JPH06191704A - Sheet-feeding device for image forming mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To feed different kinds of sheets including a thick paper sheet without using an exclusive cassette, by providing a housing part, capable of housing a thick paper sheet besides a paper sheet, and feeding the thick paper sheet selectively in a photoreceptor direction by a curved shape second carrying path. CONSTITUTION:A multistage paper feeding unit in a digital copying machine is provided with a first cassette 61, arranged below a double side/synthetic carrying path 60, and adopted as a housing part capable of housing many copying normal paper sheets or thick paper sheets (cover paper); and second and third cassettes, housing other paper sheets. A paper feeding part 66, taking out a paper sheet one by one, is attached to each cassette. A paper sheet from the first - third cassetts and a thick paper sheet from the first cassette 61 are guided in a photoreceptor direction via a first carrying path 64 and a curved shape second carrying path 65 respectively, and a switching part 69 is provided for switching the first and second carrying paths 64 and 65. A paper feeding time by the paper feeding part 66 is extended and controlled at the time of feeding a thick sheet.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device for feeding different sheets when performing an interleaf copy or the like in an image forming mechanism such as an electrophotographic copying machine and a laser beam printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a copying machine, when copying to a paper of a type (hardness or the like) different from the copy paper which is usually used, or to easily make a file or a book of a plurality of copied paper groups. In order to perform the interleaving mode using thick paper (cover paper) as the front cover or the back cover, these papers are stiffer and less likely to bend than normal papers. It is necessary to transport without sudden changes.

Conventionally, these papers are fed from a manual paper feed table that can be conveyed almost linearly or from a dedicated cassette attached to a place where the papers can be smoothly conveyed.

[0004]

However, when the thick paper is fed from the manual feed tray, the number of the thick paper that can be stored in the manual feed tray is about 50 sheets. Had to do. Also,
With a structure that feeds paper from a dedicated cassette, the device is large
It becomes complicated and costly.

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet feeding device of an image forming mechanism capable of feeding a large number of thick sheets or the like from a storage section for storing sheets.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage section 61 capable of storing a large number of sheets or a sheet of another type, and a sheet from the storage section 61 toward the photoconductor 38. A first conveyance path 64 for guiding, a second conveyance path 65 for guiding another type of paper from the storage section 61 toward the photoconductor 38,
A paper feed unit 66 that feeds a sheet from the storage unit 61 to the first transport path 64 or the second transport path 65, and a switching unit 69 for switching the transport path are provided. It has a curved shape that bends and guides to.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the problem solving means can store a large number of sheets or thick sheets in an image forming mechanism having an interleaving mode for inserting a thick sheet different from the sheet into a designated page of the image-formed sheet. Storage section 61 and a first transport path 64 for guiding the paper from the storage section 61 toward the photoconductor 38.
And a second conveying path 65 for guiding the interleaving thick paper from the storage section 61 toward the photoconductor 38, and a paper feed for feeding the paper or the thick paper from the storing section 61 to the first conveyance path 64 or the second conveyance path 65. A section 66 and a switching section 69 for switching the transport path are provided,
The second transport path 65 has a curved shape that gently guides the thick paper.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the means for solving the problem is a paper feeding section 6
6 is provided with a paper feed time extending means for making the paper feed time when the paper is fed to the second transport path 65 longer than that when the paper is fed to the first transport path 64.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the means for solving the problem, the timing of starting sheet feeding from when a thick sheet is fed to when the next sheet is fed is determined from the timing of starting sheet feeding when sheets are sequentially fed. The paper feed timing delay means for delaying is provided.

[0010]

In the means for solving the problems according to the above-mentioned claims 1 to 4, the slip sheet mode is started in which the required number of thick sheets of paper are stored in the storage portion 61 and the thick sheets are inserted into the designated page of the sheet group on which the image is formed. To do. When the designated page is reached, the switching unit 69 switches the conveyance to the second conveyance path 65, and the thick paper is fed to the second conveyance path 65 by the paper feed unit 66. At this time, in order to feed the thick paper, a conveyance force larger than that of the paper is required, so that the paper feeding time by the paper feeding unit 66 is extended. Then, the cardboard is conveyed in the direction of the photoconductor 38 while gradually curving and changing its direction.

