JPS584155A - image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To equalize the number of copies per unit time even if the specific size of paper for foreign countries is used by changing the time required for the completion of a sheet of copying in accordance with the size of copying paper. CONSTITUTION:Reflectors 4 are fitted to a paper cassette side plate 3 on the basis of a fixed regulation. The pattern of a reflector 4 is read out by receiving the reflected light of a lamp 74 by a photodetector 75 to detect whether the paper is of foreign use or specific size. Although the timing of copying processes such as the going and returning movement of an optical system and the jam detection of paper is determined by counting the number of pulses generated synchronously with the rotation of a photosensitive drum by a microprocessor, the copying speed is practically changed by inserting a step for adding a constant value to the counted value and the time required for the completion of 1 sheet of copying is changed in accordance with the size of copying paper.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a facsimile machine.

In electrophotographic copying machines and the like, transfer paper is loaded in a storage box such as a tray or tray, and the storage box is attached to the main body of the copying machine before the desired copying process is performed. By the way, the size of the transfer paper used in this way varies in Japan and abroad, so if the copiers are of the same model, that is, if the copier specifications are the same and the number of continuous copies per unit time is the same, It is necessary to adjust the time required for copying per sheet, in other words, the copying speed, depending on the standard size of transfer paper in each country. Table 1 below shows examples of continuous copy sheets WI (hereinafter referred to as CPM) per minute depending on the size of various transfer paper and the specifications of the copying machine.

Table 1 Because the size of transfer paper varies in this way, when copying machines of the same model are shipped to different destinations, the chain in the copying machine, By replacing various mechanical parts such as sprockets, gears, and gouries to adjust the copying speed, it was possible to make copies according to specified specifications.

However, with this conventional method, not only is the work of adjusting the copying speed complicated and inefficient, but also the same machine part must be prepared with different dimensions for each destination, resulting in high costs. will be invited.

The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate such drawbacks of the prior art,
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine with high productivity.

In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a size signal setting means that can set a size signal according to the length of a recording medium such as transfer paper in the conveying direction to the main body of the apparatus, and a size signal set by the size signal setting means. The present invention is characterized by comprising a required time automatic adjustment means that can automatically change the required time for image formation in accordance with the size signal.

In recent years, in order to improve the operability of electrophotographic copying machines,
tIIl copy mode (hereinafter referred to as book mode) in which the original is fixedly bent and the optical system moves to expose the original surface and perform a series of copying processes;
A third copy mode (hereinafter referred to as sheet mode) in which the original surface is exposed to light by moving the original using the optical system and a series of copy processing steps are performed.
It has two copy modes, and when a certain nice transfer paper is set, the mode is automatically switched from the book mode to the sheet mode, or conversely, from the sheet mode to the 17-page mode. There are electrophotographic cameras that have an auto mode set function.

Next, the present invention will be applied to the three modes of book mode and sheet mode described above.
An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic copying machine having two exposure modes will be described.

1 and 3 are schematic configuration diagrams of the copying machine, Figure 3 is a block diagram of the control section, and Figure #14 is a plan view of the control panel of the copying machine.

FIG. 1 shows a case where a document feeder fit (described later) is not used. A document 12 is placed on the top surface of the copying machine main body 11.
A contact glass 13 is provided on which an exposure lamp 14, #! 1 liter cup 15. Second mirror 16. Lens 17. Third mirror 18. 4th mirror 19
An exposure optical system consisting of the following is arranged. Of this optical system, the exposure lamp 14, the first mirror 15, 11I112
A scanner consisting of a mirror 16 has a contact glass 1
It is possible to reciprocate in the left and right direction with the bottom of 3 pointing toward the page of FIG. 1, and the exposure lamp 14 and #! The first mirror 15 moves at three times the speed of the second mirror 16.

In addition, when copying at the same size, the lens 17. l@3 Mihu 1 g
+ * 4 Mirror 19 is located at the position shown in Figure @1,
During reduction copying, each of them automatically moves to a predetermined position according to the magnification.

Near the same side of the photosensitive drum 20, a charger 21. Erase lamp 22. Developing device 23. Transfer charger 241 Separation charger 25° Separation device 26. Cleaning device 27. Chargers 28 for static elimination are arranged one after another. 29 is a tray that stores a large amount of transfer paper 30;
For example, ^4 size, B4 size, BI size,
B @ size.

Various sizes such as 7-orio size, letter size, and legal size can be stored, and if the size of the transfer paper 3° is smaller than the tray 29, a partition plate (not shown) can be inserted into the tray 29. The paper 30 is positioned.

