JPS5972456A - Manuscript transfer unit - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a document moving device for a copying machine, and more particularly, to an apparatus for automatically transporting and aligning computer sheets while maintaining lateral alignment, and for automatically transporting and aligning computer sheets onto a platen of a copying machine, which is compatible with conventional lateral alignment of individual document sheets. The present invention relates to a document moving device that performs copying. As electrophotographic equipment and other copying equipment become faster and more automated, it has become important to be able to automatically move the original to be copied, or the input to the copying machine, at high speed and with high reliability. ing. Even when automatically feeding and aligning the same document over and over, different sizes, types,
It is desirable to feed, align, and copy document sheets of a mixed type, material, condition, and/or fragility with minimal jamming, wear, and damage by the same document moving and aligning device. One type of document that poses particular problems because of the differences and general inadequacies between conventional document movers and documents is combi coater paper, herein referred to as "'CF." This is an oddly sized strip of paper that is typically supplied as the output of a conventional computer printer. There are several widths, but conventionally along both edges (nearly) 12.
It has regular holes for movement at 7 mm (1,72 inch) intervals. Generally, it is folded in a zigzag or ``fan'' shape, which is why CF paper is also called ``fanfold''. Low-speed copiers also provide at least semi-automatic document movement so that the operator feeds the document in a flowing manner to the input of the copier's document mover, and the document mover controls the final straight movement of the document to the copying position. It is increasingly desirable to automatically align, feed, and then automatically eject documents. However, in the case of compact, low-cost copiers, suitable document movers are also simple and inexpensive. The preferred document moving device uses existing or typical conventional copier optical imaging devices, including the copier's external transparent copying window (also known as a platen). It is desirable that the moving device be easily removable, such as by pivoting, so that the operator can manually place the document, including the book, on the same copying platen as in the past.Therefore, a lighter document moving device is desirable. It is also desirable that the same registration edges or positions be obtained for manual copying such as those used in mobile devices. In this description, the term document paper paper is used to refer to conventional thin paper, plastic or typical individual image substrates (original or previous copies), etc., and does not include microfilm or electronic image originals, which are generally much easier to process. A double-sided original or copy paper has pages and images on both sides. The term "page" used here with respect to CF refers to a CF that is copied onto a single sheet of copy paper. A segment, portion, frame or non-separable sheet of paper. This often, but not necessarily, corresponds to areas between partial transverse slits, known as "perfs", which are provided to "separate" CF-sheets into individual sheets. The device is CF
Although such separation and bursting is not required for paper copying, such pre-separated CF
Compatible with paper. What is shown here is the semi-automatic document moving device (S A D
This is an example of l-1). However, the device according to the invention can also be used for compatible pre-check copying of individual sheets, i.e. as a recirculating document mover, '
No. 4,080,063, issued March 21, 1978;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,457 to Gee, Guenther, July 15, 1979; U.S. Pat.
Duplex mode (RDI-1/5ADH) disclosed in No. 45
) or compatible with egg matching or post-matching. It is desirable to be able to more quickly (and more accurately) automatically feed and align each individual document sheet to the exact location on the copying platen, but especially without distorting the document (some rotation) and/or without stopping the document. This is difficult to achieve without damaging the edges of the manuscript.Manuscript paper varies in size, weight, thickness, material,
Conditions, humidity, aging, etc. vary widely. Manuscripts may have curls, wrinkles, tears, "edge folds," cutouts, irregularities, split pads, tapes, staples, adhesive areas, and other irregularities. Generally, documents come from the same batch and are from the same set of papers. Unlike copy paper, which is cut from paper and is therefore of almost exactly the same condition and size, manuscript paper comes from different batches and varies widely due to aging, humidity conditions, etc., so it does not have the same ``standard'' size (e.g. Letter size, legal size, A-4, B-4, computer tough bowl -
) may also differ significantly. In addition, it automatically or semi-automatically feeds, aligns, and copies a set of individual documents of mixed sizes and types while accurately matching each document to the registration position without causing damage to the document in the event of a document jam. It is desirable to do so. One of the most difficult requirements for automatic document movement is accurately, reliably, and safely aligning the document to the proper copy position. Conventionally, documents are automatically centered or corner aligned (depending on the copier) by the document moving device at a preset alignment position relative to the copier platen.
It is desirable to precisely align the two orthogonal edges of the document with the two registration lines of the copier platen so that the document is accurately aligned with the copier optical system and copy sheet alignment device. It is desirable that this alignment accuracy is always within imm. If the document is not properly aligned, subsequent copies may have undesirable dark lines and/or green shadows, and information near the edges of the document may be lost or not reproduced on the copy paper. As shown in the cited art, document movers are provided with various devices for moving, aligning and de-aligning documents over the copier platen. Various combinations of such moving devices are known, as well as various registration devices for registering and copying documents in the proper position relative to the transparent copying window. Typically, a document is aligned by driving it against one edge of the platen or an adjacent gate or stub. This can be done by protruding a row of fingers or roller nips or a vertical surface against which one edge of the sheet is driven to align the sheets into abutment. An important function of such registration is to undistort the moving overlapping document, ie, not only determine and control its registration position, but also properly rotate it to coincide with the registration line. As noted above, it is common to provide a fixed or retractable alignment finger or gated document stop edge on one edge of the platen to physically align the document in the copy position. This reduces the risk of movement,
In other words, slips and distortions in document feeding can be adjusted and corrected. The document movement can be designed to simply slip against the leading edge of the document abutting the registration edge stop until a positive straightening and perfect registration is achieved. The same platen transfer feeder can be used to not only align the leading edge of the document at the downstream platen edge, but also to drive the document onto and off the platen before and after copying. Alternatively, the trailing edge of the document can be aligned by reversing the feeder and retracting the document to a fixed alignment edge at the upstream edge of the platen. Some types of document moving devices, including slave devices, employ devices that provide lateral registration or lateral positioning of documents on a platen, ie, positioning of documents in two axes on the platen. Although in some cases this lateral alignment can be performed upstream of the platen, the most accurate alignment of the document to the optics of a ``corner alignment'' type copier requires a fixed lateral alignment on one side of the platen at the same time. It is known that it is desirable to actively avoid laterally aligning documents against the edges. Such severe constraints on the document feed and alignment device onto the platen make it difficult to reliably feed document sheets. There must be sufficient friction between the platen and the platen, but if there is no original between the platen and the platen, the document must slip against the platen glass without rubbing or abrading the glass and affecting the image formed through the glass. In general, these must slip against the document when the document is stopped by the registration edge stop. Similarly, movement on the platen must not cause "passage around" problems, i.e. In the case of smaller originals, the visible portion of the movement extending beyond the edges of the original during copying must not result in undesirable dark areas or dark images on the copy paper. For this reason, a single large white elastomer belt has been used in many document moving devices instead of rollers or multiple belts, but such single belt devices have poor reliability in feeding and alignment. There is an inherent contradiction between them. This is September 24, 1980 f size W.G. Perchgnut U.
S, S, N. No. 190,113, the technology of which is incorporated by reference below. Another constraint, or compromise, is that it is highly desirable to have a document moving device that minimizes the diagonal advance (skew) of document sheets from the document set in the document feeder, or the document stack, to the alignment position on the platen. This is to reduce skew which requires correction (straightening) in the alignment position. Moreover, although usually not compatible, it is also desirable to maximize the skew of the document during document alignment, ie, to be able to freely straighten the document when driven to match the registration edge. It is also desirable to write in such a way that certain edges do not drag excessively on the manuscript. Some of the individual features of the embodiments disclosed herein include a "floating ski" in the form of a flat, gravity-floating paper buckle restraining plate with an associated friction paper feed roller that draws the copy paper against the alignment surface. ) is published by Joan Etsch on May 2, 1978. U.S. Patent Application No. 4,087,087 to Rouni and FIG. No. 180,073 (D/80139). Another such "scuffer wheel" feeder and associated gravity load assistance for driving copy sheets against the side and end walls of a sorting box is disclosed in US Pat. U.S. Pat.
