US3850520A - Electrophotographic copying machine of optical system-moving type - Google Patents

Electrophotographic copying machine of optical system-moving type Download PDF

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Publication number
US3850520A
US3850520A US00379340A US37934073A US3850520A US 3850520 A US3850520 A US 3850520A US 00379340 A US00379340 A US 00379340A US 37934073 A US37934073 A US 37934073A US 3850520 A US3850520 A US 3850520A
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copying paper
optical system
paper
copying
zone
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US00379340A
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English (en)
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T Washio
T Aizawa
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Kyocera Mita Industrial Co Ltd
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Mita Industrial Co Ltd
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/70—Detecting malfunctions relating to paper handling, e.g. jams
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/22—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern involving the combination of more than one step according to groups G03G13/02 - G03G13/20
    • G03G15/28—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern involving the combination of more than one step according to groups G03G13/02 - G03G13/20 in which projection is obtained by line scanning

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an electrophotographic machine of the type wherein a roll-like electrophotographic copying paper is fed into each of several treating zones disposed along a copying paper transfer passage by means of a feed reel and an optical system for forming an image corresponding to an image of an original to be copied is moved along a passage for the optical system in the machine frame to effect slit exposure; wherein the electrophotographic copying paper is cut to a size corresponding to an optional exposure length of the original, and the movement of the optical system for the exposure step is completed in correspondence to the optional exposure length of the original and simultaneously the return movement of the optical system is initiated, whereby the copying operation can be accomplished promptly without bringing about a waste of electrophotocopying paper and a loss of time during the copying operation.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide an electrophotographic copying machine of the abovementioned optical system-moving type in which control of the above-mentioned series of the operations can be accomplished precisely by means of a detecting mechanism of a relatively simple structure.
  • Still another object of this invention is to provide an electrophotographic copying machine with a compact optical device of the moving type in which the height and length of the optical device can be greatly diminished as compared with conventional optical devices and a sufficient optical distance can be secured even if the height and length of the optical device is thus diminished, whereby the bulk of the copying machine as a whole can be reduced.
  • a still further object of this invention is to provide an electrophotographic machine in which the weight of an optical device is diminished and travel and stop of the optical device can be accomplished smoothly.
  • a still further object of this invention is to provide an electrophotographic copying machine including a light quantity-adjusting device of a simple structure, in which the exposure width (slit width) of a moving type optical device can easily be adjusted by operating a light quantity adjusting member mounted at any desired location on the copying machine, whereby a de-' sired light quantity can optionally be obtained.
  • a still further object of this invention is to provide an electrophotographic copying machine having an exposure adjusting device which is especially effective for the continuous copying operation, in which an improper exposure can be corrected instantaneously by observing a finished copy even when an optical device is traveling in the exposure step,
  • a still further object of this invention is to provide an electrophotographic device of the optical systemmoving type in which the treatment time required for each step in the copying machine is detected and when this actual detected time becomes longer than the prescribed time, a trouble-detecting mechanism is actuated to detect trouble caused at the copying paper transfer passage or the optical device travel passage, whereby continuous occurrence of the trouble or aggrevation of the trouble can be effectively prevented.
  • a still further object of this invention is to provide an electrophotographic copying machine of the optical system-moving type, in which steps are conducted continuously in successionion and when trouble is caused at any step, occurrence of the trouble can be promptly detected.
  • an electrophotographic copying machine which cornprises a passage for transfer of electrophotographic copying paper including a zone for a device for feeding a roll-like electrophotographic copying paper, a zone for a device for cutting the roll-like electrophotographic paper, a zone for a charging device, a light exposure zone, a zone for a developing device and a zone for a drying or fixing device. These zones are disposed along said passage in the order recited above.
  • a transparent plate is mounted in the upper portion of a machine frame to support thereon an original to be copied, an optical system for connecting said transparent plate optically with said passage for transfer of electrophotographic copying paper and forming an image corresponding to an image of the original on the electrophotographic copying paper at said light exposure zone, and an optical system-moving passage for traveling the optical system between said passage for transfer of electrophotographic copying paper and said transparent plate.
  • a mechanism for determining an optional exposure range and a corresponding cut length of the copying paper is mounted in the machine frame; optical system-detecting means for detecting the moving optical system is mounted in said optical systemmoving passage and first copying paper forward enddetecting means is mounted in said copying paper transfer passage to detect the forward end of the moving copying paper.
  • the optical system-detecting means and first copying paper forward end-detecting means are so disposed that they are interlocked with each passage.
  • Second copying paper forward end-detecting means is mounted in said zone for light exposure of the copying paper so that when the forward end arrives at a position for initiation of the light exposure, said detecting means detects this arrival and stops the movement of the copying machine.
  • the copying papercutting device is actuated by a signal transmitted from said first copying paper forward end detecting means to cut the copying paper into a length corresponding to said determined optional exposure range of the original.
  • the optical system is so driven that thetravel of the optical system for the light exposure step is initiated by a signal transmitted from said second copying paper forward end-detecting means which is actuated when the forward end of the copying paper arrives at a position for initiation of the light exposure and the return travel of the optical system is initiated by a detecting signal transmitted by said optical system-detecting means, whereby the light exposure step of the optical system is completed in correspondence to the length of said determined optional exposure range of the original.
  • FIG. 1 is a sectional side view illustrating arrangement of devices and mechanisms in one embodiment of the electrophotographic copying machine of this invention.