Next, the switching section 69 switches the transportation to the first transportation path 64, the paper feeding timing is delayed, and the sheet is fed to the first transportation path 64 and is transported toward the photoconductor 38. The paper feed timing after feeding the thick paper is delayed because the paper passing through the first transport path 64 is transported faster than the thick paper traveling through the second transport path 65.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an essential part of a sheet feeding device of a copying machine showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an overall block diagram of the copying machine, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an image processing section, and FIG. Enlarged configuration diagram of the paper feed section,
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the paper feeding operation in the slip sheet mode,
FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which the insertion position of the thick paper is both front and back and the thick paper is loaded in the same cassette together with the normal paper.

As shown in FIG. 2, the digital copying machine 10 of the present embodiment comprises a scanner section 11, a laser printer section 12, a multi-stage sheet feeding unit 13 which is a sheet feeding device, and a sorter 14.

The scanner unit 11 includes a document placing table 15 made of transparent glass and a double-sided automatic document feeder (RDF) 1.
6 and a scanner unit 17.

Further, the scanner section 11 includes a document table 15
When scanning a document placed on the document table, the document table 15
When the RDF 16 is used, the document is conveyed while the scanner unit 17 is stopped at a predetermined position below the RDF 16 when the scanner unit 17 moves along the lower surface of the RDF 16. Meanwhile, the document image is read.

The RDF 16 sets a plurality of originals at one time and automatically feeds the originals one by one to the upper side of the scanner unit 17 so that one side or both sides of the original can be scanned according to the operator's selection. 17 is configured to be read.

The scanner unit 17 includes a lamp reflector assembly 18 for exposing a document, a plurality of reflection mirrors 20 for guiding a reflected light image from the document to a photoelectric conversion element (CCD) 19, and a reflected light image from the document on the CCD 19. A plurality of lenses 21 for forming an image are provided.

The image data obtained by reading the original image with the scanner unit 17 is sent to the image processing section and subjected to various processing, and then temporarily stored in the memory of the image processing section and stored in the memory according to the output instruction. The image data in the image is given to the laser printer unit 12 to form an image on a sheet.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image processing unit includes an image data input unit 30, an image data processing unit 31, an image data output unit 32, a memory 33 including a RAM (random access memory), and a central processing unit. (CPU) 3
It is equipped with 4.

The image data input section 30 is a CCD section 30.
a, histogram processing unit 30b and error diffusion processing unit 3
It has 0c. The image data input unit 30 is the CCD 1
The image data of the original read from 9 is binarized and converted, and while the histogram is taken as a binary digital amount, the image data is processed by the error diffusion method and stored in the memory 3.
3 is configured to be stored once.

In the CCD section 30a, after the analog electric signal corresponding to each pixel density of the image data is A / D converted,
25 MTF correction, black and white correction or gamma correction
The digital signal of 6 gradations (8 bits) is output to the histogram processing unit 30b.

In the histogram processing section 30b, the digital signal output from the CCD section 30a is added for each pixel density of 256 gradations to obtain density information (histogram data), and this histogram data is sent to the CPU 34 as necessary. Or sent as pixel data to the error diffusion processing unit 30c.

The error diffusion processing section 30c uses the error diffusion method, which is a kind of pseudo intermediate processing, that is, the method of reflecting the binarization error in the binarization judgment of the adjacent pixels.
The 8-bit / pixel digital signal output from a is converted into 1-bit (binary), and a redistribution operation for faithfully reproducing the local area density in the original is performed.

The image data processing section 31 is a multi-value processing section 3.
1a and 31b, a combination processing unit 31c, a density conversion processing unit 31d, a scaling processing unit 31e, an image processing unit 31f, an error diffusion processing unit 31g, and a compression processing unit 31h.

The image data processing unit 31 is a processing unit for finally converting the input image data into image data desired by the operator, until the memory 33 stores the finally converted output image data. The processing unit is configured to process. However, each processing unit of the image data processing unit 31 functions as necessary,
It may not work.

In the multi-value conversion processing units 31a and 31b, the data binarized by the error diffusion processing unit 30c is re-converted to 256.
Converted to gradation.

In the synthesizing section 31c, a logical operation for each pixel, that is, a logical sum, a logical product, or an exclusive logical sum is selectively performed. The data that is the target of this operation is
It is pixel data stored in the memory 33 and bit data from the pattern generator (PG).

In the density conversion processing section 31d, the relationship between the input density and the output density is arbitrarily set for the 256 gradation digital signal based on a predetermined gradation conversion table.

In the scaling processing section 31e, the pixel data (density value) for the scaled target pixel is obtained by performing interpolation processing with the known data that is input according to the instructed scaling ratio. After the scanning is scaled, the main scanning is scaled.

