JPH07257799A - Printer, and sheet distributing method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To control a plurality of discharge roller assemblies, respectively, and simplify the structure of a device. CONSTITUTION:A printer has a discharge roller 9a and discharge roller 9b provided on both sides near a sheet discharge port across a feed passage to feed a sheet, motors 13a, 13b for rotating the discharge rollers 9a and 9b, and a discharge motor control part 53 for rotating the discharge rollers 9a and 9b with a difference in rotating quantities between them after a detection signal is received from a discharge sensor 9 according to the distributing data of sheet, and skewing the sheet for discharge.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer that prints on a single-cut sheet and sorts the printed sheets when ejected, and a method for sorting the sheets.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printer that prints on a single-cut sheet and sorts the printed sheets when ejecting the printed sheets is used after a sheet fed in a feeding path is detected by an ejection sensor. Some are discharged from the paper discharge port. In such a printer, a discharge roller and a discharge roller assembly that moves the discharge roller in a direction orthogonal to the paper discharge direction are provided near the paper discharge port.

In such a printer, for example, when the paper is distributed to two positions, the discharge roller is first positioned at the home position and the first paper is discharged. When the second sheet is fed and detected by the ejection sensor, the ejection roller is temporarily stopped with the leading edge of the sheet pinched.

Next, the discharge roller assembly moves the discharge roller in a direction orthogonal to the paper discharge direction, and the discharge roller rotates again to discharge the paper. After that, the discharge roller assembly moves the discharge roller in the direction opposite to the direction in which the discharge roller was moved when discharging the second sheet, and returns it to the home position. The operation as described above is repeated for the third and subsequent sheets.

[0005]

In the conventional printer, a discharge roller assembly having a width sufficient to move the discharge roller must be provided, and the structure of the apparatus and the control unit are complicated and assembled. However, there is a problem in that the device becomes large and the device becomes large.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in a printer of the present invention, a first discharge roller and a second discharge roller for feeding a sheet provided on both sides near a sheet discharge port are provided. The roller, the drive source that rotates the first discharge roller and the second discharge roller, and the first discharge roller and the second discharge roller after receiving the detection signal from the discharge sensor according to the distribution data of the paper. A discharge drive control unit that drives the drive source with a difference in the amount of rotation from the roller to skew the sheet and discharge it.

[0007]

In the printer constructed as described above,
The discharge drive control unit receives the detection signal from the discharge sensor, rotates the first roller and the second roller at the same time, conveys a printed sheet by a predetermined amount, and rotates the first roller and the second roller. The sheet is skewed by driving the drive source with a different amount, and the sheet is discharged from the sheet discharge port.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The elements common to the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view showing a printer of one embodiment,
3 and 4 are partially cutaway top views as seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG.

In FIG. 2, the electrophotographic printer 1 comprises a control unit 2 and a printing unit 3. The control unit 2 receives data from the host device, processes the received data, and stores the processed data in the data buffer. The printing unit 3 controls the printing process to perform printing. In the paper feed path 4 in the printing unit 3,
Paper feed roller 5, transfer drum 6, fixing roller 7, ejection sensor 8, paired ejection roller 9 and backup roller 1.
0 and the sheet discharge port 11 are provided in the order in which the sheet travels. Further, the guide 12 is provided on the upper surface of the electrophotographic printer 1.
A discharge stacker 12 formed by a is provided.

The sheet, which is a single sheet fed by the sheet feeding roller 5, has toner transferred by the transfer drum 6, and heat and pressure are applied by the fixing roller 7. As a result, the toner is fixed on the paper and the paper is printed. The printed paper is fed through the paper feed path 4 in the direction of arrow B and detected by the discharge sensor 8. After that, the paper is discharged to the discharge roller 9
It is sandwiched between the backup roller 10 and the backup roller 10, and is discharged from the sheet discharge port 11 to the discharge stacker 12 by the rotation of the discharge roller 9 and the backup roller 10.

In FIG. 3, the backup roller 11 of the broken portion is omitted. The discharge rollers 9a and 9b provided in the vicinity of the sheet discharge port 11 are provided with the gear 15 respectively.
It is connected to the motors 13a and 13b via a and 15b. Further, the discharge stacker 12 is formed in a pentagonal shape by the guide 12a.

A paper distribution procedure by the electrophotographic printer 1 as described above will be described. In FIG. 3, when the paper 14 is sorted to the right side when viewed from the paper discharge port 11, when the paper 14 is fed and detected by the discharge sensor 8, the motors 13a and 13b are driven simultaneously and the discharge rollers 9a, Rotate 9b. The discharge rollers 9a and 9b feed the sheet 14 to the position indicated by the dotted line.

