JPS63185733A - Paper refeeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make duplex copying at various sheet sizes performable with only cassette replacement, by installing the almost boxlike cassette conformed to each sheet size detachably in a sheet storage-paper refeeding part. CONSTITUTION:A cassette 110 is an exclusive one at each sheet size, and regulating plate 130, 130 and 140 are clamped to the position fitted to each sheet size. The cassette 110 is inserted into an A direction whereby elastic claw parts 221 and 221 get over each projection part at both sides and are fitted in recess parts 113b and 113b, thus they are held on a holder 220. When a sheet is housed in the cassette 110, the central part is uplifted by a projection 117, a double side part is held down by presser levers 132 and 132, and thereby its stiffness is reinforced to the storage direction. And, the side regulating plate 130 is fixed at the position conformed to the sheet size, and since the presser lever 132 is attached to this side regulating plate 130, it is unnecessary to be attached by separately positioning at each sheet size.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention is installed in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer, and after storing one sheet on which an image has been formed in the main body of the image forming apparatus, The present invention relates to a paper refeeding device that feeds paper again to an image forming apparatus main body.

'Recent technology and its problems Conventionally, this type of paper refeeding device has been provided in various ways to perform double-sided copying and composite copying, and the sheet storage and paper refeeding section is fixedly installed inside the paper refeeding device. Most of them are. For each sheet size, there are those in which the side regulating plates are movable in accordance with the size, and those in which the side regulating plates are fixed to limit the sizes that can be re-fed.

However, if the sheet accommodating/refeeding section is permanently installed, there is a problem in that if a paper jam occurs in this section, the handling of the jam is complicated.

In the former case, a means is required to move the side regulating plate to each size position, which increases the size of the device and increases costs, and in the latter case, the usable sheet size is limited. It has points.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the paper refeeding device according to the present invention has a structure in which a substantially box-shaped cassette corresponding to each sheet size is attached to and detached from the sheet storage/refeeding section. It is characterized by being flexible.

In main-month or higher configurations, a dedicated cassette is prepared for each sheet size, and can be selectively replaced depending on the sheet size used, so there is no need for a means to move the side regulating plate according to the size. It is.

Furthermore, even if a paper jam occurs in the sheet storage/refeed section, the jammed sheet can be easily removed by removing the cassette.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, one embodiment of a paper refeeding device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Hereinafter referred to as Kaneshiro] [In Figure 1, the overall configuration and operation of the copying machine, the copying machine main body (1) is installed on the stand (50).
The paper refeed path box (60) can be installed at the top, and a photosensitive drum (10) can be installed approximately in the center so that it can be driven to rotate at a constant circumferential speed (V) in the direction of arrow (a). . A main eraser (
11), Electrostatic charge ~ (12), Sub eraser (13)
), a magnetic brush type developing device (14), a transfer charger (15), a sheet separation charger (16), and a blade type cleaning device (17) are arranged in this order.

The photosensitive drum (10) has a well-known photosensitive layer on its surface, and as it rotates in the direction of arrow (a), a main eraser (11) and a charging charger 1 are removed for each copy.
2〉, static electricity is removed with sub-eraser〈13).

It is charged and unnecessary portions are removed, and subjected to image exposure by an optical system (20), and an electrostatic latent image is formed on its surface, which is turned into a toner image by a developing device (14).

The optical system (20) is installed below the document platen glass (19) so as to be able to scan the document image, and includes an exposure lamp (21),
The l-light lamp (21) is composed of a first mirror (22), a second mirror (23), a third mirror (24), a projection lens (25), and a fourth mirror (26).
22) is integrally formed into a block, and the photoreceptor drum <1
It is possible to move in the direction of arrow (b) at a speed of (■/m: m is the copying magnification) with respect to a circumferential velocity (V) of 0) (constant regardless of whether the magnification is the same or variable magnification). Second Miwo (23) and third mirror (
24) is integrally formed into a block and can move in the direction of arrow (b) at a speed of (772 m). Note that when changing the copy magnification, the lens (25) moves on the optical axis, and the fourth mirror (26) moves and swings to correct the optical path.

Copy sheets are stored in a fixed automatic paper feed cassette (30) and a removable automatic paper feed cassette (35) provided on the left side of the copying machine main body (1) in Figure 1. The paper feed rollers (31) and (36) are selectively rotated to feed the paper sheets one by one.

Also, on the top of the cassette (30) is the manual paper feed section (32).
From here, sheets can be fed one by one. Sheets fed from the cassette (30) and its manual paper feed section (32) are conveyed to the timing roller pair (40) through the conveyance roller pair (33),
The sheet fed from 35) is directly conveyed to a pair of timing rollers 40), where it is put on standby.

The copy sheet is completely sent to the transfer section by the timing roller pair (40) in synchronization with the image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum (10), and is brought into close contact with the photoreceptor drum (10), and then transferred to the transfer charger (15). The toner image is completely transferred by the corona discharge of the separation charger (16) and separated from the photoreceptor drum (10) by the strength of the sheet itself.Then, the sheet is transferred to the air suction means (
The toner image is sucked onto a conveyor belt (41) equipped with a roller 42) and sent to a fixing device (43), where the toner image is fixed, and then discharged from a pair of discharge rollers 44).

On the other hand, the toner and charge remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 10) after the transfer are removed by a cleaning device (17) and a main eraser (11), and the photoreceptor drum 10) is ready for the next copying process.

By the way, there are sheet size detection switches (SWI) to (SW4) in the mounting section of the paper feed cassettes (30) and (35).
).

(S-6) to (SW9) and sheet detection switch (S-5).

