JPH02266367A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To speedily carry out sequencing of pages without bringing about the enlargement of the device or raising of cost by ejecting a recording paper with a recorded image formed on its with its frontside and backside inverted after the completion of recording utilizing a paper refeeding device for refeeding to the recording part the recording paper on which the recorded image is formed at a recording part with its frontside and backside inverted. CONSTITUTION:A sequencing of pages controlling means 70 which activates a paper feeding device PS, the paper refeeding device PR, and a paper ejecting device PE so that the recording paper P, with its frontside and backside inverted by inverting the position after the recorded image is formed on the recording paper P based on a recording signal for page sequencing at the time of copying of a multiple number of pieces, is not layered on the recording paper P from the paper feeding device P but alternately passed through the recording part PP again and be ejected. Therefore, the recorded image is formed where the recorded paper is facing upwards and when the ejected paper is faced up and when recording is carried out which carries over a multiple number of pages, even when recording is started from a first page, the sequence of recordings is sequencially layered faced down. Thus, speedy page sequencing can be carried out without bring about enlargement of the device or the raising of the cost.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer that records a recorded image corresponding to a document image or input recording information on recording paper.

[Conventional technology]

The above-mentioned recording device is an indirect electrostatic copying machine using an electrophotographic process or an optical printer such as an LED printer. In this type of recording device, the toner transferred to the recording paper during the electrophotographic process is transported unfixed to the fixing device, so the recording paper is Generally, the recording paper is conveyed with the unfixed toner on it and sent to the fixing device with the recording surface facing upward, and the recording paper after fixing is also discharged in that position. Then, the ejected recording sheets are stacked in such a manner that the later recorded sheets are located on the earlier recorded sheets.

However, according to this configuration, when multiple pages of recorded information are recorded on the recording paper page by page, the recorded information is placed with the recording surface facing upward (hereinafter referred to as "face-up"). Since items are placed on top of the previously recorded information, the first one of the recorded information
When recording starts from the page, the page order is reversed from the page order of the recorded information, and after completing recording of multiple pages, manual page alignment work is required to rearrange the pages so that the largest number of pages is at the bottom. It becomes necessary.

The larger the number of pages of recorded information, the more complicated and time-consuming this page alignment work becomes, so in order to avoid having to do this, the recording paper is turned over after recording is completed so that the recorded side faces downward. (Hereinafter, this state will be referred to as face down)
Alternatively, the printer may be equipped with a reversing device for ejecting the paper so that the pages are aligned, or the printer may be equipped with memory for storing input record information for multiple pages corresponding to the entire record information. By recording information starting from the last page, sheets are ejected in a face-up ejection configuration with the pages aligned, thereby providing a page alignment function.

On the other hand, in order to increase the added value of the recording apparatus described above, various functions other than the above-mentioned page alignment function have been added.

One of them is the double-sided recording function. This is, for example,
In a copying machine, recording images corresponding to different originals are recorded separately on the front and back sides of a sheet of recording paper, and a recording device (hereinafter referred to as a recording device) that has both a digital function that records input recording information dot by dot and an analog function that copies the original. It is used to record other character information, etc. on the back side of recording paper on which a recorded image corresponding to a certain document has been formed. The configuration includes a paper feeding device for feeding the recording paper in the paper feeding unit to the recording unit, an image forming device for forming a recorded image on the recording paper, and a system for discharging the recording paper from the recording unit. a paper ejection device for reversing the recording paper after the recording image is formed thereon, and a paper refeeding device for reversing the recording paper after the recording image has been formed and supplying it to the recording section;
After feeding the recording paper in the paper feed section to the recording section and forming a recorded image on the recording paper, the position is reversed and the recording paper is fed to the recording section again, and another recorded image is formed on the recording paper. A device is known that is provided with a double-sided recording control means that operates the paper feeding device, image forming device, paper refeeding device, and paper ejecting device so that the paper is later ejected.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, the conventional recording device with the page alignment function described above has
There were the following problems.

In other words, in the former configuration in which a reversing device is provided, this reversing device is for reversing the recording paper from front to back and occupies a large space, resulting in an increase in the size of the entire device. When realizing this configuration by attaching a reversing device to an apparatus with a close-up paper ejection configuration, the size of the apparatus is significantly increased. In addition, in printers that simply record input information, it is possible to make the device more compact by adopting a paper ejection configuration in which the recording paper is reversed by a reversing device and stacked on the top surface of the device. In a copier, such a configuration cannot be adopted because the document table for placing the document is located on the top surface of the device, and it is particularly difficult to create a configuration in which the front and back of the recording paper can be reversed without hindrance in terms of space.

