JPH0421175B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an automatic document feeder, in particular, for example,
The present invention relates to an automatic document feeder used in an image forming device of a copying device or an information recording device.

More specifically, the present invention relates to, for example, an automatic document feeder of an image forming apparatus that has an image area designation function and automatically aligns and discharges a copy document onto a document platen for exposure.

An automatic document feeder and an area indicating device (referred to as a transition digitizer) used in a copying machine will be described below as examples.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, when copying an original in a copying machine, the original was placed on the original table by hand. Since it is inefficient to place the sheet originals one by one on the original table, an apparatus has been proposed and used that automatically transports the sheet originals and automatically copies them.

For example, FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing one embodiment of an automatic sheet document feeder to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes an entrance tray on which sheet originals are loaded. and its entrance tray 1
The upper sheet original 2 is stacked with the lower side in the figure facing up (image side). In addition, Pickups Prora 3 is
It is made of a rubber-based material with a large coefficient of friction, and swings around the feed roller shaft 10. A feed roller 5 (made of the same material as the pick-up roller 3) is fixed to the feed roller shaft 10, and rotates as the feed roller shaft 10 rotates, and this rotation is controlled by a gear (not shown) to the pick-up roller 3. As a result, the feed roller 5 and the pick-up roller 3 are configured to rotate in the same direction and have the same circumferential speed. Further, the first paper feed roller 4 has a rotating shaft (not shown) fixed to the paper feed tray 1, and the pick up roller 3 and the first paper feed roller 4
A sheet original 2 is inserted between the two, and the pick-up roller 3 is configured to follow when the original is pressed and conveyed.

Further, the second paper feed roller 6 has a paper feed roller shaft 10.
It is configured to be able to slide freely so as to have a pressing force toward the feed roller 5 and the second
When passing between the feed roller 6 and the feed roller 6, the feed roller 6 is configured to be driven. Also, pick up arm 8
swings using the pick-up arm shaft 7 as a swing shaft, and has a U-shaped groove 9a at one end. It is engaged with a shaft 9b fixed to the paper feed arm 9, which swings about the feed roller shaft 10 as a swing shaft. Therefore, when the pick-up arm shaft 7 swings counterclockwise, the pick-up arm 8 swings counterclockwise, and the paper feed arm 9 also swings counterclockwise about the feed roller shaft 10. At this time, the pick-up roller 3 separates from the first paper feed roller 4. Next, the pick-up arm shaft 7
When the pick-up arm 8 swings clockwise, the paper feed arm 9 also swings clockwise about the feed roller shaft 10. At this time, the pick-up roller 3, which has been separated from the first paper feed roller 4, comes into pressure contact with the first paper feed roller 4, and when there is a sheet document 2, it is in a state where it can sandwich the sheet document and feed the sheet.

Note that the document presence/absence sensor 11 is a reflective sensor that detects the presence or absence of a sheet document. Further, the leading edge detection sensor 12 is a reflective sensor that detects the leading edge of the sheet document.

Further, the entire surface belt 15 is an endless belt having a width large enough to cover the entire surface of the sheet document,
The surface is coated with a rubber material that has a sufficient coefficient of friction so that the document can be transported by friction. Additionally, even if it gets dirty, it has been treated with alcohol, etc. to remove the dirt. This entire belt 15 is wound around a drive roller 13 and a turn roller 19, and a force is applied to the shaft 19a of the turn roller 19 in the left direction in FIG.
The entire surface belt 15 is configured to prevent slipping. Note that 14 is a drive shaft of the drive roller 13. Further, presser rollers 16, 17, and 18 are provided inside the entire belt 15, and include feed roller 5, presser roller 16, presser rollers 16 and 17, and presser roller 1.
7 and 18, and between the presser roller 18 and the discharge roller 20, the pitch is slightly narrower than the conveyable sheet document size. Each roller 16,1
7 and 18 press the full-surface belt 15 against the original platen glass 47 on the copying machine main body side with a weak pressure, and when the sheet original 2 passes between the original platen glass 47 and the full-surface belt 15, the conveying force is increased. .

Note that a discharge detection sensor 22 detects discharge of a sheet document, and turns on a jam lamp (not shown) if no document passes for a certain period of time.

