JPS6022140A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reproduce many copies in a high speed by repeating one copying operation per original a required number of times for individual originals when a sorter is not used and repeating a required number of copying operations for every original when the sorter is used. CONSTITUTION:Plural sheet originals are placed on an original tray 1 and are fed into an automatic original carrying machine A in order from the lowest original by a carrying belt 3. Double carrying is prevented by a separating belt 5 which is rotated in the direction opposite to this feeding direction. The copied original passes a returning path on the outside of the feeding path and is returned from a platen glass onto the tray 1. Each original is copied once when the sorter is not used; however, when a connector 74 of the sorter is connected to a copying machine body, each original is copied a required number of times, and copies are distributed to bins of the sorter, thereafter, the original is returned, and the next original is fed, and thus, the number of times of original replacement is reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Field The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material based on an original image.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a copying machine or the like, an automatic document conveying device has been used which supplies a plurality of documents placed on a document table one by one to an exposure position and discharges them from the exposure position after exposure is completed. By using this automatic document feeder, the kana copying efficiency can be improved compared to the case where the document is manually set at the exposure position.

Copying operations using such an automatic document feeder include a mode (R
ecycle Document feed: RDF
mode), and a mode (automatic document mode) in which continuous copying operations for the set number of copies are performed on all documents for each fed document (automatic document mode).
ed: called ADF mode).

According to the RDF mode, by circulating a document with complete pages for the desired number of copies, it is possible to obtain the desired number of copies with complete pages.

However, as the number of desired copies increases, the number of copies of the original will also increase, so if the original is damaged or dirty, or after the previous original is ejected, until the next original is fed to the exposure position. Since the copying operation is interrupted, there are also problems such as reduced copying efficiency.

On the other hand, in the ADF mode, unlike in the RDF mode, there is no need to recycle originals, so the originals are not stained or damaged, and there are no problems such as a decrease in copy efficiency.

However, it is not possible to obtain multiple copies with aligned pages, and for this purpose it is necessary to use an additional device having a collating mechanism.

As described above, there are advantages and disadvantages between the RDF mode and the ADF mode, and it is preferable that the device be provided with both modes and be able to select them as necessary.

Purpose The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and includes a first mode in which an image forming operation is performed multiple times consecutively for each of a plurality of originals, and a first mode in which an image forming operation is performed multiple times in succession for each of a plurality of originals; It is an object of the present invention to effectively operate an image forming apparatus having a second mode in which image forming operations are performed continuously according to usage conditions, and to improve office efficiency.

Example Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail using the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied, where C is the copying machine main body, A is a sheet document automatic conveyance device mounted on the exposure platen of the copying machine C, and 5O
RT distributes the copy paper ejected from the copying machine main body C,
It is a sorter for storing. l is a feed tray on which originals are stacked and set.One or more sheet originals can be placed on this tray, and it is arranged so that it is tilted downward toward the original feeding direction so that the original feeding side is lower. ing. 3 and 5
are a feeding belt and a separation belt for separating and feeding a plurality of sheet originals stacked on the feeding tray 1 one by one from the bottom. Further, reference numerals 23 and 24 are operation panels through which a user inputs operation commands to the copying machine main body C and the automatic sheet document conveying device A, respectively.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the copying machine shown in FIG. It should be noted that the parts related to the copying process are well known and have no bearing on the present invention, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

In the figure, numerals 1.3 and 5 are a feeding tray, a feeding belt, and a separating belt, respectively, as in FIG. P is a sheet original stacked on the feed tray 1 with the image side facing upward.

Feed rollers 2 and 2a rotate the feed belt 3 in the direction of arrow E to feed the document. Further, reference numerals 4 and 4a denote separation p-ra, which rotate a separation belt 5 in the direction of arrow F and separate sheet-like originals one by one from the bottom side between them and the feeding belt 3. The feed belt 3 and the separation belt 5 constitute a separation supply section S. The separating and supplying section S is provided near the bottom of the document on the tray 1 which is tilted downward.

The first sheet path 6 is formed between the guides 7 and 8 and is a path for moving the original separated between the feeding belt 3 and separation belt 5 onto the original platen glass 9. Further, the second sheet path 10 is formed between the guides 11 and 12, and is a passage for moving the document after image exposure by the illumination lamp L from the platen glass 9 to the feeding tray 1. .

ζHere, the second sheet path 10 is provided opposite to the first sheet path 6, and passes from the end 9a of the platen glass 9 to the outside of the sheet path 6 (that is, a path away from the belt 18). and reaches above the separation belt 5. and,
Discharge rollers 22 and 22a are attached to the upper end 10a of the separation belt 5 of the sheet path 10.

