JP2003137459A - Recording medium feeding device, image reading device provided with the device, and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To convey a recording medium in a straight direction even if recording mediums of different widths are mixed in a bundle of recording media. A document feeder (100) includes a document tray (20) on which a plurality of documents (D) are stacked, a separation roller (2a) and a conveyance roller (5) for conveying the document to a reading position (R), and the separation roller and the conveyance roller. After receiving the original being transported in a stopped state and straightening the skew of the original,
A pair of registration rollers 3 for conveying the original, a control unit 803 for controlling the operation of the separation roller and the conveyance roller and the pair of registration rollers, and a direction intersecting the original conveying direction of a plurality of originals stacked on the original tray. And a display unit 22 for notifying the control unit 803 of the different width mixed loading when the sizes are different. When the different width mixed loading information is received from the display unit, the control unit 803 displays the different width mixed loading information. The amount of the original to be sent to the registration roller pair 3 in the stopped state is set to be larger than when the document is not received.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording medium feeding device for feeding a recording medium, and more particularly to a recording medium feeding device for conveying a recording medium with the recording medium oriented straight even if the recording media having different widths are mixed. The present invention relates to an image reading device including the recording medium feeding device and an image forming device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording medium feeding device feeds a recording medium on which an image is recorded to, for example, an image reading device. The recording medium will be described with a recording sheet as an example. As the recording medium feeding device, a document feeding device will be described as an example.

In this document feeder, when the documents are automatically and sequentially fed to the reading position of the image reading device, if the documents are fed with the direction of the document slanted, the documents may be damaged during feeding. There is. Further, if the document is inclined, the document may be jammed in the document feeder. Furthermore, the image reading device cannot read the entire document reliably and accurately.

For this reason, in the document feeder, a regulation guide is provided on the document tray for correcting the orientation of the documents by aligning the widths of the document stacks placed on the document tray. This regulation guide has a pair of regulation guide plates which are movable on the document tray in the width direction of the document.

The width direction is a direction that intersects the document conveyance direction and is the same as the main scanning direction when the image reading device reads the document. Further, the width of the document refers to the size in the direction (main scanning direction) that intersects the transport direction of the document when the document is placed on the document tray.

For example, when an A4 size document is placed on a document tray with its longitudinal direction aligned with the document transport direction, A
Regarding the width of the 4 size document, the width size of the short side (210 mm) is the width size, and the width of the A4 size document when the short side is placed on the document tray along the document transport direction is the long side size. (297 mm) becomes the width size.

The regulation guide is provided with a click feeling so that the user can easily fit the document in the width of the standard size. The position of the regulation guide is set slightly wider than the standard width.

As described above, since the conventional document feeding apparatus is provided with the regulation guide, when the originals are sequentially separated from the uppermost original of the document stack and fed to the image reading apparatus, one sheet is fed. Even if the initial position of the second document is displaced due to friction with the first document during separation or feeding of the first document, the width of the regulation guide is 2 The inclination of the first document can be regulated almost.

Further, in the conventional document feeding device, even if the document is tilted within the width of the regulation guide, a pair of registration rollers provided upstream of the image reading device and stopped,
The document is fed to the image reading device after the document is straightened by abutting the leading edge of the document and once forming a loop of a predetermined amount to eliminate the inclination of the document.

[0010]

As described above, when the widths of the originals placed on the original tray are all the same, the conventional guide guides of the original feeding device are oriented with the widths of all the originals aligned. Can be straightened. However, when documents with different widths are mixed and placed on the document tray (when different widths are mixed), the regulation guide can only align the widths of the documents with the maximum width in the document stack, so the width is narrower than the maximum width. Unable to align the width of the original. For this reason, there is a high possibility that a narrow original will be sent in an inclined state without the orientation being corrected. In particular, the narrower the original with respect to the maximum width, the greater the possibility that the original will be skewed.

As the inclination of the original becomes larger, the original may not be straightened even if the original is abutted against the pair of registration rollers and a predetermined amount of loop is formed.

Therefore, in the conventional document feeding device, when documents having different widths are mixedly loaded on the document tray, there is a possibility that the documents are scratched while the documents are being fed. In addition, the document may be jammed. Further, the image reading device may not be able to read the entire document. Moreover, the image forming apparatus including the image reading device that cannot reliably read the entire original cannot copy the original accurately and surely.

