JPH0659530A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To sort an original and a copying paper having the record of the image of the original, at the time of copying in a reserved mode, from those at the time of copying in a normal regular mode and to eject them. CONSTITUTION:This image forming device is constituted so that at the time of copying in the reserved mode, the original is fed from the inside of an original cassette 100 housed in a reserved original housing part III to a device main body side, to read the image and then, returned into the same original cassette 100 again, and simultaneously, the copying paper having the recording of the image is ejected into a specified copying paper holder 150 housed in a copying housing part IV by the setting operation of the reserved mode, and managed to sort from the copying paper on the paper ejecting tray 160 of a sorter V ejected in a normal regular mode.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention can copy an original by two kinds of paper feeding methods: a normal mode by a normal paper feeding method and a reservation mode in which a paper feeding time is reserved in advance. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus which is frequently used, such as an office copying machine, a long waiting time may be required due to so-called copy waiting.

In order to avoid such waste of waiting time,
There is proposed an image forming apparatus capable of setting a so-called copy reservation mode in which a document is set and placed in advance in the apparatus, and when the copy in progress is completed, the document is automatically fed to perform the copy process. ing.

[0004]

However, in a device having a high operation rate as described above, a large number of users use a plurality of types of originals, one time in a normal mode, and another time in a reserved mode. Due to the use of the device depending on the mode, the original or copy paper on which the image is recorded may be confused and taken away, or may be lost in extreme cases. It

As a result of solving and improving this point, the present invention provides
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that eliminates the possibility of confusion or loss by storing and storing a document or a copy sheet on which an image is recorded in a specific storage position even in the reservation mode. .

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a reserved manuscript storage unit for accommodating a manuscript in a reservation mode in an image forming apparatus capable of copying a manuscript by two paper feeding means of a normal mode and a reservation mode. And an automatic document feeding section for feeding a document, and an image forming apparatus configured to feed a document on the document table sequentially from the automatic document feeding section to perform copying, and In an image forming apparatus capable of copying an original by two paper feeding means of a normal mode and a reserved mode, a reserved original accommodation section for accommodating the original in the reserved mode and an automatic original feeding section for accommodating the original An image forming apparatus, comprising: a copy storage section for storing a recording sheet on which an image is recorded, and prohibiting an opening operation of the reserved document storage section and the copy storage section when the automatic document feeding section is operated. Yo It is achieved.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is connected to an apparatus main body I, a cassette storage II, and a side portion of the apparatus main body I. It comprises a reserved document storage section III, a copy storage section IV, and a sorter V.

The apparatus main body I includes a document reading section Ia, a laser writing system unit Ib, an image forming section Ic, and a sheet feeding section I.
In the color image forming apparatus of the type which is composed of d and which forms a color toner image by superposing a monochromatic toner image on the photoconductor of the image forming section Ic and transfers the color toner image onto a recording paper. The structure is as follows.

The image reading section Ia is provided with an automatic document feeding section VI on the upper part thereof so that the document D carried out from the reserved document storing section III and stacked on the stacker is automatically read by the image reading section Ia. It has a structure that feeds paper to.

Reference numerals 1 and 2 in the automatic document feeder VI are a carry-out belt and a conveyor belt for the document D, and the document D stacked on the stacker of the paper feeder VI is attracted by the carry-out belt 1. The lowermost one is carried out one by one, and is conveyed onto the platen glass 3 of the image reading section Ia via the conveyor belt 2 and abutted against a position regulating member (not shown) and stopped.

Numerals 4A, 4B and 4C are exposure scanning optical systems which constitute the image reading section Ia, and the movement of the mirror 4B integrally with the exposure lamp 4A in the horizontal direction,
The image of the document D is received as a color document image on the color CCD 4E through the imaging lens 4D by exposure scanning by the pair of mirrors 4C that follow at a speed of 2.

Document D received by the color CCD 4E
The color image of (1) is converted into image data of each single color in the image processing unit and is temporarily stored in the image memory.

Next, the image data is sequentially taken out as a color signal for each single color at the time of recording and input to the laser writing system unit Ic.

That is, when the color signal output from the image reading unit Ia is input to the laser writing system unit Ib, the laser beam generated by the semiconductor laser (not shown) in the laser writing system unit Ib is emitted. It is rotated and scanned by a polygon mirror 5B rotated by a drive motor 5A, and an optical path is bent by a mirror 5D via an fθ lens 5C and input to the image forming unit Ic.