The cassette 1 is set above the tray 29 so that it can be inserted into and removed from the copying machine main body 11. To improve operability, the cassette 1 can be placed on either the front or side of the copying machine main body 11. It can also be inserted from any direction. The paper sizes for cassette 1 are divided into A4 size (horizontal), B4 size (horizontal), Bl size (vertical), Folio size (horizontal), etc. Apart from this cassette 1, a cassette 2 is also arranged to be removably inserted into the copying machine main body 11, and the paper size of this cassette 2 is ^
Fist size vertical, Mu4 size vertical, B4-? It is divided into vertical chairs, etc. The cassette 1 and the cassette 2 can be set in either position, simply by having their respective levers positioned relative to the main body 11 of the copying machine. Usually, cassette 1 is set in the upper row and cassette 2 is set in the lower row! is determined, and when cassette 1 is set in the cassette 2 position, or conversely, when cassette 2 is placed in the cassette 1 position, a special size transfer paper 30 is stored in that cassette. It shows that

ass, 31 in the figure is a paper feed roller, 32 is a registration roller, 33 is a registration detection switch, 34 is a fixing device, 3
5 is a paper ejection roller, 36 is a paper ejection switch, 37 is a tray, 3
8 is a control unit, and 39 is a document feeding device, which is not normally used in the book mode.

40 is a control panel, and 41 is an intermediate conveyance roller that transfers the transfer paper 3o fed by the paper feed roller 31 to the registry roller 3.
Transfer to the 2nd side.

W4sv! J is a pull diagram showing an outline of the control section 38. In the figure, 42 is the Φ central processing unit (CPtJ)
, 43 are controlled by the CPU 42 110
A device with a built-in board, 44 is a read-only memory (ROM), 45 is a random access memory (R
AM), 46 is a pulse counter/jam detection circuit,
The pulses of the encoder pulse seller II (not shown) are counted under the control of the CPU 42, and the transfer paper 30 is sent to the registration detection switch 33 and the paper ejection switch 36.
It monitors the transport time until the paper reaches each page, and uses this to check for paper jams and also functions as a timer. 47 is a RAM for storing data to be displayed by the CPU 42, and a keyboard I with a built-in seven-gumen F decoder.
C display control circuit, which also includes control circuits for the numeric keypad 48 and mode key 49. 50 is a clear key, 51 is a copy start button, 52 is a main switch, 53 is a copy set number display counter, 54 is a copy number display counter, 55 is a jam display section, 5611 is a control bus, 57 is an address bus, and 58 is a Al on the data bus.

[FIG. 4 is a view showing the reel panel 40 of this copying machine, which is provided on the upper front side of the copying machine main body 11 as shown in FIGS. In the figure, 59 is the sorter confirmation lamp, 60 is the interrupt key, and when you press the middle key, the interrupt display lights up and interrupts are enabled.You can interrupt only once during copying, and after that, the next interrupt will not be processed until the interrupt process is finished. Interrupts are not allowed, and if you press the middle button while the interrupt display is lit, the interrupt will be canceled. 61 is a sort key for collating copied transfer sheets by number of copies, 62 is a stack key for sorting copied transfer sheets by page, 63 is a copy density adjustment knob, and 64 is a stop key for copying processing. Interrupts the copying operation during the process and clears the autofeed. 51 is a copy start button, 90 is a number display area where multiple eight segments are arranged side by side, a numeric keypad is used to input numbers to the set counter, and 50 is a clear key. 65 is the first paper feed key, and pressing the key selects the paper feed for the cassette 1.
Reference numeral 6 denotes the S paper feed key, and when the key is pressed, the paper feed for the tray 29 is selected, and 67 is the eighth paper feed key, and the paper feed for the cassette 2 is selected when the key is pressed. There is. Next to each of these paper feed keys 615, 66167, the size and paper feeding direction of the transfer paper to be fed are displayed. 68 is the paper feed Sa clamp 69 is the same size key; Press to select the same size mode.70
is the magnification key, and pressing that key activates the magnification mode (1151
) is selected, and press the same size key 69° 1st reduction key 'yt*#
Pressing any one of the s reduction keys 72 deselects it. When the first reduction key 71 is pressed, the reduction mode of tRl (ss+31) is selected, and the tRl reduction mode (ss+31) is selected. Enlarge key 70. If any one of the S-th reduction keys 72 is pressed, the selection of that key is canceled. By pressing the eighth reduction key 72, the ms reduction mode (Ma1-) is selected, and the same size key 69. If any one of the enlargement key 70 and the first reduction key 71 is pressed, the selection of that key is canceled. 73 is a document forgotten lamp. In the copying machine of this embodiment, only the same size copy can be performed in the book mode, and the enlargement, the same size, the first reduction, and the S-th reduction copy can be performed in the sheet mode. In this embodiment, a case has been described in which only full size copying is possible in the book mode, but it is also possible to enable other enlarged or reduced copies in the sheet mode.

When the copying machine is used in the book mode as shown in the figure, after the surface of the drum 200 is uniformly charged by the charger 21, the exposure lamp i is placed under the contact glass 13.
4t The t-th mirror 15 *l'' mirror 16 reciprocates at respective speeds to expose the surface of the document, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the document image is formed on the drum 20.Next, the developing device 23 Visualized, the paper feed key 65.66
．． The transfer paper 30 corresponding to the pressed paper feed key 67 is fed through the range F roller 33, the toner image is transferred to the transfer paper 30, and after being fixed, the transfer paper 30 is discharged to the receiving tray 37. After the transfer, the photoreceptor drum 20 is cleaned and neutralized to prepare for the next copying process.