According to the present invention, a recording medium feeding device that conveys a recording medium in a straight direction even when recording mediums having different widths are mixed in a bundle of recording media, and an image reading apparatus equipped with the recording medium feeding device. And an image forming apparatus.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, a recording medium feeding apparatus of the present invention comprises a stacking unit for stacking a plurality of recording media on which images are formed and an image of the recording medium. A conveying means for conveying the recording medium to a reading position for reading the recording medium, and the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means is received in a stopped state to straighten the skew of the recording medium, and then the conveying path for the recording medium. Registration means for conveying along the recording medium, control means for controlling the operation of the conveying means and the registration means, and a direction intersecting the recording medium conveying direction of the plurality of recording media stacked on the stacking means. Mixed width information section for notifying the control means that different widths are mixed when the sizes are different, and the control means receives the different width mixed information from the different width mixed information means. , So as to increase the amount to send the recording medium to said register means in a stopped state than when not receiving the mixture of different widths information.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the recording medium feeding device of the present invention comprises a stacking means for stacking a plurality of recording media on which images are formed and a reading position for reading an image on the recording medium. Conveying means for conveying the recording medium and resist for receiving the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means in a stopped state to straighten the skew of the recording medium and then conveying the recording medium along the conveying path. Means, control means for controlling the operation of the carrying means and the registration means, and sizes of a plurality of the recording media loaded on the loading means in a direction intersecting the recording medium carrying direction are different from each other. Mixed width mixed information means for reporting to the control means that mixed width mixed loading is provided, and the control means, when receiving mixed width mixed information from the mixed width mixed information means, the carrying means The recording medium operation control to, and is adapted to again pass to the register means.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the recording medium feeding device of the present invention includes a stacking unit for stacking a plurality of recording media on which images are formed and a reading position for reading an image on the recording medium. Conveying means for conveying the recording medium and resist for receiving the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means in a stopped state to straighten the skew of the recording medium and then conveying the recording medium along the conveying path. Means, control means for controlling the operation of the carrying means and the registration means, and sizes of a plurality of the recording media loaded on the loading means in a direction intersecting the recording medium carrying direction are different from each other. Mixed width mixed information means for reporting to the control means that mixed width mixed loading is provided, and the control means, when receiving mixed width mixed information from the mixed width mixed information means, the carrying means The recording medium operation control to, the resist means again passed through a, and is adapted to increase the amount to send the recording medium to said register means in a stopped state.

The conveyance path of the recording medium feeding apparatus of the present invention includes an upstream side conveyance path between the stacking means and the reading position, the reading position and the recording medium from which the recording medium is discharged and halfway discharged. A downstream conveying path between the recording medium and a discharge means capable of retracting the recording medium, and the registering means has a pair of resist rotators that nip and convey the recording medium located in the upstream conveying path. There is.

The control means of the second and third recording medium feeding devices of the present invention, when receiving the mixed width mixed information from the mixed width mixed information means, actuate the conveying means to control the recording medium. Is again conveyed to the reading position, the registration means is passed again, and the amount of the recording medium fed to the stopped registration means is increased.

The conveying path of the recording medium feeding apparatus of the present invention includes an upstream side conveying path between the stacking means and the reading position, the reading position and the recording medium from which the recording medium is discharged and halfway discharged. A downstream transport path between the discharge means capable of drawing in and a switchback transport path that joins the discharge means in the middle of the upstream transport path, and the registration means has the upstream transport path. A first pair of resist rotators positioned upstream of a confluence point with the switchback conveyance path to nip and convey the recording medium, and the recording is positioned between the confluence point and the reading position. And a second pair of resist rotation bodies that nip the medium and rotatably convey the medium.

The stacking means of the recording medium feeding device of the present invention has a width regulating portion for aligning the width of the recording medium in the direction intersecting the recording medium conveying direction.

The stacking means of the recording medium feeding apparatus of the present invention aligns the widths of the recording medium in the direction intersecting the recording medium conveying direction, and detects the width size of the recording medium. The control means is configured to perform the recording on the registration means in the stopped state when the mixed width mixed information is not received from the mixed width mixed information means on the basis of the width size information from the width regulation portion. It is designed to set the amount of media to be sent.

The mixed width mixed information means of the recording medium feeding apparatus of the present invention is adapted to be input by external operation that the mixed width is mixed.

In order to achieve the above object, an image reading apparatus of the present invention comprises any one of the above recording medium feeding devices, and an image reading means for reading an image of the recording medium fed by the recording medium feeding device. Is equipped with.

To achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is based on image reading means for reading an image on the recording medium fed by the recording medium feeding device and image reading information of the image reading means. And an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, a recording medium feeding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, an image reading apparatus having the apparatus in its main body, and an image having the recording medium feeding apparatus and the image reading apparatus in the apparatus body. The forming device will be described with reference to the drawings.

The recording medium feeding device feeds the recording medium to the image reading position of the image reading device, for example.
The image reading device reads an image recorded on a recording medium. The image forming apparatus is adapted to copy an image read by the image reading apparatus onto a recording medium or to form an image on the recording medium based on an image signal sent from the outside.

