JPH06135621A - Copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To raise sheets sorting efficiency by making respective bins freely attachable/detachable in a copier and making it possible to set a maximum number of sheets for loading freely by an inputting means in a copying device provided with plural sorting bins with maximum numbers of loading sheets set respectively. CONSTITUTION:In a sorting device 11 to which are transferred sheets of images formed in a copying device are provided an uppermost discharge tray with sheets discharged via a transfer belt and plural sorting bins 14 arrayed vertically below it. Each bin 14 is provided freely attachable/detachable along a guide fixed to frame. At the respective inlet is disposed a branching device including a branching claw 43 operated with a solenoid 41 for introducing sheets into the bin 14. In each bin 14, a maxims loading number of sheets is set by depressing a key of loading sheets change and then pressing a point key. When, following attaching/detaching a bin 14, a maximum loading number of sheets is set, the branching device is changed over according to a nor of sheets discharged to each bin 14.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine characterized by paper sorting control of a sorting machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The maximum number of sheets that can be loaded in each sorting bin of a sorting apparatus is affected by the quality and size of the paper.
It was set uniquely considering these margins. When the number of stacked sheets reaches the bin capacity (set number), it is controlled so as to prohibit subsequent copying in order to prevent paper jams (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-20546).
No. 5).

[0003]

As described above, in the conventional apparatus, the number of originals is large and the number of copies is small, and the elastic number is not suitable for a user mainly for copying work, and a large number of sheets are required. When copying the number of originals, there is a problem that the copy work is inefficient because the copy work must be performed in multiple times.

In addition, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-189058,
Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 63-107366 discloses a technique for switching the maximum number of sheets to be loaded, but even in this case, it was not possible to have fine and high-quality loading performance.

The present invention has been made on the basis of such a background, and a copying apparatus capable of improving the loading performance and workability by setting the maximum number of sheets to be loaded that is most suitable for the usage state. It is intended to be provided.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a copying machine having a plurality of sorting bins and having a maximum number of sheets to be loaded per sorting bin, wherein the sorting bin can be attached to and detached from the main body. This is achieved by the first means provided with input means capable of setting the maximum number of sheets to be loaded as desired.

Further, the above-mentioned object has a plurality of sorting bins and a sorting branching device installed corresponding to each sorting bin, and a copying machine in which a stack number limit value for one sorting bin is set. In the above, the sorting bin is detachably attached to the main body, and an input means capable of arbitrarily setting a stack number limit value is provided, and the sorting bin is removed every other bin, and is mounted by the input means. This is achieved by the second means having a control means for switching the drive of the branching device in accordance with the number of sheets discharged to each sorting bin when the stack number limit value for every other sorting bin is increased. .

Further, the above object is achieved by the third means in which the odd numbered sorting bins are removed in the second means.

[0009]

In the first means, the sheet sorting work can be efficiently performed by the input means to arbitrarily set the number of sheets to be loaded in the sorting bin based on the sheet conditions and the like.

According to the second means, by removing the sorting bins every other bin, the remaining sorting bins can be loaded with approximately twice as many sheets as the conventional bins. It is possible to improve the efficiency of the paper sorting work and stabilize the quality of paper discharge and stackability in each sorting bin in this case.

In the third means, by removing the odd-numbered bin, even if another unit is arranged near the upper part of the first-stage sorting bin, the remaining uppermost sorting bin is left. In addition, it is possible to stack approximately twice as many sheets as before.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a copying apparatus according to an embodiment. 1
Is an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) that automatically feeds and conveys a document to be copied to the scanning exposure position 16. Two
Is a document ejection table on which the exposed document is ejected. The original document placed at the scanning exposure position 16 is exposed by the exposure unit 3, and the exposure image is reflected light 4-1 to 4-3.
An image is formed on the photosensitive drum 7 via the lens 5 and the lens 5. The latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 is developed by the developing unit 6. The developed image is transferred by the transfer unit 9 to the paper fed and conveyed from the paper stack tray 8-1 or 8-2. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is heat-fixed by the fixing unit 10 and then discharged to the sorting apparatus 11. The ejected paper is conveyed and ejected by the conveyor belt 12 to the normal paper ejection tray 13 and the sorting bins 14-1 to 14-20. 15
-1 to 15-20 are the sorting bins 14-1 to 14-2.
This is a branching device for sorting and ejecting paper sheets to 0. 17
Is a drive motor.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the copying machine according to the embodiment. Reference numeral 20 denotes a main control board of the copying apparatus of the present invention, which is composed of the following elements. 21 is the main control board 20
, 22 is a ROM in which a control program is stored, and the copying machine is controlled in accordance with this program. Reference numeral 23 is a temporary storage memory (RAM) for temporarily storing control data and condition flags.
Is. Reference numerals 24, 25, and 26 are I / O elements for performing input / output interfaces with other units. Further, 27 is a bus line connecting the elements. Reference numeral 30 is a control unit of the ADF 1, and 40 is a control unit of the sorting apparatus 11. 41-1 to 41-20 are branch device drive solenoids, and 42 is a sorting device main drive DC motor.
And 50 is an operation unit.

FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of an operation unit of the copying machine according to the embodiment. Reference numeral 51 is a start key for inputting the start of copying, 52 is a paper stack tray selection key, 5
3 is a display device, 54 is an ADF1 mode selection key, 55
Is an automatic density selection key, 56 is a manual density selection key,
Reference numeral 57 is a mode selection key of the sorting apparatus 11, 58 is a rear surface ejection selection key for switching the paper ejection surface, 59 is a mode clear key for clearing the input mode, 60 is a ten-key pad for inputting the number of copies, and 61 is inside the rear cover. This is a load number changing key for setting the maximum load number installed in the. After pressing this key, the maximum number of sheets to be loaded is set with the ten keys 60.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing how the sorting bins of the sorting apparatus are attached. As shown in the figure, the sorting bin 14 is detachably attached along guides provided on the frames 11a and 11b of the sorting apparatus 11.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a branching device for discharging sheets to each sorting bin. Reference numeral 41 is a branching device driving solenoid, 43 is a branching claw, and 44 is a conveying roller. When the solenoid 41 is off, the branch claw 43 is at the broken line position, and the sheet P can pass downward. On the other hand, when the solenoid 41 is on, the branch claw 43 moves to the solid line position, and the paper P is discharged to the sorting bin 14.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the sorting bin mounted state in the normal mode, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the sorting bin mounted state in the bin double mode. As shown in FIG. 7, in the bin double mode, odd-numbered sorting bins (14-1, 14-3,
This mode becomes possible by removing 14-5 ...

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the main routine of the overall control. When the power switch of the copying machine (not shown) is turned on, the ROM 2 in the main control board 20
2 executes the control described in the main routine according to the program stored in advance. The details will be described below. When the program starts, first, a subroutine; initialization (S1) is executed. This subroutine is a flow for executing the control processing necessary for the initialization of the copying apparatus. After executing this flow, the routine proceeds to the next step subroutine; standby process (S2). This subroutine is a flow for executing the standby control processing of each unit before the copying of the copying apparatus is started. After executing this flow, it is determined in the next step whether the start key 51 is pressed (S
3) If the copy does not start, the process branches to immediately before the subroutine; standby process (S2). If copying has started, a subroutine of the next step; a copying process (S4) is executed. This subroutine is a flow for executing control processing of each unit necessary for the copying apparatus to perform copying. After this subroutine is executed, a subroutine; sorting control (S5) is then executed. This subroutine is a flow for executing the paper sorting control process by the sorting device 11, and is the most necessary subroutine for carrying out the present invention. After the execution of this subroutine, it is determined in the next step whether or not the number of copies input from the operation unit 50 has ended (S6). If not, the process branches to immediately before the subroutine; copy process (S4). When the processing is completed, the process proceeds to the next step and the subroutine; copy final process (S7) is executed. This subroutine is a flow for executing the control processing of each unit and the initialization of each control counter necessary for preparing for the next copy after the copy is completed. After executing this subroutine,
In order to prepare for the next copy, the process returns to immediately before the above subroutine; standby process (S2).

9 and 10 are detailed flow charts of the sorting control subroutine. First, a bin counter which is a control counter for controlling the sorting bin 14 of the sorting device 11
(Number) Counter: It is determined whether the contents of CO _B are cleared (S11), and if they are cleared, it is then determined whether the maximum number of loaded sheets N _M1 exceeds the standard number of loaded sheets N _S (S12). . If it exceeds (hereinafter, in the bind-double mode), CO _{B is set} to "2" (S1).
3), "1" in CO _B when not in bindable mode
Is set (S14). As a result, the number of the leading sorting bin from which the paper is discharged is determined, and the process proceeds to the next step. According to the judgment of the bin NO counter, CO _B
Even if is not cleared, the process proceeds to the next step, it is judged again whether the mode is the bindable mode (S15), and the independent control flow is executed depending on the bindable mode and the normal mode.