Figure 11s shows the case of copying in sheet mode using the document feeder flf39, and the exposure lamp 14, #
11 Mirror 15. Scanners such as No. 16 are locked into the illustrated and turned positions by a scanner lock solenoid (not shown). The document 12 is transferred to the contact glass 13 by the feed belt of the document feeder 39.
The top of the document is sequentially fed from the left end to expose the surface of the document, and a series of copying processes similar to those described above are executed.

Next, the cassette size detection means will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

As shown in Figure #IIs and Figure 6, there is a reflective part P0.
A detected bit group 4 consisting of P is provided. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, near the rear end of the side plate 5 on the other side of the cassette 2 set in the lower stage, there is a reflective part P divided into three bits along the insertion/removal direction.
, P is provided.

The detection target bits 4.6 are arranged in different combinations in order to identify each size of the cassette 1.2 and its orientation with respect to the copying machine main body 11. Table 3 below shows an example of the arrangement of detected bit group 4 in cassette 1.
Table 8 is a table showing an example of the arrangement of the detected bit group 6 in the cassette 2.

Table 3 Table i According to these tables, for example, a B4 or other size cassette for horizontal insertion is not provided with the reflective part P, and a Bll size cassette for horizontal insertion has only the reflective part P. In addition, only the reflective portion P is provided in the vertical insertion cassette.

As shown in FIG. 91, the light emitting elements 74 . Light receiving element 5. An S bit size detection signal is generated by an amplifier 76 or the like. , Dl respectively #
! A size detecting section 77 is provided near the setting position of the cassette 1 in the main body 110 of the copying machine. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, with the cassette 2 set in the normal position, each of the reflecting portions P, .

The light emitting element 78. Light receiving element 79. S bit size detection section 'J Dt + Ds by amplifier 80 etc.
A first size detecting section 81 that outputs the respective values is provided near the setting position of the cassette 3 in the main body 11 of the copying machine.

The bottom part 7 of the cassette 1 is provided with a paper end detection device 11068, and when there is no transfer paper in the cassette 1,
Light emitting element 8 that detects the paper end through this 68
2 and a light receiving element 83 are provided at a predetermined position in the copying machine main body 110, and a paper end signal 81 . Output. Also, the bottom 9 of the cassette 2
is provided with a hole 10 for detecting the end of paper, and a light emitting element 85 and a light receiving element 86 are provided at predetermined positions in the main body 11 of the copying machine to detect the end of paper through this hole 10 when there is no transfer paper in the cassette 2. The light receiving element 86 outputs a paper end signal of 8 ms via the amplifier 87.

Similar to the cassette 1, the tray 29 stores B4 or legal size, A4 or letter size transfer paper 30 horizontally with respect to the copying machine main body 11, and B6 size transfer paper 30 vertically. It is now possible to do so. The size of the transfer paper 30 stored in the tray 29 is detected by the position of the partition plate described above. That is, the position of the partition plate in the tray 29 differs depending on the size of the transfer paper 30 to be stored, and a micro switch is installed at the position of the partition plate corresponding to each chair. The switch closes and a detection signal is output. Note that since the size of the tray 29 is B4 size, there is no need for a partition plate when storing B4 size transfer paper 30, and in that case, the detection signal from the microswitch is not output and the transfer paper 3
It can be detected that the size of ゜ is B4 size.

The paper end in tray 29 is the 1st v! As shown in J, it is detected by a microswitch 89 with an actuator attached to the lower surface of the bottom plate 88 on which the transfer paper 30 is placed. That is, when there is transfer paper 30 in the tray 29, the microswitch 89 is turned off due to its weight, and when the transfer paper 30 runs out, the microswitch 89 is turned on and the paper end signal 85 is output. be done.

Next, regarding the means for detecting the destination of the close-up camera, #! This will be explained using FIGS. 9 and 10.

As shown in FIG. 9, on the side plate 3 of the cassette 1, the reflective portion P6. Next to the group 4 of detected pins 4 consisting of P, there is provided a detected bit group 90 consisting of reflective parts P, , P, which are divided into three bits. In addition, as shown in the figure, the reflective portion P* l P on the side plate 5 of the cassette 2
Next to the detected bit group 6 consisting of l, there are reflective parts p, p, p, which are similarly divided into S bits.

A detected bit group 90 consisting of the following is provided.

Note that in Figures #I1 to S, the details of the detected bit 90 and the destination detection section 9, which will be described later, are shown because the diagrams are complicated.
4 etc. are not shown. The arrangement state of the detected bit details 90 is for identifying the destination, and is a unique combination. The following Table 4 shows the detected bit group 90
2 is a table showing an example arrangement of .

Table 4 1 The presence or absence of the reflective parts p, , p, shown in this table is identified in the same way as the one for size detection described above, so the explanation thereof will be omitted here.

Note that, if the number of destinations increases, the number of reflective parts may be increased accordingly and combined as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG.
A destination detection unit 94 that outputs a 1-bit destination detection signal , D, and the like by a light emitting element 91, a light receiving element 92, an amplifier 93, etc. corresponding to the cassettes 1 and 2 of the copying machine body 11 It is located near the location.

