JPH10301215A - Sheet carrying device and image forming device provided with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet carrying device capable of rigidly controlling the stopping position of a sheet and to provide an image forming device small in size without lowering image quality by using the sheet carrying device. SOLUTION: When the trailing end of an original is detected by a separating sensor 30, the deceleration control of sheet carrying is started. When the trailing end of the original is detected by a paper feeding sensor 35, the sheet carrying is stopped. At this time, the deceleration control is already started, so that the original can be accurately stopped on a desired position. Since an interval between originals can be made smaller, a reading position can be set closer to the center of a platen 3. Original covering by a wide-width belt becomes secure on a position closer to the center, so that the image can be high- accurately read. Finally, high-quality image can be formed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus applicable to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and an LBP, and an image forming apparatus having the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus or the like, an original size,
Some image reading positions are changed according to the document transport mode. When the image reading position is changed, the operation state of the sheet conveying device that conveys the document is also changed.

As an example of such a sheet conveying device,
Conventional document feeder 70 provided in image forming apparatus
2 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the movement of the sheet when reading the document will be mainly described.

FIG. 44 shows a mode in which the image of the document is read at the position R2, and the document is temporarily stopped and waits during the flow reading.

On a sheet tray 704 for stacking sheet-shaped originals P, a retractable shutter stopper 740 for abutting and setting the originals is arranged. When the apparatus is started, the shutter stopper 74
0 sinks into the tray 704 and the paper feed roller 705 rotates in the direction of the arrow in the figure, so that the separation and conveyance roller 708 and the separation belt 706 (hereinafter, the separation and conveyance roller 708 and the separation belt 706 are collectively referred to in order from the upper document. In some cases, referred to as “separating units 706 and 708”.).

The originals fed one by one in the separation units 706 and 708 are conveyed by a first feeding roller 716,
It is fed out together with the second feed roller 709. The manuscript is
Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed over the image reading unit 750 by the wide belt 707 wound around the rollers 736 and 737, and finally discharged out of the apparatus.

The reading of an image is performed when the original is on the image reading section 750. The image reading position is
Depending on the document transport mode and the size of the document to be transported,
It becomes one of the positions R1, R2, and R3.

The reading position R1 is a reading position in the double-sided original mode. The reading of the image is performed by scanning the scanner of the copying machine main body 1 in a state where the document end is placed so as to match the reading position R1 (fixed reading mode).

The reading position R2 is a reading position used when reading a half-size original in the one-sided original mode. The image is read while the document is being conveyed while the scanner of the copying machine main body 1 is fixed at the reading position R1 (flow reading mode).

The reading position R3 is a document reading position used when a large-size document and a half-size document are fed vertically in the one-sided document mode.
The image is read while the document is being conveyed while the scanner of the copying machine main body 1 is fixed at the reading position R3 (flow reading mode).

[0011]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems.

That is, when an image is read at the reading position R3, the following relationship is established for the distance L3 between the second feeding roller 709 and the reading position R3.

[0013]

## EQU1 ## L3 = Lp + L5 + L10 Lp: Maximum length of document that can be transported L5: Moving distance from start of transport belt to constant speed until vibration is attenuated L10: Second feed from rear edge of document when reading standby is stopped The distance L5 to the feed roller varies depending on the type of the device, for example, 25 m
It is a constant value of about m. L10 is a paper feed sensor 735
The sheet is stopped by a detection signal indicating that the trailing edge of the sheet has come off, and is, for example, a constant value of about 20 mm. Lp is, for example, about 43 mm for a leisure-size original. Therefore, when the above conditions (specific values) are assumed, L3 = 477 mm.

Since the size of the document feeder 702 is limited, if the reading position R3 is set under such conditions, the reading position R3 will be located far to the right in the drawing. In this case, the image must be read at the end of the track of the wide belt 707 (near the roller 373), and the area for pressing the document against the platen and backing up is reduced, resulting in a problem that the image quality is deteriorated.

The present invention is suitable for an image forming apparatus (in particular,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet conveying device (which ensures that a sheet is pressed when reading an image without increasing the size of the device) and an image forming apparatus including the same.

[0016]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has been made to achieve the above-mentioned object, and a first aspect of the present invention is to provide a conveying means for providing a sheet and conveying a sheet along the conveying path. A first detection unit that detects the sheet at a first detection position set in the transport path, and a second detection position that is set downstream of the first detection position in the transport path. A second detection unit for detecting the sheet; and a control unit for controlling conveyance by the conveyance unit in accordance with a detection result of the first detection unit and the second detection unit. The transport speed of the transport unit is reduced at a timing determined based on the detection result of the first detection unit, and the transport speed is further reduced at a timing determined based on the detection result of the second detection unit. Conveying it to those stopping that, the sheet transport apparatus is provided, wherein.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a platen on which a sheet is placed, pressing means for pressing a sheet placed on the platen, and an image of the sheet placed on the platen. 2. A sheet conveying device according to claim 1, further comprising: reading means for reading, a sheet conveying apparatus for conveying and placing a sheet on the platen, and image forming means for forming an image read by the reading means on a recording medium. An image forming apparatus is provided.

The sheet whose conveyance has been stopped at the timing determined based on the detection result of the second detection means may be on the platen.

The operation will be described.

The control means reduces the transport speed of the transport means at a timing determined based on the detection result of the first detection means. Subsequently, the conveyance by the conveyance unit is stopped at a timing determined based on the detection result of the second detection unit. In this case, since the sheet conveyance speed has already been reduced, the stop position of the sheet can be accurately controlled.

When the stop position of the sheet is on the platen, the sheet interval on the platen can be set to be shorter, so that the apparatus can be downsized. Further, if the platen is the same size, the reading position can be set closer to the center of the platen than the case where the present invention is not applied, as much as the sheet interval can be shortened. Therefore, the pressing of the sheet by the pressing means is ensured, and the reading accuracy of the image (finally, the image quality of the image formed on the recording medium) is improved.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the present embodiment, the "transporting means" in the present invention includes the separating / conveying roller 8, the separating belt 6,
This is realized by the first feed roller 16, the second feed roller 9, and the like. The “first detection unit” corresponds to the separation sensor 30. The “second detecting unit” corresponds to the paper feed sensor 35. “Control means” corresponds to a control device. “Pressing means” corresponds to the wide belt 7.

[Overview of Image Forming Apparatus] ... See FIG. 1 As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment has an image input section (hereinafter referred to as "reader section") 200 and an image output section (hereinafter referred to as ""). A copying machine main body 1 includes a printer unit 300), and a document feeder (hereinafter, referred to as “ADF”) 2 disposed above the copying machine main body 1.

The reader section 200 optically reads an image of a document placed on a platen glass (platen) 3 which is a reading position of the copying machine main body 1, photoelectrically converts the image, and inputs the image data. The reader unit 200 includes a scanner unit 204 having a platen 3, a lamp 202, and a mirror 203, mirrors 205 and 206, and a lens 2.
07, an image sensor 208 and the like.

The printer section 300 is a well-known image forming means for outputting an image read by the reader section 200 to a predetermined sheet. The printer unit 300 will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

The ADF 2 is for transporting a document to a predetermined reading position of the copying machine main body 1. ADF
Reference numeral 2 denotes a document tray 4 on which documents are stacked. The wide belt 7 wound around the drive roller 36 and the other turn roller 37 is disposed below the wide belt 7. The document on the document tray 4 is sequentially separated from the uppermost sheet, and is conveyed to a platen glass (platen) 3 which is a reading position of the copying machine body 1.

The wide belt 7 is in contact with the platen 3 and places a document conveyed from the document tray 4 at a predetermined position on the platen 3 or discharges a document on the platen 3. It is carried out onto the tray 10. The originals are placed on the tray 4 in order of 1 page (2 pages), 3 pages (4 pages)... From the top. The ADF 2 will be described later in detail.

In the present invention, the reader unit 200 and the ADF 2
Can also be applied as a reader in which is integrated.
Further, the copying machine main body 1 can include an ADF 2.

Hereinafter, the details of each of the above components will be described. [ADF2] Hereinafter, the ADF2 will be described in detail for each part. 1. Configuration of Document Tray and Its Surroundings 1.1 Document Tray—See FIG. 5 The document tray 4 is for stacking sheet-shaped documents. On the document tray 4, a pair of width direction regulating plates are slidably arranged in the width direction of the document. By regulating the width direction of the document placed on the document tray 4 by the width direction regulating plate, stability during feeding can be ensured.

A stopper 21 is provided at the downstream end of the document tray 4 in the transport direction so as to be rotatable. By rotating the stopper 21 to a predetermined angular position as necessary, it is possible to prevent the document set on the document tray 4 from inadvertently advancing downstream. 1.2 Sensors on Document Tray—See FIG. 5 Document set detection sensors 40a and 40b that detect that a document bundle has been set are provided near the upstream portion of the stopper 21. In this embodiment, transmission type optical sensors are used as the document set detection sensors 40a and 40b.

Further, in the middle of the document tray 4, a document trailing edge detection sensor 41 for determining whether or not the size of the set document is a half size is provided.
This document trailing edge detection sensor 41 is
It is arranged at a distance of 5 mm, and when a long document is set, its detection state is set to "ON". In the present embodiment, a reflection type optical sensor is used as the document trailing edge detection sensor 41.

A final document detection sensor 43 is provided between the document set detection sensor 40 and the rear end detection sensor 41. The detection result of the final document detection sensor 43 is used for determining whether or not the document being transported is the final document. In this embodiment, a reflection type optical sensor is used as the final document detection sensor 43.

Further, below the document tray 4, a paper width detection sensor 44 for detecting the length in the width direction of the document bundle P set on the document tray 4 is provided. However, the paper width detection sensor 44 of the present embodiment actually detects the position of the width direction regulating plate. 2. Paper feed / separation mechanism See FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, As shown in FIG. 6, a swing arm 53 and a lifting arm 51 are provided above the document tray 4. , And is configured to be swingable about the rotation axis center C1 of the separation / conveyance roller 8.
Further, the swing arm 53 is swing-restricted by an arm shaft 51c penetratingly supported by support plates 51a and 51b in front and behind the lifting arm 51. The paper feed roller 5 is provided at the tip of the swing arm 53. FIG. 11 shows a part of each component constituting the paper feed / separation mechanism.

Normally, since the paper feed roller 5 is restrained by the arm shaft 51c and retracted to the home position (FIG. 6) above the upper separation guide plate 52 (suppressed by the pin 51g), the document set is set. It does not hinder work. The elevating arm 51 includes a swing motor 103 as described later.
(See FIG. 5) and is in the position shown in the figure.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the paper feed / separation mechanism. The elevating arm 51 is movable from the state (position) illustrated in FIG. 6 to the state (position) illustrated in FIG. 7 by rotating about the rotation axis center C1. As described above, the paper feed roller 5 is provided at the tip of the swing arms 57 and 53 that rotate around the rotation center axis C1. Swing arm 5
When the rollers 7 and 53 move down by their own weight with the movement of the lift arm 51, the paper feed roller 5 lands on the uppermost sheet of the document P and stops (the position in FIG. 9). By rotating the paper feed roller 5 in this state, the document P can be sequentially conveyed from the uppermost sheet. The upper guide plate 52 is suppressed to the position shown in FIG. 7 by a stopper (not shown).

