JPH10319662A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device in a small size being easily usable while arranging at a desk side, and capable of forming the image with an excellent accuracy. SOLUTION: Relating to this device, when a original is inserted from a first opening part 1, the original carry in operation is started, and when a paper sheet is inserted from the second opening part 2, the paper sheet carry in operation is started. When a trailing end in the carry in direction of the inserted original is allowed to pass through a contact glass 7, this original carry in operation is stopped, and the ejecting operation for transporting the original in the ejecting direction opposite to the carry in operation, by making the timing in synchronism with the transporting operation of the inserted paper sheet, and then the image is read out when the ejecting original is allowed to pass through the contact glass 7. While, the image being read out is formed on the paper sheet reach the image forming position of the image forming section 23 after being transported. The original after the image read out is discharged from the first opening part 1, and the paper sheet carrying the image thereon is discharged thereafter from the same first opening part 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, small-sized copying apparatuses have been developed which can be arranged on the desk side of each operator so that each operator can carry out duties by performing copying. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a conventional copying apparatus 200 disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-238470. The copying apparatus 200 includes a first transport path 202 and the first
A second transport path 203 that branches off in the middle of the transport path. The copying apparatus 200 is a vertical type, and the first and second transport paths 202 and 203 are arranged in a substantially vertical direction. Also, at one end of the first transport path 202, a document insertion / ejection / sheet ejection port 201 is provided, and the document insertion / ejection / sheet ejection port 20 is provided.
Reference numeral 1 denotes an opening on the upper surface of the copying apparatus.

When an original is inserted from the original insertion / ejection / paper exit 201 and the execution of the copying operation is designated, the conveying rollers 2
Documents are conveyed to the first transport path 202 by 04 and 207. Transport roller 204, contact glass 205,
The alignment roller 206 and the transport roller 207 are sequentially arranged along the first transport path 202 in the document loading direction. When the document is loaded by a predetermined length that completely passes through the alignment roller 206, the transport is stopped. Once stopped.

Subsequently, the document is conveyed again to the document insertion / ejection / sheet discharge port 201 with the conveyance direction reversed. At this time, when the leading edge of the document reaches the alignment roller 206, the conveyance is temporarily stopped and the document is aligned. And
At a predetermined exposure timing, the contact glass 20
The document is conveyed onto the document 5. At this time, the Selfoc lens 208 arranged near the contact glass 205
An image drawn on a document is read and formed on one end of the photoreceptor belt 209 to form a latent image. The latent image is supplied to the developing device 21
0 develops into a toner image. The document from which the image has been read is discharged from the document insertion / ejection and paper discharge port 201.

On the other hand, the sheets are stored in a sheet storage cassette 211 disposed at one end of the second transport path 203, and are fed one by one by a pickup roller 212. Synchronizing the timing with the alignment roller 206 for transporting the original to a predetermined reading position, the alignment roller 2
13 transports the sheet to a predetermined transfer position on the second transport path 203. The toner image is transferred to the sheet by the transfer charger 214, and the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 215.

[0006] The second transport path 203 is connected to the transport roller 20.
7, the sheet on which the image has been formed passes through the first transport path 202, and follows the original, and then the document insertion / ejection and paper discharge port 20
Emitted from 1.

The copying apparatus 200 is an apparatus capable of copying one document onto one sheet.

[0008]

In the copying apparatus 200, since the image reading position is disposed almost above the transfer position, the heat generated in the fixing device 214 rises and is transmitted to the image reading position. The vicinity of the image reading position is heated by a light source for exposure, and when the temperature at the time of fixing is further increased, the various resin parts disposed near the image reading position are deformed or the cell is disposed. The optical performance of the Fock lens 208 is reduced. As a result, there is a disadvantage that the image cannot be read with high accuracy.

Further, in the copying apparatus 200, the length in the height direction of the paper and document transport paths is relatively large, and therefore, when the copying apparatus 200 is disposed on the desk side, the document insertion / ejection and paper discharge port 201 is higher than the desk. It is inferior in operability. In addition, there is a possibility that a sense of oppression is given to the operator, which may hinder the execution of work. Also, the paper storage cassette 21
Since the device 1 is disposed relatively below the apparatus, workability such as replenishment of paper is inferior.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a small-sized image forming apparatus which can be easily used by being arranged on a desk side or the like and can form an image with high accuracy.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image reading means and an image forming means arranged along a transport path, wherein an image drawn on a document is read by the image reading means, and the read image is read. In an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet by the image forming unit, the transport path has a first opening that opens to the outside of the apparatus, and a first transport path in which the image reading unit is disposed close to the first transport path. A second opening that is disposed in parallel with the first transport path, one end of which merges with one end of the first transport path and opens to the outside of the apparatus; The document is inserted from the first opening,
After the image is read while passing through the transport path, the sheet is discharged again from the first opening. The sheet is inserted through the second opening, and is discharged through the first opening after the image is formed when passing through the second transport path. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that:

According to the present invention, the document inserted through the first opening is read again after the image is read by the image reading means disposed close to the first transport path when passing through the first transport path, and then again. It is discharged from the first opening. An image is formed on the sheet inserted from the second opening when the sheet passes through the second transport path by an image forming unit disposed close to the second transport path. One end of the second transport path merges with one end of the first transport path, and the sheet after image formation is discharged from the first opening.

Since the first and second transport paths are arranged in parallel with each other, the image forming apparatus can be configured without arranging the image reading position above the image forming position. Therefore, heat generated by a fixing process or the like at the time of image formation is not transmitted to the image reading position, and it is possible to prevent deformation of various resin parts disposed near the image reading position. Further, it is possible to prevent a decrease in optical performance of a lens or the like included in the image reading unit. Therefore, the image can be read with high accuracy, and an image with high image quality can be formed. Further, by arranging the first and second transport paths in parallel with each other, the length of the image forming apparatus in the transport path direction can be relatively shortened.
The document and paper insertion / ejection openings can be arranged at the same height as the desk, improving operability. The operator can execute the task without feeling oppressed. Further, the apparatus can be arranged in a small space as a horizontal type.

Further, according to the invention, when a document is inserted from the first opening, a document carrying-in operation is started, and when a sheet is inserted from the second opening, a sheet carrying operation is started, and the inserted document is started. When the rear end in the carrying direction of the document passes the image reading position of the image reading means, the document carrying operation is stopped, and the document is carried out in the carrying direction opposite to the carrying direction in synchronization with the carrying operation of the inserted sheet. Starts an unloading operation to convey the original, reads the image when the unloaded original passes the image reading position, forms the read image on the paper that has been conveyed and has reached the image forming position of the image forming unit, and reads the image. The image forming control means for discharging the original from the first opening by the unloading operation, and subsequently discharging the sheet on which an image is formed from the first opening by the transporting operation. .

According to the present invention, an image can be formed by controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus as described above.

The present invention further includes a third transport path for transporting the document, which is provided downstream of the confluence of the first and second transport paths in the document loading direction and is different from the second transport path. Features.

According to the present invention, in addition to the first and second transport paths, there is provided a third transport path through which the inserted document passes. Thus, the length of the first transport path can be reduced, and the size of the apparatus can be further reduced. For example, even though the size of the apparatus is about A4 size, it can handle A3 size originals and sheets.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the third transport path is arranged along the second transport path on the opposite side of the second transport path from the first transport path.

According to the present invention, since the third transport path is arranged as described above, the document transport path can be formed in a relatively gentle curve, and the document can be transported smoothly.

Further, in the present invention, the image forming means includes a transfer means for transferring the image to a sheet, a fixing means for heating and fixing the transferred image on the sheet, and a cooling means for cooling the sheet on which the image is fixed. Means.

According to the present invention, the image forming means disposed close to the second transport path includes the transfer means, the fixing means and the cooling means, and the sheet cooled by the cooling means passes through the first transport path. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the toner from adhering to the contact glass or the like of the image reading unit, and to keep the image reading unit always in a clean state.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that static elimination means for neutralizing the electric charge on the original and the paper is provided between a junction of the first and second transport paths and a first opening. And

According to the present invention, it is possible to remove electricity from a document and a sheet with a single electricity removing means, simplify the structure of the apparatus, reduce the size of the apparatus, and reduce the manufacturing cost.

Further, according to the present invention, the length L in the transport direction of a document which can be inserted into the image forming apparatus is equal to the first transport path length and the second transport path length.
The length is selected to be equal to or less than the length obtained by adding the length of the transport path.

According to the present invention, an image can be reliably formed by selecting the above-described length relationship.

Further, the present invention includes discharge detection means for detecting the start and completion of discharge of the document and the paper, and the image forming control means responds to the detection of the discharge start of the document by the discharge detection means. To stop the paper transport operation, start the paper transport operation in response to the detection of the completion of the document discharge, stop the paper transport operation in response to the detection of the start of the paper discharge, and respond in sequence to the detection of the completion of the paper discharge. Is determined to be completed.

According to the present invention, the sheet conveyance operation is controlled in accordance with the detection result of the sheet discharge detection means, and the sheet is not discharged until the document is removed from the first opening. It is possible to prevent the trailing edge of the paper from being pushed up by the leading edge of the paper ejected later, thereby scattering the paper in the vicinity of the apparatus.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a notifying means for notifying the detection result of the paper discharge detecting means.

According to the present invention, the detection result is notified by the notification means by the notification means. For example, the start of the discharge of the document and the completion of the discharge are notified, and the start of the discharge of the sheet and the completion of the discharge are notified. The operator can surely recognize the discharge state of the document and the sheet by the notification means.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a separating means for separating the original and the paper and discharging them from the first opening.

According to the present invention, the document and the sheet are separated and discharged by the separating means, so that the operator can recognize whether the discharged sheet is a document or a sheet.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a notifying means for discriminating and notifying a document and a sheet separated and discharged by the separating means.

According to the present invention, the notifying means informs whether the document separated and discharged by the separating means is a document or a sheet. Therefore, the operator can determine whether the discharged sheet is a document or a sheet. The notification means can reliably recognize whether or not there is.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a conveying means for discharging the paper from the second opening.

According to the present invention, since the sheet is discharged from the second opening by the transport means, the document and the sheet can be discharged separately. The transfer means can be realized, for example, by connecting the first and second transfer paths near the first and second openings and providing a switching gate.

Further, the present invention includes a determining means for determining whether or not a sheet has been inserted within a predetermined period after the original is inserted, and the image forming control means determines in advance based on a determination result of the determining means. When a sheet is not inserted within a predetermined period, the inserted document is discharged.

According to the present invention, when a sheet is not inserted within a predetermined period, the inserted document is ejected, so that the subsequent image forming operation can be smoothly performed.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a forced discharge means for forcibly discharging the inserted document or sheet.