In the image processing section 31f, various image processes can be performed on the input pixel data, and information collection such as feature extraction can be performed.

The error diffusion processing section 31g performs the same processing as the error diffusion processing section 30c of the image data input section 30.

In the compression processing section 31h, the binary data is compressed by the encoding called run length. Regarding the compression of image data, the compression functions in the final processing loop when the final output image data is completed.

The pixel data output section 32 includes a restoration section 32a,
The multi-value processing unit 32b, the error diffusion processing unit 32c, and the laser output unit 32d are provided.

The image data output unit 32 restores the image data stored in the memory 33 in a compressed state to the original 2
It is configured to convert again to 56 gradations, perform error diffusion of four-valued data that is a smoother halftone expression than binary data, and transfer the data to the laser output unit 32d.

The decompression unit 32a decompresses the image data compressed by the compression processing unit 31h.

The multi-value quantization processing section 32b performs the same processing as that of the multi-value quantization processing sections 31a and 31b of the image data processing section 31.

The error diffusion processing section 32c performs the same processing as the error diffusion processing section 30c of the image data input section 30.

In the laser output section 32d, the digital pixel data is converted into a laser on / off signal based on a control signal from a sequence controller (not shown), and the laser is turned on / off.

The data handled by the image data input unit 30 and the image data output unit 32 is the memory 33.
In order to reduce the capacity of the data, it is basically stored in the memory 33 in the form of binary data, but it is also possible to process in the form of four-valued data in consideration of deterioration of image data.

The laser printer section 12 comprises a manual feed original tray 35, a laser writing unit 36, and an electrophotographic process section 37 for forming an image.

The laser writing unit 36 is a semiconductor laser that emits a laser beam according to the image data from the memory 33 of the image processing unit, a polygon mirror that deflects the laser beam at a constant angular velocity, and a laser beam that is deflected at a constant angular velocity is an electrophotographic image. The process unit 37 includes an f-θ lens and the like for correcting the photosensitive drum 38 so that the light is deflected at a constant speed.

A charger 3 is provided around the photosensitive drum 38.
9, the developing device 40, the transfer device 41, the peeling device 42, the cleaning device 43, and the static eliminator 44 are arranged to configure the electrophotographic process unit 37.

A transport belt 45 and a fixing device 46 are arranged on the paper output side of the electrophotographic process section 37, and the copy sheet subjected to a predetermined copying process in the electrophotographic process section 37 is fixed by the transport belt 45. The toner image transferred to the copying machine 46 and transferred onto the copy sheet is heated and fixed.

A gate flapper 47 is arranged on the paper output side of the fixing device 46 to switch the path of the copy paper to either the sorter 14 side or the multi-stage paper feeding unit 13 side arranged below the laser printer section 12. There is.

Therefore, the laser writing unit 36
In the electrophotographic process section 37, the image data read from the memory 33 of the image processing section is formed as an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 38 by scanning the laser beam with the laser writing unit 36. The toner image visualized by the toner is electrostatically transferred and fixed on the surface of the sheet conveyed from the multi-stage sheet feeding unit 13. The paper on which the image is formed in this way is
It is sent to the sorter 14 or conveyed again to the multi-stage paper feeding unit 13.

The multi-stage paper feeding unit 13 includes a fixing device 46.
And the reverse conveyance path 59 disposed below the conveyance belt 45.
And a double-sided / composite conveying path 60 arranged below the reversing conveying path 59, and a plurality of normal sheets or cardboards (cover sheets) for copying, arranged below the double-sided / composite conveying path 60 First cassette 61 which is a storage section and second and third cassettes 6 which are storage sections capable of storing a large number of sheets
2, 63, a first conveyance path 64 that guides the paper from the first, second, and third cassettes 61, 62, and 63 toward the photoconductor 38, and a second conveyance path that guides the thick paper from the first cassette 61 toward the photoconductor 38. 65 and the first, second, and third cassettes 61, 62, 63
Paper feed units 66, 67, 68 for feeding paper from the paper
And a switching unit 69 for switching the transport path.

The reversing conveyance path 59 is a conveyance path for reversing the front and back sides of a sheet in the double-sided copy mode for copying both sides of a document.

The double-sided / composite conveying path 60 conveys paper from the reverse conveying path 59 toward the photosensitive drum 38 in the double-sided copying mode, or images of different originals or images of different colors on one side of the paper. This is a transport path for transporting the paper toward the photosensitive drum 38 in the single-sided composite copy mode in which the composite copy to be formed is carried out.

