JPS6026959A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent misoperation in successive image formation on both sides of plural papers, by confirming whether both side image formation is carried out correctly as intended in the first step or not. CONSTITUTION:A check instruction input means is provided, and when images is formed on both sides of plural papers, and a check instruction is received from an input means, copies are formed on both sides of an initial prescribed quantity of papers, and when another check instruction is received from the input means, copies are formed on both sides of the remaining papers. An original on a platen 2 undergoes exposure scanning by reciprocating the optical system of a lamp 4 and mirrors 5-7 in the arrow (a) direction. The light reflected from the original is guided to a drum 10 to form an electrostatic latent original image on the surface of the drum 10, and it is visualized with a developing device 12. This toner image is transferred to a transfer paper P by the action of an electrostatic charger 20. The first both side copying is carried out by the action of a check key 126 for feeding a check instruction at the successive copying time, and the remaining both side copying operations are continued by again pushing the key 126.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that can automatically form images on both sides of a sheet of paper.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

Conventionally, as this type of image forming apparatus, there is, for example, a copying machine capable of automatic double-sided copying. In such a copying machine, when duplexing multiple sheets of paper continuously, by setting the number of copies and pressing the copy key, the copying operation continues until the set number of copies are completed. It is designed to do this. Therefore, even if a mistake occurs during double-sided copying, it cannot be confirmed until after the set number of copies have been made, and this means that the double-sided copying has to be restarted from the beginning, which not only wastes paper, but also It was extremely inconvenient.

Note that since copying machines are usually equipped with a stop key, pressing this stop key will interrupt the continuous copying process, making it impossible to check whether double-sided copying is being performed as expected. However, in this case, when the stop key is pressed, everything is cleared, so it is necessary to set the number of copies again and press the copy key, which is not very practical. Moreover, in this case as well, paper is wasted.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention was developed in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to ensure that double-sided image formation occurs as expected at the very first stage when double-sided image formation is performed continuously on multiple sheets of paper. It is an object of the present invention to provide an extremely convenient image forming apparatus that can confirm whether or not double-sided image formation is being performed properly and prevent errors in double-sided image formation.

[Summary of the invention]

The image forming apparatus of the present invention is provided with an input means for inputting a check command, and when a check command is input from the input means when double-sided image formation is performed continuously on a plurality of sheets of paper, the first predetermined The apparatus is configured to perform double-sided image formation for the number of sheets, and when a check command is input again from the input means, double-sided image formation is continued for the remaining sheets.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Below the puff, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a sound forming apparatus according to the present invention, such as a copying machine capable of automatic double-sided copying. That is,
This is a one-digit copying machine main body, and a document table (transparent glass) 2 for supporting a document is fixed on the top surface of the main body 1, and a document cover 3 is provided on the document table 2 so as to be openable and closable.

The original set on the original platen 2 is processed by an optical system consisting of an exposure lamp 4 and mirrors 5, 6.7 reciprocating along the lower surface of the original platen 2 in the direction of arrow a.
Exposure scanning is performed during the forward movement. In this case, the mirror 6°7 moves at a speed ≠ of the mirror 5 so as to keep the optical path length constant. The light reflected from the original by the scanning of the optical system and the light reflected from the original by the light irradiation of the filter exposure lamp 4 are reflected by the mirror 5°6.7 and then pass through the lens block 8 for setting the copying magnification. ,
Further, the light is reflected by the mirror 9 and guided to the photosensitive drum 10, so that an image of the document is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10. The photosensitive drum 10 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow, and its surface is first charged by the charger 11, and then the image of the original is exposed to slit light to form an electrostatic latent image. The latent image is developed by the developer 12.
A visible image is created by attaching toner to the surface.