According to the present invention, it is possible to forcibly discharge the inserted document or sheet and stop the image forming operation by operating the forcible discharging means.

Further, the present invention includes front and back detection means for detecting the front and back of the inserted original or paper, and the image formation control means controls an image forming operation based on a detection result of the front and back detection means. It is characterized by.

According to the present invention, the image forming operation can be controlled based on the detection result of the front / back detection means. For example, the image forming operation can be stopped when the document is inserted with the image side facing down or when the image forming side of the paper is inserted with the image side facing down.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the first and second transport paths are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction, and the first opening is arranged vertically above the second opening. I do.

According to the present invention, the image forming apparatus can be used as a horizontal type by arranging the first opening vertically above the second opening. A document insertion / ejection and paper ejection port is arranged at the upper part, and a paper insertion port is arranged at the lower part.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the first and second transport paths are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction, and the first opening is arranged vertically below the second opening. I do.

According to the present invention, the image forming apparatus can be used as a horizontal type by disposing the first opening vertically below the second opening. The paper insertion port is located at the top, and the document insertion / ejection / paper ejection port is located at the bottom. When inserting a document and ejecting the document and paper, the image surface faces upward. It is possible to easily confirm whether or not the operation has been performed accurately and reliably. In addition, since the original or paper is ejected from a position relatively close to the installation surface of the apparatus, even if the ejected original or paper is left in a state where the trailing edge is held, the curl of the original or paper is likely to occur. It can be difficult to stick.

Further, according to the present invention, the image forming means includes a band-shaped transfer means for transferring an image to a sheet, a suction means for sucking the sheet on the band-shaped transfer means, and a fixing means for fixing the transferred image to the sheet. Means.

According to the present invention, the image forming means arranged along the second transport path is arranged vertically above the image reading means, but the sheet is adsorbed on the belt-shaped transfer means by the adsorbing means. Therefore, the sheet on which the toner image or the like has been transferred can be reliably transported to the fixing unit.

The present invention is also characterized in that an image can be formed by inserting a plurality of originals into the apparatus.

According to the present invention, there is no need to carry in a document every time an image is formed, and operability is improved.

Further, the present invention includes a document size determining means for determining a document size based on the length of the inserted document in the transport direction, wherein the image forming control means includes a document transport path length and the document size determining means. Based on the judgment result of
The image forming operation is controlled.

According to the present invention, the image forming operation is controlled based on the length of the original conveyance path and the judgment result of the original size judging means. For example, the image forming operation is stopped when a document longer than the document conveying path length is inserted, and the image forming operation is performed when a document smaller than the document conveying path length is inserted. Can be controlled.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a notifying means for notifying the judgment result of the document size judging means.

According to the present invention, the result of the determination by the document size determining means is notified, so that, for example, when a document having a size longer than the length of the document transport path is inserted and the image forming operation is stopped, the operator can take appropriate action. Response can be implemented.

Further, according to the present invention, the image forming control means includes:
When the transport path length of the document is shorter than the length of the inserted document in the transport direction, the inserted document is discharged.

According to the present invention, when the length of the original transport path is shorter than the length of the inserted original in the transport direction, the inserted original can be discharged and the image forming operation can be stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary image forming operations from being performed.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that it includes a moving means for conveying the sheet on which the image is formed, away from the image reading surface provided on the first conveying path.

According to the present invention, the sheet on which an image is formed is conveyed away from the image reading surface provided on the first conveying path, so that it is possible to prevent the image reading surface from being stained with the formed image. Can be.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that it includes a moving means for conveying the original in proximity to the image reading surface provided on the first conveying path.

According to the present invention, the original is conveyed in the vicinity of the image reading surface provided on the first conveying path, so that the focal length at the time of reading the image is easily adjusted and a high-resolution image can be formed. .

The present invention is characterized in that the moving means is a fan.

According to the present invention, the paper on which an image has been formed by the fan can be easily transported away from the image reading surface provided on the first transport path, and the document can be read on the image transport provided on the first transport path. Can be transported close to the surface.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the moving means moves a transport roller provided for transporting a sheet and a document provided in proximity to the image reading surface.

According to the present invention, the sheet on which an image is formed easily by moving the sheet provided near the image reading surface and the conveying roller for conveying the original is read on the first conveying path. The document can be conveyed away from the surface, and the document can be conveyed close to the image reading surface provided on the first conveyance path.

Further, the invention is characterized in that the moving means moves the image reading surface.

According to the present invention, the paper on which an image is formed can be easily transported away from the image reading surface provided on the first transport path by moving the image reading surface, and the original can be transported in the first transporting direction. The sheet can be conveyed close to an image reading surface provided on the path.

[0066]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a copying apparatus 100a according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The copying apparatus 100a includes a first transport path 2 having a first opening 1 and a second transport path 4 having a second opening 3, and the first and second transport paths 2 and 4 merge to form a U. It is shaped like a letter. The junction 11 of the transport paths 2 and 4 is formed at the bottom of the U-shape, the first transport path 2 extends from the first opening 1 to the junction 11, and the first transport path 2 extends from the second opening 3 to the junction 11 Is the second transport path 4. The first and second openings 1, 3 are
It is open on the same surface 28a of the copying apparatus 100a. For example, the copying apparatus 100a can be used with the surface 28a having the openings 1 and 3 as the upper surface. Or alternatively
The surface 28a may be used as a side surface.

The copying apparatus 100a is connected to the first transport path 2
Guide members 28a, 28b arranged in this order along the first opening 1 and from the first opening 1 toward the confluence point 11, an input / output sensor 5, an original loading roller 6, a contact glass 7, an original aligning roller 8, an original aligning roller It is configured to include a sensor 9 and a transport roller 10. Further, the copying apparatus 100a is connected to the junction 11 along the second transport path 4 and from the second opening 3.
Guide members 29a, 29b arranged in order toward
The paper feed sensor 12, paper feed roller 13, paper alignment roller 14, transfer charger 15, transport belt 16, and fixing device 17 are included.

The copying apparatus 100a further includes a photosensitive drum 18 disposed inside the U-shaped transport paths 2 and 4.
And a developing device 19 disposed on the side of the openings 1 and 3 of the photosensitive drum 18, a selfoc lens 20 disposed between the contact glass 7 and the photosensitive drum 18, and disposed near the contact glass 7. The light source lamp 21, the light amount detection sensor 55, and the photosensitive drum 1
8 and includes a light amount detection sensor 56 and a light source lamp 57 arranged along the second transport path 4.

The image reading section 2 including the contact glass 7, the selfoc lens 20, and the light source lamp 21
2 are configured. The position where the contact glass 7 and the selfoc lens 20 face each other is the image reading position.
Further, an image forming section 23 is configured to include the transfer charger 15, the fixing device 17 and the developing device 19. The position where the photosensitive drum 18 and the transfer charger 15 face each other is the image forming position.

The copying apparatus 100a further includes a third transport path 24. The third transport path 24 is
At the junction 11, they merge with the first and second transport paths 2 and 4. The copying apparatus 100a includes transport rollers 25 and 26 arranged along the third transport path 24.

The copying apparatus 100a is connected to
1 and includes a switching gate 27 that switches between connecting the first transport path 2 to the second transport path 4 or connecting to the third transport path 24.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the copying apparatus 100a. The copying apparatus 100a includes a control circuit 30 in addition to the above-described paper input / output sensor 5, document alignment roller sensor 9, paper paper input sensor 12, transfer charger 15, fixing device 17, developing device 19, and light source lamps 21 and 57. , Operation panel board 31, AC (AC) code 3
2. It includes various motors 33, a clutch and solenoid 34 for the switching gate 27, an AE sensor substrate 35, a charging charger 36, and a peeling charger 37.

The control circuit 30 includes a power supply circuit 38, a motor control circuit 39, a clutch and solenoid control circuit 40, a bias circuit 41, a CPU (central processing unit) 42, and a RAM (random access memory) 4.
3, ROM (read only memory) 44, timer 45,
The control panel includes a control panel control circuit 46, a sensor control circuit 47, a copy lamp control circuit 48, a high voltage circuit 49, and a heater lamp control circuit 50. The fixing device 17 includes an HL (heater lamp) 53 and an RTH (thermistor) 54. The developing device 19 has a DVB (developing bias) 5
1 and a TCS (toner control sensor).

The power supply circuit 38 supplies the power supply voltage from the AC cord 32 to the CPU 42, whereby the CPU 42
The operation of the entire apparatus is controlled in accordance with the operation program of the copying apparatus 100a stored in the OM 44 in advance. RAM43
Are used for executing the operation program. The timer 45 measures time.

The data input from the operation panel board 31 is transmitted to the CPU 4 via the operation panel control circuit 46.
2 given. When transporting originals or paper, the CPU
Based on the instruction of 42, the motor control circuit 39 controls the operation of various motors 33 for driving rollers and the like. When switching the switching gate 27, the CPU 4
Based on the instruction of 2, the clutch and solenoid control circuit 40 controls the operation of the clutch and solenoid.

The DVB 51 of the developing device 19 is controlled by a bias circuit 41 based on an instruction from the CPU 42. The detection result of the TCS 52 of the developing device 19 is given to the sensor control circuit 47. The detection results of the light quantity detection sensors 55 and 56 included in the paper input / output sensor 5, the document alignment roller sensor 9, the paper input sensor 12, and the AE sensor board 35 are also provided to the sensor control circuit 47.
The lighting operation of the HL 53 of the fixing unit 17 is controlled by the heater lamp control circuit 50 based on an instruction from the CPU 42. The detection result of the RTH 54 of the fixing device 17 is also
It is provided to the sensor control circuit 47. The sensor control circuit 47 includes various sensors 5, 9, 12, 35,
The detection results from 52 and 54 are given to CPU 42.

Transfer Charger 15, Charger 36
The peeling charger 37 is controlled by the high voltage circuit 49 based on an instruction from the CPU 42. Light source lamp 2
1 and 57 are controlled by the copy lamp control circuit 48 based on an instruction from the CPU 42.

Next, the operation of the copying apparatus 100a will be described. In the copying apparatus 100a according to the first embodiment, a document on which an image to be copied is drawn is inserted through the first opening 1, and after the image is read when passing through the first transport path 2,
It is discharged again from the first opening 1. The paper on which an image is formed is inserted through the second opening 3 and
After the image is formed at the time of passage, the sheet is discharged from the first opening 1.