The originals discharged from above the platen glass 9 are guided by the sheet path 10, and are fed by the feed belt 3 and separation belt 5 from the direction in which the stacked originals are fed (direction α in the figure) to the opposite direction. The paper is discharged onto the tray 1 in the direction (β direction in the figure). That is, the direction in which the document is sent out from the tray 1 and the direction in which the document is discharged to the tray 1 are opposite to each other.

13.13& and 15.15a are a pair of sheet feeding rollers, each of which rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure. mouth-ra 13 and 13
The document passing through the sheet path 6 between
The document is conveyed in the direction of the document feeding tray 1, which passes through the sheet path 10 between the p-near 15 and 15m. 16
is a deflection plate, which is pasted on the guide 12 so that its leading edge is in contact with the guide 7. The document moving to the path 10 can move smoothly because the tip of the deflecting plate 16 is pushed by the guide 7. Note that this deflection plate 16
is made of sheet-like material such as Mylar.

Document conveyance rollers 17 and 17m rotate the document conveyance belt 18 and convey the document on the platen glass 9. Note that this roller 17 moves the original onto the platen glass 9.
When conveying the document upward and setting it at a predetermined position, the document is rotated in the direction of arrow G, and when the document is removed from the platen glass 9 after image exposure is completed, the direction of rotation is changed to the direction of arrow H. . Further, reference numerals 19, 20 and 21 are belt press rollers, which press the belt 18 against the glass 9 to ensure that the belt 18 conveys the document.

Reference numerals 22 and 22a are discharge rollers that kick out the originals that have passed through the jet nozzle 10 onto the feed tray 1.
A clock plate (not shown) rotates in synchronization with the conveying roller 1'7, and by detecting a slit in the clock plate with a photointerrupter, a clock path corresponding to the amount of movement of the seatbelt 18 is formed.

81 to S6 are document detection sensors, and Sl is a sensor for detecting whether or not a document is placed on the feeding tray 1;
A document sensor ns2 consisting of a second amplifier 81' and a phototransistor S1 is a registration sensor for detecting the presence of a document within the sheet path 6, and is a reflective sensor consisting of an LED and a phototransistor. S3 is a first discharge sensor that detects the presence of a document in the sheet path 10, S4 is a platen sensor that detects a document on platen glass 9, and 85 is a sensor that detects that the document is discharged from platen glass 9 in the right direction in the figure. This is the second exhaust sensor. Sensors S3.84 and S5 are all of the same structure as resist sensor S2.

S6 is a partition sensor that detects the position of a partition plate (not shown) placed on top of the same set of documents, and includes a Hall IC that detects a magnet attached to the partition plate.

The upper lid of the separation supply section S can be opened and closed to facilitate processing such as paper removal when a document jams in the apparatus.

Next, the sorter 5ORT will be explained. Sorter 5OR
T is connected to the main body by a cable 73. Also, 7
4 is a connector, which can be attached to and detached from the main body. In the figure, sheets to be distributed are conveyed from a copying machine C by a pair of discharge rollers 73 and a belt 72 after being fixed by a fixing roller (not shown) after forming an image, and then transferred to a conveyance guide 51 of a sorter 5ORT. be guided. For example, the corresponding tray 5
It is stored in 4-6.

Here, tray groups 54-1, 54-2, ...
..., 54-10 are fixed to the tray frame 55, and the elevating member 56 has a length corresponding to at least the distance from the tray 54-1 to the tray 54-10 along the guide groove 5B of the support column 57. It can be moved up and down only. Lifting member 56
One end of a chain (or wire, etc.) 60 is fixed to the upper end of the chain receiving member 59 fixed to the upper end of the chain receiving member 59, and the chain 60 is deflected by an idler 61 located above and connected to a sprocket 63 at the shaft end of a motor 62 located below. leading to. Further, another end of the chain 60 is fixed to the lower end of the chain receiving member 59 via a spring 64. This spring 64 is for absorbing changes in the length of the chain 60 and shock.

If the motor 62 is rotated clockwise under this configuration,
By raising the tray group as one, the lifting member 5
6 has cutout grooves 65 equally spaced between the trays, and when a position detection sensor 66B fixed to the support column 57 detects an arbitrary notch groove 65, the tray corresponding to the notch groove 65 is detected. The sheet receiving opening coincides with the nip portion of movable rollers 52 and 53. Furthermore, another notch groove (not shown) is provided in the elevating member 56 in parallel to the notch groove 65, and by combining the signal from the corresponding position detection sensor 66A and the signal from the above-mentioned sensor 66B, The uppermost position and the lowermost position of the elevating member 56 can also be detected. Additionally, a sheet detection sensor is installed across the sheet conveyance path between the nip portion of the movable rollers 52 and 53 and the tray group. 67 and 68 are arranged, it is possible to detect that a sheet is stored in one of the tray groups.