Next, with the discharging roller 9a stopped, only the discharging roller 9b is rotated. As a result, the sheet 14 is directed diagonally to the right and comes to the position indicated by the alternate long and short dash line. Next, the discharge rollers 9a and 9b are simultaneously rotated again, and the paper 14
Is discharged from the paper discharge port 11. Before the sheet 14 is completely discharged, the edge of the sheet 14 separates from the discharge roller 9b, but due to the discharge roller 9a and the force of the feeding,
The paper sheet 14 skews as it is and stops at the position indicated by the solid line.
Further, the sheet 14 is guided in the direction determined by the guide 12a and is accurately ejected.

In FIG. 4, when the paper 14 is distributed to the left side as viewed from the paper discharge port 11, when the paper 14 is fed and detected by the discharge sensor 8, the motors 13a, 13a are provided.
b is driven simultaneously to rotate the discharge rollers 9a and 9b.
The discharge rollers 9a and 9b feed the sheet 14 to the position indicated by the dotted line.

Next, with the discharge roller 9b stopped, only the discharge roller 9a is rotated. As a result, the sheet 14 is directed diagonally to the left and comes to the position shown by the alternate long and short dash line. Next, the discharge rollers 9a and 9b are simultaneously rotated again, and the paper 14
Is discharged from the paper discharge port 11. Before the sheet 14 is completely discharged, the edge of the sheet 14 separates from the discharge roller 9b, but due to the discharge roller 9a and the force of the feeding,
The paper sheet 14 skews as it is and stops at the position indicated by the solid line.
Further, the sheet 14 is guided in the direction determined by the guide 12a and is accurately ejected.

Next, the electrophotographic printer 1 as described above.
The control system will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control unit of the electrophotographic printer of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the motors 13a and 13b are connected to a discharge motor control unit 53 via motor drivers 51 and 52, respectively.

When the motor control signal 53 is set to Lo (low level) by the motor control section 53, the motor driver 51 energizes the motor 13a to drive the motor 13a, and the gear 1
The discharge roller 9a is rotated via 5a. When the motor control unit 53 sets the motor-on signal 56 to Hi (high level), the motor driver 51 stops the current to the motor 13a, stops the motor 13a, and stops the discharge roller 9a via the gear 15a.

When the motor control unit 53 sets the motor ON signal 57 to Lo, the motor driver 52 causes the motor 13b to move.
Is energized to drive the motor 13b, and the discharge roller 9b is rotated via the gear 15b. When the motor control unit 53 sets the motor-on signal 57 to Hi, the motor driver 52
Stops the current to the motor 13b, stops the motor 13b, and stops the discharge roller 9b via the gear 15b. The discharge sensor signal 630 indicates that the printed paper is the discharge sensor 8
Becomes Lo while passing through and the printed paper is ejected by sensor 8.
Becomes Hi when not passing through.

The discharge motor control method of the discharge motor control unit 53 as described above will be described. FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of the discharge motor control unit, and FIG. 6 is a time chart of the discharge motor control unit.

In FIG. 5, the discharge motor control unit is
V (differential circuit) 610, 611 and TIM (timer) 6
It has 12, 613, 614, and 615. DIV6
In No. 10, a trigger signal is generated when the input falls to Lo, and in DIV 611, a trigger signal is generated at the output when the input falls to Hi.

In the TIM 612, when a trigger signal is input to the input, a trigger signal is generated at the output after tA time.
In No. 3, when a trigger signal is input to the input, a trigger signal is generated at the output after tB time. In the TIM 614, when a trigger signal is input to the input, a trigger signal is generated at the output after tC time,
When a trigger signal is input to the IM 615, a trigger signal is generated at the output after tD time.

In addition, the discharge motor control section includes D type FFs (flip-flops) 616, 617, 618, 2
Input AND (and gate) 619, 620, 2 input O
It is composed of R (OR gates) 621 and 622 and two-input NAND (nand gates) 623 and 624.

In FIG. 6, if the paper has not passed the discharge sensor 8 when the power is turned on, the discharge sensor signal 63
0 becomes Hi701, and the DIV output 631 triggered by the fall of the emission sensor signal 630 as an input trigger is Hi70.
6. The DIV output 635 whose input trigger is the rising edge of the discharge sensor signal 630 becomes Hi709.

The TIM output 632 which uses the falling edge of the DIV output 631 as an input trigger is Hi712, TIM.
The TIM output 633 whose input trigger is the rising edge of the output 632 is Hi715, and the TIM output 634 whose input trigger is the rising edge of the TIM output 633 is Hi718. Also, the TIM that uses the DIV output 635 as an input trigger
The output 636 becomes Hi721.