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view showing a curlremoving mechanism in the electrophotographic copying machine shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view showing the curlremoving mechanism illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 4-A is an enlarged sectional side view illustrating an optical system in the electrophotographic copying machine shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4-B is a partially cut-out, side view illustrating arrangement of a light quantity-adjusting mechanism of the optical system shown in FIG. 4-A.
  • FIG. 4-C is a partially enlarged sectional view illustrating the front of the mechanism shown in FIG. 4-B.
  • FIG. 4-D is a side view illustrating arrangement of another embodiment of the light quantity-adjusting mechanism shown in FIG. 4-C.
  • FIG. 5 is a view illustrating arrangement of a drive mechanism in the electrophotographic copying machine shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the plane section of a drive mechanism for change-over of the optical system.
  • FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating arrangement of detecting means in the electrophotographic copying machine of this invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a mechanism for determining the exposure range and cut length of copying paper in the electrophotographic copying machine of this invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a wiring diagram of the electric system in the electrophotographic copying machine of this invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a wiring diagram illustrating the principle of a trouble-detecting means adaptable to the electrophotographic copying machine of this invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating the detecting principle of the trouble-detecting means shown in FIG. 10.
  • FIG. 1 illustrating an outline of an embodiment of the electrophotographic copying machine of this invention.
  • a passage b for transfer of electrophotographic copying paper which includes a feed reel 2 fitted with a roll of electrophotographic copying paper 3, a zone 4 for provision of a device for cutting electrophotographic copying paper, a zone 4' having a device for removing curls from copying paper, a zone 5 having a charging device, a light exposure zone 6, a zone 7 wherein a developing device is provided and a zone 8 wherein a drying or fixing device is located, these zones being disposed along said passage b in the order recited above.
  • the feed reel 2 is attached dismountably and freely rotatably to the end portion of the machine frame 1, namely on the left side end portion in the drawings, and the reel 2 can easily be taken out of the machine frame 1 by opening a lid 9 mounted on the left end wall of the machine frame 1.
  • a guide roller 10 is disposed below the feed reel 2 to remove copying paper 3 from the reel 2, and a pair of paper-feeding drive rollers 11 and 11 equipped with a paper feed clutch G which is actuated when the copying operation is initialed are disposed between the guide roller 10 and the copying paper-cutting device zone 4.
  • a fixed blade 12 and a rotary blade 13 are positioned in the copying paper-cutting device zone 4.
  • the rotary blade 13 is rotated by means of a cutter solenoid RS, whereby the copying paper 3 passing between the fixed blade 12 and rotary blade 13 is cut.
  • this curlremoving mechanism comprises a pair of segment rollers l5 and 15' disposed with a certain distance therebetween, a small-diameter roller 16 disposed to contact the peripheral surface of each of segment rollers 15 and 15', and guides 18 disposed in voids 17 formed in notched portions of segment rollers 15 and 15' in a manner such that each of the guides 18 is positioned between of the axes of segment rollers 15 and 15' and the axis of the small-diameter roller 16 while not contacting the peripheral surface of the small-diameter roller 16.
  • the segment rollers 15 and 15' are disposed on the same side as the axis of the reel 2 with respect to the copying paper transfer passage b, namely on the upper side of the passage b in the drawings, and the small-diameter rollers 16 is disposed on the opposite side with respect to the passage b, namely on the lower side of the passage b in the drawings.
  • the copying paper 3 having curls is at first nipped at a nip point n between the segment roller 15 and small-diameter roller 16, introduced into a space defined by a triangle formed by linking the axes of the three rollers, and withdrawn from a nip point n between the segment roller l5 and small-diameter roller 16.
  • the plane for forwarding the copying paper 3 in the above triangular space is defined by the periphery of the small-diameter roller 16 having a curvature opposite to that of the copying paper 3. Since the curly copying paper 3 is forwarded while supported on the periphery of the small-diameter roller 16, removal of curls can be accomplished effectively.
  • the guide 18 functions to prevent the copying paper 3 from winding on one segment roller and also guide the paper to the nip point n betweenthe other segment roller 15' and the smalldiameter roller 16. It is preferred that either or both of the segment rollers 15 and 15' and the small-diameter roller 16 are positively driven at a peripheral speed which is the same as the speed at which the copying paper 3 travels. When rollers of the curl-removing mechanism 14 are driven in this manner, it is possible to allow the curl-removing mechanism to serve as the discharge side drive rollers of the copying papercutting device zone 4 and as the feed side drive rollers of the charging device zone 5.
  • the charging device zone 5 on the discharge side of the curl-removing mechanism 14 comprises shield cases 19 and 19' and fine wire corona discharge electrodes 20 and 20' spread in the shield cases.
  • the copying paper 3 is electrically charged while it is forwarded through a passage formed between said shield cases 19 and 19.
  • the light exposure zone 6 disposed on the discharge side of the charging device zone 5 comprises a transfer endless belt 21 for supporting and horizontally forwarding the copying paper 3 and for stopping the movement of the copying paper 3.
  • This transfer endless belt 21 is supported and driven by a drive pulley 22 equipped with a clutch C, which is not actuated during the light exposure step, a drive pulley 23, and guide pulleys 24 and 24.
  • a suction case 21' is disposed below the upper part of said endless belt 21, and air suction is effected by a sucking fan 21" mounted in a blast duct connected to said suction case 21, whereby the horizontal support of the copying paper is ensured.
  • a driven press roller 28' is disposed above the feed side drive pulley 23 so as to have a contact with the pulley 23 through the belt 21, and a driven press roller 22' is disposed above the discharge side drive pulley 22 so as to have a contact with the pulley 22 through the belt 21.