In this embodiment, the detected bit group 9 for destination detection is
0 is provided in the cassette 1.2, but it could also be provided in the tray 29.

As mentioned above, there are three paper feeding systems for the transfer paper 30: the first paper feeding system from the cassette 1, the third paper feeding system from the tray 29, and the eighth paper feeding system from the cassette 2. Of these, the $1 paper feed system from cassette) 2 is in sheet mode (100%, enlarged,
This is predetermined in advance as the exclusive paper feeding system for the S-stage reduction hubby, and when the #1s paper feeding system from Rikishit 2 is selected by pressing the 8th paper feeding key 67 (see Figure 4). , automatically seed mode, so that you can copy at the same size.
I will be treated.

Next, regarding the control of the paper feed system and exposure mode, @
This will be explained using charts 70 in FIGS. 11 to 16.

@ * 1! i! ! This is a flowchart that is a subroutine called from the main routine of IGt, 111111 Grodarum, and checks whether or not the eighth paper feed key 67 has been pressed. In step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1, it is determined whether the first paper feed key has been pressed (ON), and if the first paper feed key has been pressed, S! RA of the control section
Set the seat mode 7 in the M area to @1m and return to the main routine.

If it is determined in step 81 that the third paper feed key is not pressed, then it is determined in SS whether the first paper feed key or the primary S paper feed key has been pressed, and neither paper feed key is pressed. If it is not pressed, return to the main routine. If the paper feed key has been pressed, then in 84 it is determined whether the paper size of the paper feed table selected by pressing the paper feed key is Bll. If the result is B6, the exposure mode returns to the main routine as before, and B! If it is determined that it is not 1, the seat mode flag is set to 800 in 8 islands.

As mentioned above, the reason why the sheet mode flag is not set to "o" when using Bll size is jI4rI! As shown by J, by operating the first reduction key 71, the B4 size can be reduced to the Bs size, and by operating the #Is reduction key 72, the B4 size can be reduced to the B6 size (sheet mode). This is because forcibly canceling the sheet mode will make the operation difficult.

The Mls diagram is a part 70-chart of the main routine for controlling the exposure mode of the mechanical part of the optical system in the main body of the copying machine. In S6, the scanner control check subroutine shown in FIG. 18 is called to check whether or not the optical scanner can be moved. This checking operation will be explained with reference to FIG. 1s.

87, whether or not there is a paper jam (jamming) inside the copying machine;
It is sequentially determined whether the copying process is in progress at step 88 and whether or not the fixing section has reached a predetermined temperature at step 89.

If there is a jam in the main body, in a case other than a series of copy processing operations, or if the fixing unit has not reached a temperature that allows fixing, the accumulator in the CPU accumulator is set to a (111) and the process returns to the main routine. is a step for replacing the accumulator with a signal other than "O0" in signal processing. When returning from the subroutine to the main routine in this way, there are three cases: A=5 and ANO.

Therefore, in 811 and 8ts of the main routine, it is determined whether the accumulator is 0 or not, and if A=O, the process is divided and passes through the next steps 81m and 814 to proceed to the subsequent signal processing. If A (0) is determined in 811, a seat mode check subroutine is called in 813. This mode check s will be explained with reference to FIG. 114.

At 816, it is determined whether the seat mode flag is "oo" or "alm", and if the seat mode flag is set to .11, the process proceeds to slg.1I
As explained using liU, this is a station where the optical scanner is fixed in a predetermined position in sheet mode, but near the stop position there is a detection switch (not shown) that turns on when the scanner reaches the stop position. (hereinafter referred to as the return switch) or move the scanner to its stop position (
The printer is equipped with a scanner lock release solenoid that locks the scanner in the home position (book mode stop position), and a scanner lock release solenoid that unlocks the scanner and returns it to the home position (book mode stop position). At 816, it is determined whether the return switch is on, that is, whether the optical system scanner is at the seat mode stop position. If the return switch is not on, proceed to step 81, and it is determined whether the forward side electromagnetic clutch that moves the optical scanner from the book mode stop position to the seat mode stop position is on, and the clutch is turned off. If so, proceed to 818. Then, the return side electromagnetic clutch that moves the optical scanner from the sheet mode stop position to the book mode stop position is turned off. Next, in 819, the main motor that rotates the drive side such as the forward electromagnetic clutch and the return electromagnetic clutch, and the scanner lock solenoid that fixes the optical scanner at the sheet mode stop position are turned on. If the forward side electromagnetic clutch is then turned on at 820, the driving force is also transmitted to the driven side of the electromagnetic clutch, and as a result, the optical system scanner is moved toward the sheet mode stop position. After the 7-ward side electromagnetic clutch is turned on, the main routine is returned to 0 @ In the main routine of FIG. )
call. Then, at 8fil, it is checked whether the return switch is turned on or not, but since the optical scanner has not yet reached the see mode stop position,
The return switch is in the off state, and the process returns to the main routine.