After the power is turned on, the reset signal 643 is set to Lo7.
When 00 is input, FF output Q641 is Lo742, F
The F output NQ642 becomes Hi745. Also, the Hi 718 of the TIM output 634 and the Lo 70 of the reset signal 643.
AND output 638 that inputs 0 is Lo 726, and FF output NQ that clears Lo 726 of AND output 638 as input
639 becomes Hi737.

Further, AND output 6 for inputting Hi721 of TIM output 636 and Lo700 of reset signal 643 is inputted.
37 is Lo729, and the FF output Q640 that clears Lo729 of the AND output 637 is Lo732.
Also, Hi 737 of FF output NQ639 and FF output Q6
OR output 644 inputting Lo 742 of 41 is Hi 74
8. Hi737 of FF output NQ639 and FF output NQ6
OR output 645 inputting Hi745 of 42 is Hi75
It becomes 4.

Further, the OR output 644 Hi748 and FF
The motor-on signal 56, which is the output of the NAND 623 that inputs the Lo 732 of the output Q640, is Hi760, and the motor-on signal 5 that is the output of the NAND 624 that inputs the Hi 754 of the OR output 645 and the Lo 732 of the FF output Q640.
7 becomes Hi767. As a result, the motor 1 in FIG.
3a and 13b are stopped, and the discharge rollers 9a and 9b are also stopped.

When the sheet starts passing through the discharge sensor 8, the discharge sensor signal 630 becomes Lo 702, and the DIV output 6 is triggered by the fall of the discharge sensor signal 630 as an input trigger.
31 becomes Lo707. DIV output 631 is Lo70
At tA seconds after falling to 7, the TIM output 632 goes low.
It becomes o713. When Lo 713 of the TIM output 632 rises, the FF output Q640 becomes Hi733.

Also, the Hi output 748 and the FF of the OR output 644
The motor-on signal 56 that is the output of the NAND 623 that inputs the Hi 733 of the output Q640 is Lo761, and the motor-on signal 57 that is the output of the NAND 624 that inputs the Hi 754 of the OR output 645 and the Hi 733 of the FF output 640.
Becomes Lo768. Thereby, the motors 13a, 13
b is driven, the discharge rollers 9a and 9b rotate, and a predetermined amount of paper is fed.

After tB seconds after the TIM output 632 rises to Lo 713, the TIM output 633 becomes Lo 716. When Lo716 of TIM output 633 rises, F
The F output NQ639 becomes Lo738. Also, Lo738 of the FF output NQ639 and Lo7 of the FF output NQ641.
The OR output 644 inputting 42 is Lo749, Lo738 of the FF output NQ639 and Hi7 of the FF output NQ642.
The OR output 645 in which 45 is input becomes Hi754.

Also, Lo749 of OR output 644 and FF
The motor-on signal 56 that is the output of the NAND 623 that inputs the Hi 733 of the output Q640 is Hi762, and the motor-on signal 5 that is the output of the NAND 624 that inputs the Hi754 of the OR output 645 and the Hi733 of the FF output Q640.
7 becomes Lo768. As a result, the motor 13a stops, the discharge roller 9a also stops, the motor 13b drives and the discharge roller 9b rotates, and the paper is directed obliquely to the right as viewed from the paper discharge port.

At tC seconds after the TIM output 633 rises to Lo 716, the TIM output 634 becomes Lo 719, and the Lo 719 of the TIM output 634 and the reset signal 64.
AND output 638 for inputting Hi780 of 3 is Lo72
7, the FF output NQ639 that clears the input of Lo727 of the AND output 638 becomes Hi739. In addition, Hi739 of FF output NQ639 and Lo7 of FF output Q641
The OR output 644 into which 42 is input is Hi750, the FF output NQ639 is Hi739, and the FF output NQ642 is Hi7.
The OR output 645 in which 45 is input becomes Hi754.

Also, the Hi output 750 of the OR output 644 and the FF
The motor-on signal 56 that is the output of the NAND 623 that inputs the Hi 733 of the output Q640 is Lo763, and the motor-on signal 5 that is the output of the NAND 624 that inputs the Hi754 of the OR output 645 and the Hi733 of the FF output Q640.
7 becomes Lo768. As a result, the motors 13a, 1
3b is driven, the discharge rollers 9a and 9b rotate, and the paper is completely discharged from the paper discharge port.

