JPS63306132A - Original automatic feed device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To carry out circulating cycles for producing a plurality of copies of originals with no time lag, by providing a second circulating path for repeatedly feeding originals to a reading position, temporarily independent from a first sheet path. CONSTITUTION:A circulating type automatic original feed device 2 is provided in the upper section thereof with a tray 3 for storing originals, from which the originals are one by one taken out successively from the lowermost one of them and are conveyed along the upper surface of an original glass pane 4. Loosening rollers 7, 8 for loosening the originals fed from a feed-out port 3a and feeding out the lowermost one of them are disposed in a first circulating path 5. With the use of a second circulating path 22, copying operation is made for a plurality of originals plural by plural. In such a mode, the originals fed from the tray 3 by ways of a reading position, are fed by means of a change- over pawl 18 into a circulating unit 10 so as to be circulated by a set cycle number for copying operation through the second circulating path defined by the circulating unit 10 and the original glass pane 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an automatic document feeder for image reading, and in particular, to an automatic document feeder for image reading, in particular, to an automatic document feeder for image reading. The present invention relates to an automatic document feeding device using a so-called flow-filling method, which reads images while moving the document.

(Prior Art) Although automatic document feeders cannot be applied to thick document documents or book document documents, they are often used these days because they can automatically handle and copy a large number of document sheets.

Among these, the automatic document feeder is suitable for the panning method, which can feed various types of documents one after another and process them quickly, since there is no need for return time after scanning, as is the case with mirror scanning and document table movement. The thing is special public service 1986-4.
This method is known from Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2462 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 75163/1983.

In each of these devices, a document sent out from one document storage section is subjected to image reading, and then sent to a document discharge section separate from the document storage section.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in such a document handling system, when it is desired to copy many sheets of various types of documents, the documents are ejected to the document ejection section each time each copy is completed. This is inconvenient and time consuming as it is necessary to manually transfer the various types of originals to the original storage unit. In addition, in this case, many types of originals are repeatedly copied one by one one by one.
Since copies of different originals are sequentially discharged, so-called sorting, in which the pages are aligned, is possible, but so-called grooving, in which copies of the same original are arranged in the same number of copies, is not possible.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides image reading while automatically feeding the original onto the original glass above the reading position in the main body of the reading device. In the automatic document feeder in the panning mode, the document feeder includes a first circulation path for feeding the document in the document storage section to the reading position and returning the document to the document storage section; The apparatus is characterized by comprising a second circulating path for repeatedly feeding a document to a reading position independently from the first paper passing path for image reading.

(Function) When the second circulation path is stopped and the first circulation path is used alone, the original in the document storage section is fed to the reading position of the reader main body through the first circulation path, and passes there. As a result, the document is subjected to image reading using a panning method and then returned to the document storage section. As a result, if there are multiple documents in the document storage section, each document is sent out one by one, used for one panning shot, and then returned, automatically taking one panning shot for each document in sequence. Moreover, the process can be repeated the necessary number of times in a short time without transferring the original, and when the required number of times is repeated, it is also possible to sort the copies. The copy of the original is fed to the image reading position through the first circulation path and subjected to image reading, and then enters the second circulation path and passes through the document storage section different from the first circulation path. During the use of the second circulating route, the image is repeatedly fed to the image reading position with almost no time lag through an unnecessary path with the minimum necessary length. When the use of the second circulation path is finished, the document that has passed through the image reading position enters the first circulation path and is returned to the original document storage section.

As a result, it is possible to automatically perform panning shots of various types of originals one by one, one by one, and to take panning shots of each original as many times as necessary with almost no time lag. It is even shorter than the case of using only the circulation route 1. Processing in this case also allows for grouping of copies.

(Embodiment) Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an automatic document feeder for panning in a copying machine will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the overall configuration will be explained with reference to FIG. 1. A copying machine main body 1 in the center of the figure receives image exposure from a light source 1a fixedly installed at an upper reading position that illuminates the document surface, a lens array lb, and a lens array 1b. A photoconductor drum lc, a charging section 1j disposed around the photoconductor drum 1c, a developing device 1d, a transfer section 1e, a cleaning section 1k, a paper feed section 1f that feeds paper to the transfer section 1e, and copy paper after transfer. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing section 1g that performs a fixing process, a paper discharge section 1h that discharges the copy paper after the fixing process to the outside of the copying machine main body 1, and the like. An automatic document feeder 2 is provided at the top of the copying machine main body 1, and a paper ejection section 1h
A paper refeed unit) li is connected to the paper refeed unit) li. The paper refeed unit 11 has a paper discharge tray 12, a paper refeed path 1m, and a normal paper feed section 1n.