On the other hand, the sheets P are taken out one by one from the selected upper paper feed cassette 13 or lower paper feed cassette 14 by the feed rollers 15 or 16, and are taken out from the paper guide path 17 or 18.
The paper is guided through the roller pair 19 to a registration roller pair 19, and is sent to a transfer section by the roller pair 19. Each of the paper feed cassettes 13 and 14 is removably installed at the lower right end of the main body 1, and one of them can be selected from an operation panel to be described later. Thus, the paper P sent to the transfer section is transferred to the photosensitive drum 1 at the transfer charger 20.
By coming into close contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 10, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 10 is transferred by the action of the charger 20. The transferred paper P is peeled off from the photosensitive drum 10 by the action of the peeling charger 21 and conveyed through the paper conveyance path 22, and is sent to a pair of heat rollers 23 as a fixing device provided at the terminal end of the sheet P. The transferred image is fixed by passing through this area. After fixing, the paper P and paper ejection roller pair 2 are
4 to be discharged outside the main body 1. After the photosensitive drum 1θ has been transferred, the charge is removed by the charger 25, residual toner on the surface is removed by the cleaner 26, and the residual image is completely erased by the charge removal lamp 27, so that the drum returns to its initial state. ing. In addition,
28 is a cooling fan for preventing the temperature inside the main body 1 from rising.

A double-sided copying unit 29 is provided below the main body 1 for supplying the single-sided copied paper discharged from the main body 1 to the image transfer section again.

This double-sided copying unit 29 includes a guide path 30 that guides the paper discharged from the main body 1 by the pair of paper discharge rollers 24, and receives the paper sent through the guide path 30 in the direction of arrow C (to the left or to the left in the drawing). a pair of conversion rollers 31 for sending the paper forward (to the right), a paper discharge tray 32 for receiving the paper sent by the pair of conversion rollers 31, a guide selector 33 provided in front of the pair of conversion rollers 31 to switch the direction in which the paper travels, and this guide selector 33. a guide path 34 that guides the paper guided by the guide path 34 toward the bottom of the main body 1; 35, and a guide path 36 that guides the paper conveyed through the conveyance path 35 to the pair of registration rollers 19.

FIG. 2 shows a moving mechanism for moving the optical system back and forth. That is, mirror 5 (and exposure lamp 4) is placed in the first carriage 45 and mirror 6.7 is placed in the second carriage 45.
Each of the carriages 45 and 46 is supported by a carriage 46, and these carriages 45 and 46 are guided by guide rails 47 and 48 and are movable in parallel in the direction of arrow a. Motor 49 drives pulley 50.

An endless belt 52 is stretched between the pulley 50 and the idle pulley 51, and one end of the first carriages 4, 5 that support the mirror 5 is fixed to a midway portion of the belt 52.

On the other hand, on the rail 48 guide portion 53 of the second carriage 46 that supports the mirror 6.7, two boots IJ 54 and 55 are provided so as to be rotatable and spaced apart in the axial direction of the rail 48, and these pulleys 54 A wire 56 is strung between the two ends of the wire 56, and one end of the wire 56 is connected to the fixed part 57.
The other ends are fixed to the fixing portions 57 via coil springs 58, respectively. Further, one end of the Fi first carriage 45 is fixed to a midway portion of the wire 56.

As the pulse motor 49 rotates, the belt 52 rotates, the first carriage 45 moves, and the second carriage 46 also moves accordingly. At this time, since the pulleys 54 and 55 act as movable pulleys, the second carriage 46 moves in the same direction as the first carriage 45 at a speed of μ. In addition, 1. Second carriage 45.
The direction of movement of the motor 46 is controlled by switching the direction of rotation of the pulse motor 39.

Figure 3 shows the four operation channels, including a copy key 121 that gives a command to start copying, a numeric keypad 122 that sets the number of copies, and a clear/stop key that clears the set number of copies or stops the copying operation. 123, display 124 for displaying the number of copies, etc., density adjuster 125 for adjusting copy density
, check key 1 for inputting check commands during continuous copying
26. Upper cassette selection key 127 and its indicator light 128 for selecting the upper paper feed cassette 13, lower cassette selection key 129 and its indicator light 1301 for selecting the lower paper feed cassette 14, paper size display for each cassette 131.1
32, the minute 111j key 133 and its indicator light 134 for specifying split copying, the release key 135 and its indicator light 136 for canceling split copying, the duplex key 137 and its indicator light 13B for specifying double-sided copying, Release key 1 to release
39 and its indicator light 140 are provided.