When the sheet has finished passing the ejection sensor 8, the ejection sensor signal 630 becomes Hi703, and the rising edge of the ejection sensor signal 630 serves as an input trigger for the DIV output 6
35 becomes Lo710. DIV output 635 is Lo71
TIM output 636 is set to L after tD seconds after falling to 0.
The AND output 63 that receives the Lo 722 of the TIM output 636 and the Lo 780 of the reset signal 643
7 is Lo730, and the FF output Q640 that clears the input of Lo730 of the AND output 637 becomes Lo734.

Further, an OR output 64 in which Hi739 of the FF output NQ639 and Lo742 of the FF output Q641 are input.
4 is Hi750, and FF output NQ639 Hi739 and F
OR output 64 to which Hi745 of F output NQ642 is input
5 becomes Hi754.

Also, the Hi 750 and FF of the OR output 644
The motor-on signal 56 that is the output of the NAND 623 that inputs the Lo 734 of the output Q640 is Hi764, and the motor-on signal 5 that is the output of the NAND 624 that inputs the Hi 754 of the OR output 645 and the Lo 734 of the FF output Q640.
7 becomes Hi769. As a result, the motors 13a, 1
3b stops, and the discharge rollers 9a and 9b also stop.

Lo 722 of the time output 636 is Hi72
When rising to 3, the FF output Q641 changes to Hi743, F
F output NQ642 becomes Lo746, and FF output NQ6
39 Hi739 and the FF output Q641 Hi743 are input as the OR output 644, which is Hi750 and FF output NQ63.
An OR output 645 into which Hi739 of 9 and Lo746 of the FF output NQ642 are input becomes Hi754.

Further, the Hi output 750 of the OR output 644 and the FF
The motor-on signal 56 that is the output of the NAND 623 that inputs the Lo 734 of the output Q640 is Hi764, and the motor-on signal 5 that is the output of the NAND 624 that inputs the Hi 754 of the OR output 645 and the Lo 734 of the FF output Q640.
7 becomes Hi769. As a result, the motors 13a, 1
3b is stopped, and the discharge rollers 9a and 9b are also stopped.

When the sheet starts passing through the discharge sensor 8, the discharge sensor signal 630 becomes Lo 704, and the DIV output 6 is triggered by the fall of the discharge sensor signal 630 as an input trigger.
31 becomes Lo708. DIV output 631 is Lo70
At tA seconds after falling to 8, the TIM output 632 goes low.
It becomes o714. When Lo 714 of the TIM output 632 rises, the FF output Q640 becomes Hi735.

Further, the OR output 644 Hi750 and FF
The motor-on signal 56 that is the output of the NAND 623 that inputs the Hi 735 of the output Q640 is Lo 765, and the motor-on signal 57 that is the output of the NAND 624 that inputs the Hi 754 of the OR output 645 and the Hi 733 of the FF output 640.
Becomes Lo770. Thereby, the motors 13a, 13
b is driven, the discharge rollers 9a and 9b rotate, and a predetermined amount of paper is fed.

After tB seconds after the TIM output 632 rises to Lo 714, the TIM output 633 becomes Lo 717. When Lo717 of TIM output 633 rises, F
The F output NQ639 becomes Lo740. Also, Lo740 of FF output NQ639 and Lo7 of FF output NQ641.
The OR output 644 into which 43 is input is Hi750, the Lo output 740 of the FF output NQ639 and the Hi7 of the FF output NQ642.
The OR output 645 to which 46 is input becomes Lo755.

Further, the Hi output 750 of the OR output 644 and the FF
The motor-on signal 56 that is the output of the NAND 623 that inputs the Hi 735 of the output Q640 is Lo765, and the motor-on signal 5 that is the output of the NAND 624 that inputs the Lo755 of the OR output 645 and the Hi735 of the FF output Q640.
7 becomes Hi771. As a result, the motor 13a is driven to rotate the discharge roller 9a, the motor 13b is stopped and the discharge roller 9b is stopped, and the paper is directed diagonally leftward when viewed from the paper discharge port.

At tC seconds after the TIM output 633 rises to Lo 717, the TIM output 634 becomes Lo 720, and the Lo 720 of the TIM output 634 and the reset signal 64.
AND output 638 for inputting Hi780 of 3 is Lo72
8 and the FF output NQ639 that clears the input of Lo728 of the AND output 638 becomes Hi741. In addition, Hi74 of FF output NQ639 and Hi7 of FF output Q641
The OR output 644 into which 43 is input is Hi750, the FF output NQ639 is Hi741 and the FF output NQ642 is Lo7.
The OR output 645 to which 46 is input becomes Hi756.

