JPH09188420A - Sheet size detecting device, sheet conveying device, and image reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet size detecting device to reduce the number of detecting means to detect the size of a paper sheet and increase the number of kinds of detectable sheet sizes, a sheet conveying device having the sheet size detecting device, and an image reading device having the sheet conveying device. SOLUTION: When ten kinds of documents D of A3 longitudinal, A4 longitudinal, and lateral, A5 lateral, B4 longitudinal, B5 lateral, LDR longitudinal, LTR longitudinal and lateral, and LGL longitudinal are used, a sensor 29 is arranged between a long size of an LTR size and a long size of A4 size from a document forward end stopper part. A sensor 26 is arranged in a position shorter than 1/2 of the short size of an A4 size from the central reference position S of a platen, a sensor 27 is arranged between 1/2 of the short size of an LTR size and 1/2 of the short size of a B4 size, and a sensor 28 is arranged between 1/2 of the short size of the B4 size and 1/2 of the short size of an LDR size.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet size detecting device for a sheet conveying device installed in a facsimile machine, a copying machine or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a facsimile apparatus, a copying apparatus, etc., a sheet size detecting apparatus for supplying a sheet-like original or a recording sheet has a large number of detecting means arranged corresponding to the width and length of the sheet to be used. The sheet size is detected by appropriately detecting the length of the sheet in each direction.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, since it is necessary to provide a large number of detecting means, the number of parts increases, the parts cost and the number of assembling steps increase, and moreover, a large number of detecting means are required. Since a port for inputting the detection signal and the software control are required, there is a problem that the cost is high and the failure rate is high in many detection means.

[0004] The present invention is to solve the above problems,
The purpose thereof is to reduce the number of detecting means for detecting the size of a sheet and increase the number of types of sheet sizes that can be detected, a sheet size detecting apparatus including the same, and a sheet conveying apparatus including the same. It is intended to provide an image reading device.

[0005]

A typical structure according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a sheet placing means for placing a sheet, and a sheet of a sheet placed on the sheet placing means. First to detect the length in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction
Detecting means, and second detecting means for detecting the length of the sheet placed on the sheet placing means in the sheet conveying direction,
And a recognition unit that recognizes the size of the sheet placed on the sheet placing unit based on the detection information of the first and second detecting units, and the sheet to be used has a plurality of standard sizes. If the sheets have the same length in the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction and the lengths of the sheets in the sheet conveyance direction have at most two different lengths, the two different Of the lengths of the sheets in the sheet conveyance direction, the larger one is A and the smaller one is B, and the minimum value of all A of the sheets to be used is A _min and the maximum value of B is B.
_Assuming that _max , A _min and B _max are A _min >
In the case of the relationship of B _max , the second detecting means is arranged at a position between the position of the sheet leading edge regulating position and the position of B _{max and} the position of A _min. Is.

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, the second detecting means for detecting the length of the sheet placed on the sheet placing means in the sheet conveying direction is provided with the above-mentioned B _max from the sheet leading edge regulating position. By arranging one at a position between the position and the position of A _min , it is possible to detect a plurality of sheet sizes and conveyance directions corresponding to the detection information of the first and second detection means, The number of detection means can be reduced.

Another typical configuration according to the present invention is
Sheet placing means for placing a sheet, first detecting means for detecting the length of the sheet placed on the sheet placing means in the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, and the sheet placing means for placing the sheet on the sheet placing means. A second detection unit that detects the length of the placed sheet in the sheet conveying direction, and a size of the sheet placed on the sheet placement unit based on the detection information of the first and second detection units. A recognition unit for recognizing and a moving unit for moving the second detection unit in the sheet conveying direction of the sheet placed on the sheet placing unit are used, and the sheets to be used have a plurality of standard sizes. And the length of the sheet in the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction is the same, and the length of the sheet in the sheet conveying direction has at most two different lengths, the two For different sheet transport directions Sano within the larger the A, and the smaller B, minimum value A _min of all the A of the sheet to be used,
Assuming that the maximum value of B is B _max , the A _min and the B _{max are}
And A have a relationship of A _min ≤ B _max , the whole is divided into i groups corresponding to the lengths of a plurality of types of standard size sheets in the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, and A _min and B _max of each group of A is set to A _min i and B _max i, and A _min i> B _max i for every group.
In this case, the moving means causes the second detecting means to move from the sheet leading edge regulation position to the B _max i and the A _min.
The sheet size detection device is configured to be appropriately moved to an i position between the i position and the i position.

Since the present invention is configured as described above, the second detecting means for detecting the length of the sheet placed on the sheet placing means in the sheet conveying direction is provided with the B _max i from the sheet leading edge regulating position. And the number of types of sheet size and conveyance direction that can be detected in correspondence with the detection information of the first and second detection means by appropriately moving to the i position of the position between the above and A _min i. Can be done.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A sheet size detecting apparatus according to the present invention, a sheet conveying apparatus including the same and an image reading apparatus including the sheet detecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described. explain. FIG.
2 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a sectional explanatory view showing a document reading unit of the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an image. 5 is a block diagram showing a recording unit, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system, FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a configuration of a sheet size detecting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. , A plan view showing the mounting state of each sheet, the size of each sheet, and the position of each sensor.
It is a figure which shows the relationship between the detection information of each sensor of embodiment, and a sheet size.

