JPS58207251A - Copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To assuredly prevent paper jamming by detecting the size of a copy sheet, and guiding the copy sheet to a receiving tray for sheets not to be sorted when the sheet is larger than a regular size. CONSTITUTION:A circuit for deciding the size of a copy sheet includes a counter 10 for counting output signals of an oscillator 9 input through an AND circuit 8 to detect the longitudinal size of the copy sheet, a paper size setting device 11 for setting a limit value for the longitudinal size of the copy sheet as an electric signal, a comparator 12 for comparing a preset value of the setting device 11 with the count value of the counter 10 and outputting a signal when the former is larger than the latter, and an AND circuit 16 for energizing a solenoid 6 through a transistor 15 when an output signal of a flip-flop 13 triggered by the output signal and a sorter signal are output simultaneously. In this arrangement, the size of the transported copy sheet is detected, and if the size is larger than a regular size, the copy sheet is guided to a receiving tray for copy sheets not to be sorted, so as to prevent paper jamming in a sorter.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] The present invention relates to a copying machine equipped with a sorter.

For copying machines equipped with a sorter, the size of the copy paper that can be stored in the T tray of the sorter is limited, If an attempt is made to store paper having a certain size into the tray, a paper jam will occur within the sorter.

Conventionally, therefore, a method has been implemented in which the size of the two-inch paper is checked in advance depending on the type of paper storage cassette, and if the size of the paper exceeds the specified size, the use of the sorter is prohibited. However, although this method is effective when standard copy paper (85 size, A4 size, etc.) is used, it is not possible to completely prevent paper jams when non-standard copy paper is used. It was difficult.

That is, when a so-called universal cassette that can store various sizes is used as a paper storage cassette, when non-standard copy paper is stored in the cassette, the copying machine detects the four formats of the paper. Can not. Therefore, when a non-standard size copy sheet larger than the specified size is conveyed, the sheet is fed into the sorter, resulting in a paper jam.

In view of this situation, it is an object of the present invention to provide a copying machine that can reliably prevent paper from becoming sticky in the sorter, no matter what size of copy paper is used.

In order to achieve this object, the present invention detects the size of the copy paper being conveyed into the sorter, and if the size is larger than a predetermined size, the copy paper is guided to the non-collation tray. There is.

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to illustrated embodiments.

As conceptually shown in FIG. 1, the copying machine according to the present invention has a copy paper transport path (indicated by a chain line in the figure) from a copy paper storage cassette 1.2 to a gate section 4 of a sorter 3. A limit switch 5 is provided at a suitable place on the way, for example, in the middle of the conveyance path between the cassette 1.2 and the drum 5, and this switch 5
is pressed against the surface of the copy paper being conveyed.

Further, the gate portion 4 is provided with a guide pawl 7 which is rotated by the solenoid 6 in the direction shown by the imaginary line.

FIG. 2 shows a small circuit for determining the size of the copy paper based on the open/close signal of the limit switch 5, and this circuit receives the output signal (clock signal) of the oscillator 9 which is outputted via the AND circuit 8. a counter 10 for counting the length of the C copy paper in the conveyance direction; a paper length setting device 11 for setting the limit value for the length of the copy paper in the conveyance direction as an electric signal (for example, BCD'l-code); A comparator 12 that compares the set value of the setting device and the counted value of the first distribution counter 10 and outputs a signal when the latter is larger than the former, and a knob 70 that is triggered by the output signal of the comparator. , has a configuration including an AND circuit 16 that energizes the solenoid 6 via a transistor 15 when the output signal of the flip 70 knob 13 and a sorter signal to be described later are output simultaneously.

The limit value set by the paper length setting device 11 indicates the length of the paper in the transport direction that indicates the maximum size of copy paper that can be stored in each of the trays 141 to 14 for each of the sorter 3. There is.

In a copying machine having such a configuration, when a run signal is output from a start switch (not shown) on the operation panel of the copying machine, the counter 10 and the flip 70 knob 13 are reset, and at the same time, the output from the cassette 1 or 2 is reset. Copy paper is carried out. Then, while the surface of the sheet being conveyed presses the actuator of the limit switch 5, the counter 10 counts the front-distribution O-check signal. The counted value of this counter 10 is calculated when the paper side is the switch 5.
This indicates the time during which the paper is pressed, but since the transport speed of the paper is constant regardless of its size, it ultimately represents the length of the paper in the transport direction.

