JPH0416962A - Automatic both-side copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve productivity in the case of both-side copying and to easily recopy an original which exists at a part there jamming occurs by setting a counted value set in a timer by a timing setting part as a value at which copying on the 1st side of a copying paper is started before the copying paper where both-side copying is finished is ejected from a final ejection port. CONSTITUTION:The counting of the timer 120 is started in timing that the last copying paper in an inversion and transfer part is fed, and a paper feeding roller for feeding a blank paper is driven by a paper feeding roller control means 116 when the timer 120 counts up. In such a case, the counted value set in the timer 120 by the timing setting part 111 is set as the value at which the copying on the 1st side of the copying paper is started before the copying paper where both-side copying is finished is ejected from the final ejection port. Thus, the productivity in the case of both-side copying is improved and the original which exists at the part where jamming occurs is easily recopied.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to improving the productivity and ease of jam removal in an automatic duplex copying apparatus that reads both sides of a document and copies on both sides of copy paper.

(Background of the Invention) There is an automatic reversing document feeder (hereinafter referred to as RADF) as a device for copying both sides of a double-sided document by automatically inverting the document as soon as it is set. Using such a device, large quantities of copies can be easily made. Furthermore, since the copies are in the same order as the original, there is no need to rearrange them after copying.

Furthermore, by linking it with a sorter, collation and page sorting can be performed automatically, making it possible to accurately arrange a large number of copies.

In addition, the ADU is a device that can automatically copy both sides of copy paper (hereinafter referred to as copy paper) with the touch of a button.
There is. By using this function, information from two pages of a document can be combined on one sheet, making it possible to save on copy paper costs and at the same time making filing easier. It can also be used in a variety of ways, such as organizing materials into a booklet format for easy viewing.

By the way, when double-sided copying is performed using a conventional automatic duplex copying device, the last copy sheet for copying on the second side (the copy sheet on which both sides have been copied) is detected to be discharged by the paper discharge detection means of the final paper discharge section. Since then, copy paper (blank paper) has been sent out from the paper feed unit for copying the first side of the next original.

This is to make it easier to remove the jammed copy paper when a paper jam occurs, and to reduce paper waste.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) In the conventional automatic double-sided copying device configured as described above,
2nd side copy After the last copy paper is completely ejected, the copy paper (blank paper) for the next copy is fed and ejected from the paper feed unit, so until this blank paper is fed to the photoreceptor. time was wasted.

In particular, when a sorter is used, the paper path to the final ejection port is long, and it takes a certain amount of time for the copy sheets to be finally ejected. Furthermore, it takes time for the blank paper from the paper feeding section to reach the photoreceptor.

Therefore, there is a problem in that it takes too much time from the end of copying the second side of one original to the start of copying the first side of the next original, resulting in a decrease in productivity.

In addition, if the next blank sheet is fed before the final ejection of the paper that has been copied, it will be difficult to remove the subsequent copy paper in the event of a paper jam near the final ejection port, and this subsequent paper will be wasted. There is also the problem of becoming. Then, operation 1 to recopy the portion of the original that has become unusable due to a jam.
The procedure is also troublesome.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to shorten the time from the end of copying the second side to the start of copying the first side of the next original, thereby reducing the time required for double-sided copying. The purpose is to realize an automatic double-sided copying device that can improve productivity and easily re-copy the portion of the original where a jam occurs without wasting subsequent paper when a jam occurs. shall be.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention, which solves the above-mentioned problems, reverses the copy paper whose first side has been copied by a reversing transfer section, and then sends out the copy paper by upward feeding from the reversing transfer section. In an automatic double-sided copying device that copies the second side every day, there is a timer that counts according to the set count value, and a timer that sets the count value in the timer and also determines the timing when the last copy paper is sent out in the reversing transfer section. A timing control unit that starts a timer count, a paper feed roller control unit that drives a paper feed roller to send out blank paper when the timer counts up, and a paper feed roller control unit that drives a paper feed roller to send out blank paper when the timer counts up. and a jam processing control section that instructs each section to re-execute copying for the number of sheets of copy paper that cannot be ejected due to the jam processing. is characterized in that it has a value such that copying of the first side is started before it is ejected from the final ejection port.