The first transfer path 64 includes the cassettes 61,
The papers 62 and 63 are transferred to the photosensitive drum 38 and the transfer device 41.
Main conveyance path 64 arranged so as to lead to the image forming position between
a and a branch path 6 branched into each cassette 61, 62, 63
4b, 64c, 64d. Further, one end of the double-sided / composite conveyance path 60 is connected to the main conveyance path 64a, and the total length of the double-sided / composite conveyance path 60 is the shortest.

As shown in FIG. 1, the second transfer path 65 communicates with the branch path 64b of the first cassette 61 and joins the main transfer path 64a through the outside and has a weight of 126 g / m ^2.
A thick paper having a large curvature is curved so that it can be conveyed while gently changing its direction and gradually changing its direction.

This is because if a thick paper is to be conveyed in the same conveyance path as a normal paper, the heavy weight of the paper and the rigidity of the paper make it impossible to convey the thick paper. In addition, the second transport path 6
5 is arranged so as to correspond to the first cassette 61, as compared with the case where it corresponds to the second and third cassettes 62 and 63, the distance to the image forming position is short and the conveyance time is shortest. Because.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, 70, 71 and 72 are conveying rollers, 73 is a manual feeding path, 74a is an upper PS roller, and 74b is a lower PS roller. The lower PS roller 74b is driven by a gear system or the like by a drive system (not shown), and the upper PS roller 74a is pressed against the lower PS roller 74b and is driven to rotate.

Further, in FIG. 1, reference numerals 90 and 91 denote jam guide paper guides which can be opened and closed about an axis to take out thick paper or normal paper jammed in the first and second conveying paths 64 and 65. is there.

The switching unit 69 is arranged near the branching portion of the first cassette 61, and is switchably rotatable between a posture of closing the main conveyance path 64a and a posture of closing the second conveyance path 65.
5 and a solenoid for rotating the gate 75 around an axis.

As shown in FIG. 4, the paper feed sections 66, 67, 68 are arranged in front of the paper feed side ends of the cassettes 61, 62, 63, and the thick paper or paper is branched into the branch paths 64b, 64c, 6 respectively.
Paper feed rollers 80a and 80b leading to 4d and each cassette 6
The pickup roller 81 is disposed above the papers 1, 62 and 63 and guides the thick paper or paper to the paper feed rollers 80a and 80b.

The paper feed rollers 80a and 80b are composed of an upper driving roller 80a and a lower driven roller 80b. The driving roller 80a is rotated by the driving of a motor, so that the driven roller 80b connected to the driving roller 80a by a gear is rotated. The driven roller 80b
Conveys the paper while preventing double feed of the paper.

The pickup roller 81 is synchronously driven via a drive belt in conjunction with the driving roller 80a. Further, the pickup roller 81 is the driving roller 80.
It is possible to swing around the roller shaft of a by a solenoid,
A paper feed state in which the top thick paper or paper in each cassette 61, 62, 63 is pressed to feed it (on) and a non-paper feed state in which it rises above the paper and comes into non-contact to stop feeding (off)
It can be switched to and. In FIGS. 1 and 4, X is a sheet and Y is a thick sheet.

Further, in the slip sheet mode in which thick paper is inserted into a designated page of a paper group on which an image is formed, the switching unit 6 is used.
9 and a paper feed control unit for driving and controlling the paper feed units 66, 67, 68.

The paper feed controller comprises a CPU 34 and a memory 33, which are part of the components of the image processing unit, and when the designated page is reached, the paper feed units 66, 67 and 68 are provided for feeding thick paper. Paper feed section switching function to switch the drive of
When the designated page is reached, the switching unit 69 is used to feed the thick paper.
And a conveyance path switching function for switching the conveyance path, and a thick paper feeding time by the pickup roller 81 of the paper feeding unit 66 when the thick paper is conveyed to the second conveyance path 65 is set to be longer than that when the normal paper is fed. The paper feed time extension function (normally 300 ms is set to 600 ms) and the feed timing of the pickup roller 81 from the feed of thick paper to the feed of the next regular paper in the interleaving mode are sequentially fed by the regular paper. Delay the paper feed timing when paper is printed (500 ms
The paper feed timing delay function is provided.

In the above configuration, in order to facilitate file or bookbinding of a plurality of copied paper groups, a slip sheet mode is executed in which a thick paper sheet as a front cover or a back cover sheet is used and the thick paper sheets are inserted first and last. At this time, the required number of thick sheets are set in the first cassette 61, and the original is set in the RDF 16.

