JPS59194944A - Paper feeding apparatus for copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To permit a business sheet having a certain size to be used as a business sheet having two kinds of sizes by installing a business-sheet cutting means into a business-sheet transport passage contiguous to a cassette mounting part, and arranging, in parallel and in branched form, a temporary accommodation and transport passage for the residual business sheet in an intermediate business sheet transport passage connected to the above-described business-sheet transport passage. CONSTITUTION:If A4-size business sheets are to be used when A3-size business sheets are accommodated in a cassette 1, the A3-size business sheets separately transported by a paper-sheet feeding roller 5 are transported to a central transport passage C through a pair of resist rollers 27 and 27'. In this case, the top edge of the business sheet is detected by sensor 23, and a cam 14 is turned by one revolution, synchronized to cut the length of the business sheet to the half size according to the detection signal, and the business sheet is cut to the half size in the cooperation of the upper and the lower cutters 12 and 11 to obtain an A4-size business sheets. The A4-size business sheet in the front half is transported into a photosensitive part through a transport passage E, and the residual A4-size business sheet in the latter half is transported into an upper-side transport passage B and stored temporarily by closing the central transport passage C by driving a change-over valve 15 and setting said transport passage B into opened state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a paper feeding device using a cassette for a copying machine or the like.

Copying machines are generally used to make same-size copies of originals of various sizes, or to make variable-sized copies of specific originals, for example, to reduce the size of an A4-sized original to a B5-sized one.
In order to perform variable magnification copying such as enlarging a B5 size original to A4 size, it is necessary to be able to supply copy sheets of various sizes.

Conventionally, in order to cope with such a request, (1) a means of using roll paper and cutting it into a desired length with a cutter and supplying it, or (2) a means of one-to-one correspondence with each rise of paper. A method is used in which a plurality of cassettes are prepared and sheets of different sizes are supplied by selectively using each cassette. However, when method (1) is used, the roll paper must be stored inside the copying machine main body, which increases the size of the machine main body, and furthermore, when paper of different widths is required, different There are drawbacks such as the need to convert the width of paper into roll paper and the work is complicated, and when method (2) is used, there is a case where one center mounting part is provided on the copying machine body. However, replacing the cassettes to select the desired paper size is frequent and cumbersome.In addition, if multiple cassette mounting sections are provided so that cassettes with high usability can be simultaneously mounted on the copying machine main body, the main body of the machine becomes difficult to replace. There are drawbacks such as increased size and complexity.

The present invention was made in order to eliminate such drawbacks of paper feeding devices in conventional copying machines, etc., and a cutter for cutting the paper is disposed in the copy paper conveyance path, and furthermore, the remaining cut paper at the end of copying is temporarily removed. Provided is a paper feeding device for a copying machine, etc., in which a storage conveyance path for storing storage docks is arranged parallel to the main conveyance path, and paper of two sizes can be supplied using - cassettes, thereby reducing the frequency of replacing cassettes. The purpose is to

The present invention will be explained in detail below based on an embodiment. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a paper feeding device of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a cassette containing copy paper 2, which is mounted on a main body 30 of the copying machine and a center mounting base 4. Reference numeral 5 denotes a paper feed roller that feeds the paper 2 in the cassette 1 to the photosensitive drum 6.
The sheet 2 is fed toward a transfer section formed by disposing a corona discharger 7 for transfer, and 8 is a spring for pressing the sheet 2 against the sheet feeding roller 5. Reference numerals 9 and 10 denote an upper paper guide and a lower paper guide that are installed adjacent to the cassette mounting base 4 and form the paper transport path A. 1
Reference numeral 1 designates a lower cutter, the leading edge portion 11' of which has a width corresponding to the maximum width of the copying paper used, and is provided on the lower paper guide 9 so as to be perpendicular to the paper traveling direction. It is arranged within the hole so as not to protrude into the paper conveyance path A. Reference numeral 12 designates an upper cutter, which has the same width as the tip blade portion 11' of the lower cutter 11, and includes a tip blade portion 12' that cooperates with the tip portion 11', and an arm portion 12 that supports the blade portion 12'.
As shown in FIG. 2, the arm portion 12''
One end of the arm portion 1 is rotatably attached to the shaft.
2'' is tensioned with a spring 13, and is arranged so as to be in contact with an eccentric cam 14. When the cam 14 is not in operation, the spring 13 causes the tip end portion 12' to
is positioned in a hole provided in the upper paper guide 9 so as not to protrude into the paper transport path A, and when the cam 14 rotates, the arm part 12'' is moved against the spring 13. Rotate to the position shown by the broken line, bring the tip blade part 12' into contact with the tip blade part 11' of the lower cutter 11, and
It is constructed so that it can cut the paper as it passes through.

