate, the operation of the ADF 50 is stopped in step S237, and each flag and memory are reset in step S238. If it is determined in step 232 that another operation mode is selected, the other operation mode is executed in step S236. Although the operation mode executed in step S236 is the normal mode in this embodiment,
The details are omitted.

Here, the detection of the second and third sheets of the original will be described in advance. The process of detecting the second sheet is executed in step S345 in the subroutine of document conveyance described below. The process of detecting the third sheet is executed in step S221 in the subroutine of the document detection. FIG. 25 shows a second sheet detection subroutine executed in step S345.

First, in step S241, the sensor SE12
Is off edge, that is, when the trailing edge of the fed document passes the detection point of the sensor SE12, it is determined in step S242 whether the sensor SE11 is on. At this time, if the sensor SE11 is turned on, the second document is present on the tray 51, and step S24 is performed.
In step 3, the K status is set to "1" to prepare for feeding the next document.

Next, in step S244, it is determined whether or not the 2-in-1 mode is set. If YES, it is determined in step S245 whether or not the odd number flag is "1". If it is set to "1", the S status is reset to "0" in step S246. If the next original is detected, the counter DCNT1 is set to "1" in step S250 if the next original is an even-numbered sheet even in the 2-in-1 mode, or in the 2-in-1 mode. Step S251
Set the S status to "3". Further, the timer T201 is started in step S252. The timer T201 is used to set the DSET flag to "1" in the document conveying process (see step S352).

On the other hand, if the sensor SE11 is off (NO in step S242), that is, if there is no document on the tray 51, it is determined in step S247 whether the counter DCNT1 is "1" or more, and "1". If so, the NG flab is set to "1" in step S248. Then, in step S249, the counter DCNT1 is reset to "0", and the steps S251 and S252 are processed.

FIG. 26 shows 3 executed in step S221.
The subroutine for sheet detection is shown below. First, step S26
At 1, it is determined whether the advance flag is "1". When the first-out flag is "1", it indicates that the document first-out process is completed (see step S325). If it is set to "1", the advance flag is reset to "0" in step S262, whether the step feed mode is set in step S263, and the document size is A4Y in step S264.
In step S265, the sensor SE10
Is ON, and it is determined in step S266 whether or not the third-sheet detection prohibition flag is "0". If both are YES, that is, the step feed mode is selected, the document size is A4Y or smaller at which the third document can be detected, the third document exists on the tray 51, and the third document detection flag is detected. If is reset to "0", the counter DCNT1 is incremented (set to "2" here) in step S267. Then, in step S268, the sensor SE
It is determined whether 10 is off, and if it is off, step S2
When it is determined in 69 that the value of the counter DCNT1 is "2", DCNT1 is decremented (set to "1") in step S269a, and the NG flag is set to "1" in step S269b. On the other hand, in step S261
Alternatively, when it is determined to be NO in any of steps S263 to S266, step S268 and subsequent steps are processed. If either of steps S268 and S269 is NO, this subroutine is finished.

27 to 29 show a document feeding subroutine executed in step S233. Here, the count value of the K status is checked in step S271, and the following processing is executed according to the value. First, when the K status is “0”, in step S272 DCHG
It is determined whether the flag is "1", and it is determined in step S273 whether the counter DCNT1 is not "0". If YES in both cases, document replacement is requested, and there is a document to be fed. Therefore, in step S274, D
Decrement CNT1, set the first sheet flag to "1" in step S275, and DCH in step S276.
The G flag is reset to "0", and K is set in step S277.
Set the status to "1".

When the K status is "1", the document feeding process is started. That is, the solenoid SL11 is turned on in step S281. With this, the pickup roller 5
4, the tip stopper 53 retracts from the regulation position. Subsequently, the timer T101 is started in step S282, and the odd number flag is set to "0" in step S283.
Or not. That is, if the originals fed here are odd-numbered sheets, the odd-numbered flag is set to "1" in step S284, and if they are even-numbered sheets, "0" is set in step S285.
Reset to. The odd number flag is reset to "0" at the start of the operation of the ADF 50 (step S219).
reference). Then, in step S286, the K status is set to "2".