(SWIO) has been installed. Sheet size detection switch (SWI) ~ (Sken 4), (Strade 6> ~ (SW
9) is a cassette (30).

(35) is turned on and off based on the arrangement of protrusions or magnets, etc., and in the operating state, the cassette (30),
(35) The attachment/detachment of the sheet itself and the size of the loaded sheet are determined using a 4-bit code signal. Also, a sheet detection switch (SW5).

(SWIO) directly detects the presence or absence of sheets in the cassettes (30) and (35).

[Overall structure and paper feeding form of duplex/combining unit] In Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the duplex/composite unit (70)
In general, the first switching claw (71), the second switching claw (
75), discharge rollers (80), (81), and conveyance rollers (85), (
86), guide plate (90>, (91), (95)
- (98), and a paper refeeding device (100) which will be described in detail below, and a sorter (290) equipped with a plurality of bins (291) and a paper discharge tray (not shown) is installed on the back. This duplex/combining unit (70) is placed on a rail (not shown) attached to the paper refeed path box (60), and can be moved away from the main body of the copying machine <1) in the direction of arrow (C).

1st. The second switching pawls (71) and (75) are rotatable about the support shafts (72) and (76) when the solenoid is turned on and off. In the normal copying mode (single-sided copying mode), the first switching pawl (71) is set to the solid line position in the figure, and the pair of discharge rollers (4) of the copying machine main body (1)
The sheet ejected from 4) is delivered to the ejection roller (80).

(81) and sent to the sorter (290). In the double-sided copying mode or composite copying mode, the first switching pawl (71) rotates in the direction of arrow (d) to move the sheet from the guide plates (91), (95) to the conveyance roller (85),
(86).

On the other hand, in the double-sided copy mode, the second switching claw (7
5) is set to the solid line position in the figure, and the sheet is placed on the guide plate (
95), (96) to the storage roller (160),
The paper is guided to the refeed roller (170). Sheets are received from rollers (160), (170) into a cassette (110), which will be described in more detail below. When the set number of sheets has been accommodated, the bottom plate (120) of the cassette (110) is pushed up as shown in FIG. 3, and the sheets are rotated in the direction of arrow (e) of the paper refeed roller (170). The sheets are re-fed one by one based on the feed roller (150), the sabaki roller (155), and sent into the re-feed path box (60) through the guide plates (97) and (98). In the composite copy mode, the second switching pawl (75) moves in the direction of the arrow (
d) direction, and conveys the sheet to the conveying roller (85), <
86) through guide plates (91) and (97) to the refeed path box (60).

As shown in Fig. 1, the paper refeeding path box (60) is composed of a pair of transport rollers (61), (62), (63) and guide plates (64) to (57), and is used for paper refeeding. The sheet is transferred from the transport roller pair 63) to the guide plate (48) of the copying machine main body (1).

(49), and is conveyed to the timing roller pair (40).

On the other hand, the sheet detection sensor <5E1) is installed in the above conveyance path.
, (SE2), <5E3) are installed, the sensor (SEI') detects the sheets that can be completely ejected from the ejection rollers (80) and (81), and the sensor (SE2) detects the sheets that can be completely stored in the cassette (110). is detected, and the sensor (S
E3) detects a sheet that can be completely fed to the refeed paper passing box (60).

[In Figures 4 and 5 of the structure of the drive system within the unit, the double-sided/composite unit (70)
The various rollers inside are configured to be rotationally driven by a motor (Ml). The support shaft 82) is the discharge roller <81)
, the support shaft (87) supports the conveyance roller (86), the support shaft (151) supports the feed roller (150), and bearings (
201>.

It is rotatably mounted via (202) and (203).

Sprockets (2) are attached to the ends of the support shafts (82) and (87).
06).

(207) is fixed, a sprocket (208) is attached to the end of the support shaft (151) via a t-mi clutch (CLI), and each sprocket (206), <207
A roller chain (209) is stretched between (208) and the output sprocket (205) of the motor (Ml). Therefore, by starting the motor (Ml), the discharge roller (81) is moved along with the support shaft (82) as indicated by the arrow (e).
The transport roller (86) rotates together with the support shaft (87) in the direction of arrow (e'), and the electromagnetic clutch (C
LI) is turned on, the feeding roller (150) rotates in the direction of arrow (e) together with the support shaft <151>. Moreover, the discharge roller (8o) and the conveyance roller (85) are rollers (
81) and (86) to rotate in conjunction with the rotational drive of (86).

Further, one end of a frame (175) is rotatably mounted on the support shaft (151) via a bearing (152), and the other end of the frame (175> is connected to the support shaft (175) via a bearing (179).
171) is fully rotatably attached. This support shaft (17
1) It supports the IT refeed roller (170),
The gear (212) fixed to the end is the idle gear (212).
A gear (2) fixed to the support shaft (151) via a gear (11)
10) has been successfully connected. Therefore, the paper refeed roller (17
0) rotates in the direction of arrow (e) in synchronization with the feeding roller (150>), and at the same time, the receiving roller (160) also rotates as a result.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the support shaft (156) supports the Sabaki roller (155), and the gear (215) fixed at the end of the support shaft (156) is connected to the support shaft (156) via the idle gear (214). 151) is connected to a gear ('213) fixed to the main body. Therefore, Sabakiro? (155) rotates in the direction of arrow (e) in synchronization with the feeding roller (150).