The leading end of the conveyance path A formed by the upper and lower paper guides 9 and 10 is branched and connected to three paper conveyance paths: an upper conveyance path B, a central conveyance path C, and a lower conveyance path. is provided with a first conversion valve 15 for switching between the central transport path C and the upper transport path B, and a second conversion valve 16 for switching between the central transport path C and the lower transport path. 1st
As shown in FIG. 3, the second conversion valves 15 and 16 are comprised of a closing plate rotatably mounted with rotating shafts 15' and 16' protruding from both ends, respectively. Shafts 15', 16'
Arms 15'' and 16'' are fixed to one side of the solenoid 1, respectively, and the ends of the arms 15'' and 16''
7.18 plungers 17' and 18', respectively. A spring 19 is stretched between each arm 15'' and 16'', and a solenoid 17.18
If neither of them is biased, the spring 19 drives the tips of the closing plates of the first and second conversion valves 15 and 16 in the direction of opening each other, and as shown in FIG. It is configured to block the path B and the lower conveyance path and connect the paper conveyance path A to the central conveyance path C. In addition, by energizing one solenoid 17, the first conversion valve 15 is rotated against the spring 19, and as shown in FIG. 5, the central conveyance path C is closed and the upper conveyance path B is opened. When the other solenoid 18 is energized, the second conversion valve 16 rotates, closing the central conveying path C and opening the lower conveying path, as shown in FIG. .

In the upper conveyance path B, a pair of conveyance rollers 20, 20' and a sensor 21, such as a photo sensor for detecting paper, are arranged downstream of the pair of conveyance rollers 20 and 20'. .22', and a sensor 23 is arranged on the upstream side thereof, and two pairs of transport rollers 24, 24' and 25, 25', and a sensor 23 between the rollers are arranged on the lower transport path. 26 are arranged.

Then, the tips of the upper, middle, and lower transport paths B and O1D merge again and are connected to the transport path E. Note that each of the upper and lower transport paths B and D has a length that can accommodate A4 size copy paper, and the lower transport path has a length that can accommodate B5 size paper. As shown, two pairs of conveying rollers are provided.

The conveyance path E is for conveying the paper to the transfer section consisting of the transfer corona discharger 7, and includes 27, 27' and 28.
, 4' are a pair of first and second registration rollers for aligning the leading edge of the paper 2, and are disposed near the entrances of the transport path A and the transport path E, respectively. In addition, 29.29′
is a pair of conveyance rollers provided on the conveyance path E.

The paper feeding device configured in this way has 4 cassettes and 2 cassettes.
It is possible to selectively supply different types of paper. That is, for example, when installing an A3 centerpiece, A3, A4
Paper sizes can be selectively supplied, and when a B4 cassette is installed, B4 and B5 size paper can be selectively supplied.

Next, the specific operation of the paper feeding device having this configuration will be explained. First, a case will be described in which an A3 cassette is mounted on the mounting base 4 of the copying machine main body and A3 size paper is selectively supplied. In this case, the paper 2 is separated from the cassette 1 by the paper feed roller 5 and fed toward the transport path A.
The tips of the rollers collide with the temporarily stopped pair of Luzi rollers 27, 27', and are aligned. Next, it is conveyed within the conveyance path A by a pair of lugi rollers 27 and 27' which are rotated in synchronization with the exposure process. In this case, neither of the solenoids 17 and 18 is energized, and therefore, the central transport path C is open, so the paper 2 is carried from the transport path A to the central transport path C, and the paper 2 is transferred from the transport path At C, the paper is transported by a pair of transport rollers 22 and 22' and reaches the transport path E.

In the conveyance path E, the second registration roller pair 28.28' and the conveyance roller pair 29.29', which do not perform alignment in this case,
The document is conveyed by a transfer corona discharger 7 and supplied to a transfer section, where the document image formed on the photosensitive drum 6 is transferred, and is discharged to a paper discharge tray via a fixing device.

When a B4 cassette is mounted on the cassette mounting table 4 and B4 size paper is selectively fed, the feeding operation is exactly the same as the feeding operation in the case of A3.

Next, a case will be described in which an A3 cassette is installed and A4 size paper is selectively supplied. The A3 size paper separated and fed from the A3 cassette by the paper feed roller 5 is first transferred to the first pair of rigid rollers 27.2 provided in the transport path A, similar to the case where A3 size paper is selectively fed.
7' aligns the tips, and in this case, solenoid 1
7.18 are both inactive, so they are transported toward the central transport path C. The leading edge of the paper carried into the central conveyance path C is detected by the sensor 23, and based on the detection signal, the length of the paper is halved, that is, the length of the paper is cut by the pair 22.
．． 22' and the paper is moved to the roller pair 22.22.
', while the second roller pair 27 and 27' and the paper feed roller 5 have stopped driving.
These are in a state where they are rotated by the paper being conveyed. Paper 2 is cut by the operation of the upper cutter 12.
is cut, the first half of the cut A4 size paper,
In other words, the first sheet of paper is transferred directly to the transport roller pair 22.
．． 22', the paper is conveyed through the conveyance path C toward the conveyance path E, and the second registration roller of the conveyance path E is ablated and caused by '.
The leading edge is aligned again, and the sheet is conveyed through the conveyance path E in synchronization with the photoreceptor drum 6, and reaches the transfer section where transfer is performed.