In the state shown in FIG. 9, the swing arms 57, 5
The arm shaft 51c supporting the arm 3 is disengaged when the paper feed roller 5 lands on the document surface. At this time, since the engagement is released, the relative positional relationship between the swing arms 57 and 53 and the lifting arm 51 starts to shift. The amount of displacement is determined by the first swing arm flag 54 and the second swing arm flag 5, which are a part of the swing arms 57 and 53.
5, and a first swing position sensor 46 and a second swing position sensor 47 attached to the lifting arm 51. When the states of the first swing position sensor 46 and the second swing position sensor 47 change from the non-detection state to the detection state (see FIG. 9), the swing arms 57 and 53 receive stop control.

In this state, the swing arms 57, 5
Since the paper feed roller 3 and the paper feed roller 5 are placed on the original bundle P stacked on the tray 4 by its own weight, it is possible to always apply a stable feeding force to the original P.

The elevating arm 51 is driven by a rocking motor 103. The elevating arm 51 can be moved between an arbitrary state (position) between the state (position) shown in FIG. 6 and the state (position) shown in FIG. Position) (see FIG. 8).

Above the separation roller 6, a paper feed roller home sensor 45 is attached to a fixed support plate 56. In this embodiment, a transmission type optical sensor is used as the paper feed roller home sensor 45. When the lifting arm 51 is at the home position (standby position), the swing arm 5
A lifting arm flag 51d provided on each of the rollers 7 and 53 shields the sensor optical path of the paper feed roller home sensor 45 from light.

As described above, the lift arm 51 is provided with the first swing position sensor 46 and the second swing sensor 47 that move together with the lift arm 51. The first oscillating position sensor 46 and the second oscillating sensor 47 detect a first oscillating arm flag 54 and a second oscillating arm flag 55 that are formed to extend in the descending direction of the oscillating arms 57 and 53. It is supposed to.

The state shown in FIG. 8 is the retracted position during continuous paper feeding. Swing arms 57 and 5 during continuous paper feeding
3 does not need to return to the home position (see FIG. 6). Therefore, at the time of continuous sheet feeding, the swing arms 57 and 53
Is the minimum amount of paper feed roller 5 from the original bundle (about 3 to 5 mm)
The intermediate stop is performed at the separated position (the retracted position shown in FIG. 8).

With this configuration, the paper feed roller 5
Can be minimized, and the landing vibration of the paper feed roller 5 on the document P is reduced, which contributes to improving the paper feeding performance. At the same time, the time until the start of the subsequent sheet feeding can be shortened, and sheet feeding control with a shorter sheet feeding interval can be performed.

When the feeding operation is started in a state in which the paper feed roller 5 is bound by the impact when the paper P lands on the original P, the pressure balance of the front and rear paper feed rollers 5 against the original P is lost, and The possibility of generating skew is increased.

As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of paper feed rollers 5 arranged in the width direction each have an independent suspension configuration,
This makes it easier to equalize, so that the paper feed performance can be improved.

Downstream of the shutter 21 in the transport direction, there is provided a separation unit having a well-known separation belt 6 and a separation and transport roller 8, and the separation operation is performed by rotating in the direction of an arrow (FIG. 9). It has become. 3. Transport Mechanism 3.1 Transport Path See FIGS. 3 and 4 As shown in FIG. 3, from the document tray 4 to the platen 3, a document feed path (a) for guiding the document onto the platen 3 (B) and (c) are configured. The document feeding paths (a), (b), and (c) are bent (curved downward) and connected to a document conveying path (d) on the platen 3.

The document transport path (a) is a transport path in which the document separated by the separation unit is transported downstream by the separation transport roller 8.

From the original feeding path (b) to the reverse feeding path (h)
(He) and (li) are extending. The reversing feed path (h) (to)
(I) is used to turn the original upside down before transporting the original to the platen 3.

The document inverted in the reversing feeding path (h), (h), and (l) is switched back, conveyed to the lip platen 3 through the document feeding / discharging path (e), and placed thereon.

Further, a document reversing path (g) branches off from the reversing feeding path (f) so that it can join with the document feeding path (b). If the transport paths (e), (f), (g), and (c) are used, the document on the platen 3 can be switched back, turned upside down, and returned to the platen 3 again.

After the reading of the image on the platen 3 is completed, the document is discharged to the discharge tray 10 through the document conveying path (d) on the platen and the document discharging path (nu) shown in FIG.

An openable manual document tray 14 is provided on the right side of the ADF 2 (see FIG. 1). A document (single document) set on the manual document tray 14 can be fed to the platen 3 through a manual feed path. 3.2 Roller: See FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 5 A first feeding roller 16 is provided between the document feeding paths (a) and (b). The first feeding roller 16 restrains the document sent from the separation section (separation belt 6, separation conveyance roller 8) and prevents skew.

The separation / conveyance roller 8 is provided with a one-way mechanism. This reduces the transport load when the original is pulled out of the separation unit by the first feeding roller 16.

A second feeding roller 9 is provided at the confluence of the document conveying paths (a), (b) and (c) and the document reversing path (g). The second feeding roller 9 forms a loop on the reached document to prevent skew of the document.

A first reversing roller 17 and a second reversing roller 18 are provided in the reversing feeding path (h), (f) and (i). The first reversing roller 17 and the second reversing roller 18
The document is conveyed along a loop-shaped reversal path.

On the right side of the ADF 2, a manual feed roller 1 is provided.
3 are provided. The manual feed roller 13 feeds a document set on the manual document tray 14 from right to left.

A manual registration roller 11 is provided between the manual paper feed roller 13 and the platen 3. The manual feed registration roller 11 forms a loop in a manually fed document, thereby preventing skew. Further, the manual registration rollers 11 relay the discharge of the original from the platen 3.

A document discharge roller 12 for discharging the discharged document to the discharge tray 10 is provided in the document discharge path (N). 3.3 Flapper: See FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 FIGS. 4 and 5 show the positions of the flapper on the transport path. In addition,
Each feed path is as shown in FIG.

A reversing sheet flapper 22 is provided downstream of the second feeding roller 9 in the conveying direction. The reversing sheet feeding flapper 22 is for switching between a document feeding path (C) and a reversing feeding path (H). The reverse sheet feeding flapper 22
When the original is conveyed to the reverse feeding path (H), (H), and (H), the original is drawn as a solid line in FIG. On the other hand, when the original is transported to the original feeding path (c) and the original transport path (d), the original is swung to be in a state drawn by a chain line in FIG.

A reversing flapper 23 is provided downstream of the second reversing roller 18 in the transport direction. The reversing flapper 23
Is for switching between a reversing feed path (i) and a document reversing path (g).

When reversing a document conveyed from the document feeding path (b) and the reversing feeding path (h), the reversing flapper 23 is in a state drawn by a solid line in FIG. on the other hand,
When the document from the platen 3 is reversed through the document supply / discharge path (e), the reversing feed path (f), and the document reversal path (g), the document is swung to a state depicted by a chain line in FIG.

A one-way flapper 24 (to which a mylar or the like is affixed) is provided at the junction of the reverse feeding path (h) and the document feeding / discharging path (e) near the upstream of the first reverse roller 17. I have. The one-way flapper 24 serves as a guide when a document is transported from the reverse feeding path (h) to the reverse feeding path (h). In addition, the original is turned over
When the document is conveyed from (f) to the platen 3 through the document supply / discharge path (e), the document serves to prevent the document from entering the reverse feeding path (h) in the reverse direction.

On the platen 3 side of the reversing supply / discharge path (e), a supply / discharge flapper 25 interlocked with the reversal sheet supply flapper 22 is provided. When a document is conveyed from the document supply / discharge path (e) to the platen 3, the supply / discharge flapper 25 is in a state shown by a solid line in FIG. Collision with the end is prevented. Further, when the original is transported from the platen 3 to the original supply / discharge path (e), the original is drawn by a dashed line in FIG. 4 by swinging, and the original from the platen 3 is scooped.

A paper discharge flapper 26 is provided between the right end of the platen 3 and the manual registration roller 11.
reference). When a document is conveyed from the manual feed path (L) to the platen 3, the paper discharge flapper 26 is drawn as a solid line in FIG. 5, and the leading edge of the document entering the platen 3 is the end of the platen 3. It prevents collision with the department. When the document is discharged from the platen 3 to the document discharge path (nu), the document is shaken to be in a state drawn by a chain line in FIG. 5, and the document from the platen 3 is scooped.

A one-way manual flapper 27 is provided at the junction of the document discharge path (N) and the manual conveyance path (R) (see FIG. 5). The manual flapper 27 has a platen 3
When a document is ejected from the printer, the document is prevented from entering the manual feed path.

A manual shutter 28 is provided near the downstream of the manual paper feed roller 13 in the transport direction (see FIG. 5). The manual feed shutter 28 is for preventing the manual feed document set on the manual feed tray 14 from entering the manual feed registration roller 11 during the discharge of the copied original. At this time, the conveying force is set low so that the manual paper feed roller 13 and the document slip. 3.4 Sensors on the Conveyance Path See FIG. 5 A separation sensor 30 is provided between the separation conveyance roller 8 and the first feeding roller 16. The separation sensor 30 detects a document conveyed by the separation conveyance roller 8. A skew detection sensor 31 is also provided at the same position in the transport direction as the separation sensor 30 and at a position separated by a predetermined distance in the thrust direction. Skew detection sensor 3
1 and the detection results of the separation sensor 30 are used to detect the skew amount of the fed original. In the present embodiment, a transmission type optical sensor is used as the separation sensor 30 and the skew detection sensor 31.

In the vicinity of the downstream side of the first feeding roller 16, a mixed loading detection sensor 32 is provided. The mixed loading detection sensor 3
Reference numeral 2 is for detecting a document by moving the flag. The control device, which will be described later, determines that documents of different sizes are set on the document tray 4 by judging the detection result of the mixed detection sensor 32 and the detection results of various sensors on the document tray 4 together. The detection is performed during document conveyance.

A paper feed sensor 35 is disposed near the upstream of the second feeding roller 9. The paper feed sensor 35 is for detecting the front end and the rear end of a document that has passed through any of the document feeding paths (a), (b), and (c) and the document reversing path (g). In the present embodiment, a transmission type optical sensor is used as the paper feed sensor 35.

A registration sensor 39 is provided downstream of the feed roller 9. The registration sensor 39 is for detecting the rear end of the document. The detection result is
It is used to control the stop position of the document. In the present embodiment, a transmission type optical sensor is used as the resist sensor 39.