  • the zone 7 of the developing device includes a tank 25 for a liquid developer 0, an upper tray 26 disposed above the tank 25 and a lower tray 27.
  • a development passage 28 is formed between the upper and lower trays 26 and 27, and the copying paper is allowed to pass through this passage 28.
  • the liquid developer 0 contained in the tank 25 is drawn up into the upper tray 26 by means of a pump (not shown) and flows into the development passage 28 to effect the development.
  • a pair of squeeze rollers 29 and 29' are disposed on the discharge side of the development passage 28 to squeeze out excessive liquid developer applied to the copying paper.
  • This drying or fixing device zone 8 comprises a heating cylindrical roller 30 having a heater H and a confronting roller 31 facing the roller 30.
  • the exhaust gassucked by the suction fan 21" is introduced into an air duct 30' through blower duct and blown on the developed copying paper at the copying paper receiver 32. In this manner, the exhaust gas assists the drying of the copying paper.
  • the copying paper transfer passage b extending from the paper-feeding drive rollers 11 and 11' to the development passage 28 is disposed substantially horizontally and the curlremoving mechanism 14 is mounted on the feed side of the charging device zone 5. Accordingly, jamming of the copying paper in the copying paper transfer passage or exposure of the copying paper in the curly or bent state can be effectively prevented.
  • a feed inlet 33 for the sheet-like copying paper 3' is mounted in the lower portion of the machine frame 1 on the side where the feed reel 2 is contained.
  • a pair of drive rollers 34 and 34 for feeding the sheet-like copying paper 3' and confronting guide plates 35 and 35' defining a passage b for the sheetlike copying paper 3' are disposed between the feed inlet 33 and the feed side of the curl-removing mechanism 14. In this manner, on the feed side of the charging device zone 5, the passage b for the manually fed sheet-like copying paper can be formed independently from the passage b for the automatically fed roll-like copying paper 3.
  • a transparent plate 36 for supporting thereon an original a to be copied is fixed on the upper surface portion of the machine frame 1, and a press plate 37 for pressing the original a on the transparent plate 36 is attached to the upper portion of the machine frame 1 by means of a hinge 38 or a similar member.
  • This transparent plate 36 for supporting the original a and the copying paper exposure zone are disposed in a corresponding relationship with a certain distance therebetween.
  • an optical system 39 for optically connecting the transparent plate 36 with the copying paper exposure zone 6 and for forming on the copying paper 3 a light image corresponding to the image of the original a.
  • the optical system travels along a passage 40.
  • the optical system indicated as a whole by numeral 39 includes a light source 41 for exposure, an opening 42 for exposing the original to light, a group of reflection mirrors 43, 44 and 45, an in-mirror lens 46 and an opening 47 for exposing the copying paper to light.
  • Each of these members is attached to a frame 48 so that each member can move simultaneously reciprocatingly along the moving passage 40. It is preferred that these the members 41, 43, 44 45 and 46 form, together with the frame 48, an encircled room defining substantially the outer wall of the optical system 39.
  • Light shielding curtains 50 and 50 allowing the reciprocating movement of the optical device 39 are disposed between both side end wall portions of a chamber containing therein the optical device 39 and moving passage 40 and between both side portions of the optical device 39, respectively.
  • winding reels 51 and 51 are disposed to wind the light-shelding curtains 50 and 50', respectively.
  • the winding reels 51 and 51 are supported so that they can rotate in either clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, and a force for winding the curtain 50 or 50 is given to each of the reels 51 and 51' by means of an elastic member such as a spring (not shown).
  • an elastic member such as a spring (not shown).
  • the winding reel 51 is rotated in the clockwise direction to reel off the lightshielding curtain in a length necessary for compensation for the stretching, and since the other lightshielding curtain 50 is relaxed, the winding reel 51 is rotated in the clockwise direction to wind the excessive length of the curtain 50'.
  • the winding reels 51 and 51' are rotated in the counter-clockwise direction and perform functions opposite to those mentioned above, respectively.
  • the in-mirror lens 46 is disposed above the frame 48 in a manner such that an optical path x of the in-mirror lens 46 is substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the frame and the in-mirror face is positioned on the upper side.
  • the original exposure opening 42 and copying paper exposure opening 47 are disposed so that an optical path x of the opening 42 and an optical path x;; of the opening 47 are substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the frame 48.
  • a first reflection mirror 43 is mounted along the optical path x of the in-mirror lens 46, a second reflection mirror 44 is mounted along the optical path x of the original exposure opening 42, and a third reflection mirror 45 is mounted along the optical path x of the copying paper exposure opening 47.
  • the first reflection mirror 43 is' disposed in the state inclined with to the optical path x, by an angle of about 45 in the clockwise direction.
  • the second reflection mirror 44 is inclined with respect to the optical path x by an angle of 135 1 6, 0 to in the clockwise direction (hereinafter angles are those in the clockwise direction unless otherwise indicated).
  • the in-mirror lens 46 and the original exposure opening 47 are optically connected to each other through the first reflection mirror 43 and the second reflection mirror 44.
  • the third reflection mirror 45 is inclined with respect to the optical path x by an angle of 45 i 0 (0 0 to 10), whereby the in-mirror lens 46 and the copying paper exposure opening 47 are optically connected with each other through the first reflection mirror 43 and the third reflection mirror 45.
  • the optical path x of the original exposure opening 42 is positioned between the optical path x, of the in-mirror lens 46 and the optical path x of the copying paper exposure opening 47 and each of these optical paths is substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the frame 48.