Next, the operation of the sorter with the configuration such as force ζ will be explained.

First, by the rotation of the motor 62) the ray group 54-1...
... 54-10 descends and reaches the bottom, and the tray 54-10
A sheet receiving opening 10 is located at a position corresponding to the nip portion of movable rollers 52 and 53. When this is detected by the position detection sensors 66A and 66B, the motor 62 is stopped and the electromagnetic brake BKS (see FIG. 5) is activated. Subsequently, the imaged sheet is transferred to the movable row 252.
and 53 and conveyed to the tray 54-10. The movable rollers 52 and 53 are rotated by a motor M2 (see FIG. 5) which is operated in response to a copy start signal from the main body C of the copying machine. Next, the sheet detection sensor 67
When the rear end of the sheet is detected by 68 and 68, the motor 6
2 clockwise to raise the tray group. The sheet receiving opening of the tray 54-9 is connected to the movable rollers 52 and 53.
When the position sensor 66 detects that the notch groove 65 corresponding to the tray 54-9 has come to the position corresponding to the nip portion of the tray 54-9, the motor 62 is stopped and the brake is applied. The tray 54-9 then becomes ready to receive sheets. Thereafter, after the above-described operation is repeated a necessary number of times, the tray group is returned to its initial state by a return signal.

FIG. 3 is a top view showing the document separating section. In FIG. 3, a partition plate 26 separates the original before exposure from the original returned after exposure. Note that one set of the partition plates 26 are provided at both ends of the separation supply section G so as to face each other. This partition plate 2G is the partition plate arm 2
7 and is supported by a fulcrum 28. Further, reference numeral 29 denotes a friction plate, which is inserted between the arm gear 72 engaged with the gear 71 fixed to the separation roller shaft 30 and the partition plate arm 27. By transmitting the frictional force caused by the rotation of 4, 4&, a load is applied to the partition plate arm 27 provided on the same axis 72a in the direction of the feeding tray. Further, the arm 2 is attached to the shaft 72a.
A spring (not shown) is provided to apply an upward force to the feed tray 1. When the clutch 29 is energized, the force of this spring causes the partition plate 26 to rotate above the feed tray 1 about the shaft 72&. and is positioned at a predetermined distance from the surface of the feeding tray 1.

The partition plate 26 not only serves to separate the documents, but also serves to facilitate the feeding of the documents in the separating and feeding section G. That is, by bringing the leading edge into contact with the belt 5 and pressing the originals P stacked from the belt 3 to the tray l against the belt 3, the lowest original can be reliably separated and conveyed.

The partition plate 26, which is supported by a fulcrum 28 on the partition plate arm 27, is set by a solenoid (not shown) about the fulcrum 28 at both the solid line position and the two-dot chain line position as shown by the arrow R.

S6 is the aforementioned partition sensor, and MG is a magnet provided on the partition plate arm 27.

FIG. 4 shows an operation panel 24 provided on the front side of the automatic sheet document conveying device A. As shown in FIG. Reference numeral 32 denotes a mode switch for instructing the sheet document automatic conveyance device A to carry out document conveyance.

33, 34 and 35 are indicators such as LEDs, the indicator 33 lights up when the ADF mode is selected, and the indicator 34 lights up when the RDF mode is selected. Further, the indicator 35 lights up when a document is jammed in the sheet document automatic conveyance device A.

FIG. 5 shows an operation panel 23 provided on the main body C of the copying machine. Here, 41 is a jam lamp indicating that a jam has occurred within the copying machine body, 42 is a paper out lamp indicating that the copy paper has run out, and 43 is a toner no lamp indicating that the developer is running out. . 44 is a numeric display, which displays the numeric value entered from the numeric input key 45; 046 is an OK lamp indicating that the device is ready for operation; 47
is a copy button that instructs to start a copying operation. Note that the numerical display 44 may be provided on the sheet document automatic conveyance device side.

FIG. 6 shows a control system for controlling operations in this embodiment shown in FIG.

In the figure, Ql includes a well-known microcomputer and is mainly a control section of the main body C of the copying machine.