First, an outline of the overall configuration of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 is a facsimile apparatus main body, and 2 is an original serving as a sheet placing means configured to stack a plurality of sheet originals D made of paper, synthetic resin, or the like. The mounting table 3 is an image reading device for reading the image information of the document D.

In FIG. 3, the image reading device 3 is an ADF.
The flow reading / feeding unit 3a includes a flow reading / feeding unit 3a serving as a sheet conveying unit configured by an (automatic document feeder) and a book scanner unit 3b.
A can be opened and closed with respect to the book scanner unit 3b.

A pair of sliders 2a, which are slidable with respect to the center in the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the document D (hereinafter referred to as "width direction"), are provided on the document mounting table 2, and the sliders 2a are moved. Then, the sliders 2a are brought into contact with both side edges of the original document D placed on the original document table 2 to align the both side edges of the original document D, whereby the position of the original document D in the width direction can be regulated.

A document leading end stopper 15c is provided at the leading end of the document placing table 2, and the document leading end stopper 15 is provided.
The position of the leading edge of the document D can be aligned by bringing the leading edge of the document D into contact with the document leading edge contact surface of c.

Further, an extension document tray 2b is releasably accommodated in the rear end of the document placing table 2, and when the document D is a long sheet, the extension document tray 2 is extended from the document placing table 2.
By opening b, the original placing table 2 is extended, and the rear end of the original D can be prevented from protruding from the original placing table 2 and hanging down.

The document 2c is placed on the document placing table 2 and moves up and down the document D whose front end is in contact with the document leading end stopper portion 15c to move the document D downward from the document placing table 2 in the document feeding direction (hereinafter, simply The lifter serves as a document pressing plate that presses the document D against the separation roller 6b arranged on the "downstream side". The lifter 2c is supported rotatably around the support shaft 2d. Reference numeral 2e is a lifter spring that serves as a document pressing spring that presses the lifter 2c upward.

The separation roller 6 is provided downstream of the lifter 2c.
A separation pad 6a held by a separation pad holder 15b rotatably supported by a support shaft 15a is arranged at a position facing b, and the separation pad 6a is separated from the separation roller 6b by a separation spring 7. Being energized.

6d is a separation roller 6b and a separation pad 6a.
6 is a conveyance roller which conveys the document D separated into one sheet in the document separation section constituted by
c is biased by the pressing spring 6i toward the conveying roller 6d,
It is a conveyance roller that nips and conveys the document D in cooperation with the conveyance roller 6d.

An inner manuscript guide 18 and an outer manuscript guide 16 which guide the conveyance of the manuscript D are arranged on the downstream side of the separation roller 6b. It forms a U-turn path to turn.

A feeding roller 6f is arranged on the downstream side of the U-turn path, and the feeding roller 6f is urged to the feeding roller 6f by a pressing spring (not shown) at a position facing the feeding roller 6f. 6e is provided.

A contact type image sensor 8 serving as an image reading means for reading image information of the document D is arranged downstream of the feeding roller 6f, and a document table is provided at a position facing the contact type image sensor 8. White roller 34 through glass plate 17
Is arranged. The white roller 34 conveys the document D while keeping the image information surface of the document D in close contact with the platen glass plate 17 and the scraper sheet 53.

The contact-type image sensor 8 uses L as a light source.
The image information surface of the document D is irradiated with light from an ED (light emitting diode) array, and the reflected light reflected from the image information surface is reflected by a short-focus imaging lens (for example, SELFOC lens (registered trademark)).
Etc.) forms an image on the sensor element and reads image information.

Reference numeral 6h is a discharge roller for discharging the document D from which the image information has been read, and 6g is a discharge roller which is arranged so as to face the discharge roller 6h and is urged against the discharge roller 6h by a pressing spring 6j. Discharge roller 6h and discharge roller 6
The document D is discharged and stacked on the document discharge tray 9 in cooperation with g.

With the above-described structure, the documents D placed on the document table 2 are separated and fed one by one by the separation roller 6b which is in pressure contact with the separation pad 6a, and in pressure contact with the conveying roller 6c which is pressed by the pressing spring 6i. The transport roller 6d transports the U-turn path constituted by a part of the outer document guide 16 and the inner document guide 18.

Further, the document D is conveyed to a reading position where the contact image sensor 8 faces by a feeding roller 6f which is in pressure contact with a feeding roller 6e which is pressed by a pressing spring (not shown),
While the document D is brought into close contact with the platen glass plate 17 and the scraper sheet 53 by the white roller 34, the image information of the document D is read by the contact image sensor 8.

Thereafter, the document D is scooped up from the document table glass plate 17 by the scraper sheet 53, and the document D is pressed by the pressing spring 6j.
Discharge roller 6 pressed against discharge roller 6g pressed by
The document is discharged onto the document discharge tray 9 by h. During this time, the document D is fed to the outer document guide 16 and the inner document guide.
Guided by 18 and.

Reference numeral 54 denotes a pressing white background sheet which presses the book original from the back side when the book original is placed on the original glass plate 17 with the flow reading / feeding section 3a opened. 35 is A
The DF cover 5 is an operation unit on which a display unit, input keys and the like are arranged.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 4 is a recording device composed of a laser beam printer. The recording device 4 emits a modulation signal from the laser beam oscillator 10a of the laser scanner 10 based on the image signal output from the control unit 20, and the modulated beam is emitted by the polygon mirror 10b to the photosensitive drum 11a of the image forming unit 11. The image information is formed on the front surface, the image information is transferred to the recording sheet P fed to the image forming section 11 by the cassette feeding section 12 and fixed, and then the recording sheet is ejected to the recording sheet ejection section 13. There is.