On the other hand, in the latter configuration where memory is provided for multiple pages and records are made from the last page, the number of pages of recorded information constituting one document, etc. is not constant, and some documents may have more than 100 pages. Configuring a configuration that allows page alignment even for such a large number of pages would require an unnecessarily large amount of memory to accommodate recording conditions that rarely occur, and it would be cost-effective. This is not practical as it lowers performance, and this configuration cannot be applied to ordinary copying machines.

Furthermore, even in the recording device having the double-sided recording function mentioned above, it is desired to record with page alignment.
Simply adding a configuration to realize the page alignment function, such as the single reversing bag mentioned above, would not only complicate the configuration, but also take a lot of time when recording a large number of sheets. It is not useful because it costs a lot of money.

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a recording device that can easily and quickly align pages without increasing the size or cost of the product by effectively utilizing the configuration for double-sided recording. It is about providing.

[Means to solve the problem]

The recording apparatus according to the present invention has the following features: a paper feeding device for feeding recording paper from a paper feeding unit into the recording unit; an image forming device for forming a recorded image on the recording paper; and a recording paper for the recording unit. and a refeeding device for reversing the recording paper after the recorded image has been formed and supplying it to the recording unit, the recording apparatus comprising: After forming a recorded image on the recording paper based on the recording signal, the posture is reversed and the recording paper after the front and back reversal is alternately passed through the recording section again without overlapping with the recording paper supplied from the paper feeder. A page alignment control means is provided for operating the paper feeding device, paper refeeding device, and paper ejecting device so as to eject the paper.

[For production]

In other words, by the operation of the paper refeeding device by the page alignment control means, the recording paper after the image formation is turned over, and then alternately passes through the recording section without overlapping the recording paper fed from the paper feeding device. Since the paper is then ejected, when recording over multiple pages in a configuration where the recorded image is formed with the recording surface facing upward and the paper ejection configuration is face-up,
Even if recording starts from the first page, a series of records are stacked face down (this means that they are quickly stacked in a page-aligned state).

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing a slit scanning type electrophotographic recording device, which is an example of a recording device according to the present invention.

The original placed on the glass plate (1a) of the original table (1) (
M) is irradiated by the exposure lamp (2), and this document (
The image light from M) passes through the slit (3) and passes through the imaging optical system (1) consisting of an imaging lens (4) and a plurality of mirrors (5a) to (5d), etc. counterclockwise [
The image is projected onto a photoreceptor drum (6) which is rotated at a constant peripheral speed of V].

The exposure lamp (2), slit (3), and first mirror (5a) that constitute the scanning device (S) are moved to the left in the figure at a speed of [V/n (where n is the speed for the copying magnification). Manuscript (M)
is configured to scan.

Moreover, the second mirror (5b) and the third mirror (5c) are
In order to maintain a constant imaging optical path length by the imaging optical system (I), the scanning device (S) described above is moved to the left in the figure at a speed [V/2n] that is half of the moving speed [V/nl]. is configured to do so.

Then, the original (
The image light from M) is imaged on the photoreceptor drum (6), and the --like charge on its surface is selectively annihilated depending on the brightness of the image light. The electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoreceptor drum (6).

The imaging lens (4) and the fourth mirror (5d) are configured to be movable in the horizontal direction in the figure by motor drive, and by changing their positions, the conjugate length of the imaging optical system (I) can be changed. The copying magnification in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction can be changed by Furthermore, if the copying magnification is set to a value other than "1" by changing the positions of the imaging lens (4) and the fourth mirror (5d),
The scanning speed of the above-mentioned scanning device (S) is changed in conjunction, and by changing the scanning speed, the copying magnification in the scanning direction can be changed. Therefore, by changing the position of the imaging lens (4) and the fourth mirror (5d) and changing the scanning speed, the image of the document (M) on the document table (1) can be enlarged at the set magnification. can be reduced.

Around the photoreceptor drum (6), there is a charging device (7) that uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor drum (6), and a charging device (7) that irradiates the image light from the document (M) onto the photoreceptor drum (6) to charge the electrostatic charge of the image light. An exposure section (E') for forming a latent image, a blank eraser (8) for erasing unnecessary charges on the photoreceptor drum (6), and an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum (6). A developing device (D) that attaches toner to the surface and visualizes it, a transfer device (9) that transfers the toner image onto a recording paper (P), and a recording paper (P).
) from the photoreceptor drum (6) (10)
, a blade-shaped cleaning device (11) that removes excess toner adhering to the surface of the photoreceptor drum (6) after transfer.
, and a main eraser (12) for erasing charges on the surface of the photoreceptor drum (6) after transfer.