More specifically, when a document is inserted from the first opening 1 and the paper-in / out sensor 5 detects the inserted document,
The control circuit 30 starts the document loading operation. That is, the motor 33 is driven to rotate the original loading roller 6, the original alignment roller 8, and the transport rollers 10, 25, 26. At this time, the control circuit 30 controls the clutch and the solenoid 34 to switch the switching gate 27 as shown by a solid line, and connects the first transport path 2 and the third transport path 24. Therefore, the inserted document is transported from the first transport path 1 to the third transport path 24.

When the rear end of the inserted document in the carrying direction passes through the image reading position of the image reading section 22, the control circuit 30 stops the document carrying operation. That is, the timer 45
Measures the time from the detection of the leading edge of the original in the carrying direction by the paper input / output sensor 5 to the detection of the rear end in the carrying direction of the original.
The control circuit 30 detects the length of the document in the transport direction based on the time measured by the timer 45 and the transport speed of the document. Then, after rotating the rollers 6, 8, 10, 25, 26 for a time corresponding to the detected length, the rotation is stopped.

Next, an unloading operation for transporting the original in the unloading direction opposite to the unloading direction is started. That is, the control circuit 30 controls the motor 33 so that the transport rollers 10, 2
Reverse rotation of 5, 26. The conveyed document is stopped by the document alignment roller 8, the leading end is aligned, and the oblique feeding is corrected. The rotation of the transport rollers 10, 25, and 26 stops after a predetermined time elapses after the document is detected by the document alignment roller sensor 9. The leading end of the document is nipped by a document alignment roller 8. In this way, a state of waiting for synchronization with the sheet conveyance timing is set.

When a sheet is inserted from the second opening 3 and the sheet input sensor 12 detects the inserted sheet, the control circuit 30 starts a sheet conveying operation. That is, the motor 33
Is driven to rotate the paper loading roller 13. The inserted sheet is stopped by the sheet aligning roller 14, the leading end is aligned, and the oblique feeding is corrected.

The unloading operation of the original is restarted in synchronism with the transport operation of the inserted paper. That is, the timer 45 measures the time from when the sheet input sensor 12 detects the leading end in the sheet carrying direction to when the sheet entering sensor 12 detects the trailing end in the sheet carrying direction. The control circuit 30 detects the length of the sheet in the transport direction based on the time measured by the timer 45 and the transport speed of the sheet. Then, when a time corresponding to the detected length elapses from the start of the sheet conveying operation, the document aligning roller 8 and the conveying rollers 10, 25, 26 are rotated in a direction in which the document is carried out.

The image is read when the document to be carried out passes the image reading position of the image forming section 23. That is, the control circuit 30 turns on the light source lamp 21. The light source lamp 21 irradiates and exposes light toward the image surface of the original,
The reflected light on the image surface forms an image on the photosensitive drum 18 by the SELFOC lens 20 via the contact lens 7, and a latent image is formed. The latent image is developed by the developing device 19 to become a toner image.

The toner image is transferred to a sheet that has been conveyed and has reached the image forming position of the image forming section 23. That is,
The sheet waiting by the sheet aligning roller 14 is synchronized with the above-described exposure and developing steps, and reaches a predetermined transfer position by the sheet aligning roller 14 and the sheet pull-in roller 13 rotated during the execution of the step. .
When the paper passes between the photosensitive drum 18 and the transfer charger 15 while being sandwiched, the toner image is transferred. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing device 17 by a conveying belt 16 and is fixed by the fixing device 17.

The original after reading the image is discharged from the first opening 1 by the unloading operation. Subsequently, the sheet on which the image is formed is discharged from the first opening 1 by the transport operation. Here, the switching gate 27 is switched as shown by a dashed line after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the sheet is aligned by the sheet aligning roller 14 and sent out from the roller 14, and is switched to the first conveying path 2 and the second conveying path. Route 4 is connected. Therefore, the sheet after image formation passes from the second transport path 4 to the first transport path 2 and is discharged from the first opening 14.

By switching the switching gate 27, the inserted document can be prevented from being transported to the second transport path 4, and the sheet after image formation can be transferred from the second transport path 4 to the first transport path 2. It can be transported smoothly. The timing at which the switching gate 27 is switched so as to connect the first transport path 2 and the second transport path 4 is determined by the first document.
The document is conveyed in the direction of the opening 1 and is set at a point in time after the rear end of the document in the conveyance direction has passed the junction 11, thereby preventing the document from being damaged by the switching gate 27.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the first
Since the second transport paths 2 and 4 are arranged in parallel with each other, the copying apparatus 100a can be configured without disposing the image reading position above the image forming position. Therefore, the heat at the time of fixing does not rise and is not transmitted to the image reading position, and it is possible to prevent deformation of various resin parts arranged near the image reading position. The image reading unit 22
Can prevent the optical performance of the SELFOC lens 20 from being reduced. Therefore, the image can be read with high accuracy, and an image with high image quality can be formed.

By arranging the first and second transport paths 2 and 4 in parallel with each other, the length of the copying apparatus 100a in the transport path direction can be made relatively short. The opening 28 is used as a vertical type having the surface 28a as an upper surface, and the openings 1 and 3, which are insertion / ejection openings for originals and sheets, can be arranged at the same height as the desk, thereby improving operability. Further, the operator can execute the task without feeling oppressed. Further, the copying apparatus 100a can be arranged in a small space as a horizontal type. As described above, the copying apparatus 100a according to the present embodiment is installed on the
It is suitably used when copying one sheet at a time, and can easily use originals and sheets of different sizes for each copy.

The length L of the document that can be inserted into the copying apparatus 100a in the transport direction is equal to the length S1 of the first transport path 2 and the length S1 of the second transport path.
The length is selected to be equal to or less than the sum of the length S2 of the transport path 4 and the length. Specifically, the length S1 is selected as a length from a position where the SELFOC lens 20 of the contact glass 7 faces, that is, an image reading position to a junction 11 along the first transport path 2. Further, the length S2 is selected as a length from a position where the selfoc lens 20 of the photosensitive drum 18 is opposed to a junction 11 along the second transport path 4. By choosing such a length relationship,
An image can be surely formed.

The size of the paper to be used may be the same as or different from that of the original. In this embodiment,
Although the paper input / output sensor 5 is used to detect the original size, and the paper input sensor 12 is used to detect the paper size, if the paper size is limited to those using the same size as the original, the paper size The detection result of the paper discharge sensor 5 may be substituted.

Further, the curved portion R1 of the U-shaped transport path formed by the first transport path 2 and the second transport path 4 can smoothly transport the original and the paper by selecting a large bending ratio. Can be.

Further, although the switching gate 27 which is electrically switched is provided in the present embodiment, it is not always necessary to electrically switch the switching gate 27. For example, the third transportation path 24 is covered with the second transportation path 4 so as to form a film. May be attached. With such a guide member,
The document is smoothly transported from the first transport path 2 to the third transport path 24, and is transported smoothly from the third transport path 24 to the first transport path 2. Further, the sheet that has passed through the second transport path 4 pushes down the film-shaped guide member by the weight of the sheet itself, whereby the sheet is smoothly transported to the first transport path 2.

A step may be provided without providing the switching gate 27 or the guide member. For example,
By providing a step so that the opening on the junction side of the second transport path 4 is vertically higher than the opening on the junction side of the third transport path 24, smooth transport as described above is possible. is there.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a copying apparatus 100b according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Copier 100b
Is constructed in substantially the same manner as the copying apparatus 100a, and the third transport path 24 is located on the opposite side of the second transport path 4 from the first transport path 2 and the second opening 3 of the copying apparatus 100b.
Is disposed along the second transport path 4 on the surface 28b side close to the first and second transport paths 2 and 4 at the junction 11.
And merge. Other than this, the copying apparatus 10
0a, the configuration is simplified in FIG. 3, and the block diagram is omitted.

By arranging the third transport path 24 as described above, the length of the first transport path 2 for transporting the document can be reduced, and the size of the copying apparatus 100b can be further reduced. Specifically, for example, despite the fact that the size of the copying apparatus 100b is about the A4 size, it can handle A3 size originals and sheets.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the third transport path 24 is located on the side opposite to the second transport path 4 of the first transport path 2 on the surface 28c close to the first opening 1 of the copying apparatus. To
Compared to the case where the sheet is arranged along the first conveyance path 2, the conveyance path for the original, that is, the first and third conveyance paths 2,
The twenty-four curved portions R2 can be formed in a relatively gentle curved shape having a large bending rate, and the document can be smoothly transported.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a copying apparatus 100c according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Copier 100c
Is substantially similar to the copying apparatus 100a, but includes a cooling unit 61 for cooling the sheet after the image is fixed. That is, the image forming unit 23 is configured to further include the cooling unit 61.

The cooling section 61 is disposed on the side of the junction 11 of the fixing device 17 along the second transport path 4. In the present embodiment, it is arranged near the junction 11. The cooling unit 61
A cooling air blowing unit 62 arranged on the fixing device 17 side;
The cooling air suction unit 63 is disposed on the merging unit 11 side. The paper is cooled by the air blown from the air blowing unit 62, and the air suction unit 63 absorbs the heat of the paper and slightly heated air.
As a result, the environmental temperature near the cooling unit 61 is kept almost the same as the outside air temperature. Since the sheet is cooled while being conveyed, the sheet conveying efficiency does not decrease.

The fan of the cooling unit 61 is driven by controlling the motor 33 by the control circuit 30. More specifically, the paper is
Is driven after a lapse of a predetermined time after being sent from the printer, and is driven for a time during which the portion from the leading edge of the sheet to the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the cooling unit 61 according to the sheet size. The predetermined time from when the sheet is sent out from the sheet aligning roller 14 to which the fan of the cooling unit 61 is driven is the time from when the sheet is sent out from the sheet aligning roller 14 to when the leading edge of the sheet comes out from the fixing device 17. Time.

The fixing device 17 fixes the transferred image by heating the paper. The cooling unit 61 cools the heated sheet. Since the cooled sheet passes through the first transport path 2, it is possible to prevent toner from adhering to the contact glass 7 of the image reading section 22 arranged along the first transport path 2, and to always keep the image reading section 22. It can be kept clean.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a copying apparatus 100d according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Copier 100d
Is substantially the same as the above-described copying apparatus 100a, but has a charge removing section 6 for removing charges charged on originals and paper.
4 is included. In the present embodiment, it is arranged near the junction 11 on the first transport path 2.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a copying apparatus 100e as another example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The copying apparatus 100e is configured in substantially the same manner as the copying apparatus 100d, except that the charge removing section 64 is disposed between the document alignment roller 8 and the contact glass 7 on the first transport path 2. I do.