FIG. 4 shows the overall control circuit, including the main processor group 61 and the first processor group. It is mainly composed of a second sub-processor group 62 and 63. The main processor group 61 is
A high-voltage power source 66 that detects input from the operation panel 64 shown in FIG. 3 and input devices 65 such as various switches and sensors, and drives the static elimination lamp 27 and the various chargers;
a platen lens 67 that drives the blade of the cleaner 26, a solenoid 6g that drives the guide selector 33, a heater 23a of the heat roller pair 23,
The copying operation is performed by controlling the exposure lamp 4, the motor 49, various molds 69 to 80, and the like. Here, the motor 69u is a developing motor that drives the developing roller of the developing device 12, and the motor 7o is used to drive the toner roller of the developing device 10-12. The toner motor that drives the feeding mechanism,
The motor 71 has a paper conveyance path 22 and a pair of heat rollers 23.
, a fixing motor that drives the paper ejection roller pair 24, a fan motor that drives the cooling fan 28 of the motor 22, the motor 23 that drives the conversion roller pair 31, and the motor 74 that drives the conveyance path 35. These 1l-1: For example, a DC brushless motor is used. The motor 75 is a lens motor for moving the position of the lens block 8, and the motor 76 is a mirror motor for changing the distance (optical path length) between the mirror 5 and the mirror 6.7. motor 7
7 shutters for adjusting the charging width of the photosensitive drum 10 by the charger 11
The motor 78 is a drum motor that drives the photosensitive drum 10, the motor 79 is a paper feed motor that drives the delivery rollers 15 and 16, and the motor 80 is a paper feed motor that drives the registration roller pair 19. , these use, for example, a four-phase pulse motor. Of the motors 49, 69-8o, the motors 69-24 are controlled by the main processor group 61 via the motor driver 81, and the motors 49 and 75-77 are controlled by the first sub-processor group 61 via the pulse motor driver 82. The motors 78 to 8o are controlled by a processor group 62 and are operated by a second sub processor group 63 via a pulse motor driver 83. Further, the exposure lamp 4 is controlled by the main processor group 6 via a lamp regulator 84, and the heater 23. is controlled by the main processor group 61 via the heater control section 85. Then, from the main processor group 61, the first .
The second sub-processor group 62 and 63 are connected to drive each motor,
A stop command is sent, and the first. Second sub-processor group 62.
63 to the main processor group 61 for driving each motor,
A status indicating a stopped state is sent. Further, the first sub-processor group 62 receives position information from a position sensor 86 that detects the initial positions of the motors 49+ 75 to 77.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of the main processor group 61. That is, numeral 9 is a One Tezzo microcomputer (hereinafter simply referred to as a microcomputer), which performs key human power detection on the operation panel and various display controls through an input/output port 92. Furthermore, the microcomputer 91 is expanded with input/output ports 93-96. The input/output port 93 includes a high voltage power supply 66, a motor driver 81. A lamp regulator 84 and other outputs are connected to the input/output port 94, and a size switch for detecting paper size and other inputs are connected to the input/output port 94.
5 is connected to a copy condition setting switch and other inputs. Note that the input/output port 96 is for an option.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of the first sub-processor group 62. That is, 101 is a microcomputer, which is connected to the main processor group 61. 102B - Main pulse motor phase switching interval time = 13- This is a programmable interval timer for quantity control, and by setting the setting value from the microcomputer 10, it counts based on it, and when it counts out, it outputs the end pulse. It is output to the interrupt line of the microcomputer 101.

A reference clock pulse is input to the timer 102. The microcomputer 101 also includes the position sensor 86.
Input/output YR-totes 103 and 104 are connected.

The input/output port 104 is connected to the motors 49° 75 to 77 via the pulse motor driver 82 . The input/output port 103 is connected to the main processor group 61 for each 7 and the status signal of the Luz motor.
Used for output to etc.

FIG. 7 shows a second sub-processor group 6s (showing an example D configuration; 111 is a microcomputer) connected to the main processor group 61. In FIG. 112 is a programmable 7 for controlling the phase switching interval time of the pulse motor, and when a set value is set from the microcomputer 111, it counts based on it, and when the count is out, it outputs an end pulse. Output. This termination pulse is latched by the latch circuit 113, and its output is supplied to the interrupt line of the microcomputer 11 and the input/output port input line.

Further, an input/output port 114 is connected to the microcomputer 111, and the motors 78 to 80 are connected to the input/output port 114 via the pulse motor driver 83.

