JPH0441364A - Automatic double-side copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve productivity at the time of double-side copying by providing a sorter control part for controlling the discharge order at a sorter at the time of double-side copying in such a way as to make the final discharge into a discharge position closest to a copying machine body whereas performing normal action at the time of single-side copying. CONSTITUTION:At the time of performing double-side copying, an indexer is moved into a bin position corresponding to the corresponding number of documents, making use of time for executing first face copying and ADU storage on all the pages of the documents. At a sorter 90, copied paper is therefore discharged successively toward one bin from the bin corresponding to the corresponding number of documents. Accordingly, the final discharge on plural copied documents regarding a certain document is made to the one bin closest to a copying machine body in spite of this sorter 90 being an indexer type sorter. Time required for discharge can be therefore shortened, and waiting time for the copying of the following documents started after this discharge can be also shortened.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to improving the productivity of an automatic duplex copying apparatus that reads both sides of a document and copies 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 automatically reversing a double-sided document and copying both sides of the document by simply setting the document. 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 of the second side copy (the copy sheet on which both sides have been copied) is ejected by the paper ejection detection means of the final paper ejection port. After this is detected, the next document 1 is transferred from the paper feed section.
Copy paper (blank paper) was sent out for double-sided copying.

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

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In the conventional automatic duplex copying apparatus configured as described above,
2nd side copy The time from when the last copy paper is completely ejected until the copy paper (blank paper) for the next copy is fed from the paper feeder to the photoreceptor. was wasted.

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

Therefore, 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 problem that productivity is reduced.

Further, the position of the final discharge port C of the indexer type sorter A shown in FIG. 6 changes each time each document is discharged. That is, when ejecting copy paper, indexer B first descends in order from the ejection port (1 bin) closest to the copier main body (in this example, the top), and then moves to the ejection port (bin 1) corresponding to the set number of copies.
Eject the copy paper to the bin corresponding to the number of copies. Then, when the copy paper on which the next document has been copied is discharged, the copy paper is discharged while ascending in order from the bin corresponding to the number of copies. Furthermore, in the next discharge, the descent from the 1st bin is repeated.

For example, if the set number of copies is 4, the ejection order of copy sheets is 1→2-3-4-4-3 =2-1-1→2
→3-4-4-3-...

In addition, in the case of such a sorter, regardless of the number of copies set, the timing for conveying the blank sheet for the next copy is determined according to the ejection time (equivalent to the maximum number of bins) from the farthest ejection port. Ta. However, if the number of copies is smaller than the maximum number of bins, unnecessary waiting time will occur.

Further, if the next copy paper is fed before the copy paper is finally ejected, it is expected that the processing when a jam occurs will become extremely 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. It is an object of the present invention to realize an automatic double-sided copying device that can improve productivity and can easily deal with the occurrence of a jam.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention, which solves the above-mentioned problems, reverses the copy paper on which the first side has been copied by a reversing transfer unit, and transfers the second side of the copy paper sent out from the reversing transfer unit to In an automatic double-sided copying device used with an indexer-type sorter having multiple output ports, there is a timer that counts according to a set count value, and a reversal transfer unit that sets the count value in the timer. a timing control unit that starts counting a timer at the timing when the last copy paper is fed out; a paper feed roller control unit that drives a paper feed roller to feed a blank sheet when the timer counts up; The present invention is characterized by comprising a sorter control section which controls the sorter so that the order of discharge is such that the discharge position closest to the copying machine body is the last, and which performs normal operation during one-sided copying.

Also, the count value that the timing control unit sets in the timer is set after the last copy sheet sent out from the reversing transfer unit passes through the registration rollers and before the final ejection, when blank paper is fed from the paper feed unit of the main body. The value is such that the paper is fed by the paper roller just before the registration roller, and the copy paper on which the first side has been copied reaches the reversal transfer section after the copy paper on which both sides have been copied is ejected from the ejection port. The value is set according to the ejection position of the ejection port closest to the main body of the copying machine.

(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 section, and
A 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, the paper feed roller control means drives the paper feed roller for feeding out the blank paper.

Also, after the last copy sheet sent out from the reversing transfer section passes through the registration roller and before the final ejection, the copy sheet from the main body paper feed section is fed by the paper feed roller just before the registration roller. Ru.

Then, the copy paper fed in this manner reaches the reversal transfer section after the first side has been copied and the last copy paper on which double-sided copying has been completed is finally discharged.