Note that the input/output related to the copying process is not related to the present invention and will therefore be omitted here. Q2 is a control unit consisting of a microcomputer for controlling the automatic document feeder A, and is a ROM.

This is a well-known μs process including RAM%ALU, I10 latch, etc. IRPT is an interrupt terminal of the microcomputer of the control unit Q2. AIolAL, AIz s AI
s, BIo, BL, BIt, CIo, CI+
, CIt, and CI are input boats. Also, A
OO1AO+, AO! s AOa, BOo s B
O+ -BO2s BOIL s CO+, co,,'
cos, D Oo, Dot, Dot, D Os -E
Oo −EO+ −′EO and EOa are output boats.

The control section Q2 outputs a control signal to the output boat in accordance with the input signal to each of the input boats described above, and controls the operation of each part of the automatic document conveying apparatus.

The CK beam is a four-pulse detection sensor that detects a slit in a clock plate that rotates in synchronization with the above-mentioned transport roller 17, and uses, for example, a photointerrack consisting of an LED and a phototransistor.

S1-S3 and S5. S6 is the document detection sensor described above. DSW is an open/close switch that detects the open/close state of the top cover of the separation supply section S.〇Q3A% Q3B-Q3J is a transistor array composed of transistors, etc. OM is a DC motor, which is the motor for driving the rollers of this device. be. CLI is an electric clutch for transmitting the rotational force of motor M to drive rollers 2 and 4 in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure.
The roller 17 rotates in the direction G in the second diagram when the clutch CL2 is energized.

Similarly, Cl3 is a clutch for rotating the low 17 in the direction opposite to the G direction, and the low 217 rotates in the H direction when the illustrated clutch CL3 is energized.

Note that the row 213 rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in the second figure when the clutches CL2 and Cl3 are energized.

Cl3 is a partition plate clutch that controls whether or not to transmit the frictional force caused by the rotation of the separation roller 4 to the partition arm 27;
This frictional force is transmitted when no current is applied.

BKU [This is a brake that is used to accurately stop the roller 17.

SL is a solenoid for moving the partition plate 26, and when energized, the partition plate 26 is moved to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG.

- SWI is a mode switch 31 operated by the operator when using this device.

SW2 is a select switch that is activated when the sorter 5ORT is connected to a copying machine as shown in Figure 2. Depending on the state of this select switch SW2, it is set to either ADF mode or RD.
The F mode is selected.

FIG. 7 shows a detailed diagram of a connector section for electrically connecting the main body of the copying apparatus and the sorter 5ORT. A cable 73 is drawn out from the sorter 5ORT, and a sorter connector 74 is attached to the tip of the cable 73.

A sorter socket 75 is provided in the main body of the copying machine.
By connecting the connector 74 to this socket 75, the copying machine and the sorter 5ORT are electrically connected. FIG. 8 shows a schematic structure of the socket 75 and the connector 74. The connector 74 has a plurality of pins 76, and the socket 75 has the same number of connection holes 77 as the pins 76.

Then, by inserting the connector 74 into the socket in the direction of the arrow, the copying machine and the sorter are electrically connected. Two of the plurality of pins 76 of the connector 74 are short-circuited. Therefore, by inserting this connector 74, the two connection holes of the socket on the device side will not be short-circuited.
From this, the copying machine determines that the sorter 5ORT is attached. The switch that is short-circuited when this connector 74 is inserted is the select switch SW2 in FIG.
corresponds to The state of the select SW2 is input from the control section Q1 to the input port C1 of the control section Q2 as an AMODE signal.

Returning to FIG. 6 again, o PL 1 is a display that lights up in the ADF mode, and PL2 is a display that lights up in the RDF mode. PL3 is an indicator that lights up when a document jams.

Input ports CIo, CL, CL and C1, Hiro input signals from the control unit Q1 of the copying machine main body C, and output ports co, CO, COs = D Oi Dα, EO.
o, EO,, EO! and EO, output a control signal to the control unit Q1.

Next, Q3 is a control section including a microcomputer for the sorter 5ORT. In this control unit Q3, ■. ~Eng. is an input terminal, and s00~0° is an output terminal.

5STRT is a sorter start signal for controlling the operation of the sorter SORT, and BCR is a signal for returning the tray group of the sorter 5ORT to its original position, both of which are supplied from the copying machine main body C. Also, INTC is sorter 5OR
This is a signal to stop shifting of the T tray group.

Furthermore, 5STBY is a signal that notifies the copying machine main body C that the sorter has returned to its original position, and SJAM is a signal that notifies the occurrence of a jam in the sorter.