The recording medium may be a manuscript, a paper on which images such as characters and pictures are formed. Hereinafter, the recording medium will be described by taking a document as an example. Therefore, an automatic document feeder will be described as an example of the recording medium feeder.
As the image reading apparatus, a document reading apparatus will be described as an example.

Recording media include plain paper, thin plastic substitutes for plain paper, OHP paper,
There is a recording paper such as a sheet obtained by feeding a roll-shaped long paper and cutting it, or an envelope. Hereinafter, a recording medium will be described as an example of the recording medium. The image forming device includes
There are copiers, printers, facsimiles, and composite devices of these. The image forming apparatus will be described below by taking a copying machine as an example.

(Copy Machine) Referring to FIG.
Includes an apparatus main body 300 and a document reading apparatus 200 provided on the upper side of the apparatus main body 300. Document reading device 20
0 has an automatic document feeder 100 in the upper part and an image reading unit (image reading means) 220 in the lower part that reads the document fed by the automatic document feeder 100.
The automatic document feeder 100 is provided in the image reading unit 220 so as to be openable and closable.

An automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as "ADF (Au
"to Document Feeder)") 1
The image information of the original read by the original reading device 200 from the original sent by 00 is read by the laser beam scanner 302 by the photosensitive drum (image forming means) 3
Formed as an electrostatic latent image on 03. Photoconductor drum 30
The surface of No. 3 is uniformly charged by the primary charger 304 in advance before the electrostatic latent image is formed. Photoconductor drum 3
The electrostatic latent image 03 is developed by the developing device 305 with toner that is a developer.

On the other hand, the recording paper supply roller 306 sends out the recording paper P stacked on the intermediate plate 308 in the recording paper supply cassette 307 from the recording paper supply cassette 307.
The transport roller pairs 309 and 309 send the recording paper P to the registration roller pair 310. The registration roller pair 310 is
The recording paper P is received while the rotation is stopped, the recording paper is bent, and the skew of the recording paper is straightened.

The registration roller pair 310 feeds the recording paper P to the photosensitive drum 303 with the leading edge of the recording paper P skewed and aligned with the toner image on the photosensitive drum 303. The transfer device 311 transfers the toner image onto the recording paper P. afterwards,
The conveyor belt 312 sends the recording paper P to the fixing device 313. The fixing device 313 heats and pressurizes the recording paper, fixes the toner image on the recording paper, and discharges the recording paper to the discharge tray 314. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 303 is removed by the cleaner 315.

(Document Reading Device) In FIGS. 1 and 2, the document reading device 200 optically reads the image information recorded on the document D fed by the ADF 100,
It is adapted to be photoelectrically converted and input as image data to the apparatus main body 300 of the copying machine 400.

The document reading apparatus 200 includes a scanner unit 209 having an ADF platen 201, a book platen 202, a lamp 203 and a mirror 204, and a mirror 2.
05, 206, a lens 207, a CCD sensor 208, a control unit 210 and the like.

The book platen 202 is an ADF 100.
Documents such as books and magazines placed by opening the image reading unit 2
It is designed to be read by 20.

When reading a document image conveyed from the ADF 100, the document reading device 200 moves the scanner unit 209 below the ADF platen 201,
While stopped, the image information of the original is read while the original is conveyed on the reading position R.

When reading the image of the document D placed on the book platen 202, the document reading device 200 causes the scanner unit 209 to move in the sub-scanning direction (document feeding direction, arrow A direction) from a document setting reference not shown. ) To scan the original image.

That is, the document reading device 200 illuminates the document by turning on the lamp 203 when reading an image. The reflected light of the document is reflected by the mirrors 204, 205, 20.
It is input to the CCD sensor 208 via 6 and the lens 207. Then, the reflected light of the document input to the CCD sensor 208 is subjected to electrical processing such as photoelectric conversion in the CCD sensor 208 and subjected to normal digital processing. The digitally processed image information is sent to the apparatus main body 300 of the copying machine 400.

The original reading unit 220 of the present embodiment,
The document feeding device 100 may be integrated to form a document reading device.

(Automatic Document Feeder) In FIGS. 1 and 2, the ADF 100 is the largest of the document stacks set on the document tray (stacking means) 20 with the surface (front surface) on which the image is formed facing upward. The upper document D is sent to the separating unit 2 by the pickup roller 1. The separation unit 2 is composed of a separation roller (conveying means) 2a arranged on the upper side and a separation pad 2b arranged on the lower side, and the uppermost document D of the document stack D.
Are separated one by one and sent to the first pair of registration rollers (registration means) 3.