Here, the last copy sheet is controlled to be discharged to the position closest to the copying machine body at the discharge port of the sorter, and
Since the count value of the timer is set in accordance with such operating conditions, there is no wasted time in conveying the copy paper for copying the next document.

(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 3, the automatic double-sided document feeder (hereinafter referred to as RAD)
A document 1 placed on a 10 (referred to as F) is moved onto a platen glass 2 by RADFlo at the start of copying. The original 1 placed on the platen glass 2 is exposed 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 through a discharge port 91.

Next, FIG. 1 shows the electrical configuration of the device of this embodiment.

Figure 3 above and Figure 2 showing the flow of operation of the device of this embodiment
The operating state of this embodiment will be explained step by step along the copy paper feeding process with reference to the drawings and FIG. 4.

First, the copy mode (duplex copy/single-sided copy), number of copies,
Mode settings such as copy paper size, magnification amount, final ejection position, etc. are made from the operation setting section (not shown) (step ■).
.

Here, the set copy mode is determined by the control section 100 (step 2). As a result, when it is determined that the mode is one-sided copying mode, the operation of the sorter 90 when discharging copy sheets is performed in the same manner as in the prior art. That is, the sixth
As explained in the figure, the indexer alternately moves up and down as the copy paper is ejected.

Further, the case when it is determined that the duplex copying mode is set will be described in detail below.

Based on the above mode settings (step ■), timer 1
20 settings are made (step ■).

The count value set in the timer 120 will be described in detail later.

When the original is set on RADFIO and the copy button is pressed, copying starts (step ■).

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 bell ■44a to 4
4c. Delivery rollers 43a to 43
Delivery belts 44a to 44c are stretched on c.
These delivery belts 44a to 44c serve as copy sheets 41a to 41c.
By rotating the delivery rollers 43a to 43c clockwise (FIG. 3) while in contact with the uppermost copy paper 41,
A to 41c are sent out one by one to the left in FIG.

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

In the case of one-sided copying, the image is then heated and fixed in the fixing device 50,
Copying is completed when the paper is discharged from the paper discharge switching section 70 to the outside of the machine by the sorter 90.

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

At about the same time, the sorter control unit 117 gives a control command to the sorter 90 so that the indexer in the sorter 90 comes to the position of the bin corresponding to the number of copies (bin corresponding to the number of copies) (step 2).

On the other hand, downstream of the fixing device 50, there is a function for switching between a paper ejection path 76 that allows the copy paper 41 after fixing to proceed straight and is ejected 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 discharge switching section 70 having a paper discharge 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 swings about a downstream roller 73 and a shaft 74. and an electromagnetic solenoid (not shown). The movable branch body 75 having an inverted triangular cross section has a paper discharge path 76 along the upper surface of the movable branch body 75, an introduction path 77 communicating with the guide plate 71 along the lower right side surface, and a guide plate 71 along the lower left side surface. A reverse sheet discharge path 78 communicating with the downstream roller 73 is formed.

The movable branch body 75 is driven by a drive device (not shown) such as an electromagnetic solenoid and moves up and down from the right tip to the introduction path 7.
7 and close the paper ejection path 76, or conversely, open the paper introduction path 77.
It can be switched by closing the paper discharging path 76 and opening the paper ejection path 76.

The copy paper 41 sent downward (FIG. 3) through the paper ejection switching unit 70 is fed into the ADU 80 (step ①).
).

The copy paper 41 conveyed to the reversing conveyance unit 80 is reversed and discharged from the roller 82 on the lower surface of the printer 81 toward the stacker 83 in the left direction.

The ejected copy paper 41 descends along the slope of the stacker 83, slides on the surface of the stopper 84, comes into contact with the abutment 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 stopper 84, and the leading edges of the copy sheets 41 are aligned by coming into contact with the abutment surface.

In this state, when a paper refeeding start signal is generated by the ADU control section 114, the roller 85 is driven and rotated by the ADU drive section 123, and the separation belt 86 is rotated in the direction of the arrow (FIG. 3). As a result, the plurality of copy sheets 41 stacked on the stacker 83 are sent out to the right in FIG. 3.

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 o), 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 sorter 90, since the indexer is set in advance to the bin position corresponding to the corresponding number of copies in step (3) described above, the output is from the bin corresponding to the corresponding number of copies (bin N if N copies are made; the farthest from the copying machine main body). will be started.

After that, the above-mentioned paper refeeding operation and reverse side copying operation are performed.

The sorting and discharging operation in the sorter 90 is continuously performed for the set number of copies N.