No. 184, Fig. 5, and its corresponding EP○ Application No. 81303835.3 is EPO Publication No. 00466.
It was published on March 3, 1982 as No. 75. Additionally, a document feed wheel roller for ejecting documents from a platen (flat light reflective copying back plate) extending within an opening in a liftable document clamp may be used, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,
No. 954 and U.S. Pat. Some examples of recirculating document movers that load document registration and linear correction on platens are U.S. Pat. No. 4,335.954 to Russell El, Helps, June 22, 1982
No. 4,278,344 to R.D. Sahay, August 14, 1981;
It is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,746 to J.H., Hamlin and U.S. Pat. U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,954 describes a lateral document alignment device. Another feature described below of paper feed rollers of different diameters, or rollers that feed at an angle, which creates document skew or edge alignment force, is described in, for example, K.M., July 8, 1975.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,893.662 to Boyd; U.S. Pat.
．． No. 176.980; U.S. Patent No. 3,936,04.6 to Kaye, Kaye and Staren, dated February 3, 1976; : U.S. Pat.
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 54-48712 by Kikuchi. A lateral (side) alignment angle wheel 46 and belt 3 B l371 document feeder is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. ing. Also, please refer to other corner document alignment devices described below. On October 2, 1975, it became possible to feed and align manuscript sheets onto the platen of a copying machine with a relatively narrow central feed belt.
British Patent Nos. 1,411,550 and 197 of Eastman Kodak Co., Ltd.
No. 4,076,233 to See, Knight, et al. (Xerox Corporation), dated February 28, 1998. The latter includes belt support rollers that contact the platen in two separate areas, the one of the rollers closer to registration moon 40 being movable. U.S. Pat. No. 4,171,128 (Irvin); No. 4,183;
No. 519 (Harris); and No. 4.213.603 (Peffer et al.) describe various overplaten document feeders that use rollers rather than belts. U.S. Pat. No. 4,171,128 discloses a copier platen document feeder in which a pair of rollers is used to move the document onto the platen. Obviously, the roller pairs can be engaged differently to different positions on the document. No. 4,183,519 discloses a document sheet alignment apparatus in which a pair of rollers 2o are used to move a document into a registered position on a platen relative to a retractable finger. No. 4,213,603 uses two pairs of rollers for this purpose. Feeding computer fan hold (CF) paper as a document to be copied onto a copier platen poses special problems. Such paper typically originates from the line printer output of a combicoater. It is usually wider than most standard paper sizes, with conventionally circular holes extending 11/2 inches apart along each edge. Provided for feeding in bins. The paper is typically folded as a partially perforated, unseparated zigzag or "fan hold" bundle. Often the C'web is folded into a perforated, non-separated section zigzag or "fan hold" bundle. Minute m?l
However, in many cases it is desirable to align the individual copies of the CF paper segments, especially when reduced copying is desired on conventional size copy paper. Usually CF web is sprocket 1~boil or CF
A belt with bins that fit into holes along the edges of the paper (
``Tractor'' or ``Kitsuda''
drive) and is directly mechanically fed without slipping. Various examples of such computer form feeders (OFF) are known in the prior art, some of which are cited below. However, if a copier is equipped with such a bin or tractor feeder,
A significant disadvantage of using paper feed is that such feed obviously cannot feed manuscript paper without conventional punched holes;
Therefore, it is not compatible with conventional automatic document moving devices and requires separate devices to be used separately, resulting in additional costs. Several attempts have been made to provide compatible document feeding using friction feed to be compatible with CF and conventional documents. (
An example is quoted below. ) However, another problem arises when using such a non-sprocket system (feeding individual copies rather than continuous sheets) of keeping the copied CF sheets aligned. With the bin drive OFF, the incremental advance of the bin drive, such as a step motor, is equivalent to the incremental advance of the CF paper since there is no slippage and only initial alignment is required. However, this is not accurate in the case of friction document drives. Of interest are the following two reference examples of CF originals for copying machines. In other words, there is friction in the "Pasearch Disclosure, September 1978", No. 17322, pages 40-43 of Instructorial Opportunities Ltd., Havant, Homewell, Hampshire, UK, especially the examples shown in Figures 6-7. (No bottle > CF or Sea 1 ~ drive and CF hole count disclosed, and the other is by Joseph W., Ward and L.A., Shoreda, published March 23, 1982 (1)
Filed September 17, 979) U.S. Patent No. 4,320
, No. 960. The said publication was published in 1980 as Japanese Utility Model No. 55-18300 by Eastman Kotatsu Co., Ltd.
This appears to be the same disclosure as the Japanese utility model claimed for priority by U.S. Patent Application No. 924.040, published on February 5, 1978 and filed and abandoned on July 12, 1978. Patent No. 4. ．． No. 320.960 is a copier traction sprocket drive computer tough 4-m feeder (CF).
F) is disclosed. However, it senses and uses holes along the edge of the computer paper for certain control functions. It is a Xerox '9400 that automatically feeds computer paper to the copier platen in a controlled manner.
``Relating to a copying machine document movement assist device (same filing date as the above-mentioned patent No. 4,320,960 (=I disclosure similar to the non-wealth of OFF is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,264,189; No. 4,264,200; No. 4,299,477 and No. 4.313,672@). Other examples of copying machine sprocket (bin or traction) drive OFF without CF hole sensing U.S. Patent No. 3,44 dated May 27, 1969 to A.
6. No. 554 (“Indiworm” or “24
00 CF P''
U.S. Pat.
U.S. Patent No. 3,831, dated El, Nis, No. J. Rubicek.
．． No. 829; August 10, 1976. U.S. Patent No. 3.973.846 to Ay, Sullivan et al.; 19
U.S. Pat. No. 3,977.780 to George J., Earle, Casano, et al., August 31, 1976; U.S. Patent No. 3,9 to George J., Zaladnik, et al.
No. 94,426: Masahiro, December 14, 1976
Izawa et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,997.093:197
U.S. Pat.
U.S. Patent No. 4,087,172 to Vandungun, C.
No. 4,300,710 of Earl, Clark Dubois, et al., Nov. 17, 1981; U.S. Pat. ; and April 17, 1978
Date Joan F., Gardner and Robert Ell.
Greco's Abandoned U.S. Patent Application Box 896,877 (
D/77201) of October 31, 1979
It is disclosed in EPO Publication No. 0005043 of PC Patent Application No. 79300627.1. Said Patent No. 3.8
No. 04,514 discloses an alignment edge stop for individual conventional manuscript sheets that can be manually removed for CF feeding. Some of the document feed mechanisms are controlled to stop and start by counting pulses generated by the document feed mechanism itself. In addition to the above-mentioned Research Disclosure No. 17322, a known non-sprocket or friction CF original for copying machines is '3100 of Xerox Corporation.
``LDC'' and ``3107'' copier and its ``Xerox Continuous Cassette (XCC)'' roll-feed copy paper auxiliary device, and Clay Ei, dated April 25, 1978.
That CF of Smith et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,086,007
Disclosures relating to auxiliary devices and US Pat. Also of note is U.S. Pat. Although these copiers and their document movers are capable of dual-function operation, ie, copy not only CF sheets but also individual conventional documents, they have inherent limitations or drawbacks compared to the present devices. Other non-sprocket driven frictional CF feeds for microfilm cameras are also known, e.g.
Dated D. D. Cole U.S. Patent No. 3,255.66
No. 2 and U.S. Pat. Without necessarily explicitly disclosing CF copying, other document feeders using moving document exposure devices rather than conventional platens can be used for that purpose with limitations, e.g.