Further, the Hi output 750 of the OR output 644 and the FF
The motor-on signal 56 that is the output of the NAND 623 that inputs the Hi 735 of the output Q640 is Lo765, and the motor-on signal 5 that is the output of the NAND 624 that inputs the Hi756 of the OR output 645 and the Hi735 of the FF output Q640.
7 becomes Lo772. As a result, the motors 13a, 1
3b is driven, the discharge rollers 9a and 9b rotate, and the paper is completely discharged from the paper discharge port.

When the paper has finished passing the ejection sensor 8, the ejection sensor signal 630 becomes Hi705, and the rising edge of the ejection sensor signal 630 serves as an input trigger for the DIV output 6
35 becomes Lo711. DIV output 635 is Lo71
TIM output 636 becomes L after tD seconds after falling to 1.
AND output 63 to which Lo724 of TIM output 636 and Lo780 of reset signal 643 are input
7 is Lo 731, and the FF output Q640 that clears the input of Lo 731 of the AND output 637 is Lo 736.

Further, the OR output 64 in which Hi741 of the FF output NQ639 and Lo743 of the FF output Q641 are input.
4 is Hi750, FF output NQ639 Hi741 and F
OR output 64 to which Lo 746 of F output NQ642 is input
5 becomes Hi756.

Also, the Hi output 750 of the OR output 644 and the FF
The motor-on signal 56 that is the output of the NAND 623 that inputs the Lo 736 of the output Q640 is Hi766, and the motor-on signal 5 that is the output of the NAND 624 that inputs the Hi 756 of the OR output 645 and the Lo 736 of the FF output Q640.
7 becomes Hi773. As a result, the motors 13a, 1
3b stops, and the discharge rollers 9a and 9b also stop.

Lo 724 of the time output 636 is Hi72
When rising to 5, the FF output Q641 changes to Lo744, F
F output NQ642 becomes Hi747 and FF output NQ6
OR output 644 into which Hi 741 of 39 and Lo 744 of FF output Q 641 are input is Hi 750 and FF output NQ 63.
An OR output 645 into which Hi 741 of 9 and Hi 747 of the FF output NQ 642 are input becomes Hi 756.

Further, the Hi output 750 of the OR output 644 and the FF
The motor-on signal 56 that is the output of the NAND 623 that inputs the Lo 736 of the output Q640 is Hi766, and the motor-on signal 5 that is the output of the NAND 624 that inputs the Hi 756 of the OR output 645 and the Lo 736 of the FF output Q640.
7 becomes Hi773. As a result, the motors 13a, 1
3b is stopped, and the discharge rollers 9a and 9b are also stopped.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it becomes possible to sort the paper only by the discharge rollers, and the discharge roller assembly which has been conventionally required can be deleted.
The structure of the device and the control unit are simplified to facilitate the assembly, and the device can be downsized.

[0051]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects.

That is, the first discharge roller and the second discharge roller, which are provided on both sides near the paper discharge port and traverse the feeding path to feed the paper, the first discharge roller and the second discharge roller. After receiving a detection signal from the discharge sensor according to the drive source that rotates the discharge roller and the paper distribution data, the drive source is provided with a difference in the rotation amount between the first discharge roller and the second discharge roller. Since it is equipped with a discharge drive control unit that drives the sheet and discharges the sheet while skewing it, it is possible to sort the sheet only by the discharge roller, and the discharge roller assembly that was conventionally required can be deleted. In addition, the structure of the device and the control unit are simplified to facilitate the assembly, and the device can be downsized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control unit of an electrophotographic printer of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating a printer according to an embodiment.

3 is a partially cutaway top view as seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway top view as seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a discharge motor control unit.

FIG. 6 is a time chart of a discharge motor control unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Paper Feeding Path 8 Ejection Sensor 9a, 9b Ejection Roller 11 Paper Ejection Port 13a, 13b Motor 14 Paper

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A printed sheet fed through a feeding path,
In a printer that ejects from a sheet ejection port after detection by an ejection sensor, a first ejection roller and a second ejection roller provided on both sides near the paper ejection port, the first ejection roller, and the second ejection roller. After the detection signal is received from the above-mentioned discharge sensor according to the drive source that rotates the discharge roller and the paper distribution data, the rotation amount between the first discharge roller and the second discharge roller is changed. A printer comprising: a discharge drive control unit that drives the drive source to skew and discharge the paper. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the drive source is a motor. 3. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising a paper guide provided on a stacker for discharging the paper. 4. A discharge drive control unit receives a detection signal from a discharge sensor, simultaneously rotates a first roller and a second roller to convey a printed sheet by a predetermined amount, and the first discharge roller and The drive source is driven to make a difference in the amount of rotation from the second discharge roller to skew the paper, and the first discharge roller and the second discharge roller are simultaneously driven again to discharge the paper. Paper sorting method for printers that eject paper from the exit.