When the main routine goes around and checks for the third time, it is determined that the 7th Oward side electromagnetic clutch is on in the 8sO mentioned above (see Figure 14), so it is determined that the 81st gun is on, and the process returns to the main routine. . The above routine is repeated for a while until the optical scanner reaches the sheet mode stop position, and when the scanner reaches the return switch is turned on, the determination of 81@ (tII! 14) and Bit (1! 1) is made. wise, then aSm
As mentioned above, the forward side electromagnetic clutch is already on, so turn off the 7th forward side electromagnetic clutch at the 8th turn.

In step 824, it is determined whether or not the sheet mode is in effect. In this case, since the sheet mode is selected, the process advances to SSa, turns off the scanner lock solenoid, and returns to the main routine.

This scanner lock solenoid No. S and the scanner lock release solenoid described above have a mechanical 7-lip, 70-tub relationship, so that once the scanner lock solenoid is turned on, the scanner lock release solenoid will not be turned on until the next time the scanner lock release solenoid is turned on. , the optical scanner remains locked in the sheet mode stop position.

In the next check, since the electromagnetic clutch on the 7th Oward side is already off, it is determined that the 8ms (fill) is off, and the process returns to the main routine. The optical scanner is then fixed at the sheet mode stop position by the scanner lock solenoid, and a series of copy processing operations are performed in the sheet mode. Note that the main motor is turned off unless the print switch is pressed within a predetermined time by another control operation.

The control flow when the first paper feed key or the wIm paper feed key is pressed after the sheet mode copy processing operation is completed will now be described.

In the subroutine shown in FIG. 11, it is determined at Sl that the eighth paper feed key has not been pressed, and the process proceeds to 84 via 88. At 84, the paper size of the paper feed tray selected by pressing the key is detected by the size detection means described above, and as a result, if a BB size paper is selected, the previous state, that is, the sheet mode state is maintained. do. If the size is other than B6, proceed to 86 and set the sheet mode flag to 100.

Switching from sheet mode to book mode is performed as follows. In other words, 8g of the main routine (
A scanner control check is performed at #lls diagram), and if it is O, a seat mode check at 81s and a clutch control check on the 7-word side at 814 are executed.

Next, if I explain this check operation, #! 14
In the figure, in 816, the sheet mode flag is set to a.
Since it is ea a, proceed to 8s.

A home switch is installed near the book mode stop position to check that the optical scanner has returned to its stop position. At 8s, it is determined whether the home switch is on or not, but at this point the optical scanner is still in the sheet mode stop position, so the home switch is off, and the process advances to 8sγ to determine whether copying is in progress. will be judged. If the copying process is in progress, the process returns to the main routine; otherwise, the process proceeds to Sz8. In this case, since copying has been completed, the process advances to 8111 and the return side electromagnetic clutch is checked, but since it is off, the forward side electromagnetic clutch is turned off in the next SSO. ,
Turn on the main motor and scanner lock release solenoid with sso, and turn on the return side electromagnetic clutch with 881. After that, it returns to the main routine, passes through 81s and proceeds to 814 (both shown in figure 911), and since the return switch is still on in 8S1, it moves to 8tomi S.
Since the forward side electromagnetic clutch has already been turned off by SSO, return to the main routine.

In the next check, since the return side electromagnetic clutch is on in 5ZS (Fig. 14), the process returns to the main routine based on the determination. Thereafter, this routine is repeated for a while, during which the optical scanner returns to the one-move stop position by the operation of the return-side electromagnetic clutch. This turns off the return switch, and 813 → 8t4 (both 111S diagram) →
The routine goes from 8m1 (Figure 1I) to Ss (Figure 1e), and the above-mentioned routine is repeated until the optical scanner reaches the book mode stop position.

When the optical scanner returns to the book mode stop position and turns on the home switch, the judgment of 8S (Fig. 14) changes, it advances to SSS, and the return side electromagnetic clutch is turned off. Turn off the Yanner Pocket release solenoid. At this time, the optical scanner is in book mode and ready to make copies.
The desired copy is made. Note that the main screen is automatically turned off if the print switch is not pressed within a predetermined time by another control operation.

Next, regarding paper size and destination determination operation #11
This will be explained together with the 7-chard in Figure 6.

This routine is called every cycle of the main routine, and is based on the size detection signal "e*Dt" described above.
(Dt, Ds), the destination detection signal, and Dll are read at regular intervals. A comparison is made at 884 to see if the data read this time is equal to the data from the previous check (4 ms ago) that was previously stored in the temporary register. Proceed to 8s@.

8SI is currently reading the data set in 88 guns (described later)! A check is made to see if the timer has expired, and if it has, the process goes to SSS, and if it has not, it goes to $8/9. In 8s9, subtract the timer set in 83ma "-"
Do 10.

8s@ is when Baa determines NO, that is, when the read cassette data (D, ~D, ) has changed from the previous one, and the cassette is inserted into the copying machine, or This indicates that it has been pulled out from the copying machine main body. In this case, the newly changed abilities D0 to D@ are stored in a temporary register and stored for the next check (4 seconds later).

In step S8, a data reading stop timer (approximately 116 msec) is newly set from the time when it is determined that the cassette data has changed as described above.