[Configuration of the cassette/cassette and its attachment part] In FIGS. 6 to 10, the cassette <110> has a substantially box shape, and generally includes a bottom plate (120), a side regulating plate (
13(1), <130>, and a rear end regulating plate (140). The bottom plate (120) is rotatably installed in the vertical direction using a hinge fitting (125) provided at the rear end. This set (110) is dedicated for each sheet size, and the regulation plates (130), (130), (1
40) is fixed at a position suitable for each sheet size. In addition, an opening (111) formed in the cassette <110
) is for the push-up plate (180) described below to enter, and the opening (1i2> is for the light of the transmission type photosensor (SE4>) together with the opening (121) formed in the bottom plate (120) (see Figure 16). A sensor (SE4) is installed to detect the presence or absence of a sheet in the cassette (110).

The holder (220) holding the cassette (110) is fixed to the frames (200), (200), and has a cassette detection switch (Sen11) and elastic claws (221) on both sides.
, <221>. By inserting the cassette (110) in the direction of the arrow (A> in FIG.
, (113a) and the recess (113b), (
113b) and is held on the holder <220). At this time, the protrusion (
IL5) turns on the switch (SWII), and the cassette (
110) can be detected.

Also, on the holder (220) there is a reed switch (SV).
40) ~(SV40), <5W16) The cassette sheet detection switch (SE4>) has been installed.

Reed sui y te (SV40) ~ (Sga 15) is a skein.
/t (110) (7) Four holes formed in ff1 part (
118) is turned on and off by the fully fitted magnet (108) corresponding to each sheet size, and in that operating state, the sheet size that can be accommodated by the attached cassette (110) is converted into a 4-bit code signal. It is designed to be determined by In addition, the reed switch (S kidney 16) is turned on by the magnet (109) provided at the bottom, and the attached cassette (110) is turned on by -h4q, vk on both sides. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the portion of the bottom plate (120) of the cassette (110) where the opening (122) is located has paper passing directions indicated by arrows (g) and (g'). The protrusions (117) have been installed in parallel. Also, a side regulation plate (130).

<130) Inside the seat side press levers (132) and (1
32) is rotatably attached. As shown in Fig. 10, when the sheet (S) is fully accommodated in the cassette (110), the central portion is lifted by the protrusion (117), and the side portions are held by the presser levers (132), (132). It is pressed down, so to speak, to form a gentle mountain shape with the apex at the center in the storage direction, and is reinforced with stiffness in the storage direction.

Usually, the sheet (S) that has passed through the fixing device (43) is heated and curled upward or downward, as shown in FIG. The sheet (S) heated and curled upward is the 23rd sheet.
As shown in the figure, there is a risk that the rear end regulating plate (140) may be climbed over. In addition, sheets heated and curled downward (
S) As shown in Fig. 24, the commercial seaweed that feeds the Ayu to the X (KE) does not reach the Kasuri roller (170) or sinks into the lower end of the rear end regulating plate (140). However, as in this embodiment, by reinforcing the stiffness of the stored sheets (S) in the storage direction, it is possible to avoid such problems. In addition, since the side regulating plate (130) is fixed at a position according to the sheet size, and the presser lever (132) is attached to this side regulating plate (130), There is no need to separately position and install each sheet size.

[Configuration of re-feeding roller, sheet storage, and re-feeding operation] In this embodiment, the re-feeding roller (170) has a feeding function for storing sheets into the cassette (110), and a feeding function for storing sheets into the cassette (110).
The bottom plate (120) is located at the lower stage as shown in Fig. 11 when stored, and is pushed upward as shown in Fig. 12 when refeeding. ) is located on the upper stage through the seat (S).

That is, the paper refeed roller (170) can be attached via the support shaft (171) to the frame (175) rotatably supported by the support shaft (151) of the feed roller (150) as described above.
The storage roller (160) is rotatably mounted on an upper frame (i76) formed integrally with the frame (175). Note that the flat portion (175a) of the frame (175) and the upper frame (176) also function as a sheet guide plate during storage. The frame (175) is the roller (160)
, (170) is constantly biased downward using the support shaft (151) as a fulcrum, and this biasing force is applied to the upper frame (176).
An elastic piece (177) provided at the end of the guide plate (95)
) is regulated by coming into contact with the lower end of (see Fig. 11).

When storing sheets, the paper refeeding roller (170) is located at the lower stage of the regulation as described above, and partially overlaps the upper end of the front regulation plate (110a) of the cassette (110) by (B).

The overlap part (B) was provided in the cassette (1
10) The sheets accommodated in the refeed direction [arrow (g')
This is to prevent the sheet refeeding roller (170) from moving to the position where the sheet moves to the position where the sheet is moved and protruding to the vicinity of the sabaki roller <155). When the sheet is completely stored in the cassette (110), it may move in the re-feeding direction due to curling or other reasons.
There is a risk of overcoming a). This kind of sheet movement is carried out by a refeed roller (1) having an overlap part (B).
70) can be prevented. Note that this overlap part (
Even if B) is zero, the same effect is achieved.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, a notch (114) is formed at the upper end of the front regulating plate (110a) at a location corresponding to the paper refeed roller (170). The regulation plate (110a) is designed not to collide with the paper refeed roller (170).

On the other hand, when refeeding paper, as shown in FIG.
The motor (M2) rotates upward about the support shaft (181), and the bottom plate (120) is pushed upward, and the sheets stored on the bottom plate (120) are transferred to the refeed roller (170). Pressure contact. At this time, the paper refeed roller (17
0) together with the frame (175) and the storage roller (16
0) is also pushed upward. When the push-up plate (180) pushes up the bottom plate (120) and the paper refeed roller (170), the projection (176a) of the upper frame (176) releases the optical axis of the photosensor (SE5), and the sensor (SE5)
) is stopped by turning off the motor (M2) (see Fig. 16).

