JPH08110662A - Automatic document feeder and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To read and copy document in a state where their sizes are coexistent in the shortest time by starting scanning when the document is stopped on a carrying belt near a scanner even though another carrying belt is reversed. CONSTITUTION: In an image forming device 1 equipped with plural carrying belts 17 and 18 independently driven and an automatic document feeder 2 provided with a reversing mechanism; scanning is started when the document is stopped on the 1st carrying belt 17 near the scanner even though the 2nd carrying belt 18 is reversed. In the case the document is extended over the carrying belts 17 and 18, the carrying belts on both ends in the feeding direction of the document are driven in an outward direction at low rotation in the automatic document feeder 2. At such a time, the area of the carrying belt on a paper supply side is set to be the largest. Furthermore, in the automatic document feeder 2, the centers of A3 size and B4 size with respect to the feeding direction of the do not exist between the carrying belts 17 and 18.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an automatic document feeder (A
DF) and an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine having an automatic document feeder.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An automatic document feeder having a plurality of independently driven conveyor belts conveys a sheet to a document glass by a conveying means, and then sends the sheet from the document glass.
The sheet is reversed by the reversing means and fed again to the original glass. At this time, the conveying means is formed of a plurality of conveying belts arranged in the sheet conveying direction. Further, a sheet reversing unit is provided between these conveyor belts. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 1-226628 and 1
No. 226642 is disclosed.

[0003]

By the way, in the conventional automatic document feeder having a single conveyor belt, when a plurality of originals are placed on the contact glass, the plurality of originals are stopped due to the single conveyor belt. At the same time. In the case of an automatic document feeder having a plurality of conveyor belts, the stop time is different, so it is necessary to perform it at the most efficient timing. Further, in the conventional plural independently driven conveying belts, there is an inconvenience that the document floats when the document stops between the belts. Further, in the conventional copying machine, when copying a document having a different feeding order, either the order of the documents was changed or the order of the copied documents was changed. It's very troublesome. Also, in the conventional automatic document feeder with the reversing mechanism on the discharge side, the document is adjusted by applying the document to the edge of the contact glass on the paper feeding side, but since the document is reversed in the feeding order, it is reversed once. For documents other than the maximum document size, the conveyance path is wasted for the size of the document. Further, due to the difference in the conveyance timing, the document is broken and the document is torn.

A first object of the present invention is to control the reading start signal from the information of the document size detection,
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reading and copying a mixed size original in the shortest time.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an automatic document feeder which can prevent the document from floating by rotating the belts on both ends outwardly at a low speed.

A third object of the present invention is that since the area of the belt on the paper feed side is the largest, the force applied to the paper is the largest, so that the trailing edge of the original can be applied to the scale.
An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic document feeder that can match the vertical registration.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide an automatic document feeder capable of preventing the folds from floating because the center of the A3 and B4 originals in the feeding direction does not come between a plurality of belts. is there.

A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a multi-page original having a different feeding order (the first page is at the bottom) by having an inversion mechanism so that the first page is at the top. Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic document feeder that can improve the efficiency of work by eliminating the need to rearrange pages.

A sixth object of the present invention is to have a plurality of independently driven transport belts so that the next document can be transported regardless of the movement of the previous document depending on the size of the document, and moved as much as possible. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic document feeder that can reduce the copying time.

A seventh object of the present invention is to provide an automatic document feeder which can carry out stable feeding by synchronously driving a plurality of independently driven feeding belts.

[0011]

The first object is to provide an image forming apparatus equipped with a plurality of independently driven conveyor belts and an automatic document feeder having a reversing mechanism so that the originals are conveyed by the conveyor belt near the scanner. This is achieved by the first means which, when stopped, starts scanning even if it is reversed by the other conveyor belt.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an automatic document feeder having a plurality of independently driven transport belts, and when the document straddles the plurality of transport belts, the belts on both ends of the document in the feeding direction are outwardly moved. This is achieved by the second means adapted to drive at a low speed.

The third object of the present invention is that, in the second means,
This is achieved by the third means in which the area of the belt on the paper feed side is the largest.

The fourth object is to provide an automatic document feeder provided with a plurality of independently driven conveyor belts, which are A3 and B4.
This is achieved by the fourth means in which the center of the size original in the feeding direction is not located between the conveyor belts.

A fifth object of the present invention is to provide an automatic document feeder equipped with a conveyor belt and a reversing mechanism, which is adapted to read documents having different feeding orders by reversing them with the front and back reversed. Achieved by

The sixth object is, in the fifth means,
The next original is achieved by the sixth means in which the standby position is changed according to the size information of the previous original.