Also, between the part where the image light from the original (M) is projected onto the photoreceptor drum (6) and the charging device (7), based on the recorded information input from the outside, An optical print head (PH) is provided which forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum (6).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, this optical print head (PH) includes a plurality of optical fibers (61) that guide light from a light source (not shown) to a linear light emitting section (60); A rod lens (63) that focuses the light uniformly emitted from the light emitting section (60) onto a PLZT shutter array (62) arranged in pixel units, and a rod lens (63) for each shutter of the PLZT shutter array (62). A driving IC (64), a polarizer (65) and an analyzer (6) whose polarization directions are orthogonal to each other are arranged with the PLZT shutter array (62) in between.
6) It is composed of a rod lens array (67) and the like that individually focuses the light after passing through each shutter of the PLZT shutter array (62) onto the photoreceptor drum (6).

When recording input record information from the outside using this optical print head (PH), the connector (68)
PLZT
Each shutter of the shutter array (62) is connected to the driving IC.
(64), and only the light that has passed through the shutter that is in the activated state and rotates the polarization direction passes through the analyzer (66) and is imaged on the photoreceptor drum (6). It is configured such that an electrostatic latent image according to input recorded information is formed on the photosensitive drum (6). Note that (69) in FIG. 3 is an optical fiber connector for inputting light from a light source to an optical fiber (61) inside the optical print head (PH).

Returning to FIG. 1 and continuing the explanation, the photosensitive drum (6) on which the electrostatic latent image is formed by the optical print head (PH) as described above is connected to the scanning device (S) and the imaging optical system ( Similarly to the case where an electrostatic latent image of the image light from the original (M) on the original platen (1) is formed by the developing device (I), the developing device (
After the electrostatic latent image is visualized by D), it reaches the transfer device (9).

On the other hand, there are two types of recording paper (P) of different sizes, each in a separate paper feed tray (13a) in the recording apparatus main body (x).
, (13b). Then, the recording paper (P) of the specified size is transferred to the pickup roller (14
a or 14b) by the paper feed tray (13a or 13b)
) is taken out one by one, passes through a pair of sorting rollers (15a or 15b), and is transferred to three pairs of transport rollers (16a) to (1).
6c) is fed into the paper feed path (17) with a photoreceptor drum (6c) interposed therein, and after synchronizing the formation of an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum (6) by a pair of registration rollers (18), the recording surface is It is configured to be fed into the transfer device (9) in an upward facing position.

Further, a paper feed stacker (19) is attached to the side of the recording apparatus main body (X). This paper feed stacker (19
) The three stages of paper feed trays (20a) to (20c) include a paper feed tray (13a) in the recording apparatus main body (X).

It is configured so that three types of recording paper (P) having different sizes from the recording paper (P) in (13b) can be accommodated.

When the size of the recording paper (P) accommodated in these paper feed trays (20a) to (20c) is specified, the recording paper (P) of that size is transferred to the pickup roller (
21a or 21b or 21C)
0a or 20b or 20C) one by one,
After passing through the pair of separating rollers (22a, 22b, or 22C), the paper passes through a feeding path (24) interposed with three pairs of transport rollers (23a) to (23c), and is then fed to the auxiliary feeder in the recording apparatus main body (X). The paper is fed into the paper path (25), and then transported to the conveyor roller pair (2
After being conveyed to the pair of registration rollers (18) by 6), as before, after synchronizing the formation of an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum (6), it is sent to the transfer device (9). It is configured so that

That is, the configuration in which the above-mentioned recording paper (P) is taken out from the paper feed tray (13a, 13b, 20a to 20c) which is the paper feed unit and fed into the transfer device (9) is the paper feed device (P).
S).

After the toner image on the photoreceptor drum (6) is transferred by the transfer device (9), the toner image on the photoreceptor drum (6) is transferred by the separation device (10).
) The recording paper (P) separated from the conveyor belt (27)
is configured to be sent to a fixing device (28) by. The fixing device (28) is configured to fix the toner on the recording paper (P) by heating and melting the toner forming the toner image transferred onto the recording paper (P).

That is, from the transfer device (9) described above to the fixing device (28
) constitutes the recording section (PP). In addition, the scanning device (S), imaging optical system (I), optical print head (PH), photoreceptor drum (6), each element (7) to (I2) around the photoreceptor drum (6), paper feed Equipment (PS
), conveyance bell) (27), fixing device (28), control device (C) described later, etc., transfer the recorded image to the recording section (PP).
) constitutes an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording paper (P) located at.

The recording paper (P) after passing through the fixing device (28) is
After being pulled out from the fixing device (28) by a pair of conveyance rollers (29), the recording is guided by a first conveyance switching lever (30) configured to switch the conveyance direction according to copying conditions and recording conditions. The sheet is configured to be sent to either a paper discharge path (31) to the outside of the apparatus main body (X) or a bypass path (32) leading to the entrance of the transfer device (9).

