JPS6198364A - Copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To release a preheating mode without a specific operation and to improve the handling of a copying machine by forming a control means for releasing the preheating mode and setting a waiting mode when a paper feed cassette is loaded/unloaded at the selection of the preheating mode. CONSTITUTION:For instance, when any one of paper feeding cassettes 107, 108 is unloaded and the size of paper is changed to obtain a new copy, a control part 100a of the machine body decides whether the output data of a size detector indicates 'no cassette' temporally and any one of the paper feeding cassettes 107, 108 is turned to the 'no cassette' state or not. When the decided result is YES, the control part 100a decides whether a preheating flag is set or not, and when the decided result is YES, resets the preheating flag, turns off a light emitting diode, releases the display of the preheating mode, returns the temperature of a fixer 116 to a fixing temperature, presses a cleaning blade to a photosensitive body 103, and then executes preheating mode releasing processing for restoring the display of an operation display part 100b for displaying operation other than the preheating.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a copying machine having a standby mode and a preheating mode. .

[Prior Art] In recent years, copying machines equipped with a preheating mode in addition to a standby mode have been put into practical use in order to reduce power consumption during non-copying operations. In this preheating mode, power consumption is reduced by lowering the temperature of the fusing roller in the fusing unit and by turning off the display in the operation display unit that forms the man-machine interface (user interface) between the operator and the copier. There is.

However, with such a copying machine, it is not possible to immediately move to copying operation from the state where the preheating mode is selected.
It is necessary to press the preheating mode key to cancel the preheating mode setting and then return to the normal standby mode, which requires extra effort and is inconvenient to use, creating a burden on the operator.

In addition, there is also the problem that the preheating mode cannot be easily canceled, causing stress to the operator, especially when the preheating mode display is difficult to confirm or the preheating mode key is mounted in a position that is difficult to see.

[Objective] The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a copying machine that allows canceling the preheating mode without any special operation and has improved usability. shall be.

[Configuration] In order to achieve this objective, the present invention cancels the preheating mode even when the paper feed cassette is attached or removed, so that the preheating mode is canceled when the operator performs a preliminary operation for using the copying machine. mode is automatically canceled.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the copying machine 100 includes an automatic document feeder 2.
00 and a paper collating device (hereinafter referred to as a sorter) 300.

In the copying machine 100, 101 is a contact glass on which a copy original is placed, and 102 is an optical system that scans the copy original on the contact glass 101. This optical system 102 scans the image of the copy original in a range of 50 to 141%. It has the ability to change the magnification to any desired magnification.

, 103L* F 5 Aa (71
104 is a charger that uniformly charges the 6''1°31゛1 surface, and 105 is an eraser for removing the surface charge of the photoreceptor 103 in the portion that does not correspond to the original image. The surface of 103 is the optical system 10
The document is exposed to the document light guided from 2, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the document image is formed.

This electrostatic latent image is developed with toner by a developing device 106.

107 and 108 are paper feed cassettes each storing different copy paper, and 109 and 110 are paper feed cassettes 1, respectively.
07. Paper feed roller that feeds copy paper from 108, 111
112 is a registration roller that feeds the copy paper to the photoreceptor 103 at a predetermined timing, and a transfer charger 112 that transfers the toner image on the photoreceptor 103 to the copy paper.

Reference numerals 113 and 114 denote a separation charger and a separation claw for separating the copy paper from the photoreceptor 103, 115 a conveyor belt for conveying the separated copy paper, and 116 a fixing device for fixing the toner image by heat-pressing the copy paper. , 117 is a conveyor roller that sends out the copy paper after fixing to the sorter 300, and 118 is a conveyance roller for discharging the copy paper.

A discharge sensor 119 detects the copy paper to the sorter 30.
This is a guide board that guides you to 0.
1 again. 120 is a cleaner for removing residual toner on the surface of the photoreceptor 103; 121 is an electric pump for removing residual charge on the surface of the photoreceptor 103; 122, 12;
3,124, 125, 126 and 127 are guide plates for guiding the copy paper along the conveyance path.

Note that the automatic document feeder 200 and the sorter 300 are
Since it is not directly related to the present invention, a detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 2 shows the detailed structure of the cleaner 120.

In the figure, 120a is a pre-cleaning charger that neutralizes residual toner, 120b is a fur brush that rotates in the same direction as the photoconductor 103 to remove foreign matter such as paper dust, and 120c is a fur brush that scrapes residual toner from the surface of the photoconductor 1030. The cleaning blade 120d is a blade cleaner for removing dirt such as paper powder adhering to the cleaning blade 120a.