The seventh object is to provide an automatic document feeder having a plurality of independently driven conveyor belts and a reversing mechanism,
If the size of the document in the feeding direction is equal to or larger than the size across all the conveyor belts, the seventh means for synchronizing the plurality of conveyor belts and performing the normal copy can be achieved.

[0018]

In the first means, the reading start signal is controlled based on the document size detection information.
Originals mixed in size can be read and copied in the shortest time.

In the second means, the belt on both ends is rotated outward at a low speed to prevent the original from floating.

In the third means, since the area of the belt on the paper feed side is the largest and the force applied to the paper is the largest, the trailing edge of the document can be applied to the scale, The resist can be matched.

In the fourth means, since the center of the A3 and B4 originals in the feeding direction does not come between the plurality of belts,
You can keep the folds from floating.

In the fifth means, by having an inversion mechanism, it is desired to copy a large number of originals having different feeding orders (the first page is at the bottom) with the first page at the top. At this time, it is possible to eliminate the need to rearrange pages and improve work efficiency.

In the sixth means, by having a plurality of independently driven transport belts, the next document can be transported regardless of the motion of the previous document depending on the size of the document, and it can be moved as much as possible. By doing so, the copying time can be shortened.

In the seventh means, stable conveyance can be performed by synchronously driving a plurality of independently driven conveyance belts.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the configuration of the embodiment, FIGS.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the embodiment, FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b).
Is an explanatory view showing a set state of an original, FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an operation of the embodiment, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a contact glass and a scale.

In these figures, 1 is an image forming apparatus,
2 is an automatic document feeder (feeding unit) on which the image forming apparatus 1 is mounted; 3 is a document table; 4 is a document set detection unit;
Is a calling roller, 7 is a calling lever, 8 is a separating belt, 9 is a separating roller, 10 is a pulse generator, 11 is a document length detection unit, 12 is a registration / document width detection unit, and 13
Is a reverse roller, 14 is a reverse discharge detection unit, 15 is a reverse switching claw, 16 is a discharge roller, 17 is a first conveyor belt wound around a roller, and 18 is a second conveyor wound around a roller. A belt, 19 is contact glass with which the first conveyor belt 17 and the second conveyor belt 18 face each other, 20 is a scanner, 21 is a left end face abutment (original scale), 22 is a right end face abutment (scale), Reference numeral 23 is a paper discharge tray for single-sided originals.

In the image forming apparatus 1 equipped with the plurality of independently driven conveyor belts 17 and 18 and the automatic document feeder 2 having the reversing mechanism, the first conveyor belt 1 close to the scanner 20.
When the document P stops at 7, the scanning is started even if it is reversed by the other second conveyor belt 18. Further, in the automatic document feeder 2, when the document P straddles the plurality of transport belts 17 and 18, the transport belts on both ends of the document P in the feeding direction are driven outward at a low speed. At this time, the area of the feeding belt on the paper feeding side is set to be the largest. Further, in the automatic document feeder 2, A3, B
The center of the 4-size original P in the feeding direction is not located between the conveyor belts 17 and 18. Further, in the automatic document feeder 2, the originals P having different feed orders are read by reversing the front and back when set, and the standby position of the next original P is changed according to the size information of the previous original P. Is done. Further, in the automatic document feeder 2, the size of the document P in the feeding direction is set to the conveyance belt 1 of all sizes.
If the size is equal to or larger than 7 and 18, the plurality of conveyor belts 17 and 18 are synchronized and normal copying is performed.

When a two-sided original is ejected under the original set tray, when it is ejected under the original set tray for a single-sided original, the page order of the original P is out of order, so that the one-sided original is ejected. A paper tray 23 is provided. That is, when the original is a one-sided original, the paper is ejected to the paper ejection tray 23.

As shown in FIG. 8, the contact glass 19 has a left end face butting 21 fixed to one end face thereof, and a right end face butting 22 movably provided on the other end face thereof. ing.

Next, the first control method of the above embodiment will be described. When a plurality of double-sided originals P having a size less than half of the maximum paper-passable size are fed from the document table 3, first n
Th original P _n is fed in, as shown in FIG. 2, n th left end face of the original P _n of the n-th face down image of the table of the document P _n (in the figure represents the back) Hit the butting 21,
Read the image. After that, the n-th original P _n is reversed so that it moves to the right, is reversed by the reversing roller 13 or the like, and returns onto the contact glass 19, and abuts against the right end face abutment 22 as shown in FIG. To be On the other hand, the sheet feeding unit 2 feeds the (n-1) th original P _{n- 1} and abuts it on the left end face abutment 21 with its front side facing up. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, two originals P _n and P _n-1 are placed on the left and right end portions of the contact glass 19 (the original P _n should be face up, P _n-1 is on the table below). Therefore, as shown in FIG.
At 0, the images of the two originals P _n and P _n-1 are read simultaneously. The home position HP of the scanner 20 is located below the left end face abutment (scale) 21 and is read by moving to the right. After that, since the (n-1) th original _Pn-1 is inverted, the same operation as that of the above-mentioned nth original _Pn is performed.
The n-2th original document operates similarly to the _n- 1th original document _Pn-1 . This movement is performed up to the first document. The writing system reads the information from the scanner 20 with a CCD (not shown), sequentially transfers the front surface original (the left end abutting original) to the transfer paper, and the back original (the right end abutting original) in the memory. . When the transfer on the front surface is completed, the transfer paper is inverted after stacking it, and the data in the memory is transferred to the transfer paper.