In this way, when inserting a cassette, a change in the cassette data is detected, and data reading is stopped for a certain period of time (approximately 11 milliseconds in this embodiment) during the execution of the operation. And the data no longer changes (8s
4), and after the data reading stop time has elapsed (it was determined as Y]18 in 8si), proceed to the next 83 fields.

In SsI, all transfer paper size display is turned off, and in 8g-, it is determined whether the cassette is set normally or not, and if it is set normally, the next 840
At this point, it is determined whether or not the paper is at an end. In the case of paper end, the paper end signal 81 is outputted as described above, and the process returns to the main routine after displaying the paper out message at step 841.

If it is determined in 840 that there is no paper out, the process proceeds to 84s, where it is determined whether the transfer paper stored in the cassette is special paper (optional size). In the case of copying machines, for example, as shown in Table 1 above, there are two types of paper: standard paper that is commonly used and special paper that is less frequently used. In this embodiment, as described above, when cassette 1 is set in cassette 2 position, or when cassette 2 is set in cassette 1 position, special paper is stored in that cassette. Therefore, by detecting the set position of the cassette, it is determined whether the paper is special paper or not.

When it is determined that the paper is special paper in the 84th check, it is determined whether the paper is of domestic specification (for domestic use) in the next 84th check or the like based on the destination detection signal D4 t DI. And for example A6
In the case of special paper with domestic specifications, such as B6 size vertical feed (see Table 1), S 44 is S 4C.
11′ corresponding to PM: I Biff 1 Kaisho 58-4155
(9) One speed signal is set. On the other hand, for special paper with foreign specifications, such as 8-7 letter size vertical feed, 84I corresponds to Ho/CPM! The ll1l copy speed signal is set.

If it is determined in step 84s that the paper is not special paper, the process advances to step S46, where it is determined whether the paper size is BS. If it is Bs, it will be displayed on S4, and 160P will be displayed on 8411.
A first copy speed signal corresponding to M is set.

If it is determined in step 846 that it is not Bi, it is determined in step S49 whether or not it is A4. The dimensions of A4 and letter size are slightly different, but as shown in Table 8 and Table 3 above, the reflective part P@
Since the layout of l PI is the same in both cases, if the transfer paper stored in the cassette is A4 or letter size, it is determined to be 841″t'yns,
In SSO, A4 or L'l' (letter) size is displayed. After that, based on the destination signal, 8i1 determines whether the destination is foreign specification (letter size) or domestic specification (A4 size), and if it is letter size (foreign specification), the M copy speed signal is set in SSS, and A4 size (domestic specification), the Mayu S copy speed signal is set in 86s.

If it is determined that S4 is not A4, B4 or one gal (R
G) size, its display is done in S54, and then it is determined whether it is a foreign specification or a domestic specification in 8is, and if it is legal size K (foreign specification), the third copy speed signal is sent in 8ss, B4 (Domestic specification), the first copy speed signal is set for each of the 85 copies, and then the process returns to the main routine.

Next, the overall control including changing the required copying time is performed in the first step.
This will be explained along with Figure 7 and $19gJ.

Note that 70- in FIG. 17 shows an example of copying in book mode.

When the print button is pressed at 868 as shown in FIG.
Proceed to so. In 8so, energize the solenoid and 8 AD
Open the entrance gate of F so that the original can be inserted into the 8ADP. Next, in 8111, it is determined whether or not to link the sorter to the copying machine, and if YES, the process advances to 8@3 and preparations are made to detect double feeding. The double feed detection means detects when three sheets of transfer paper are fed in a stacked manner. There are resist electromagnetic clutches, etc., and preparation for double feed detection in 86s means turning on each of these resist electromagnetic clutches.

If it is determined in step 861 that the sorter is not to be linked, or if preparation for double feed detection is completed in step 86, an interrupt writing area in the control section RAM area is opened in step 86s. then 8
At 64, turn the 8ADF motor ON, and at SaS, turn off the #Il switch for double feeding, and at 866 check whether the original inserted in the 5ADF is jammed, and if the original is set correctly. Perform exposure assessment. After exposure is completed, the exit gate of 8^DF is opened using ssy, and at the same time, the entrance gate is closed to prevent the next document from entering the 8^Dr. At S68, it is checked that the document has been definitely ejected from the 8th Dr., at 869 the S switch for double feed detection is turned off, and at 870 it is determined whether or not the sorter is interlocked. In the case of sorter interlocking, read the reference value from the double feed judgment reference value setter built into the double feed detection means at 871, and then set the standard value at 8ys at 871 in the same way as when the sorter is not interlocked.
Turn off the ADP motor.

On the other hand, if it is determined that 8ADF is not used in 869,
At 87s, it is determined whether the sorter is interlocked or not, and if it is interlocked, 8
At γ4, the ts1 switch for double feed detection is turned off, and the sys
The double feed judgment standard value is loaded. 8ys or S7
After time b has elapsed, or if the answer is NO at $87, the process proceeds to step 8 in Figure 1 (b), where it is determined whether or not the release switch 7 of the control section is turned on. If the determination is NO, it is determined in step 877 whether or not the feed roller of the paper feeding unit is rotating to feed the transfer paper.