Further, this cleaning blade 120c is used in the copying machine 10.
When the power is turned on at 0, pressure is applied to the photoreceptor 103 by a solenoid and a link mechanism (not shown), and when the power is turned off or in preheating mode, it is retracted in the direction of the arrow to the position shown by the broken line in the figure. Furthermore, during this evacuation, the tip of the cleaning blade 120q touches the blade cleaner 120d.
The cleaning blade 120c is scrubbed to remove dirt from the cleaning blade 120c.

FIG. 3 shows details of the paper feed section. In the figure, paper feed cassettes 108 and 107 (paths shown) are connected to the copying machine 10.
Size detectors SDI and SD2 are attached to the coupling portion CN for coupling to the paper feed cassettes 107 and 108 at appropriate positions corresponding to the respective paper feed cassettes 107 and 108. Also.

In the paper feed cassette 108, a shielding plate PL having a shape (described later) corresponding to the size of the paper stored therein is connected to a size detector SD.
It is attached at a position where it can be inserted into 2.

Note that a shielding plate is attached to the paper feed cassette 107 at the same position as the paper feed cassette 108.

As shown in FIG. 4, the size detectors SDI and SD2 are constructed by arranging five sets of photointerrupters FIL to FI5 in parallel at predetermined intervals in one block 8, and the shielding plate PL is As shown in FIG. 5, a cutout CT is formed in a portion corresponding to the paper size. .

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
8 is attached to the joint CN, the notch C of the shielding plate PL
Only the photointerrupter FI disposed at the position corresponding to T is turned on, and the other photointerrupters FI are turned off.

Thereby, in this case, up to 32 types of paper can be displayed by combining the number and position of the notches CT formed in the shielding plate PL. In this embodiment, the relationship between each paper size and the position and number of notches CT, that is, the on/off state of the photo interrupters FII-FI5, is set as shown in Table 1 shown on the next page.

(Margin below) Table 1 □ However, in this table 1, the first column indicates the size of the paper stored in the paper cassette or the presence or absence of the paper cassette, and the second column indicates the size of the paper cassette. The on/off states of the photo interrupters FII to FI5 are represented by 1 for on and 0 for off, and the third column shows an example of displaying the paper size on the operation display section (described later).

Therefore, the shielding plate PL shown in FIG.
Since I5 is pressed, it can be seen from Table 1 that this shielding plate PL represents A3 size paper.

FIG. 7 shows a size detector 501. The drive circuit of SC2 is shown.

In the figure, the output signals of the photointerrupters FIL to FI5 of the size detectors SDI and SD2 are each pulled up by a resistor array RA, and are further waveform-shaped by a waveform shaping circuit SA. control unit 100).

FIG. 8 illustrates the control system of this embodiment.

In the figure, a main body control section 100a of a copying machine 100, a control section 200a of an automatic document feeder 200, and a sorter 30 are shown.
0 control unit 300a is a microprocessor,
R that stores control programs corresponding to each device
It consists of an OM (read-only memory), a RAM (random access memory) serving as a work area, and input/output circuits corresponding to each device.

The operation display section 100b also includes various input keys for inputting the operation mode of the copying machine 100, variable magnification, selection of paper cassette, designation of the number of copies, start of printing, etc.
The copier 1 is equipped with various indicators to display the setting status.
It is attached at an appropriate location on the top surface of the 00 housing.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the operation display section 100b.

In the figure, 130 is a preheating mode key for selecting a preheating mode that lowers the temperature of the fixing device 116 and turns off the display on the operation display section 100b to reduce power consumption during standby; 131 is a preheating mode key for reducing the temperature of the copy document It is a blue erase key to remove borders.

When the blue erase key 131 is turned on to select the blue erase mode, the power supply voltage of the light source lamp in the optical system 102 is slightly increased, increasing the amount of light emitted, and thereby the blue ruled line disappears from the copied image.

132 is a print key for inputting a copy start instruction to the main body control unit 100a, 133 is a numeric keypad for inputting the number of copies, etc., 133a is a clear/stop key for canceling the input of the numeric keypad 133, and 134 is a split key. An interrupt key 135 is used to select the printing mode, a density reduction key 135 is used to reduce the copy density, and an immersion increase key 136 is used to increase the copy density. When the density decrease key 135 and the density increase key 136 are turned on once, the copy density changes by one step, and when they are kept on, the density changes by one step every unit time.