Thereafter, when a back copy start signal is issued from the copying machine main body (1), the clutch (CLl) is turned on and the paper refeed roller (170) is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow (e), and the sheets are transferred from the top layer to the top layer. You can refeed one sheet at a time in the direction of the arrow (g゛). °At the same time, the feeding roller (150) and the sabaki roller (155) also rotate in the direction of arrow (e), and the sheet is rotated one by one.
The sheets are sent one by one to the paper refeed path box (60).

When the leading edge of the re-fed sheet is caught between the transport roller pair (61), the clutch (CLI) is turned off and the roller (
170), (150), and (155) can be completely stopped.

However, the rollers (170) and (150) have built-in one-way clutches (not shown). Therefore, even if their rotational drive is stopped, the sheet will still be transported by the pair of conveying rollers (
61), and is conveyed by the conveying force of the roller (170).

(150) is driven to rotate by the action of a one-way clutch.

The rotational drive of each roller (170), (150), and (155) is stopped when the leading edge of the re-fed sheet is detected by the sensor (SE3) in the box (60), and from there the leading edge of the sheet is detected. The clutch (CLI) is turned off when the timer set to the time until the conveyance roller pair (61) is completely nipped has expired.

After the trailing edge of the re-fed sheet is detected by the sensor (SE3), the clutch (CLI) is turned on again and each roller (170), (150), (155) is driven to rotate, and the next The sheet can be re-fed.

Thereafter, when the sheets in the cassette (110) are re-fed using the same procedure and the number of sheets decreases and the top surface level decreases,
The protruding piece (176a) of the upper freno (176) blocks the optical axis of the photosensor (SE5), and the motor (M2) is activated by the signal to move the push-up plate (180) upward.
To always keep the top surface level of a sheet constant when refeeding paper. In this way, the top surface level of the sheet is always maintained constant regardless of the remaining amount of sheets accommodated, so that the sheet re-feed height when re-feeding always maintains a constant positional relationship with respect to the Sabaki roller (155), etc. will be maintained. Moreover, the pressing force of the paper refeeding roller (170) against the sheet is always maintained constant.

[Configuration and operation of paper refeed roller section and storage roller section 1st
In Figure 0, the spindle (171) of the paper refeed roller (170)
), lower auxiliary rollers (172) are fixed at approximately equal intervals around the paper refeed roller (170).

The storage roller (160) is connected to the paper refeed roller (170) at the center.
), and on the left and right of it are a lower auxiliary roller (172) and an upper auxiliary roller (162) with a small distance in the axial direction.
is rotatably installed on the upper frame (176).

The diameter (d) of the lower auxiliary roller (172) is smaller than the diameter (D) of the refeed roller (170),
2).

(162) overlap by (Δd). Therefore, the sheet (
51) has rollers (160) and (170) in the center part.
It can be completely pinched by the auxiliary rollers (162), (
172), the paper is deformed into a wave shape, and stiffened in the accommodation and conveyance direction, thereby preventing poor accommodation due to heat curl.

In addition, the interval (1
) is the size corresponding to each sheet size, for example, A
For size 4, it is approximately 297 mm. However, the sheets were completely ejected from the copying machine main body (1) and
), there is a possibility that some deviation may occur in the width direction. Therefore, as in this embodiment, if the width of the sheet t-(S+) in the storage direction is set to () when it is stored, then the width of the sheet t-(S+) when it is flat is 2)
There is a margin of Δl) on each side, and even if the sheet has some lateral deviation, the side regulating plate (1
30), (130) without touching the cassette (1).
10).

By the way, the support shaft (163) of the upper auxiliary roller (162)
For example, if the rollers (160) and <162) are arranged on the same axis,
When a stiff sheet such as cardboard is conveyed, the amount of overlap (Δd) between the auxiliary rollers (162) and (172)
Due to the presence of the sheet, the pressing force of the storage roller (160) is overcome by the stiffness of the sheet, causing the storage roller (160) to rise, resulting in a decrease in the conveying force. However, as in this embodiment, the spindles of the rollers (160) and (162) <161
By making (163) separate and independent, it is possible to give the seat a firmer feel and ensure sufficient conveying force. Note that it is only the action of the auxiliary rollers (162) and (172) that gives the sheet (51) a firmness while it is being accommodated.

In addition, as mentioned above, the diameter (D
) is larger than the diameter (d) of the lower auxiliary roller (172), and during paper refeeding, only the paper refeeding roller (170) presses onto the sheet at the center to apply conveying force. This prevents the sheet from being skewed during refeeding. In addition,
The paper refeed roller (170) is not limited to one, but may be divided into two or more.

[Structure and Function of Trailing Edge Regulating Plate] In this embodiment, the sheet refeeding roller (170) has both the functions of storing sheets and refeeding sheets. Therefore, the first
As shown in Figure 5, the paper refeed roller (170) needs to come into contact with the leading edge of the sheet pushed up by the bottom punch (120) during paper refeeding, so the front regulation plate of the cassette (110) It has been set at a distance (L, ) from (110a). Further, the distance (L) to the rear end regulating plate (140) is set to be approximately equal to the length of the seat.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, the paper refeed roller (170)
The distance (L,) from to the rear end regulating plate (140) is the distance (
L) will be shorter. If the sheet is weak, such as thin paper, the sheet itself will loop from the time its leading edge in the storage direction comes into contact with the rear end regulating plate (140) and can be stored.