881 is a signal from the sheet detection sensor 17, S
S2 and SS3 indicate signals from tray position detection sensors 16A and 16B.

884 is a claw (not shown) as a means for preventing the tray group from falling.
This signal indicates that the tray group has been released, and the solenoid SL (
2 is an output signal from a phototransistor (not shown) detected after energizing a phototransistor (not shown).

In addition, a motor Ml (corresponding to the motor 62 in Fig. 2) is connected via the drivers 5SRU and 5SRD, and in response to a signal output from the output terminal O2, the motor M1 rotates in the direction of raising the tray group, and outputs A signal output from the terminal 08 causes the motor Ml to rotate in the opposite direction, that is, in the direction of lowering the tray group. Via the driver SSR,
A drive motor M2 for movable rollers 52 and 53 is connected. Furthermore, the brake BKS of the motor M1 is connected via the driver D1, and the above-mentioned solenoid SL is connected via the driver D2.

Here, the position detection sensor output 882 and SS3 will be further explained. Signals 882 and 883 are output from the aforementioned position detection sensors 56A and 56B, and the combination thereof detects the position of the tray in use.

Since it is not directly related to the present invention, a detailed explanation will be omitted.
If the signals 882 and 883 are "1" and "0", respectively, this indicates that the tray group is located at the bottom and tray 54-10 is selected. Also, if the signal SS2.883 is "0" and "1", respectively, the intermediate trays 54-2 to 54-5
This means that 4-9 is selected. Furthermore, if the signals 882 and S83 are both "1", it means that the tray group is located at the top and tray 54-1 is selected.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing how signals are exchanged between the control unit Q1 of the copying machine main body and the control unit Q2 of the automatic sheet document feeder, when making three copies from three originals. Here is an example.

When the power is turned on at time To, the copying machine main body C enters an operable state after initial operation for a certain period of time.

When the power is turned on, a MODE signal (3) is output from the output port CO0 to the sheet document automatic conveyance device A Hiro copying machine.

On the other hand, there is an RDF mode that copies one document per feeding of one original, or an ADF mode that copies N sheets of paper for each feeding of one original.
The signal R/A mode signal (4) indicating whether the mode is
The signal is input from the select switch 8W2 to the control unit Q1 depending on the connection state of the ORT. In addition, "1' is RDF%-
“0” in the code is the ADF mode. Figure 9 shows sorter 5O
It is a figure when jDRDF mode is selected because RT is not connected. Furthermore, the MODE signal (3) is output when the mode of the automatic sheet document conveying device is selected and a document is placed on the feeding tray 1.

Therefore, FIG. 9 is a diagram for a case where a document is already on the feed tray 1.

Also, when two originals are placed at the same time, 0EN indicates the separation between the originals.
The D signal (6) is output every time the third original is fed.
, is coming out from. This is a signal indicating the boundary between the first original and the final original and can be seen by sensor S6.

In this way, the copy mode is automatically selected depending on the mounting state of the sorter 5ORT.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation control program for the copying machine main body C.

Below, using FIG. 9 and 1θ diagram, 2 sorters 5ORT
The copying operation when the printer is not attached, that is, the copying operation in RDF mode will be explained.

As described above, when the power is turned on, initial setting and standby processing are performed, and when the copy button 47' is pressed at time T (step K1), the process advances to step 2. In step 2, whether the operation mode using the automatic sheet document feeder is selected, or if it is selected, then the sorter 5ORT
Check whether the mode is ADF mode or RDF mode depending on whether or not is set. Then, the numerical input section 45
Processing is performed to change the display content of the numerical value input from the numerical value display 44. That is, sorter 5ORT
If is set, it means the normal number of copies as ADF mode, on the other hand, if sorter 5ORT is not set, it is RDF mode, and one copy is made for each feeding of the original. Since there is no need to display the number of copies, it is made to mean the number of copies.

That is, in the case of ADF, 1 is added for each copying operation, but in RDF, 1 is added at the end of each copying operation for all documents. Also, A.D.
In the F mode, an AMODE signal is output to the control unit Q2.

When the above processing is completed, in step 3, an original setting request signal ORQ T (
1) The control unit Ql is the input port CI.

send to The automatic sheet document feeder performs the document feeding operation between T and -T, and when it is completed, outputs the document feeding completion signal OSET (5) at time T.
ot to the copying machine. Then proceed to step 4.

In step 4, a well-known copying operation is performed, and when the optical system completes exposure of the original, the process proceeds to step 5 or 6. Here R
Regardless of whether you are in DF mode or ADF mode, proceed to step 5 and K6, respectively.