(Function) In the automatic double-sided copying apparatus of the present invention, a predetermined count value is set in the timer by the timing control means, and counting of the timer is started at the timing when the last copy sheet is sent out from the reversing transfer section. When the timer counts up, the paper feed roller control means drives the paper feed roller for sending out the blank paper.

As a result, after the last copy sheet sent out from the reversing transfer section passes through the registration rollers and before the final ejection, the copy paper from the main body paper feed section is fed by the paper feed rollers just before the registration rollers. Ru. Then, before the last copy sheet on which double-sided copying has been completed is finally discharged, copying of the first side of the next copy sheet is started.

At this time, if a paper jam occurs near the final ejection port,
The jam processing control section stores the copied copy sheets in the reversing transfer section, and also instructs each section to copy the number of original sheets that have become unusable due to the jam, and then resumes the interrupted processing.

(Example) Examples of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

First, the general operation of the electrophotographic copying apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be explained with reference to FIG.

In Figure 2, the automatic double-sided document feeder (hereinafter referred to as RAD)
A document 1 placed on a platen (referred to as "F") 10 is moved onto a platen crow 2 by RADFlo at the start of copying. The original 1 placed on the platen glass 2 is exposed to light by the scanning exposure optical system 20, and a latent image corresponding to the original 1 is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 30. This latent image is formed into a toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor 30 by the photoreceptor image forming section 3 . The toner image is transferred to a copy paper 41 supplied from a copy paper feed section 40, which will be described later, and the transferred toner image is heated and fixed by a fixing device 50. The copy paper, on which the first side has been copied in this way, is led to an inversion transfer unit (hereinafter referred to as ADU) 80 by the paper ejection switching unit 70 and is inverted.

Then, copying (formation of a toner image) on the second side of the copy paper is performed. After this toner image is fixed, the sheets are guided to a sorter 90 by a sheet discharge switching section 70, and are discharged outside the machine in a sorted state.

Next, the operating state of this embodiment will be explained using FIG. 1 showing the electrical configuration of the device of this embodiment, FIG. 2 described above, and FIG. 3 showing the flow of operation of the device of this embodiment. We will explain the process step by step.

First, settings such as the number of copies, copy paper size, variable magnification, final ejection position, etc. are made from the operation setting section (not shown) (step 2). Based on this setting, timer 1
Twenty settings are made. The settings of this timer 120 will be described in detail later.

When an original is set on the RADF 10 and the copy button is pressed, copying starts (step 2).

As described above, the copy paper 41 is supplied to the photoreceptor 30 from the copy paper feed section 40 (step (2)).

The copy paper feed section 40 is provided with three paper feed cassettes 42a to 42c that store, for example, three types of copy paper 41a to 41c of different sizes.

Copy sheets 41a to 41c are stored in paper feed cassettes 42a to 42c.
From the feed rollers 43a to 43c and the feed belts 44a to 4
4c. Delivery rollers 43a to 43
Delivery belts 44a to 44c are stretched on c.
This sending heddle 44a to 44c or copy paper 41a to 41c
By rotating the delivery rollers 43a to 43c clockwise (FIG. 2) while in contact with the uppermost layer of copy paper 41,
The sheets a to 41c are sent out one by one to the left in FIG.

Copy paper 4 fed out by the feeding heddles 44a to 44c]a
-41c are paper feed rollers 61 and registration rollers 62
and is transported to position P2 (FIG. 2). From the position P2, the toner image is sent out by the registration roller 62 after being synchronized with the rotation of the photoreceptor 3'', and the toner image is transferred from the surface of the photoreceptor 30 (step 2).

In the case of single-sided copying, the image is then heated and fixed in the fixing device 5o,
Once the paper is discharged from the paper discharge switching section 70 to the outside of the machine by the sorter 90, copying is completed.

In the case of double-sided copying, the copy sheets stacked in the ADU 80 are re-fed (step 2) as described below.