The automatic document feeder 2 is of a circulating type, and as shown in detail in FIG. 2, a tray 3 for storing documents is provided at the top, and the documents stored in the tray 3 are taken out one by one from the bottom.
A first circulation in which the original is conveyed along the upper surface of the glass 4, passed through the reading position above the lens array 1b, returned to the tray 3, and is circulated so as to be stacked on top of the original stored in the tray 3. A route 5 is formed. The tray 3 is formed to be inclined so that the front side in the document feeding direction is located downward, and a paper feed roller 6 is provided on the lower surface of the front end thereof, and the document is sent to the first circulation path 5 from the delivery port 3a. It is like that.

The first circulation path 5 includes a saba-ki-rough for sorting the original from the delivery port 3a and sending out only the bottom layer, 8, and a feeding-side U-turn guide for turning the face-up original into a face-down state. member 9, circulation unit 10 installed on original glass 4, return path member 14, intermediate roller 15,
A return-side U-turn guide member 16 that turns the face-down document into a face-up state and returns it to the tray 3 from the rear end, a timing roller 17 provided at the exit of the feed-side U-turn guide member 9, and a return path member 140. A first switching claw 18 is provided at the entrance and feeds the original that has passed through the reading position on the original glass 4 to either the circulation unit 10 or the return path member 14, and is located at the exit of the return path member 14; A feed roller 9 that sends out the original to be returned to the tray 3
It has 9.

A document discharge tray 20 is provided at one end of the automatic document feeder 2 and faces the entrance of the U-turn guide member 16 on the return side. Then, the path member 14 returns to the entrance of the return guide member 16.
A second switching claw 19 is provided to send out the original that has passed through the U-turn guide member 16 on the return side or to the original discharge tray 20. One roller 7 of the handling rollers 7.8
is a forward rotating roller, and the other roller 8 is a reverse rotating roller with a limiter. Further, a peeling claw 14a that contacts the original glass 4 is provided at the tip of the return path member 14 to peel the original from the original glass 4.

The document glass 4 is attached so as to form the bottom surface of a book carrier 21 housed in the lower part of the automatic document feeder 2, and the book carrier 21 moves in the direction of document movement along the top surface of the copying machine main body 1. possible. The circulation unit 10 is movable between an operating position shown by a solid line in FIG. 2 and a retracted position located diagonally above and below the rear of the tray 3 as shown by a phantom line. The movement of the book carrier 21 is made possible with a thick original such as a book placed thereon, and the thick original such as a book can also be passed over.

Therefore, in the circulation unit 10, the lower half 9a of the U-turn guide member 9 and the timing roller 17 are integrated so as to move together, and the return path member 14 is integrated.
The front half 14b is also provided with the first switching claw 18 so as to be able to rotate diagonally upward in conjunction with the movement of the circulation unit 10 to the retracted position, and when the book carrier 21 is moved, these U-turn guide members 9 , the return path member 14, the timing roller 17, and the first switching pawl 18 are also arranged so that they do not get in the way.

The circulation unit 10 includes an oval second circulation path 22 that includes the top surface of the original glass 4 as one side, and circulates the original through a short path unrelated to the tray 3 and repeatedly feeds the original to the reading position. It is useful for taking multiple panning shots. The second circulation path 22 is
A driving roller 11 and a driven roller 12 arranged at both ends of the roller
The belt 13 is wound between these rollers, and a guide member 23 covers the outer periphery of the belt 13 except for the portion facing the document glass 4. The circumferential length of the second circulation path 22 is set to be the sum of the maximum length of the document in the feeding direction and a very short margin. As a result, in the case of multiple copying, each copying process is performed continuously with only a very short time interval corresponding to the set margin, and there is almost no loss time.

In order to absorb slack in the belt 13, the driven roller 12 has a bearing portion held in an elongated hole and biased by a spring (not shown). Further, a detection switch (not shown) for monitoring the number of passing originals is provided on the guide member 23.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a pair of side regulating members 24 and 25 are provided on both sides of the tray 3 for centering the document. This side regulating member 24,25 is connected to the pinion 28 and the rack 2 that meshes with the pinion 28.
It is attached to interlocking members 26a and 26b which are adapted to move near and far in synchronization through interlocking via 7, so that the distance can be adjusted while maintaining the center position so that the distance matches the width size of the document being used. Each interlocking member 26a, 26
b can be moved in the width direction of the tray 3 by fitting the elongated holes 26c into the guide bins 26d.