  • the optical path x, of the in-mirror lens 46 is disposed in the discharge side of the copying machine; the second reflection mirror 44 on the optical path x is disposed in the lowermost position of a optical device 39 and the third reflection mirror 45 on the optical path x is disposed in the position higher than the position of the second reflection mirror 44.
  • the second reflection mirror 44 is disposed at.
  • the optical device 39 In order to make the optical device 39 compact and diminish the size of the copying machine, it is indispensable that each of the above positional relationships be established. In short, when the above structure is adopted in the optical device 39, the height and length of the optical device 39 can be greatly diminished as compared with optical devices of conventional copying machines, and further, even if the size of the optical device 39 is thus diminished, it is possible to maintain a sufficient optical distance. Furthermore, by thus diminishing the capacity of the optical device 39, it is possible not only to diminish the capacity of the copying machine as a whole but also to halt the optical device 39 in a space SP (see FIG.
  • the moving passage 40 for the optical system 39 there may be employed an optical member as far as it can move the optical system 39 horizontally in the lengthwise direction.
  • an optical member as an instance of a member having such mechanism, there can be mentioned a combination of a pinion and a rack and a combination of rails and rotars or wheels.
  • FIG. 5 illustrating an embodiment of the drive system of the copying machine of this invention
  • a guide rail 53 is attached'to the machine frame 1 through supporting washers 53' and 53" in a manner such that the rail 53 extends above the copying paper exposure zone 6 horizontally in the lengthwise direction.
  • the optical system 39 is supported on said guide rail 53 through rotors or wheels 54 so that it can move horizontally in a reciprocating manner.
  • the optical system 39 is driven by an optical system-driving mechanism capable of reversing of the moving direction of the optical system and is moved reciprocatingly along the guide rail 53.
  • the optical system-driving mechanism can be, for instance, a combination of a drive drum 55 rotatable in both the normal and reverse directions and a wire 56, such as shown in FIG. 5.
  • the wire 56 is wound on the drive drum 55, and one end of the wire 56 is fixed to a wire-fixing member 58 of the optical device 39 through a reel 57 pivoted at one end of an optical system-containing chamber 49 of the machine frame 1.
  • the other end of the wire 56 is fixed to a device member 58 of the optical deivce 39 through a reel 57 pivotally mounted on the frame 1 in chamber 49.
  • electromagnetic clutch mechanisms C and C having, respectively, sprockets 60' and 60, each being driven by a drive chain 59, are mounted on the machine frame 1.
  • a rotary disc C of the electromagnetic clutch mechanism C the drive drum 55 and a sprocket 61 are pivoted on one shaft 62
  • a rotary disc C of the electromagnetic clutch mechanism C and a sprocket 61' are pivoted on a shaft 62.
  • a chain 63 is hung between sprockets 61 and 61, and both the shafts 62 and 62 are rotated in the same direction.
  • Sprockets 60 and 60' are rotated in the directions reverse to each other at the same speed by means of a chain 59.
  • the change-over or reversal of the direction of the horizontal reciprocating movement can be accomplished by the above-mentioned procedures.
  • the speed of the return course of the optical device 39. higher than the speed of the optical device 39 in the course for the light exposure step.
  • the speed of the optical device 39 in the return course be equal to, or greater than, the speed of the optical device 39 in the course for the light exposure step.
  • an exposure adjusting mechanism which can adjust the exposure amount even when the optical device is moving.
  • a shutter plate is disposed on the lower side edge of the optical device so that the width of a slit of the copying paper exposure opening 47 is adjusted.
  • the shutter plate 125 is fixed on a shaft 125 is fixed on a shaft 126 rotatably coupled to both the 'side walls of the optical device 39 so that the plate can rotate around the shaft 126.
  • a shutter plate-rotating arm 129 having at its end a movably mounted member for instance, a block 128 rotatably mounted on a shaft 127, is fixed on one end of said shaft 126. The shaft 126 is rotated by moving the arm 129-to thereby rotate the shutter plate 125, and the slit width is thus adjusted.
  • any of modifications of the above-mentioned mechanism can be used as the light exposure adjusting mechanism, as far as it can adjust the exposure amount in the state interlocked with the above-mentioned movably mounted member.
  • At least one fixedly mounted member is provided in the optical device 39.
  • blocks 131 and 131' are rotatably attached to shafts 130 and 130' fixed on the side wall of the optical device 39, respectively.
  • the other end of the wire 132 is once supported by a block 135 rotatably mounted on a shaft 134 fixed to the other side frame 1" of the machine frame 1, through the standard position P2 fixed on the other end of the moving passage 40 so that the standard position P2 is not changed regardless of the movement of the optical device 39, and the other end of the wire 132 is then fixed to the machine frame 1, preferably a light exposure adjusting member 136 so designed that it can be operated from outside of the machine.
  • said other end of the wire 132 may be fixed on the light exposure adjusting member 136 at the standard position P2 without being supported by the block 135.
  • An elastic member 138 such as a spring is hung between the shutter plate-rotating arm 129 and the side wall of the optical device 39 to stretch the spread wire 132 and keep it always under tension, whereby a force is given to the movably mounted block 128.
  • the length l of a line extending from the standard position P1 to the standard position P2 is changed by adjustment of the light exposure adjusting member 136.
  • the mode of spreading the wire 132 may be appropriately changed depending on the arrangement of said movably mounted member and said fixedly mounted member.
  • the light exposure adjusting member 136 is so designed that the adjustment is accomplished by sliding it on a guide rail 137, but any member capable of changing the line length I can be employed. For instance, a rotary thumbscrew may be employed.