12 is a feeding cassette for accommodating recording sheets P
A cassette feeding unit that feeds the recording sheet P from 12a, and a recording sheet feeding unit 21 that feeds the recording sheet P fed by the cassette feeding unit 12 to the image forming unit 11.

The photosensitive drum 11a is integrally incorporated in the recording cartridge 11e together with the primary charger 11b, the developing roller 11c, the cleaning blade 11d and the like, and is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 1.

Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11a is uniformly charged by the primary charger 11b, and the polygon mirror is formed on the surface.
When the scanning light from 10b is reflected by the folding mirror 10c and irradiated, a latent image is formed, and the latent image is visualized by the toner supplied from the developing roller 11c.

A transfer charger 11f is arranged at a position of the image forming section 11 facing the photoconductor drum 11a, and a thermal fixing device 11f is provided on a sheet conveying path downstream of the photoconductor drum 11a.
g and the discharge roller 11h are arranged.

After the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11a is transferred to the recording sheet P by the transfer charger 11f, the recording sheet P is conveyed along the recording sheet conveying section 21 and the toner image is fixed by the thermal fixing device 11g. Then, the sheet is discharged to the recording sheet discharge section 13 by the discharge roller 11h.

The recording sheet conveying guide 21a has conveying belts 21b and 21c arranged in a V shape in the center thereof, and assists in conveying the recording sheet P from the downstream of the photosensitive drum 11a to the heat fixing device 11g. Further, the recording sheet P shorter than the conveying path length from the photoconductor drum 11a to the thermal fixing device 11g can be conveyed without disturbing the toner image.

The cassette feeding unit 12 is arranged at the bottom of the apparatus main body 1, and the recording sheet P accommodated and loaded in the feeding cassette 12a has an intermediate plate 12e biased upward by an intermediate plate spring 12f. The feeding roller 12b having a semicircular cross section and a pair of separating claws 12d separate the sheets one by one by a claw separation method, and the separated recording sheets P are conveyed by a cassette conveyance roller pair 12c to form the skeleton of the apparatus main body 1. A guide 24c and a front cover for conveying the recording sheet, which is a part of the frame
The U-side guide 24d on the cover side and the U-side guide 24e on the main body side, which are arranged in the apparatus main body 1, are reversed.

Furthermore, the leading edge position of the recording sheet P being fed is detected by the registration sensor 24f, and the leading edge of the toner image formed on the photoconductor drum 11a and the leading edge of the recording sheet P are fed and imaged. After the output timing is synchronized, the recording sheet P is transferred to the transfer charger 11f and the photoconductor drum 11a.
Conveyed between.

The recording sheet P is regulated at the side edge and the trailing edge of the recording sheet P by a recording sheet regulating plate (not shown) which is provided so as to be movable according to the size, so that skewing or non-feeding of the recording sheet P does not occur. It is like this. The image is recorded on the lower surface side of the recording sheet P stacked on the feeding cassette 12a.

The size and presence / absence of the recording sheet P are detected by a cassette sensor (not shown). Feed cassette
The number of sheets that can be accommodated in the 12a is about 250, and the device body 1
On the other hand, the front loading method is adopted in which it can be pulled out in the front direction (rightward in FIG. 4).

The sizes that can be accommodated in the feeding cassette 12a are A3 length, A4 length, width, and A5 in the conveying direction.
Horizontal, B4 vertical, B5 horizontal, LDR (11 "x 17" size)
There are 10 types: vertical, LTR (letter size) vertical, horizontal, and LGL (legal size) vertical.

Also, by removing the front cover 22,
(Multi-paper) By attaching the tray 25,
You can also add postcards and business cards to the sheet size that can be fed. The number of stackable MP trays 25 is about 100.

Also, the second to fourth stage cassette feeding units 13 having the same construction as the cassette feeding unit 12 can be separately separated and connected as an option. The number of stackable recording sheets P is about 350
It is possible to change up to about 1100 sheets.

The apparatus body 1 is provided with a cartridge cover 14 that can be opened and closed. By opening the cartridge cover 14, the recording cartridge 11e can be pulled out of the apparatus body 1 and replaced. .

The cartridge cover 14 is provided with an interlock mechanism so that the recording device 4 does not operate when the cartridge cover 14 is open or the recording cartridge 11e is not set in the apparatus main body 1. It has become.

Further, the drum photosensitive prevention shutter 11i provided on the recording cartridge 11e is designed to interlock with the setting of the recording cartridge 11e to the apparatus main body 1, and the cartridge cover 14 is opened to move the recording cartridge 11e to the apparatus main body 1. Drum exposure prevention shutter 11i when set
When the recording cartridge 11e is opened and the recording cartridge 11e is taken out from the apparatus main body 1, the drum exposure preventing shutter 11i is closed to prevent unnecessary exposure of the photosensitive drum 11a.

If a jam occurs during recording, the cartridge cover 14, the front cover 22, the discharge cover 23
By opening any of the above, the recording sheet P stagnant inside the apparatus main body 1 can be taken out.

The partition section 19 is a duct for separating the image reading device 3 and the recording device 4, and the heat generated from the recording device 4 adversely affects the image reading device 3 by letting air flow by a fan (not shown). It is prevented that the water vapor which is received or evaporated and diffused from the recording sheet P is condensed and drops onto the recording sheet P.