A., J., February 5, 2016. Such is the case in U.S. Pat. No. 3,076,392 to Serasani et al. However, if the CF paper is simply continuously moved over the imaging section (i.e., a fixed optical scanning slit), it may be difficult or impossible to copy selectable portions of the CF paper in proper registration onto individual copy sheets. It is possible. It is the automatic copying of a complete frame or portion of a CF sheet repeatedly onto only one or several sheets of copy paper when more than one copy of a CF frame or segment is desired. Because CF paper has only one document leading edge, conventional leading edge alignment cannot be used for subsequent paper frames. Also, document feed errors cannot be corrected in this manner and are accumulated for subsequent document frames. Furthermore, since they are directly connected, the pitch distance ii, that is, the interval between CF frames cannot be changed. - Lateral misalignment of the CF paper, or skew feeding, also tends to accumulate, i.e. increases with the length of the CF paper being fed. Furthermore, this type of OFF device is particularly desirable for multiple copying, where the entire frame of a stationary individual document sheet is
All size platens) are not directly compatible with copying. In other technical fields, for example in the supply of other sheets with regular holes or other edge mark indicators, for example 1967
Waltz-Reynold U.S. Patent No. 3,31 dated May 9, 2013
No. 9,051 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,919,560 to Beatanopper dated Nov. 11, 1975, such paper feed position control devices are known. Document feeding is known that includes cornered friction rollers and provides overall corner (not only leading edge but also side) document sheet alignment. For example, U.S. Pat.
No. 3109'' U.S. Patent No. 4,257,587 for copier; William E., Kremer and Frank Bee, Malinowski Xerox, May 12, 1981, March 24, 1981. '3300'' copier, US Pat. No. 4,266,762 and the references cited therein. An interesting document disclosing a document sensor and input alignment game that detects a larger-than-normal document being inserted and suppresses gate operation is US Patent No. 4 to John F., Goronski, et al. .132.4
It is No. 01. Examples of various other patents describing conventional document movers and their controls, including document path switches, include U.S. Pat.
．． No. 076.408; No. 4.078.787; No. 4,099,860; No. 4,125,325: No. 4,132.401: No. 4.144,550; No. 4,158; No. 500; No. 4,176.945M: No. 4,179,215; No. 4,229,101; No. 4,278,344 and No. 4,284,270. As can be seen from the above-mentioned patents and from various commercially available copiers, conventional microprocessor logic circuits in copier document movers and simple software instructions for copier control functions and logic are well known and used. ing. A read-only memory (ROM> or programmable memory) connected to or forming part of the copier's controller microprocessor.
It is desirable to include such software in PROM) hardware. However, the document mover and controller described herein may be conventionally incorporated into a copier using other suitable or known logic circuits, switch controllers, etc. The software for the functions described herein can of course be varied according to the particular microprocessor or microcomputer used, but will not be readily available or easily programmed by those skilled in the art without experimentation as described herein. I can do it. Document advance and positioning logic and control techniques also include patents for servo motors driven and controlled specifically for copy machine document advance. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,768,904 for Buoy 40 Deck dated October 30, 1973;
U.S. Patent No. 3,888.579 to Bui, Lovczuk and Earle, Ticknor, June 10, 975 @: 197
U.S. Pat. No. 4,000,943 to Alipaon, dated January 4, 1981; U.S. Pat.
No. 3; U.S. Pat.
3 et al.): and U.S. Pat. No. 4,310,236 to f-J. In addition, regarding paper jam detection in a copying machine, the time taken for copy paper to pass between two or more switches arranged along the copy paper path is measured, and if the time exceeds a preset time (
It is also known to activate a paper jam signal or copier shutoff at two switches or somewhere in between to indicate that a copy paper is jammed. -Example: 1978 4
No. 4,084,900 issued to Niss, Yamaoka et al. References cited herein are incorporated to properly teach alternative or alternative conventions, features, and/or technical background. 11 Tragedy 1. Compatibly feed conventional manuscript paper using the same document mover and copy it on the same platen. It is a general feature of the apparatus disclosed herein to automatically reproduce individual pages, segments 1 through 1, sections or frames onto individual copy sheets. It is also a feature of the present invention that such dual manual compatibility is automatically provided without operator modification or manipulation of the document moving device. Another feature of the present invention is that the feed of the CF paper is controlled so as to automatically perform and maintain lateral alignment with the fed copy paper. It is also a feature of the present invention to maintain side edge or lateral alignment of CF sheets fed regardless of their width by a lateral alignment device that is fully compatible with lateral alignment with a variety of individual sheets. The features disclosed herein provide a document moving device that feeds a combi coater sheet onto the copy platen of a copier;
The combicoater features an apparatus for laterally aligning computer paper in a direction transverse to the paper advance on a platen without using sprocket holes in the paper, and that extends over the platen in the direction of paper advance. a first computer paper friction feeder disposed downstream of the platen and cooperating with the first computer paper feeder for frictionally pushing the computer paper in a direction 1j with respect to the lateral alignment edge; and a second computer paper friction feeder for applying a rotational force to the computer paper to urge the computer paper against the lateral registration edge. A further feature independently or in combination of the disclosed method and apparatus is that the second Combicor full sheet feeder is located adjacent the downstream end of the platen and separately transverse to the Combicoater sheet feed direction. having a plurality of drive roller nip pairs arranged, at least one of said roller nip pairs having a somewhat different effective roller diameter than other roller nip pairs and being driven toward said laterally aligned end. maintaining a skew force on the combi coater paper; the plurality of roller nip pairs are on an axis perpendicularly aligned with the line of the lateral alignment edge, and at least one of the roller nip pairs proximate the lateral platen alignment edge is The other roller nip pair J: has a somewhat larger effective diameter and as a result the lateral platen alignment end has a somewhat faster paper feed rate, and the difference in effective diameter increases the friction of the second computer paper. The first computer paper feeder is small enough not to substantially skew the document ejected from the platen by a feeder or interfere with rescooking of the document; a friction stack feed roller device driven rotationally over said platen in the direction of combi-coater paper feed; to generally prevent computer paper from being driven over said lateral platen registration edge; the lateral platen alignment end is a fixed lower cut-out edge retaining V-neck portion of one end of the combi-coater paper; fully controlled by a computer paper feeder and said lateral platen alignment end; said lateral platen alignment end being a fixed lower cut edge retention channel member at the edge of the computer paper; said first and second] bicoater paper feeder; and the lateral platen registration end is compatible with combicoater sheets to feed conventional individual document sheets; a member for laterally aligning one side of the computer paper with a mechanical barrier provided by the lateral alignment end; The computer paper is aligned in its feeding direction by incrementally stopping the computer paper gap feeding device of 2. The embodiments of the document moving device shown in FIGS. The present invention can be the same as the conventional one except as described in , and can be installed in any suitable conventional copying machine. Disclosed herein is a conventional copier platen document moving device (SA) for copying platen copies.
DH) 10, but a conventional document paper set that is fed sequentially manually or automatically from a CF paper or a stack of paper is automatically fed from the copier platen and aligned (
(including straight-line correction), then it is copied and then automatically removed (ejected) from the platen. This document moving device 10 is used to move a series of individual sheets or CFs.
paper or mixture of same non-sprocket,
The operation and function are automatically switched from the 5ADH mode to the OFF mode only according to which type of document is sent without being changed by the operator to a copying machine platen having a document feeder. The leading edge of the CF paper is automatically self-passed (without requiring any other action from the operator), fed and aligned after the leading edge is first inserted into the input, and used for regular manuscript paper. (on the downstream edge of the platen)
Automatically aligned at the same raised alignment edge location. A larger than normal document trailing edge sensor in the document input signals the device 10 that a sheet is being fed rather than a cut sheet. Next, the hole sensing computer form feed (OFF)
mode automatically. When the trailing edge sensor and CF hole detector indicate to the device 10 that a CF sheet is being fed, this registration gate is automatically lowered as the entire CF sheet is incrementally fed and the input registration gate and feed roller remains open. Conversely, when an individual document of the correct size is fed, the alignment and pre-alignment gates are closed to align the next document sheet and each subsequent document sheet. Registration control of CF paper increments includes compensation logic for non-punched, mispunched or damaged edge slots in the CF paper, and paper feed slips, which substantially improves registration reliability and accuracy. Computer fan hold sheets are fed to the dual mode (SADH/CFF) device 10 by the same non-sprocket (non-traction) friction drive used for single sheets. C.F.