Furthermore, the discharge rollers 20, 50 are the discharge rollers 21,
51 , the sheet original that has been copied on the original platen glass 47 is sandwiched and ejected onto the paper ejection tray 61 . Note that the ejection rollers 20, 50 are rotated by a drive belt 49, and the ejection rollers 21, 51 follow the movement of the sheet original. Further, 51a is the axis of the discharge roller 51.

Next, in FIG. 3, the drive gear 42 is fixed to the rotating shaft 43a of the motor 43, and the idler gear 42 is fixed to the rotating shaft 43a of the motor 43.
The drive of the motor is transmitted to the gear 40 via the gear 1. Here, the rotation of the gear 40 is caused by the electromagnetic clutch 35.
The power is transmitted to the clutch shaft 44 by turning ON/OFF, and when the electromagnetic clutch 35 is energized, it becomes ON. Further, the electromagnetic brake 34 is connected to a clutch shaft 44.
When the electromagnetic brake 34 is energized, the clutch shaft 44 stops rotating.
The gear 36 is fixed to the clutch shaft 44 and rotates when the clutch shaft 44 rotates, so that the clock disc gear 36 rotates when the clutch shaft 44 rotates.
7 to increase the speed and rotate the clock disk 38. The clock disk 38 has fine grooves on its circumference, and the photo interrupter 39 reads the number of grooves and counts the number of clocks. The rotation of the clutch shaft 44 is controlled by a drive pulley 3 fixed to the clutch shaft 44.
3 and a belt 32 looped around a driven pulley 31 fixed to the drive roller shaft 14. The pulley (large) 25 is attached to the drive roller shaft 14 via a spring clutch (not shown), and a plunger 27 controls a spring clutch control ring 26 via a clutch pawl 28 to turn the drive transmission ON/OFF. I do. Furthermore, the pulley (small) 23 receives rotation transmission from a pulley (large) 25 via a belt 24, and is attached to the feed roller shaft 10 via a one-way clutch (not shown).

Now, set the pulley (large) so that the circumferential speed of the full-surface belt 15 is slightly faster than the circumferential speed of the feed roller 5.
25 and the diameter of the small pulley 23 are selected. The pulley (small) 23 and the feed roller shaft 10 are connected in one way so that the feed roller 5 follows the sheet document 2 when the sheet document 2 is gripped by the belt 15 and reaches the same speed as the belt 15. Note that the feed roller 5 and the pick-up roller 3 are gear-coupled so that they have the same rotational direction and the same circumferential speed. Also plunger 3
0, the paper feed roller shaft 7 is swung via the lever 29, and the pick up roller 3 is moved up and down.

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

A sheet original 2 is placed on an entrance tray 1, and the sheet original is inserted between a pick-up roller 3 and a paper feed roller 4. Then, the document presence sensor 11 detects a sheet document, and after a certain period of time, the plunger 30 is energized and the pick-up roller 3 descends.
The original is sandwiched between the pick-up roller 3 and the paper feed roller 4 (the pick-up roller 3 is lifted upward when there is no sheet original). At the same time, the motor 43 rotates, and the clutch 35 is also energized, causing the drive roller 13 to rotate. In this state, the plunger 27 is not energized, the pulley 25 (large) is kept stationary by a spring clutch (not shown), and the sheet document is not conveyed. When the motor 43 rotates and a certain period of time elapses, the plunger 27
is energized, the clutch pawl 28 is separated by the control ring 26, and the rotation of the drive roller shaft 14 is controlled by the feed roller shaft 10.
It is transmitted to the feed roller 5 and the pick-up roller 3.
rotates. At this time, the sheet original 2 begins to be conveyed. Then, when the leading edge of the sheet original 2 passes between the feed roller 5 and the second paper feed roller 6, the leading edge detection sensor detects the leading edge of the sheet original 2, and from this point on, the photo interrupter 39 starts the clock cycle. Start counting the number of clocks on board 38. Next, the sheet document 2 enters between the full-surface belt 15 and the document platen glass 47, and when its leading edge comes below the presser roller 16, the conveyance force of the full-surface belt 15 increases, and the sheet document 2 moves at the circumferential speed of the full-surface belt 15. The speed is the same as that of the sheet document 2, which is faster than the circumferential speed of the feed roller 5, and the feed roller follows the sheet document 2. When the trailing edge of the sheet document 2 is detected by the paper presence/absence sensor 22, the power to the plunger 30 is cut off and the pick-up roller 3 moves upward. Also sheet manuscript 2
When the rear end is detected by the tip detection sensor 12, the power to the plunger 27 is cut off, and the rotation of the feed roller 5 and the pick-up roller 3 is stopped. This is because the next sheet document will not be accepted.