The first conveyance switching lever (30) is configured to change the conveyance state of the recording paper (P) as follows by changing its posture.

In other words, when copying one original (M) onto only one side of recording paper (P) (hereinafter, this copying is referred to as single-sided copying), and when outputting only one hard copy (hereinafter, this copying is referred to as single-sided copying). This first conveyance switching lever (30) switches the fixing device (referred to as "single recording") regardless of the copying conditions such as the copy magnification and the number of copies, or the recording conditions such as the number of recorded sheets.
28), the recording paper (P) is transferred to the paper ejection path (31).
), and the posture is changed so that the sheet is discharged to the outside of the recording apparatus main body (X) by the pair of sheet discharge rollers (33). That is, as described above, the paper ejecting device (PH) is configured to transport the recording paper (P) by changing the posture of the first transport switching lever (30) so that it is in the ejecting state.

Meanwhile, place one or two originals (M) on the recording paper (P).
When copying on both sides of the
(hereinafter referred to as "composite copying"), when parts of them are combined and copied onto one side of recording paper (P) (hereinafter, this copying is referred to as <composite copying>), and when copying the original (M) on recording paper CP) When recording other information using an optical print head (PI()) (hereinafter, this recording is referred to as ``composite recording''), it is also possible to record a document (M) containing multiple pages on multiple recording papers (P). When copying each page separately on one side only, or outputting a hard copy of multiple pages using only one side of the recording paper (P) or using both sides of the recording paper (P), Moreover, when aligning the resulting records over multiple pages so that the larger the number of pages is located at the bottom (hereinafter, these records are collectively referred to as <page alignment recording>), the first conveyance switching lever ( 30) is a fixing device (28
), the recording paper (P) is transferred to the bypass path (32
), and the posture is changed so that it is in a forwarding state where it is sent into the transfer device (9) and reaches the entrance of the transfer device (9).

The bypass path (32) contains the fed recording paper (
An intermediate tray (34) for temporarily stocking P) is interposed. Then, the recording paper (P) is used for composite copying.
, and in the case of <composite recording>, two conveyor roller pairs (3
5a) and (35b) to the intermediate tray (34). On the other hand, in the case of <double-sided copying> and <page alignment recording>, the second conveyance switching lever (36) is moved before the intermediate tray (34). ) is guided by two conveyor roller pairs (
37a) and (37b), and after being turned upside down, the intermediate tray (3
4).

The recording paper (P) in the intermediate tray (34) cannot be used for double-sided copying.
In the case of , the second side, or in the case of <composite copying> and <composite recording>, when the respective copying or recording operation starts, the pick-up roller (39) sequentially prints the second side from the top. A pair of handling rollers (40
), the paper is fed into the paper feed path (17) leading to the transfer device (9) described above.

That is, as described above, during <double-sided copying>, the posture of the first conveyance switching lever (30) is changed so that it is in the forwarding state to the entrance of the transfer device (9), and the recording paper (P) is transferred. After feeding the intermediate tray (34), as described above, the recording paper (P) in the intermediate tray (34) is taken out and placed in the recording section (
A configuration in which paper is conveyed so as to feed paper with the recording surface facing downward (PP) constitutes a paper refeeding device (PR).

In the case of <double-sided copying>, <composite copying>, and <composite recording>, the registration roller pair (18) synchronizes and sends the image to the transfer device (9).
The operation is the same as for single-sided copying and single recording.
The toner image on the photosensitive drum (6) is transferred to the recording paper (P).

Thereafter, the toner image is fixed by the fixing device (28), and the recording paper (P) is discharged out of the recording apparatus main body (X) through a paper discharge path (31) equipped with a pair of paper discharge rollers (33). It is configured to

On the other hand, in the case of <page alignment recording>, the recording paper (P) on which a recorded image corresponding to the document (M) or a recorded image according to the input recording information has been formed by the image forming apparatus is re-fed. The recording surface of the device (PR) is turned downward (inverted) and fed to the recording section (PP) by the operation of the device (PR). When copying separately (hereinafter, this copy is referred to as ``aligned page copy'')
, and print multiple pages of hard copies on recording paper (P).
When outputting using only one side of a paper (hereinafter referred to as single-sided copying), the operation of the image forming apparatus is stopped, and on the other hand, a hard copy containing multiple pages is printed on recording paper ( ) when outputting using both the front and back sides (hereinafter,
This recording is called ``page-aligned double-sided recording.'') When the image forming apparatus is operated to record the next page, the recording unit (PP)
, and are configured to be discharged to the outside of the recording apparatus main body (X).