In the RDF mode, step 5 determines whether the count of the copy counter CNT is incremented by +1 depending on whether the 0END signal (6) is output. And 0E
If there is an ND signal, it is added as one set of copying has been completed, but if there is no ND signal, nothing is done. Then, in step 7, it is checked whether or not a predetermined number of copies have been copied, and if the count value CNT has not reached the predetermined number of copies, then in step 8, the 0RQT signal (1) and the 0EXT signal (2) are sent to the automatic sheet document feeder. at time T3. If it has been reached, proceed to step 9. On the other hand, 0R outputted at step 8
After receiving the QT signal (1) and 0EXT signal (2), the automatic sheet document feeder feeds and discharges the document, and when the document has been set, it outputs the 08ET signal (08ET signal) at time T4.
5) is output. Based on this 08ET signal (5), the copying operation for the next second original is started. The copying of the second sheet is completed in the same manner as described above between times 14 and 16, and since the set number of copies has not yet been completed, the 0RQ at time T is the same as time Ts.
Outputs T signal (1) and 0EXT signal (2). As a result, the second document is ejected and the third document is fed redundantly between time T's ``''''Ta, and at time T6, 08E is reached.
A T signal (5) is output. From time T6, the third copy operation is performed, and at time T, a signal similar to that at time T is output, and the third original is ejected and the first original is fed. At this time T, document separation signal 0END signal (6)
is sent to the main unit.

As a result, as explained in step 5 above, the copy number display indicating the number of completed copies changes from 0 to 1 (i.e., 1
). Then, the above operation is repeated until the copy counter reaches the set number N, and the process ends. In FIG. 9, the 0EXT signal (2) is output at time TN, and the automatic sheet document conveying device performs the ejection operation, and all operations are completed. That is, in step 10 of FIG. 10, as shown in 9, the 0EXT signal (2) is output, only the ejection operation is performed, and a copy end flag (not shown) is set to perform post-copy processing, and the process returns to step 1.

Next, in the case of the ADF mode, the timing chart is almost the same as the timing chart shown at times T0 to T in FIG. 9 described above. The difference is that the R/A mode signal (4) is not 0, and the %AMODE signal is output to the control unit Q2, and the T
, ~T, the operation of copying N sheets is performed on one sheet of original instead of copying one sheet, and after copying N sheets, the operation shown at time Ts ""' T4 is performed. The same applies to times T4-T, Tl1-T, and f.

That is, in FIG. 10, because the sorter 5ORT is installed, if the select switch SW2' is not operated and the ADF mode is selected, the AMODE signal is output, and at the same time, as shown in step 6, A counter is added for each copy, the value is displayed, and it is checked whether the set number of copies is reached. If the set number of sheets has not been reached, step 4 is repeated.

If it has reached step KIO, proceed to step KIO and 0END signal (6)
is checked, and if the 0END signal (6) is not output, the 0EXT signal (2) and the 0RQT signal (1) are output to cause the automatic sheet document conveying device to carry out paper feeding/discharging operations in order to exchange the document. Then, 08 indicates the completion of setting the original.
Upon input of the ET signal (5), copying of the next original is started. 0
If the END signal (6) is input, the process proceeds to step 9, where the same operation as in the RDF mode described above is performed and the copying operation is completed.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing the operation of the input/output load of the automatic sheet document conveying device A.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C are flowcharts showing the operation control program.

The operation will be explained mainly using flowcharts.

When a power switch (not shown) is turned on and power is supplied, all circuits within the automatic sheet document conveying apparatus enter the operating state. Then the microcomputer program starts. The RAM and I10 port are reset in step Kll. In step 12, a signal DSW indicating whether the upper cover of the separation supply section S is closed is inputted.
) BI, and if it is closed, go to step 13.
Proceed to. If it is open, it waits in step 12 until it becomes closed.

At step 13, enter capo) B1. If the mode switch 31 is pressed, the process goes to step 14, and AMODE determines whether the mode determined by the control unit Ql is the RDF mode or the ADF mode, depending on the attachment state of the sorter connector 74.
It is determined by the signal input (capo) C1. Then, in step 15, if it is ADF mode, output capo-) B
O+, indicator P″L through transistor array Q3H
1 and the ADF display 33 lights up. Also, RDF
In the mode, the display PL2 is turned on through the output capacitor 1130 and the transistor array Q3I, and the RDF display 3 is turned on.
Turn on 4.

Then proceed to step 16.