Since the original and the paper pass through a relatively narrow conveyance path, they are charged with static electricity by friction. In particular, the paper is charged by the transfer charger 15 in the transfer process, and the front and back surfaces are charged. By arranging the charge eliminating section 64 at the above-described position, the electric charge on both the document and the sheet can be eliminated by the single charge eliminating section 64, and the document and the sheet can be smoothly transported and the apparatus can be downsized. Can be achieved. The static elimination unit 64 can be realized by a specifically known member,
For example, the charge removing brush may be provided over the entire width of the transport path.

When the charge eliminating section 64 is provided in the vicinity of the junction 11 as shown in FIG. 6, depending on the size of the document, the charge may not be removed from the rear end of the document carrying side, that is, the leading end of the document carrying side. . However, by arranging the neutralizing section 64 between the original aligning roller 8 and the contact glass 7 as shown in FIG. 7, the entire surface of the original and the paper can be reliably erased. Further, the arrangement as shown in FIG. 7 can also eliminate static electricity charged during transportation from the junction 11 to the vicinity of the contact glass 7,
A large static elimination effect can be obtained.

By providing the charge removing section 64 in this way, it is possible to prevent a document or a sheet from being attracted to the contact glass 7 by static electricity. Therefore, originals and paper can be transported smoothly. In addition, an image without distortion can be read, and a latent image faithful to the image drawn on the document is formed on the photosensitive drum 18 to form a high-quality image.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a document and sheet discharging operation of the copying apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The copying apparatus according to the present embodiment is characterized in that a discharging operation is controlled based on a detection result of an input / output sensor 5 corresponding to a discharge detection unit that detects the start and completion of discharge of a document and a sheet. That is, the control circuit 30 corresponding to the image forming control means stops the paper transport operation in response to the detection of the start of the original discharge by the input / output sensor 5, and performs the paper transport operation in response to the detection of the completion of the original discharge. Then, the sheet conveyance operation is stopped in response to the detection of the start of sheet discharge, and it is determined that a series of image forming operations is completed in response to the detection of the completion of sheet discharge. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the copying apparatus 100a, and the drawings and block diagrams illustrating the configuration are omitted.

At step a1, when the paper input / output sensor 5 is turned on, that is, when the start of document discharge is detected, step a
In step 2, the control circuit 30 starts the document unloading operation.
After a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the document unloading operation in step a3, the control circuit 30 stops the sheet conveying operation. The predetermined time corresponds to a transport time for the length of the document, that is, a transport time from when the leading edge of the document is detected by the paper input / output sensor 5 to when the trailing edge of the document is detected. When the paper discharge sensor 5 is turned off in step a4, that is, when the completion of the discharge of the document is detected, the process proceeds to step a5, and the control circuit 30 confirms the removal of the document. That is, the completion of document discharge is confirmed. Thereafter, the control circuit 30 starts conveying the paper in step a6.

In step a7, when the paper input / output sensor 5 is turned on, that is, when the start of paper discharge is detected, step a
Proceeding to 8, the control circuit 30 starts the sheet unloading operation.
After a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the sheet unloading operation in step a9, the control circuit 30 stops the sheet conveying operation. The predetermined time corresponds to a transport time corresponding to the length of the paper, that is, a transport time from when the leading edge of the paper is detected by the paper input sensor 12 to when the trailing edge of the paper is detected. When the paper input / output sensor 5 is turned off in step a10, that is, when the completion of paper discharge is detected, the process proceeds to step a11, and the control circuit 30 confirms the removal of the paper. That is, the completion of paper discharge is confirmed. In response to this, the control circuit 30 determines that a series of image forming operations has been completed, and ends the document and paper discharge operation.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, since the sheet is not discharged until the document is removed from the first opening 1, the rear end of the document discharged first is discharged later. It is possible to prevent the paper from being lifted up at the leading end and scattered near the copying apparatus.

FIG. 9 shows a document lamp 71a and a paper lamp 72 of a copying apparatus 100f according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. The copying apparatus 100f is configured in substantially the same manner as the copying apparatus of the fifth embodiment, but is characterized by having a document lamp 71a and a paper lamp 72a. In the present embodiment, the original and the paper lamps 71a, 71
2a is provided on the surface 28a having the openings 1 and 3.
The document lamp 71a notifies the start and completion of discharge of the document, and the sheet lamp 72a notifies the start and completion of discharge of the sheet.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of discharging the original and the sheet by the copying apparatus 100f. The flowchart is similar to the flowchart of FIG.
5 and the description of the same steps is omitted. When the control circuit 30 starts the document unloading operation in step a2, the process proceeds to step a12, in which the document lamp 71a blinks and the process proceeds to step a3. In step a5, the control circuit 3
When 0 confirms the removal of the original, the process proceeds to step a13,
The document lamp 71a is turned off, and the process proceeds to step a6. When the control circuit 30 starts the sheet unloading operation in step a8, the process proceeds to step a14, the sheet lamp 72a flashes, and the process proceeds to step a9. When the control circuit 30 confirms the removal of the sheet in step a11, the process proceeds to step a15, in which the sheet lamp 72a is turned off and the operation ends.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, by checking the lighting state of the document and the paper lamps 71a and 72a, the operator can check the discharge status of the document and the paper and the discharged document is the document. Or paper.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the first opening 1 of a copying apparatus 100g according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The copying apparatus 100g includes a separation arm 73 corresponding to a separation unit that separates a document and a sheet and discharges the document from the first opening 1. The operation of the separation arm 73 is controlled by the control circuit 30. Separation arm 7
Reference numeral 3 denotes a symbol 73 after a predetermined time has passed since the document passed the document alignment roller sensor 9 when the document was discharged.
As shown by a, it moves to one side in the transport path. The predetermined time corresponds to a document transport time based on the detection of the paper input / output sensor 5. Further, after a predetermined time has passed after the sheet has passed the document alignment roller sensor 9 when the sheet is discharged, the sheet moves to the other side surface opposite to the one side surface in the transport path as indicated by reference numeral 73b. The predetermined time corresponds to a paper transport time based on the detection of the paper input sensor 12.

As described above, according to the seventh embodiment, the document and the sheet are separated and discharged by the separation arm 73, so that the operator recognizes whether the discharged sheet is the document or the sheet. be able to.

When the original is inserted, the separation arm 73
Is disposed at an intermediate position between the one side surface and the other side surface as indicated by reference numeral 73c.

Further, by combining the seventh embodiment with the fifth embodiment, it is possible to separate and hold originals and papers whose edges are held at the time of discharge.

FIG. 12 shows an original lamp 71b and a paper lamp 7 of a copying apparatus 100h according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure showing 2b. The copying apparatus 100h is configured in substantially the same manner as the copying apparatus 100g of the seventh embodiment,
A document lamp 71b and a sheet lamp 72b are provided for separately notifying the document and the sheet discharged separately and notifying them. In this embodiment, the document and the paper lamps 71b and 72b are provided on the surface 28a having the openings 1 and 3. The document lamp 71 b is provided at one end of the first opening 1 corresponding to one side of the first transport path 2, and the paper lamp 72 b is provided at the first side corresponding to the other side of the first transport path 2. It is provided on the other end side of the opening 1.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a document and sheet discharging operation of the copying apparatus 100h. Step a
When the copying operation is started at 16 and the document alignment roller sensor 9 is turned off at step a17, the process proceeds to step a18,
The operation of unloading the document is started. The process further proceeds to step a19, where the document lamp 71b is turned on. Step a2
0, and after a lapse of a predetermined time, the separation arm 73
Move to a side. When the document alignment roller sensor 9 is turned on in step a21, the process proceeds to step a22, where the passage of the sheet is confirmed.

At step a23, the original aligning roller sensor 9
Is turned off, the process proceeds to step a24 to start the sheet unloading operation. The process further proceeds to step a25, and the paper lamp 72b is turned on. The process further proceeds to step a26, and after a lapse of a predetermined time, the separation arm 73 is moved to the reference numeral 73b. In step a27, the conveyance of the sheet is stopped. When the paper input / output sensor 5 is turned off in step a28, step a
Proceed to step 29 to confirm the removal of the original and the paper. In step a30, the document lamp 71b and the paper lamp 72
The light is turned off, and the discharging operation ends.

As described above, according to the eighth embodiment, the document lamp 71b and the paper lamp 72b are used to discriminate and notify the document and the paper separated and discharged by the separation arm 73. It is possible to reliably recognize whether the document is a document or a sheet.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams showing a configuration of a copying apparatus 100i according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. The copying apparatus 100i includes the copying apparatus 100a.
However, a fourth transport path 75 and switching gates 76 and 77 corresponding to transport means for discharging a document from the first opening 1 and discharging a sheet from the second opening 3 are provided. It is characterized by having.

Document Intake Roller 6 and Contact Glass 7
A transport roller 74 is provided between the original loading roller 6 and the transport roller 74, and the paper loading roller 1
A fourth transport path 75 is provided so as to connect between the third roller 3 and the paper alignment roller 14. Further, the fourth transport path 75
Near the opening on the first transport path 2 side, a fourth transport path 75
A switching gate 76 that opens and closes is provided. Similarly, a switching gate 77 for opening and closing the fourth transport path 75 is provided near the opening of the fourth transport path 75 on the second transport path 4 side.

At the time of discharging the document, as shown in FIG.
5 is closed, and the document is discharged from the first opening 1. On the other hand, at the time of discharging the paper, the fourth transport path 75 is opened by the switching gates 76 and 77 as shown in FIG. You.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a document and sheet discharging operation of the copying apparatus 100i. Step a
When the document alignment roller sensor 9 is turned off in step 31, the flow advances to step a32 to start the document unloading operation. The process further proceeds to step a33, and after a lapse of a predetermined time, the switching gate 76,
77 is switched as shown in FIG.
5 is closed. As a result, the document is discharged from the first opening 1. When the sheet input sensor 12 is turned on in step a34, the process proceeds to step a35, and the sheet unloading operation is started. The process further proceeds to step a36, and after a lapse of a predetermined time,
The switching gates 76 and 77 are switched as shown in FIG. 14B to open the fourth transport path 75. As a result, the sheet is discharged from the second opening 3.

As described above, according to the ninth embodiment, a document is discharged from the first opening 1 and a sheet is discharged from the second opening 3, so that the document and the sheet can be discharged separately. it can. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a mistake in the discharged paper.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a document and sheet discharging operation of the copying apparatus according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention. The copying apparatus according to the tenth embodiment is configured in substantially the same manner as the copying apparatus 100a, except that the control circuit 30 determines whether or not a sheet has been inserted within a predetermined period after inserting the document. , And controls the operation of transporting the document based on the determination result.