When the K status is "2", first, the timer T101 is checked in step S291. The timer T101 determines the timing of the normal rotation of the main motor M11. After starting, the timer T101 counts in step S291 and determines whether or not it ends. When finished, in step S292, the main motor M11
Is normally turned on, and the K status is set to "3" in step S293. The originals are now in the rollers 54, 5
It is sent from 5, 56 toward the registration rollers 58, 59.

When the K status is "3", preparations are made to temporarily hold the document on the registration rollers 58 and 59.
That is, in step S301, it is determined whether the sensor SE12 is on edge. If it is on edge, step S30
2 turns on the electromagnetic brake BR11 to turn on the registration roller 5
8 and the belt drive shaft 61 are locked, and step S303 is performed.
Then, the timer T102 is started, and the K status is set to "4" in step S304.

When the K status is "4", the timer T102 is checked at step S311. The timer T102 raises the roller 54, and the tip stopper 53
Is for returning the main motor M11 and for turning off the normal rotation of the main motor M11. After the start, counting is performed in step S311 and it is checked whether the end is completed. When the count of the timer T102 ends, the solenoid SL11 is turned off and the main motor M11 is turned off in step S312. Until now,
The leading edge of the original comes into contact with the nip portion of the registration rollers 58 and 59 to form a slight loop.

Next, in step S313, the timer T103
Is started, and it is determined in step S314 whether the sensor SE13 is on. The sensor SE13 is for detecting the width of the document, and if it is turned on, step S3 is performed.
The width flag is set to "1" at 15, and if it is off, the width flag is reset to "0" at step S316. This width flag is used in the size detection process (see step S451) later. Then, in step S317, the K status is set to "5".

When the K status is "5", first, in step S321, the timer T103 is checked. The timer T103 is for completing the document feeding, and after the star has been starred, it is counted in step S321 and it is checked whether it is finished or not. When the timer T103 has finished counting, it is determined in step S322 whether the first sheet flag is "1". If it is set to "1", the first sheet flag is reset to "0" in step S326, and then the S status and the H status are set to "1" in step S327. Subsequently, in step S328, the electromagnetic brake BR11 is turned off to unlock the registration roller 58 and the belt drive shaft 61. Further, in step S329, the K status is set to "6".
Set to.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S322 that the first sheet flag is reset to "0", it is determined in step S323 whether the 2-in-1 mode is set. If NO, the first-out flag is set in step S325. It is set to "1" and the above steps S328 and S329 are processed. In the 2-in-1 mode, it is determined in step S324 whether or not the odd number flag is "1". If the odd number flag is set to "1" (if it is an odd number original document), steps S325 and S3.
28, S329 is processed. If the odd number flag is reset to "0" (if it is the even number original document), steps S327, S328, and S329 are processed.

When the K status is "6", no particular processing is performed. The original document stands by while being fed. 30 to 32 show a subroutine of document transportation executed in step S234. Here, in step S331, the count value of the S status is checked, and the original that has been subjected to the paper feeding processing is set on the platen glass 29 according to the value.

When the S status is "0", no particular processing is performed and this subroutine is terminated. When the S status is "0", it means that the document has not been fed yet. When the S status is "1", that is, when the document is being fed, the main motor M1 is operated at step S341.
1 is reversely turned on, counting of the rotation pulse of the main motor M11 by EV1 is started in step S342, and interrupt processing to INT1 is permitted in step S343. As a result, the transport belt 60 and the registration roller 58 rotate in the direction of arrow c, and the document starts to be loaded onto the platen glass 29. At the same time, the document transport amount is detected as the rotation pulse number of the main motor M11. Further, step S3
At S44, the S status is set to "2".

By the way, in step S343, INT
When the interrupt to 1 is permitted, the INT1 interrupt process is executed at the off edge timing of the sensor SE12. During this process (see FIG. 36), the size detection and the EV1 interrupt pulse number are set and the interrupt is permitted, and the rotation pulse number of the main motor M11 is continuously counted. The trailing edge of the document is at the reference position O from the detection point of the sensor SE12.
Alternatively, when the count number corresponding to reaching the standby position (nip portion of the registration rollers 58 and 59) of the odd-numbered original in the 2-in-1 mode is reached, an interrupt step S20 is performed.
At 9, the following processing is performed.