Let us now consider the case where the sorter selection switch (not shown) on the operation panel is in the OFF state, that is, the sorter signal is n OII. In such a case, the solenoid 6 is deenergized regardless of the comparison result of the comparator 12, so that
The guide pawl 7 holds the stack shown by the solid line. As a result,
The copy paper is guided by the mold 7 and stored in the non-collation tray 17 regardless of its own size.

Next, if the sorter selection switch is turned on and a sorter signal of logic level "1" is output to the switch, and at that time the value of the counter 10 is smaller than the set value of the setting device 11, Since no signal is output by the primary comparator 12, the flip-flop 13 maintains the reset state.

Therefore, in such a case, the solenoid 6 is continuously operated (J9PI) via the distribution circuit 16, and the mold 7 is accordingly rotated to Ih as shown by the imaginary line. Therefore, the copy sheets conveyed to the gate section 4 of the sorter 3 are further conveyed into the sorter and placed next to the sorting FM (not shown).
It is stored within +. Since the copy paper stored in the tray 1 is smaller than the specified size, paper jams will not occur during storage.

Thus, if the comparison results of the comparator 12 for the copy sheets sequentially carried out from the cassettes 1 or 2 are all 0'', those sheets are carried into the sorter 3 in the same manner as described above, Sequential saucer 141.142,
It will be stored in...

Next, from the counter 1 or 2, the collation tray 1 is
Assuming that standard or non-standard copy paper with a length longer than the specified size that cannot be stored is carried out between the 41st and the 14th, and at this time the sorter signal is "1", in such a case the comparator 12 Since a signal of logic level "1" is outputted, the flip 70 knob 13 is set. Therefore, from this setting point, the solenoid 6 is deenergized and the guide claw 7 returns to the position shown by the solid line. As a result, the copy paper is stored in the non-collation tray 17.

In this way, when paper larger than the specified size is delivered from the cassette, all of the paper is automatically ejected to the non-collation tray, thereby reliably preventing paper jams in the sorter. Ru.

Note that it is of course possible to use a seven-point sensor instead of the limit switch 5 shown in the above embodiment. Further, since the count value of the counter 10 indicates the passage time of the copy paper, a timer circuit activated by the limit switch 5 may be used instead of the setting device 11.

Furthermore, the control by wired logic control circuits such as the AND circuit 8, 16, counter 10, paper length setter 11, comparator 12, flip-flop 13, etc. can be replaced with program control using one microphone and a computer.

According to the copying machine according to the present invention, as shown in Part 2 above, the standard format,
All copy sheets that cannot be stored in the T-folding tray regardless of their non-standard size are automatically discharged to the non-collating tray. Therefore, paper jams in the sorter can be effectively prevented.
That's how practical it is.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of a copying machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a paper size determination circuit that operates a solenoid for driving a guide claw. 1.2... Paper storage cassette, 3... Sorter, 4
...Gate part, 5...Limit switch, 6...
Solenoid, 7... Guide claw, 9... Oscillator, 10.
... Counter, 11... Paper length setting device, 12... Comparator, 13... Flip 70 knob, 141 to 14 days.
...Sauce tray for T stand, 17...Non-collation saucer. 21

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a copying machine equipped with a sorter, means for detecting the size of copy paper conveyed toward the sorter, and means for setting the maximum size of copy paper that can be stored in the T tray of the sorter; Comparing means outputs a signal when the detected value of the dimension detecting means is larger than the setting value of the dimension setting means, and a comparison means is activated by the output signal of the comparison means to prevent copy paper having a size larger than the maximum dimension. A copying machine comprising means for guiding to a collation tray. (2) A patent claim characterized in that the dimension detecting means comprises a limit switch that is pressed and activated by the surface of the copy paper being conveyed, and a counter that counts clock signals only when the limit switch is activated. The range of (
Copying machine described in item 1).