A reversing sensor 50 is provided on the reversing conveyance path (e). The reversing sensor 50 detects a document discharged from the platen 3 or a document entering the platen 3. In this embodiment, a transmission type optical sensor is used as the reversing sensor 50.

In the reverse feeding path (R), the reverse detecting sensor 3
3 are provided. The reversing detection sensor 33 detects that the document has been guided to the reversing feeding path (R). In the present embodiment, as the reversal detection sensor 33,
A type that detects a document by moving a flag is used.

A manual registration sensor 34 is provided near the downstream of the manual registration roller 11 in the sheet discharging direction. The manual feed registration sensor 34 is provided on a manual feed path (R).
And a document discharged from the platen 3 to a document discharge path (nu). In the present embodiment, a transmission type optical sensor is used as the manual feed registration sensor 34.

A manual document detection sensor 60 is provided on the manual document tray 14 side of the manual paper feed roller 13. The manual feed document detection sensor 60 is used for the manual feed tray 1.
4 is for detecting that a document has been set. In this embodiment, a sensor that detects a document by moving a flag is used as the manual document detection sensor 60. 3.5 Drive System See FIGS. 4 and 5 FIG. 5 is a drive system diagram showing motors and solenoids for driving each transport roller and flapper.

The separation motor 100 drives the separation section (separation / conveyance roller 8 and separation belt 6) in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The driving force of the separation motor 100 is also transmitted to the paper feed roller 5 via the separation clutch 106 to drive it. In this embodiment, the separation motor 100
A DC brush motor controlled by PLL is used.

The separation motor 100 includes the separation motor 10
A mechanism is provided that generates a clock pulse proportional to the number of rotations when 0 rotates. The mechanism includes a clock plate 100a having a plurality of slits attached to a motor shaft of the separation motor 100, and a separation clock sensor 100b which is a transmission type optical sensor.

The transport motor 101 has a second feed roller 9,
This is for driving the first reversing roller 17 and the second reversing roller 18. In this embodiment, a stepping motor that can rotate forward and backward is used as the transport motor 101.

The transport motor 101 includes the transport motor 10
A mechanism is provided for generating a clock pulse proportional to the number of revolutions when 1 rotates. The mechanism comprises a second
It comprises a clock plate 101a provided with a plurality of slits attached to a driven roller shaft of the feeding roller 9, and an inverted clock sensor 101b which is a transmission type optical sensor. Based on the number of clock pulses generated by this mechanism and the number of drive clocks of the conveyance motor 101, the amount of slip when the document is conveyed by the second feeding roller 9 can be measured.

The belt motor 102 drives the wide belt 7 and the manual registration roller 11. The driving force of the belt motor 102 is
6 to a wide belt 7. Thereafter, the driving force is transmitted to the manual registration roller 11 via the wide belt 7 and the turn roller 37. in this case,
The conveying speed of the original on the platen 3 and the conveying speed by the manual registration rollers 11 are set to be equal. In the present embodiment, a stepping motor capable of normal and reverse rotation is used as the belt motor 102.

The swing motor 103 is for driving the lifting arm 53 of the paper feed roller. In this embodiment, a forward / reverse stepping motor is used as the swing motor 103.

The paper discharge motor 104 is for driving the paper discharge roller 12 and the manual paper feed roller 13.
In the present embodiment, an FG servo control type DC motor is used as the discharge motor 104.

The paper discharge motor 104 is provided with a mechanism for generating a clock pulse proportional to the number of rotations. The mechanism includes a clock plate 1 having a plurality of slits attached to a motor shaft of a paper discharge motor 104.
04a and a paper ejection clock sensor 104b which is a transmission type optical sensor.

The stopper solenoid 105 drives the stopper 21 at the paper feed end of the document tray 4.
When the stopper 21 is off, it is at the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 4, and when it is on, it swings to the position shown by the chain line in FIG.

The separation clutch 106 is connected to the separation motor 100
This is for controlling the transmission / interruption of the driving force to the sheet feeding roller 5, the separation belt 6 and the separation and conveyance roller 8.

The path switching solenoid 107 drives the reverse sheet feeding flapper 22 and the supply / discharge flapper 25. When the path switching solenoid 107 is off, the reverse sheet feeding flapper 22 and the supply / discharge flapper 25
Are in the state drawn by the solid line in FIG. On the other hand, when the path switching solenoid 107 is on, the reverse sheet feeding flapper 22 and the supply / discharge flapper 25
By swinging, each of them is brought into a state drawn by a chain line in FIG.

The reversing flapper solenoid 108 drives the reversing flapper 23. When the reverse flapper solenoid 108 is turned off, the reverse flapper 23 is in a state drawn by a solid line in FIG. on the other hand,
When the reversing flapper solenoid 108 is turned on, the reversing flapper 23 swings to a state depicted by a chain line in FIG.

A discharge flapper solenoid 109 drives the discharge flapper 26 and the manual shutter 28. When the discharge flapper solenoid 109 is turned off, the discharge flapper 26 and the manual shutter 2
8 is a state drawn by a chain line in the figure. On the other hand, when the discharge flapper solenoid 109 is on,
The paper discharge flapper 26 and the manual feed shutter 28 swing to be in a state drawn by a solid line in the drawing. 3.6 Reading Position: See FIGS. 12 and 13 FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a document reading position on the platen 3.

There are three document reading positions (reading position R1, reading position R2, reading position R3).
Either of these modes is selected according to the document transport mode and the size of the document to be transported.

The reading position R1 is used in the double-sided original mode. In this case, the reading of the image is performed by scanning the scanner unit 204 of the copying machine main body 1 with the original placed on the original with the original end aligned with the reading position R1 (fixed reading mode).

The reading position R2 is used when reading a half-size original in the one-sided original mode. In this case, the image is read while the scanner unit 204 is fixed at the reading position R2 and the document is conveyed (flow reading mode).

The reading position R3 is used when a large-size document and a half-size document in the single-sided document mode are fed vertically. In this case, the reading of the image is performed while the scanner unit 204 is fixed at the reading position R3 and the document is conveyed (flow reading mode).

In FIG. 12, L1 shown in FIG.
This is the distance from the nip point of the feeding roller 9 to the reading position R1. L2 is the distance from the nip point of the second feeding roller 9 to the reading position R2. L3 is the distance from the nip point of the second feeding roller 9 to the reading position R3.

L4 shown in FIG. 13 is the distance from the reading position R1 to the stop position for standby of the half-size original placed on the left side of the platen 3. L5 is the distance from the leading edge of the document stopped at the standby position to the reading position R2. L6 is a set value of a distance from the trailing edge of the preceding document to the leading edge of the succeeding document (hereinafter, referred to as “paper distance”). During conveyance, the sheet distance is controlled to be L6. L7 is the distance from the reading position R1 to the manual feed registration roller 11.

The length of the half-size document in the transport direction is Lp
When h is set, the stop position of the half-size document is controlled so that the following relational expression holds.

L7 <[L4 + 2 × L6 + Lph] L2> [L5-Lph] As a result, as shown in FIG.
n, Pn-1 is stopped, the preceding original P
The rear end of n-2 passes through the nip of the manual registration roller 11. The rear end of the document Pn waiting for image formation passes through the nip of the second feeding roller 9. 3.7 Transport Operation The document transport operation of the document transport device will be described.

At the time of the transport, first, a common separating operation is performed in the document transport mode, and thereafter, a different operation is performed for each document transport mode. Hereinafter, the separation operation and the operation unique to each document transport mode will be described separately. In order to clarify the order of conveyance, a document conveyed earlier may be referred to as a “previous document”, and a document conveyed later may be referred to as a “subsequent document”. 3.7.1 Separation Operation When a document bundle on the document tray 4 is detected by the document set detection sensors 40a and 40b, a pre-separation operation is started. That is, first, the paper feed roller 5 is lowered and lands on the document bundle. In the following description, the documents stacked on the document tray 4 are referred to as a document P1, a document P2, a document P3,. When the order of the originals is not specified, the original is set as the original P.

When copying conditions are input on the operation unit of the copying machine and the start key is pressed, the size of the original is detected by a sensor on the platen 3 or the like. Further, the stopper 21
Is operated by the stopper solenoid 105 to release the path of the document bundle. The document bundle is fed by the paper feed roller 5, and the document P1 (uppermost document) advances to the downstream.

The separation conveyance roller 8 and the separation belt 6 rotate in the directions of the arrows shown in FIG. 6, respectively, to separate the documents P that have advanced from the document tray 4 one by one, and to separate the separated documents. Convey downstream.

The document P that has passed through the separation section is separated by the separation sensor 3
After the skew detection is performed by 0 and the skew sensor 31, the skew is conveyed by the first feed roller 16.

When the original is conveyed by the first feed roller 16, the feed roller 5 is raised. Subsequently, the separation belt 6 and the separation conveyance roller 8 stop. The stop is performed by turning off the clutch 106 and disconnecting the drive of the separation belt 6 and the separation conveyance roller 8.

After the stop, the separation conveyance roller 8 rotates (rotates) following the movement of the document P being conveyed.

The document P is conveyed only by the first feeding roller 16 and hits the stopped second feeding roller 9 to perform a known skew feeding.

When the skew feeding is completed, the first feed roller 16
And the second feed roller 9 start rotating at the same time. In this case, the first feed roller 16 and the second feed roller 9 are synchronously speed-controlled such that their transport speeds match.

The description of the separating operation has been completed. After that, the operation of each document transport mode is performed. 3.7.2 Operation in Each Document Transport Mode The operation after the above-described separation operation is described in each document transport mode (half-size single-sided document transport mode, large-size single-sided document transport mode, half-size double-sided document transport mode, large-size double-sided document Transport mode and manual document transport mode). 3.7.2.1 Half Size Single-Sided Document Conveying Mode FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematic diagrams showing the flow of a document in the single-sided document conveying mode.

When the original transport mode is the one-sided original transport mode, the path switching solenoid 107 is controlled to be off,
The transport path is on the side of the document feeding path (C). In this state, the preceding document P1 enters the platen 3. At this time, the conveyance speed of the wide belt 7 is controlled in advance to match the speed of the second feeding roller 9.

When the trailing edge of the preceding document P1 passes through the nip point of the sheet feeding roller 5, in preparation for the feeding operation of the succeeding document P2,
The feed roller 5 is lowered again.

Further, when the trailing end of the preceding document P1 passes through the nip point of the first feeding roller 16, the separation clutch 106 is turned on, and the feeding of the succeeding document P2 by the feeding roller 5 is started (see FIG. 4). FIG. 14 (a)).

When the trailing edge of the preceding document P1 passes through the nip of the second feed roller 9, the second transport roller 9 is stopped. After the feeding by the feed roller 5 is started, the subsequent document P2 is rapidly accelerated, and when the second transport roller 9 stops, the feed sensor 3
5 is controlled so as to reach the position detected. When the paper feed sensor 35 detects the succeeding document P2,
Control for skew removal is performed in the same manner as in the case of the preceding document P1.