That is, as shown in FIG. 40, step S5
At 01, the main motor M11 is turned off, and step S502
Then, the electromagnetic brake BR11 is turned on. When the S status is "2", the second sheet detection is processed in step S345. The processing here is as described above with reference to FIG.
The presence or absence of the second document is determined at the timing of the off-edge of the sensor SE12, and if the odd-numbered document is not in the 2-in-1 mode, the S status is set to "3" and the timer T2 is set.
Start 01.

When the S status is "3", step S
At 351 the timer T201 is checked. Here, the timer T201 is counted, and when the count ends, the DSET flag is set to "1" in step S352, and the timer T202 is started in step S353. Furthermore, the S status is set to "4" in step S354, and the counter DCN is set in step S355.
Increment T4.

When the S status is "4", the timer T202 is first checked in step S361. The timer T202 is for timing to turn off the electromagnetic brake BR11, and after starting, it counts in this step S361 and checks whether it ends or not. When the timer T202 has finished counting, in step S362, the electromagnetic brake BR11 is turned off, and in step S362.
At S363, the S status is set to "5".

When the S status is "5", step S
In 371, it is determined whether the discharge motor M12 is off. If it is off, it is determined in step S372 whether the document size is A4Y or smaller. If it is smaller than A4Y size, step S
In 373, it is determined whether or not it is the 2-in-1 mode. If YES, the two-sheet ejection flag is set to "1" in step S376, and the S status is set to "6" in step S377. In the step feed mode (NO in step S373), if it is determined in step S374 that the sensor SE11 is off, the counter DCNT is determined in step S375.
Check 4. S status of DCNT4 is "3"
At this time, the counter is incremented at the end of the timer T201 (see step S355) and decremented at the end of the document discharge process (see step S442), and indicates the number of documents on the platen glass 29 and the discharge part. If DCNT4 is set to "2", steps S376 and S377 are processed. DC
If NT4 is other than "2", step S377 is processed. On the other hand, if the document size is larger than A4Y (NO in step S372) or the sensor SE11 is on (NO in step S374), the process proceeds to step S377.

That is, in step S376, the two-sheet discharge flag is set to "1" when the document size is A4Y.
In the case of two or more sheets below, in the step feed mode, after the final document is set on the platen glass 29,
When in 2-in-1 mode, discharge motor M for each document set
This is the timing when 12 is turned off. When the S status is "6", it is first determined in step S381 whether or not the DCHG flag is "1". If it is set to "1", the document replacement is requested. Therefore, the counter DCNT1 is set in step S382. Check. If DCNT1 is other than "0", the S status is set to "1" in step S383, and DCNT1 is decremented in step S384. Further, the H status is set to "1" in step S386, and DCHG is set in step S387.
The flag is reset to "0", and DS is set in step S388.
Reset the ET flag to "0". On the other hand, DCNT1
If is "0", the S status is set to "7" in step S385, and the steps S386 to S388 are processed.

When the S status is "7", it is first determined in step S392 whether the H status is "0",
If it has been reset to "0", the S status is reset to "0" in step S393, and the main motor M11 is turned off in step S395. On the other hand, if the H status is other than “0”, that is, if the document discharge process is started,
In step S394, it is determined whether or not the discharge motor M12 is driven at low speed, and if it is driven at low speed, step S39
In step 5, the main motor M11 is turned off, and if it is not driven at a low speed, the main motor M11 is reversely turned on in step S396. As a result, the conveyor belt 60 rotates in the direction of arrow c,
The original document on the platen glass 29 starts to be conveyed downstream.

FIGS. 33 to 35 show a document discharge subroutine executed in step S235. Here, after the document set at the reference position O is sent out from the platen glass 29 by the conveyor belt 60, the document is discharged onto the tray 66. First, in step S401, the count value of the H status is checked, and the following processing is executed according to the value.