On the side of the recording device main body (X) on the side of this paper ejection path (31), there is a sorter having 20 stages of paper ejection bins (41) for storing a plurality of ejected recording sheets (P) in groups. (43) is attached. The sorter (43) swings up and down with a pair of receiving rollers (45) facing the pair of paper ejecting rollers (33) of the recording apparatus main body (X), and receives the received recording paper (P). The distribution path (46) that sends out the paper to each paper output bin (41) and the discharged recording paper (P
) and a paper discharge tray (49) for receiving the paper.

Then, the recording paper (P) ejected from the recording device main body (X)
) are delivered onto each output bin (41) of the sorter (43) via a distribution path (46) in the sorter (43) after passing through the receiving roller pair (45) of the sorter (43); Alternatively, it is configured to be delivered onto a paper discharge tray (49) of a sorter (43).

Here, we can summarize the paper ejection configurations for single-sided copying or single-sided recording, and for single-sided copying or single-sided recording. In this system, the recording paper (P) is fed into the recording section (PP) with the recording surface facing upward, and after a recorded image is formed on the upper surface by the image forming device, it is ejected in that orientation, so that the recording paper (P) faces up. The paper ejection configuration is ``aligned page copying''.
Alternatively, in <Align-page single-sided recording>, the recording paper (P) after the recorded image is formed is turned upside down, passes through the recording section (PP) again, and is ejected in the same position, thereby eliminating face-down. It is composed of paper. Incidentally, <double-sided copying>
Alternatively, in the case of <Align-page double-sided recording>, the recording side on which the first recording was made is facing downward, and after the next recording is made, it is ejected in that same position. , has a face-down paper ejection configuration.

The recorded information to be recorded is created in a recorded information output device (HC) such as a host computer or a word processor, which is connected to this electrophotographic recording device via an interface (!F), as shown in Fig. 2. Ru. If the recorded information is character information, the recorded information entered using a keyboard or stored in the built-in original memory is sent as a character code to the control device (C) of the electrophotographic recording device. It will be done. Further, when the recorded information is image information, the recorded information is sent to the control device (C) of the electrophotographic recording apparatus as data in units of dots.

This control device (C) includes a first cPU (70) that controls document scanning in a copying operation and the entire electrophotographic process in copying and recording operations, and a second CPU (90) that controls writing of recorded information in a recording operation. It is equipped with

The first CPU (70) determines copy conditions based on input from each key on the operation panel (72) via the first bus (71), and uses the display panel (73) to determine the copy conditions. It is configured to display. Also, the first CP
U (70) is used for detecting the density of the original (M) and recording paper (P).
) are input via the first bus (71) from various sensors (74) for detecting the conveyance state.

In addition, the first CPU (70) has a program R.
OM (75) and data RAM (76) are connected via a first bus (71).

Furthermore, this first CPU (70) is connected to an exposure lamp (2).
a regulator (77) for the scanning device (S), a controller (78) for the driving DC motor (DM) of the scanning device (S),
A controller (79) for a stepping motor (SM) for changing magnification for changing the conjugate length of the imaging optical system (1) to change the copying magnification, a charging device (7), and a transfer device (9).
A common driving high-voltage circuit (
80), drive circuit for the main motor (12) (
81), a drive circuit (82) for the blank eraser (8), the paper feeding device (PS), the paper ejecting device (PR),
Each separate controller (83) for the paper refeeding device (PR)
A) to (83C), a sorter controller (84) for the sorter (43), a fixing temperature controller (85) for the fixing device (28), a drive circuit (86) for the main motor (MM) and cooling fan (F), etc. The operations of the two are controlled by control signals transmitted via the first bus (71).

On the other hand, the second CPU (90) has an interface (
IP) and a control signal input together with the recording information from the recording information output device CHC) via the second bus (9I), or the first bus (71) and the second bus (91
) as well as the operation panel (
It is configured to determine recording conditions based on control signals input from each key etc. of 72) and display them using a display panel (73). In addition, the second CPU (90
) are input with necessary output signals from the various sensors (74). In addition, the second CPU
(90) includes a program ROM (92), data RA
M (93), I10 port for input/output with external equipment) (9
4) are connected via a second bus (91).

Furthermore, this second CPU (90) includes a drive circuit (96) for the shutter driving IC (64) of the optical print head (PH), and a regulator (97) for the light source (PL) for the optical print head (PH). , the operation of the video controller (89), etc. that controls the input and output of recorded information is controlled by control signals transmitted via the second bus (91), and the image forming apparatus is used to control the operation of the video controller (89), etc., which controls the input and output of recorded information, and When performing a recording operation, the second bus (91)
- Interface (99) - Sends a control signal to the first CPU (70) via the first bus (71), and controls each device involved in the electrophotographic process to write recorded information using the optical print head (PH). They are configured to start synchronously.