At this time, the preceding document P1 has entered the transport path (d) on the platen 3 and is independently transported by the wide belt 7. Then, when the trailing end advances a predetermined distance after passing through the paper feed sensor 35, the preceding original P1 is temporarily stopped (see FIG. 14B).

At this time, the distance between the leading edge of the document P1 and the image reading position R2 is controlled to be L5.
The distance L5 is a distance necessary for sufficiently attenuating the vibration when the document is started at a constant speed. The distance L8 from the rear end of the document P1 to the nip point of the second feeding roller 9 is configured to be positive (the document P1
Trailing the nip of the second feed roller). Second
Passing through the nip of the feed roller 9 prevents the image quality from deteriorating due to the vibration when the paper exits the nip and the deviation of the image destination signal. Note that L8 has the following relationship with L2, L5 and the size of the conveyed document.

L8 = L2-L5-conveyed document size L2: distance from image reading position R2 to second feed roller 9 The ADF 2 stops the preceding document P1 and simultaneously stops the preceding document P1 with respect to the copying machine body 1. , And outputs a transfer completion signal 120. Then, it waits for the input of the transport start signal 121.

When the conveyance start signal 121 from the copying machine main body is received and the skew feeding control of the succeeding original P2 is completed, the wide belt 7 is started, and the wide original belt P1 conveys the preceding original P1 at the image forming speed. I do.

When the inter-paper distance (the distance between the trailing edge of the preceding document P1 and the leading edge of the succeeding document P2) has reached a predetermined distance, the second
The feed roller 9 is activated. Then, the second original feed roller 9 conveys the succeeding original P2 at the image forming speed in the same manner as the preceding original P1.

In this case, when the conveying speeds of the wide belt 7 and the second feeding roller 9 coincide with each other, the above-mentioned sheet distance is changed to L6.
The activation and acceleration of the second feed roller 9 are controlled so that When the preceding original P1 reaches the reading position R2, the A
DF2 outputs an image arrival signal 122. Copying machine body 1
Receives this, starts reading the image of the preceding original P1.

FIG. 14C shows a state after reading of the image of the original P1 is completed. The document P1 is stopped after being transported a predetermined distance (L9) after the reading is completed. At this time, the subsequent document P2 is moved to the reading position R.
It is stopped at the position of distance L5 from 2. Further, the succeeding document P3 forms a loop for skew removal by the second feeding roller 9.
Waiting while maintaining by.

In this state, when the conveyance start signal 121 is input from the copying machine main body 1, an image for the document P2 is formed. FIG. 15A shows the position of the original in the transport path during reading of the image of the original P2. Manuscript P
1 is conveyed by a wide belt 7, a manual feed registration roller 11, and a paper discharge roller 12. At this time, the conveying speed of the wide belt 7 and the conveying speed of the manual registration roller 11 are configured to be equal. The transport speed of the discharge roller 12 is controlled to be equal to or slightly faster than these speeds.

FIG. 15B shows a state when reading of the succeeding document P2 is completed. After the reading is completed, the wide belt 7 is stopped.
P3 is stopped on the platen 3. Since the trailing end of the preceding document P <b> 1 has already passed through the nip of the manual registration roller 11, it is independently conveyed by the discharge roller 12 and discharged to the discharge tray 10. 3.7.2.2 Large Size One-Sided Document Transport Mode FIGS. 16 and 17 are schematic diagrams showing the flow of documents in the large size one-sided document transport mode.

As in the case of the small-size one-sided original transport mode, the path switching solenoid 107 is turned off, and the transport path is on the original feed path (c). In this state, the preceding document P1 enters the platen 3. When the trailing edge of the preceding document P1 passes through the nip point of the separation / conveyance roller 8, the feeding roller 5 is lowered again in preparation for the feeding operation of the following document P2.

Further, when the trailing end of the preceding document P1 passes through the nip point of the first feeding roller 16, the separation clutch 106 is turned on, and the feeding of the succeeding document P2 by the feeding roller 5 is started (see FIG. 4). FIG. 16A).

In response to a signal indicating that the trailing edge of the preceding original P1 has passed through the separation sensor 30, deceleration control of the first feed roller 16, the second feed roller 9, and the drive roller 36 is started. Then, based on the signal that has passed through the paper feed sensor 35, the second feed roller 9 is stopped when the rear end of the preceding document P1 has passed through the nip of the second feed roller 9. After the feeding by the feed roller 5 is started, the subsequent document P2 is rapidly accelerated, and when the second transport roller 9 stops, the feed sensor 3
5 is controlled. When the paper feed sensor 35 detects the succeeding document P2, control for skew feeding is performed as in the case of the preceding document P1.

At this time, the preceding document P1 has entered the transport path (d) on the platen 3 and is independently transported by the wide belt 7. Then, when the trailing end advances a predetermined distance after passing through the paper feed sensor 35, the preceding original P1 is temporarily stopped (see FIG. 16B). By the time the trailing end passes through the paper feed sensor 35, the conveyance speed has been reduced by the above-described deceleration control, and therefore, the carriage can be stopped at a predetermined position with high accuracy.

At this time, the distance between the leading edge of the document P1 and the image reading position R3 is controlled to be L5 as in the case of transporting a half-size document. The distance L10 from the rear end of the document P1 to the nip point of the second feeding roller 9 is configured to be positive (the rear end of the document P1 passes through the nip of the second feeding roller 9). There).

Note that L10 has the following relationship with L3, L5, and document size.

L10 = L3-L5-conveyed document size L3: distance from the image reading position R3 to the second feeding roller 9 Also, since high-precision stop control is possible, L10
Can be set to a very small value, and the reading position R3 can be arranged more upstream. Therefore, the size of the device can be reduced. Also,
At the time of image reading, the document is pressed by the wide belt 7 and the area to be backed up is expanded, so that the image quality can be improved.

The ADF 2 outputs a transport completion signal 120 to the copier main body 1 at the same time as stopping the preceding original P1. Then, it waits for the input of the transport start signal 121.

When the conveyance start signal 121 from the copying machine main body is received and the skew feed control of the succeeding document P2 is completed, the wide belt 7 is started. Then, the preceding document P1 is conveyed by the wide belt 7 at an image forming speed. When the preceding original P1 reaches the reading position R3, AD
F2 outputs the image destination arrival signal 122. Copying machine body 1
Receives this, starts reading the image of the preceding original P1.

When the inter-paper distance (the distance between the trailing edge of the preceding document P1 and the leading edge of the succeeding document P2) has reached a predetermined distance, the second
The feed roller 9 is activated. The second document feed roller 9 conveys the succeeding document P2 at the same image forming speed as the preceding document P1. At this time, the activation and acceleration of the second feeding roller 9 are controlled so that the above-mentioned sheet distance becomes L11 when the conveying speeds of the wide belt 7 and the second feeding roller 9 match. This state is shown in FIG.

FIG. 17B shows a state immediately after the image reading of the document P1 is completed. Since the sheet interval L11 is set so that the subsequent document P2 does not yet enter the deceleration control, the speed does not change during image reading.

FIG. 17C shows a state after the image reading of the document P1 is completed. The succeeding document P2 is stopped on the platen 3. The sheet distance L11 is set to be greater than the distance from the leading edge of the succeeding document P2 to the nip point of the manual feed registration roller 11. Therefore, when the succeeding document P2 is stopped, the rear end of the preceding document P1 has already passed the nip point of the manual feed registration roller 11, and the document P1 is independently conveyed and discharged by the discharge roller 12. 3.7.2.3 Half-size double-sided original transport mode FIGS. 18, 19, 20, and 21 are schematic diagrams showing the flow of originals during double-sided original transport. The transport speeds of the second feeding roller 9 and the wide belt 7 are controlled to be constant except in special cases.

When the document transport mode is the duplex document transport mode, first, the reversing sheet flapper 22 and the reversing flapper 2
3 is in a state drawn by a solid line in FIG. In this state, the document P1 is guided to the reverse feeding path (H), (H), and (R) (see FIG. 18A).

When the rear end of the document P1 passes through the one-way flapper 24, the rollers 17 and 18 are rotated in the reverse direction to convey the document P1 in the reverse direction. The supply / discharge flapper 25 is in a state drawn by a solid line in FIG.
Is guided to a document conveying path (d) on the platen 3 (FIG. 1).
8 (b)).

When the original has been further conveyed a predetermined distance from the time when the reversing sensor 50 detects the rear end of the original in the conveying direction, the wide belt 7 is stopped. As a result, the document P1 is placed on the reading position R1 in the fixed reading mode (see FIG. 19A). Then, in this state, the scanning scan of the second surface is performed by the scanner unit 204 of the copying machine body 1.

The path switching solenoid 107 is turned off around the time when the placing of the document P1 is completed. Then, the reversing sheet feeding flapper 22 and the supply / discharge flapper 25 swing and come into a state drawn by a chain line in FIG. Scanner unit 204
When scanning of the second surface of the document P1 by the
The wide belt 7 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the document P1 is placed in the document supply / discharge path (e)
Transported to At this time, the reversing flapper 23 swings simultaneously with the reverse rotation of the wide belt 7 and is in a state drawn by a chain line in FIG. Therefore, the document P1 is guided to the document reversing path (g) (see FIG. 19B).

When the document is further conveyed a predetermined distance from the time when the reversing sensor 50 detects the leading edge of the document, the rotation of the wide belt 7 is temporarily stopped and then reversed (reverse rotation →
Forward rotation). When the leading end of the reversed document P1 approaches the document conveying path (d) on the platen 3, the control is performed such that the conveying speeds of the second feeding roller 9 and the wide belt 7 are the same.

When the trailing edge of the preceding document P1 passes through the nip point of the second feeding roller 9, the second feeding roller 9 is stopped and waits for the arrival of the following document P2.

The preceding document P1 is independently conveyed by the wide belt 7. However, when the document is further conveyed by a predetermined distance from the time when the paper feed sensor 35 detects the rear end of the document, the wide belt 7 is stopped. As a result, the document P1 is placed at the reading position R1 in the fixed reading mode. Then, in this state, reading scanning of the first surface is performed by the scanner unit 204.

In addition, before and after the trailing edge of the preceding document is detected by the paper feed sensor 35, the separating operation of the succeeding document P2 is started, and the second feeding roller 9 performs the well-known skew feeding.

Document P1 by Scanner Unit 204
During the scanning of the first side, the reversing operation of the succeeding document P2 is completed. After the reversal, the subsequent document P2 is on standby with the vicinity of the leading end thereof being nipped by the first reversing roller 17 (FIG. 20).
(A)).

When the scanning for reading the first surface of the preceding original P1 is completed, the first reversing roller 17 and the second reversing roller 1
8 starts rotating, and the wide belt 7 starts rotating forward. As a result, the preceding document P1 and the succeeding document P2 are placed on the platen 3 with a predetermined inter-sheet distance L12 (see FIG. 20B).