In this embodiment, when double-sided copying is performed, the first side copying (step ■) and the AD
Utilizing the time while performing U storage (step ■),
Move the indexer to the bin position equivalent to the corresponding number of copies (step ■)
I'll keep it. Therefore, the sorter 90 sequentially discharges copy sheets from the bin corresponding to the number of copies to the first bin (closest to the main body of the copying machine). Therefore, the final discharge of a plurality of copies of a certain original is to the bin closest to the main body of the copying machine, even though it is an indexer type sorter. Therefore, the time required for ejection is shortened, and it is possible to shorten the waiting time until copying of the next document starts after this ejection.

On the other hand, the ADUO sheet detection sensor 88 detects whether there is no copy paper 41 on the stacker 83 (step ■), and the ADU passage sensor 89 detects the passage (re-feeding) of N copy sheets. (Step ■), and 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, the ADtJ passage sensor 8
If the number of sheets of paper 8 is not counted, a jam may occur, and therefore, jam processing (step 2) is performed.

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

This count value satisfies the following two conditions.

[The copy paper sent out from the first condition ADU 80 is
2 (FIG. 2(C)), the next blank sheet from the paper feed unit 40 waits at the registration roller 62 (FIG. 2(D)).
)) The paper feeding timing is as follows.

That is, the ADU passing sensor 89 and the registration roller 6
Paper passing time until 2 passes is tl+ Delivery rollers 43a to 4
If the paper passing time from 3c to just before the registration roller 62 (varies depending on the position of the paper feed cassette) is t2, then the time when the copy paper passes the ADU passage sensor 89 (see Fig. 2) is t2.
1) Start the timer 120 at A) (Fig. 2 (1)
A', Fig. 4 (Step ■)), after the copy paper from the ADU 80 passes through the registration roller 62 and before being ejected from the final ejection port (Fig. 2 (1) between C and E). The count is increased at the paper feed timing when the next blank sheet from the paper section 40 is waiting in the registration roller (D in Fig. 2 (1), if this timing is tD, then 1.<1D<12). 4° at the timing [Second condition] ADU80 that passed through the registration roller under the first condition above
After the final copy sheet from 2000 has finished copying both sides and is discharged from the final discharge port (FIG. 2 (1) E), the first copy sheet on which the first side has been copied reaches the ADU 70. The timing is as shown in (Fig. 2 (1) F). Here, the discharge position of the sorter 90 is controlled by the sorter control unit 117 so that the position closest to the main body of the copying machine (one bin) is the final position. Therefore, the count value of the timer is determined in accordance with such timing.

In the case of the above configuration, the paper feeding path length differs depending on the position of the selected paper feeding cassettes 42a to 42c, and therefore the paper feeding time also differs, so the timing control circuit 112 also uses these data. Refer to 2 above.
The timer 120 is set so that the conditions are satisfied.

Further, the count value of the timer 120 is set in consideration of the difference in final discharge position (for example, one sorter, two sorters, no sorter) and the transfer speed.

Therefore, when the timer 120 counts up (step 19), the paper feed roller controller 116 generates a paper feed start signal, and the paper feed roller drive unit 125 that receives this signal rotates the paper feed roller 61.

As a result, after the final re-feeding from the ADU 80 is completed (after passing the registration rollers 62), 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 for the reason described above.

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

As a third effect, the copy paper on which the first side has been copied does not reach the ADU 80 until the final copy paper on which both sides have been copied is discharged, so that paper jams can be easily handled. That is, if a paper jam occurs near the final ejection port 91 (which is most likely to occur), subsequent copy sheets are stopped in front of the ADU 80 and can be easily removed. In such a case, if the subsequent paper is stacked in the ADU, the process of removing it becomes troublesome.

However, according to this embodiment, it is possible to easily deal with the occurrence of a jam.

Furthermore, as a fourth effect, the final ejection position for each document is set to the bin position closest to the copying machine body, so the next copy paper is transported and copying starts at the optimal timing with less waiting time. This eliminates unnecessary waiting time. Therefore, it contributes to improving the productivity of the copying machine.

Furthermore, the timer 120 does not need to satisfy the above conditions under all conditions, and may have 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. The configuration may be such that one of the two can be selected.

FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram comparing the time required to make N copies 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 embodiment, by placing blank sheets on standby in advance in front of the registration rollers and controlling the sorter 90, it is possible to shorten the copying time and improve productivity. can be done.