Controlling the incremental advance and alignment of selected individual segments after the paper involves identifying and counting sprocket holes in the paper with a photosensitive device and controlling each incremental advance of the paper therewith by said servo-driven friction feed. . This feed is fully compatible with non-punched paper feed. All manuscripts including CF paper can be accessed using a simple non-critical pass key “auxiliary angle”.
The scuff is fed onto the platen and edge aligned using a friction drive including a scuff 1 wheel. C in selected increments by this same scuff wheel drive along with a CF edge hole counting detector and a friction drive output roller.
F Used only for logical control of paper forward (downstream) feed direction motion. This frictional drive tracks and maintains the top edge alignment of the CF paper through the document travel path without requiring a sprocket drive. It is servo-driven to increment the CF paper by incremental amounts in a controlled manner. This same scuffing wheel advance can also be driven for different appropriate times to completely interchangeably advance and register solid document sheets. In other words, the disclosed semi-automatic document transfer computer form feed (SADH/CFF) 10 is a simple integrated device that can be mounted on top of a conventional copier processor, yet provides two primary functions with common elements. , 5AD
In H mode, it accepts sheets of original paper inserted into its input or tray, moves these original papers onto the platen glass, and copies them with edge registration. After the desired number of copies have been made by the processor, the 5ADH removes the document sheets from the platen and stacks them in a capture tray on the left side of the machine. This process 9 is repeated until all originals are copied. In the OFF mode, a stack of CFF paper fanfolds is placed to the right of the S A D l-1/CF input on the top of the Brossezer. The first sheet or page of the CF sheet is inserted into the document moving device in the same way as a single document sheet. Typical users are not aware of the differences or the need to make changes or adjustments. When the "Start Print" button on the copying machine is pressed, this first CF page is automatically fed in the S A D H operating mode, aligned and copied onto the platen in the 5 ADH mode by the same device used for each individual document. The excess length of the CF paper (longer than the allowable individual document paper length) is sensed in the input area. Upon feeding the first paper segment, the document mover 10 automatically detects the presence of the sprocket hole CF. automatically starts indexing with the paper and copies the CF page.The amount of increment or increment (distance *i > , overrides or adjustments are programmed by the operator to select small or large CF paper dungeons to be incremented. After copying, the ejected CF web is stacked in a conventional wireform basket mounted on the left side of the copier. The device is completely self-passing and self-aligning regardless of the type of document inserted into the device 10. The device 10 essentially passes through the first segment 1 of the CF sheet as if it were an individual document. paper, so there is no need to be at that point and know whether it is CF paper or not. That information is only needed by the machine for the second and subsequent CFF paper segments, by which time the machine automatically determines that the document is larger than normal, has a suitable sprocket hole, and is automatically switched to Ct-F mode.The type of document being fed, i.e. is it CF paper? The same input, regardless of whether it is an individual manuscript paper of a certain size,
In other words, it can be sent to the input tray 12. Two slightly different inner edge lateral pre-alignment edges] 3 and 13a can be provided in the tray 12, one for regular originals and the other for CFF paper with a CF paper pre-alignment edge. 13a is aligned closer to and taller than the lateral alignment edge 30 of the platen 20. The leading edge of either type of document is generally moved through the open nip between the driven input roller 14 and the lower idler roller 16 until the leading edge of the input tray 1 is aligned with the pre-aligned finger 18.
2 is inserted above. All these elements are located above the platen 20. When the leading edge of any type of document is thus inserted and its inner edge is against the prealignment edge 13 or 13a of tray 12, the upstream or document input switch 22 is activated. Switch 22 preferably has a lightweight, transparent mechanical finger or flag that, when pushed up by the leading edge of the document, interrupts the conventional light/photodetector switch. Thus, an essentially non-mechanical switch is provided, but unlike conventional photodetector switches, switch 22 responds to the presence of a transparent or apertured document. With particular reference to FIG. 9, once switch 22 is actuated and the copier starts up or enters the "Star 1 to Print" mode, an initial feed cycle is initiated by controller 100 of apparatus 10. That is, the feed-in cycle is the same regardless of the type of document inserted into the device, and requires no operator interaction or switching.Two superimposed overlapping input rolls 14 come down near the nip and are driven. , the gate finger 18 is lifted-C
Open the pre-aligned gate and drive it all! ! This is done by driving the simple AC motor IM1 in the forward direction via a suitable or conventional drive and cam mechanism with part of the motor 24. The overlapping platen cams 26 are driven by the same drive device 2.
4 via cams 32 and 34 (see FIG. 1 as well as FIGS. 6 and 7) to provide space for low-friction feeding of the document onto platen 20. . Documents, regardless of type, are fed onto the platen by roll 14. Next, a scuff 70 on the platen driven by the leading edge of the original +a DC servo motor M2
- engages with the roller 28; The rollers 28 are spaced relatively closely to the lateral engagement edge of the platen and are mounted for rotational drive at a slight angle thereto, for example about 7 degrees. Thus, the scuff 70-ra 28 primarily continues to drive (pull) the document forward, but also frictionally pushes the document laterally into lateral engagement with the lateral registration edge 30. If the document is a regular size, the rear end is the input roller 14
at this point is controlled solely by roller 28. In the case of CF paper, this is a constant feed distance long enough to stay in the nip of roller 14 so that the leading edge of the CF paper reaches and covers the registration edge position. The motor M1 is also automatically turned off.As shown in FIG. To prevent the edge of the document from being driven laterally beyond the registration edge 30, yet to allow unhindered movement of the document downstream over the platen in the main feed direction. The platen clamp 26 is not raised uniformly, but rather the eighth
As shown, and due to the difference in diameter of the lifting cams 32 and 34 of FIGS. 6 and 7, respectively, the lifting of the flat document clamp 26 is in lateral alignment @ 30 (or whatever).
is very slightly directly adjacent to the alignment edge 30 to prevent the edge of the document from riding on or escaping from the alignment edge 30. However, the rest of the clamp 26 is higher due to the larger lift cam 34 operating further from the alignment end 30. l, i.e., lifted farther from the platen. This non-planar lifting of platen clamp 26 thus provides a low friction overall path for the document passing therebeneath, while maintaining precise control of the sides of the document being registered within the adjacent area of side registration edge 30. The leading edge of the document being driven in the further F flow on the platen under the drive of the scuff 70-ra 28 is driven along the downstream edge of the platen 20 adjacent to and coincident with the registration finger 42 of the document leading edge alignment device 40. The finger 42 is now lifted into the document path by the solenoid. In this movement, the document passes under the kickoff or ejection roller 36, which at this point is lifted out of the path by its solenoid 46. The control device 100 provides sufficient time from the startup time of the device 10, that is, from the start of the feed-in cycle until the leading edge of the document reaches the lifted downstream alignment finger 42 and is engaged in the driving stage.
given by. On the other hand, the upstream or input switch 22 is connected to the control device 100.