Document P2 by Scanner Unit 204
Is completed, the reversing operation of the succeeding document P2 is started, as in the case of the preceding document P1.
2 and the preceding document P1 are transported in the direction of the reverse feeding path (e). However, while the preceding original P1 is still in the transport path (d) on the platen 3, the rotation of the belt is temporarily stopped.
Thereafter, the rotation direction of the wide belt 7 is switched (note: this is possible by setting the paper distance L12 to an appropriate value). As a result, the original P1 and the original P2
Is again conveyed in the direction of the paper discharge roller 12 and stops (see FIG. 21A). Then, in this state, reading of the first side of the document P2 is started again. The distance between the document P1 and the document P2 at this time is L13 (it is also possible to control to L12). At this time, the subsequent document P3 is in a state of being nipped by the first reversing roller 17, as in the case of the document P2 shown in FIG.

When the reading scan of the first side of the document P2 is completed, the first reversing roller 17 and the second reversing roller 18
, The forward rotation of the wide belt 7, and the rotation of the paper discharge roller 12 are started. As a result, the subsequent document P3, the document P2 for which image reading has been completed, and the document P1 are simultaneously conveyed.

When the wide belt 7 is stopped and the placement of the second side of the succeeding document P3 is completed, the rear end of the preceding document P1 has already passed through the nip of the manual feed registration roller 11. Therefore, the preceding original P1 is thereafter
2 and is discharged to the discharge tray 10 alone (see FIG. 21B). This is achieved by setting the sheet distance to L13.

By performing the above operations continuously, when the scanning of the first surface of the final document Pn is completed, the final document Pn and the last previous document Pn-1 are arranged on the platen 3 and the width is wide. The belt 7 is continuously discharged by the continuous operation. 3.7.2.4 Large-size double-sided original transport mode FIGS. 22, 23, 24, and 25 are schematic diagrams showing the flow of originals during large-size double-sided original transport. The transport speeds of the second feeding roller 9 and the wide belt 7 are controlled to be constant except in special cases.

When the original transport mode is the duplex original transport mode, first, the reverse sheet feeding flapper 22 and the reverse flapper 23
Is in a state drawn by a solid line in FIG. In this state, the document P1 is guided to the reverse feeding path (H), (H), and (R) (see FIG. 22A).

When the trailing end of the document passes through the one-way flapper 24, the rollers 17, 18 are rotated in the reverse direction to transport the document P1 in the reverse direction.

Since the supply / discharge flapper 25 is in a state drawn by a solid line in FIG. 4, the document P1 conveyed in the reverse direction is guided to the document conveying path (d) on the platen 3 (FIG. 22 (b)).
reference).

When the original P1 is further conveyed by a predetermined distance from the time when the reversing sensor 50 detects the rear end of the original in the conveying direction, the wide belt 7 is stopped. In this state, the document P1 is in the reading position R1 in the fixed reading mode.
(See FIG. 23A).

The path switching solenoid 107 is turned off around the time when document placement is completed. Then, the reverse feed flapper 2
2 and the supply / discharge flapper 25 swing to be in a state drawn by a chain line in FIG. Original P by scanner unit 204
1 is completed, the wide belt 7 is scanned.
The document P1 is reversed and the document P1 is conveyed to the document supply / discharge path (e). At this time, the reversing flapper 23 swings simultaneously with the reverse rotation of the wide belt 7, and is in the state of the chain line in FIG. Therefore, the document P1 is guided to the document reversing path (G) (FIG. 2).
3 (b)).

When the original is further conveyed by a predetermined distance from the point when the inversion sensor 50 detects the leading edge of the original, the rotation of the wide belt 7 is temporarily stopped and then inverted (reverse rotation →
Forward rotation). When the leading end of the inverted document P1 approaches the document conveying path (d) on the platen, the second feeding roller 9
And the conveying speed of the wide belt 7 is controlled.

When the trailing edge of the preceding document P1 passes through the nip point of the second feeding roller 9, the second feeding roller 9 is stopped and waits for the arrival of the succeeding document P2.

The preceding document P1 is independently conveyed by the wide belt 7. However, when the document P1 is further conveyed by a predetermined distance from the time when the paper feed sensor 35 detects the rear end of the document P1, the wide belt 7 is stopped. As a result, the document P1 is placed at the stop position R1 in the fixed reading mode.

Further, before or after the trailing edge of the preceding document is detected by the paper feed sensor 35, the separating operation of the succeeding document P2 is started, and the well-known skew feeding is performed by the stopped second feeding roller. And then, the reversing feed path (h)
The document P2 is guided to (f) and (d) (see FIG. 24A).

During the scanning of the first surface by the scanner unit 204, the reversing operation of the succeeding document P2 is completed as in the case of the preceding document P1. The subsequent original P1 after the inversion is waiting in a state where the vicinity of the leading end thereof is nipped by the first inversion roller 17 (see FIG. 24B). At this time, the inter-paper distance between the preceding original P1 and the following succeeding original P2 is controlled to be L14.

When the scanning of the first surface of the preceding document P1 is completed, the first reversing roller 17 and the second reversing roller 1
8 is started simultaneously with the forward rotation of the wide belt 7. Thus, when the succeeding document P2 is placed on the platen 3, the rear end of the preceding document P1 passes through the nip of the manual registration roller 11 (see FIG. 25). L14 mentioned above
Is set in advance in such a state.

Thereafter, the same operation is continued up to the final document Pn. 3.7.2.5 Manual Document Conveying Mode FIGS. 26 and 27 are diagrams showing the flow of a document during manual document conveying.

When the manual document detection sensor 60 detects that the document P1 has been set (see FIG. 26A), the manual flapper 27 and the manual shutter 28 are in the state depicted by solid lines in FIG. Then, the original P1
Is fed by the manual paper feed roller 13 and skewed by the stopped manual paper registration roller 11. Thereafter, the leading edge of the document is moved to the reading position R1 of the platen 3.
, The conveyance of the document P1 is stopped (see FIG. 26B). At this time, the manual feed flapper 27 and the manual shutter 28 return to the state drawn by the chain line in FIG. 5, and the next document can be set.

After the scanning by the scanner unit 204 is completed, the wide belt 7 is rotated in the reverse direction, so that the document P1 is discharged toward the discharge roller 12. The manual feed roller 13 also rotates with the rotation of the discharge roller 12. However, since the leading end of the document P2 is regulated by the manual feed shutter 28, the manual feed roller 13 slips and the document P2 does not advance (see FIG. 27A).

The rear end of the document P1 is the manual registration sensor 3
4, the manual feed registration roller 11 stops (see FIG. 27B). The manual flapper 27 and the manual shutter 28 are in the state drawn by the solid line in FIG.

Thereafter, the document P2 is conveyed to the manual registration roller 11 side by the manual paper feed roller 13, and is placed on the platen 3 in the same manner as the document P1 after the above-described skew feeding is completed. 4. Control Configuration 4.1 Control Circuit... See FIG. 28 FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the control device of the present embodiment.

The control device is a microprocessor (CP
U) 501, a RAM (not shown) backed up by a battery (not shown), a ROM (not shown) storing control sequence software, and a communication IC 502 for controlling data communication with the copier body. And Drive circuits of various loads and sensor signals are connected to input / output ports of the CPU 501.

In FIG. 28, separation motor 100 (DC
The brush motor) includes a driver 503 and a controller 50.
The drive is controlled by 3a. Controller 503
To a, a reference clock serving as a reference for the motor rotation speed, an on / off signal, and the like are input from the CPU 501.

In this embodiment, the transport motor 101 (stepping motor) and the stepping motor driver 504 are used.
Driven by Similarly, the belt motor 102
Is also driven by the stepping motor driver 505 at a constant current. Each driver receives a phase excitation signal from the CPU 501 and a motor current control signal.

Swing motor 103 (stepping motor)
Are driven at a constant voltage by the driver 506. The discharge motor 104 (DC brush motor) is a driver 50
7 and an FG servo controller 507a.

Each of the motors 100 to 104 has a clock plate 100a to 104a and a clock sensor 100b as mechanisms for detecting the rotational speeds of the motors.
To 104b are attached (see FIG. 5).

Further, the stopper solenoid 105 is driven by the driver 508. Similarly, the separation clutch 106 is driven by a driver 509, the path switching solenoid 107 is driven by a driver 510, the reverse flapper solenoid 108 is driven by a driver 511, and the paper discharge flapper solenoid 109 is driven by a driver 512.

All of the drivers 503 to 513 are CPU
The operation is controlled by a signal connected to the input / output port 501.

Further, a separation sensor 30, a skew detection sensor 31, a mixed loading detection sensor 32, a reversal detection sensor 33, a manual feed registration sensor 34, a paper feed sensor 35, and a reversal sensor 5
0, manual document detection sensor 60, registration sensor 39,
Document set detection sensor 40, document rear end detection sensor 41,
Various sensors such as a final document detection sensor 43, a paper width detection sensor 44, a paper feed roller home sensor 45, and a swing position sensor 46 are connected to an input port of the CPU 501.
It is used to monitor the behavior of a document and the behavior of a movable load in the apparatus. 4.2 Control Operation 4.2.1 Outline of Control Operation FIG. 29 is a main flowchart of the control operation by the control device.

The control device determines whether a document is set on the document tray 4, whether a document is set on the manual document tray 14, and a copy key (not shown) on the operation unit of the copying machine main body. ) Is in a standby state while repeatedly determining whether or not (main1, m) has been depressed.
ain7). The determination as to whether or not a document is set is made based on the detection results of the document set detection sensor 40 and the manual document detection sensor 60.

As a result of the determination, if the original is set on the original tray 4 and the copy key is pressed down, a determination process of main2 and main3 is performed.

The control device sets the copy mode transmitted from the main body of the copier in main 2 and the main mode.
At 3, it is determined whether or not the document trailing edge detection sensor 41 is off. Then, the copying process in each mode is performed according to the result of the determination made here (main4,
main5, main6). That is, if the mode is not the one-sided original mode, a series of copying processes are executed in the two-sided original mode, and the operation is terminated (main6). If the original mode is the single-sided original mode and the original trailing edge detection sensor 41 is off, a series of copying processes are executed in the first continuous reading mode, and the operation ends (main4). If the mode is the one-sided original mode and the original trailing edge detection sensor 41 is not turned off, a series of copying processes are executed in a second flow reading mode described later, and the operation ends (main5).

It should be noted that the details of the first scanning mode, the second scanning mode, and the duplex original mode will be described later with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

As a result of the above-mentioned determination in main2,
If a document has been set on the manual document tray 14 and the copy key has been depressed, a series of copying processes are executed in a manual feed mode, which will be described later, and the operation ends (main8). The details of the manual feed mode will be described later with reference to FIG.

Here, the mode selection according to the document size is performed based only on the detection result (ON / OFF) of the document trailing edge detection sensor 41, that is, based only on the length of the document in the feed direction. I was However, the mode may be selected using the detection result of the paper width detection sensor 44 (that is, the width of the document). 4.2.2 Details of Control Operation in Each Mode 4.2.2.1 First Streaming Mode The details of the first streaming mode will be described with reference to FIG.