When the H status is "0", this subroutine is immediately terminated. When the H status is "1" (see steps S327 and S386), step S41
1, the discharge motor M12 is turned on at high speed, and step S412
It is determined whether or not the sensor SE14 is on edge. If it is on edge, that is, if the leading edge of the document reaches the detection point of the sensor SE14, the timer T301 is determined in step S413.
Is started, and the H status is set to "2" in step S414. On the other hand, if the document SE has not yet detected the leading edge of the document, it is determined in step S415 whether or not the main motor M11 is off. If the main motor M11 is on, the process in the H status "1" is continued. When the main motor M11 is turned off, that is, when the subsequent document is set on the platen glass 29, step S4 is performed.
At 17, the H status is reset to "0". When the H status is "2", the timer T301 is first checked in step S421. The timer T301 is provided to set a timing for switching the discharge motor M12 to a low speed, and its value is set so that the counting is finished when the trailing edge of the document passes the detection point of the sensor SE14 for a fixed time. Depends on the size of the original. After this timer T301 starts, this step S4
It counts with 21, and it is judged whether it is the end. When the count of the timer T301 ends, step S422
The discharge motor M12 is switched to low speed. Further, if it is determined in step S423 that the main motor M11 is in reverse rotation, that is, if there are mixed document sizes and document setting has not been completed yet, then in step S424 the main motor M11 is switched to a low speed (discharge speed). Match). Succeedingly, in a step S425, the DCNT4 is checked, and if the value is "2", it is determined in the step S426 that it is 2
The sheet discharge flag is set to "1", and the H status is set to "3" in step S427. On the other hand, the main motor M11 is not in reverse rotation, or DCNT4 is "2".
Otherwise, the H status is set to "3" in step S427 without processing step S426.

When the H status is "3", step S
When the off edge of the sensor SE14 is confirmed in 431,
That is, when the trailing edge of the document passes the detection point of the sensor SE14, the timer T302 is started in step S432, and the H status is set to "4" in step S433. When the H status is "4", first step S4
At 41, the timer T302 is checked. Timer T3
Reference numeral 02 designates a timing for turning off the discharge motor M12. When the discharge motor M12 is started, it is counted in step S441 and it is determined whether or not the discharge motor M12 is finished. Timer T30
When the count of 2 is completed, the counter DCNT4 is decremented in step S442, and 2 is added in step S443.
It is determined whether the sheet ejection flag is "1". If it is set to "1" (see steps S376 and S426),
The two-sheet discharge flag is reset to "0" in step S444, and it is determined in step S445 whether or not the last one-sheet flag is "0". If the last one-sheet flag is reset to "0", that is, if the succeeding document reaches the discharge portion, the H status is set to "1" in step S446.

On the other hand, if the two-sheet discharge flag is reset to "0" (NO in step S443), or if it is set to "1", the last one-sheet flag is "1".
Is set (refer to step S457, NO in step S445), that is, if only one document reaches the ejection portion, the last one-sheet flag is reset to “0” in step S447, and in step S448. The discharge motor M12 is turned off. Further, the H status is reset to "0" in step S449.

FIG. 36 shows step S of INT1 interrupt processing.
The SE12 off interrupt subroutine executed at 208 is shown. Here, the off-edge signal of the sensor SE12 is used as a trigger for interrupt processing, the document size is determined based on the number of rotation pulses of the main motor M11 input to the EV1, and the number of pulses for stopping the document at a predetermined position is EV1 interrupt pulse. Set in the counter.

First, after the size of the original is detected in step S451, it is determined in step S452 whether or not the 2-in-1 mode is set. If 2-in-1 mode is not selected,
In step S460, the number of pulses SP ₁ is set in the EV1 interrupt pulse counter. This pulse number SP ₁ corresponds to the distance that the trailing edge of the document is conveyed from the detection point of the sensor SE12 to the reference position O, and is used here to set each document at the reference position O in the step feed mode. It

On the other hand, if the 2-in-1 mode is selected, it is determined in step S453 whether the odd number flag is "1". If it is set to "1", step S45
At 4, it is determined whether the document size is A4Y or smaller. A4Y
If it is the following, that is, if the odd-numbered original is A4Y size or less that can be processed in the 2-in-1 mode, it is determined in step S455 whether or not the sensor SE11 is on. If there is an even number of originals, step S
At 456, the EV1 interrupt pulse counter has a pulse number SP _21.
Set. The number of pulses SP ₂₁ is such that the trailing edge of the odd-numbered document is from the detection point of the sensor SE12 to the registration roller 5
It corresponds to the distance conveyed immediately after the nip portion of 8 and 59, and is used here to stop the odd-numbered original document immediately after the registration rollers 58 and 59 in the 2-in-1 mode.