Next, the operation in such a configuration will be explained. Ox,
A case where double-sided copying is performed on one sheet of paper will be explained. In this case, first, divide key 1 in the operation/main channel 64.
33 and duplex key 1.97'ii. By turning on the duplex key 1.97 'ii in sequence, the duplex copying mode is designated. Next, Fig. 8 (-
) As shown in (b), a first original 01 and a second original O2, which are to be double-sided copied, are set on the original table 2.

In this case, the first original OL is set on the scale 43 provided at the left end of the original table 2, and the second original 0. is set so that it is aligned with the right edge of the first original. Next, what about the operation? By turning on the copy key 121 in the channel 64, the main processor group 61, the static elimination lamp 2, the blade solenoid 67, the drum motor 78, the developing motor 69, the high voltage power supply 66, the fixing motor 7, and the paper feed motor are activated. 79 and the exposure lamp 4, an on signal for the scanning motor 49 and a signal indicating the double-sided copying mode are sent to the first sub-processor group 62. Upon receiving these signals, the first sub-processor group 62 activates the scanning motor 49.
Figure 8 (
As shown by the arrow d in b), first the first document box is exposed and scanned from position ① to ②, and then the optical system is moved back a little by rotating the motor 49 in reverse for a certain period of time, and is stopped at that position to wait. do.

In this way, the first manuscript 0. is copied onto one side (front side) of the paper P, the main processor group 6 causes the motor 73 to rotate in the normal direction before the paper P is ejected, so that the conversion roller pair 31 rotates in the normal direction (the paper is ejected). direction).

Thereafter, when the paper P in the single-sided copying cylinder is ejected from the main body 1 by the paper ejection roller pair 24, the paper P passes through the guide path 30, and is then sent to the conversion roller pair 31 by the guide selector 33 located at the solid line position. It will be done. Since the conversion roller pair 31 rotates normally, the sheet P of the single-sided copying tube that has been fed is transferred to the outside (
discharge direction). Then, when the rear end of the paper P discharged by the conversion roller pair 31 comes off the guide selector 33 (at this time, even if it comes off the guide selector 33, the rear end of the paper P is held by the conversion roller pair 3). It is in),
The main processor group 61 turns on the solenoid 68, reverses the motor 73, and turns on the motor 74. As a result, the guide selector 33 rotates to the position shown by the double-dot chain, and the switching roller pair 31 reverses (
(direction for taking in the paper), and the conveyance path 35 also operates.

Therefore, the paper P in the single-sided copy tube once discharged to the paper discharge tray 32 is transferred to the inner 17 by the conversion roller pair 3.
- It is taken in, guided to the guide path 34 by the guide selector 33, and sent to the conveyance path 35. The conveyance path 35 is the guide path 34
The sheet Pi is conveyed through the guide path 6, which is connected to the end of the sheet Pi, and sent to a pair of registration rollers 19. Note that here, the front and back sides of the paper P are reversed.

Thus, the main processor group 61 again sends an ON signal for the scanning motor 49 to the first sub-processor group 62 immediately before the paper P in the single-sided copy cylinder reaches the pair of registration rollers 19 again. As a result, the first sub-processor group 62 rotates the scanning motor 49 in the normal direction again, and then exposes and scans the second original O2 from position ■ to position ◎, as shown by arrow d in FIG. 8(b). . Furthermore, when the paper P in the single-sided copy cylinder reaches the pair of registration rollers 19, the main processor group 61
The ON signal for the paper feed motor 80 is sent to the second sub-processor group 63 again. As a result, the second sub-processor group 6
3 turns on the motor 80 to rotate the pair of registration rollers 19 and send the paper P in the single-sided copying tube to the transfer section.

18- Note that when the exposure scanning of the second original O2 is completed, the first sub-processor group 62 again reverses the scanning motor 49 to return the optical system to the initial position (2).

In this way, when the second original 0 is copied onto the other side (back side) of the paper P, the main processor group 61u causes the motor 73 to rotate normally again and turns off the solenoid 68 before the paper P is ejected. As a result, the conversion roller pair 3
The motor rotates in the normal direction, and the guide selector 33 is set to the solid line position. The normal rotation of the motor 73 and the turning off of the solenoid 68 may be performed at any time after the sheet P, on which one side has been copied, is sent to the conveyance path 35.