If feeding is not in progress, close both the entry and exit gates of 8ADF at 878 to prevent copying, and
At 9, it is determined whether the paper is at the end or the toner is at the end. If it is YB2, the process goes to 8119, which will be described later. If NO, the process goes to 814o to end the copying operation.

If 876 determines that the 7 release switch is turned on, or 81! If it is determined that the transfer paper is being fed at step 8ao, the total counter for counting the number of copies is turned on, and at step 8a1 it is determined whether the counter is installed normally. If the loaded layer of the counter is not normal, at 881, each clutch of the 1st paper feed system, 2nd paper feed system, and 1m paper feed system is turned off, and after stopping the drive of the intermediate conveyance loaf, Return to the previous section.

When Ssl determines that the counter is installed correctly, S
Proceeding to 8s, the total counter is set to ONL, and at 884 the counter display is incremented by 1, and at 8811 it is determined whether or not the 7 release switch is ON.

If it is determined at 886 that the 7 release switch is not turned on, it is determined whether the paper feed system selected at 88@ and 887 is the third paper feed or the first paper feed. If the S paper feed system is selected, proceed to S-8 and turn on the second paper feed clutch to drive the intermediate conveyance p-ra, and if the first paper feed system is selected, proceed to S-8. Then, the first paper feed clutch is turned on. The selected paper feed system is t+#1g
If neither paper feed system is available, only the #18 paper feed system remains, so the third paper feed clutch is turned ON at 890.
and the intermediate conveyance roller is driven. After performing the paper feeding process in this way, or if it is determined at 886 that the 7 release switch is ON, the 8
Proceed to 91.

At step 891, the total counter is turned off, and the power back, halogen lamp, and developing section motor are all turned on. Then, in S9S, turn off the developing section bias relay and 898
Close the exit gate of 8ADF and turn on scan forward. Next, at 894, the original pressure plate (Fig. 1b1 and
(not shown in the figure) is closed. If not, the erase lamp is turned on at 89i, and after turning on, or when it is determined at 894 that the document pressure plate is closed, the process advances to 8s-.

At 896, turn on the developing section bias relay and
Turn each clutch of 1st paper feed, 2nd paper feed + tS S paper feed into O
FF. Then, at S9〒, the 7 release switch is set to O.
It is determined whether the switch is turned on or not, and if it is not turned on, a jam check of the transfer paper is performed at step S8. then or 8
S? When it is determined that 7 release switch is ON, 8 [shares]
・A judgment is made as to whether the sorter is linked or not, and if it is linked, it is set to 8.
At 100 and 8101, the double feed detection jll switch and the eighth switch are sequentially turned off.

Next, it is checked at 81og whether the transfer paper was double fed, and if it is, the number of copies is subtracted by 1 at 81os, and then at 81.4 the copy count number (pc) is changed to the number of set copies (S C). It is judged whether or not the above value has been reached, and in the case of Y18, the feed roller is turned off (81).
After going through oa, go to ale・, and if NO, go directly to 51
Proceed to os. At S1o@, check the jam of the transfer paper, raise the bottom plate of the tray on which the transfer paper is loaded, control 89 te to prepare for the next paper feed, then proceed to 8101, and skip as shown in Figure tIi18 (α). Callsle control I subroutine.

Next, regarding this subroutine, M18v! This will be explained using J(G).

In the paper size check routine shown in Figure 1lss, a copy speed signal is set to control the time required for copying (844 + 84 B + 84 II *8
6 Agriculture, Sss, 86g, 8sy). Therefore, here 5l
Whether the copy speed set in OS, 5ios is the 8th copy speed, the 3rd copy speed, or the 1st copy speed
The copy speed is determined. 810B and 810
If it is determined in step 9 that it is neither the 8th hubby speed nor the 2nd copy speed, only the 1st copy speed remains, so in 5110 the timing pulse counter (hereinafter referred to as T
(referred to as PC) with a normal timing pulse [1911 (O
). Also, when it is determined that the 8th copy speed is at 8108, the TPC is set at 1.8111 to be z8 pulse JP-A-58-4155 than the case of the 1st copy speed (O).
(lf) Skip and change to s 1m ((f;) ).

Furthermore, when it is determined that the lis copy speed is reached at 8109, the 'I' PC is skipped at 513(
■).

If this positional relationship of OI I ■tO is shown, it will be backwards in FIG. 1I, and it will continue from either O9■ determined by the destination. In this way, by changing the TPC in the case of the #ll copy speed and the third copy speed to ■To, the time required for copying can be shortened as compared to the case of the first copy speed.

In Fig. 17 (C), when the skip control I/II is completed at 81oy, the power back is turned off at 811s.
F, and the optical system scan forward clutch is turned off at 8114, jam counter Sera) L, all!
Turn on the optical system scan return clutch with i to return the optical system scanner to the home position.

In addition, if S1 is not interlocked overnight in S99, it is determined in S11 whether the copy count number (P C) has become equal to or greater than the number of copies per set (8C), and if it is YFf8, the feed roller is turned off at 811 copies. After that, N again.

If so, the process proceeds directly to the previous stage of 51o-, and the subsequent processing is the same as described above.