When the paper-in / paper-out sensor 5 is turned on in step a37, the flow advances to step a38 to check whether the original has been received. The process further proceeds to step a39, and the document is further carried into the apparatus. The operation of step a39 is executed until the paper feed / discharge sensor 5 is turned off in step a40. When the paper feed / discharge sensor 5 is turned off, the process proceeds to step a41, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the conveyance of the document is stopped. The predetermined time corresponds to a time obtained by subtracting the transport time corresponding to the length of the document in the transport direction from the maximum transport time required for transporting the document.

In step a42, after inserting the original, the timer 45 is reset in order to determine whether or not a sheet has been inserted within a predetermined period tMax.
At 3, the measurement of the time t is started. The period tMax is:
For example, it is set to 60 seconds. In step a44, it is determined whether or not the paper input sensor 12 is on. If it is on, the flow proceeds to step a45, in which the measurement of the time t by the timer 45 is terminated, and the flow proceeds to step a46, in which the copying operation is started and the operation is ended.

If the paper input sensor 12 is not on, the flow advances to step a47 to determine whether or not the time t measured by the timer 45 is equal to a predetermined time t (Max). If they are equal, the process proceeds to step a48, where a flag for determining whether to hold or discharge the inserted document is set to 0, and the process proceeds to step a50. If not equal, step a4
The process proceeds to step 9, where the flag is set to 1, and the process proceeds to step a50. At step a50, it is determined whether or not the flag is 0. If it is 0, the process proceeds to step a51, where the document is discharged and the operation is terminated. If it is not 0, the process returns to step a44.

As described above, according to the tenth embodiment, when a sheet is not inserted within a predetermined period tMax, the inserted document can be discharged. The copying operation by the operator can be performed smoothly.

FIG. 17 is a view showing a document discharge button 81 for designating forcibly discharging the inserted document in the copying apparatus 100j according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention. The copying apparatus 100j is configured in the same manner as the copying apparatus 100a except for having the button 81. The control circuit 30 executes the operation of discharging the inserted document based on an instruction such as pressing the document discharge button 81.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a document discharging operation of the copying apparatus 100j. The flowchart is
Steps a52 to a55 are added in place of steps a42 to a51 in the flowchart of FIG.
The description of the operation of the same steps is omitted.

When the operation of step a39 ends, the flow advances to step a52 to determine whether or not the document discharge button 81 has been pressed. When the button is pressed, the process proceeds to step a53, the document is discharged, and the operation is terminated. If not, the process proceeds to step a40. At step a40, it is determined whether or not the paper input / output sensor 5 is off.
If it is off, the process proceeds to step a41, and after a lapse of a predetermined time, the conveyance of the document is stopped and the process proceeds to step a54. If it is not off, the process returns to step a39. Step a
At 54, it is determined whether or not the document discharge button 81 has been pressed. When pressed, the process returns to step a53,
If it has not been pressed, the operation proceeds to step a55. The determination operation of step a54 is performed until it is determined in step a55 that the copying operation has been started, and the operation ends when the copying operation is started.

As described above, according to the eleventh embodiment, by operating the document discharge button 81, the inserted document can be forcibly discharged and the copying operation can be stopped.

FIG. 19 is a view showing a sheet discharge button 82 for designating forcibly discharging the inserted sheet in the copying apparatus 100k according to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention. The copying apparatus 100k is configured in the same manner as the copying apparatus 100a except that it has the button 82. The control circuit 30 executes an operation of discharging the inserted sheet based on an instruction such as pressing a sheet discharge button 82.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the sheet discharging operation of the copying apparatus 100k. When the paper input sensor 12 is turned on in step a56, the process proceeds to step a57,
Check paper insertion. In step a58, the sheet is further carried into the apparatus. At step a59, it is determined whether or not the paper discharge button 82 has been pressed. When the button is pressed, the process proceeds to step a60, in which the sheet discharging operation is performed, and the operation ends. If the button has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step a61 to determine whether the sheet has reached a predetermined transfer position. When it reaches, step a6
Proceeding to step 2, the copying operation is performed to end the operation. If the operation has not been reached, the flow returns to step a58.

As described above, according to the twelfth embodiment, by operating the paper discharge button 82, the inserted paper can be forcibly discharged and the copying operation can be stopped.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a configuration of a copying apparatus 100m according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention. Copier 10
0 m indicates that the control circuit 30 detects the front and back of the inserted document based on the light amount data detected by the light amount detection sensor 55, and controls the document discharging operation and the copying operation based on the detection result. Features. That is, the control circuit 30 corresponds to front and back detection means. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the copying apparatus 100a.

When a document is inserted, the light source lamp 21 emits light to one surface of the document. The light quantity detection sensor 55 receives the reflected light of this light, and outputs light quantity data according to the image density drawn on the light irradiation surface of the document. The control circuit 30 determines whether or not the intensity of the light amount data is greater than a predetermined threshold value. If the intensity is greater than the threshold value, the light irradiation surface is the surface on which the image is drawn, and it is determined that the original is correctly inserted. On the other hand, when the size is small, it is determined that the light irradiation surface is not the surface on which the image is drawn, and that the document is erroneously inserted. The control circuit 30 controls the document conveying operation and the copying operation based on the result of this determination.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a document conveying operation and a copying operation of the copying apparatus 100m. This flowchart is obtained by adding steps a63 to a68 in place of steps a42 to a51 in FIG. 16, and a description of the same steps will be omitted.

At step a63 where the operation of step a38 is completed, the light source lamp 21 is turned on. Step a6
In 4, the light amount detection sensor 55 detects the reflected light from the document, and the control circuit 30 detects the density of the light irradiation surface of the document,
Proceed to step a39. In step a65 in which the input / output sensor 5 is turned off in step a40, the detection of the light amount detection sensor 55 ends. In step a66, the light source lamp 21 is turned off, and the process proceeds to step a41. Step a4
When the operation of Step 1 is completed, the process proceeds to Step a67 to determine whether or not the detected density is smaller than a predetermined threshold value. For example, it is determined whether it is 0. When it is 0,
That is, when a document is inserted by mistake, step a
Proceeding to 68, the document is discharged and the operation is terminated. When the value is not 0, that is, when the document is correctly inserted, the operation is terminated. That is, a copying operation is performed.

As described above, according to the thirteenth embodiment, the copying operation can be stopped, for example, when an original is inserted with its image side upside down, or when the original and paper are reversed.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a configuration of a copying apparatus 100n according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention. Copier 10
0n indicates that the control circuit 30 detects the front and back of the inserted sheet based on the light amount data detected by the light amount detection sensor 56, and controls the sheet conveying operation and the copying operation based on the detection result. Features. That is, the control circuit 30 corresponds to front and back detection means. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the copying apparatus 100a.

When the paper is inserted, the light source lamp 57 irradiates light to one surface of the paper. The light amount detection sensor 56 receives the reflected light of this light and outputs light amount data according to the density of the light irradiation surface of the sheet. The control circuit 30 determines whether or not the intensity of the light amount data is greater than a predetermined threshold value. If the intensity is greater, it is determined that some image has been drawn on the light irradiation surface, and that the paper has not been correctly inserted. On the other hand, when it is small, no image is drawn on the light irradiation surface, and it is determined that the paper has been correctly inserted. The control circuit 30 controls the sheet conveying operation and the copying operation based on the determination result.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing the sheet conveying operation and the copying operation of the copying apparatus 100n. When the paper input sensor 12 is turned on in step a69, the process proceeds to step a70, where the paper input is confirmed. Step a
At 71, the light source lamp 57 is turned on. Step a72
Then, the light amount detection sensor 56 detects the reflected light from the sheet, the control circuit 30 detects the density of the light irradiation surface of the sheet,
Proceed to step a73. In step a73, the detection of the light amount detection sensor 56 ends after a predetermined time has elapsed. The predetermined time is defined as the time from the paper input sensor 12 to the transfer charger 1.
5 and the time determined by the paper transport speed. In step a74, the light source lamp 57
Is turned off, and the process proceeds to step a75.

In step a75, it is determined whether or not the detected density is smaller than a predetermined threshold. For example, it is determined whether it is 0. When it is 0, that is, when the sheet is correctly inserted, the process proceeds to step a76, where the copying operation is executed and the operation is terminated. When the value is not 0, that is, when the sheet is erroneously inserted, the flow advances to step a77 to discharge the sheet and end the operation.

As described above, according to the fourteenth embodiment, the copying operation can be stopped when, for example, the image forming surface of the sheet is inserted upside down or when the sheet and the original are reversed.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a configuration of a copying apparatus 100p according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention. Copier 10
0p is configured in the same manner as the copying apparatus 100a, but is characterized in that the surface 28a is used as a horizontal type with the side surface 28a as a side surface.

FIGS. 26 to 28 are flowcharts showing the copying operation of the copying apparatus 100p. In step a78, a document is inserted. In step a79, when the leading edge of the document is detected by the paper input / output sensor 5, the process proceeds to step a80, and the document retrieving roller 6 is rotated. In step a81, the time measurement by the timer 45 is started, and in step a82, when the trailing edge of the document is detected by the paper ejection sensor 5, the process proceeds to step a83, and the time measurement by the timer 45 ends. In step a84, the document feed roller 6 is rotated.

In step a85, the document length is calculated, and in step a86, the document alignment roller 8 and the transport rollers 10, 25, 26 for a predetermined time corresponding to the calculated document length.
To rotate. In step a87, after the elapse of the predetermined time, the document alignment roller 8 and the transport rollers 10, 25, 2
The rotation of No. 6 is stopped. In step a88, the transport roller 1
0, 25 and 26 are reversely rotated. When the leading edge of the original is detected by the original alignment roller sensor 9 in step a89, step a
90, the conveying roller 1
0, 25 and 26 are reversely rotated to stop the rotation.

At step a91, a sheet is inserted.
When the leading edge of the sheet is detected by the sheet input sensor 12 in step a92, the process proceeds to step a93, where the sheet loading roller 13
To rotate. In step a94, the inserted paper is aligned by the paper alignment roller 14. Step a95
Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the image surface of the document is scanned, and the image is read. In step a96, a copying operation is performed and the toner image is transferred to the sheet. In step a97,
The sheet after the transfer is conveyed to the fixing device 17. Step a9
8, the switching gate 27 is switched from the position shown by the solid line to the position shown by the broken line, and the first transport path 2 and the second
The transport path 4 is connected. In step a99, the document is discharged. In step a100, the sheet is discharged.