Now, when the leading edge of the paper is detected by the leading edge detection sensor 12 and the photo interrupter 39 counts a certain number of clocks, the motor 43 is de-energized.At the same time, the clutch 35 is de-energized, the brake 36 is energized, and the clutch shaft 44 is de-energized. stops instantly. As a result, the rotation of the drive roller shaft 14 and the movement of the entire surface belt 15 are stopped instantaneously, and the sheet original 2 is stopped at a predetermined position on the original platen 47. Note that the power supply to the brake 36 is cut off after a certain period of time. Immediately, a copy start signal is sent to the copying machine main body to start copying, and exposure of the copying machine main body starts.

Then, the motor 43 rotates in response to the main unit copy end signal, and the clutch 35 is energized to cause the entire surface belt 1 to rotate.
5 begins to eject the sheet original 2, and the ejection roller 2
The document is held between the rollers 0 and 50 and the discharge rollers 21 and 51, and the sheet document 2 is discharged onto the discharge tray 61. Note that when the next document is detected by the document presence/absence sensor 11, the ejection detection sensor 22 detects the leading edge of the sheet document 2, and then the plunger 27 is energized to feed the sheet document in the same manner.

Further, the drive of the paper discharge section is transmitted from a gear 48 fixed to the turn roller 19 to a gear 46 via an idler gear 45. This gear 46 is fixed to the discharge roller shaft 20a, and the shaft 20a and the gear 46 rotate together. Furthermore, the discharge roller shaft 2
A pulley 20b is fixed to 0a, and rotational force is transmitted to the pulley fixed to a shaft 52 by a belt 49.

While the full-surface belt 15 is being driven as described above, the ejection rollers 21a and 51 of the paper ejection section are receiving driving force.

Next, in addition to the above-mentioned devices, in recent years, copying devices that are equipped with various new functions and are designed to be multifunctional have come into use.

One of the new features is a multiple copy function. In this method, multiple originals are copied onto one side of a single sheet of transfer paper. For example, assume that there are two originals, one of which has an image in a certain part, and the other original with an image in another part. First, if you copy one image onto transfer paper and then copy the other image onto the same side of the transfer paper, the two original images will be copied onto the same side of one transfer paper. This completes the multiple copying process.

Such copying could also be performed with conventional copying machines. That is, the transfer paper that has been ejected from the apparatus after the first copy has been completed can be made to correspond to the second copy and fed into the copying apparatus again using a manual feed mechanism or the like. In contrast, in recent copying machines, when multiple copying is selected on the operation panel, transfer paper is automatically circulated within the copying machine, and multiple copies can be performed by replacing multiple originals. Furthermore, by arranging multiple originals (for example, two originals) on the original table of the copying machine, multiple copying can be automatically performed by selecting multiple copying without having to replace the originals. ing.

Another new feature is the multicolor copying function. This is used instead of the usual black developing device.
A color (for example, red, blue, etc.) developer is used, thereby making it possible to obtain a colored copy image. One method is to replace the black developer in the copying machine with a color developer, but in recent copying machines, multiple color developers are stored in the machine in addition to the black developer. If you select color copy on the operation panel, you can automatically obtain a color image.

By combining the multiple copying function and the multicolor copying function described above, it is possible to further increase the functionality. In this case, when multiple copying and color copying are selected, colored images of multiple originals can be automatically obtained on the same side of one sheet of transfer paper. Further, depending on the selection method, it is possible to obtain a multiplexed or multicolor image by making the image of one document black and the image of another document colored.

Another new feature is the area specification function. This is a method of extracting and copying only the image of a necessary area from one original image. The method is to first measure the desired image area in X and Y dimensions, input the values on the operation panel, and in response to the signals, the light emitting element array installed near the photoreceptor that forms the image will There is a method in which the electrostatic latent image in an unnecessary area on the photoreceptor is erased by emitting light partially and in a time-series manner, thereby obtaining an image of the necessary area.