Next, the control system of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5, a control unit 20 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 301 for controlling the entire facsimile apparatus, an image reading unit 304, a recording unit 305,
LCD (liquid crystal display) 303, speaker 307, MPU (microprocessor) 311, ROM 312 for storing control programs of the MPU 311, RAM used as a work area for various data processing and a temporary storage of image information.
313, an image processing unit 314 that performs image scaling, resolution conversion, etc.
And the like.

Further, the CPU 301 is provided with a calendar, clock function, etc. having a known structure, and the area of the RAM 313 for storing important system setting information such as one-touch key destination information and software switch information is backed up by a battery. Protected against accidental failures such as blackouts.

The control system of the facsimile apparatus main body 1 has a structure in which the CPU 301 described above and the following elements are connected through an interface. The image reading unit 304 includes a driving unit such as a reading motor, a contact image sensor 8 that reads an image, an image processing unit that performs shading and binarization of the read image, various sensors that detect the document D, and the like. Become.

The recording unit 305 is a drive unit such as a recording motor, a recording unit for controlling the laser scanner 10 and the electrophotographic process, an image processing unit for smoothing an image to be recorded, detection of the recording sheet P, and the like. It consists of various sensors.

The communication control unit 306 for making a call, receiving a call, encoding image data, and the like has a connection unit composed of a modem, an NCU (network control unit), etc., and a communication network and a handset are connected to the connection unit. It

The CPU external interface 309 is a CP
An interface for directly transmitting and receiving data from the U301. For example, the device is used as a scanner printer of the external computer by connecting to the computer external to the device through a line such as RS232C, SCSI, LAN or the like. The HDD 310 is used as a large-capacity nonvolatile memory for storing image information and the like.

The control unit 20 also includes sensors 26, 2 which will be described later.
Based on the detection information detected by 7, 28 and 29, the original document D placed on the original document table 2 from the combination thereof.
It also has a function of a recognition means for recognizing the size and conveyance direction of the.

Next, the sheet size detecting device, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 6, a sensor (DS) 26 serving as a second detecting means detects the presence or absence of the sheet original D and the length (hereinafter referred to as “width”) of the original D in the direction orthogonal to the original conveying direction, The sensors (DWS) 27 and 28 serving as the second detecting means detect the width of the document D. The sensor 26 is arranged at a position corresponding to the minimum width size of the document D to be used.
27 and 28 are arranged at positions corresponding to various width sizes of the document D to be used, as will be described later in detail.

A sensor (DLS) 29 serves as a first detecting means for detecting the length of the document D in the document transport direction (hereinafter referred to as "length"). Reference numeral 30 shown in FIG. 3 denotes a document D being conveyed.
Is a sensor (DES) for detecting the front and rear end positions of the pressure sensor, and 31 is a sensor (BCVS) for detecting the opening / closing of the pressure plate 55.

The original D has its leading edge stopper portion 15c at the leading edge.
Slider 2 which is abutted against
a is moved in the width direction of the document D and brought into contact with both side edges of the document D to regulate the position of the document D, and the document is placed on the document table 2. At this time, the original document D is set at a predetermined position on the original document table 2 according to each size.

Here, in the present embodiment, the size of the document D that can be used by being placed on the document table 2 is A3 portrait, A4 landscape, portrait, A5 landscape, B4 portrait, B5 in the transport direction.
Horizontal, LDR (11 ″ × 17 ″ size) vertical, LTR (letter size) horizontal, vertical, LGL (legal size) vertical 10
Different sizes are available.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of the placement state of the documents D of various sizes on the document table 2 and the dimensions of the width and length of the documents D. As shown in FIG. 7, the 10 kinds of sizes can be divided into groups of 5 kinds of widths (W1 to W5) and further have 2 kinds of lengths corresponding to the respective widths.

That is, as shown in FIG.
4 The width W1 when mounted in the vertical direction is equal, the width W2 when mounted in the LTR vertical direction is equal to the width W2 when mounted in the LGL vertical direction, and
5 The width W3 when placed in the horizontal direction and the B4 vertical direction is equal, and the width W when placed in the LTR horizontal direction and the LDR vertical direction
4 are equal, and widths W5 when they are placed in the A4 horizontal direction and the A3 vertical direction are equal.

Here, the specific size of each size is B
4 sizes (short 257 mm x long 364 mm), B5 size (short 182 mm x long 257 mm), A3 size (short 297 mm x long 420 mm), A4 size (short 210 mm x long 297 mm), A5 size (short 1)
48.0 mm x long 210 mm), letter (LTR) size (short 215.9 mm x long 279.4 mm), legal (LGL) size (short 215.9 mm x long 3)
55.6 mm) and 11 ″ × 17 ″ (LDR) size (short length 279.4 mm × long length 431.8 mm).

The groups W1 to W5 having the above-mentioned five kinds of widths
Of the two types of lengths corresponding to the respective widths of A, the larger one is A and the smaller one is B. That is, in group W1, A
Is A4 size long, B is A5 size short, and in group W2, A is LGL size long and B is LTR.
In the group W3, A is a long size of B4 size, B is a short size of B5 size, and the group W4 is a long size.
Then, A is LDR size long, B is LTR size short, and in group W5, A is A3 size long,
B is a short A4 size sheet.

In all width groups W1 to W5, the minimum value of A is A _min and the maximum value of B is B _max.
Then, A _min is A4 size long (297 mm),
The B _{ma x} is a LTR size long (279.4 mm). Therefore, A _min > B _max .