Reference numeral 137 is a paper feed selection key for switching the selection state of the paper feed cassettes 107 and 108, and this paper feed selection key 137 (
Each time the switch is turned on, the selection state r of the paper feed cassettes 107 and 108 is switched. The size of copy paper stored in each of the paper feed cassettes 107 and 108 and the paper feed cassette selected by the paper feed selection key 137 are displayed on the display 170.

138 is an original selection key for setting the copy original size, and each time this original selection key 138 is turned on, the set original size changes from A3 → B4 → A4 → B5 → A5 → B.
It changes cyclically like 6→A3→...

139 is the same size key for setting the copy magnification to the same size, 1
40 is a reduction key for setting the reduction copy mode and its magnification, and 141 is an enlargement key for setting the enlargement copy mode and its magnification. Reduce key 140
Each time you turn on, the reduction ratio is 93% → 87% → 82% → 7
It changes cyclically like 1% → 61% → 50% → 93% →... Also, each time the enlargement key 141 is turned on, the enlargement magnification increases from 115% → 122% → 141% →
It changes cyclically like 115%→...

142 is a page continuous shooting key for selecting a page continuous shooting mode. This page continuous copying mode is for copying originals placed vertically on the contact glass 101.
This mode divides one image into two in the vertical direction and copies each image onto copy paper smaller than the original size. Therefore, two sheets (two sets) of copy sheets on which different images are copied are obtained from one copy original.

143 is a stack key for selecting a stack mode of the sorter 300, 144 is a sort key for selecting a sort mode of the sorter 300, and operation signals of these stack keys 143 and sort keys 144 are transmitted from the main body control unit 100a. The information is transmitted to the control unit 300a of the sorter 300, and the operation mode of the sorter 300 is selected.

145 is a binding margin right selection key for setting the binding margin to the right, and 146 is a binding margin right selection key for setting the binding margin to the left. This binding margin is provided by shifting the image by changing the paper feeding timing of the registration rollers 111 back and forth from a predetermined state. In addition, when providing a regular binding margin,
A reduction rate of 93% is often set to prevent the image from being missing, and the amount of binding margin is set using the numeric keypad 133.

147 is a zoom down key that reduces the magnification ratio by 1%,
14g is a zoom up key that increases the magnification ratio by 1%, and the zoom down key 147 and zoom up key 148 have the function of changing the magnification ratio by 1% every unit time when the on state is maintained. ing.

In addition, a preheating mode key 130, a blue erase key 13
1. When the page continuous copy key 142, the stack key 143, the sort key 144, the binding margin right selection key 145, and the binding margin right selection key 146 are in the ON state, the light emitting diode 150.
151, 152, 152, 154, 155 and 156
are displayed respectively. In addition, print key 13
2 has green and red light emitting diodes built into the key tops, which light up in green when printing is possible and red when printing is not possible.

By the way, although this copying machine 100 does not have a double-sided copying function, this operation display section 100b is used in common with a copying machine (not shown) that also has a double-sided copying function.

Duplex 1 key 161 for setting 3 types of duplex modes
, a double-sided 2 key 162 and a double-sided 3 key 163 may also be provided.

When the double-sided 1 key 161 is turned on, the light emitting diode 164
lights up and images of two originals (generally of the same size) with an image formed on only one side.

When the 6WJ side 2 key 162 is turned on, which selects the duplex 1 mode for copying on the front and back sides of a single sheet of copy paper, the light emitting diode 165 lights up, and the image of the original, which has images formed on both sides, is turned on. A duplex 2 mode for copying on both sides of one sheet of copy paper is selected. Double-sided 3 keys 163
When turned on, the light emitting diode 166 lights up, and the duplex 3 splits the image of a document placed vertically or an open book into two, and copies each image onto the front and back sides of a single sheet of copy paper. mode is selected.

In this embodiment: - these unused duplex mode keys 161-163 and light emitting diodes 164-166;
The portion corresponding to this has been treated by fitting a blind plate, etc.

1 ``7・Display 170g!・Paper feed selection status ``Paper feed 94, ) 1 In addition to ``, the number entered from the numeric keypad 133, the number of copies copied, the binding margin adjustment amount, and the self-diagnosis found abnormalities. an error message when the system 102 is activated, an interrupt mode display, a warning display indicating that the number of settings has become too large, a copy OK message, a running display indicating the operation of the optical system 102, a copy density display, an oil end display, and a toner display. It provides various displays such as end display, jam/door open display, paper cassette remaining amount display, pepper end display, and variable magnification.

With such a configuration, the main body control section 100a executes the routine shown in FIG. 10 in the standby state to set/cancel the preheating mode. Note that this routine is a part of the copying machine control main routine executed by the main body control section 100a, and since the main body control section 100a executes the main routine cyclically while the power is turned on, the routine shown in FIG. It is executed repeatedly at a predetermined time (on the order of milliseconds).