After that #! Proceeding to 5tts in Figure 17(d), it is determined whether the transfer paper is being fed, and if it is, both the hapgen lamp and the erase lamp are turned off at 511-, and 8
Proceed to step 110 and call the skip control I subroutine 0 Next, call the skip control I routine at step 185! J
This will be explained using (b).

Whether the copy speed set in 8111.5lss is the 8th copy speed or the WI card copy speed,
The first copy speed is judged O#111: If it is a 1 piece bead, 'rpc is 1 with 5xss (■
). When it is determined that the 6th copy speed is reached at the 81st point, the TPC is changed to 1 (■) by skipping the mapulus more than the case (■) in the case of 1 speed (■) at 81B4. Also, when 8111 determines that it is the third copy speed, 8116"t" TPO is rusted! In the case of copy speed (■), the pulse is skipped to 61
Change to (■).

The positional relationship between ■, ■, and ■ is as shown in Figure 1I, and the process continues from either ■ or [phase] determined by the destination. In this way, Jls copy speed,
TpctQ,Q for 1illIs copy speed
By changing to #! As a result, the time required for copying can be reduced compared to the case of 1 copy speed. When the above-mentioned skip control I process is completed, the process returns to the previous stage of S6 in order to continue the next copying process.

On the other hand, if it is determined at 8118 that the transfer paper is not being fed,
At 51m5, checks are made to see if the 7 release switch is turned on, at 81mV whether the sorter is abnormal, and at 81mg whether the document is being fed normally. Next, the exit gate of 81s-8^DF was opened,
At 5lso, the halogen lamp is turned off, and at 8181, it is determined whether the sorter is linked or not. If the sorter is interlocked, the halogen lamp is turned off at 81m5; if it is not interlocked, the process proceeds directly to 8188, where the halogen lamp and erase lamp are turned off.

O1i'P of the halogen lamp at 81s richness is 5i
This is done for routines that do not go through ll.

After that, check whether the 7 release switch is ON at 8134.
Checks are made at 8116 to see if there is an abnormality in the sorter, and by s Isg to see if the document is being fed normally. Next, a document jam check was performed on 818 pages, and 8
At 1aa, close the exit gate of 8ADP and turn off the resist clutch and bias relay, 818 I
Both the transfer paper feed flag and print flag are set to aha with I.
Turn off the 8ADF motor, developing unit motor, main motor, etc. and end the routine.Meanwhile, 811
If the 7 release switch is ON at 14, 818
If it is determined that there is an abnormality in the sorter in step 6, or if it is determined that the document is not being fed normally in step 818, step 81
Proceed to 4o, resist clutch, bias relay, v!
L image part motor.

Turn off the main motor, etc., and set both the transfer paper feed flag and print flag to arm! End the routine.

The lle diagram is a diagram showing the operation timing of the main parts appearing on the 7p-chart of the 111th diagram when 5 ADPs are used generously. As described above, in the case of #ll copy speed, the processing operation is performed in full steps without changing the TPC, so the time required for one cycle of copying is relatively long. #I
In the case of Yuko copy speed, TPO is changed and skip control! .

#11 Since S@pulse will be omitted in conjunction with ■
The time required for copying is shorter than in the case of copy speed. Furthermore, the root and TPC have been changed to the 8th copy of copy 1 and the skip control has been changed! , in the summer, you will have to use 80 pulses in total, so it is even more complex than @S copy speed,
The time required for special decisions is reduced.

In this embodiment, a case has been described in which the recording material (transfer paper) is cut in advance and the time required for image formation (copying) is changed depending on the size of the material. The present invention can also be applied to the case where an image is formed in a desired area using the above-mentioned method.

Further, as a means for setting a size signal corresponding to the length of the recording medium in the conveying direction, in addition to the means described in the above embodiment, for example, various size X set buttons may be provided on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus. , the size signal may be generated by pressing a selected button.

The present invention has the above-described configuration, and can reduce the productivity and cost of an image forming apparatus.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

#! (iWJ and FIG. S are schematic configuration diagrams of an electrophotographic copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control section in the copying machine, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the control unit in the copying machine.)
■-The plan view of the panel, Figure 6, Figure 6, Figure 111-7, Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the size detection of the transfer paper, Figure 9, Figure 10 is the destination detection. Explanatory diagrams for explanation, Fig. 11, Fig. 13, gil
Figure 1, Figure 14, Figure 1I, Figure 1@, w11? Figure (I
s) I (b) I (C) e (d), 1111
1 s Figure (a) t (bllll[Ill system yt2
-Chart, Figure 1- shows timing charges in each part of the copying machine. 1.2... Power supply, 11... Copying machine body, 30... Transfer paper, 38... Control unit, 90... . . . Detection bit group, 94 . . . Middle destination detection unit, D, , D, . . . Destination detection signal. 12 Figure 7 B 5;5

Claims (1)

[Claims] A size signal setting means that can set a size signal according to the length of the recording medium in the conveying direction to the main body of the apparatus, and a time required for image formation automatically changing in accordance with the size signal set by the size signal setting means. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an automatic required time adjustment means.