The control device controls the feed roller 5 to move the document tray 4
A pickup down process described later is performed so as to move the image onto the paper placed on the sheet (draftmd1). afterwards,
Separation processing (draf
tmd2) and a sheet feeding process (draftmd3). Further, a document flow reading process for reading the document image with the optical system of the copying machine main body fixed at a predetermined position is started (draftmd4). After that, it keeps waiting for the trailing end of the document to be detected by the separation sensor 30 (dra
ftmd5). When the separation sensor 30 detects the trailing end of the document, subsequently, based on the detection result of the document set detection sensor 40 that detects the break of the document bundle, it is determined whether or not the document fed at that time is the last document. Judgment (draftmd
6). If the result of the determination is that the document is not the final document, a discharge process described later is started to discharge the document onto the discharge tray 10 (draftmd7). After that, (draf
Returning to tmd2), the process is repeated.

In the case of (draftmd6), if the original is the last original, the paper discharge process is started (draftmd6).
md8) Then, the pickup roller 5 is returned to the upper limit position by performing a pickup up process described later (draftmd).
9). Then, a series of processing ends.

When the length of the document in the feed direction is L ′ mm, the scanner unit 204 (see FIG. 1)
It is located L'mm or more from the second feeding roller 9 and downstream of the conveying path in the conveying direction (the reading position R in FIG. 12).
2, R3). The position control of the scanner unit 204
The control may be based on the well-known stepping motor control, or may be based on another mechanical stopper configuration.

Various basic processes (for example, the pickup d
own processing and separation processing) will be described later in detail. 4.2.2.2 Second Flow Reading Mode The second flow reading mode will be described with reference to FIG.

The control device controls the feed roller 5 to move the document tray 4
The pickup down processing described later is performed to move the paper onto the paper placed on the paper (draft2md1). Thereafter, a separation process (draft2md2), which will be described later, and a paper feed process (draft) to separate the topmost document by one sheet.
2md3). Further, a document flow reading process for reading the document image with the optical system of the copying machine main body fixed at a predetermined position is started (draft2md4). further,
Since the fixed position of the optical system is near the paper discharge unit, a paper discharge process described later is started to discharge the document onto the paper discharge tray 10 (draft2md5). Thereafter, the control device continues to wait for the separation sensor 30 to detect the trailing edge of the document (draft2md6). When the separation sensor 30 detects the trailing end of the original, the control device subsequently determines that the original fed at that time is the final original based on the detection result of the original set detection sensor 40 that detects a break in the original bundle. It is determined whether or not (draft2md7). If the result of the determination is that the document is not the final document, the process returns to (draft2md2) and the process is repeated. On the other hand, if it is the last original, the pickup roller 5 is returned to the upper limit position by performing pickup up processing described later (draft 2 md8), and thereafter, a series of processing is ended.

At this time, the scanner unit 20
4 (see FIG. 1) is at the reading position R3 (see FIG. 12).

The various basic processes (for example, the pickup d
own processing and separation processing) will be described later in detail. 4.2.2.3 Duplex Document Mode The duplex document mode will be described with reference to FIG.

The control device controls the feed roller 5 to move the document tray 4
A pickup down process, which will be described later, is performed to move the paper onto the paper placed on the surface of the paper (double1). Thereafter, a separation process (doubled2) described later is performed to separate only the uppermost document by one sheet. Further, a pre-reversal process (doublebled3), which will be described later, is performed so that the separated document is turned upside down so that the second surface of the document comes into contact with the platen 3 and is placed on the left end of the platen 3. Thereafter, an optical system moving original reading process for reading the original image while moving the optical system of the copying machine body is performed (doublem).
d4). When the reading process is completed, the reversing process is performed again to reverse the front and back surfaces (doubled5), and thereafter, the reading of the original image on the first side is completed by performing the optical system moving original reading process (doublebled6).

While the reading process is being performed, the control device performs the following operations based on the detection result of the document set detection sensor 40.
At this time, it is determined whether or not the fed original is the final original (doubled 7). If the result of the determination is that the document is not the final document, a discharge process described later is started to discharge the document to the discharge tray 10 (doubled8), and thereafter, the process returns to (doublemd2) and the same process is repeated. On the other hand, in the case of the last original, after performing a paper discharging process (double 9), a pickup up which will be described later is performed.
By performing the processing, the paper feed roller 5 is returned to the upper limit position (do
ublemd10). Then, a series of processing ends.

Various basic processes (for example, pickup dow) constituting the process of the double-sided document mode described above.
n processing and separation processing) will be described later in detail. 4.2.2.4 Manual Feed Mode The manual feed mode will be described with reference to FIG.

The control device performs a manual sheet feeding process to convey the document set on the manual document tray 14 onto the platen 3 of the copying machine body (manualmd1).
Thereafter, an optical system moving original reading process for reading the original image while moving the optical system of the copying machine body is performed (m
analmd2), after the completion of the processing, the paper discharge processing is started to discharge the original to the paper discharge tray 10 (mand2).
ualmd3). Thereafter, the control device continues to wait for the trailing edge of the document to be detected by the manual registration sensor 34 (manualmd4). Manual feed registration sensor 3
When the trailing edge of the original is detected by the control unit 4, the control device determines the presence or absence of the next original based on the detection result of the manual original detection sensor 60 (manualmd5). If the result of the determination is that there is a next original, the process returns to (manualmd1) and the same processing is repeated. On the other hand, if there is no next original, a manual sheet discharging process is performed, and the series of processes ends.

The various basic processes (for example, the manual paper feed process and the document flow reading process) constituting the processes in the manual feed mode described above will be described later in detail. 4.2.3 Basic Processing The basic processing that constitutes the control operation described above will be described. 4.2.3.1 Pickup Down Processing The pickup down processing will be described with reference to FIG.

The paper feed roller 5 is connected to the paper feed roller home sensor 4
In order to lower the document bundle P placed on the document tray from the position of FIG. 6 where the shutter 5 is turned on, the swing motor 103 is driven (pickupdwn1), and the lifting arm 51 and the swing arm 1, the swing arm The arm 2 is lowered. After the feed roller home sensor 45 is turned off, it is confirmed that the feed roller has been lowered (pickupdwn2), and then the first swing position sensor 46 and the second swing position sensor 47 are turned on, so that the feed roller 5 is turned off. When it is detected that has fallen on the paper surface (pickupdwn3), the drive of the swing motor 103 is stopped (pickupdwn4). 4.2.3.2 Pickup Up Processing The pickup up processing will be described with reference to FIG.

The control device drives the swing motor 103 so as to raise the sheet feeding roller 5 to the position shown in FIG. 6 (pickup 1). Paper feed roller home sensor 45
When it is detected that the upper limit position has been reached (pickup2), the drive of the swing motor 103 is stopped (pickup3). The swing motor 10 at this time
The rotation direction of No. 3 is opposite to that during the pickup down processing. 4.2.3.3 Separation Processing The separation processing will be described with reference to FIG.

The control device turns on the separation motor 100 (sepa1), and rotates each of the paper feed roller, the separation belt 6, the separation / conveyance roller 8, and the first feeding roller 16, which are dropped on the document bundle P. Then, only the uppermost document of the document bundle P is separated and conveyed in the sheet path (a).

Thereafter, based on the detection result of the separation sensor 30, the control device continues to monitor whether or not the leading edge of the document has reached the detection position of the separation sensor 30 (sepa2). When the detection result of the separation sensor 30 is turned on, that is, when the leading end of the document reaches the detection position of the separation sensor 30, the separation motor is set so that the separation processing is completed within a predetermined time range. 100 speed control (s
epa3). The speed control is performed based on the remaining transport distance until the leading edge of the document is brought into contact with the second feed roller 9 to form a loop and the elapsed time until the separation sensor 30 is turned on.

Thereafter, the control device continues to monitor whether or not the leading edge of the original has reached the detection position of the paper feed sensor 35 based on the detection result of the paper feed sensor 35 (sepa4). When the detection result of the paper feed sensor 35 is turned on, that is, when the leading end of the document reaches the detection position of the paper feed sensor 35, the separation loop counter is started (sepa).
5). The separation loop counter counts by a clock signal input from a separation clock.

Thereafter, the control device waits for the separation loop counter to count to a predetermined value (sepa6). After the counting is completed, the control device turns off the separation motor 100 (sepa7). As a result, the original is stopped in a state where the leading end is abutted against the nip portion of the second feeding roller 9 and a predetermined amount of loop is formed, so that the skew that has occurred at the time of separation can be corrected. 4.2.3.4 Feeding Process The feeding process will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown by the solid line in FIG. 4, the reverse sheet feeding flapper 22 is usually
In a state where 7 is off, the original is urged to be conveyed to the sheet path (h).

The control device first turns on the path switching solenoid 107 to switch the reverse sheet feeding flapper 22 to the state drawn by the chain line in FIG. 4 (ent
1). Further, the separation motor 1 is moved to the sheet paths (c) and (d) so that the original, whose tip is abutted against the second feeding roller 9 and nipped by the first feeding roller 16, is conveyed to the sheet paths (c) and (d).
00, the transport motor 101 and the belt motor 102 are turned on (ent2). Thereby, the first feeding roller 1
6. The driving of the second feeding roller 9 and the wide belt 7 is started.

At the same time, the size check counter is started (ent3). Note that the size check counter is a counter that counts with a clock signal input from an inverted clock.

Thereafter, based on whether or not the detection result of the registration sensor 39 has been turned on (ie, whether or not the leading edge of the document has been detected), it is determined whether or not the document has been conveyed to the sheet path (C). The system enters the standby state while determining (ent4).

If it is confirmed that the document has been conveyed to the sheet path (C), subsequently, it is determined whether or not the detection result of the separation sensor 30 is ON (that is, the rear end of the document is at the separation sensor 30). Is determined (ent5). As a result of the determination, when it is confirmed that the rear end of the document has passed the detection position of the separation sensor 30,
The separation off counter is started (ent6). The separation off counter counts with a clock signal input from the separation clock. The control device waits until the counting for the distance from the first feeding roller 16 to the separation sensor 30 is completed (ent7).

When the counting is completed, the original has already passed through the first feeding roller 16 at the rear end, so the control device stops the driving of the first feeding roller 16 by turning off the separation motor 100. (Ent8).

Thereafter, the control device waits until the paper feed sensor 35 is turned off (ent9). If the paper feed sensor 35 has been turned off (that is, if the rear end of the document has passed the detection position of the paper feed sensor 35), the size check counter is stopped (ent10), and the size check is performed based on the data. Processing (ent11) is performed. The size check processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

Thereafter, a registration counter is started to stop the document at a predetermined position on the platen 3 (ent12). The registration counter is counted by a belt excitation clock.