In step 16, the sensor s1 detects whether or not there is a document on the paper feed tray L. If not, the process returns to step Kll, and if so, the process proceeds to step 17 and the copying machine control circuit Q1
MODE, which is the operation mode of the automatic sheet document feeder.
A signal is sent to the output boat CO. In step 18, it is detected whether or not a signal indicating the separation of the document is input from the sensor s6 to the AI. If it is input, a 0END signal is output to the output boat DO.・0 After this, it is checked whether the document is fed or ejected at 2G in the step. The 0RQT signal is an original feed request signal from the copying machine body.The 0EXT signal is also an original ejection request signal.0In this step, it is determined whether to request only document feeding, only ejection, or simultaneous feeding and ejection. Hejumps 21 to 21 steps, 25 to 25 steps, and 2-8 steps to steps accordingly.

First, the case of paper feeding only will be explained.

In step 21, AO0 to AO2 are set to "H" to turn on motor M, turn on clutch CtI, and turn on clutch C12. As a result, the p original is fed from the feed tray l and arrives at the leading edge detection sensor S2. Jam the manuscript at step 22 until it arrives, clock GK
Make sure to check the count. This jam detection counter tiRAM (not shown) counts in the ON'l'l area. Jam subroutine Sub JA for processing the jam as a jam if it is within the predetermined count number N1, but not as a jam if it exceeds 'Nl.
Proceed to M to perform operations such as stopping the device and displaying the GM. Note that the details of this process will be omitted in this description.

On the other hand, if the document is normally sent by the sensor 82t, the process advances to step 23. That is, when the leading edge sensor S2 detects a document, the clutch C41 is turned off to stop the feeding belt 3 and separation belt 5.

At this time, the document is continuously conveyed in the direction of the platen glass 9 by the roller 13.0CNT2 is a counter for detecting a stuck jam, and %CNT5 is a counter for knowing the length of the document in the feeding direction, and is stored in the RAM. It's profitable. Similarly to the jam detection counter CNTl, the counter CNT1 performs calculations by counting the number of clocks. CNT2 is a predetermined number N
If the value is greater than 2, it is determined that there is a retained jam, and the jam processing is performed in the same manner as described above.

The number of daily pulses CK is set so that four pulses are output per distance 1 - 4 of the document conveyance distance. Therefore, for example, A4 size (210X2
If a document of 97 m ) is sent horizontally, the number of pulses is 210 x 4 = 840. Using this pulse, if the content of the counter CNT5 is around 840, it can be determined that the original is A4 size. Other sizes can also be found in the same way.

Normally, except for specific conditions, the document feeding direction is determined such that, for example, A3 size is vertical, A4 size is horizontal, and A5 size is horizontal, so it can be determined by the length in the feeding direction. However, if you send A4 size horizontally and A5 size to electronic mail, it becomes difficult to tell. Needless to say, such a case can be achieved by detecting the length of the document in the width direction.

When the document finishes passing through the sensor S2, the process moves to step 24. When the number of wave clocks passing the rear end of the original on the sensor S2 reaches N0, the motor M is turned off, the clutch Ctt is turned off, and the brake BK is turned on to stop the original at a specified position. Now that the feeding of the original to the predetermined position has been completed, a set completion signal 08ET signal is outputted to the main body of the copying machine. At the same time, the original size signal detected in step 23 is output as output signals EOo to FJOs and sent to the main body of the copying machine. Based on this signal, the copying machine can set the exposure scanning distance of the copy paper selected according to the original, or perform variable-magnification copying based on the original size and copy paper size.
Next, we will discuss the case where only the original is ejected. In this case, proceed from step 20 to step 25. In step 25, check Senna S6 indicating the document separation, and if there is an output, set the output ports DOz, Do, "
Set to H to drive the partition plate clutch CL4 and partition plate solenoid SL. This allows the partition plate 26 to
It will move onto the sheet document above. Further, the output di-) AOos is set to "H", the motor M is turned on, and the clutch C13 is turned on to drive the conveyor belt 18 in the direction of the arrow to begin discharging the original. In this case, the sensor S3 checks for a jam in step 26 (using CNT3), and after the document passes the first discharge sensor S3, in step 27, after clock N pulses, the motor is turned off, the clutch C13 is turned off, and the partition is turned off. The process ends by turning off the plate clutch C14 and the partition plate solenoid SL. After the N pulse passes through sensor S3, the document enters sheet pass 1.
0, which is sufficient time to change from 0 to the output path.Next, the case of feeding and discharging originals will be described. In this case, proceed to step 28 and set the output boat AOo1AOs to “H”.
”, the motor M is rotated and the clutch Ct3 is turned on to reverse the conveyor belt 18.
The zero roller 15 guided by the roller 5 rotates at a circumferential speed that is twice the conveyance speed of the above-mentioned through belt 18. At this point, the document begins to be ejected at a high speed. When the leading edge of the document passes the first ejection sensor S3, the process advances to step 29.
Proceed to.