However, when using a strong sheet such as cardboard or the like in this embodiment, the auxiliary rollers (162), (172) and the protrusion (1
17) If the sheet is held down by the presser lever <132) or (132), the sheet will stop when it passes through the nip between the refeed roller (170) and the storage roller (160), and the cassette (110) cannot be accommodated.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the trailing end regulating plate (140) is supported swingably and is biased by a spring in the paper refeeding direction.

That is, in FIGS. 9 and 13 to 15, the rear end regulating plate (140) is attached to a retaining plate (141) fixed in the cassette (110) so as to be swingable about the support shaft (142). The coil spring (143) is wound around the support shaft (142), and the coil spring (143) is applied one inch in the direction of the arrow (h), so that the lower end of the rear end regulating plate (140) is attached to the lower end of the retaining plate (141). By coming into contact with the provided elastic stoppers (<144), they are positioned while maintaining the distances (L) and (Ll).

During sheet storage, as shown in FIG.
43) against the spring force in the direction opposite to the arrow (h) to secure a storage space longer than the distance (Ll). The rear end of the sheet (Sl) is the roller (160), (17
0) When the rear end regulating plate (140) swings in the direction of the arrow (h) by the spring force of the torsion coil spring (143), the seat (Sl) is already accommodated. The sheets are loaded and stored at the position of the seat (St).

In addition, if your waist is weak in the storage direction (g) of the seat,
It is not possible to allow the rear end regulating plate (140> to swing against the spring force of the torsion coil spring (143).

However, in this embodiment, when the sheet is stored, the protrusion (11
7) and the holding levers (132), (132) on both sides to provide a stiffness in the housing direction (g), so that sufficient pressing force against the rear end regulating plate (140) can be obtained.

[Subaki Roller Approach and Separation Mechanism and Operation When storing sheets in the cassette (110), the electromagnetic clutch (CL,) is turned on as described above, and the paper refeed roller (170) is rotated. At the same time, the feeding roller (150) and the sabaki roller (155) are also moved as indicated by the arrow (e).
Since the rollers (150) and (155) cannot be rotated in the same direction, abrasion of both rollers (150) and (155) will be accelerated, leading to a decrease in the cleaning performance when refeeding paper. Therefore, in this embodiment, both rollers (150) and (155) are used when storing sheets.
Since it is unnecessary to press and rotate the sabaki roller (155) using the push-up mechanism (230) of the bottom plate (120),
) is allowed to be separated from the feed roller (150) to prevent the progress of wear as much as possible.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 16, the Sabaki roller (155) is attached to the Sabaki frame (157) via its support shaft (156). The Sabaki frame (157) is rotatably attached to the guide plate (98) about a support shaft <158), and is biased in the direction of arrow (i) by a tension coil spring (159). Further, the lower end protrusion (157a) of the Sabaki frame (157) can come into contact with the back of the push-up plate (180).

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, when the push-up plate (180) is located in a substantially horizontal state when storing the sheet, the protrusion (157a) of the Sabaki frame (157)
0) and is prevented from rotating in the direction of arrow (i), and the sabaki roller (155) is separated from the feeding roller (150). On the other hand, when the push-up plate (180) is rotated upward by the push-up mechanism (230) during paper refeeding, the restriction on the sabaki frame (157) is released, and the spring force of the tension coil spring (159) causes the sabaki roller ( 155)
comes into pressure contact with the feeding roller (150) (12th
(see figure).

In addition, since the Sabaki roller (155) moves in the vertical direction in this way, its support shaft (156) is divided into two parts as shown in Fig. 17, and the flexible joint (154)
) to ensure that there is no hindrance to the transmission of rotational force.

[Configuration and operation of push-up mechanism and release mechanism] As shown in FIGS. 16 and 18, the push-up mechanism (23) of the bottom plate (120)
0) is the aforementioned push-up plate (180) and sector gear (2
31), the mounting plate (235), the motor (M2),
It is composed of a reduction gear mechanism (240).

The sector gear (231) has teeth formed on its fan-shaped outer circumferential surface, and can be installed integrally via a push-up plate (180) and a support shaft (181), and is connected to an arrow (j) by a tension coil spring (232). ) direction, and this biasing force is applied to the sector gear (
The side part of 231) comes into contact with the stopper <233), so that the regulation is completed.

To install the plate (235), the cylindrical bearing part (236) is loosely fitted to the support shaft (204) fixed to the frame (200), so that the plate (235) can be freely rotated about the support shaft (204) as a fulcrum. , arrow (p) at tension coil spring (237)
biased in the direction. Also, for installation, the release pin <238) fixed to the bottom right of the plate (235) is attached to the frame (200
) is projected into the cassette holder (220) as shown in FIG. 6 from a hole (not shown) formed in the cassette (110) shown in FIG.
113d) can be engaged with the notch (113e).

The motor (M2) can be mounted on the upper surface of the plate (235), and the plate (235) and the reduction gear mechanism (240) form one unit. Reduction gear mechanism (240)
is a reduction gear (242) from the small diameter gear part and the large diameter gear part.

(243) and (244), and the large diameter gear portion of the first stage reduction gear (242) meshes with the output ohm gear (241) of the motor (M2). The small diameter gear portion of the final stage reduction gear (244) is connected to the tension fill spring (244).
37) in the direction of arrow (p), it can mesh with the sector gear (231).