In the image forming section Ic, 6 is a photosensitive drum which is driven and rotated in the direction of the arrow, 7 is a charger, and 8A to 8A.
D is each developing device that stores a toner of a specific color, and 9 is a cleaning device.

The developing devices 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D are arranged in parallel on the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 6 and contain, for example, yellow, magenta, cyan and black toners. A latent image on the photoconductor drum 6 is visualized by non-contact reversal development, each of which is provided with a developing sleeve that keeps a predetermined gap from the peripheral surface of 6.

The blade 9A of the cleaning device 9 is kept at a position separated from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 6 during image formation, and is only shown at the time of cleaning after transfer of the toner image as shown in the figure. It is pressed against the peripheral surface of No. 6.

The process of forming and recording an image in the image forming section Ic and the sheet feeding section Id is performed as follows.

When the laser beam scanning unit Ib starts the rotational scanning of the laser beam, the beam is detected by the index sensor, the modulation of the beam by the first color signal is started, and the modulated beam is the photosensitive member. The peripheral surface of the drum 6 is scanned. Therefore, a latent image corresponding to the first color is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 6 by the main scanning by the laser beam and the sub-scanning by the conveyance of the photosensitive drum 6. This latent image is subjected to reversal development in a non-contact state by the developing device 8A loaded with yellow (Y) toner (visual medium) in the developing means to form a toner image on the drum surface. The toner image thus obtained is held on the drum surface and passes under the cleaning device 9, which is a cleaning means separated from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 6, and enters the next copy cycle.

That is, the photosensitive drum 6 is the charger 7
Is charged again, and then the second color signal output from the signal processing unit is input to the writing system unit Ib,
Writing is performed on the drum surface to form a latent image in the same manner as in the case of the first color signal described above. The latent image is a developing device 8B loaded with magenta (M) toner as the second color.
The reversal development is carried out by the non-contact state.

The magenta (M) toner image is formed in the presence of the previously formed yellow (Y) toner image.

Reference numeral 8C is a developing device having cyan (C) toner, which forms a cyan (C) toner image on the belt surface based on a control signal generated in the signal processing section.

Further, 8D is a developing device having a black toner, which forms a black toner image on the drum surface by superimposing it by the same process. These developing devices 8A, 8B,
A direct current or an alternating current bias is applied to each of the sleeves 8C and 8D, jumping development is performed by a one-component or two-component developer that is a developing means, and the base body is not in contact with the photoconductor drum 6 which is grounded. The reversal development is performed in.

The color toner image thus formed is
It is transferred and recorded on the recording paper fed from either the paper feed cassette C built in the paper feed unit Id or each of the paper feed cassettes C1 to C5 housed in the cassette housing II.

Each of the above-mentioned paper feed cassettes is a so-called front loading type cassette which is inserted into the above cassette storage case II from a direction orthogonal to the recording paper conveyance direction.

The paper feeding cassette C accommodates a recording paper P of a normal size, and the conveying roller 11 makes one rotation in the direction of the arrow in parallel with the formation of the toner image, so that the paper feeding cassette C in the paper feeding cassette C is stored. The uppermost recording sheet P is unloaded and fed to the timing roller 13 via the sheet feeding roller 12 and temporarily stopped and put on standby.

The recording paper on which the image has been transferred is separated from the peripheral surface of the drum by a separator 15 and is fixed by a conveying belt 16 to a fixing device 17.
To the outside of the apparatus main body I via the paper discharge roller 18 after fusing the toner.

On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 6 from which the recording paper is separated
Is subjected to pressure contact with the blade 9A of the cleaning device 9 to remove and clean residual toner, and then charged again by the charger 7 to start the next image forming cycle.

On the other hand, when the recording paper accommodated in any of the paper feed cassettes C1 to C5 is selected as the recording paper other than the regular size, the conveying roller 11 does not rotate and the cassette is replaced. The carrying-out action of the recording paper is started by the carrying roller 11A which is a paper feeding means built in the storage case II.