The signal continues to be generated. If the trailing edge of the document passes switch 22 too soon after the leading edge, the device will cause the device to accept documents that are too small to be properly processed, i.e., whose dimensions in the feed direction are shorter than the distance between panno roll 14 and scuff 1 roller 28. senses and shuts down the device, ie, issues a jam or incorrect document signal. When the detected document is an individual sheet and its length is appropriate, that is, when the trailing edge of the document is sensed by passing the switch 22 in a timely manner, the document moving device 10 controls the document moving device 10. Loading@100 automatically stays in 5ADH, ie, individual single document operation mode. On the other hand, if the switch 22 is still activated when the leading edge of the document is aligned on the platen and copied to the downstream alignment gate device 40,
In other words, if the correct trailing edge of the document paper is not detected,
Continuous activation of switch 22 indicates the presence of paper input, and document moving device 10 automatically switches to the CF paper operating mode. (If the CF mode of operation is not available, switch 22 is alternatively used as a large document or jam indicator to shut off apparatus 10.) At this point, the individual document sheets, or the first segment of the CF sheet or The frame is properly corner aligned on the platen 20 with respect to the downstream alignment edge 42 and the lateral alignment edge 30 and the original is ready for copying. Next, the motor M1 automatically moves the document input feed roll 14 by its drive station 24.
is held again to release the input gate finger 18. If there is no document there, the finger 18 will gravity fall to its initial prealignment gate position. However, if a CF paper is present and extends into the input area, the finger 18 simply comes and stops on the document without damaging it due to the slight force of gravity. The outer fingers 18a are made somewhat longer and are the only ones actually in contact with the CF paper;
It is generally desirable that the rest of the goo 1-finger system, i.e. all other fingers 18, not be in contact with the CF paper. At this time (after alignment) motor M1 is driven in the opposite direction to accomplish another function. This includes the rotation of cams 32 and 34 and the lowering of platen clamp 26 by its spring loading, so that clamp 26 presses the document flat for copying. (The frictional slipping force of the scuff 10-ra 28 against the back side of the document holds the clamp in its aligned position before lowering.) This same mechanism 24, driven by motor M1, also specifically links the The mechanism rotates the cuff shutter device 44 to close the white optical shutter over the opening in the platen clamp 26, through which the scuff 70-rule 28 and kickoff or ejection roller 36 extend. On the other hand, these rollers 28 and 36 are shown in FIGS.
Mechanism 2 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and schematically shown in FIG.
4 is raised higher than the platen clamp 26 and the platen 20. (Here, kickoff roller 36
The lifting of is also controlled by a solenoid 46. ) The raising and lowering (engagement) of the feed roller 28 is performed by the motor M1, but its driving (rotation) is performed by the servo motor M2. The original document is then rapidly copied in a conventional manner, preferably by flash illumination. When the mechanism 24 continues to be driven in the same reverse direction of the motor M1) and then the operation is reversed, i.e. when the platen clamp 26 is lifted, the wheel shutter opens and the kick-off roller 36 is lowered (except in the OFF mode). The scuff 10-ra 28 engages the original paper. Meanwhile, the alignment finger 42 is lowered and removed from the document path by deenergizing the solenoid relative to the leading edge alignment device 40. Thus, rollers 28 and 3 are both driven in a high speed document ejection mode by their connected servo motor M2. Lifting of the clamp 26 (and lifting of the front of the roll 14)
This is confirmed within the proper allotted time by activation of the position switch shown in the figure. Activation of these switches is also used to stop motor M1 after each desired operation is completed. Only if the apparatus 10 is in the 5ADH mode after this first page copying will the input device then be reactivated by driving the motor M1 in the forward direction to lower and rotate the roller 14 to copy the next individual document. Send to paper. This does not occur when the device 10 is in the CF mode, and the input roll 14 nip and fingers 18 remain open to the entire remainder of the paper, allowing the CF paper to be loaded without the use of rollers 14, as described below. connection) upstream section onto the platen. Returning to operation, as the leading edge of the document is driven off the platen 20, it is fed into the nip of the directly adjacent downstream take-out roller 50, which is driven by motor M2. Also, during this ejection operation, the side area of the document passes through an optical CF hole detector or switch 52. switch 52
is aligned with the side alignment edge 30 on the platen;
As a result, once the CF sheet is aligned with the registration edge 30, the sprocket holes along one edge of the CF sheet will be centered and aligned with the CF switch 52 as it is fed out. The sensor 52 is connected to the controller 100 and is compared with the data stored therein and the measured feed motion of the document feed drive to determine whether a proper (appropriate) CF sprocket hole passes underneath. Then, the appropriate time interval for activating the CF switch 52 is determined. The standard distance of 12.7 mm (1/2 inch) between CF holes is known, the standard size of the CF sprocket hole is known, and the activation time and number of activations of switch 52 by the sprocket hole is determined by the amount of time the motor passes through it. It turns out that the position of the switch 52 is constant and the motor 1VL2cF
Since the paper drive operation is known (servo controlled),
The identification and location of the CF sheets is controlled and aligned using constant data criteria and a simple conventional clock countdown memory count within controller 100, as described below. No special circuit is required. As the CF paper is being fed into the device 10, after making a first copy from its (mechanically aligned) first portion, the C
A reasonable (appropriate size) C between F sprocket 1 and hole [:
CF detector 52 and controller 100 determine whether it is actually CF paper by detecting the presence of sprocket holes and proper spacing. Once this initial CF paper determination has been made, the apparatus 10 continues in its CFF operating mode to automatically incrementally advance the CF paper 5;
The selected incremental length portions are copied until the entire sheet is fed, as described below. On the other hand, the CF detector 52 and the control device 10
If 0 does not recognize that CF paper is being fed during this initial feed (e.g. by switch 52 providing a steady state signal), it will display a jam indication (indicating a feed error or an oversized non-CF document). Give instead. After the end of the CF paper is detected by the switch 22 and the remaining paper is copied and ejected, the apparatus automatically returns from its CFF mode to the S ADI-1 mode. Furthermore, with respect to the feeding and alignment of the document by the scuffer rollers 28, this is assisted by the rollers 28 extending substantially on separate "skids" or "skis 27" of the two clamps. The "ski" 27 is an independently mounted, gravity-loaded planar member having a rectangular downstream/lateral edge corner of the overall clamp 26. This cedar 27 takes advantage of the weight of the ski and its proximity to the platen to "float" the portion of the document being fed into alignment by the scuffer wheel 28 to help limit and prevent buckling. Clamp 26 is also preferably a generally planar, optically uniform, light-reflecting surface.As shown in FIG. It is also desirable to be able to tilt the ski 27 downwardly toward the downstream registration edge finger 42 when holding the remainder of the clamp 26 up and feeding the document underneath it. The area of the ski 27 is minimized by curving it somewhat towards the center to concentrate its hold-down effect (and prevent the document leading edge from being driven onto the registration finger 42) and to reduce friction with the ski 27 upstream of it. Restricted to be smaller than the standard original to be copied d3, ski 2
7 and the rest of the clamp 26. This is facilitated by properly rounding or contouring the edges of the ski 27 and the clamp 26. In other words, these edges are properly contoured and printed out as dark lines on the copy set (not shown in the original).
) Reduce edge shadows. Returning further to the take-off rollers 50, these provide a right-hand friction pinch or nip drive to a plurality of drive rollers located corresponding to the idlers. Once roller 50 was CF
Once the sheets are captured, they become the main feed output for all subsequent sheet operations. 2 inboard (side alignment end 30
Roller 50 is somewhat larger than the other rollers, for example by approximately 172 mm in diameter. This establishes a computer form feeding mechanism downstream of the platen, which also applies rotational force to the CF paper and works with the drive scuff 70 to push the upstream portion of the CF paper against the horizontal alignment edge 30. , which simultaneously work together to machine the same CF paper to the same registration edge 30 and frictionally push it laterally. These take-out rollers 50 are all commonly aligned on the same axis perpendicular to the line of the lateral alignment end 30. In other words, due to the difference in the diameter of the roller 50, the two rotating couples align the upstream part of the CF paper @30 and the input line guide 1.