The sensor 26 is arranged at a position smaller than 1/2 of the A4 size short length (210 mm) from the central reference position S of the document placing table 2, and the sensor 27 is arranged at the letter (LT
R) size shorter than 1/2 (215.9 mm) and B4 size shorter (257 mm) 1/2
The sensor 28 is arranged at a position smaller than 1/2, and is larger than 1/2 of the short size of B4 size (257 mm), and 1
1 "x 17" (LDR) size short length (279.4m
It is arranged at a position smaller than 1/2 of m).

The sensor 29 has a stopper 15 for the document front end.
It is arranged at a position larger than a letter (LTR) size long (279.4 mm) and smaller than an A4 size long (297 mm) from the document leading edge contact surface of c.

The width and length of the document D are detected by a combination of whether or not the sensors 26 to 29 detect the document D. FIG. 8 shows the document D size corresponding to the detection states of the sensors 26 to 29.

That is, when all the sensors 26 to 29 detect the document D (code (1)), the document sizes of A3 portrait and LDR portrait can be detected, and the sensors 26 to 28 detect the document D, If the sensor 29 does not detect the document D (code (2)),
Document size of A4 landscape and LTR landscape can be detected.
When 27 and 29 detect the document D and the sensor 28 does not detect the document D (code (3)), the B4 portrait document size can be detected.

When the sensors 26 and 27 detect the original D and the sensors 28 and 29 do not detect the original D (code (4)), the original size of B5 horizontal can be detected, and the sensors 26 and 29 can detect the original size. When the document D is detected and the sensors 27 and 28 do not detect the document D (code (5)), A4 portrait and LGL portrait document sizes can be detected.

Further, the sensor 26 detects the document D, and the sensor
If documents 27-29 do not detect document D (code (6)),
A5 horizontal and LTR vertical document size can be detected, and sensor 26-
When all of 29 do not detect the document D (code (7)), it is recognized that the document D is not set on the document table 2.

Here, A3 length and LD in code (1)
R length, A4 width in code (2) and LTR width, code
A4 length and LGL length in (5), A in code (6)
5 horizontal and LTR vertical have the same detection status of the sensors 26 to 29, respectively, and the difference in size cannot be discriminated.
Series (A3 portrait, A4 portrait, landscape, A5 landscape) and L series (LD
One of R vertical, LTR vertical, horizontal, and LGL vertical is mainly used depending on the market (by country), so both are not used.

For example, the A series is mainly used in Japan and Europe, and the L series is mainly used in the United States. Therefore, when using the A series, code (1) ~
By (6), A3 length, A4 width, B4 length, B5 width, A4 length,
A5 horizontal document D can be detected respectively, and when using L series, LDR vertical, L by code (1) to (6)
Original D of TR horizontal, B4 vertical, B5 horizontal, LGL vertical, LTR vertical
Can be detected respectively.

Therefore, as described above, the sensor 29 for detecting the length of the document D is provided with the long (27) size letter (LTR) from the document leading end contact surface of the document leading end stopper portion 15c.
The size of the document D of 10 types can be detected by arranging only one at a position larger than 9.4 mm) and smaller than the long A4 size (297 mm).

Further, the original D to be used has a plurality of other standard sizes, the width of the original D is the same, and the length of the original D in the transport direction is at most two different lengths. In the case of having only a small size, of the lengths of the two different originals D in the transport direction, the larger one is A and the smaller one is B, and the minimum value of all A of the sheets to be used is A _min and the maximum of B. When the value is B _max , the A _min and the B _max are A
_In the case of the relationship of _min > B _max, the same effect as described above can be obtained by arranging the sensor 29 at a position between the position of the sheet leading edge regulation position and the position of B _{max and} the position of A _min. The number of sensors for detecting the document size can be reduced.

Next, a second embodiment of the sheet size detecting device according to the present invention, the sheet conveying device including the same, and the image reading device including the same will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a document reading portion of the second embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a main portion showing a configuration of a moving means for moving the second detecting means in the second embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an essential part showing the configuration of drive transmission means for transmitting drive to the moving means in the second embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the sheet size detection device according to the present invention FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the mounting state of each sheet, the size of each sheet, and the position of each sensor, and FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the relationship between the detection information of each sensor and the sheet size of the second embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, reference numeral 32 denotes a carriage which is constructed so that a sensor (DLS) 29, which is a second detecting means, can be moved in the document conveying direction in correspondence with the length of the document D. The carriage 32 moves using a drive motor 40 provided on the main body frame of the image reading device 3 as a drive source, and the drive motor 40 also serves as a drive source for the flow reading and feeding unit 3a.

As shown in FIG. 10, the carriage 32, which is arranged in the document conveying direction and slidable with respect to the support shaft 39 fixed to the document table 2, is provided with two pulleys 37 and 38. A timing belt 36 stretched by a predetermined tension is connected, and a sensor 29 on the carriage 32 is arranged by the support shaft 39 and the timing belt 36 so as to be movable in the document conveyance direction while maintaining a substantially horizontal state. .

The pulleys 37 and 38 are rotatably supported by shafts 37a and 38a, respectively, and the pulley 37 is formed integrally with a gear 37b. The gear 37b, as shown in FIG.
It is connected to a drive motor 40 via a gear train, and by driving the drive motor 40 in the forward and reverse directions, the timing belt 36 is rotated in a predetermined direction so that the sensor 29 mounted on the carriage 32 is moved in the original conveyance direction. It can be moved.