Recently, areas have been specified using coordinate position detection elements (so-called digitizers). This is advantageous because when a document is placed on the digitizer and a required image area is pressed, that area is automatically detected, and there is no need to perform the above-mentioned measurement of the required area.

Further multifunctionality can be achieved by combining the above-mentioned multiple copying function, multicolor copying function, and area specification function. In the case of multiple copying, each document has a different part of the image, and when performing multiple copying, it was necessary to select a document that would not cause overlapping of the copied images. By adding the designation function, image areas that cause overlap can be erased, eliminating the need to select documents. Therefore, by combining these three functions, it is possible to obtain multiplex and multicolor images from any document.

Of course, as described above, it is easy to erase unnecessary area images from a document and obtain necessary area images.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a copying machine having a digitizer and a document conveying device, and the operating procedure thereof will be explained below.

First, the operator places a desired document 112 on the digitizer 101 with the image side facing upward, and brings the right end of the document into contact with a document abutment (not shown).
The document 112 is placed with its back side in contact with an abutment (not shown). Next, a desired area on the document surface is input using the stylus pen 113. Various proposals have been made regarding input methods or detection methods for digitizers, so they will not be discussed in detail here. When the input work is completed, the operator
Using the function keys 114 ₁ , 114 ₂ . . . 114 n, the user selects whether or not to display the image of the specified area, selects color instructions, etc., and sets the desired mode. The digitizer 101 and the function keys 114 ₁ , . . .
...The signal input by 114n is signal line 1
15, the information is transmitted to the main body of the copying apparatus.

Next, the operator places the document 112, with the image side facing downward, at a predetermined position (not shown) on the entrance tray 1 of the document conveying device installed on the upper surface of the main body of the copying apparatus. Since the operation of the document conveying device is as described above, the description thereof will be omitted. By performing the operations described above, the operator can copy the desired copy image, that is, only the image in the specified area, or conversely erase only the image in the specified area, or delete only the image in the specified area. You can get a copy with the color specified.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

The above is a recent trend toward increasing the number of functions in copying apparatuses, but even copying apparatuses having these functions still have considerable disadvantages in how they are used. It is something like this:

In conventional copying machines, the digitizer is placed either on the machine or at a location outside the machine where it does not interfere with copying operations. Furthermore, since the digitizer has a size that is at least larger than the original size that can be copied by the copying apparatus in which the digitizer is used, space is usually limited.

In particular, when the digitizer is installed outside the device, the operator must perform many steps.

Specifically, since there is a criterion for abutting the document with the digitizer and a criterion for abutting the document with the main body of the copying apparatus, it is extremely troublesome for the operator to make decisions. Furthermore, especially when a mistake is made in specifying an area and the area is to be specified again, the work is doubled, which is extremely inconvenient.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention was invented in order to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a copying apparatus that is multi-functional, has fewer operational steps, and is easy to use.

Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an automatic document feeder according to the present invention is characterized by having a coordinate position detection device for achieving area designation.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be explained below based on the illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the automatic document feeder with digitizer of the present invention, and the same components as in FIG. 4 are given the same numbers and repeated explanations are omitted. do.

A document presence/absence sensor 11 detects the presence or absence of a sheet document. A leading edge detection sensor 12 detects the leading edge of the sheet document. Reference numeral 101 denotes a desaturizer, which is the aforementioned device for setting a document face up and inputting the area of the document into the main body using a means such as a stylus pen.
Reference numeral 102 indicates a matching reference when placing a document. Further, there is a retractable cover 106 on the top surface of the digitizer, and when the document is sent by the automatic document feeder with a digitizer according to the present invention, the cover 106 is placed on the top surface of the cover and is fed out by ejection rollers 20, 50. It is configured so that a printed original can be placed thereon.

Now, one embodiment of the driving section of the present invention will be described next, but since it is almost the same as that in FIG. 3, repeated explanation will be omitted.

The explanation of the operation when the automatic document feeder with digitizer according to the present invention is used as an automatic document feeder is the same as in FIGS. 2 and 3.