First, when the preheating mode key 130 is not turned on (the result of determination 11 is No), the main body control section 100a performs the following steps.

Reset the preheating mode key set flag FKPH for determining the on timing of the preheating mode key 130.
1 (process 12), that is, return to the routine with.

When the preheating mode key 130 is turned on (result of judgment 11 is YES), it is determined whether or not the preheating mode key set flag FKPH is set (determination 13), and if it is not set (result of judgment 13 is No). After setting the preheating mode key set flag FKPH (process 14), the preheating flag FP indicating that the preheating mode is in progress is set.
The state of H is determined (determination 15).

If the result of determination 15 is NO, that is, immediately after the preheating mode key 130 is turned on during the normal standby mode,
The preheating flag FPH is set and the light emitting diode 150 is turned on to indicate the preheating mode (process 16), the temperature of the fixing device 116 is lowered by a predetermined value, the cleaning blade 120C is retracted from the photoreceptor 103, and further , a preheating mode process 17 is executed to turn off the display on the operation display section 100b other than the preheating display.

When the result of judgment 15 is YES, that is, when the preheating key 130 is turned on again while the preheating mode is set, the preheating flag FPH is reset and the light emitting diode 150 is turned off to cancel the preheating mode display. Process 18), return the temperature of the fixing device 116 to the fixing temperature, pressurize the cleaning blade 120C against the photoreceptor 103,
Further, a preheating mode cancellation process 19 is executed to restore the display on the operation display section 100b other than the preheating display.

Note that while the preheating mode key 130 is on, the result of judgment 13 is YES, so the process 14 and subsequent steps are not executed and the process immediately returns.

Further, the main body control section 100a executes the routine shown in FIG. 11 to cancel the preheating mode if either of the paper feed cassettes 107 or 108 is attached or removed during the preheating mode.

That is, the main body control unit 100a first performs the following steps.

When the operator attempts to make a new copy and changes the paper size by removing either the paper feed force set 107 or 108, the size detector SD1, S
It is determined whether the output data of O2 becomes "11111" even temporarily and one of the paper feed cassettes 107 and 108 is in a state where there is no cassette (determination 21). If the result of this judgment 21 is YES, the preheating flag FPH
Determine whether or not is set (decision 22),
If the result of this judgment 22 is YES, the preheating flag FP
23), the fixing device 11
6 is returned to the fixing temperature, and the cleaning blade 12
0c is applied to the photoreceptor 103, and further, the preheating mode canceling procedure 24 is executed to restore the display on the operation display section 100b other than the preheating display.

In this way, when the operator performs a preliminary operation for copying during the preheating mode, the preheating mode is automatically canceled and the normal standby mode is restored, so the operator does not have to manually cancel the preheating mode each time. It ends up being

Note that in the case of 1 or more, the description of the copy control processing etc. executed by the 1 main body control unit 100a has been omitted for the sake of brevity. Further, the structure of the paper feed cassette, the structure of the size detector, the means for expressing the size, the combination thereof, etc. are not limited to those described above.

1゛ [Effects] As explained above, according to the present invention, when the operator performs a preliminary operation for copying during the preheating mode, the preheating mode is automatically canceled and the normal standby mode is restored. The operator does not have to manually cancel the preheating mode each time, and has the advantage of improving the usability of the copying machine.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing details of the cleaner, and Fig. 3 does not show details of the attachment of the paper feed cassette. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a size detector, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a shielding plate, and FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view for explaining the operation of the size detector. , Fig. 7 is a circuit diagram showing the signal processing section of the size detector, Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the control system, Fig. 9 is a front view illustrating the operation display section, and Fig. 10 is the main body. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a control processing routine executed by the control section, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing another control processing routine executed by the main body control section. 100... Copying machine, 100a... Main body control section, 1
00b...Operation display unit, 107, 108...Paper feed cassette, CN...Coupling unit, SDI, 502...Size detector, PL...Shielding plate. CT...Notch, FI, FII~FI5...Photo interrupter. RA...Resistor array, SA...Waveform shaping circuit. Fig. 2 Fig. 3-Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Fig. 7 bA Fig. 8 225:2 Fig. 10 Fig. 11

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a copying machine that has a removably attached paper cassette that supplies copy paper and also has a preheating mode and a standby mode, if the paper cassette is installed or removed while the preheating mode is selected, the preheating mode is switched off. A copying machine characterized by comprising a control means for canceling and setting a standby mode.