A rotational force, that is, a twist is applied to 3a (that is, a ski corner is applied thereto). Special lateral alignment aids are important for CF sheets, which, due to their length and quality ω, are not suitable for full-length delivery of CF sheets in the case of a single overplaten mechanism, such as the scuffer wheel device 28 itself. This is because maintaining proper lateral alignment becomes extremely difficult. Roller 50 is driven by the same motor M2 at substantially the same delivery speed (approximately 1% faster) as wheel 28. The roller 50 nip is closed for the entire delivery cycle, but
Can be opened manually to clear jams. When the document mover 10 is in the S A D l-1 or single solid document operating mode, the downstream or platen alignment finger 42 is in the document path after the trailing edge of each document is removed from the platen by the take-out roller 50. Continuously lifted to perform clear mechanical alignment of the leading edge of the next manuscript. However, whenever the document mover 10 is in the CF mode, the registration finger 42 is continuously lowered out of the document path for delivery of the entire CFF sheet. It is thus preferable that all individual document sheets be mechanically aligned on the platen by a mechanical edge alignment device 40, which is not suitable for all CFs after the first segment that is improper and prone to paper damage.
Preferably, it is deactivated for the F paper segment. Further, with respect to the kickoff or ejection roller 36, its only function is to ensure that the leading edge (and only) of any individual document or CF sheet is conveyed positively from the registration edge 42 into the nip of the takeoff roller 52. Thus it is only driven for a predetermined short period of time to achieve this and does not advance against the normal line platen glass. In the OFF mode, the only operation of the solenoid 46 is to cause the kick-off roller 36 to lower the first CF paper dungeon 1~, i.e., to only deliver the first (leading edge) paper to the roller 50 nip segment. It is not involved in the subsequent sending of CF paper. In the 5ADH mode it simply moves down for the ejection of each document sheet. This is another difference between 5ADH and CFF operating modes. The kick-off roller 36 is a scuff 70-
roller 28 to ensure that the first CFF paper segment is forced into the nip of roller 50 even in the presence of significant upstream web delivery resistance. The later part or segment of the CF paper to be copied is S
The operating mode is completely different from the ADH mode and is automatically matched to the incrementally delivered CF mode. The CFF mode of operation utilizes the transverse holes and counts of the sprocket holes and the servo-controlled incremental delivery of the CF paper with said transverse holes and count information. The OFF mode automatically feeds the selected paper increments by rotating the servo motor M2 until the proper portion (preliminary length) of the CF paper is fed by the roller 50, and then automatically feeds the selected paper increments at the electrically calculated alignment position. Dynamic braking of motor ~12 stops the sheet, copies that sheet segment, and repeats these steps until all CF sheets have been so incrementally advanced and copied. Controller 1
The desired length of paper can be advanced within each incremental operation by simply setting the 00 operator control switch. Thus, CF paper feed is not limited to feeding only one increment between the separation lines of the CF paper. However, as mentioned above, the controller 100. can be automatically pre-adjusted to feed a standard 22-splot hole CF sheet per increment, for example, in the absence of different operator input. The number of sprocket holes sent through switch 52 is compared to the number sent using the slip compensated alignment refinement and verification system described below to provide the proper incremental distance. Then when processing such computer fan hold index regarding the details of this device, the intelligent servo C given for this CFF operating mode.
Consider the example of an F-sheet incremental drive. As described above, the first fan-hold segment that is also copied for OFF copying is routed to the high mechanical alignment gate 42 position as if it were the 5ADH mode original. However, from this point on alignment becomes the responsibility of the servo device. An incremental digital encoder housed in servo motor M2 is used to monitor the amount of rotation of motor M2. This can be a simple conventional pulse generator generating a known number of pulses per rotational increment of motor M2. On the other hand, the fan hold (CF paper) dovetail hole is monitored using a detector '1j or sensor 52 located downstream of the alignment position. This CF paper position feedback from sensor 52 is used to monitor the actual fan hold position for the entire index stroke. (Each incremental CF paper or web movement). Using this combination of document transport motor M2 encoder feedback and document position feedback, the speed and position of the fan hold can be accurately controlled by the servo device software. This compensation technique can offset and shift the paper drive rolls 50 and 28, causing significant variable amounts of paper drive slip, as discussed below. The desired paper stop position for each paper increment in CFF mode depends on the selected paper increment or index length, which is a constant that is preset prior to feeding. Since this information establishes a relative stop position, the OFF routine subtracts a certain predetermined distance from this value to establish a point of interest for each incremental advance. This is accomplished essentially by dialing down the number of detected sprocket holes by one to a preset known number of holes within a selected web increment, e.g. 22. However, as discussed below, web distances for uncountable misses or clogged holes are also compensated for with this device (unless there are more than two uncountable sprocket holes in a row).
. Servo motor M2, and therefore the web feed rollers 50 and 28 connected thereto, are driven in a programmed control manner during each web incremental step. The web is initially uncontrolled and rapidly accelerated, then adjusted to a nominal constant velocity that is flat for most of the web segment motion. Nearing the end of the web increment, the web feed quickly reduces its main web increment speed and motor M2
By partially dynamically controlling #I, a considerably low step speed can be obtained. Some time later, while the web is moving at this low constant speed, the apparatus begins monitoring its final wear stop position. The final stop position is dependent on the hole compensation routine, alignment adjustment values, and document length values preferably stored in non-volatile memory. Once the stop (alignment) position is reached, the device is dynamically braked to a stop and awaits further commands. Document clamp 26 is lowered by motor M1 to expose a selected number of the aligned CF paper segments. Often, some sprocket holes in the CF paper are not punched or clogged, or there are tears or clinch marks inserted and distorted, or there are tear or dog air areas in the CF paper, so the Intelligent OFF device It is desirable to be sophisticated enough to recognize these alignment error conditions and continue the desired feed function to properly align the fan hold. Although the disclosed device does not allow the CF paper to be driven and aligned by conventional non-slip sprocket hole drives, the alignment accuracy of the present device operating as described above under most circumstances is Cannot depend on sprocket drive @ device. Regarding clinch marks, some commercial forms are fed by a clincher drive, which can drill another hole, known as a clinch mark, in the area between the sprocket holes in the CF paper. As will be described later, such lynch marks are very complicated because the sprocket holes are detected and counted optically. With this device, the CF paper or fan board is driven by a non-sprocket feed (friction or pinch roll drive) and the holes in the fan board are dependent on position information. Thus, even with a microprocessor-controlled DC ten-novo drive motor accompanied by a position encoder, an effective system requires not only hole defect compensation but also slip compensation of the friction drive mechanism. This paper position technique, which uses sensors to detect sprocket holes in the fan board, relies on the ability of the servo system to properly detect and identify sprocket holes. Here, the holes are confirmed after the leading edge of what seems to be the number of sprocket holes is detected by the sensor 52, and then the end of the same hole is detected by the sensor 52.
This is achieved in part by counting (accumulating) the motor M2 encoder position pulses through M2. The end of the space (the trailing edge of the hole) corresponds to the standard maximum sprocket hole diameter. Detection of the beginning of the space (leading edge of the hole) that covers the correct motor encoder position pulse is within the tolerance and tracking tolerance of the brass sensor. When detected, if it meets the slack (parallel) confirmation criteria described below, it is considered to be a valid space or hole and counted. The first and last holes in the standard CF paper segment pile (adjacent to the par 7) are usually somewhat larger than the other sprocket holes. A minimum pulse count for checking holes can also be set in addition to the maximum count. This is less than the standard minimum sprocket hole count, ie, allowances and other tolerances for adjusting side hole alignment are subtracted. However, there are small tears, clinch marks, and separate parts.