On the other hand, the release mechanism (250) is composed of a solenoid (SL2), a lever (255), and a release lever (260), and the solenoid (SL2) is connected to the aforementioned second switching pawl (
75> switching means. That is, the plunger (251> of the solenoid (SL2) protrudes outward in the off state, and is not connected to the lever (255) via the wire <252). The lever (255) is fixed to the end of the support shaft (76) of the second switching pawl (75), and is attached to the support shaft (76) together with the second switching pawl (75) by a tension fill spring (256). It is biased in the direction of arrow (q) using the fulcrum as the fulcrum. The release lever (260) is attached to the support shaft (2
61) as a fulcrum, and is biased in the direction of the arrow (r>) by its own weight, and the tip is attached to the lever (25
5), and the lower end can come into contact with the side of the mounting plate (235).

Next, the operation of the push-up mechanism (230) and release mechanism (250) having the above configuration will be explained.

In the initial state, the solenoid (SL2) is in the OFF state, the plunger (251) projects upward, and the lever (255) rotates in the direction of the arrow (q), as shown in FIG. The pawl (75) is set at the solid line position in Figure 11.The release lever (260) is set as indicated by the arrow (
r> direction, and its lower end is spaced apart from the side of the plate (235). For installation, the plate (235) is biased in the direction of arrow (p) by the spring force of the tension coil spring (237), and as shown in FIG. ) is a cassette (110
) into the notch (113e), and the 1 diameter gear portion of the final stage reduction gear (244) meshes with the sector gear (231). In the initial state, the sector gear (231) is rotated in the direction of arrow (j) by the tension coil spring (232), and the push-up plate (180) is also located approximately horizontally. The protruding piece (157a) of the sabaki frame (157) is pressed by the back of the push-up plate (180) and is urged in the opposite direction to the arrow (i), and the sabaki roller (155) is pushed by the feeding roller (150). It is separated from. In this way, since the push-up plate 80) urges the Sabaki frame (157) in the direction opposite to the arrow (i), the spring force of the tension coil spring (232) of the sector gear (231) is applied to the Sabaki frame (157).
57> is set larger than the spring force of the tension coil spring (159).

In the double-sided copy mode, a sheet whose front side has been completely copied is stored in the cassette (110) in the state shown in FIG. 18. When a push-up signal is issued after the set number of sheets have been stored in the cassette (110), the motor (M2) is turned on and its rotational driving force is transmitted to the sector gear (231) via the reduction gear mechanism (240). can be communicated to. With this, as shown in FIG. 19, the sector gear (231) rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow (j>), and at the same time, the push-up plate (180) also rotates upward, and the bottom plate (120)
is pushed up, the Sabaki frame (157) follows and rotates in the direction of arrow (i), and the Sabaki roller (155) comes into pressure contact with the feeding roller (150). The sheets that have been fully accommodated on the bottom plate (120) are pressed against the refeed roller (170),
As shown in FIG. 12, the protrusion of the upper frame (176)
176a) releases the optical axis of the sensor (SE5), the motor (M2) is turned off, and then the re-feeding roller (170) etc. are rotated at the start of re-feeding, and the sheets are re-fed one by one. The top surface level of the sheet is constantly detected by the sensor (SE5), and when the top surface level decreases, the motor (M2) stops rotating and the sector gear (23
1) The push-up plate <180) will rotate upward.

When the sensor (SE4) detects that all the sheets in the cassette (110) have been re-fed, the solenoid (SL2) is turned on and the plunger (
251) moves backward, the lever (255) moves in the direction of the arrow (q) against the spring force of the tension fill spring (256).
), and the release lever <260
) rotates in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow (r).

At this time, the lower end of the release lever (260) is attached to the plate (2).
35), and the plate (235) is attached to the support shaft (204) against the spring force of the tension coil spring (237).
It rotates in the opposite direction to the arrow (p>) using the fulcrum as the fulcrum.

Then, the small diameter gear part of the reduction gear (244>) is separated from the sector gear (231), and the sector gear (231) is moved to the stopper (233) by the spring force of the tension fill spring (232).
) in the direction of arrow (j). at the same time,
The push-up plate (180) also rotates downward, releasing the push-up of the bottom plate (120).

On the other hand, the push-up can also be released by attaching and detaching the cassette (110). As shown in Figure 21, the cassette (1
10) in the direction of arrow (A'), the release pin (2
38) is pushed down by the lower surface (113d) of the cassette (110), and the plate (235) rotates about the support shaft (204) in the opposite direction to the arrow (p), and the reduction gear (244) ) is the sector gear (231).
distance from. Also, when installing the cassette (110), the pin (238) is guided by the inclined surface (113c) of the cassette yh (110) and pressed by the lower surface (113d), and the push-up is released in the same way. I can do it.

Note that the push-up release by turning on the solenoid <5L2) is performed not only at the end of paper refeeding but also when a paper jam occurs in the paper refeeding device (100).

[Paper Jam Processing] Next, a process to be performed when a paper jam occurs in the storage/refeeding unit (70) will be described.

Paper jams in the paper refeeding device (100) can be removed from the cassette (11
0) to remove the jammed sheet. That is, when the cassette (110) is pulled out, the Sabaki frame (157) rotates in the opposite direction to the arrow (i) in conjunction with the downward return of the push-up plate (180), and the Sabaki roller ( 155) is separated from the feed roller (150). Use this to remove the jammed sheet from the roller (150)
, (155) can be easily removed from between.

In addition, as shown in Fig. 2, conveyance rollers (85), (8
If a paper jam occurs around the unit (7),
0) on a rail (not shown) in the direction of arrow (C), and rotate the guide plate (91) in the direction of arrow (S) about the support shaft (92) to open the paper passage. Remove jammed sheets.