If the sensor SE11 is off (NO in step S455), there is no next original document, and therefore step S4 is performed.
In step 57, the last one-sheet flag is set to "1", and in step S458, the odd number flag is reset to "0". Further, in step S459, the EV1 interrupt pulse counter is set to the pulse number SP ₂₂ . The pulse number SP ₂₂ is substantially the same as the pulse number SP ₁ and is used here to set the last one original at the reference position O in the 2-in-1 mode.

If the document size is larger than A4Y, steps S458 and S459 are processed. in this case,
Number of pulses S set in EV1 interrupt pulse counter
P ₂₂ is used to set only one original having a size larger than A4Y, which is an odd number, at the reference position O. If it is determined in step S453 that the odd number flag is set to "0", that is, if it is an even-numbered document, step S459 is processed. In this case, EV1
The number of pulses SP ₂₂ set in the interrupt pulse counter is used to set two originals at the reference position O in a continuous state. When the value of the EV1 interrupt pulse counter set here and the number of pulses input to the EV1 interrupt terminal of the CPU 2 match, EV1 interrupt processing is executed.

37 to 39 show a document size detection subroutine executed in step S451. Here, the size of the document is determined based on the detection of the document width by turning the sensor SE13 on and off and the detection of the document length by the sensor SE12. By the way, the sensor SE13 is B5Y,
A4Y, B4T, and A3T originals are detected, and A5T and B5 are detected.
It is set to a position where T and A4T originals are not detected.

First, in step S471, the count value of EV1 is set in the counter A. Further, step S4
At 72, the value of the counter A is multiplied by the carry amount P ₁ per pulse of the main motor M11 and set in the counter A.
A × P ₁ here corresponds to the document length. Succeedingly, in a step S473, it is determined whether or not the width flag is “1”, and “1” is determined.
If set to 0 (see step S315), the process proceeds to steps S474 to S483, and if set to "0" (see step S316), step S48.
Then, the process proceeds from 4 to S490, and the document size is determined for each.

If the width flag is set to "1",
The width flag is reset to "0" in step S474, and it is determined in steps S475, S477, S479, and S481 whether or not the document length is a predetermined paper size. That is, if the counter A is 182 or less, step S476.
Then, set A5Y as the document size in DSIZ. If the counter A is 210 or less, DS is executed in step S478.
Set A4Y in IZ. If the counter A is 364 or less, B4T is set in DSIZ in step S480. If the counter A is 420 or less, step S482.
Then set A3T to DSIZ. Counter A is 420
If it is larger than that, "other" is set in DSIZ in step S483.

On the other hand, if the width flag is reset to "0", it is determined in steps S484, S486 and S488 whether or not the document length is a predetermined paper size. That is, if the counter A is 210 or less, step S485.
Then, set A5T as the document size in DSIZ. If the counter A is 257 or less, DS is executed in step S487.
Set B5T in IZ. If the counter A is 297 or less, A4T is set in DSIZ in step S489. If the counter A is larger than 297, step S4
At 90, set "Other" to DSIZ.

Upon completion of the above processing, step S491
To determine whether the value of counter A is 210 or less,
If it is larger, the third sheet detection prohibition flag is set to "1". FIG. 40 shows step S209 of EV1 interrupt processing.
The subroutine for the M11 pulse interrupt executed in step S6 is shown. The processing here is performed to set the document at the reference position O, and is also described in the document conveyance processing.