However, the main body copy end signal causes the motor 43 to
rotates, the clutch 35 is energized, the full-surface belt 15 begins to eject the sheet original 2, and the ejection roller 2
The original sheet 2 is held between the rollers 0 and 50 and the discharge rollers 21 and 51, and the sheet original 2 is discharged onto the cover 106.

Next, the operation for specifying an area using this device will be explained.

First, the operator opens the cover 106 of the device, places the desired original 112 on the digitizer 101 with the image side facing upward, and also brings the right edge of the original into contact with the original abutment 102, and (Back side of the paper) is placed in contact with an abutment (not shown). Next, a desired area on the document surface is input using a stylus pen (not shown). Since various proposals have been made regarding the input method or detection method of the digitizer, a detailed explanation thereof will not be given here. When the input operation is completed, the operator uses a function key (not shown) to set a mode for displaying the image of the specified area, such as whether to display the image of the designated area or the like. Next, turn over the original 112 and place it on the original holder 1.
When the original 112 is inserted between the pick-up 3 and the paper feed roller 4 from above the entrance tray 1 with the side in contact with the 02 as the leading edge, the original 112 is automatically conveyed onto the original platen glass as described above, and the copying operation is started. , a desired copy can be obtained in which only the image in the specified area is copied, or conversely, only the image in the specified area is erased.

Then, the motor 43 rotates in response to the main unit copy end signal, and the clutch 35 is energized to cause the entire surface belt 1 to rotate.
5 begins to eject the sheet original 112, the original is held between the ejection rollers 20, 50 and the ejection rollers 21, 51, and the sheet original 2 is ejected onto the digitizer 101. Note that when the document presence/absence sensor 11 detects the next document, the ejection detection sensor 22
After detecting the leading edge of the sheet original 112, the plunger 27 is energized and feeds the sheet original in the same manner.

The subsequent drive for discharging the paper is the same as in the case described above, and will therefore be omitted here.

As explained above, by using the digitizer with automatic document feeding of the present invention, the following advantages can be obtained.

First of all, if you use this device, you can fully utilize the advantages of conventional automatic document feeders in that it eliminates the troublesome work of placing a sheet document on a platen, closing a crimp plate, and pressing a start key during normal sheet copying operations. can be obtained.

Second, since this device is equipped with a coordinate position detection device (digitizer), the complicated coordinate inputting operation using a numeric keypad, which has been conventionally performed, can be performed with a simple operation using a stylus pen.

Thirdly, by configuring the document feeder and digitizer integrally in the main body of the copying machine, the device is not subject to space constraints, and the operator is also free from space constraints and is easily accessible. You can completely eliminate operational errors during work.

In this specification, we have used as an example an automatic document feeder that is equipped with a digitizer in a so-called DF (document feeder), which feeds documents one sheet at a time. It is obvious that even if a so-called ADF (Auto Document Feeder) for feeding one sheet and a digitizer are installed together, the gist, idea, effects, etc. of the invention can be realized.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, the automatic document feeder according to the present invention has the image area designating means disposed on the upper surface of the upper wall, so the device is simplified and has excellent operability. This has the effect of improving accuracy. Furthermore, since the image area designating means can be covered with a releasable cover means, it is possible to prevent damage caused by discharged originals.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is a sectional view of the conventional example, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the drive section of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the conventional example. 2: Document, 3: Pick-up roller, 4: Paper feed roller, 5: Feed roller, 6: Paper feed roller, 7:
Pickup arm axis, 9: Swing axis, 10: Feed lock axis, 11: Original presence/absence sensor, 12: Lead edge detection sensor, 13: Drive roller, 14: Drive shaft, 15: Full belt, 16, 17, 18: Presser roller, 19: turn roller, 20, 50: ejection roller, 21, 51: ejection roller, 22: ejection detection sensor, 101: digitizer, 102: document abutting reference, 106: cover, 112: document.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A first document placement device for placing a document, a feeding device for feeding the document on the first document placement device, and a device for reading the fed document. a second document placement device, which is disposed above the reading position and on the upper surface of the upper wall of the apparatus, and has an image area indicating device for indicating an image area of the document; an ejection guide that guides the original document ejected from the reading position by the conveyance means onto the second document placement means after the reading has been completed; an automatic document feeder comprising: a cover means which is capable of serving as a cradle for the ejected document when in the covering position and is released when the image area designating means is used;