(Effects of the Invention) As described in detail above, in the present invention, the copy paper on which the first side has been copied is reversed by the reversing transfer unit, and the second side is copied onto the copy paper sent out from the reversing transfer unit. In an automatic duplex copying machine used with an indexer-type sorter having multiple discharge ports, there is a timer that counts according to a set count value, and a timer that sets the count value in the timer and a reversing transfer section. a timing control unit that starts counting a timer at the timing when the last copy paper is fed out; a paper feed roller control unit that drives a paper feed roller to feed a blank sheet when the timer counts up; The present invention is configured to include a sorter control unit that controls the order of discharge in the sorter so that the discharge position closest to the copying machine body is the last.

Therefore, the time from the end of copying the second side to the start of copying the first side of the next document can be shortened, and productivity can be improved.

Also, the count value that the timing control unit sets in the timer is set after the last copy sheet sent out from the reversing transfer unit passes through the registration rollers and before the final ejection, when blank paper is fed from the paper feed unit of the main body. The value is such that the paper is fed by the paper roller just before the registration roller, and the copy paper on which the first side has been copied reaches the ADU after the copy paper on which both sides have been copied is discharged from the ejection port, The value is set according to the discharge position of the discharge port closest to the copying machine body.

As a result, the timing control section sets a predetermined count value in the timer, and the timer starts counting at the timing when the last copy sheet is sent out in the reverse transfer section, and when the timer counts up, the 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, the copy paper fed in this manner reaches the reversal transfer unit after the first side is copied and the last copy paper on which double-sided copying has been completed for each original is finally discharged. Here, the sorter is controlled so that the final discharge position is the discharge port p closest to the copying machine body, and the count value of the timer is set according to such operating conditions, so that the copy paper is This eliminates unnecessary waiting time during transportation.

Therefore, the time from the end of copying on the second side to the start of copying on the first side of the next document is shortened, making it possible to improve productivity during duplex copying, and even when paper jams occur at the ejection port. It is possible to realize an automatic double-sided copying apparatus that can be easily handled.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

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 an explanatory diagram for explaining the characteristic parts of this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operating state of the apparatus of this embodiment; FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the productivity of the automatic double-sided copying apparatus according to the embodiment, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram D for explaining the schematic structure of the sorter. 1... Original 2... Platen glass 1
0...RAD F 20...Optical system 30.
... Photoreceptor 40 ... Main body paper feed section 41a to 4
1c...Copy paper 42a-42c...Paper feed cassettes 43a-43c...Feeding rollers 44a-44c...Feeding belt 50...Fixing section 61...Paper feeding roller 62
... Registration roller 70 ... Paper ejection switching section 80 ...
・ADU 88...ADUO sheet sensor 89
... ADU passage sensor 90 ... Sorter 100 ... Control section 110.
...CPU 111...Timing control section 112...RADF control section 113...Photoconductor control section 114...AD-U control section 115...Registration roller control section 116...Paper feed roller control Section 117... Sorter control unit 120... Timer 121... RADF drive unit 122... Photoconductor drive unit 123... ADU drive unit 124... Registration roller drive unit 125... Paper feed roller Drive part

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) Transfer the copy paper on which the first side has been copied to the reverse transfer unit (8
In an automatic double-sided copying apparatus that is used with an indexer-type sorter (90) having a plurality of ejection ports, the second side is copied on the copy paper sent out from the reversal transfer section (80) by A timer (120) that counts according to the set count value, and a timer (120) that sets the count value in the timer (120) and starts the timer (120) at the timing when the last copy sheet is sent out from the reversal transfer section (80). A timing control unit (111) that starts counting; and a paper feed roller control unit (1) that drives a paper feed roller (61) that feeds blank sheets (41a, 41b, 41c) when the timer (120) counts up.
16, 125), and a sorter control unit (117) that controls the sorter (90) so that the ejection order in the sorter (90) is the one closest to the main body of the copying machine at the end during double-sided copying, and performs normal operation during single-sided copying. ). (2) The timing control section (111) is a timer (120)
The count value to be set in the main body paper feed section (
The blank paper (41a, 41b, 41c) from 40) is fed by the paper feed roller (61) just before the registration roller (62), and the copy paper that has been copied on both sides is delivered to the ejection port (
The value is such that the copy paper whose first side has been copied reaches the reversal transfer unit (80) after being ejected from the ejection port (91), and is determined according to the ejection position of the ejection port (91) closest to the main body of the copying machine. 2. The automatic double-sided copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the value is a set value.