  • the once-fixed positional relationship of the movably mounted, member 128 to the fixedly mounted, members 131 and 131 is not substantially changed even if the optical device 39 is moved along the moving passage 40 to effect the light exposure unless the light exposure adjusting member 136 is shifted from the fixed position, and in contrast, even if the optical device 39 is moved for light exposure, the light exposure amount can be optionally adjusted by changing the above positional relationship and, accordingly, the path length, by shifting the light exposure adjusting member 136.
  • pathlength changing members can be accomplished in vari' ous manners. For instance, as is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 4-D, only one fixedly mounted, member, e.g., a block 131, may be employed.
  • the copying paper 3 In the copying machine of this invention, it is indispensable that while theexposure of copying paper is conducted, the copying paper 3 should be kept stationary in the light exposure zone 6 and no additional copying paper 3 should be fed into the exposure zone 6. It is also indispensable that in the developing device zone 7 and the drying or fixing device zone 8, the copying paper 3 should move continuously. For attaining these features, for forward mechanism of the copying paper transfer passage in the developing device zone 7 and the drying or fixing device zone 8 is always driven while the forward mechanism of the copying paper transfer passage running through the exposure zone 6, the charging device zone 5 and the paper feed mechanism is so constructed that it can be optionally driven or stopped.
  • a drive chain 59 is hung on a sprocket 64 mounted through a clutch C on the shaft on which the pulley 22 of the exposure zone 6 is positioned, a sprocket 65 fixed on one roller 29 of a pair of squeeze rollers 29 and 29 in the developing device zone 7 and a sprocket 66 fixed on one roller 31 of a pair of heating rollers 30 and 31 in the drying or fixing device zone 8, as well as on the sprockets and 60' of the above-mentioned optical system-driving mechanism.
  • a sprocket 68 and a double sprocket 69 are pivoted on the drive pulleys 22 and 23 of the exposure zone 6, respectively, and a chain 70 is hung on said sprocket 68 and one side of said double sprocket 69.
  • a drive chain 74 is hung on the other side of the double sprocket 69, a sprocket 71 for driving segrnentrol- A lers 15 and 15 of the curl-removing mechanism 14, a sprocket 72 attached through the paper feed clutch C on the shaft on whichone of paper-feeding drive rollers 11 and 11, and a sprocket 73 pivoted on one of a pair of sheet-like copying paper feed rollers 34 and 34'.
  • clutch C has the same structure and function as those Y of clutches C and C illustrated above by reference to FIG. 6.
  • the clutch C is not actuated, the sprocket 64 is being rotated idly with respect to the drive pulley 22 and sprocket 68. Accordingly, drive chains 70 and 74 and transfer endless belt 21 are not driven but remain stationary.
  • Feed rollers 11 and 11' for feeding roll-like copying paper are driven only when the sprocket 72 is driven and the paper feed clutch C is actuated.
  • the driving of the optical device 34 is performed by driving sprockets 60 and 60 by the chain 59 and actuating the direction change-over clutches C and C alternately.
  • the electrophotographic copying machine of this invention on conducting the electrophotographic copying, by actuating the paper feed clutch C, a pair of paper-feeding drive rollers 11 and 11 are rotated, whereby the a roll-like paper 3 is unwound from the feed reel 2, and it passes through the copying papercutting device zone 4 and reaches the curl-removing mechanism 14 in which the paper 3 is uncurled. Then, the uncurled copying paper is driven by rollers 15, 15 and 16 of the curl-removing mechanism and fed into the changing device zone 5.
  • the copying paper 3 is allowed to pass through corona discharge electrodes 20 and 20', between which a high electric voltage is applied.
  • the corona discharge from the electrodes 20 and 20 is applied to the photoconductive layer of the moving copying paper 3, whereby uniform charges are applied to the photo-conductive layer of the copying paper 3.
  • the thus uniformly changed copying paper 3 is gripped between the drive pulley 23 and press roller 23 and placed on the transfer belt 21.
  • the operation of the clutch C is stopped to halt the movement of either the transfer belt 21 or the chains 70 and 74 (whereby the movement of the entire paper feed system is stopped).
  • the cutting of the roll-like copying paper is accomplished by rotating the rotary blade 13 of the copying paper-cutting device zone 4 by actuating a cutter solenoid RS in in response to the exposure range length of the original.
  • the clutch C for moving the optical system in the left direction is actuated to rotate the drive drum 55 in the clockwise direction, whereby the optical device 39 is shifted to the left and the moving slit exposure is effected. More specifically, by illumination from the exposure light source 41, a light reflected from an original a be the copied passes through the transparent plate 36, original light exposure opening 42, second reflection mirror 44 and first reflection mirror 43 and arrives at the in-mirror lens 46. Then, the light is reflected on the in-mirror 52, passes through lens 46, first reflection mirror 43, third reflection mirror 45 and copying paper light exposure opening 47 and arrives at the copying paper 3 to form thereon a light image corresponding to the image of the original a.
  • This slit exposure operation is performed along the prescribed exposure range length of the original a, with the result that an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image of the original a is formed on the photoconductive layer of the copying paper '3.
  • the clutch C is actuated to drive the transfer endless belt 21, whereby the electrostatic latent image-carrying copying paper 3 is introduced to the subsequent development passage 28, where the copying paper 3 is coated with a liquid developer c and a visible image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image is forrned on the copying paper 3.
  • the visible image-carrying copying paper is fed between a pair of perpetually driven squeeze rollers 29 and 29 to remove the excessive liquid developer, and it is fed between a pair of perpetually driven heating rollers 30 and 31 to effect the drying or fixation of the developed image.