Downstream of the fixing device 50, there is an ejector that has a function of switching between a paper ejection path 76 that allows the fusing copy paper 41 to advance straight and eject it to the sorter 90 side, and an introduction path 77 that transports the copy paper 41 to the guide plate 71 for double-sided copying. A paper switching section 70 is provided. The paper ejection switching section 70 includes a guide plate 71. Upstream roller 72. A movable branch body 75 with an inverted triangular cross section that swings around the downstream roller 73° shaft 74. and an electromagnetic solenoid (not shown). A movable branch body 75 having an inverted triangular cross section allows a paper discharge path 7 along the upper surface of the movable branch body 75 to be
6. An introduction path 77 communicating with the guide plate 71 along the lower right side, and a guide plate 71 and downstream roller 73 along the lower left side.
A reverse paper ejection path 78 communicating with the two is formed respectively.

The movable branch body 75 is driven by a drive device (not shown) such as an electromagnetic solenoid, so that the right tip moves up and down, and the introduction path 7
7 and close the paper ejection path 76, or conversely, open the paper introduction path 77.
It changes depending on whether the paper ejection path 76 is opened or closed.

The copy paper 41 sent downward (FIG. 2) through the paper ejection switching unit 70 is sent into the ADU 80 (step ①).
).

The copy paper 41 conveyed to the reversing conveyance section 80 is transferred to the pulley 81.
The paper is turned over from the roller 82 on the lower surface of the paper and discharged toward the stacker 83 to the left.

The ejected copy paper 41 descends along the slope of the stacker 83, slides on the surface of the stacker 83, comes into contact with the abutting surface, and stops. Subsequent copy paper 41 that is subsequently sent in
The copy sheets 41 are also deposited one after another on the stacker 83, and the leading edges of the copy sheets 41 are aligned by the two sheets that come into contact with the abutment surface.

In this state, when the ADU control section 114 generates a paper refeeding start signal, the ADU drive section 123 causes the roller 84. The roller 85 is driven and rotated, and the separation belt 86 is rotated counterclockwise (
(Fig. 2). As a result, the plurality of copy sheets 41 stacked on the stacker 83 are sent out to the right in FIG. 2.

The copy paper 41 is subsequently conveyed by the pressure rotation between the paper feed roller 87 and the paper feed roller 87', and the passage of the leading edge of the copy paper 41 is detected by an ADU passage sensor 89 composed of a photosensor. The copy paper 41 is successively conveyed by paper feed rollers 87 and 87', and fed into the registration roller 62 (step 2). At this time A
According to the detection result of the DU passage sensor 89, the rotation of the roller 85 and the separation belt 86 is stopped.

Thereafter, the copy paper 41 undergoes back side copying on the photoreceptor 30 (step ■), is fixed in the fixing device 50, and then passes through the reversal paper discharge processing section 76 of the paper discharge switching section 70. It is discharged outside the sorter 90.

In this way, the backside copying of the first copy paper 41 is completed by refeeding, and then a refeeding start signal is input.
The next copy sheet 41 that is on standby on the stacker 83
paper refeeding will start. After that, the paper refeeding operation 1 described above will be performed.
．． The back side copying operation is continuously performed for the set number of sheets N.

Here, in the present invention, the absence of the copy paper 41 on the stacker 83 is detected by the ADUO sheet detection sensor 88 (step [phase]), and the ADU passage sensor 89
When the passage of N copy sheets (re-feeding) is detected (step ■), the timer 120 starts counting according to an instruction from the timing control section 111 (step ■).

In addition, when the ADUO sheet sensor detects that there are 0 sheets,
If the DD passage sensor 88 has not counted N sheets, a jam may have occurred, so jam processing (step e) is performed.

Note that a predetermined count value is written in advance to this timer 120 by the timing control section 111 (step 2).

This count value satisfies the following two conditions.

[First condition] The copy paper sent out from the ADU 80 is placed on the registration roller 6.
2, the next blank sheet from the sheet feeding unit 40 is on standby at the registration roller 62.

That is, from the ADU passage sensor 89 to the registration roller 6
Paper passing time until 2nd pass is tl+ Delivery rollers 43a to 4'
3 If the paper passing time from c to just before the registration roller 62 (varies depending on the position of the paper feed cassette) is t2, then
When the copy paper passes the ADD passage sensor 89 (start timing 11), the timer 120 is started, and the ADD passage sensor 89 is started.
The copy paper from U80 passes through the registration roller 62 (t2
The count is increased at a paper feeding timing such that the next blank sheet from the paper feeding unit 40 waits on the registration rollers (end timing of t2) after the end of t2 (end timing of t2) and before being ejected from the final ejection port. start timing)
The timing is like that.