) Reject (invalidate) line cuts (parts), staple holes, etc.
do. Encoder pulse counting, hole verification, etc. are performed logically in real time by a conventional separate IC, preferably a conventional copier microprocessor. When a sprocket hole is identified, when the trailing edge of the identified hole passes the sensor, a "high to low" signal from 1 to 52 (in contrast to a "low to high" signal from the tip of the hole) The changing signal output can be used to initiate and override later logic steps as described below. Preferably, the sensor 52 itself has dual parallel IR beams spaced approximately 3 mm < 0.11 inch) across the paper feed direction, with dual photodetectors connected to a common "OR"output; By looking at the chord on the side of the hole rather than its diameter, it compensates for some lateral misalignment of the web hole relative to the sensor location without losing ``sight'' of the hole or making the hole too small. Returning then to the CFF paper registration system, the substantial amount of paper advance slip (approximately 7 mm (0,275 inches) per sprocket hole) can be fully compensated for (although not limited to) by the techniques described below. Original Increment is a constant length, then its length can be expressed by an equivalent constant number of motor M2 encoder position pulses as if there were no slip.When a CFF paper document is divided into virtual spaces or zones equidistant from the number holes, the length can be expressed as if there were no slip. , we can say that at a given time the hole falls within its own space or zone (
(See Figure 10 and its explanation). Each zone, which is actually a nominal constant distance, can be equal to a predetermined number of drive motor encoder pulses. (e.g. 250 per zone
pulse). Thus, as long as the CF sprocket hole is detected by the sensor 52 somewhere within its own assigned zone, the servo software will know where the document actually is at that time with respect to the position of the paper that its servo drive thinks it is. is known by counting the pulses and is therefore in a position to successfully compensate for slip. That is, when the trailing edge of such a confirmed hole is detected, the Rivo device determines where the hole is within its assigned zone (not the distance from which the paper is aligned), but which hole it actually aligns with (the distance from the hole). As mentioned above, the zone is established in the zone counter using an encoder on motor M2 that measures 1/2 inch of the expected displacement of the hole. However, the paper hole is actually detected by sensor 52 downstream of alignment. Thus paper advance slip is detected by sensor 52.
This means that the actual document paper position always lags behind the position feedback indication from the encoder on the paper drive motor M2. Thus, the paper hole, if present, will always be found by the sensor 52 being pushed back unequivocally upstream (opposite the direction of paper travel) in proportion to the slip finger. Thus, taking advantage of the zone concept described above, the slip is maximized. In order to compensate for The hole thus has a large slip distance in its zone.
If a slip occurs, it can be detected if it occurs.A large allowable slip is given in each zone as shown in the J1 calculation below.The hole pitch between each zone is 12.7mm between holes (1/
2 inches) distance, so its value is D2 = 12.
7 mm (0.50 inches). Nominal pore size (Dhol
o) is 3.81 mm (0.150 in.). D
is selected to be 1.91 mm (0,075 inches), and is D-shaped. , is the distance at which the zone boundary is set in front of the leading edge of the hole. Dsi□. (maximum detectable slip) is the distance from the trailing edge of the hole to the trailing edge of the zone, calculated as: Dslip ”' D 2 'hole-Dlead
= 0.50-〇, 150-0.075=7mm(0
, 275 inches). Thus the hole is slid back to the upstream end of the distance for all Ds□□ in its zone, i.e. the paper is 7+++m(
If the slip is not more than 0,275 inches),
There is a worst value of detectable slip within one zone. Since all paper increments slip and the spacing between holes within the paper itself is always 12.7 mm (0,50 inches), every hole after this worst slip will slip by the same amount, including the next hole. are doing. Later holes slip to the worst possible position within each zone, allowing detectable slip within the other zone if the original zone boundaries are maintained. To compensate for this problem, the zone boundaries are automatically adjusted, ie, reset or changed, from when and where a valid but slipped hole is detected. The next zone boundary is reset to a new position within the zone count and the next hole is detected with a total slip zone of 0.275 inches. DC omp
is a constant value and is used to change the original zone boundary position to the new zone boundary after each valid hole is detected. The new boundary is not the previous zone boundary, but is approximately D from the rear end position of the last detected hole.
mp spaced apart. In this way, the slip is automatically compensated for below D8□. D is always 12.7 omp - 3,81 - 1,905 L = 'i7 mm (0,275 inches). However, if no valid hole has been detected within the zone, the zone boundary for the next hole is not set as such, but rather the zone counter is automatically reset at the end of the entire zone count to the previous zone. It is fixed at 12.7 mm (0.5 inches) from the boundary (with the 3-zone restriction as described above). However, the next zone boundary is reset from the previous zone boundary (by the zone counter recirculating with all zone counts) only if no valid holes have been detected within the zone. If a valid hole has been detected (as is usually the case), the next zone boundary is reset from the detected hole position, regardless of the previous zone boundary position. Further, in FIG. 10, segment l- of the CF paper passes through sensor 52 in its feeding direction (travel arrow). The first zone boundary is the vertical dashed line on the left. The solid circle is the initial position of the sprocket hole. Slips (relative to paper advance) within the observed paper motion are shown in the first zone (such slips can exist in any zone, but are limited to one zone for clarity). The slip suspension of the hole is in one zone,
i.e. where reasonable holes were expected (near the beginning of the zone)
This is a detectable slip because it is detected within the zone even though it is not near the end of the first zone. The actual sprocket hole position detected within the first zone by sensor 52 due to this slippage is indicated by the dashed line sprocket hole position. This same slip occurs in all upstream zones because the paper is moving in unison, as shown by the dashed sprocket holes in these zones. To compensate for this slip, the next zone boundaries are automatically repositioned 1.91 mm (0,075 in.) in front of the new (dashed line) hole location. These new zone boundaries are indicated by vertical dashed lines. 1', i.e., once the trailing edge position of a slipped hole is detected, the expected distance in encoder pulse counts to the next expected hole (in the absence of rough slip) is a known constant and therefore the next The zone boundary is then reset somewhat before the expected hole leading edge.
can. This will immediately set the zone counter to 12.7-6.99+++m (0,5-0,275
inch) or 5.7 n+m (0,225 inch) and then cause the zone counter to continue counting normally upwards (i.e. accumulating counts of pulses from the motor). This can be achieved by That is, the zone argument is thus reset or restarted by the hole detect signal to a new constant count value, eg, 112 pulses for a 250 pulse zone. Thus, the allowable distance to the next desired reset 1 zone boundary is 138 pulses. The reset zone counter then accumulates another 138 pulses (added to the 112 pulses) from the encoder rotation until it reaches the end of the zone pulse count (here 120). Only one such zone is allowed in each zone since, as noted elsewhere, only 1 valid hole is counted in each zone and one hole has already been detected in this zone. Boundary reset [-. The final or aligned paper position can be calculated as follows. As each first valid hole is detected, the zone in which it is detected provides a pointer to a conventional double in the software, and the table is added to the current position to stop the motor and align the document. Generate the total number of motor encoder pulses that need to be displaced before. That is, when the par 7 line is the desired alignment position, the total count of the parts is often I-. With this technique, each appropriate hole detected within that zone provides the device with the best updated interpretation of the paper distance to be traveled. That is, the eight holes identified and detected establish the actual wear position at that time and thus the known remaining count to alignment position. Additionally, for the hole check routine, holes that are not punched by the controller are carefully ignored as described above.

[The paper is torn instead of . Clinch marks are also usually ignored (ie, they usually do not interfere with proper alignment). Verification of this hole is greatly aided by where the zone boundaries are reset for valid holes, as described below. The zone demarcation device is usually set up so that (in the absence of slippage) a suitable hole is detected immediately (at the beginning of the zone) unless there is an undrilled or clogged sprocket hole. Furthermore, once one valid hole is detected in a zone, the controller cannot consider any more valid holes in the same zone. All clinch marks or other spaces that occur between (after) the sprocket holes thus detected are automatically ignored, even if they are of reasonable size. In the unlikely event that the first reasonable space detected within the zone is a fissure or clinch mark with a reasonable range of hole sizes rather than a hole, the possibility of misalignment is eliminated. There is sex. However, this erroneous hole problem is corrected as long as at least one more valid hole is detected in a valid zone within at least one other zone before the document is stopped. If the final hole detected within the paper increment is a reasonably sized clinch mark, there may be a misalignment, which is 12.7 +++ m (
0.5 inch). Even then, the next paper segment index (incremental feed) can automatically straighten out the misalignment. In other words, tears, clinch marks, and other non-sprocket paper openings are automatically rejected or compensated for by the device, but are detected before a valid hole is detected in the same zone and before the final zone. Except in the very rare (triple co-occurrence) case of non-sprocket openings with reasonable dimensions, no further reasonable holes are detected in the later zones. Preferably, the software is configured to attempt up to three consecutive zone feeds without detecting a valid hole before declaring a misalignment failure. This compensates for up to three torn, unpunched or clogged sprocket holes in a row without blocking or losing alignment as long as there is no excess slip between the three running zones. Thus - all valid holes detected even if there are no more than 31 in a row plus all hole zones where no valid holes are detected within the paper increment required to reach the preselected alignment position for that increment. is subtracted from a preselected and stored total hole count. In other words, even if no valid holes are detected within the zone, the paper is driven at the same speed and a constant zone boundary is maintained.