[Operation Panel] The operation panel (300) shown in FIG.
1) A print key (301) installed on the upper front part for starting the copying operation, an interrupt key (302) for temporarily interrupting the continuous copying operation, and an interrupt key (302) for stopping the copying operation or canceling the set number. clear/stop key (3
03), rO, ~19'' numeric keypad (304)
, a display section (305) for displaying the set number of copies and the status of the copying machine, a copy mode selection key (306), a copy magnification selection key (307), a paper feed sheet selection key (3
08) etc. have been installed. Each of these selection keys (30
6), (307), and (308) each time the on operation is performed, the display means (LEDI) installed at the bottom of the
LED3), (LED4) ~ (LEDIO), (LED
II) ~ (LEDI6) blinks to display the selected mode. 1. For example, each time the copy mode selection key (306) is turned on, each mode of 1-sided → 2-sided → composite is selected in sequence, and (LEDI) ) to (LED3) are sequentially lit.

Figure 26 shows the control circuit, and the microcomputer (CPU) that is the center of control has a switch matrix (3
10) is connected, and the display unit (305) displays the (CP
U). In addition, the output terminal of (CPLI) has a solenoid (SLI) for driving the main motor of the copying machine main body (1), the first switching claw (71), and a solenoid (SLI) for driving and releasing the second switching claw (75). The drive solenoid (SL2) of the mechanism (250) is disconnected.

[Control Procedure] FIG. 27 shows the main routine of the microcomputer (CPU).

When the CPU> is reset and the program is started, in step (SL), the random access memory (RAM) is cleared, various registers are initialized, and initial settings are made to put each device into the initial mode.

Here, the flags used in the following steps will be explained. When the copy flag (F, ) is rO, it indicates that copy reception is possible, and when it is 1°, it indicates that copying is in progress.When the one-sided flag (Fl) is 10, it indicates one-sided copy mode. The 6-duplex flag (F is 10) indicates duplex copy mode or composite copy mode when it is "1".
When it is "1", the double-sided copy mode is designated, and when it is "1", the composite copy mode is designated.

Next, in step (S2), a main timer is set. This main timer determines the time required for the main routine, and its value is set in advance at the initial setting of step (sl), and also serves as a reference for the timer used in each subroutine.

In step (S3), a subroutine for key manual processing is executed. Here, inputs from various keys on the operation panel <300) are processed, and inputs from the paper feed cassette (300) are processed.
)', (35) and the size of the re-feeding cassette (110>) are stored in (RAM).

In step (S4), a subroutine for copy mode switching processing is executed. Details of this subroutine will be explained below.

In step (S5), a subroutine for copy start processing is executed. Here, processing is performed to start the copying operation based on turning on the print key (301).

Next, in step (S6), the copy flag (F,) is set to 1.
If it is YES, that is, if it is in a copying operation state, a subroutine for copying processing is executed in step (S7), and the process proceeds to step (S8). NO in step (S6)
If so, that is, if it is in a standby state, the process advances to step (S8>).In step (S8), the process waits for the main timer to end and returns to step (S2).

FIG. 28 shows a subroutine of the copy mode switching process executed in step (S4).

First, in step (510), the copy flag (F,) is set to 1.
0", and if No, that is, if the copying operation is in progress, this subroutine is immediately terminated.

If YES, that is, if it is in the standby state, step <51
In step 1), it is determined whether the copy mode selection key (306) is on or not, and if No, this subroutine is immediately terminated.
If YES, the one-sided flag (Fl) is set in step (512).
) is 10". If YES, that is, if the normal one-sided copy mode is selected at this time, the one-sided flag is set to rl in step (513).

At the same time, the double-sided flag (F,) is reset to "0", and the double-sided copy mode is set.

Next, in step (514), it is determined whether the sheet size selected for copying is the same as the size of the cassette (110) installed in the paper refeeding device (100). If YES, the double-sided copy display means <LED2) is turned on. If NO in step (514), that is, if the size of the cassette (110) does not match the sheet size selected for copying, a copy prohibition signal is output in step (516), and double-sided copying is performed in step (517'). Display means (L
ED2) to warn you.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (512) is No,
That is, if the one-sided flag (F,) is 11'', step (
518) in double-sided copy mode or composite copy mode.
It is determined whether or not the computer is waiting for copying on the screen.

If No, that is, if it is on standby, this subroutine ends, and if Yes, that is, if it is not on standby, it is determined in step (519) whether or not the double-sided flag (F,) is 0. If YES, that is, if the double-sided copy mode is selected at this time, the double-sided flag (F) is set to rIJ in step (520) to set the composite copy mode, and the composite copy display means is activated in step (521). (LED3) is turned on. If No in step (519), that is, if composite copy mode is selected at this time, step (522)
) to set the single-sided flag (Fl) and double-sided flag (Fl) to "0"
, set it to single-sided copy mode, and follow step (5).
Step 23) turns on the single-sided copy display means (LEDI).

That is, according to the above control procedure, when double-sided copying mode is selected, the sheet size selected for first-side copying is compared with the size of the paper refeeding cassette (110) [step (
If they are the same, double-sided copying is permitted [step (515)]; if they are different, the copying operation is prohibited and a warning is issued by flicking the double-sided copying display means (LED2) [steps (516), (517)]. )].

Therefore, paper jams in the paper refeeding device (100) due to the difference between the paper feed size and the accommodated size can be prevented. In this case, double-sided copying becomes possible when the operator changes the paper feed size or changes the cassette (110) to one of the same size as the paper feed size.

Note that if the paper feed size and the cassette <110) are different in size, the operator can flick any of the sheet display means (LEDII) to (LEDI6) of the same size as the cassette (110) to select the paper feed size that should be selected by the operator. The size may be announced. Alternatively, a warning may be displayed to inform you that the cassette (110) should be replaced with a cassette (110) of the same size as the paper feed size.