Further, from each side regulating member 24.25, an opening 29 formed in the guide member 23 of the circulation unit 10 (7)
A skew prevention member 30 is vertically provided so as to protrude from above from above, and faces both sides of the second circulation path 22 to regulate both side edges of the document passing through the path 22, thereby preventing the skew of the circulating document. It is supposed to prevent rows. This skew prevention member 30 is attached to the side regulating member 24 according to the document.
．． By positioning 25, the positions are simultaneously determined. The opening 29 is used when adjusting the position of the skew prevention member 30 or moving the circulation unit 10 to the retracted position.
The skew prevention member 30 and the circulation unit 1O are formed in a size that does not interfere with each other.

Gears 31 and 32 are attached to one end of the support shafts 7a and 8a of the sorting roller 7.8, respectively, and mesh with a drive pinion 35 that is rotationally driven by a drive motor 34, thereby moving the lower sorting roller 7 in the paper feeding direction. In addition, the upper sorting rollers 8 are simultaneously driven in the counter-feeding direction. Further, a plate cam 37 for operating an empty detection device 36 in the tray 3 is attached to the other end of the support shaft 7a of the sorting roller rough.

The empty detection device 36 is mounted on a bracket 38, 49 fixed to the side regulating member 24, and includes a photoswitch 4 that detects empty status based on the rotational position of an empty detection lever 43 and a rotary disk 46 interlocked with the empty detection lever 43.
7. The empty detection lever 43 is activated by the operation of the plate cam 37.
and a cylindrical cam 42 that returns the cam to the working position.

The empty detection lever 43 and the rotary disk 46 are supported on a bracket 49 by a shaft 49a so as to rotate together with the passive protrusion 45. On the other hand, the cylindrical cam 42 is connected to the shaft 49
A bracket 38 faces a on the same axis and can move in and out.
The end face cam 42 is attached to one end of the retractable shaft 39 supported by the
a is arranged to face the passive protrusion 45 in the axial direction. A plate-shaped cam follower 40 is brought into contact with the plate cam 37 at the other end of the retractable shaft 39 and one end of an auxiliary shaft 39a parallel to the retractable shaft 39 and supported by the bracket 38 so as to be freely retractable.

Here, the detection lever 43 is rotatable around a shaft 49a and tries to stabilize under its own weight in a hanging position with the tip end 43a facing downward, and cannot be rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3 from this hanging position. Therefore, the tip portion 43a is connected to the side regulating member 24.
The document passes through the window 24a formed in the tray 3 and is stabilized by being placed on the upper surface of the document in the tray 3, and when there is no document below it, it returns to the hanging position due to its own weight. Therefore, the return of the detection lever 43 from the state placed on the top surface of the document to the hanging position is detected by the photo switch 47 as a change in the position of the notch of the rotary disk 46 that rotates integrally with the detection lever 43. Empty originals are detected.

On the other hand, the cylindrical cam 42 is in a non-rotating state because the retractable shaft 39 is connected to the auxiliary shaft 39a by the cam follower 40, and the passive protrusion 45 of the detection lever 43 is always in a fixed direction.
The plate cam 3 faces the plate cam 3 and is normally in the retracted position due to the bias of the spring 41, but when the sorting roller 7.8 is driven, the plate cam 3
The end face cam 42a acts on the detection lever 43 in a hanging position and rotates it to near the detection position (as shown in the figure) and releases it, allowing the above-mentioned detection. Note that when the detection lever 43 is in the detection position, even if the cylindrical cam 42 is advanced, it is not affected by the end cam 42a because it is detached from the end cam 42a. The advance or retreat of 42 is not a problem.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a guide groove 56 for guiding the rear part of the circulation unit 10 from the operating position to the retracted position is formed in the internal frame 50 of the automatic document feeder 2. A rotating shaft 51 having an operating lever 55 is provided at the upper part of the intermediate part, and this rotating shaft 51
A retaining shaft 54 protruding from both sides of the circulation unit 10 is engaged with a long hole 53 of a rotation lever 52 attached to the rotation lever 52 . As a result, by rotating the rotary shaft 51 with its operating lever 55, the circulation unit 10 can be moved diagonally upward to the retracted position via the rotary lever 52, and returned to the operating position.