Recording paper P stored in the paper feed cassette C2 will be described below.
2 will be described as an example with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

When the recording paper P2 is specified by operating the paper size selection button on the apparatus main body I, the paper size signal from the apparatus main body I causes the motor M2 in the storage case II to start rotating and the rack R2 in which the pinion PG2 meshes. 6A is moved from the position shown in FIG. 6A to the direction indicated by the arrow, and the light-shielding plate S at the right end operates the photoswitch PS1 to move the motor M2 to the position shown in FIG. 6B. Stop rotation and make it stand still.

Each of the paper feed cassettes C1 to C5 is an outer frame B.
The double structure of the outer frame B is left in the locked position when the frame is horizontally moved.
The front of the storage cabinet II is prevented from being unnecessarily opened, preventing accidental touching of the inside of the operator and ensuring safety.

When the sheet feeding cassette C2 is moved, the regulating pin 102 provided on the arm 101 supporting the separating claw 100 slides along the long hole B1 of the outer frame B, so that the separating claw 100 is moved. The recording paper P2 loaded on the bottom plate 110 is rotated counterclockwise by a predetermined angle by the support shaft 101A of the arm 101 by the biasing force of the compression spring 111 that pushes up the bottom plate 110.
The top surface of is always kept at a constant height.

When the paper feed cassettes are inserted into the storage case II, the outer frame B holds the paper feed cassettes in their initial positions by engaging the respective paper feed cassettes with the projections on the inner bottom surface.

Next, in response to a signal from the photo switch PS1, a drive signal for the elevator E is received from a control unit of the apparatus main body (not shown), and the elevator E is driven by a drive unit (not shown).
Starts to descend, and the photosensor PS2 is actuated by the light shielding plate S in a state where the carrying roller 11A mounted on the shaft of the motor M supported by the lifting table E is placed at the upper position of the recording paper P2 and can be carried. Then, the lowering of the lifting platform E is stopped.

The elevating table E is designed to ascend and descend with the pillar G as a guide, and a pinion (not shown) of a built-in motor is meshed with a rack R of the pillar G to drive the motor to drive the pinion. Is moved up and down by rolling on the rack R.

From the state shown in FIG. 6 (b), the motor M of the lifting table E rotates in parallel with the formation of the toner image, as in the case of carrying out the recording paper P from the paper feed cassette C described above. The uppermost recording paper P2 is carried out by rotating the carrying roller 11A once.

Here, as shown in the figure, the conveying roller 11A is a half-moon roller, and a separation claw 100 for preventing double feeding is placed in a moving cassette C2 housed in a double cassette outer frame B (fixed cassette frame). Since the half-moon shaped conveying roller 11A is provided so as to contact the upper end portions of both sides of the cassette C1 to C5 to the sheet feeding roller 12A on the right side of the drawing, the half-moon shaped conveying roller 11A is separated from the transfer material. The reliability is improved for easy and reliable transport, and compactness is achieved without providing a complicated structure for preventing double feed.

The recording paper P carried out from the paper feed cassette C2
2 is conveyed upward by the corresponding paper feed roller 12A on the side of the storage case II and enters the inside of the apparatus main body I to feed the paper.
It is fed to 12, and is fed to an image transfer area via a timing roller 13.

A reflection type photocoupler PC having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion is provided above the respective sheet feeding cassettes C1 to C5.
Are arranged, and the recording paper in each paper feed cassette moved to the paper feed position is detected by receiving the reflected light. When the paper feed cassette C2 is emptied by the paper feed and the recording paper cannot be detected by the photocoupler PC, the motor M2 is triggered by the signal.
Rotates in the reverse direction to return the cassette C2 to the position shown in FIG. 6A, that is, the initial storage position.

Further, at the same time, the elevating table E rises and returns to its initial position, and a warning lamp L on the front of the cassette storage case II is turned on to prompt a measure for replenishing the designated recording paper or changing the size designation.

If the recording paper P2 is absent from the beginning, the recording paper detection signal from the photocoupler PC cannot be obtained even when the paper feeding cassette C2 reaches the paper feeding position shown in FIG. 6B. The motor M2 reversely rotates and the paper feed cassette C
Is returned to the initial storage position shown in FIG. 6 (a), and therefore the lifting platform E also suspends its descending and rises to its initial position.

Further, even when the recording paper of the other paper feeding cassette is designated during the paper feeding from the paper feeding cassette C2, the motor M2 and the motor built in the elevator E start to rotate in the reverse direction. After the paper feed cassette C2 and the lift table E are once returned to the initial positions shown in FIG. 6A, the same paper feed operation as that of the above-described paper feed cassette C or C2 is performed.