In addition, if multiple paper feed units are installed in the copying machine main body (1), when the duplex copy mode is selected, a sheet of the same size as the installed paper refeed cassette (110) will be displayed. A paper feed cassette (30) containing (
35) may be automatically selected.

[Other Embodiments] i1 Combination of Double-Sided/Synthesizing Unit As shown in FIG. 129, in the above embodiments,
The synthesis unit (70) has switching claws (71), (75
), etc., and a cassette (110).
It can be divided into a paper refeed block (Gl) including the following.

On the other hand, FIG. 30 shows a pair of switchback rollers (190) and a guide plate (191) on the conveyor block (F).
.

(192) etc. is installed in another paper refeed block (G
2) is shown attached. This paper refeed block (G
, ) is the second switching claw (75) in double-sided copy mode.
is set at the position indicated by the solid line in the figure, and the sheet is moved by one pair of rollers (
190) in the direction of the arrow (s), then the roller pair (
190), the paper is delivered to the refeed path box (60). In composite copy mode, the second switching claw (
75> rotates in the direction of arrow (d), and the sheet is immediately fed into the refeed path box (60>).

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
) and (G), it becomes possible to suitably combine them with the transport block (F) according to the user's wishes.

[When storing the i-co-seat, the seat is attached to a cassette (
110), the auxiliary roller <162), (
172) is provided to give the seat (Sl) a stiffness in the accommodation direction, and the seat width dimension (2,) is made shorter than the width dimension (2) in the flat state.

Similar results were obtained as shown in FIG.
0) and the guide plate (16) on both sides of the paper refeed roller (170).
5), (166) is installed, and the sheet (S,) that is being stored in the cassette (110) is placed on this guide plate (165).
, (166).

[i-Pushing Mechanism FIGS. 33, 34, and 35 show modified examples of the mechanism for pushing up the bottom plate (120). Here, the push-up plate (180)
The release mechanism (25
0) is unnecessary. In addition, in each figure, the same reference numerals are attached to the same members as in the above embodiment.

That is, a motor capable of forward and reverse rotation is used as the push-up motor (M2'), and this motor (M2') directly rotates the sector gear (231) in the vertical direction.
31) was configured to detect the return of the microswitch (Sv17).

When pushing up the sheet, the motor (M2') is rotated forward to move the push-up plate (180) along with the sector gear (231) in the direction of the arrow (
j) in the opposite direction to the level detection sensor (
The normal rotation of the motor (M2') is stopped by the signal from SE5). To release the push-up, reverse the motor (M2'). As a result, the sector gear (231) and the push-up plate (180) rotate in the direction of arrow (j) to release the push-up. Switch (SW17) is used to reverse the motor (M2').
is stopped in response to a signal that detects that the sector gear (231) has returned to its lower limit.

In addition, even in this modification, when the cassette (110) is attached or detached, the bottle (23g) of the plate (235) engages with the lower surface m3d of the cassette (110), and the attachment is done by the plate (235).
) rotates about the support shaft (204) in the direction opposite to the arrow (p), and the push-up is completely released. Also, push up.

It is also similar to the embodiment described above that the sabaki roller (155) approaches and separates from the feeding roller (<150) in conjunction with the release.

As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, the substantially box-shaped cassette corresponding to each sheet size is made detachable from the sheet storage/refeeding section, so that the cassette can be simply attached to the cassette. Double-sided copying with various sheet sizes is possible just by replacing the sheet, and there is no need to move the side regulating plate according to the size, making it possible to provide an inexpensive and compact paper refeeding device. Moreover, even if a paper jam occurs in the paper refeeding section, the paper jam can be easily cleared by removing the cassette.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 28 show an embodiment of the paper refeeding device according to the present invention, FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the main body of the copying machine including the paper refeeding device, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are A schematic configuration diagram for explaining the paper feeding state in the paper refeeding device, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are perspective views of the drive system, and FIG. 6 is a plan view of the cassette and its mounting section.
Figures 7, 8, and 9 are partial perspective views of the cassette;
Figure 0 is a cross-sectional view of the cassette, Figures 11 and 12 are partial cross-sectional views of the refeeding device, Figures 13, 14, and 15 are longitudinal sectional views of the cassette, and Figure 16 is the refeeding device. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the main parts of the paper device, and FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of the Sabaki roller portion.
19, 20, and 21 are front views showing the push-up mechanism and the release mechanism for each operating mode, and FIG. 2
3 and 24 are schematic diagrams showing examples of defects in the seat storage state, FIG. 25 is a plan view of the operation panel, FIG. 26 is a block diagram of the control circuit, and FIGS. 27 and 28 show the control procedure. It is a flowchart figure. Figure 29, Figure 30, Figure 31
The figure is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of replacing the paper refeeding block, No. 32.
33, 34, and 35 are front views showing modified examples of the push-up mechanism for each operating mode. (1>...Copying machine main body, (70)...Double-sided/combining unit, (100)...Refeeding device, (110)...
... Case strike, (120) ... Bottom plate, (130).
・・Side regulation plate, (170) ・・Paper refeed roller, (1
80)... Push-up plate, (230)... Push-up mechanism. Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 11 Figure 12 Figure 17 Figure 22 Figure 23 Figure 24 LL11μ2C%J ~

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a paper refeeding device that feeds the sheet again to the image forming apparatus main body after storing one sheet on which an image has been formed in the image forming apparatus main body, a substantially box corresponding to each sheet size is provided. A paper refeeding device characterized in that a shaped cassette is detachably attached to a sheet storage/refeeding section.