As shown in FIG. 6, the book carrier 21 is movably guided by a guide rail 60, and an endless chino 61 is stretched along one side of the moving path and is attached at one location. The engaging pin 62 is engaged with a retaining member 63 fixed to the end of one side of the book carrier 21. The endless chino 61 is stretched between a driving sprocket 64 and a driven sprocket 65 which are in a fixed position, and the driving sprocket 64 is connected to a driving gear 67 via a spring clutch portion 66. Spring clutch part 66
When the ratchet wheel 66a is locked by a lock pawl 69 operated by a solenoid 68, the ratchet wheel 66a is turned on and the drive gear 67 is engaged with the drive sprocket 64. The drive gear 67 is interlocked with a drive pinion 72 driven by a drive motor 71 via a timing belt 70 .

As shown in FIG. 7, a manual feed table 75 is connected to the book carrier 21 via a link 74 that is movably supported along a guide groove 73 formed on the inner surface of the book carrier 21. As shown in FIG. 8, when copying a book or the like, it is capable of supporting a side other than the copying side of a book in a double-page spread state. The manual feeding table 75
A bank sheet 7 is provided on the lower surface side of the bank sheet 7 through a cushion material 76.
7 is provided, and as shown in FIG. 9, it can also be used as a document presser for holding down a book or thick document on the document glass 4 from above.

Furthermore, the book carrier 21 utilizes peripheral walls 75b on three sides of the manual feed table 75 excluding the loading/unloading lower 5a to form a U-shaped recess 75c when viewed from above, and the book, thick original, etc. is held and stabilized in this recess 75c. Presser sheet 8
1 and its winding mechanism 82 are provided.

The original holding sheet 81 is flexible and is adapted to be wound around a winding shaft 96 horizontally disposed within the recess 75c using a frame 95 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10. A driving pulley 84 is attached to one end of the winding shaft 96 facing into one end of a frame portion formed by the frame 83 . A portion of an endless wire 86 stretched between the drive pulley 84 and an idling pulley 85 provided in the other end of the frame 82 on the opposite side is wound around the drive pulley 84 . Another wire 87 is connected to this endless wire 86 to urge it in one direction, that is, in a direction that rotates the winding shaft 96 in the winding direction via the drive boolean IJ84, so that the original holding sheet 81 is constantly wound. It has become.

One end 87a of the wire 87 is connected to a locking claw 95a of the frame 95.
The other end 87b is connected to the connecting plate 88 of the endless wire 86, and the end 87b is connected to the connecting plate 88 on the same axis as the idle pulley 85.
The two pulleys 89 and the movable pulley 90 movably held by the frame 82 are sequentially rotated in a meandering manner, and the movable pulley 90 is biased in one direction by the spring 91, thereby causing the endless wire 86 to move in the winding direction. It gives an urging force.

The movable pulley 90 has a pin 96 in the long hole 95b of the frame 95.
It is movable by being attached to a movable table 92 that is held and guided through.

When using the book carrier 21, pull out the original holding sheet 81 as shown in the imaginary line in FIG. When the original document holding sheet 81 is locked at a desired drawer position by stopping the document holding sheet 81, the document holding sheet 81 is tensed due to the winding posture that it is taking, and holds the original on the document glass 4 below the drawer of the document holding sheet 81. be able to. As a result, even originals with raised textures such as books can be held in close contact with the original glass 4, and an appropriate background such as a white background can be provided.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be explained.

First, the basic operation when copying a sheet-like original will be explained. The operator adjusts the position of the size regulation guide members 24 and 25 according to the document size, places the copy document in the tray 3 with the document side facing upward, enters the number of copies on the operation panel, and turns on the print switch. . Then, the lowest document is fed one by one by the feed roller 6 and the sorting roller 7.8 at the front end of the tray 3, passes through the U-turn guide member 9, hits the timing roller 17, and the leading edge of the document is stopped. As a result, the leading edge of the document is aligned with the timing roller 17 in a looped state, and skew feeding is prevented. Next, after a certain set time has elapsed, the timing roller 17
is driven, and the original is sent onto the original glass 4. At this time, the circulation unit 10 is pressed against the document glass 4 by a certain spring force, and its belt 13 is constantly driven in the clockwise direction, so that the document passes through the reading position without lifting up or speed unevenness.