When the paper P on which both sides have been copied is discharged from the main body 1 by the paper discharge roller pair 24, the paper P passes through the guide path 30 and the guide selector 33 and is sent to the conversion roller pair 31. 31 onto the paper ejection tray 32.

This is the first one. 2nd manuscript 01. Is 02 copied on both sides of paper P? This means that the two-sided copying is completed.

Next, a case will be described in which continuous double-sided copying is performed on a plurality of sheets of paper. In this case, first, by sequentially turning on the division key 133 and the duplex key 137 on the operation panel 64, the duplex copy mode is designated. Next, the number of copies is set using the numeric keypad 122, and the check key 126 is turned on. Next, as described above, when the first and second originals 0+ and Ox are set and the copy key 121 is turned on, only one double-sided copy is made by the copying operation described above.
The main processor group 61 temporarily suspends the copying operation. Then, the main processor group 6 enters a state of waiting for a command from the operation panel 64. Therefore, at this point, the user picks up and visually inspects a single sheet of paper that has been copied on both sides that has been ejected to the paper output tray 32 to check whether or not the duplex copying has been performed successfully as expected. However, if the document does not work as expected, for example, if the document is in the wrong position, the document is misaligned, or the copy density is not appropriate, correct it. Can be done. As a result of this confirmation, when the user turns on the check key 126 again, the main processor group 6 receives this signal and starts the duplex copying operation again.
By repeating the above-described copying operation, double-sided copying is performed for the remaining number of sheets. Note that if the check key 126 is not turned on again and the copy key 121 is turned on, double-sided copying is performed again for only one sheet, and the machine waits for a command again.

In this way, a check key 126 is provided, and when this check key 126 is turned on during continuous copying, only the first copy is duplexed, and when the check key 126 is turned on again, the remaining copies are copied. In this case, double-sided copying is performed continuously. As a result, during continuous copying, it is possible to check whether double-sided copying is being performed successfully as expected at the very beginning, and it is possible to reliably eliminate defects in double-sided copying.
It can prevent wasteful consumption of paper.

21- Note that in the above embodiment, a check key is provided on the operation panel, but for example, in a copying machine having an interrupt key for performing interrupt copying, this interrupt key may be used as a check key. effect can be obtained.

Further, in the above embodiments, the case where the application is applied to a stopper copying machine has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, but includes an electronic printer that can automatically form images on both sides of a sheet, It can also be applied to other image forming devices such as facsimile or printing.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, when double-sided image formation is performed continuously on a plurality of sheets of paper, the double-sided image formation is performed in a precise manner at the very first stage. It is possible to provide an extremely convenient image forming apparatus that can confirm whether or not the image is present, and can prevent errors in double-sided image formation.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings are for explaining one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional front view of a copying machine, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the moving mechanism of the optical system, and Fig. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional front view of a copying machine. Figure 4 is a diagram of the overall control circuit; Figure 5 is a diagram of the main processor group; Figure 6 is the diagram of the first sub-processor group; Figure 7 is the diagram of the first sub-processor group; FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the two sub-processor groups, and is a diagram for explaining the document setting state and the exposure scanning of the optical system in response to the document setting state. 2... Original table, 4... Exposure lamp, 5-7... Mirror, 10... Photosensitive drum, 12... Developer, P
... Paper, 23 ... Heat roller pair, 24 ... Paper ejection roller pair, 29 ... Double-sided copying unit, 31 ...
Conversion roller pair, 32... Paper discharge tray, 33... Guide selector, 35... Conveyance path, OI, 0! ...Manuscript, 6th...Main processor group, 62.63...
Sub-processor group, 64... Operation panel, 126...
・Che. Kuki-5133...Divided key, '13.7...Double page key. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue 23-

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) An image corresponding to the first original is formed on one side of the supplied paper, and then an image corresponding to the second original is again formed on the other side of the supplied paper, and a plurality of images are formed. In an image forming apparatus that can continuously form double-sided images on multiple sheets of paper (by repeatedly performing double-sided image formation on multiple sheets of paper), an input means for inputting a check command, and an input means for inputting a check command, and When performing double-sided image formation, if a check command is input from the input means, double-sided image formation is performed on the first predetermined number of sheets, and when a check command is input again from the input means, the double-sided image formation is performed on the remaining sheets. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control means for continuously forming double-sided images. (2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined number of sheets is one.