When the slip sheet mode switch is turned on, the insertion position of the thick paper as the designated page of the thick paper is only the front cover, only the back cover,
Select either the front or back side and enter the number of copies. When the preparation in the interleaf sheet mode is completed, the interleaf sheet mode is started by pressing the copy start button as shown in FIG.

When the insertion position of the thick paper is selected on both the front and back sides, the gate 75 is switched so as to close the first conveying path 64, and the sheet feeding rollers 80a and 80b and the pickup roller 81 of the sheet feeding section 66 are rotationally driven. The pick-up roller 81 swings to be in the ON state, abuts on the thick paper serving as the cover sheet in the first cassette 61, and feeds the sheet to the sheet feed rollers 80a and 80b.

At this time, if the ON state in which the pickup roller 81 is in contact with the paper becomes long, the normal paper is bent, bent at the leading end, and stained. However, it weighs 126
A thick paper having a weight of more than g / m ² is strong and needs to be sufficiently picked up due to its own weight, which requires a conveyance force larger than that of a normal paper. Therefore, the thick paper feed time of the pickup roller 81 is set to 600 ms, which is twice the paper feed time of 300 ms.

The thick paper is fed by the paper feed rollers 80a, 80.
By b, it is guided to the second conveyance path 65 via the branch path 64b. Here, the thick paper is gradually curved and is changed in direction to be conveyed by the conveyance roller 70 and guided to the image forming position of the photoconductor 38.

Next, the gate 75 closes the second conveyance path 65, and the timing is 5 more than the timing when the normal sheets are sequentially fed.
The paper is fed from the second cassette 62 or the third cassette 63 by the pickup roller 81 after a delay of 00 ms, and is guided to the image forming position of the photoconductor 38 through the first transport path 64.

The reason for delaying the paper feed timing after feeding the thick paper is that the transport time of the thick paper through the second transport path 65 is longer than the transport time of the normal paper through the first transport path 64. Because. In addition, normal paper is loaded on the first transport path 64.
The reason is that when the second conveying path 65 is passed, the conveying distance becomes longer and the conveying time becomes longer accordingly. Therefore, it becomes necessary to carry out the preliminary feeding or to increase the conveying speed earlier than the normal timing. Is.

After the last original is copied, the thick paper as the back cover is conveyed in the same manner as the front cover, and the partial number is completed. Then, the same operation is performed for the number of copies input. It should be noted that operations related to image formation, fixing, discharge, etc. are well known and will be omitted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, thick paper and normal paper are loaded in the first cassette 61 in advance, and the paper feed from the first cassette 61 is carried to the second carrying path 65 regardless of whether it is thick paper or normal paper. However, it is also possible to execute the slip sheet mode with the same sheet feed timing. In the normal copy mode, the first, second and third cassettes 61, 62, 6
In the continuous switching paper feed or the mixed paper feed mode in which No. 3 is used, the normal paper from the first cassette 61 is conveyed to the first conveyance path 64 to have the same paper feed timing.

As described above, a large number of thick papers can be stored in the existing first paper feed cassette 61 for storing papers, and the thick papers can be guided to the image forming position of the photosensitive drum 38 by the second transport path 65. .

Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a dedicated cassette for storing the thick paper, and in the interleaving paper mode in which a large amount of the thick paper is used, the same mode can be efficiently executed without replenishing the thick paper on the way. .

Further, the thick paper is guided to the image forming position by gradually changing the carrying direction by the second carrying path 65, and moreover, the feeding time by the pickup roller 81 when feeding the thick paper is extended. It is possible to easily feed thick paper that requires a large carrying force, and prevent paper feeding problems such as paper jams.

Further, in the interleaving mode, after the thick paper is fed, the timing of feeding the next paper is delayed so that the thick paper, which takes a long time to carry, is reliably fed before the paper is fed. Feeding failure can be prevented.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that many modifications and changes can be made to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

For example, the second conveying path 65 is not limited to the arc shape, but may be any shape that gently bends thick paper. Also,
The paper feeding units 66, 67, 68 may be suction type conveyor belts. Further, if the paper feed time by the pickup roller 81 is lengthened by using the second conveyance path 65, it is possible to copy thick paper.

The second transport path 65 may be provided not only in the first cassette 61 but also in the second and third cassettes 62 and 63. In addition, thick paper may be fed from the second and third cassettes 62 and 63 by increasing the curvature of the portion A in FIG. 1 (however, in this case, it is not the slip sheet mode).