On the other hand, the copying machine main body 1 is driven by turning on the print switch, the photoconductor drum IC rotates counterclockwise, and after a potential is uniformly applied thereto by the charging section 1j at a set timing, the photoconductor drum IC rotates thereon at the reading position. The image of the document passing through is exposed to slit light to form an electrostatic latent image. A halogen lamp is not used as the light source 1a for this slit exposure,
Using a fluorescent lamp is more advantageous because the temperature rise of the document glass 4 and other parts is smaller. The latent image formed on the photosensitive drum lc is visualized by a developing device 1d. Further, the transfer paper is sent to the transfer unit 1e from a preselected paper feed unit 1f or 1n in synchronization with the original, and the developed image formed on the photosensitive drum IC is transferred by the transfer unit 1e, and the fixing unit 1g After being heat-fixed at , it is discharged from a discharge section 1h.

The document that has passed through the reading position is peeled off from the document glass 4 by the peeling claw 14a at the tip of the return path member 14, and in the mode using the first circulation path 5, the document is separated from the return path member 14, the switching claw 19 and It passes through the return guide member 16 and the delivery roller 99 and is returned into the tray 3.

After the handling roller 7.8 starts rotating, the empty detection device 36 detects the cylindrical cam 42 as the temporary cam 37 rotates.
When the detection lever 43 is moved forward and backward and the detection lever 43 is in a hanging position, it is rotated when first advanced so that the tip end 43a of the detection lever 43 is placed on the document stored in the tray 3. Therefore, when multiple originals are stored in tray 3, the copied originals that are first copied and returned to tray 3 are stacked on top of the uncopied originals; It will be placed on top of the tip portion 43a that is still placed on top. Also, the timing for sequentially copying multiple originals is 10 to 200 minutes after the trailing edge of the previous original is detected.
It is set to leave an arbitrarily set interval of mm.

When the first set top original is fed from the tray 3, the detection lever 43 placed on it rotates clockwise due to its own weight and assumes a hanging position, which is detected by the photosensor 47. An empty signal is generated indicating that the initially sent original has completed one cycle.

In the case of one-sheet copying, this signal becomes the final copying signal and is used to stop the automatic document feeder 2 after the final copying. In this case, the hanging state of the detection lever 43 is maintained until the print switch is turned on again and the sorting roller 7 rotates.

However, if you only need to copy one sheet of a plurality of originals, the switching claw 1 is set so that the original after copying is ejected to the original ejection tray 20.
8, all originals are ejected to the original ejection tray 20, and the tray 3 becomes empty, so that the next original can be set immediately.

When copying a plurality of originals one by one using this first circulation path 5, the empty signal becomes a signal indicating that one copying of each original is completed, and it corresponds to the predetermined number of copies. The same copying operation as described above is repeated until the number of copies is counted, and a predetermined number of copies are automatically achieved.

In this case, the ejected copies are stacked one by one for each original on the paper output tray 11, and one type of copy is piled up in the same order as the original, which is a so-called page alignment. Blocks in this state are stacked on top of each other. This is the same as sorting without partitions between each block. Therefore, it is convenient to set a mode in which multiple copies are made using the first circulation path 5 by selecting the sorting mode.

The second circulation path 22 can also be used to copy a plurality of originals one by one. In this mode, the original is fed from tray 3 and passed through the reading position.
The document is fed into the circulation unit 10 by the first switching air 18, and is circulated a set number of times in the second circulation path formed by the circulation unit 10 and the document glass 4, while copying is performed.

At this time, the number of passages of the original is detected by a detection switch provided in the circulation unit IO. Number of passes is N-1
times (where N is the set number of copies), the first switching wind 1
8 counterclockwise and switched again to the return path member 14 side, the original that has passed through the reading position for final copying returns to the tray 3 in the same manner as in the sorting mode. Then, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since N-1 passes have been detected, feeding of the next original is started. Note that since the document circulated in the second circulation path 22 has both side edges regulated by the skew prevention member 30, the document will not be skewed no matter how many times it is circulated. In addition, the first switching wind 1
8 is adapted to be lightly pressed against the belt 13, so that even if the rear end of the document is held between the belt 13 and this first switching air 18, there is no support for feeding the document. .

When a plurality of copies are made from a plurality of original documents using the second circulation path 22, the copies that are discharged are piled up as one block of the same original. This can be said to be a grooving state, although there is no partition between each block. Therefore, it is convenient to set a mode in which multiple copies are made using the second circulation route 22 by selecting the grouping mode.