First, the case of the normal mode will be described.
The branch solenoid (branching device drive solenoid) 41 corresponding to the bin NO (number) set in CO _B is turned on (S16). Next, it is determined whether or not the paper has been discharged to the sorting bin by a bin copy discharge detection sensor (not shown) (S17). If not discharged, the process returns to the main routine. When discharged, the branch solenoid 41 is turned off (S18), and the process proceeds to the next step.
In the next step, the contents of CO _B will be the number of copies N _CO
It is determined whether or not it is smaller (S19). Judgment result is Y
In the case of ES, "1" is added to CO _B (S20), and the process returns to the main routine. If the judgment result is NO, CO _B
Is cleared (S21), and then the bin stack counter C, which is a control counter for managing the number of sheets loaded in each sorting bin.
To O _C and adding "1" (S22), the process proceeds to the next step. In the next step, it is determined whether the content of CO _C is larger than the maximum number N _{M1 of} sheets loaded per bin (S23).
If the determination result is YES, the process branches to the main routine to end the copying. If NO, it returns to the main routine.

Next, the case of the bindable mode will be described (FIG. 10). First, the branch solenoid 41 corresponding to the bin number set in CO _B is turned on (S2
4). Next, it is determined whether or not the paper has been discharged to the sorting bin by a bin copy discharge detection sensor (not shown) (S25). If the determination result is NO, the process returns to the main routine. If the determination result is YES, the branch solenoid 41 is turned off (S26), and the process proceeds to the next step. In the next step, it is determined whether the content of CO _B is odd (S27). In case of odd number, [(CO _B ) +1] / 2
On the other hand, if it is an even number, (CO _B ) / 2 is the number of copies N
_{It is} determined whether it is smaller than _CO (S28, S29). If the determination result is YES, add "2" to CO _B (S3
0), return to the main routine. If the determination result is NO, CO _B is cleared (S31), and then it is determined whether the content of CO _C is equal to the standard number of stacked sheets N _S (S32). If the determination result is YES, CO _{B is set} to "1" (S3).
3). In the case of NO, "1" is added to the bin stack counter CO _C (S34) and the process proceeds to the next step. In the next step, it is determined whether or not the content of CO _C is larger than the maximum number N _{M1 of} loaded sheets per bin (S35). If the determination result is YES, the process branches to the main routine to end the copying. If NO, it returns to the main routine.

By executing this flow in this manner, the bin capacity of the sorting apparatus 11 can be switched and used,
In addition, the discharge branching device for each sorting bin can be optimally switched, and the bin loadability can be stabilized.

[0023]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the sheet sorting operation can be efficiently performed by the input means to arbitrarily set the number of sheets to be loaded in the sorting bin based on the sheet conditions and the like.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, by removing the sorting bins every other bin, the remaining sorting bins can be loaded with approximately twice as many sheets as before. It is possible to improve the efficiency of the paper sorting operation for a large number of documents, and to stabilize the quality of paper discharge and stackability in each sorting bin in this case.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, by removing the odd-numbered bin, even if another unit is arranged near the upper part of the sorting bin of the first stage, the remaining uppermost stage is left. It is possible to stack approximately twice as many sheets as before on the sorting bin.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a copying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the copying apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of an operation unit of the copying apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an attached state of a sorting bin of a sorting device of a copying apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a branching device for discharging a sheet to each sorting bin.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a sorting bin mounted state in a normal mode.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a sorting bin attached state in a bin double mode.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a main routine of overall control.

FIG. 9 is a detailed flow chart of a sorting control subroutine.

FIG. 10 is a detailed flowchart of a sorting control subroutine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Sorting Device 14 Sorting Bin 20 Main Control Board 61 Loaded Number Change Key (Input Means)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. In a copying machine having a plurality of sorting bins and the maximum number of sheets to be loaded per sorting bin is set, the sorting bin is detachably attached to the main body, and the maximum number of sheets to be loaded is arbitrary. A copying apparatus having input means that can be set to 2. A copying machine having a plurality of sorting bins and a sorting branching device installed corresponding to each sorting bin, wherein a stack number limit value per sorting bin is set. A sorting bin is detachably attached to the main body, and an input means capable of arbitrarily setting the stack number limit value is provided, and the sorting bin is removed every other bin, and the bin is installed by the input means. 2. A copying machine comprising control means for switching the drive of the branching device according to the number of sheets discharged to each sorting bin when the stack number limit value for the sorting bin is increased. 3. The copying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the odd numbered sorting bins are removed.