The above cassettes are loaded into the cassette storage case II as follows. Below cassette C
The case of 2 will be described as an example with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 6 shows the inside of the cassette storage case II at an angle viewed from the right side of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7 (a), the outer frame B containing the above is manually slid and inserted from the horizontal direction into the designated loading section 23 of the cassette storage case II via the handle 24.

When the outer frame B is inserted to a predetermined depth, the rack R20 on the back side of the outer frame B is moved to the pinion PG20 of the motor M20.
Then, the bottom surface thereof activates the micro switch MS20 to activate the motor M20, and the rotation of the pinion PG20 causes the outer frame B to be continuously and automatically inserted into the loading portion 23.

When the outer frame B is inserted to a predetermined position, the light shielding plate S at the tip actuates the photoswitch PS20 to stop the motor M20, and the rack R2 of the sheet cassette C2 housed inside is driven by the motor. Mesh with M2 pinion PG2,
The paper feed cassette C2 is placed in a state where the movement to the paper feed position as described above can be started.

The apparatus receives the document D from any of the plurality of document cassettes 100 stored in the reserved document storage section III, reads the image, and again reads the document D which has been read. The recording paper on which the images are recorded is returned to each original cassette 100 and stored, and the copy storage unit IV
It is adapted to be discharged and accommodated in the copy paper container 150 which is stored in.

The original cassette 100 is a sending section for feeding the original D to the automatic original feeding section VI as shown in FIG. 4 (a).
It is divided into a 110 and a re-entry part 120 for storing the returned document D, and as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the document D is taken in and out by opening with a hinge H.

The sending section 110 is placed on a push-up plate 111 containing the document D, and the uppermost surface of the document D is brought into contact with the separating claw 113 by the urging force of the compression spring 112 so that the document D always has a predetermined height. Keep it at.

When each document cassette 100 is stored in the reserved document storage section III, the uppermost surface of the document D is positioned below each of the carry-out rollers 11B incorporated in the storage section III, and the transport rollers 11B rotate. By the operation, the documents D are placed in a state where they are unloaded one by one from the top surface.

On the other hand, the copy paper container 150 is an open container for containing only recording paper on which an image is recorded as shown in FIG.

In each of the original cassettes 100, the copy order of the originals to be stored is set according to the order of pressing the reservation button 101 on the front of the storage section III.
When 101 is turned on, copy conditions such as the number of copies, density, and magnification set by the operation panel of the apparatus main body I are displayed on the display unit 102 and stored in the control unit.

Document D delivered from the document cassette 100
Is conveyed in the X direction from the storage portion III by the rotation of the plurality of feeding rollers 201 in the direction indicated by the solid line, that is, the forward rotation operation, and is conveyed into the automatic document feeding portion VI.

The original document D carried into the automatic document feeder VI is placed on the above-mentioned stacker via the feeding rollers 202 and 203, and is put in a stacked state by the carrying-out action of all the original documents D to be stored, As described above, the lowermost original D is sequentially fed onto the platen glass 3.

The original document D whose image has been read is again conveyed by the conveyor belt 2 due to the withdrawal of the above-mentioned position regulating member, and the image reading section Ia is passed through the paper feed roller group 204.
Will be sent back more.

That is, in conjunction with the resumption of the conveyance of the document D, the above-mentioned respective paper feed rollers 201 and 202 transfer to the reverse direction in the direction indicated by the broken line and at the same time, the document cassette 10 from which the document D has been discharged.
The guide plate 210 at the corresponding position of 0 rotates to the position shown by the broken line, and the document D fed back by each of the paper feed rollers is collected into the re-entry section 120 via the re-entry roller 211. To do.

On the other hand, the recording paper on which the image discharged from the apparatus main body I has been fixed is discharged from the Y direction to the storage section IV,
Is brought in.

When the document D is fed in the reservation mode, the recording sheet carried in the storage section IV is turned downward by the guide plate 230 which rotates in the direction of the arrow, and the plurality of sheet discharge rollers 205 are provided. After being conveyed by the copy paper container 150, the guide plate 220 at the corresponding position of the copy paper container 150 paired with the original cassette 100 is rotated to the position shown by the broken line, and the respective copy paper containers 150 are received via the receiving rollers 221. It is stored in.