Next, a case will be described in which a contoured and patterned original that cannot be set in the tray 3 is to be copied. In this case, the manual feed table 75 is used and the document is inserted along the manual feed table 75 with the document surface facing downward. At this time, the manual feed detection switch is turned on and the manual feed mode is detected, and the timing roller 17 is turned on for a short period of time and grips the leading edge of the document.When the print switch is turned on in this state, the timing roller 17 is turned on and grips the leading edge of the document. timing roller 17
is driven and the document is sent to the reading position.

In the manual feed mode, it is impossible to predict what size of document will be passed through, so the first switching wind 18 and the second switching wind 19 are switched to a counterclockwise position, so that the document that has passed the reading position is rotated counterclockwise. The document passes through the return path member 14 and is discharged to the document discharge tray 2°. Note that if there is a sufficient distance between the manual feed detection switch and the second switching wind 19,
The length of the document is detected based on the length of the ON state of the manual feed detection switch, and if the length is less than the specified length that can be accommodated in the tray 3, the document is ejected into the tray 3, and if it is longer than the specified length, the document is ejected to the document output tray 20. Good too. Further, even if the length is longer than the specified length, if there is no original in the tray 3, the original is returned to the tray 3 and circulated through the tray 3, thereby making it possible to make multiple copies.

Next, the case of copying a book or a thick original (hereinafter referred to as an original) will be described. In this case, first operate lever 5.
5 clockwise to switch the mode, the circulation unit 10 is retracted to a diagonally upper retracted position. In addition, the regulation hook that was regulating the position of Book Carrier 21
(not shown) comes off and becomes freely movable. here,
The operator pulls out the book carrier 21 to the outside of the automatic document feeder 2, sets the document on the document glass 4, and presses the document with the document presser sheet 81 as needed.

Next, after setting the number of copies and selecting the transfer paper size, etc., the print switch is turned on. Then, solenoid 6
At step 8, the locking pawl 69 locks the ratchet wheel 66a of the spring clutch section 66, turning on the clutch section 66 and driving the drive sprocket 64. As a result, the book carrier 21 starts scanning.

When this is detected by a detection switch (not shown) at a predetermined position, transfer paper is fed at the same timing and copies are made in the same manner as above. Book carrier 2 for single copy
Detection switch (not shown) when 1 reaches the specified position
is activated, the solenoid 68 is turned off, and the motor stops at that position.

In the case of multiple copies, the scanner scans multiple times and stops at the designated position in the same way. Thereafter, the document is taken out, and the book carrier 21 is inserted until it hits the regulating member in the automatic document feeder 2, and is fixed by the regulating hook. By rotating the operating lever 55 counterclockwise, the circulation unit 10 is returned to its initial state.

When scanning with the book carrier 21, although the circulation unit 10 is retracted, there is a height limit depending on the retracted height of the circulation unit 10, etc.

For this reason, a height detection switch (not shown) is placed at the entrance of the automatic document feeder 2 to detect an abnormality and immediately release the locking by the locking pawl 69 of the spring clutch unit 66 to start scanning. It has been stopped.

In this embodiment, the circulation unit 10 includes a pair of rollers 11, 12 and a belt 13, but
A roller may be used to guide the document instead of a belt, a single drum or roller may be used instead of a pair of rollers, and the leading edge of the document may be chucked instead of being pinched and transported. It may also be transported.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, since it has the above-described structure and operation, it is possible to copy a plurality of originals one by one in a fully automatic and continuous manner with high efficiency by panning with automatic circulation of the originals. can. Furthermore, sorting and greasing of copies can be selectively performed depending on whether the originals are circulated only through the first circulation path or whether the second circulation path is also used. Further, when the second circulation path is used, the circulation cycle for copying multiple sheets of the original document can be performed with almost no time lag, making it possible to copy at a higher speed. Accordingly, the second circulation path only needs to have a circumferential length that allows for a slight margin in addition to the maximum length of the document, so that the automatic document feeder does not need to be particularly large.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing the overall configuration of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional front view of the automatic document feeder, and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional front view of the same side regulating member and empty detection device. 4 is a perspective view showing the evacuation mechanism of the circulation unit, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the external appearance, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the book carrier and its drive mechanism, and FIGS. 7 to 9 10 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing various states of use of the book carrier, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a winding mechanism for a document holding sheet.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In an automatic document feeder using a panning method that automatically feeds a document onto the document glass above the reading position in the main body of the reader and scans the image while passing the document, the document in the document storage section is a first circulation path for feeding the document to the reading position and returning it to the document storage section; An automatic document feeding device characterized by comprising a second circulation path used for reading.