  • the copying paper is expelled onto on a copying paper receiver 32.
  • the optical device 39 is shifted to the right, namely in the return course, by stopping the operation of the direction change-over clutch C and simultaneous actuation of the clutch C to rotate the drive drum 55 in a countclockwise direction.
  • the feeding of copying paper is similarly accomplished by feeding the sheet-like copying paper 3' through the feed inlet 33 whereupon it is gripped between a pair of drive rollers 34 and 34'.
  • a mechanism for determining the cut-length of copying paper in correspondence to the prescribed optional light exposure range length of an orignal 'to be copied (hereinafter referred to merely as determining mechanism) is mounted in the copying machine frame 1.
  • Detecting means for detecting the optical system 39 is provided on the moving passage 40 for the optical system and a first copying paper forward end-detecting means for detecting the forward end of the moving copyirfg paper is provided on the copying paper transfer passage b, and these two detecting means are so arranged thatthey can be interlocked with each other in response to instructions of said determining mechanism and move along the optical system-moving passage 40 and copying paper transfer passage b.
  • a second copying paper forward end-detecting means is mounted on the copying paper transfer passage b in the exposure zone 6, and each of the means is interlocked and controlled so that the operations of cutting the copying paper, halting the copying paper in the exposure zone, initiating the travel of the optical system for the light ex posure step, terminating the light exposure step of the optical system initiating the return travel of the optical system and of shifting the copying paper from the exposure zone to subsequent zones can be conducted smoothly without a loss of time and accurately in correspondence to the prescribed exposure range length of the original by signals transmitted by said detecting means.
  • the foregoing detecting means and other members are arranged in the electrophotographic copying machine of this invention in such a manner as illustrated in FIG.
  • a determining mechanism (dial) for determining the cut-length of the copying paper in correspondence to the prescribed optional exposure range is mounted on the side wall of the machine frame 1.
  • This detennining dial 75 can be rotated to determine an optional light exposure range length or cut-length Lx within a range from a minimum light exposure range length or minium cut-length Lmin to a maximum light exposure range length or maximum cut-length Lmax.
  • the dial 75 has on the periphery thereof graduations 76 ranging from the minimum light exposure range length graduation Mmin to the maximum light exposure range length graduation Mmax.
  • the light exposure range length and the copying paper cut-length are prescribed and determined.
  • graduations 78 ranging from the minimum exposure range length M'min to the maximum exposure range length Mmax can be formed on the side edge of the upper surface of the machine frame on which the transparent plate 36 is fixed, whereby the setting of the position of the dial 75 can be performed with ease by determining a desired exposure range length based on graduations 78.
  • an optical system-detecting means S4 for detecting the moving optical device 39 is mounted on the optical system-moving passage 40 and a first copying paper forward end-detecting means S1 for detecting the forward end of the moving copying paper 3 is mounted adjacent on the copying paper transfer passage b.
  • These detecting means S4 and S1 are so arranged that they are interlocked with each other in response to instructions of the determining mechanism 75 and move along the optical system-moving passage 40 and copying paper transfer passage b, respectively.
  • a loop 79 of a chain, wire or code is disposed so that one side of the loop 79 extends along the optical system-moving passage 40 and another side of the loop 79 extends along the copying paper transfer passage b in the light exposure zone 6.
  • This loop 79 is wound on a drum 75' of the determining mechanism 75 and is supported by guide pulleys 80, 81 and 82. This loop 79 can be moved in an optional direction by rotating the determining mechanism (dial) 75.
  • a supporting member 83 for the optical systemdetecting means S4 is fixed to the side portion 79 of the loop 79 that extends along the optical systemmoving passage 40, while a supporting member 84 for the first switch mechanism S1 is fixed to the side portion 79" of the loop 79 that extends along the copying paper transfer passage b.
  • the optical system-detecting mechanism S4 is attached tothe upper portion of the supporting member 83 and the lower portion 83' of the supporting member 83 is fitted on a suitable guide rail, for instance, an optical system-guiding rail 53, for movement along this rail.
  • the optical system-detecting means S4 consists, for instance, for a change-over switch having a push plate 85.
  • the first copying paper forward end-detecting means S1 is attached to the upper portion of the supporting member 84 fixed on the side portion 79" of the loop 79, and the lower portion 84 of the supporting member 84 is mounted on a guide rail 87 for movement along said guide rail 87.
  • this first copying paper forward end-detecting means S1 may be, for instance, a change-over switch having a push plate 88. When this push plate 88 is pressed by the forward end of the copying paper, detection of the forward end of the copying paper is accomplished.
  • the optical system-detecting mechanism S4 is moved along the optical system-moving passage 40 and the first copying paper forward end-detecting means S1 is moved along the copying paper transfer passage b.
  • the loop 79 is arranged so that if the optical system-detecting means S4 is moved to the right the first copying paper forward end-detecting means S1 is moved to the left, namely the means S1 and S4 are moved in directions opposite to each other. This is important in order to make the position for initiation of exposure of the copying paper correspond precisely to the position for initiation of exposure of the original.
  • the determining mechanism 75 when the determining mechanism 75 is set to the graduation Mmin, the first copying paper forward end-detecting means S1 is positioned on the leftmost point (Pmin in FIG. 7) and the optical systemdetecting means S4 is positioned on the rightmost point (Pmin in FIG. 7).
  • the first copying paper forward enddetecting means S1 is positioned at the rightmost point (Pmax in FIG. 7) and the optical system-detecting means S4 is positioned at the leftmost point P'max.
  • the exposure step is completed.