At this time, the time required for the n- _th original P _{n to} be reversed and abutted against the right end face abutment 22 is n−
When it takes more time than feeding the _first original P _n-1 and abutting it on the left end face abutting 21, the time difference comes to a position where the scanner (reading unit) 20 reads the _nth original P _n. If the time is less than the time required for reading, a signal to start reading is output. This scanner start condition is (L / V)>
(L / v). However, _if the conveyance speed of the document P _n is v,
The moving speed of the scanner 20 is V, the conveyor belts 17 and 18
The distance between the space and the left end of the document P _n is 1, the conveyor belt 17,
The distance between 18 and the left end butting 21 is L. When a double-sided original is selected, the discharge is performed on the side table of the automatic document feeder 2. When a single-sided original is selected, it is ejected to the paper ejection tray 23.

Next, the second control method will be described with reference to FIG. A plurality of double-sided originals P are set and fed by a start signal, and the size of the original P in the feeding direction is read based on information from the encoder attached to the pull-out roller shaft. At that time, if it is determined that the central portion of the document P comes between the conveyor belts 17 and 18, as shown in FIG.
The first conveyor belt 17 located above the left end of the document P rotates clockwise (clockwise), and the second conveyor belt 18 located at the right end of the document P rotates counterclockwise at a low speed. The side of the original P is pulled in the direction of arrow C and the right end of the original P is pulled in the direction of arrow D to prevent the original P (shown by the solid line) from floating from the contact glass 19 between the belts 17 and 18 (indicated by the broken line). The original P shown is copied. Further, if the area of the feed belt 17 on the paper feed side is maximized, the force applied to the paper is maximized, so that the trailing edge (left edge) of the document P may be applied to the scale (abutting the left edge). Now you can match the vertical resist. Next, the third control method will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, the numbers shown represent the number of pages, and the planes shown represent the front side.
When copying originals with different feed orders shown in FIG. 6A (a plurality of originals with the first page at the bottom), the original P with the first page at the bottom is the front and back of the original P with the first page at the top. And then set as shown in FIG. 6 (b). A mode for copying originals P having different feed orders is selected, and a start signal is issued. The nth original P _n is fed by the start signal. At this time, the back surface of the document P _n is conveyed toward the contact glass 19. It passes over the contact glass 19 as it is, and is reversed by the reversing unit so that the surface of the original P faces the contact glass 19. The original P is abutted against the right end face abutment 22 to start reading, and copying is performed. At this time, the document size in the feeding direction of the _n-th document P _n detected by the encoder installed in the paper feeding unit is such that the left end of the document P is located on any one of the plurality of conveyor belts 17 and 18. It is judged whether or not the n-1th original _Pn-1 is conveyed to the contact belt 19 on the contact glass 19 and the nth original _Pn is read when the reading of the _nth original _Pn is completed. _n is ejected, and the (n-1) _th original P _n-1 is reversed by the reversing mechanism,
The -2nd original P _n-2 is conveyed by the information from the original size detection of the ( _{n-1) th} original P _n-1 .

Next, the fourth control method will be described.
Set multiple sheets of double-sided originals and feed them at the start signal.
The size of the document in the feed direction is read based on the information from the encoder attached to the pull-out roller shaft. At that time, when the document is a size of a document that straddles all the conveyor belts 17 and 18, a plurality of motors operate in synchronization.

In the above-described embodiment (first control method) configured in this way, a plurality of independently driven conveyor belts 1
In the image forming apparatus 1 equipped with the automatic document feeder 2 provided with 7, 18 and the reversing mechanism (13, 14, 15), when the document stops at the conveyor belt 17 near the scanner 20, the document is reversed by the other conveyor belt 18. Even if the scanning is started, the scanning is started. Therefore, by controlling the signal of the reading start from the information of the original size detection, the mixed size originals P can be read and copied in the shortest time.