In FIG. 11, the drive from the drive motor 40 is transmitted to the gear 41 and further to the swing gear 42. When the carriage 32 is driven by the drive motor 40, the solenoid 43 is driven to pull the swing gear 42 in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 11 against the pulling force of the spring 48, and the swing gear 42 is set to the gear 44. Let it mesh. The gear 44 is integrally formed with the bevel gear 45, the bevel gear 45 is meshed with the bevel gear 46, and the gear 47 integrally formed with the bevel gear 46 is meshed with the gear 37b and the carriage 32 is provided through the timing belt 36. To move.

The drive of the drive motor 40 is flown and the reading / feeding section 3a
11 is transmitted to the swing gear 42 by stopping the driving of the solenoid 43 and pulling the spring 48, the swinging gear 42 is moved to the arrow b in FIG.
The swinging gear 42 is engaged with a gear 49 provided for transmitting the drive force to the flow reading / feeding section 3a, and the drive from the drive motor 40 is passed through the gear 41 and the swinging gear 42. The original document D placed on the original document table 2 is conveyed to the reading / feeding unit 3a and is conveyed.

In this embodiment, the feeding cassette 12a is also used.
The size that can be accommodated in is A3 length, A
4 horizontal, vertical, A5 horizontal, B4 vertical, B5 horizontal, vertical, LDR (1
1 ″ × 17 ″ size vertical, LTR (letter size) horizontal,
There are 12 types: vertical, LGL (legal size) vertical, and B6 horizontal.

Further, the control unit 20 described above in the first embodiment.
The recognition is based on the detection information detected by the sensors 26, 27, 28, 29, 33 described later, and recognizes the size and the conveyance direction of the document D placed on the document table 2 from the combination thereof. It has the function of a means, and further drives the drive motor 40 in a predetermined direction to move the sensor 29 mounted on the carriage 32 in the document conveying direction.

The sensor 26 serving as the first detection means is the first
Similar to the embodiment, the purpose is to detect the presence or absence of the document D and the width of the document D.
As shown in FIG. 13, from the central reference position S to B of the document table 2.
It is arranged at a position smaller than 1/2 of the short size (182 mm) of 5 sizes. Also, the sensors 27 and 28, which also serve as the first detection means, are arranged at the same positions as in the first embodiment.

A sensor (DWS) 33, which also serves as a first detecting means, detects the width of the document D, and is a short size (1) of B5 size from the central reference position S of the document mounting table 2.
It is arranged at a position larger than 1/2 of 82 mm) and smaller than 1/2 of A4 size short sheet (210 mm). The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the sizes of the document D that can be placed on the document table 2 and used are A3 portrait, A4 landscape, portrait, A5 landscape, B4 portrait, B5 landscape, and A5 portrait.
Vertical, LDR (11 ″ × 17 ″ size) vertical, LTR (letter size) horizontal, vertical, LGL (legal size) vertical, B6
There are 12 horizontal sizes available.
The specific dimensions of the B6 size are (short length 128.0 mm
X long 182 mm).

Similar to the first embodiment, A _min and B
Considering _max , A _min is a long size of B5 size (257
mm), B _max is LTR size long (279.4 m
m). Therefore, A _min <B _max .

Here, 10 types (the same as those in the first embodiment) other than B5 vertical and B6 horizontal are used for group 1, B5 vertical, and B.
6 sides are divided into two groups as group 2 and A _min and B _max of groups 1 and 2 are respectively A _min 1 and B _max
1 and A _min 2 and B _max 2, A _min 1 and B _max 1
As in the first embodiment, A _min 1 is an A4 size long (297 mm), B _max 1 is an LTR size long (279.4 mm), and A _min 2 is a B5 size long ( 257 mm), B _max 2 is B6 size short length (12
8.5 mm). Therefore, A _min 1> B _max 1, A
_min 2> B _max 2.

In the carriage 32, when the document D of the group 1 is placed on the document placing table 2, the sensor 29 is moved from the document leading end contact surface of the document leading end stopper portion 15c to the letter as in the first embodiment. Long (LTR) size (279.4m
m) and longer than A4 size (297m
m) which is smaller than m) and is set, and when the document D of the group 2 is placed on the document table 2, the sensor 29
Is larger than the B6 size short length (128.0 mm) from the document leading edge contact surface of the document leading edge stopper portion 15c, and
It is set by moving to a position m2 that is smaller than the long size of 5 sizes (257 mm).

FIG. 14 shows the document D size corresponding to the detection status of the sensors 26 to 29. In FIG. 14, the sensor 29 is m
Sensors 26-29, 33 when set to position 1
If all of the documents detect the document D (code (8)), A
3 vertical and LDR vertical document sizes can be detected, and sensors 26-2
When 8 and 33 detect the original D and the sensor 29 does not detect the original D (code (9)), the A4 horizontal and LTR horizontal original sizes can be detected, and the sensors 26, 27, 29 and 33 detect the original. When D is detected and sensor 28 does not detect document D (code (10))
In addition, the document size of B4 portrait can be detected.

When the sensors 26, 27 and 33 detect the document D and the sensors 28 and 29 do not detect the document D (code (1
In 1)), the document size of B5 landscape can be detected, and the sensor 26,
When 29 and 33 detect the document D and the sensors 27 and 28 do not detect the document D (code (12)), the document size of A4 portrait and LGL portrait can be detected. If the sensors 26 and 33 detect the document D and the sensors 27 to 29 do not detect the document D (code (13)), the document size of A5 landscape and LTR portrait can be detected.