  • the actuation of the cutter solenoid RS is performed, for instance, by an electric circuit shown in FIG. 9.
  • the normally open contact l-lb of the off-delay relay R the normally closed contact 2-3 of a relay R and a relay R are connected in series to the normally open contact b of the switch S1.
  • the cutter solenoid Rs is connected to the electric source in series to the normally open contact 3-1 of the relay R
  • the paper feed clutch C is actuated to effect the feeding of a roll-like copying paper.
  • the relay R is actuated and the usually open contact l-lb is closed.
  • the normally open contact b of the switch S1 is closed to actuate the relay R
  • the normally open contact 3-1 of the relay R is closed to actuate the cutter solenoid RS.
  • the normally closed contact a of the switch S1 is opened, whereby the nonnally open contact l-lb of the offdelay relay R, is opened and the operation of the cutter solenoid RS is stopped.
  • the operation of the paper feed clutch C is automatically stopped.
  • a second copying paper forward enddetecting means S2 for detecting the forward end of the copying paper when it reaches the position for initiation of light exposure of the copying paper (rightmost point PS in FIG. 7).
  • This second copying paper forward end-detecting means S2 may also be a change-over switch having a push plate 89. When the push plate 89 is pressed by the forward end of the copying paper, the switch S2 is actuated.
  • the switch S2 is so disposed that when this switch S2 is pressed by the forward end of the copying paper 3 and actuated, the copying paper is stopped in the exposure zone 6 and the travel of the optical system 39 for the light exposure step is initiated.
  • an electric circuit such that when the switch S2 is pressed, the actuation of the transfer clutch C in the exposure zone 6 is stopped and the clutch C of the optical system-driving mechanism is actuated to initiate the movement of the optical system for the light exposure step.
  • a normally open contact b of the switch S2 of the second copying paper forward end-detecting means, normally closed contact 6-2aof a relay R and relay R are connected in series to the electric source, and the transfer clutch C is connected to normally closed contact 5-2 of the relay R
  • the normally open contact b of the switch S2 is closed to actuate the relay R whereby the normally closed contact 5-2a of the relay R is opened and an electric current is cut off in the transfer clutch C with the result that the movement of the transfer belt 21 is stopped and the forward end of the copying paper is halted at the position PS for initiation of the light exposure process.
  • the clutch C2 for return travel of the optical system is connected to the normally closed contact side a of the contact 54, and the clutch C for moving the optical system for the light exposure step is connected to the normally open contact side b of the contact 54.
  • To a common terminal 0 of the contact 54 of the relay R are connected in series a usually open contact 5-3 of the relay R and a normally closed contact a of the contact 4-2 of the relay R.,.
  • the relay R is actuated to close the contact 5-3 and close the normally open contact side b of the contact 54, whereby the clutch C for moving the optical system for the light exposure step is actuated.
  • the movement of the optical device 39 for the light exposure step is performed by mechanisms and members detailed above by reference to FIG. 6.
  • the signal transmitted from the second copying paper forward end-detecting means mounted at the position PS for initiating the exposure of the copying paper the stopping of the forward end of the copying paper at the exposure-initiating position and the initiation of the movement of the optical system for the exposure step can be performed simultaneously with certainty without a time delay.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates that
  • a second optical system-detecting 7 means S3 be mounted so that when the optical device 39 is positioned at the light exposure step-initiating point PS, the means S3 detects the optical device 39.
  • This optical system-detecting means S3 may also be a change-over switch having a push plate 90 and the change-over switch is so arranged that when the push plate 90 is pressed by projection 86 of the optical device 39, it is actuated.
  • This switch S3 is connected to the common terminal C of the contact 54 of the relay R in parallel to the series circuit of the usually close contact 4-2 and usually open contact 5-3.
  • the detection of the optical device 39 is performed by the optical system-detecting means S4 and responsive to the signal of the detection, completion of the movement of the optical device 39 for the light exposure step (namely stopping of actuation of the clutch C and initiation of the return travel of the optical dey vice 39 (namely actuation of the clutch C can be simultaneously accomplished. More specifically, in FIG.
  • the normally open contact b of the switch S4 of the optical system-detecting means and the delay R are connected in series to the electrical source, and therefore, when the push plate 85 of the switch S4 is pressed by the projection 86 of the optical device 39, the normally open contact b of the switch S4 is closed to actuate the relay R to open the normally closed contact 6-2a in the circuit of the relay R whereby no electric current is applied to the relay R
  • a relay contact 5-4 connected to a parallel circuit of the optical system moving clutches C and C the change-over from the side of the clutch C, for moving the optical system for the light exposure step (b side of the contact 5-4) to the side of the clutch C for moving the optical system in the return course (a side of the contact 5-4) is effected, and an electric current is applied to the clutch C for the return travel of the optical system through the normally closed contact a and the relay switch 5-4a.
  • the switch S4 On initiation of the return travel of the optical system, the switch S4 is opened, but by providing a selfretention series circuit consisting of a normally open contact b of the switch S2 and a self-retention contact 6-2b of the relay 6 in the parallel to the normally open contact b of the switch S4, the self-retention of the relay 6 is established while the copying paper is halted at the position of the switch S2, i.e., the point- PS.
  • the projection 86 of the optical device 39 presses the push plate 89 of the second optical system-detecting means S3 to open the normally closed contact a of the switch S3 in the circuit including the optical system-moving clutches C and C whereby the optical device 39 is halted at this position P'S.