In step 29, in order to feed the next document from the paper feed tray L, the belt reversing clutch C23 is turned on while the motor M is turned on.
Turn off the forward rotation clutch C12 and turn on the bell) 1
8 in the forward direction, that is, in the direction of arrow B. Furthermore, paper feed belt 3
And in order to rotate the separation belt 5, the clutch ct1 is engaged.

Step 30 until the original reaches the registration sensor S2.
I'm turning 31 on the step. During this time, step 31
Detects the jam of the ejected original in step 3.
Detects a jam in a document fed at 0. When the document reaches the registration sensor S2, the paper feed belt 3 and separation belt 5 are stopped in step 32, and the process proceeds to step 33. In step 33, the paper size is detected in the same manner as described above. When the original passes through the registration sensor s2, the process proceeds to step 34.

In this way, the document is ejected and set at the same time. Here, if the ejected original is long, the original is temporarily aligned between the bell 18 and the platen glass 9 and moved in opposite directions. However, since the ejected original is reliably fed by the row 2 pair 15.15a, there is no problem.

Furthermore, when the newly fed original passes through the registration sensor S2, the original to be ejected is already gone on the platen glass 9, so there is no problem in aligning the new original to a predetermined exposure position. Therefore, a new document can be set quickly, and the copying operation time can be shortened.

In step 34, when the fed original passes the sensor S2, it is checked whether there is an output from the sensor S6 indicating the separation of the original. If there is an output, the output capo DOI and DOI are set to "H", the partition plate clutch CL4 and the partition plate solenoid SL are driven, and the partition plate 26 is moved above the document on the document tray 1. Then proceed to step 35. The operation in step 35 is the same as step 24, which is only for feeding the original document, so a description thereof will be omitted.

As mentioned above, when the copying apparatus of this embodiment is equipped with a collating device (sorter 80RT) that has multiple storage sections for sorting and storing the copies that have been copied, it is possible to automatically Then, perform copying operation in ADF mode. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently copy a plurality of copies without damaging the original or reducing the copying speed.

In this embodiment, since the sorter and the main body of the copying machine are electrically connected to each other by the connector, the copy mode can be set to ADF.
In addition, the mode may be automatically switched by a signal detected by another microswitch when a connector is inserted, or by detecting that the sorter is mechanically connected. .

In addition, a switch for selecting sorter operation is installed on the sorter tsukuda.
When this is activated, the copy mode may be switched.

Furthermore, it is possible to further provide a manual mode selection mechanism to prohibit automatic mode switching when the sorter is attached, and to enable the desired mode selection. An image forming apparatus having a first mode in which an image forming operation is continuously performed multiple times on each of a plurality of original sheets, and a second mode in which an image forming operation is continuously performed once on each of a plurality of original sheets. can be automatically operated in a mode suitable for the mode of image formation.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an embodiment of a copying apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the copying apparatus shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a top view showing a document separating section, and FIG. 4 is a sheet 5 is a front view of the operation panel provided on the front of the automatic document feeder, FIG. 5 is a front view of the operation panel provided on the main body of the copying machine, FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the control circuit of the copying machine, and FIG. 7 8 is a schematic diagram of the sorter connector and socket, FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the state of signal transmission and reception between the control unit Ql and 92, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the connection between the sorter and the copying machine. A flowchart diagram showing the operation control program of the machine body and the sheet document automatic conveyance device, FIG. 11 is a timing chart diagram showing the operation of the input/output load of the sheet document automatic conveyance device,
FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C are flowcharts showing the operation control program of the control unit Q2. Also, A is a sheet document automatic conveyance device, C is a copying machine unit, 5oRT is a sorter, 1 is a paper feed tray, 18 is a widening belt, 23.24 is an operation panel, 26 is a partition plate, 81 to S
5 is a document sensor, and 86 is a partition sensor. Applicant Canon Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] It has a first mode in which the image forming operation is continuously performed multiple times for each of the plurality of originals, and a second mode in which the image forming operation is continuously performed once for each of the plurality of originals. An image forming apparatus that performs an image forming operation in the second mode when a collating mechanism having a plurality of storage sections for recording members on which images are formed is installed. 0