The second half of the A4 size paper that was cut, that is, the second paper, is cut by the second pair of rugistrollers 27. during the cutting operation.
Since 27' is stopped, its conveyance is temporarily stopped,
It remains in the cutting position. Then, when the trailing edge of the cut first half of the paper passes through the first and second conversion valves 15.16, the rotational drive of the first lug roller pair 27.27' is resumed, and the cut second half of the paper is cut. , to be re-transported toward the transport path C. Then, the leading edge of the paper is sensor 2.
3, and after a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the time of detection, when the leading edge of the paper reaches just before the second registration roller pair 28' provided in the transport path E, the second registration roller pair 28' is detected. .28' is stopped, the leading edge of the paper is aligned with the stopped second registration roller pair 28.28', and then the second registration roller pair 28 and 4' are rotated in synchronization with the photosensitive drum 6. Then, the paper is conveyed toward the transfer section. The feeding of 3A sheets is performed by repeating the above-described operations.

In the above embodiment, the paper is cut while it is being conveyed, but in order to make the paper conveyance and cutting operations smoother and more reliable, the leading edge of the paper before being cut is detected by the seventh pin 83. According to the detection signal, when the central part of the length of the paper reaches the cutter 11 and 12,
Conveyance roller pair 22, 22', first Luzi roller pair 27.
27' and the paper feed roller 5 may be temporarily stopped to stop conveyance of the paper, and then the eccentric cam 14 may be rotated to cut the paper into 1/2 size pieces. In this case, immediately after the cutting operation is completed, the rotation of the transport roller pair 22, 22' is restarted, and the same operation as in the case of cutting the sheet being transported is performed.

The paper feeding mode described above applies when the set number of sheets to be used is an even number, but if the set number of sheets to be used is an odd number, the A3 size paper stored in the cassette is cut in half and fed, so the last , there are cut A4 size sheets left that are not used. If this remaining unused paper remains in the central conveyance path C, it will become an obstacle when it is necessary to selectively supply paper of a different size when copying is restarted. In this case, the cut remaining unused paper is carried into the upper transport path B and stored in stock so as not to interfere with the paper feeding operation during the next copying.

In other words, if the number of sheets set to be used is an odd number and uncut paper is generated (even if the set number of sheets to be used is an even number, paper stocked in the conveyance path is initially used and uncut paper is generated at the end), the setting At the time when the remaining cut paper next to the last paper is re-transported by the re-rotation drive of the first lug roller pair 27, 27', the solenoid 17 is energized to drive the first conversion valve 15, and the center The conveyance path C is closed and the upper conveyance path B is opened, and the remaining A4 size paper that has been cut is carried into the upper conveyance path B. 0 The paper carried into the upper conveyance path B is moved by the conveyance rollers. Addition, 2
0', and when the leading edge of the paper is detected by the sensor 21, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, that is, just before the leading edge of the paper reaches the confluence of the three intermediate transport paths B, O, and D, the transport roller 20.20' is stopped and the remaining cut sheets are temporarily stocked in the upper transport path B.

Even when a B4 cassette is attached to the copying machine main body and B5 size paper is selectively supplied, the operation is the same as when selectively supplying A4 size paper with the A3 cassette described above. The only difference is that when the set number of sheets to be used is an odd number, the remaining A4 size paper is temporarily stored and stocked in the upper conveyance path B, whereas the remaining paper cut to B5 size is The only point is that it is stocked on the lower conveyance path. If you want to stock the remaining B5 size paper on the lower conveyance path, do the following in the same way as when using an A3 cassette.
The remaining cut paper is transferred to the second pair of Luji rollers 27.2.
7' is re-rotated and re-conveyed, the solenoid 18 is energized to drive the second conversion valve 16, the central conveyance path C is closed and the lower conveyance path is opened. The remaining B5
Paper of the same size is carried into the lower conveyance path.