  • the operation for cutting the copying paper to a length precisely corresponding to the prescribed light exposure range length Lx and the moving slit exposure operation in dependence on the cut-length of the copying paper can be accomplished with certainty. Further, as illustrated above, initiation of the return travel of the optical device 39 and re-transfer of the copying paper from the light exposure position can be simultaneously accomplished concomitantly with completion of the movement of the optical device 39 for the light exposure step, and therefore, the copying operation can be highly accelerated. In fact, according to this invention, it is possible to perform so-called continuous printing operation where a plurality of copying papers are present on the copying paper transfer passage b of the copying machine.
  • This continuous printing operation is performed in the order explained below byproviding a seriescircuit consisting of a usually opencontact 6-4 of the relay R and a switch S7 for continuous copying operation in parallel to the push button PB for initiation of copying operation, connecting a series circuit consisting of a normally open contact 6-1 and a relay R and including a self-retention circuit 2-1, to the normally closed contact a side of a relay contact l-l of the circuit of the relay R and connecting the normally open contact 2-2 of the relay R to the usually closed contact a of the switch S1 in parallel.
  • the copying paper transfer operation for feeding the copying paper into the copying paper transfer passage b, by the feeding mechanism, charging it while it is moved and stopping it in the exposure zone.
  • the copying paper transfer operation for transferring the copying paper from the exposure zone and forwarding it to the development and drying or fixing zones to effect the development and the drying I or fixation while the copying paper is being moved.
  • normally open switch means are provided so that the following three treatment times can be precisely detected by these switch means respectively. Namely, each of the normally open switches is actuated upon initiation of the corresponding treatment, the actuated state is maintained during the treatment, and the switch is opened upon completion of the treatment.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optical Systems Of Projection Type Copiers (AREA)
  • Paper Feeding For Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Exposure Or Original Feeding In Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Control Or Security For Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Control Of Cutting Processes (AREA)
US00379340A 1972-07-20 1973-07-16 Electrophotographic copying machine of optical system-moving type Expired - Lifetime US3850520A (en)

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JP7308772A JPS5527345B2 (cs) 1972-07-20 1972-07-20

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Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4033689A (en) * 1972-09-24 1977-07-05 Mita Industrial Company, Ltd. Compact optical system for an electrostatic photographic copying apparatus
US4116557A (en) * 1975-12-27 1978-09-26 Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha Electrophotographic copying apparatus
US4247839A (en) * 1978-06-01 1981-01-27 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Electrographic apparatus having an improved exit opening portion
US4302095A (en) * 1980-03-24 1981-11-24 Pitney-Bowes, Inc. Clutch for electrophotocopier reciprocating carriage
US4344696A (en) * 1979-08-10 1982-08-17 Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha Means for driving reciprocating members
USRE31177E (en) * 1975-11-14 1983-03-15 Apparatus for making plates for printing
WO1983001692A1 (en) * 1981-10-29 1983-05-11 John Michael Payne Improvements in and relating to document copiers
US5270731A (en) * 1991-08-23 1993-12-14 Eastman Kodak Company Laser thermal printer with positive air flow
US20100143014A1 (en) * 2008-12-04 2010-06-10 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Image forming apparatus

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS57115052U (cs) * 1981-01-06 1982-07-16
JPS63262347A (ja) * 1987-03-19 1988-10-28 Mita Ind Co Ltd 静電複写装置
JPH06146623A (ja) * 1992-11-16 1994-05-27 Inax Corp 衛生室ユニット

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3533691A (en) * 1966-10-22 1970-10-13 Ricoh Kk Electrophotographic duplicator
US3689151A (en) * 1969-04-15 1972-09-05 Agfa Gevaert Ag Microfilm flow type apparatus
US3724944A (en) * 1971-10-01 1973-04-03 Ricoh Kk Light intercepting screen winding and paying-out device for copying machines
US3733124A (en) * 1971-05-18 1973-05-15 Minolta Camera Kk Transfer type electronic photograph duplicator

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3533691A (en) * 1966-10-22 1970-10-13 Ricoh Kk Electrophotographic duplicator
US3689151A (en) * 1969-04-15 1972-09-05 Agfa Gevaert Ag Microfilm flow type apparatus
US3733124A (en) * 1971-05-18 1973-05-15 Minolta Camera Kk Transfer type electronic photograph duplicator
US3724944A (en) * 1971-10-01 1973-04-03 Ricoh Kk Light intercepting screen winding and paying-out device for copying machines

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4033689A (en) * 1972-09-24 1977-07-05 Mita Industrial Company, Ltd. Compact optical system for an electrostatic photographic copying apparatus
USRE31177E (en) * 1975-11-14 1983-03-15 Apparatus for making plates for printing
US4116557A (en) * 1975-12-27 1978-09-26 Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha Electrophotographic copying apparatus
US4247839A (en) * 1978-06-01 1981-01-27 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Electrographic apparatus having an improved exit opening portion
US4344696A (en) * 1979-08-10 1982-08-17 Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha Means for driving reciprocating members
US4302095A (en) * 1980-03-24 1981-11-24 Pitney-Bowes, Inc. Clutch for electrophotocopier reciprocating carriage
WO1983001692A1 (en) * 1981-10-29 1983-05-11 John Michael Payne Improvements in and relating to document copiers
US5270731A (en) * 1991-08-23 1993-12-14 Eastman Kodak Company Laser thermal printer with positive air flow
US20100143014A1 (en) * 2008-12-04 2010-06-10 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Image forming apparatus
US8712313B2 (en) * 2008-12-04 2014-04-29 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Image forming apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS5527345B2 (cs) 1980-07-19
JPS4932645A (cs) 1974-03-25

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