Further, the cassettes 61, 62, 63 can be transported to the main transport path 64a without being bent or bent, but in the portion B in FIG. 1, there is a problem such as bending or bending during the transfer. When a sheet slightly thicker than a normal sheet (a sheet having a weight of 126 g / m ² or less) is conveyed, as shown in FIG. 7, a variable paper guide 100 which can be opened and closed on the side of the second conveying path 65 near the portion B of the main conveying path 64a. Is provided and the variable paper guide 100 is opened, so that the sheet can be stably conveyed in the portion B, and the sheet is conveyed to the first conveying path 6
4 may be carried and the carrying time may be shortened.

The variable paper guide 100 is not opened when the normal paper is conveyed to the first conveyance path 64.
The opening / closing mechanism of the variable paper guide 100 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a structure in which a variable paper guide 100 is biased in a closing direction by a spring 101 and is opened / closed by turning a solenoid 102 on or off, or a structure in which a gear formed in the guide is meshed with a gear to be rotated and opened / closed by a motor Can be

[0078]

As is apparent from the above description, according to claims 1 and 2 of the present invention, a large number of different types of sheets such as cardboard are stored in the storage section for storing sheets and the storage section is shared. This sheet can be guided toward the photoconductor while gradually changing the carrying direction by the second carrying path.

Therefore, as compared with the case where thick paper or the like is conveyed while changing the conveying direction suddenly, paper jam can be prevented, and it is not necessary to separately provide a dedicated storage portion for the thick paper or the like, and space can be saved. Moreover, in the copy mode or the slip sheet mode in which a large amount of thick paper or the like is used, each mode can be efficiently executed without supplying thick paper or the like in the middle.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the thick paper is guided toward the photoconductor while gradually changing the carrying direction by the second carrying path, and further, the paper feeding time by the paper feeding unit when feeding the thick paper is extended. Since thick paper that requires a large carrying force can be easily fed, it is possible to prevent paper feeding failure such as paper jam.

According to the fourth aspect, in the slip sheet mode, the paper feed timing of the next paper after feeding the thick paper is delayed so that the thick paper having a long transport time is reliably transported before the paper is fed. Therefore, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to prevent a paper feed failure.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a main part of a sheet feeding device of a copying machine showing an embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] Overall configuration of copier

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an image processing unit.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged configuration diagram of a paper feeding unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a paper feeding operation of the paper feeding device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the insertion position of the thick paper is both front and back, and the normal paper is loaded in the same cassette.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the first conveyance path equipped with a variable paper guide.

[Explanation of symbols]

 38 Photoconductor 61 Storage Section 64 First Conveying Path 65 Second Conveying Path 66 Paper Feeding Section 69 Switching Section

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location G03G 15/00 309 7369-2H

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A storage unit capable of storing a large number of papers or other types of papers, a first transport path for guiding the papers from the storage unit toward the photoconductor, and a storage unit for storing other types of papers as the photoconductors. A second conveying path for guiding in a direction, a sheet feeding section for feeding a sheet from the storing section to the first conveying path or the second conveying path, and a switching section for changing the conveying path, and the second conveying path is A sheet feeding device of an image forming mechanism, wherein the sheet is formed into a curved shape that gently bends and guides the sheet. 2. An image forming mechanism having an interleaving mode for inserting a thick paper different from the paper into a designated page of the paper on which an image is formed, a storage unit capable of storing a large number of papers or thick papers, and the storage unit. Section for guiding paper from the storage section toward the photoconductor, a second conveyance path for guiding cardboard for storage paper toward the photoconductor from the storage section, and a first transfer path or second transport for paper or cardboard from the storage section A sheet feeding section for feeding sheets to the path, a switching section for switching the transporting path, and a sheet feeding control section for driving the switching section to switch the transporting path for feeding thick paper when a designated page is provided, The sheet feeding device of the image forming mechanism is characterized in that the second conveying path has a curved shape that gently bends and guides thick paper. 3. The sheet feeding device of the image forming mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding time when the sheet is fed to the second conveying path by the sheet feeding unit is the sheet feeding to the first conveying path. A sheet feeding device of an image forming mechanism, which is provided with a sheet feeding time extending means for making the sheet feeding time longer than that. 4. The sheet feeding device of the image forming mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the sheets are sequentially fed at a timing of starting feeding from the feeding of thick paper to the feeding of the next sheet. A sheet feeding device of an image forming mechanism, which is provided with a sheet feeding timing delay unit that delays the sheet feeding start timing.