Further, when the sensor 29 is set at the position m2, the sensors 26 and 29 detect the document D, and the sensor
When 27, 28, and 33 do not detect the document D (code (14)), the B5 portrait document size can be detected, and the sensor 26 detects the document D.
And the sensors 27 to 29, 33 do not detect the document D (code (15)), the document size of B6 horizontal can be detected.

Further, when all of the sensors 26 to 29, 33 do not detect the document D (code (16)) in the state where the sensor 29 is set at any one of the positions m1 and m2, the document table is set. Recognize that the document D is not set on the second sheet.

Here, A3 length and LD in code (8)
R length, A4 width in code (9) and LTR width, code (1
A4 length and LGL length in 2), A5 in code (13)
The horizontal and the LTR vertical have the same detection status of the sensors 26 to 29 and 33, respectively, and the difference in size cannot be discriminated. However, as described above, the A series (A3 vertical, A4 vertical, horizontal, A5
Vertical, horizontal) and L series (LDR vertical, LTR vertical, horizontal, LGL
Since both vertical and vertical) are not used, when using the A series, the codes (8) to (15) are used to set A3 vertical and A4 vertical.
It is possible to detect documents D in the horizontal, B4 vertical, B5 horizontal, A4 vertical, A5 horizontal, B5 vertical, and B6 horizontal directions, respectively. , LTR
Horizontal, B4 vertical, B5 horizontal, LGL vertical, LTR vertical, B5 vertical, B
The six horizontal documents D can be detected respectively.

Therefore, as described above, the sensor 29 for detecting the length of the document D is provided with the long (27) size letter (LTR) from the document leading end contact surface of the document leading end stopper portion 15c.
Position m1 which is larger than 9.4 mm) and smaller than the long A4 size sheet (297 mm), and a short B6 size sheet (1 size from the document leading edge contact surface of the document leading edge stopper portion 15c).
The original document D of the above 12 types by selectively moving and setting to any one of the position m2 larger than 28.0 mm) and smaller than the long size of B5 size (257 mm).
The size of can be detected.

Further, the original D used is different from other plural types.
Standard size originals with the same width and original width
The length of the original in the original transport direction is at most two different
Originals of the two different originals if they only have a length
Of the lengths in the transport direction, the larger one is A and the smaller one is B.
The minimum value of all A of the original to be used is A_min, B
Large value is B_maxThen, A_minAnd the above B_maxAnd
A_min≤B_maxMultiple species used in the case of
I pieces of the standard size corresponding to the width of the original
A of each group_minAnd B_maxWhen
A_mini and B _maxi, and A for all groups
_mini> B_maxIf it becomes i, the moving means
Sensor 29 from the sheet leading edge regulation position to the above B_maxi and the above
A_minIt is designed to move appropriately to the position i between i and
By doing so, the same effect as described above can be obtained, and
Increase the number of known document sizes and types in the transport direction
You can

In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the sheet size detecting device according to the present invention is applied to detect the size of a document has been described. However, as another configuration, a recording sheet used in an image forming apparatus may be used. It is also possible to configure as a sheet size detection device that detects the size of the sheet.

[0094]

Since the present invention has the above-described structure and operation, a plurality of detecting means for detecting the width of the sheet are arranged and one detecting means for detecting the length of the sheet is arranged at a predetermined position. It is possible to detect the size of multiple types of sheets.

Therefore, it is possible to provide an inexpensive sheet size detecting device by reducing the number of detecting means to reduce the component cost and assembling man-hour, a sheet conveying device including the same, and an image reading device including the same. .

Further, by configuring one detecting means for detecting the length of the sheet so as to be movable in the sheet conveying direction and setting the position corresponding to the detected sheet size, the kind of the further detectable sheet size can be determined. Can be increased.