The video controller (89) accepts recorded information input from an external recorded information output device (l(C)), if it is image information in dots, in the form as it is, or if it is image information in units of characters. If it is information, the font data in dot units corresponding to each character code is read from the font memory (88), and then a bit map type memory with a capacity of one page is used to store input recorded information as dot data. The video controller (89) is expanded and stored on the video memory (87).When a recording request signal from the second CPU (90) is input, the video controller (89) is expanded and stored on the video memory (87). The video controller (89) then controls the operation of each driving IC (64) based on the recorded information, and controls the shutter of each pixel of the optical print head (PH). The electrostatic latent image of recording information is formed on the photoreceptor drum (6) using the photoreceptor drum (6).

The controller (7th) for the driving DC motor (DM) of the scanning device (S) receives a drive control signal in the forward and reverse directions from the first CPU (70), and controls the driving DC motor (DM) of the scanning device (S).
It is configured to control operations such as movement, reversal, and stopping of the. Also, from this controller (78),
The first CP is a signal obtained by shaping the pulse signal from the optical encoder attached to the drive DC motor (DM).
The first CPU (70) is configured to use this signal to detect the position of the scanning device (S).

Stepping motor (SM) for variable magnification of imaging optical system (1)
The controller (79) for the first CPU (70)
The imaging lens (4) and the fourth mirror (5d) are configured to be moved to a position where the conjugate length provides a set copying magnification in response to a drive control signal in the forward and reverse directions from the mirror. There is.

A sorter controller (84) for the sorter (43) receives a control signal from the first CPU (70), controls the operation of the sorter (43), and transfers the recording paper (P) to a paper output bin (
41) Distribution and ejection status and ejection tray (
49) Switching between the batch discharge state where the paper is discharged upward, and recording paper (P) to each paper discharge bin (41) in the distributed discharge state.
It is configured to distribute.

Then, the second CPU (90) outputs recording conditions such as the selected recording paper size and the number of print copies, and a print request signal to the first CPU (70).
U (70) performs these processes.

On the other hand, when performing page alignment recording, the first CPU (70) controls the paper feeding device (PS) and the paper ejecting device (PE).
・Separate controllers (8
3A) to (83C) and the operations of controller rollers and the like for each device constituting the image forming apparatus are controlled to automatically perform page alignment work.

To further explain this control, when the print key is pressed after page alignment recording is set, the paper feeder (PS) is first activated based on the page alignment recording start signal that is output accordingly. The recording paper (P) from the paper feed unit is fed to the recording unit (PP) with its recording surface facing upward, and the image forming device is operated to generate a recorded image according to the image of the original (M) or the input recording information. is formed on the recording paper (P), and then the paper refeeding device (PR) is activated to feed the recording paper (P) after recording is completed.
) is turned upside down and fed to the intermediate tray (34), and then the recording paper (P) is taken out from the intermediate tray (34) and fed to the recording section (PP) by the paper feeder (PS). It is synchronized so that it does not overlap the next recording paper (P), and is fed into the recording section (PP) with its recording surface facing downward.

At this time, in <Aligned page single-sided recording>, the first CPU (70)
In this case, the operation of the image forming apparatus is stopped, the recording paper (P) fed into the recording section (PP) is passed through the recording section (PP) without forming a recorded image, and the paper output chamber (PR) is opened. It is operated to discharge the recording paper (P) onto the paper discharge tray (49). As mentioned above, in this <page-aligned single-sided recording>, the paper ejection configuration is face-down, with the recording surface facing downward. By discharging the paper in the manner described above, a plurality of sheets of records with the pages aligned can be obtained on the paper discharge tray (49). That is, the first CP
U (70) constitutes page alignment control means.

In addition, when the paper refeeding device (PR) operates and the recording paper (P) after recording is fed into the recording section (PP) with its recording surface facing downward, 1 CP
U (70) operates the image forming device to form a recorded image of the next page on the back side of the recording surface, and then operates the paper ejecting device (PE).
) to move the recording paper (P) to the output tray (49).
Drain to the top.

In addition, in this <page alignment recording>, when the recording paper (P) on which a certain page has been recorded is turned over by the operation of the paper refeeding device (PR) and fed again to the recording section (PP). Since the end of the recording on that page is placed at the beginning, in the case of <aligned page double-sided recording>, the next page is printed on the back side of the recording paper (P) on which the recording of a certain page was recorded on the front side. When recording, the next page is recorded in the opposite direction, that is, the recording information is taken out from the rear end of the video memory (87) and the recording operation is performed. Of course, when recording on the front side, the page is recorded in the opposite way to normal, and when recording on the back side, the page is recorded normally, that is, the recording information is retrieved from the very beginning of the video memory (87) and the recording operation is performed. It may be configured to perform the following.