As described above, according to the fifteenth embodiment, the copying apparatus can be used in a horizontal type.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a configuration of a copying apparatus 100q according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention. Copier 10
0q is used as a horizontal type similarly to the copying apparatus 100p, except that the surface 28b is a bottom surface and the surface 28c is a top surface. That is, the first and second transport paths 2 and 4 are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction, and the first opening 1 is arranged vertically above the second opening 3.

By holding the original and the paper discharged as shown in FIG. 30 (B) with the trailing end thereof held by the original intake roller 6 as described above,
As shown in FIG. 30A, it is possible to prevent a document and a sheet from falling under their own weight and being scattered on the apparatus installation surface.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a configuration of a copying apparatus 100r according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention. Copier 10
0r is used as a horizontal type similarly to the copying apparatus 100p, except that the surface 28c is a bottom surface and the surface 28b is a top surface. That is, the first and second transport paths 2 and 4 are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction, and the first opening 1 is arranged below the second opening 3 in the vertical direction.

A belt-shaped transfer belt 85 for transferring an image onto a sheet and a suction device 88 for sucking the sheet onto the transfer belt 85 are provided. Transported to Further, in the vicinity of the transfer belt 85, a transfer charger 86 and a charge removing charger 87 are arranged.

The second opening 3 serving as a paper insertion port is disposed at the upper part, and the first opening 1 serving as a document insertion / ejection / paper discharge port is disposed at the lower part. In, the image plane faces upward. Therefore, the operator can easily confirm whether the inserted document is erroneous or whether the copying operation has been performed accurately and reliably. Further, since the original or paper is ejected from a position relatively close to the installation surface of the apparatus, even if the trailing end of the ejected original or paper is held while being held by the original feeding roller 6, the original or paper is ejected. It is possible to make the paper hardly curl.

In order to further reduce such curl, as shown in FIG. 32B, the distance from the installation surface to the first opening 1 is selected to be shorter than that in FIG. Is preferred.

The image forming position of the image forming section 23 is as follows.
Although it is disposed vertically above the image reading position of the image reading section 22, the sheet is attracted to the belt-shaped transfer belt 85 by the suction device 88, so that the sheet on which the toner image or the like has been transferred is transferred to the fixing device 17. It can be transported reliably.

Such an adsorbing device 88 is realized by a known device, and may be adsorbed by, for example, static electricity. Alternatively, it may be adsorbed by suction.

FIGS. 33 and 34 are flowcharts showing the copying operation of the copying apparatus according to the eighteenth embodiment of the present invention. The copying apparatus according to the eighteenth embodiment is characterized in that an image can be formed by inserting a plurality of originals into the apparatus.

The control circuit 30 determines the document size based on the length of the inserted document in the transport direction, and determines the document size based on the document transport length S3 described later and the document size determination result.
The image forming operation is controlled. Therefore, the control circuit 30 also has a function as a document size determination unit. Further, it is characterized in that the result of the determination of the document size is notified.

At step b1, the power is turned on. In step b2, a predetermined warm-up process for executing the copying operation is performed. Step b
When the paper feed / discharge sensor 5 is turned on in step 3, the process proceeds to step b4, where the document feed roller 6, the document alignment roller 8, and the transport rollers 10, 25, 26 are rotated. When the document alignment roller sensor 9 is turned on in step b5, the process proceeds to step b6, and the timer 45 starts counting time to determine the document size.

If the paper feed / discharge sensor 5 is turned off in step b7, the flow advances to step b8, in which the document feed roller 6 is stopped. When the document alignment roller sensor 9 is turned off in step b9, the process proceeds to step b10, and the timer 45 stops counting time. In step b11, the measured time Tor
The document size is determined from g. For example, if the document is transported at a constant speed, the transport speed × time To
The length L of the document in the transport direction is obtained by rg. The length L in the transport direction is used as the document size.

In step b12, the original aligning roller 8 and the conveying rollers 10, 25, 26 are stopped. In step b13, a document size that can be inserted is notified. For example, the information is displayed on the display device of the operation panel substrate 31 and notified. The document size that can be inserted is determined from the document transport length S3, that is, the length S3 from the document alignment roller 8 of the first transport path 2 to the final end of the third transport path 24, from the step b
The length corresponds to a length obtained by subtracting the length L of the document in the transport direction, which is the size of the document determined in step S11.

At step b14, for example, it is determined whether or not a print switch for instructing execution of a copying operation provided on operation panel board 31 has been turned on. When it is on, the process proceeds to step b15, and when it is not on, the process proceeds to step b20. In step b15, the transport rollers 10, 25, 26 rotate in reverse. In step b16, the original is aligned by the original alignment roller 8. In step b17, the transport rollers 10, 25 and 26 are stopped. At step b18, a copying operation is performed. When the copying operation is completed in step b19, the process returns to step b3. In step b20, it is determined whether or not the input / output sensor 5 is turned on. When it is turned on, that is, when a document is further inserted, the process proceeds to step b21, and when it is not turned on, the process returns to step b14. In step b21, the original loading roller 6, the original alignment roller 8, and the transport rollers 10, 25, 26 are rotated to carry in the original. In step b22, a time Tstop is set in the timer 45 to control the stop position of the document. The document is conveyed for this time Tstop and stops.

At step b23, the original alignment roller sensor 9
Is turned on, the process proceeds to step b24, and the timer 45 starts counting time to determine the size of the document. If the paper ejection sensor 5 is turned off in step b25, step b
Then, the process proceeds to step 26, where the original loading roller 6 is stopped. When the document alignment roller sensor 9 is turned off in step b27, the process proceeds to step b28, and the timer 45 stops counting time. In step b29, the document size is determined from the measured time Torg.

In step b30, the original aligning roller 8 and the conveying rollers 10, 25 and 26 are stopped. In step b31, a document size that can be inserted is notified. Here, the document size that can be inserted corresponds to a length obtained by subtracting the size of the second document determined in step b29 from the value notified in step b13 when the first document is inserted,
In the case where the third document is inserted, the length is obtained by subtracting the size of the third document from the size of the document that can be inserted when the second document is inserted. Document size.

At step b32, it is determined whether or not the print switch has been turned on. When it is on, the process proceeds to step b33, and when it is not on, the process returns to step b14. In step b33, the transport rollers 10, 25, 26 rotate in the reverse direction. In step b34, the original is aligned by the original alignment roller 8. Step b3
At 5, the transport rollers 10, 25 and 26 are stopped. At Step b36, a copying operation is performed. Step b37
When the copying operation ends, the process returns to step b3.

As described above, according to the eighteenth embodiment, a plurality of originals can be carried into the apparatus and an image can be formed. Based on the original transport path length S3 and the determination result of the original size, an image can be formed. The forming operation is controlled. There is no need to insert a document every time an image is formed, and operability is improved.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the copying operation of the copying apparatus according to the nineteenth embodiment of the present invention. First
In the copying apparatus according to the ninth embodiment, the copying operation is executed by a flowchart in which steps b38 to b42 are added to the flowcharts of FIGS. 33 and 34, and the description of the same steps is omitted.

When the operation of step b24 ends, the flow advances to step b38 to set a time Tstop in the timer 45 in order to limit the maximum length of the document, and start counting time.
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step b25. If it is determined in step b25 that the paper input / output sensor 5 has not been turned off, the process proceeds to step b40.
To the time T set by the time measured by the timer 45.
It is determined whether or not stop has elapsed. When it has elapsed, the process proceeds to step b41, and when it has not elapsed, the process returns to step b25. In step b41, a warning is issued that the document size is too large. For example, a warning is displayed and displayed on a display device or the like provided in the operation panel substrate 31. In step b42, the copying machine stops. When the operation in step b26 ends, the flow advances to step b39 to stop the document feeding roller 6. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step b27.

As described above, according to the nineteenth embodiment, the image forming operation is stopped when a document having a size longer than the document transport path length S3 is inserted, and the document transport path length S3
Control can be performed so that the image forming operation is executed when a document of a shorter size is inserted. Further, since the determination result of the document size is notified, if the image forming operation is stopped, the operator can take appropriate measures.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing the copying operation of the copying apparatus according to the twentieth embodiment of the present invention. Second
The copying apparatus according to the zeroth embodiment is configured in substantially the same manner as the copying apparatus according to the nineteenth embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, in particular, the transport path length S3 is shorter than the length L of the inserted document in the transport direction. And ejecting the inserted document when the document is inserted. In the copying apparatus according to the twentieth embodiment, steps b43 to b45 are added instead of steps b41 and b42 in the flowchart of the nineteenth embodiment, and the description of the same steps will be omitted.

At step b40, it is determined whether or not the time Tstop measured by the timer 45 has passed the set time Tstop. When the time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step b43. In step b43, the document loading roller 6, the document alignment roller 8
Then, the transport rollers 10, 25 and 26 are stopped. In step b44, the original loading roller 6, the original alignment roller 8
Then, the transport rollers 10, 25, 26 are rotated in the reverse direction. In step b45, after the original is carried out, the copying apparatus is stopped.

As described above, according to the twentieth embodiment, the original transport path length S3 is equal to the length L of the original inserted in the transport direction.
If it is shorter, the inserted document can be discharged and the image forming operation can be stopped.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a configuration of a copying apparatus 100s according to a twenty-first embodiment of the present invention. Copier 10
0 s causes the paper on which the image is formed to be conveyed away from the image reading surface provided on the first transport path 2, and the document is brought close to the image reading surface provided on the first transport path 2. It is characterized by being transported, and the moving means for this is realized by a fan.

More specifically, a fan motor 91 and a fan duct 92 are arranged along the first transport path 2 on the opposite side of the contact glass 7 from the SELFOC lens 20. The control circuit 30 rotates the fan motor 91 forward or backward, whereby air is blown or sucked through the fan duct 92. Therefore, a document passing between the contact glass 7 and the fan duct 92 can be brought close to the contact glass 7 or a sheet can be separated from the contact glass 7.

A plurality of insertion holes 93 are formed in the surface of the fan duct 92 as shown in FIG. The insertion holes 93 are arranged, for example, in a matrix. Further, a rib 94 is formed. The ribs 94 are arranged along the rows or columns of the insertion holes 93 arranged in a matrix.
It is arranged between the insertion holes 93.

The fan duct 92 is provided over the entire area of the first transport path 2 in the width direction, and the fan motor 91 is provided so as to face the contact glass 7 as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 40, it may be provided so as to be orthogonal to contact glass 7.

FIGS. 41 and 42 show the copying apparatus 100s
5 is a flowchart showing a copying operation of the embodiment. Step c1
Then, the manuscript is inserted. In step c2, the paper ejection sensor 5 is turned on. In step c3, the fan motor 91 rotates forward. As a result, the conveyed document is separated from the contact glass 7. At step c4, the document feed roller 6 rotates. In step c5, the document alignment roller 8 rotates. In step c6, the document alignment roller sensor 9 is turned on. In step c7, the transport rollers 10, 25, 26 rotate. In step c8,
The document alignment roller sensor 9 is turned off. In step c9, the fan motor 91 stops.