Further, one of the detecting means for detecting the length of the sheet is configured to be movable in the sheet conveying direction, and the driving source of the moving means is also used as the driving source of the feeding means for feeding the sheet. Thus, by reducing the number of parts and the space, it is possible to provide a space-saving and inexpensive sheet size detecting device, a sheet conveying device including the same, and an image reading device including the same.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a document reading unit of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing an image recording unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory plan view showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the sheet size detecting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a placed state of each sheet, dimensions of each sheet, and positions of each sensor in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between detection information of each sensor and a sheet size according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a document reading unit of the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of essential parts showing a configuration of a moving unit that moves a second detecting unit in the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a main-part perspective view showing the configuration of drive transmission means for transmitting drive to the moving means in the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory plan view showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the sheet size detecting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a placed state of each sheet, dimensions of each sheet, and positions of each sensor in the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between detection information of each sensor and a sheet size according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Facsimile apparatus main body, 2 ... Original document mounting table, 2a ... Slider, 2b ... Extended original tray, 2c ... Lifter, 2d ...
Support shaft 2e ... Lifter spring, 3 ... Image reading device, 3a ... Flow reading / feeding part, 3b ... Book scanner part, 4 ... Recording device, 5 ... Operation part, 6a ... Separation pad, 6b ... Separation roller, 6c ... Conveyance Rollers, 6d ... Transport rollers, 6e ... Feed rollers, 6f ... Feed rollers, 6g ... Eject rollers, 6h ... Eject rollers, 6i, 6j ... Press springs, 7 ... Separation springs, 8 ... Contact image sensor, 9 ... Document discharge tray, 10 ... Laser scanner, 10a ... Laser beam oscillator, 10b ... Polygon mirror, 10c ... Folding mirror, 11 ... Image forming unit, 11a ...
Photoreceptor drum, 11b ... Primary charger, 11c ... Developing roller,
11d ... Cleaning blade, 11e ... Recording cartridge, 11f ... Transfer charging device, 11g ... Thermal fixing device, 11h ... Ejection roller, 11i ... Drum photosensitive prevention shutter, 12 ... Cassette feeding section, 12a ... Feed cassette, 12b ... Feed Feeding roller, 12c
... cassette transport roller pair, 12d ... separation claw, 12e ... middle plate,
12f ... Middle leaf spring, 13 ... Recording sheet discharge part, 14 ... Cartridge cover, 15a ... Spindle, 15b ... Separation pad holder, 15
c ... Original document front end stopper section, 16 ... Outer original guide, 17 ... Original table glass plate, 18 ... Inner original guide, 19 ... Partition section, 20 ... Control section, 21 ... Recording sheet conveying section, 21a ... Recording sheet conveying guide, 21b, 21c ... Conveyor belt, 22 ... Front cover, 23
... Ejection cover, 24c ... Guide for conveying recording sheet, 24d ...
Cover side U turn guide, 24e ... Main body side U turn guide, 24f ... Registration sensor, 25 ... MP tray, 26 to 31 ...
Sensor, 32 ... Carriage, 33 ... Sensor, 34 ... White roller,
35 ... ADF cover, 36 ... Timing belt, 37, 38 ... Pulley, 37a, 38a ... Shaft, 37b, 41, 44, 47, 49 ... Gear, 39 ... Spindle, 40 ... Drive motor, 42 ... Swing gear , 43 ...
Solenoid, 45, 46 ... Bevel gear, 48 ... Spring, 53 ... Scraper sheet, 54 ... White pressing sheet, 55 ... Pressure plate, 301
... CPU, 303 ... LCD (display section), 304 ... image reading section, 305 ... recording section, 306 ... communication control section, 307 ... speaker, 309 ... CPU external interface, 310 ... HD
D, 311 ... MPU, 312 ... ROM, 313 ... RAM, 314
... image processing section, P ... recording sheet, D ... original

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A sheet placing means for placing a sheet, and a sheet conveying method for a sheet placed on the sheet placing means.
First detecting means for detecting a length in a direction orthogonal to the direction, and a sheet conveying method of a sheet placed on the sheet placing means
Second detection means for detecting the length of the direction, and the system based on the detection information of the first and second detection means.
The size of the sheet placed on the sheet placing means is recognized.
There are several types of standard size sheets to be used.
Therefore, the length of the sheet in the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction is
They are the same, and the length of the sheet in the sheet conveying direction is large.
When having at least two different lengths, among the lengths of the two different sheets in the sheet conveying direction,
The larger one is A, the smaller one is B, and the minimum value of all A of the sheets used is A_min, The maximum of B
Value is B_maxThen, the above A_minAnd the above B_maxAnd A_min> B_maxIn the relationship
In some cases, the second detection unit is moved from the sheet leading edge regulation position to the B
_maxPosition and A _minPlaced in a position between and
A sheet size detection device characterized in that 2. The conveyance direction of the plural types of standard size sheets used is A3 vertical, A4 vertical, horizontal, A5 horizontal, B
There are 10 different sizes and conveyance directions of 4 vertical, B5 horizontal, 11 ″ × 17 ″ vertical, letter vertical, horizontal, and legal vertical, and the second detection means is a sheet of letter size from the sheet leading edge regulation position. Larger than the long length of, and A4
The sheet size detection device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet size detection device is arranged at a position smaller than a long length of the size sheet. 3. A sheet placing means for placing a sheet, a first detecting means for detecting a length of the sheet placed on the sheet placing means in a direction orthogonal to a sheet conveying direction, and the sheet. Second detecting means for detecting the length of the sheet placed on the placing means in the sheet conveying direction; and the sheet placed on the sheet placing means based on the detection information of the first and second detecting means. And a moving means capable of moving the second detecting means in the sheet conveying direction of the sheet placed on the sheet placing means. A plurality of types of standard size sheets having the same length in the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction and having at most two different lengths in the sheet conveyance direction. To the two different sheets Of length of the sheet conveying direction,
Larger the A, the smaller the B, and the minimum of all A sheet to be used A _min, the maximum value of B and B _max, and the A _min and the B _max is, A _min ≦ B _max In the case of the above relationship, the whole is divided into i groups according to the lengths of a plurality of types of standard size sheets in the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, and A _min and B _max of each group are divided. And, A _min i and B
_max i, and A _min i> B _max i for all groups, the moving means causes the second detection means to move between the B _max i and A _min i from the sheet leading edge regulation position. A sheet size detection device, which is configured to be appropriately moved to the i position of the position. 4. The sheet size detecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a sheet conveying unit that conveys a sheet placed on the sheet placing unit. Sheet transport device. 5. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the driving source of the moving unit is configured to also serve as the driving source of the sheet conveying unit. 6. An image reading apparatus comprising the sheet conveying device according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising image reading means for reading image information of a sheet-like document fed by the sheet conveying means. apparatus.