Returning to the block diagram in Figure 2 and continuing the explanation, 1C
P U (70) and second CPU (90), after the above-mentioned special copying conditions or recording conditions have been set, or a copying operation based on the copying conditions or a recording operation based on the recording conditions is performed. If no copying or recording operation is performed under the same conditions after a predetermined period of time (for example, 3 minutes) has elapsed, the copying or recording conditions are automatically returned to the standard conditions. It is configured. this,
This is called the auto-reset function.

The first CPU (7
Table 1 below shows the operating states of each device whose operating states are switched by control signals from the CPU (90) and the second CPU (90). Note that in the table, [○] marks indicate devices that are in operation, and marks [×] indicate devices that are in non-operation state.

Table 1 Next, the operation of this electrophotographic recording device is shown in Figures 5 and 6.
This will be explained based on the flowchart shown in the figure.

FIG. 5 shows the main routine that controls the overall flow of copying and recording operations.

When this main routine starts when the power is turned on, it first clears all internal registers, flags, RAM, etc. of both CPUs (70) and (90), and performs initial settings to set copy conditions to standard. 〉.

Next, set an internal timer to set the length of one routine <#2>.

Next, input processing from the switches, sensors, etc. provided in each key and other parts of the operation panel (72) described above is performed <#3>. After that, a subroutine is called (key processing) for changing and setting the copying conditions or recording conditions based on the input from each key of the operation panel (72) among the input information14>, and then the display panel Call the subroutine for setting display data (data set) according to (73) <#5>.

After that, it is determined whether it is possible to start the copying or recording operation, that is, whether or not any abnormality has occurred. #7>, the subroutine (copying/recording processing) is called to perform copying or recording operations under various copying conditions or recording conditions <#8>.

On the other hand, if there is any abnormality in the judgment in step <#6>, a subroutine is called (abnormality processing) that stops the operation of each device involved in copying or recording, displays the occurrence of an abnormality, etc. Then, the state becomes the state when the reset button is operated after the cause of the abnormality has been removed (#9).

After returning from the subroutine (copying/recording processing), the status of the recording device, that is, the presence or absence of developing toner in the developing device (D), and the paper feed tray (13a, 13b, 20) are checked.
After counting up the internal timer, the internal timer is Waits until time-up <112>.

If the internal timer times up, the process returns to step #2 and the above-described operations are repeated thereafter.

Next, among the subroutines (copying/recording processing) called in the step <#8>, the part (page-aligned single-sided recording) for performing recording in the page-aligned state by the above-mentioned <page-aligned recording> The sixth section shows a flowchart of the basic operation of
It will look like the figure.

That is, when the recording operation is started, it is confirmed that there is no recording paper (P) (recorded recording paper that has been re-fed) upstream of the pair of registration rollers (18), and if there is, it disappears. Wait until <#lO1>, then operate the paper feeder (PS) to feed the recording paper (P) to the position of the registration roller pair (18) <#102>, and the electrostatic charge on the photoreceptor drum (6) After synchronizing the formation of the latent image <#103>, the recording paper (P) is sent to the transfer device (9) to transfer the toner image #104>, and the recording paper (P) is transferred to the fixing device (28). The toner image is sent and fixed <1105>.

After that, if there is no need to align the pages (this includes cases where only one sheet is recorded or the recording paper (P) is so thick that it is difficult to reverse its position), and if page alignment is not necessary (this includes cases where the recording paper (P) is thick and it is difficult to reverse its position), If there is, and the recording paper (P) has been re-fed,
The paper ejection device (PE) is activated to eject the recording paper (P) onto the paper ejection tray (49) #106.107>, and a series of recordings over multiple pages (hereinafter referred to as a job) is completed. The above operation is repeated until <#108>.

On the other hand, if the recording paper (P) is not one that has been re-fed and the recording paper (P) is not re-fed, the paper re-feeding device (PR) is activated to bypass the recorded recording paper (P). Route (32
) and a reversing path (38), the front and back are reversed, and fed into the intermediate tray (34) <#11D. At that point, the recording paper (P) (next recording) is placed upstream of the registration roller pair (18). If there is no blank recording paper to perform <#l12>, the paper refeeding device (PR) is activated to take out the recording paper (P) from the intermediate tray (34) and feed it into the recording section (PP). #115>. This recording paper (P) then passes through the fixing device (28) without the toner image being transferred by the transfer device (9), and then <1105>.
Since the paper has been re-fed, it will be ejected.<#106.1
07>. Thereafter, the above-described operations are repeated until the job ends.