That is, the paper is considered to be moving at the drive speed unless three such consecutive zones are accumulated in a row without a valid hole being detected within the three zones. The position of the Hall sensor 52 is not particularly important due to the compensation described above. However, it is preferable to position the sensor at the desired zone boundary or Dlead position, i.e., 0,075 inches downstream from the leading edge of the hole when the paper is properly aligned. desirable. The part (CF paper segment separation line) is conventionally located exactly in the middle of the two holes. Also, usually C
The desired registration (stop) position for the F sheet is where the part line is at the registration edge. These Dlea, d positions are 12.
Exist at 7 mIII (0.5 inch) intervals. This allows sensor 52 to be placed anywhere downstream of registration and downstream of the CF drive nip of take-off roll 50, as long as sensor 52 is close enough to paper feed wheel 2B to accommodate the shortest fan-hold paper fed therebetween. Cover the meaning of what you can do. The more the register 1 no. 52 is located far from the desired D head position, the less the allowable slip (detected) is, thus creating a condition where the hole is lost due to slip over to the next zone. In this case, an alignment error of 12.7 mm (1/2 inch) occurs directly in the first zone and is not detected, requiring operator intervention (without stopping the paper feed) to correct it. . As mentioned above, after the initial acceleration is completed, the paper feed servo M
2 is preferably controlled so that it rotates at a constant speed. Speed control can be achieved by varying the voltage applied across the motor leads to vary and maintain the motor speed. This is possible if the motor speed varies linearly with the applied voltage. The applied terminal voltage can be quickly changed by turning the entire supply voltage on and off without using a linear voltage amplifier. The on-off time ratio determines the average voltage the motor sees during that time. This technique is known as pulse width modulation (PWM). 3
PWMJ of this servo of 000t-1z! ] The wave number is 33
Corresponds to a period of 3 μs. The speed is 10μs resolution.
It can be controlled by adjusting the duty cycle within a period of 333 μs. To determine the motor speed the servo controller
Zanbu 21 encoder pulse output over m5 light
Sisi, a new PWM for the next period based on that information.
Calculate duty cycle. The sampled position information is compared to a constant representing the desired velocity. Periodic start-up to constant speed drive of servo motor M2 is OF
Used as input (start) and output (end of cycle) operation for F and 5 ADH operating modes. In both modes, motor M2 is driven approximately 500 m5 to feed the first CF paper segment one sheet at a time. After copying the end of the CF paper, that is, each individual document, the motor M2 rotates further by about 500 m3 to eject the paper from the platen. In the case of CF paper, another CF paper increment can be provided in addition to the time to ensure removal of the trailing edge of the paper from exit roller 50. In the case of these non-critical feeds, motor M2 can simply coast from its feed rate to an uncontrolled stop position. Although a DC motor drive with an integral shaft encoder is preferred, it is not necessary as long as reasonable information on the paper drive is available. For example, as long as stopping accuracy is obtained, motor M
2 can be a braking AC motor. Rotation information can be provided by a pulse generator on an axis such as roller 50. The flowchart of the hole checking and fan fold alignment method with slip compensation servo braking pinch rolls is shown in FIGS.
It is shown in FIG. There are three processes mentioned above that actually proceed simultaneously. These are the speed control of the servo that generates the acceleration, constant speed operation and deceleration profiles of motor M2, and the hole confirmation and monitoring of the hole position and count in the fan hold are compared with the motor M2 encoder pulses to the final stop. Decide on the position. The terms used in the flowcharts of FIGS. 11-13 will now be explained. Align Adjustment; This is a value between O and 15 stored in non-volatile memory. This number is equal to the distance that the paper can stop before and after the alignment position. It is used to compensate for dimensional tolerances between machines. Form size:
This is a value between 10 and 24 and represents the number of holes in the selected CF increment, ie, the fanhold or segment being indexed. Zone pointer: This is a pointer that addresses the software table containing the ``distance to go to the part (desired established position)'' from the back edge of the detected hole within this particular zone. Final position: This is the pointer that The total number of motor encoder pulses that must accumulate before being aligned. This value is continuously modified by the hole monitoring algorithm. Deceleration position: This is the position on the speed profile when the servo decelerates to the final low speed. is at position t''. It is always a constant distance from the final position. B]He zone count:
As mentioned above, this counter accumulates the number of consecutive zones in which no valid holes were detected. If three bad zones occur in a row, false matching may occur. Zone Width Counter: This counter accumulates the number of encoder pulses equal to the zone width. Various aspects of the non-sprocket (friction) combi-coater paper feeding apparatus and method have applications in addition to copy-like document transport. For example, various or all hole identification, hole disappearance or non-sensing, slip compensation technology and other features are used in CF printers, typewriters, etc., such as sprocket holes or other regular paper, CF with indicators. Alternatively, non-sprocket driven feeding and alignment of other sheets can be performed. The embodiments disclosed herein improve the automatic control, transport, and alignment of a wide range of documents, including particularly computer form paper, during the entire process of feeding, aligning, advancing, exposing, and ejecting the document. The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative only and other applications, variations, modifications, improvements, or other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. They are intended to be within the scope of the claims.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a dual mode (conventional or C
F) Top view of an embodiment of the document moving device (with the regular J-bar removed); FIGS. 2 and 3 are partial enlarged views and top views of the example document moving and side alignment device of FIG. Figure, Figure 4~
FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged side view of the device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged side view of the device shown in FIGS.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of a segment of a combicoater sheet showing an alignment method including sprocket hole confirmation, and FIGS. 11-13 are examples of flowcharts of the control functions. Explanation of symbols 10... Original moving device 12...1 Helay 13...Pre-alignment end 14... ...Input roller 16...Idler roller 18...
...Pre-aligned gate finger 20...
Platen 22... Switch 24... Drive device 26... Platen clamp 28...
...Scuffer roller 30 ...... Lateral alignment end 32.34 ... Lifting cam 36 ...... Ejection roller 40 ... ...... Tip alignment device 42 ....... Alignment finger 46 ...... Solenoid 50 ...... Narita roller 52 ...... ...Sensor 100...Control device agent Hajime Asamura■416183 Priority officer Zhang @September 13, 1982 [Phase] United States (US
)■417257 0 Inventor: John Raymond Ellis 62 Belknup Street, Concord, Massachusetts, United States 0 Inventor: Lawrence Fraib Babula 20 Maridana Drive, Fairport, New York, United States of America 0 Inventor: Stephen James Wenze Junior 36 Lochinister Navarre Road, New York, USA

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In a document moving device that feeds combi-coater paper onto a copying platen of a copying machine, the device aligns the computer paper laterally on the platen in a direction transverse to the paper feeding direction without using the sprocket holes in the computer paper. a lateral platen registration end extending in the computer paper advance direction on the platen; and a first printer paper friction device for frictionally advancing the computer paper in a direction transverse to the lateral registration end. a feeder disposed downstream of the platen for imparting a rotational force to the computer sheet and cooperating with the first combination sheet feeder to urge the computer sheet toward the lateral registration edge; 2. A document moving device comprising: a computer paper friction feeding device;