Thereafter, the controller waits for the registration counter to count the distance L4 from the paper feed sensor 35 to the second feeding roller 9 (ent13). After the registration counter has counted the distance L4, the control device
The transport motor 101 is turned off (ent14). Thereafter, the process waits until the started registration counter ends (ent15). When the counting is completed, the control device turns off the belt motor 102 (ent16). Further, the path switching solenoid 107 is turned off (en
t17). 4.2.3.5 Pre-Inversion Processing The pre-inversion processing will be described with reference to FIG.

[0200] As shown by a solid line in FIG.
In a state where 7 is off, the original is urged to be conveyed to the sheet path (h).

The tip is abutted against the second feeding roller 9,
The separation motor 100 and the conveyance motor 101 are turned on in order to convey the document nipped by the first feeding roller 16 to the sheet paths (c) and (d) (pre).
trn1). As a result, the first feeding roller 16, the second feeding roller 9, the first reversing roller 17, the second reversing roller 18
Is started.

At the same time, a size check counter is started (pretrn2). Note that the size check counter is a counter that counts with a clock signal input from an inverted clock.

Thereafter, based on whether or not the detection result of the registration sensor 39 is turned on (that is, whether or not the leading edge of the document has been detected), it is determined whether or not the document has been conveyed to the sheet path (h). It stands by while determining (pretrn
3).

If it is confirmed that the document has been conveyed to the sheet path (C), then it is determined whether or not the detection result of the separation sensor 30 is ON (that is, the rear end of the document is Is determined (pretrn4). As a result of the determination, the separation sensor 30
Is detected, the separation off counter is started (pretr.
n5). The separation off counter counts with a clock signal input from the separation clock. The control device waits until the count for the distance from the first feed roller 16 to the separation sensor 30 is completed (pretrn).
6).

At the time when the counting is completed, the rear end of the document has already been removed from the first feed roller 16. Therefore, the control device stops the driving of the first feed roller 16 by turning off the separation motor 100. (Pretrn7).

Thereafter, the control device waits until the paper feed sensor 35 is turned off (pretrn8). Paper feed sensor 35
Is turned off (that is, when the trailing edge of the document passes the detection position of the paper feed sensor 35), the size check counter is stopped (pretrn9), and a size check process is performed based on the data (pretrn9). pretr
n10).

Thereafter, the control device operates the registration sensor 39.
Is turned off (pretrn11). When the registration sensor 39 is turned off (that is, when the trailing edge of the document passes through the registration sensor 39), the pre-reversal counter is stopped to stop the trailing edge of the document at a predetermined position that has passed through the sheet path (h). Start (pretrn
12). The pre-inversion counter is a counter that is counted by an inversion excitation clock.

At this time, the reverse flapper 23
Are biased so that the document is conveyed to the sheet path (R) as shown by the solid line in FIG.

Thereafter, when the count by the pre-inversion counter is completed (pretrn13), the control device
The transport motor 101 is turned off (pretrn14).

After a lapse of a predetermined time, the transport motor 10
By starting the reverse rotation of 1 and turning on the belt motor 102, the document is conveyed to the sheet path (e) (pretrn15).

The control device confirms that the reversing sensor 50 is turned on, thereby confirming that the document has been conveyed to the sheet path (e) (pretrn16).

[0212] Thereafter, after waiting for the reversing sensor 50 to be turned off, that is, for the rear end of the document to pass the detection position of the reversing sensor 50 (pretrn17),
The control device turns off the conveyance motor 101 (pret
rn18). Further, a pre-feed counter is started to stop the original at a predetermined position on the platen (pre
trn19). The pre-feed counter is counted by the belt excitation clock. Then, when the count of the pre-feed counter ends (pretrn20), the belt motor 102 is turned off (pretrn21). 4.2.3.6 Inversion Process The inversion process will be described with reference to FIG.

When the reversing flapper solenoid 108 is off, the reversing flapper 23 is urged so that the document is conveyed to the sheet path (re) as shown by the solid line in FIG.

The control device is a reversing flapper solenoid 10
By turning on 8, the reverse flapper 23 is switched to the state drawn by the solid line in FIG. Further, by turning on the path switching flapper solenoid 107, the reversing sheet feeding flapper 22 and the supply / discharge flapper 25 are respectively turned on as shown in FIG.
At (trn)
1).

Subsequently, the control device controls the belt motor 1 to convey the document on the platen 3 to the sheet path (e).
02, the transport motor 101 is turned on (trn2). Thus, the wide belt 7, the second feeding roller 9, the first reversing roller 17, and the second reversing roller 18 are driven.

The control device waits until the reversing sensor 50 is turned on (trn3).

When the reversing sensor 50 is turned on (that is, when the leading edge of the document has passed the detection position of the reversing sensor 50), the reversing counter is started and counted up to a predetermined value (trn4). The inversion counter is a counter that is counted by a belt excitation clock.
The predetermined value here is such that the leading edge of the document is a sheet path (to),
When the belt motor reaches a predetermined position in (g), the belt motor 1
02 is set to stop / reverse.

Thereafter, the control device waits for the counting by the inversion counter to end (trn5). When the counting by the reversal counter is completed, the belt motor 102 is turned off (trn6), and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the belt motor 102 is started to rotate in reverse (trn6).
7).

During this time, the transport motor 101 is turned on, and the first reversing roller 17 where the document is nipped,
The second reversing roller 18 and the second feeding roller 9 are driven. Therefore, the document is conveyed along the sheet paths (to) and (to).

The control device waits until the paper feed sensor 35 is turned on (trn8). The control device confirms that the sheet feed sensor 35 has been turned on (that is, that the leading end of the document has passed the detection position of the sheet feed sensor 35), thereby confirming that the sheet path (g) is being conveyed. Confirm.

The control device waits for the registration sensor 39 to be turned on (trn9). Then, when the registration sensor 39 is turned on, the control device controls the transport motor 1
01 is turned off (trn10). At the same time, in order to stop the document at a predetermined position on the platen 3, the counting by the reversal sheet feeding counter is started (trn1
1). The reverse sheet feeding counter is counted by the belt excitation clock. Then, the control device waits for the counting by the reversing sheet feeding counter to end (trn1
2).

When the counting by the reversing sheet feeding counter is completed, the control device turns off the belt motor 102 (trn13). Further, the inverted flapper solenoid 10
By turning off 8, the reverse flapper 23 is brought into a state drawn by a solid line in FIG. Further, by turning off the path switching solenoid 107, the reverse sheet feeding flapper 22 and the supply / discharge flapper 25 are returned to the state drawn by the solid line in FIG. 4 (trn14).

At (trn7), the first reversing roller 17 and the wide belt 7 pull the document in directions opposite to each other. However, since the nip force of the first reversing roller 17 is stronger, the document is conveyed following the first reversing roller 17. However, if the original is long in the feed direction,
Since it is greatly affected by the nip force between the internal pressing roller and the platen 3, it does not follow the first reversing roller 17. Therefore, the timing of stopping the belt motor 102 and performing reverse rotation (ie, the value to be counted by the reversing counter) is set according to the length of the document in the feeding direction. 4.2.3.7 Discharge Processing The discharge processing will be described with reference to FIG.

When the discharge flapper solenoid 109 is turned off, the discharge flapper 26 is urged so that the tip of the flapper is lower than the platen 3 as shown by the chain line in FIG. I have.

The control device controls the belt motor 1 to convey the document on the platen 3 to the sheet paths (d) and (d).
02 and the discharge motor 104 are turned on (ejct
1). Thereby, the wide belt 7, the manual feed roller 1
3. The paper discharge roller 12 is driven.

The control device determines whether the document is in the sheet state based on whether the detection result of the manual document detection sensor 60 is turned on (ie, whether the leading edge of the document has passed the detection position of the manual document detection sensor 60). It is confirmed that the path (nu) is being conveyed (ejct2). When the detection result of the manual feed document detection sensor 60 is turned on (that is, when it is confirmed that the document is being conveyed along the sheet path (nu)), the detection position of the manual feed document detection sensor 60 is subsequently determined. Wait for the trailing edge of the document to pass through (ejct
3) Turn off the belt motor 102 (ejct
4).

The counting by the sheet discharge counter is started (ejct5). The paper discharge counter counts according to a clock signal input from a paper discharge clock.
During this time, the control device checks whether or not the count value of the paper discharge counter has reached a predetermined value (ejct).
6). If the count value has reached the predetermined value,
The discharge motor 104 is turned off (ejct7). At this time, the document has already passed through the sheet path (N), has passed through the paper discharge roller 12 and has been discharged onto the paper discharge tray 10. 4.2.3.8 Manual Feed Process The manual feed process will be described with reference to FIG.

When the discharge flapper solenoid 109 is off, the discharge flapper 26 is urged to a position where the tip of the discharge flapper is lower than the platen as shown by the solid line in FIG. The manual feed shutter 28 is in a state where the leading edge of the document set on the manual document tray 14 is abutted.

The control device turns on the paper discharge flapper 109 and puts the manual feed shutter 2 in the state drawn by the chain line in FIG.
8. The paper discharge flapper 26 is switched (ment1). Subsequently, the paper discharge motor 104 is turned on to rotate the manual paper feed roller 13 (ment2). As a result, the document is conveyed in the sheet path.

The control device determines whether or not the leading end of the document has passed the detection position of the manual feed registration sensor 34 based on whether or not the detection result of the manual feed registration sensor 34 has been turned on (ment 3). When the detection result of the manual feed registration sensor 34 is turned on (that is, when the leading end of the document passes the detection position of the manual feed registration sensor 34), counting by the manual feed loop counter is started (ment 4). The manual feed loop counter is counted by a clock signal input from a paper discharge clock. When the count by the manual feed loop counter reaches a predetermined value (ment5), the control device turns off the paper discharge motor 104 (ment6). As a result, the leading end of the document is abutted against the nip portion of the manual registration roller 11, stops in a state where a predetermined amount of loop is formed, and the skew generated during conveyance by the manual paper feed roller 13 is reduced. Be corrected.

[0231] After a predetermined time has elapsed since the discharge motor 104 was turned off, the control device returns the document to the sheet path (L).
The paper discharge motor 104 and the belt motor 102 are turned on to convey (d) (ment 7). Thus, the manual feed roller 13, the manual registration roller 11, and the wide belt 7 are driven.

At the same time, the control device starts a size check counter (ment 8). Further, a belt registration counter is started (men
t9). The size check counter counts with a clock signal input from a belt clock. The belt registration counter is counted by a belt excitation clock to stop at a predetermined position on the platen 3. Then, the manual feed registration sensor 34
Is detected (that is, the trailing edge of the document has passed the detection position of the manual feed registration sensor 34) (ment 10), the size check counter is stopped. Then, based on the data, a size check process (ment 11) shown in FIG. 41 is performed.

Also, the rear end of the original is already in the manual feed roller 1.
3, the control device turns off the discharge motor 104 (ment 12). Thereafter, when the count value of the manual feed counter reaches a predetermined value, (men
t13), the belt motor 102 is turned off (ment
14). Then, the discharge flapper solenoid 109 is turned off (ment 15). 4.2.3.9 Document Flow Reading Process The document flow reading process will be described with reference to FIG.