Further, in the above embodiment (second control method), in the automatic document feeder 2 provided with a plurality of independently driven transport belts 17 and 18, the document P has a plurality of transport belts 17 and 18. Since the conveyor belts 17 and 18 on both ends of the document P in the feeding direction are driven outward at low speed when straddling the document, the conveyor belts 17 and 18 on both ends rotate outward at low speed. The floating of the document can be prevented by. Further, in the above-described embodiment, since the area of the feed side conveyor belt 17 is the largest, the force applied to the paper is the largest, so that the trailing edge of the document P can be applied to the scale 21, The resist can be matched.

Further, in the embodiment (third control method), in the automatic document feeder 2 provided with the conveyor belts 17 and 18 and the reversing mechanism, the originals having different feeding orders are turned upside down at the time of setting. Since I reversed it and read it,
By having a reversing mechanism, when you want to copy a large number of originals with different feed orders (the first page is at the bottom) with the first page at the top, you do not need to realign the pages, and work efficiency is improved. Can be measured. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the standby position of the next original is changed according to the size information of the previous original. Therefore, by having a plurality of independently driven transport belts 17 and 18, the previous original can be changed depending on the original size. The next original can be conveyed regardless of the movement of the original, and the copying time can be shortened by moving the original as much as possible.

In the above embodiment (fourth control method), in the automatic document feeder 2 provided with the independently driven plural conveyor belts 17 and 18 and the reversing mechanism, the size of the document in the feeding direction is changed. If the size is equal to or larger than the size of all the conveyor belts 17 and 18, the plurality of conveyor belts 17 and 18 are synchronized to perform normal copying, so that stable conveyance can be performed.

A plurality of independently driven conveyor belts 17,
In the automatic document feeder 2 provided with 18, A3, B4
The center of the size P of the document P in the feeding direction is not located between the conveyor belts 17 and 18, so that the fold portion of the document can be prevented from floating.

[0040]

According to the first aspect of the invention, by controlling the reading start signal from the information of the original size detection, it is possible to read and copy the mixed size original in the shortest time.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the belt on both ends is rotated outward at a low speed, so that the floating of the document can be prevented.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the area of the belt on the paper feed side is the largest, the force applied to the paper is the largest, so that the trailing edge of the document can be applied to the scale, The resist can be matched.

According to the invention of claim 4, A3, B4
Since the center of the document feeding direction does not come between the plurality of belts, the fold portion can be prevented from floating.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, by providing the reversing mechanism, it is desired to copy a large number of originals having different feeding orders (the first page is at the bottom) with the first page at the top. At this time, it is possible to eliminate the need to rearrange pages and improve work efficiency.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, by having a plurality of independently driven conveyance belts, the next original can be conveyed irrespective of the movement of the previous original depending on the size of the original and can be moved as much as possible. By doing so, the copying time can be shortened.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, stable conveyance can be performed by synchronously driving a plurality of independently driven conveyance belts.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are explanatory views showing a set state of a document.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a contact glass and a scale of an example of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Image Forming Device 2 Automatic Document Feeding Device 13 Reversing Roller 14 Reversed Paper Ejection Detection Unit 15 Reversal Switching Claw 16 Paper Ejection Roller 17 First Conveyor Belt 18 Second Conveyor Belt 20 Scanner 21 Left End Face Abutting (Original Scale) 22 Right End Facet Butting P manuscript

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Masayuki Koga 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stock company Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Shoko Kimura 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Shares Company Ricoh

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. In an image forming apparatus equipped with a plurality of independently driven conveyor belts and an automatic document feeder having a reversing mechanism, when an original stops at the conveyor belt near the scanner, the original is reversed by the other conveyor belt. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that it starts scanning even if 2. An automatic document feeder provided with a plurality of independently driven conveyance belts, when a document straddles a plurality of conveyance belts, the conveyance belts on both ends of the document feeding direction are driven outward at low speed. An automatic document feeder, which is characterized in that 3. The automatic document feeder according to claim 2, wherein the conveying belt on the paper feeding side has the largest area. 4. An automatic document feeder provided with a plurality of independently driven conveyance belts, wherein an A3 and B4 size document is not centered in the feeding direction between the conveyance belts. Feeder. 5. An automatic document feeder provided with a conveyor belt and a reversing mechanism, wherein originals having different feed orders are reversed and turned upside down when being read. . 6. The automatic document feeder according to claim 5, wherein the standby position of the next document is changed according to the size information of the previous document. 7. An automatic document feeder provided with a plurality of independently driven transport belts and a reversing mechanism, if the size of the document in the feed direction is equal to or larger than all transport belts, the plurality of transport belts are synchronized. An automatic document feeder which is characterized by performing normal copying.