Also, in step <#112), the recorded recording paper (P)
is on the intermediate tray (34), the pair of registration rollers (
18) If there is a new recording paper (P) fed by the paper feeder (PS) on the upstream side, that recording paper (P)
Wait until it reaches the registration roller pair (18) <#11
3>, the time corresponding to the size of the recording paper (P), that is, to prevent the recorded recording paper (P) to be re-fed from overlapping the new recording paper (P), and to avoid unnecessary gaps. After waiting for a while so that the printer does not open, take out the recording paper (P) in the intermediate tray (34) and insert it into the recording section (PP).
) <#115>. And, as mentioned above,
The recording paper (P) is printed on the recording section (P) without any image formation.
After passing through P), it is discharged <1106.107>, and the above-mentioned operation is repeated until the end of the job.

[Another example]

Next, other embodiments of the present invention not mentioned in the previous embodiments will be listed.

<l> In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus includes a PL as a configuration for forming a recorded image according to input recording information.
Although the optical print head (PH) provided with the ZT shutter array (62) has been described, the optical print head (PH) may be provided with a liquid crystal shutter array or an LED array. In addition, the optical print head (
PH) may be configured to scan a light beam such as a laser beam on the photoreceptor drum (6).

<2> As a driving device for the scanning device (S), a stepping motor or various other motors can be used instead of the DC motor (DM) described in the previous embodiment. When a stepping motor is used, the position of the scanning device (S) can be detected even if the optical encoder in the previous embodiment is omitted by configuring the motor to count pulses for driving the motor. be able to.

<3> Instead of the photoreceptor drum (6), a belt-shaped photoreceptor stretched between a pair of rollers may be used.

<4> In addition, in the previous embodiment, the configuration for copying the original (M) is such that the original (M) is fixed in position on the original platen (1), and the exposure lamp (2) and the slit are connected to each other. (3)
However, instead of this, the exposure lamp (2) and slit (3) were fixed in position, and the document table (1) was moved. Good too.

<5> In the previous embodiment, both the configuration for copying a document and the configuration for recording an image based on input recording information are configured to utilize an electrophotographic process, and the photosensitive drum (
6) has been described in which the cost of the apparatus can be reduced by using a configuration other than the exposure configuration, but in implementing the recording apparatus of the present invention,
The configuration for copying a document and the configuration for recording based on input recording information may be configured independently. For example, even if both of them use an electrophotographic process, a separate photoconductor and a separate fixing device may be provided for each, or an inkjet type or an inkjet type or a separate structure for image recording based on input recording information. In addition to a thermal transfer type configuration, the configuration for copying the original may be an electrophotographic type configuration. Furthermore, the recording apparatus may be implemented as one having only a configuration for copying a document, or one having only a configuration for recording based on input recording information.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, the recording apparatus according to the present invention has a configuration for double-sided recording, in which the recording paper on which a recorded image has been formed in the recording section is reversed and re-supplied to the recording section again. After recording is completed, the recording paper on which the recorded image has been formed is turned over and ejected using a paper feeding device, thereby making it possible to obtain records with page alignment, and
Since the reversed recording paper is ejected by passing through the recording unit without overlapping the recording paper fed from the paper feeder, it is possible to change the paper ejection configuration from face-up to face-down and perform page alignment recording. This eliminates the need for a dedicated mechanism for page alignment, such as the provision of a reversing device for page alignment, and for drastic changes to the internal mechanism of the recording device, and allows quick page alignment.

Therefore, by effectively utilizing the configuration for double-sided recording for page alignment, it is possible to quickly align pages without increasing the size or cost of the device, contributing to increased efficiency in recording work. We were able to provide recording equipment.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the recording apparatus according to the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of the recording apparatus, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the control device, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the optical print head, and FIG. FIGS. 5 and 6, which are perspective views of the interior of the optical print head, are flowcharts showing the operation of the recording apparatus. (70)...Page alignment control means, (P)...
... Recording paper, (PS) ... Paper feeder, (PP)
... Recording section, (PR) ... Paper ejecting device. (PR)... Paper refeeding device.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A paper feeding device for feeding recording paper from a paper feeding unit into a recording unit; an image forming device for forming a recorded image on the recording paper; and a unit for discharging the recording paper from the recording unit. a paper ejecting device, a paper refeeding device for reversing the recording paper after the recorded image has been formed and supplying it to the recording section, and a paper refeeding device for reversing the recording paper after the recorded image has been formed and supplying the recording paper to the recording section, and recording images on the recording paper based on a page alignment recording signal when recording multiple sheets. The paper feeding device is arranged such that the recording paper after the front and back reversal is alternately passed through the recording section again and discharged without overlapping the recording paper fed from the paper feeding device. A recording device comprising: page alignment control means for operating a paper refeeding device and a paper ejecting device;