In step c10, the transport rollers 10, 2
5, 26 rotate in reverse. In step c11, the document alignment roller sensor 9 is turned on. In step c12, the document enters a standby state. That is, the document alignment roller 8 is stopped. In step c13, the fan motor 9 rotates in the reverse direction. Thus, the conveyed document approaches the contact glass 7.

At Step c14, Step c described later is executed.
When the paper input sensor 12 is turned on at 20, the original alignment roller 8 and the original call-in roller 6 rotate in the reverse direction. In step c15, exposure for image reading is started in synchronization with the timing of step c23 described later. In step c16, the document alignment roller sensor 9 is turned off. In step c17, the exposure for a predetermined time is completed.
In step c18, the document is discharged.

On the other hand, in step c19, a sheet is inserted. In step c20, the paper input sensor 12 is turned on. In step c21, the sheet feeding roller 13 rotates. In Step c22, the paper alignment roller 14 rotates. In step c23, the transfer operation is executed in synchronization with the timing of step c15. In Step c24, a fixing operation is performed. In step c25, the transport rollers 10, 25, 26 rotate in the reverse direction. At step c26, the document alignment roller sensor 9 is turned on.
In step c27, the fan motor 91 rotates forward.
The paper conveyed by this is separated from the contact glass 7. In step c28, the document alignment roller 8 and the document feed roller 6 rotate in the reverse direction. In step c29, the document alignment roller sensor 9 is turned off. Step c
At 30, the paper is discharged following the original.

As described above, according to the twenty-first embodiment, the sheet on which an image has been formed by the fan can be easily transported away from the contact glass 7 provided on the first transport path 2. No more soiling. Further, since the original can be easily conveyed by the fan in the vicinity of the contact glass 7 provided on the first conveying path 2, the focal length at the time of reading the image can be easily adjusted and a high-resolution image can be formed.

FIG. 43 is a diagram showing a configuration of a copying apparatus 100t according to a twenty-second embodiment of the present invention. Copier 10
0t, as in the copying apparatus 100s, causes the paper on which the image is formed to be conveyed away from the image reading surface provided on the first conveyance path 2 and the image is provided on the first conveyance path 2 It is characterized in that it is conveyed in the vicinity of the reading surface, and for this purpose, it is characterized in that a conveying roller for conveying the paper and the document provided in the vicinity of the image reading surface is moved.

Specifically, the original aligning roller 8 is moved,
As shown in FIG. 44A, the document aligning roller 8 is held by the connecting member 96 and connected to the solenoid 95. When the solenoid 95 is turned on or off, the document aligning roller 8 is moved in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the document and paper transported by this can be moved toward or away from the contact glass 7.

In addition, not only the original aligning roller 8 but also the original call-in roller 6 may be moved. As shown in FIG. 44 (B), the original call-in roller 6 and the original aligning roller 8 are supported by a support member 98. The support member 98 and the solenoid 9
5 may be connected by a connecting plate 97.
Thereby, it can be transported more stably.

FIGS. 45 and 46 show the copying apparatus 100t.
5 is a flowchart showing a copying operation of the embodiment. This flowchart replaces steps c3, c9, c13 and c27 of the flowcharts of FIGS. 41 and 42 with step c.
31 to c33 are added, and the description of the same steps is omitted.

When step c2 ends, step c31 is reached.
To turn on the solenoid 95 and proceed to step c4. The document conveyed by this is a contact glass 7
Depart from. When step c8 ends, step c3 ends.
Proceeding to step 2, the solenoid 95 is turned off and step c10 is performed.
Proceed to. When the solenoid 95 is turned off, the conveyed document approaches the contact glass 7. When step c12 ends, the process proceeds to step c14. When step c26 ends, the process proceeds to step c33, where the solenoid 95 is turned on, and the process proceeds to step c28. The paper conveyed by this is separated from the contact glass 7.

As described above, according to the twenty-second embodiment, the original aligning roller 8, which is a transport roller for transporting the paper and the original provided near the contact glass 7, is moved or the original aligning roller 8 is moved. The paper is moved to the first position by moving
The document can be easily transported away from the contact glass 7 provided on the transport path 2, and the document can be easily transported close to the contact glass 7 provided on the first transport path 2.

FIG. 47 is a diagram showing a configuration of a copying apparatus 100u according to a twenty-third embodiment of the present invention. Copier 10
Numeral 0u indicates that the paper on which the image has been formed is transported away from the image reading surface provided on the first transport path 2 and the document is provided on the first transport path 2 in the same manner as in the copying apparatus 100s. It is characterized in that it is transported close to the reading surface, and for this purpose, the contact glass 7 as the image reading surface is moved.

Specifically, the contact glass 7 is connected to the solenoid 99 by the connecting member 100. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4A, when the solenoid 99 is off, the contact glass 7 approaches the first transport path 2 and
As shown in FIG. 8B, when the solenoid 99 is turned on, the contact glass 7
It moves away from the transport path 2.

FIGS. 49 and 50 show a copying apparatus 100u
5 is a flowchart showing a copying operation of the embodiment. This flowchart replaces steps c3, c9, c13 and c27 of the flowcharts of FIGS. 41 and 42 with step c.
34 to c36 are added, and the description of the same steps is omitted.

When step c2 ends, step c34 is reached.
To turn on the solenoid 99 and go to step c4. The document conveyed by this is a contact glass 7
Depart from. When step c8 ends, step c3 ends.
Proceed to step 5 to turn off the solenoid 99 and step c10
Proceed to. The document conveyed by turning off the solenoid 99 approaches the contact glass 7. When step c12 ends, the process proceeds to step c14. When step c26 ends, the process proceeds to step c36, where the solenoid 99 is turned on, and the process proceeds to step c28. The paper conveyed by this is separated from the contact glass 7.

As described above, according to the twenty-third embodiment, by moving the contact glass 7, the paper can be easily transported away from the contact glass 7 provided on the first transport path 2, and the original can be moved. Can be easily transported close to the contact glass 7 provided on the first transport path 2.

[0198]

As described above, according to the present invention, the original inserted from the first opening is discharged from the first opening again after the image is read when passing through the first transport path, and the document is inserted into the second opening. An image is formed on the sheet inserted from the first passage when the sheet passes through the second transport path, and is discharged from the first opening. By arranging the first and second transport paths in parallel with each other, the image reading position is not disposed above the transfer position, and therefore, heat at the time of fixing is not transmitted to the image reading position, and is disposed near the image reading position. It is possible to prevent deformation of various parts made of resin, and to prevent deterioration of optical performance of a lens or the like included in the image reading means. Therefore, the image can be read with high accuracy, and an image with high image quality can be formed.
In addition, the length of the image forming apparatus in the transport path direction can be made relatively short. For example, as a vertical type, the document and paper insertion / ejection ports can be arranged at the same height as the desk, and operation can be performed. The performance is improved. The operator can execute the task without feeling oppressed. Further, the apparatus can be arranged in a small space as a horizontal type.

Also, according to the present invention, an image can be formed by controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus.

Further, according to the present invention, by providing the third transport path, the length of the first transport path can be shortened, and the apparatus can be further downsized.

Further, according to the present invention, the document can be transported smoothly by forming the document transport path in a relatively gentle curved shape.

Further, according to the present invention, since the sheet is cooled and passes through the first transport path, it is possible to prevent toner from adhering to the contact glass or the like of the image reading means, and to always clean the image reading means. Can be kept in condition.

Further, according to the present invention, since the static eliminator is provided on the first transport path, it is possible to neutralize the original and the paper with a single static eliminator, thereby simplifying the configuration of the apparatus and downsizing. The manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, since the relationship between the length of the conveyance path and the length of the original document is optimized, an image can be formed reliably.

Further, according to the present invention, the sheet is not discharged until the document is removed from the first opening, and the rear end of the previously discharged document is moved to the front end of the sheet discharged later. Scattered in the vicinity of the apparatus.

Further, according to the present invention, since the detection result is notified by the notification means, it is possible to reliably recognize the discharge state of the original and the sheet.

Further, according to the present invention, since the document and the sheet are separated and discharged by the separating means, it is possible to recognize whether the discharged sheet is a document or a sheet.

Further, according to the present invention, whether the separated and ejected document is a document or a sheet is notified, so that whether the ejected document is a document or a sheet is reliably determined. Can be recognized.

According to the present invention, the paper is discharged from the second opening, so that the original and the paper can be discharged separately.

According to the present invention, the inserted document is discharged when the paper is not inserted within the predetermined period, so that the image forming operation to be performed thereafter can be smoothly performed. Can be.

Further, according to the present invention, by operating the forcible discharging means, the inserted document or sheet can be forcibly discharged and the image forming operation can be stopped.

Further, according to the present invention, based on the detection result of the front / back detection means, for example, when an original is inserted with the image side facing down or when the image forming side of the paper is inserted with the face down, the image forming operation is performed. Can be stopped.

Further, according to the present invention, the image forming apparatus can be used as a horizontal type by arranging the first opening vertically above the second opening.

Further, according to the present invention, the image forming apparatus can be used as a horizontal type by arranging the first opening vertically below the second opening. Since the paper insertion slot is located at the top and the document insertion / ejection slot is located at the bottom, the image surface faces upward when the document is inserted and when the document and paper are ejected. It is possible to easily confirm an error, whether the image forming operation has been performed accurately and reliably, and the like. In addition, since the original or paper is ejected from a position relatively close to the installation surface of the apparatus, even if the ejected original or paper is left in a state where the trailing edge is held, the curl of the original or paper is likely to occur. It can be difficult to stick.

According to the present invention, when the first opening is disposed below the second opening in the vertical direction, the image forming means is disposed vertically above the image reading means. Since the paper is attracted to the belt-shaped transfer means by the means, the paper on which the toner image or the like has been transferred can be reliably transported to the fixing means.

Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of originals can be inserted, and there is no need to insert the originals each time an image is formed, thereby improving operability.

Further, according to the present invention, the image forming operation is performed based on the length of the original transport path and the result of the determination by the original size determining means when, for example, an original longer than the original transport path length is inserted. It is possible to control so as to stop the image forming operation when a document having a size shorter than the length of the document transport path is inserted.

Further, according to the present invention, the judgment result of the document size judging means is notified, so that the operator can take appropriate measures.