Next, the operation when a series of copies is completed and the next copy is restarted will be explained. In this case, when copying is resumed, it is first checked whether the remaining cut sheets are stocked in the upper or lower transport path B or not. This can be checked using the sensor 21 or 26, or a separate sensor may be provided to perform the check. If the size of the paper stocked in the upper or lower transport path matches the size of the paper newly selected for the next copy, for example, A4 size is selected and the paper is stored in the upper transport path B. is stocked, first, the pair of transport rollers 20 and 20' are driven, and the stocked paper is transported from the upper transport path B through the confluence point to the transport path E, and then transferred to the second registration roller. vs. 28, 28
After being aligned at ', it is fed to the transfer section in synchronization with the photosensitive drum 6. If the set number of copies is two or more, the paper is subsequently conveyed and supplied from the cassette to the transfer section in the same manner as the above-described paper feeding operation for the second and subsequent sheets.

When copying is resumed, if the size of the selected paper is different from the stocked paper, for example, if A4 paper is stocked in the upper transport path B and A3 paper is newly selected, The stocked A4 sheets are stored in the upper transport path above them, and new A3 sheets are fed from the cassette to the transfer section through transport path A, central transport path C, and transport path E. Therefore, the A4 paper stocked in the upper transport path B does not become an obstacle in this case.

Furthermore, when copying is restarted, the timing at which the remaining cut sheets that have been stored in the upper or lower conveyance path B or D is supplied is not directly supplied from the cassette I51.
- The timing is set so that the leading edge of the document image and the leading edge of the paper coincide with each other in the transfer unit in either case.

In the above embodiment, one cassette mounting section is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. If two mounting sections are provided and two cassettes are mounted, four types of paper can be selectively supplied at the same time. You can make it happen. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the means for cutting the paper fed from the cassette is shown to be composed of a lower cutter and an upper cutter that moves up and down by the action of a cam and a spring. ,
A rotary cutter commonly used in copying machines and the like can also be used. In addition, in the above embodiment, if paper is stocked in the paper storage conveyance path and paper of the stocked size is selected when copying is restarted next time, the paper is always stored in the storage conveyance path first. The configuration is shown in which the paper that is in stock + IB is fed to the transfer unit first, but only when the set number of sheets is an odd number, the paper that was in stock + IB is fed to the transfer unit first. In the case of an even number of sheets, it is also possible to keep the stocked sheets as they are and to supply the sheets only from the cassette.

Also, the rotational movement of the cam that operates the upper cutter, the first
The operation of the second conversion valve, the paper feed roller, each pair of transport rollers, and each pair of first and second registration rollers are controlled by incorporating a microcomputer into the control device that controls the entire copying machine. This can be easily done by correlating the paper size, the number of sheets used, the detection signals of each sensor, etc.

As described above in detail based on the embodiments, the present invention provides a paper cutting means in a paper transport path formed adjacent to a cassette mounting section, and an intermediate paper transport path connected to the paper transport path. Since the paper feeding device is configured by branching and paralleling the temporary storage and conveyance paths for the remaining cut paper, it is possible to selectively feed two different sizes of paper using one size of paper stored in one cassette. Therefore, it is possible to provide a compact paper feeding device that can reduce the frequency of replacing the cassette when selecting paper. In addition, even if there is residual cut paper due to the required number of sheets, we have installed a temporary storage and conveyance path to store the paper, so when copying resumes, it is possible to copy paper that requires paper of a different size from the remaining paper size. Even if the copying operation is started, the copying operation can be smoothly operated without any hindrance.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a paper feeding device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial view showing its paper cutting means.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the conversion valve portion, and FIGS. 4 to 6 are diagrams showing the operation mode of the conversion valve. In the figure, 1 is a cassette, 2 is paper, 3 is the main body of the copying machine, 4 is a cassette installation part, 5 is a paper feed roller, 6 is a photosensitive drum, 7 is a corona discharger for transfer, 9.10 is an upper side and a lower side Side paper guide, 11.12 lower and upper cutter, 1
4 is a cam, 15.16 is the first and second conversion valve, 17.1
8 is a solenoid, 21.23.26 is a sensor, 27.
27' is a pair of registration rollers, 28.28' is a pair of second registration rollers, B, 0. D indicates the upper, center, and lower conveyance paths.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A cassette that stores paper of a predetermined size and is installed in the main body of a copying machine, etc., a paper cutting means disposed in a paper transport path formed adjacent to the cassette mounting section, and a paper cutting means for storing the paper. It is equipped with an intermediate paper transport path connected to the transport path, and a temporary storage transport path for remaining cut paper that is branched and arranged in parallel with the intermediate paper transport path. A paper feed device for a copying machine, etc., characterized by being able to selectively supply paper of different sizes. (2) A conversion valve is provided at a branching portion between the intermediate paper transport path and the remaining cut paper storage transport path, and the conversion valve is switched and controlled in accordance with the generation of remaining cut paper. A paper feeding device for a copying machine or the like as described in item 1.