[0112]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to detect three unprocessed originals including the original set on the platen glass in the ADF. When the original document is detected, 3
The first sheet is fed into the paper feed path in advance, and the copy process is continued if the second document is detected even when the third document is not detected. , Even in the single copy mode, paper can be continuously fed at a short interval equivalent to that in the multi copy mode, which not only improves the copy speed, but also falsely detects that there is a third original Even if it does, the copying process is not interrupted and the usability is good.

[Brief description of drawings]

 The drawings show an embodiment of a copying apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ADF.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the arrangement of a document detection sensor on a document tray.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a drive mechanism for a pickup roller, a separation roller, a registration roller, and a conveyor belt.

5 is a development view of the drive mechanism shown in FIG. 4, (a) showing a main motor forward rotation, and (b) showing a main motor reverse rotation.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a mechanism for preventing erroneous rotation of a belt drive shaft, in which only a kick spring is cut away.

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram of step feed mode in ADF.

FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram of step feed mode in ADF;
It is a continuation of FIG.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an operation in 2-in-1 mode in ADF.

10 is an operation explanatory diagram of the 2-in-1 mode in the ADF, which is a continuation of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a control circuit.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the CPU 1 which controls the main body of the copying machine.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an ADF control subroutine.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a paper feed check subroutine.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a paper feed check subroutine, which is a continuation of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a paper feeding subroutine.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for upper sheet feeding.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for upper sheet feeding, which is a continuation of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a timer check subroutine.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a scan control subroutine.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a timing control subroutine.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the CPU 2 that controls the ADF.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a document detection subroutine.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of document exchange.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for second sheet detection.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a third sheet detection subroutine.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a document feeding subroutine.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a document feeding subroutine, which is a continuation of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a document feeding subroutine, which is a continuation of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of document transportation.

31 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of document conveyance, which is a continuation of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of document conveyance, which is a continuation of FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of document ejection.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of document discharge, which is a continuation of FIG. 33.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the original discharge subroutine, which is a continuation of FIG. 34.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of SE12 off interrupt.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing a size detection subroutine.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of size detection, which is a continuation of FIG. 37.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing a size detection subroutine and is a continuation of FIG. 37.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of M11 pulse interruption.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Copier main body 10 ... Photosensitive drum 20 ... Optical system 29 ... Platen glass 31, 34 ... Paper feeding section 32, 35 ... Paper feeding roller 38 ... Timing roller 50 ... ADF 51 ... Original tray 54 ... Pickup roller 58, 59 ... registration rollers 60 ... conveyor belt 66 ... discharge tray _{P 1, P 2, P 3} ... copy sheet _{D 1, D 2, D 3} , D 4 ... original SE1 to SE4 ... sheet detection sensor SE10 ... 3 sheet paper detector Sensor SE11 ... Second document detection sensor O ... Reference position

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Takuma Ishikawa, 2-3-3 Azuchi-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka, Osaka International Building Minolta Camera Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A copying machine main body for transferring an original image formed on a photoconductor onto a paper fed from a paper feed port, and an automatic original feeding device for sequentially feeding the original to a fixed position of a platen glass. In the copying machine consisting of, the automatic document feeder can detect three unprocessed originals including the original set at the fixed position on the platen glass. At least two sheets of paper can be fed into the sheet feeding path up to, and the following sheets are fed into the sheet feeding path according to the number of unprocessed originals detected by the automatic document feeder, A copying apparatus, wherein the copying process is continued if the second original is detected even if the second original is not detected. 2. A copying machine main body for transferring an original image formed on a photoconductor onto a paper fed from a paper feed port, and an automatic original feeding device for sequentially feeding the original to a fixed position of a platen glass. In the copying apparatus, the control means performs a copying process on the nxth sheet of the nth original set at a fixed position on the platen glass, and the first detection for detecting the presence or absence of the (n + 1) th original. Means, a control means for feeding the nx + 1th sheet of paper based on the detection signal of the first detecting means, a second detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the (n + 2) th original, and a second detecting means. (N + 1) x + 1 based on the detection signal of the means
Even if the first detecting unit detects the original even if the second detecting unit does not detect the original, the control unit for performing the paper feeding process of the first sheet continues the copy process. A copying machine comprising means and.