[Second condition] ADU80 passed through the registration roller under the first condition above
The timing is such that copying of the first side starts before the final copy sheet from 2000 completes duplex copying and is ejected from the final ejection port.

In the case of the above configuration, the paper feeding red path length differs depending on the position of the selected paper feeding cassettes 422 to 42c, and therefore the paper feeding time also differs. Referring also to the data, the above 2
The timer 120 is set so that the conditions are satisfied.

Further, the count value of the timer] 20 is set in consideration of the difference in the final discharge position (for example, one sorter, two tweeters, no tweeter) and the transfer speed.

Therefore, when the timer 120 counts up (step [phase]), the paper feed roller control unit 116 generates a paper feed start signal, and the paper feed roller drive unit 125 that receives this signal drives the paper feed roller 61 to rotate. do.

As a result, after the final re-feeding from the ADU 80 is completed, a blank sheet for copying the next document is conveyed to the registration rollers 62.

As a result, the first effect is that productivity during double-sided copying can be improved.

Furthermore, as a second effect, the setting time of the timer 120 is determined so that the next blank sheet waits at the registration rollers 62 after the copy paper from the ADU 80 passes through the registration rollers 62, so the paper feed cassette 42a Irrespective of the difference in paper passing path length due to the difference in the position of 42c, it is possible to match the waiting timing of the copy paper before the registration roller.

Therefore, even if the position of the paper feed cassette is different, productivity can be maintained constant and improved.

The third and most characteristic effect of this embodiment is that it becomes easier to handle paper jams when they occur near the final discharge port. This situation will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, by the time the final copy sheet, which has been duplexed or completed, is ejected from the final ejection port 91, copying of the first side of the next original has started, and the first side has been copied. The copy paper has reached ADU 8 (1. At this time, a paper jam occurs near the final discharge port 91, and if this is detected, the jam processing routine (recovery routine) shown in FIG. 6 is executed. At this time, the jam processing control section 117 controls each section so that all subsequent copy sheets on the paper passing path are stacked in the ADU 80 (step 2).After this, The jam processing control unit] 17 displays the occurrence of a jam on a temporary stop display unit (not shown) for the operation of each unit (step ■).
. Here, the original in the RADF 10 is manually or automatically returned to the page where the jam occurred (if the 0th page was being copied when the jam occurred, page n-2) (step 2). Then, the jam processing control unit 117 calculates the number of sheets that cannot be ejected due to a jam (hereinafter referred to as the F jammed sheet number) from the copy setting number of sheets and the number of ejected sheets, and causes the first side copying to be performed for the number of jammed sheets (step ). In this case, the stacker 83
If there is a copy paper of page 0 (interrupted in the middle of the set number of copies), the copy paper on which the first side has been copied is stacked on top of it.

Next, RADFlo is driven to change the original on the platen glass 2 to n-1 pages (step (2)) and instruct it to make copies on the second side for the number of jammed sheets (step (2)). In this case, it is necessary to refeed only the first copy paper for the number of jammed sheets from the ADU 80.
0 must be 1 feed as shown in FIG.

After this, the manuscript of RADF ] O was returned to the 11th block (
Step ■), the copying of the remaining number of pages of page 0, which was interrupted at -, is resumed (Step ■). After this, the process returns to the normal main routine (step ■).

By doing this, there is no wastage of subsequent sheets when a jam occurs, and the jammed portion is automatically recopied. However, in the mixed size RADF, if copy sheets of different sizes are stacked after jam processing, it is necessary to discard the copy sheets in the ADF 80 first.

Note that the timer 120 does not need to satisfy the above conditions under all conditions, and has a mode in which the next blank sheet is fed to the registration rollers after the last sheet is ejected from the final ejection position. It may be configured so that either one can be selected. The jam processing control unit 117 may also have a mode for executing normal jam processing, and may be configured so that the mode can be manually selected.

FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram comparing the time required to make N number of double-sided copies of six double-sided originals between the conventional method and the present embodiment. As is clear from this figure, according to this example,
By placing a blank sheet of paper on standby in front of the registration rollers in advance, copying time can be shortened and productivity can be improved.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above in detail, in the present invention, the copy paper on which the first side has been copied is reversed by the reversing transfer unit, and the copy paper fed upwardly from the reversing transfer unit is transferred to the second copy paper. In an automatic double-sided copying device that copies two sides, there is a timer that counts according to the set count value, and a timer that sets the count value in the timer and starts counting at the timing when the last copy sheet is sent out in the reversing transfer section. a timing control unit that starts the paper feed roller, a paper feed roller control unit that drives the paper feed roller to send out blank paper when the timer counts up, and a paper feed roller control unit that drives the paper feed roller to send out blank paper when the timer counts up. The system is equipped with a jam processing control section that instructs each section to perform copying again for the number of copies that can be made, and the count value that the timing setting section sets in the timer is determined when the copy paper that has been copied on both sides is finally ejected. The value is such that copying of the first side is started before being discharged from the outlet.

As a result, a predetermined count value is set in the timer by the timing control means, and the timer starts counting at the timing when the last copy sheet is sent out in the reversing transfer section, and when the timer counts up, paper is fed. A paper feed roller for feeding blank paper is driven by the roller control means.

As a result, after the last copy sheet sent out from the reversing transfer section passes the registration rollers and before the final ejection, the copy paper from the main body paper feed section is fed by the paper feed rollers just before the registration rollers. Ru. Then, before the final copy sheet on which double-sided copying has been completed is finally discharged, the first side copying of the next copy sheet is started.

At this time, if a paper jam occurs near the final ejection port,
The jam processing control section stores the copied copy sheets in the reversing transfer section, instructs each section to copy the number of original sheets that have become unusable due to the jam, and then restarts the interrupted processing.

Therefore, the time from the end of copying the second side to the start of the first copy of the next original is shortened, which improves productivity during double-sided copying.In addition, paper jams occur at the final outlet. It is possible to realize an automatic double-sided copying apparatus that can easily re-copy the portion of the document where the error occurred, without wasting subsequent sheets even when the error occurs.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of an automatic double-sided copying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the mechanical configuration of the automatic double-sided copying machine according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operating state of the apparatus of this embodiment; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the occurrence of a jam; FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state of recopying when a jam occurs; FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the jam processing routine, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the productivity of the automatic double-sided copying apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 1. Original 2... Platen glass 10.
・RADF 20・・Optical system 30・・Photoconductor 40・・Main body paper feeding section 41a to 41C−・Copy paper 42a to 42C・・Paper feeding cassette 43a to 43C・・Delivery roller 44a to 44c・・Delivery belt 50・Constant landing section 61・Paper feed roller 62・−
Lens roller 70... Paper discharge switching unit 80... ADU
88...ADUO sheet sensor 89...AD
U passing sensor 90... Stacker 1.00... Control unit] 10.
CPU 1] 1... Timing control unit 1] 2-RADF control unit 13 Drum control unit 14, ADU control unit 15, registration roller control unit 16, paper feed roller control unit 17, jam processing control unit 20, timer 21... RADF drive section 22... Drum drive section 23... ADU drive section 24... Registration roller drive section 25... Paper feed roller drive section

Claims (1)

[Claims] The copy paper on which the first side has been copied is reversed by a reversing transfer unit (80), and the second side is copied onto the copy paper fed upward from the reversing transfer unit (80). In an automatic double-sided copying device, there is a timer (120) that counts according to a set count value, and a timing when the count value is set in the timer (120) and the last copy sheet is sent out at the reversal transfer unit (80). A timing control unit (111) that starts the timer (120) counting at When a paper jam occurs at the paper roller control means (116, 125) and the final ejection port (91), instructions are given to each unit to re-execute copying for the number of sheets of copy paper that cannot be ejected due to the paper jam. The count value set in the timer (120) by the timing setting unit (111) is set before the copy paper on which both sides have been copied is ejected from the final ejection port (91). An automatic double-sided copying apparatus characterized in that the value is such that copying of the first side is started.