Further, according to the present invention, when the length of the document transport path is shorter than the length of the inserted document in the transport direction,
The inserted document is discharged, and the image forming operation is stopped.

According to the present invention, the sheet on which an image is formed is transported away from the image reading surface.
The image reading surface is not stained with the formed image.

Further, according to the present invention, since the original is conveyed in the vicinity of the image reading surface, it is possible to easily form a focal length at the time of image reading and to form a high-resolution image.

According to the present invention, the sheet on which an image is formed can be easily transported away from the image reading surface by the fan, and the original can be transported close to the image reading surface.

Further, according to the present invention, it is also possible to move the paper and document transport rollers provided near the image reading surface.

According to the present invention, it is also possible to move the image reading surface.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a copying apparatus 100a according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the copying apparatus 100a.

FIG. 3 illustrates a copying apparatus 100b according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a copying apparatus in which a third transport path is arranged along the first transport path on the opposite side of the first transport path from the second transport path;

FIG. 5 illustrates a copying apparatus 100c according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a copying apparatus 100d according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a copying apparatus 100e according to another example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a document and sheet discharging operation of a copying apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a copying apparatus 100f according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a document lamp 71a and a paper lamp 72a of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a document and sheet discharging operation of the copying apparatus 100f.

FIG. 11 shows a copying apparatus 100 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of a first opening 1 of FIG.

FIG. 12 shows a copying apparatus 100 according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a document lamp 71b and a paper lamp 72b of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a document and sheet discharging operation of the copying apparatus 100h.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams showing a configuration of a copying apparatus 100i according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an original and sheet discharging operation of the copying apparatus 100i.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a document and sheet discharging operation of a copying apparatus according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 shows a copying apparatus 10 according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a document discharge button 81 for designating forcible discharge of a document with 0j inserted.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a document discharging operation of the copying apparatus 100j.

FIG. 19 shows a copying apparatus 10 according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a sheet discharge button 82 for designating forcible discharge of a sheet inserted with 0k.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a document discharging operation of the copying apparatus 100k.

FIG. 21 shows a copying apparatus 10 according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the structure of 0m.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a document conveying operation and a copying operation of the copying apparatus 100m.

FIG. 23 shows a copying apparatus 10 according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of 0n.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a sheet conveying operation and a copying operation of the copying apparatus 100n.

FIG. 25 shows a copying apparatus 10 according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the structure of 0p.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a copying operation of the copying apparatus 100p.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a copying operation of the copying apparatus 100p.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a copying operation of the copying apparatus 100p.

FIG. 29 shows a copying apparatus 10 according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the structure of 0q.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a copying apparatus 100q.

FIG. 31 shows a copying apparatus 10 according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure showing the composition of 0r.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a copying apparatus 100r.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a copying operation of the copying apparatus according to the eighteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a copying operation of the copying apparatus according to the eighteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a copying operation of the copying apparatus according to the nineteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing a copying operation of the copying apparatus according to the twentieth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37 shows a copying apparatus 10 according to a twenty-first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the structure of 0s.

FIG. 38 is a view showing a fan duct 92.

FIG. 39 is a view showing a fan motor 91.

FIG. 40 is a view showing another fan motor 91.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing a copying operation of the copying apparatus 100s.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing a copying operation of the copying apparatus 100s.

FIG. 43 shows a copying apparatus 10 according to a twenty-second embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the structure of 0t.

44A is a diagram showing a configuration for moving the original alignment roller 8, and FIG. 44B is a diagram showing a configuration for moving the original loading roller 6 and the original alignment roller 8. FIG. FIG.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing a copying operation of the copying apparatus 100t.

FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing a copying operation of the copying apparatus 100t.

FIG. 47 shows a copying apparatus 10 according to a twenty-third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of the 0u.

FIG. 48 is a view showing how the contact glass 7 moves.

FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing a copying operation of the copying apparatus 100u.

FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing a copying operation of the copying apparatus 100u.

FIG. 51 is a diagram showing a configuration of a copying apparatus 200 according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st opening 2 1st conveyance path 3 2nd opening 4 2nd conveyance path 5 Document input / output sensor 6 Document call-in roller 7 Contact glass 8 Document alignment roller 9 Document alignment roller sensor 10, 25, 26, 74 Transport roller REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 confluence point 12 paper input sensor 13 paper feeding roller 14 paper alignment roller 15, 86 transfer charger 16 transport belt 17 fixing device 18 photoconductor drum 19 developing device 20 selfoc lens 21, 57 light source lamp 22 image reading unit 23 image forming unit 23 Unit 24 Third transfer path 27, 76, 77 Switching gate 30 Control circuit 31 Operation panel board 32 AC code 33 Various motors 34 Clutch and solenoid for switching gate 35 AE sensor board 36 Charging charger 37 Peeling charger 38 Power supply circuit 39 Motor control circuit 40 Clutch and solenoid control circuit 41 Bias circuit 42 CPU 43 RAM 44 ROM 45 Timer 46 Operation panel control circuit 47 Sensor control circuit 48 Copy lamp control circuit 49 High voltage circuit 50 Heater lamp control circuit 51 Developing bias (DVB) 52 Toner control sensor (TCS) ) 53 Heater lamp (HL) 54 Thermistor (RTH) 55, 56 Light amount detection sensor 61 Cooling unit 62 Cooling air blowing unit 63 Cooling air suction unit 64 Static elimination unit 71a, 71b Document lamp 72a, 72b Paper lamp 73 Separating arm 75 4 Conveyance Path 81 Document Eject Button 82 Paper Eject Button 85 Transfer Belt 87 Static Elimination Charger 88 Suction Device 91 Fan Motor 92 Fan Duct 93 Insert 94 ribs 95 and 99 the solenoid 96, 100 connecting member 97 connecting plate 98 support

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Shinji Kawamura 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Naoyuki Kamei 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka In the company

Claims (27)

[Claims] An image reading means and an image forming means arranged along a transport path, wherein an image drawn on a document is read by the image reading means, and the read image is formed on a sheet by the image forming means. In the image forming apparatus, the transport path has a first opening that opens to the outside of the apparatus, a first transport path in which the image reading unit is disposed in close proximity, and a parallel with the first transport path. , One end of which merges with one end of the first transport path and opens to the outside of the apparatus.
A second transport path having an opening, wherein the image forming unit is disposed in close proximity to the document, wherein the document is inserted from the first aperture, and an image is read when passing through the first transport path. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the sheet is inserted again from the second opening, the sheet is inserted from the second opening, an image is formed when the sheet passes through the second transport path, and then the sheet is discharged from the first opening. apparatus. 2. A document loading operation is started when a document is inserted through the first opening, and a sheet transporting operation is started when a sheet is inserted through the second opening, and a loading direction of the inserted document is started. When the rear end passes through the image reading position of the image reading means, the document carrying-in operation is stopped, and the document is carried in the carrying-out direction opposite to the carrying-in direction in synchronization with the carrying-out operation of the inserted sheet. An unloading operation is started, an image is read when the unloaded document passes the image reading position, a read image is formed on a sheet that has been transported and has reached the image forming position of the image forming unit, and the document after the image reading is read. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image forming control unit configured to discharge the sheet on which an image is formed from the first opening by the unloading operation, and then to discharge the sheet on which the image is formed from the first opening by the conveying operation. Image forming apparatus. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third transport path for document transport that is provided downstream of the confluence of the first and second transport paths in the document loading direction and is different from the second transport path. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 4. The image according to claim 3, wherein the third transport path is arranged along the second transport path on the opposite side of the second transport path from the first transport path. Forming equipment. 5. The image forming unit includes: a transfer unit that transfers an image to a sheet; a fixing unit that heats and fixes the transferred image on the sheet; and a cooling unit that cools the sheet on which the image is fixed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said discharging means for discharging the electric charges on the original and the paper is provided between a junction of the first and second transport paths and a first opening. Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the length L of the document that can be inserted into the image forming apparatus in the transport direction is selected to be equal to or less than the sum of the first transport path length and the second transport path length. 2. The image forming apparatus according to 1. 8. An image forming apparatus comprising: a discharge detecting unit configured to detect a start and a completion of discharge of the document and the sheet; wherein the image forming control unit controls the sheet conveyance in response to the detection of the document discharge start by the sheet discharge detecting unit. The operation is stopped, the paper transport operation is started in response to the detection of the completion of the document discharge, the paper transport operation is stopped in response to the detection of the start of the paper discharge, and a series of image forming is performed in response to the detection of the completion of the paper discharge. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein it is determined that the operation has been completed. 9. An image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying a detection result of said sheet discharge detecting unit. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a separating unit configured to separate the document and the sheet and discharge the separated document from a first opening. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a notifying unit that discriminates and notifies the document and the sheet separated and discharged by the separating unit. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a conveying unit configured to discharge the sheet from the second opening. 13. A method for determining whether a sheet has been inserted within a predetermined period after the document is inserted, wherein the image forming control unit determines a predetermined period based on a determination result of the determination unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the sheet is not inserted into the printer, the inserted document is discharged. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a forcible discharge unit for forcibly discharging the inserted document or sheet. 15. An image forming apparatus, comprising: front and back detection means for detecting the front and back of the inserted document or sheet; wherein the image formation control means controls an image forming operation based on a detection result of the front and back detection means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. 16. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second transport paths are disposed in a substantially horizontal direction, and the first opening is disposed vertically above the second opening. 2. The image forming apparatus according to 1. 17. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the first and second transport paths are disposed in a substantially horizontal direction, and the first opening is disposed below the second opening in a vertical direction. 2. The image forming apparatus according to 1. 18. The image forming unit includes: a band-shaped transfer unit that transfers an image to a sheet; a suction unit that suctions a sheet to the band-shaped transfer unit; and a fixing unit that fixes the transferred image to the sheet. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising: 19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein an image can be formed by inserting a plurality of originals into the apparatus. 20. A document size determination unit for determining a document size based on a length of an inserted document in a transport direction, wherein the image formation control unit determines a length of a document transport path and a determination result of the document size determination unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming operation is controlled based on the following. 21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying a result of the determination by said document size determining unit. 22. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the image forming control means discharges the inserted document when the length of the document transport path is shorter than the length of the inserted document in the transport direction. Image forming apparatus. 23. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a moving unit that conveys the sheet on which the image is formed, away from an image reading surface provided on the first conveyance path. 24. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a moving unit configured to convey the document close to an image reading surface provided on the first conveyance path. 25. An image forming apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said moving means is a fan. 26. The image forming apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the moving unit moves a transport roller provided for transporting a sheet and a document provided in proximity to the image reading surface. 27. The image forming apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the moving unit moves the image reading surface.