On the other hand, when the document D is immediately copied in the normal mode instead of the reservation mode described above, the document D is directly placed on the stacker of the image reading section Ia and fed.

Document D fed in the above normal mode
After the image is read, it is fed to the storage box III, passes through the guide plate 212 rotated to the position shown by the broken line, and further enters the sorter V, and is stored in the upper part of the sorter V via the paper discharge roller 213. The paper is ejected and stored in the original document cassette 170.

The original D fed in the normal mode
The recording paper on which the image is recorded passes on the guide plate 230 rotated to the position shown by the broken line, and is fed to the sorter V from the Z direction via the plurality of conveying rollers 206.

The recording paper carried into the sorter V passes through each paper feed roller 207 and each guide plate 240 which rotates to the position shown by the broken line in accordance with the page order of the document D, and also through each paper discharge roller 231. And is discharged onto the designated tray 160.

FIG. 5 shows the copy paper container 150 stored in the storage section IV. Each recording paper is a recorded original D.
The corresponding position of the original cassette 100 that has sent out the document, for example, the recording paper on which the image of the original D sent from the uppermost original cassette 100 is recorded is specifically stored in the copy paper container 150 located at the uppermost.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention according to claim 4, wherein each of the document cassette 100 and the copy paper container 150 has a handle 100A or a handle 100A.
A method is adopted in which the storage unit III or IV is slid from the front side in the drawing in a drawing-out manner and is attached / detached by the 150A.

In each of the original cassette 100 and the copy paper container 150, a lock hole 100B or 150 is formed in a part of the side wall.
On the other hand, B is provided with a lock member L connected to the plunger P of the solenoid S in the storage portions III and IV, the document D is set to be in the reservation mode, and the automatic document feeder VI is used. Solenoid is active, the solenoid S
When the plunger P is actuated by turning ON, the lock member L is engaged with the lock holes 100B and 150B, and the original cassette 100 and the copy paper container 150 are prevented from being removed.

It should be noted that the feeding of the original D in the reservation mode is automatically started after a lapse of a certain time after the end of the copying in the normal mode, and should be interrupted until the copying of all the stored originals D is completed. Is prohibited.

[0069]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a document is fed in the normal mode and the reservation mode, the copy sheets on which the respective images are recorded can be discharged in a state suitable for practical use without confusion. As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus which does not require a waiting time for copying, is easy to handle a manuscript and copy paper, and is highly practical.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a document and copy storage unit provided in the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a document and copy storage unit that is installed in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a document cassette loaded in the storage unit.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a copy paper container loaded in the storage unit.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing sheet feeding of a sheet feeding cassette.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for loading a paper feed cassette into a cassette storage case.

[Explanation of Codes] I Device Main Body II Cassette Storage Box III Reserved Document Storage Section IV Copy Storage Section V Sorter VI Automatic Document Feeding Section Ia Image Reading Section Ib Laser Writing System Unit Ic Image Forming Section Id Paper Feeding Section D Original C, C1 to C5 Paper feed cassette 2 Conveyor belt 3 Platen glass 6 Photoreceptor drum 7 Charger 8A to 8D Developer 9 Cleaning device 100,170 Original cassette 100A, 150A Handle 100B, 150B Lock hole 150 Copy paper container S Solenoid P Plunger L Lock member

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus capable of copying an original by two paper feeding means, a normal mode and a reservation mode, and a reserved original storage section for storing the original in the reservation mode and an automatic original for feeding the original. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a paper feeding unit, and the document is sequentially fed from the automatic document feeding unit onto a document table to perform copying. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a document whose image has been read in the reservation mode is re-entered in the reserved document storage section. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording paper on which the document image is recorded in the reservation mode is stored in a copy storage unit separate from the reserved document storage unit. 4. An image forming apparatus capable of copying an original with two paper feeding units, a normal mode and a reservation mode, and a reserved original storage unit for storing the original in the reservation mode and an automatic original for feeding the original. The present invention is characterized in that a paper feed section and a copy storage section for storing a recording sheet on which a document image is recorded are provided, and opening operations of the reserved document storage section and the copy storage section are prohibited when the automatic document supply section operates. Image forming apparatus.