The control device controls the belt motor 10 so that the image of the original is read by the optical system of the fixed copying machine main body.
2 is turned on (move 1), and the wide belt 7 is driven. At the same time, when the leading edge of the document has reached the predetermined position, the image-on-counter is started to turn on the image-point signal (move 2). The image on-counter is counted by the belt excitation clock. At this time, the rotation of the belt motor 102 is controlled at a constant speed by outputting an excitation clock signal based on the reading speed data (V) received from the copying machine main body. Thereafter, when the count value of the image destination on-counter reaches a predetermined value (mov
e3), the image signal is turned on (transmitted to the copying machine body) (move 4).

After receiving the image point signal, the copier main body performs actual control of calculating the time required for the leading edge of the document to reach the optical system fixed position at the time of moving reading, and performs actual image reading. After a lapse of a predetermined time, the control device turns off the image destination signal (move 5, 6, 7). Thereafter, when the trailing edge of the document has passed the reading position, the belt motor 102
Is turned off (move 8).

Note that the moving reading speed data (V) may be equal to the reading speed (V1) when the optical system is moved,
May be different. In particular, when V> V1 is set,
Since the reading of the document image is completed in a shorter time than in the normal optical system moving reading, the copying speed is improved. 4.2.3.10 Size Check Process The size check process will be described with reference to FIG.

In the size check process, the true document size (length in the feed direction) is corrected by adding the distance from the nip position of the second feed roller 9 to the paper feed sensor 35 to the size check counter data. ) Is obtained (size
ck1). The document is conveyed by the second feed roller 35 and the wide belt 7, and the feed amount surely matches the count value by the belt excitation clock.

Thereafter, the control device determines the size of the obtained true document size (size1 to sizec).
k7). Then, based on the determination result, the size of the original at that time is A5, B5, A4, B5R, A4
It is concluded which of R, B4, A3, etc. (sizes 8 to 14).

The description of the ADF 2 in the present embodiment has been completed. [Printer Unit 300] The printer unit 300 as an image output unit will be described with reference to FIG.

The sheet on which an image is formed is stored in the upper cassette 302a, the lower cassette 302b, and the sheet stacking device 30.
8 is housed. Then, a photosensitive drum 31 described later is used.
2 each time an image is formed on the cassettes 302a and 302
b, is fed from one of the decks 308.

The sheets in the upper cassette 300a are separated and fed one by one by the action of the separation claw and the feeding roller 301, and are guided to the registration rollers 306. Similarly, the sheets in the lower cassette 302b are
The sheets are separated and fed one by one by the action of 03 and guided to the registration rollers 306. Further, the sheet stacking device (deck type) 308 is an intermediate plate 308 that is raised and lowered by a motor or the like.
a. The sheets on the middle plate 308a are separated and fed one by one by the action of the feeding roller 309 and the separating claw, and are guided to the transport roller 310.

[0242] In addition to the above, the sheet
04 can also be supplied. The sheets placed on the manual feed guide 304 are guided one by one to a registration roller 306 via a roller 305.

The image forming section includes a photosensitive drum 312, a developing device 314, a transfer charger 315, a separation charger 316, and the like. In the image forming unit, an electrostatic latent image of an image read by the scanner unit 204 of the reader unit 200 is formed on the photosensitive drum 312. Then, the toner images obtained by developing the electrostatic latent images are transferred to the cassettes 302a and 30a.
2b, the image is transferred to a sheet fed from one of the decks 308. The registration between the toner image on the photosensitive drum 312 and the fed sheet is performed by a registration roller 306.

The above image formation is repeated according to the set number of copies.

The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred in the image forming section is guided to a fixing device 318 by a conveyor belt 317, where the toner image is fixed. Thereafter, the sheet is transported to the sorter 322 by the transport rollers 319, the flapper 320, the discharge rollers 321 and the like.

The sorter 322 is a non-sort tray 32
2a, sort bin tray 322b, non-sort tray discharge roller 322c, sort bin tray discharge roller 322
d. The sorter 322 sorts sheets one by one by raising and lowering a non-sort tray 322a and a sort bin tray 322b. In addition, sorter 32
In place of 2, a discharge tray may be mounted.

When the required number of copies are formed, the ADF 2 discharges the original from the platen 3 and conveys the next original to position it on the platen 3. Hereinafter, the same applies.

The intermediate tray 400 is used to stock a sheet on which an image has been formed once when an image is formed on both sides of the sheet or when an image is formed on one side of the sheet (multiple). Things. The intermediate tray 4
The conveyance and accommodation of the sheet on which the image is formed is performed by the conveyance roller 401, the conveyance belt 402, the flapper 403,
This is performed by the transport belt 404, the transport roller 405, and the like.

In the case of double-sided copying, the sheet is passed
Through the intermediate tray 400. In this case, the sheet is oriented with the image side up. In the case of the multiple copy, the sheet is guided to the intermediate tray 400 through the path 407. The sheet is image side down.

The sheets stacked on the intermediate tray 400 are:
Auxiliary rollers 409, 410, forward / reverse separation roller pair 411
The sheets are separated one by one from below and fed again. The re-fed sheet is transported by rollers 413, 414, 41
5 and the rollers 310 and the registration rollers 306, and are again guided to the image forming section. After image formation, the paper is discharged in the same manner as described above.

The procedure of double-sided copying will be described.

First, one-sided copying is performed on one document placed on the platen in accordance with the number of copies set at that time. At this time, the sheet on which the image is formed on one side is stacked on the intermediate tray 400. After that, the document on the platen 3 is turned over by the ADF 2 and then guided again to the platen 3.
Then, the image of the original is read again and formed on a sheet re-fed from the intermediate tray 400. They are,
Sorted by the sorter 322 in page order. There is also a method in which only one copy is created each time a document is rotated by the ADF 2. According to this method, even when a plurality of copies are made, a copy group with the same page order can be obtained in order, so that a necessary number of copies can be obtained separately without a sorter. When making a two-sided copy using this method, read both sides of one document continuously, copy and discharge both sides of the sheet continuously, and then discharge the same. If it is repeated, a divided double-sided copy group is obtained.

As described above, according to the present invention, since the stop position of the original on the platen can be precisely controlled, the interval between the originals can be shortened. Thus, the reading position of the document can be set closer to the center of the platen, and the pressing of the document can be more reliably performed. Therefore, it is possible to improve the quality of an image read, and finally, the image to be formed.

Also, a reversing path for reversing the original on the platen before transporting it and a reversing path for reversing the original on the platen are partially shared, so that a high-speed document reversing apparatus can be used. Can be reduced in size.

Further, the cost can be reduced by the common use, and a high-speed reversal conveyance path which is not restricted by various document sizes can be realized by leaving the non-common part.

In the above-described embodiment, the automatic document feeder for feeding a sheet-shaped document is provided in the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is applicable to a general sheet conveying apparatus for conveying a sheet.

In the present invention, the mechanism for separating sheets one by one is not particularly limited. Various separation devices such as a well-known separation pad separation system and a retard separation system can be adopted.

[0258]

As described above, since the separation feeding speed is set higher than the feeding speed, even if the sheet does not follow the rotation of the separation means due to the state of the sheet or the friction state of the surface, the separation is performed. The payout time is not delayed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the apparatus from being stopped or the productivity from being lowered due to the separation delay. Further, by using a plurality of paths, even if the next sheet catches up with the preceding sheet, the sheets do not collide with each other or jam does not occur.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, in particular,
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an ADF.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a printer unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a path of an ADF.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a separation sheet feeding unit of the ADF of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a drive system of the ADF.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation of an ADF separation unit (viewed along arrow AA in FIG. 10).

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation of an ADF separation unit (viewed along the line AA in FIG. 10).

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a separation unit of the ADF (viewed along the arrow AA in FIG. 10).

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the separation unit of the ADF (as viewed in the direction of arrows AA in FIG. 10).

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the ADF.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of main members of the ADF.

FIG. 12 illustrates a document reading position.

FIG. 13 illustrates a document reading position.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a half-size document in a single-sided document transport mode.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a half-size document in a single-sided document transport mode.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a large-size document in a single-sided document transport mode.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a large-size document in a single-sided document transport mode.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a half-size document in a two-sided document conveyance mode.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a half-size document in a two-sided document transport mode.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a half-size document in a two-sided document conveyance mode.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a half-size document in a two-sided document transport mode.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a large-size document in a two-sided document transport mode.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a large-size document in a two-sided document transport mode.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a large-size document in a two-sided document transport mode.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a large-size document in a two-sided document transport mode.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a document when a manual document is conveyed.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a document when a manual document is conveyed.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a control device.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an operation outline.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a process in a first moving reading mode.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a process in a second moving-reading mode.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a process in a duplex document mode.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a process in a manual document mode.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a pickup down process for lowering a paper feed roller.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a pickup up process for raising the feed roller.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing a separation process.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing a sheet feeding process.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing a document pre-reversal process.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing an inversion process.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing a sheet discharging process.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart illustrating a manual sheet feeding process.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart illustrating a process of reading a document in a stream.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing a size check process.

FIG. 44 is a diagram showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ADF 3 Platen 4 Document tray 5 Paper feed roller 6 Separation belt 7 Wide belt 8 Separation and conveyance roller 9 Second feeding roller 16 First feeding roller 22 Reverse feeding flapper 30 Separation sensor 35 Feed sensor 36 Drive roller 37 turn Roller 39 Registration sensor 100 Separation motor 100a Clock plate 100b Separation clock sensor 101a Clock plate 101 Transport motor 102 Belt motor 106 Separation clutch 107 Path switching solenoid (A) (B) (C) Document feed path (D) Document on platen Conveyance path (e) Document feeding / discharging path (g) Document reversing path (h) (to) (l) Reversing feeding path (nu) Document discharging path (l) Manual feed path

Claims (3)

[Claims] A transport unit configured to transport a sheet along the transport path; a first detection unit configured to detect the sheet at a first detection position set in the transport path; A second detection unit configured to detect the sheet at a second detection position set downstream of the first detection position on the conveyance path; and a detection result of the first detection unit and the second detection unit. Control means for controlling the transfer by the transfer means in response to the control means, wherein the control means reduces the transfer speed by the transfer means at a timing determined based on the detection result of the first detection means, A sheet conveyance device configured to stop conveyance by the conveyance unit at a timing determined based on a detection result of the second detection unit. 2. A platen on which a sheet is placed, pressing means for pressing a sheet placed on the platen, reading means for reading an image of the sheet placed on the platen, and a platen on the platen An image forming apparatus comprising: the sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is conveyed and placed on the recording medium; and an image forming unit that forms an image read by the reading unit on a recording medium. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sheet whose conveyance is stopped at a timing determined based on a detection result of the second detection unit is on the platen.