When reading an image of a single-sided original having an image formed on one side, the separated original is obliquely fed by a first pair of registration rollers (a pair of registration means and a first registration rotary member) 3 during conveyance. After the correction, the first registration roller pair 3 to the second registration roller (conveying means) 4, the large roller (conveying means) 7, the first conveying roller (conveying means) 5
While being conveyed by the reading position R,
The image on the front side is read by the document reading device 200. Then, the document is discharged from the second conveying roller (conveying means) 6 by the pair of document discharging rollers (discharging means) 8 onto the discharged document stacking tray 21 with the front side facing down in page order.
The second registration roller 4 and the large roller 7 form a second registration roller pair (a pair of registration means and a second registration rotating body).

When reading images on both front and back sides of a double-sided original having images formed on both sides, the original separated by the separating unit 2 is corrected by the first pair of registration rollers 3 during skew feeding. Then, the image on the surface is read while being conveyed from the second registration roller 4 by the first conveying roller 5, the large roller 7, and the second conveying roller 6 to the reading position R.

Then, the document is temporarily discharged from the second conveying roller 6 by the document discharge roller pair 8 at the front end (downstream side) onto the discharged document stacking tray 21, and at the rear end side (upstream side). The conveyance is stopped while being nipped by the pair of discharge rollers 8.

Thereafter, the original document is switchback-conveyed through the reverse path (conveyance path, switchback conveyance path) 9,
By the second registration roller 4 and the large roller 7, again,
After the skew feeding correction, the image on the back side is read by the document reading device 200 while being conveyed by the first conveying roller 5 and the second conveying roller 6 and being conveyed again at the reading position R.

If the original document is discharged from the second conveying roller 6 to the discharged original document stacking tray 21 by the original document discharge roller pair 8 as it is, the original document is discharged with its front side facing up. When a document is discharged with the front side facing up, the page order and the page order when set on the document tray 20 are reversed. Therefore, in order to make the page order of the originals the same as the page order when set on the original tray 20, the originals whose back side is read in the above operation are again scanned by the second conveying roller 6 and the original discharging roller pair 8. The downstream end of the original is discharged onto the discharged original stacking tray 21, and the upstream end of the original is nipped by the original discharge roller pair 8 and the conveyance is stopped.

After that, the original is switched back through the reversing path 9 and is conveyed by the second registration roller 4, the large roller 7, the first conveying roller, and the second conveying roller, and then the original discharging roller pair 8 is used. Output document stack tray 2
1 is discharged with the surface facing down. As a result, the document whose both sides have been read is discharged to the discharged document stacking tray 21 in the same page order as when the page order was set on the document tray 20. It should be noted that an image of the original cannot be read while being switchback-transported again and transported to the reading position R. That is, since the page order is changed, the original has been fed in blank. Further, the document which is switch-back-transported again may be configured to be idly fed without passing through the reading position R and passing through a separately provided route (not shown).

(Control Unit of Automatic Document Feeder) ADF10
The control unit (control means) 803 of 0 and its related parts will be described based on the control block diagram of the ADF 100 in FIG.

The control unit 803 includes a CPU 800, which is a central processing unit, and a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as “RO”).
801, random access memory (hereinafter referred to as “M”)
802 and the like called “RAM”. CPU80
0 has an output port and an input port. RO
A control program is stored in M801. RA
M802 stores input data and work data. Further, the output port has a separation motor M1, a document supply motor M2, a document discharge motor M3, and a separation solenoid S.
L and the document supply clutch CL are connected. Further, the post-separation sensor 10 and the registration sensor 1 are connected to the input port.
1, a lead sensor 12, a document discharge sensor 13, a document detection sensor 14, a document length detection sensor 15, and a document width detection sensor 810 are connected.

The CPU 800 has a separation motor M1 and a document supply motor M according to a control program stored in a ROM 801 connected to the CPU 800 via a bus.
2, the document discharge motor M3, the separation solenoid SL, and the document supply clutch CL are controlled. CP
The U 800 serially communicates with the central processing unit (CPU) of the control unit 210 of the document reading unit 220, and exchanges control data with the document reading device 200.

(Explanation of the general operation of the automatic document feeder)
The general operation of the entire ADF will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a main flowchart. The separating operation, the document supplying operation, the reading operation, the document discharging operation, and the idling operation of the main flowchart of FIG. 4 will be described in detail later.

The ADF 100 repeats whether or not a document is set on the document tray 20 and whether or not a start key (not shown) in the operation unit (different width mixed information means) 22 of the copying machine 400 is depressed. While judging, it is in a standby state (main1). Whether or not the document is set is determined based on the detection result of the document detection sensor 14. The determination is performed by the CPU 800.

If the result of the determination is that the original is set on the original tray 20 and the start key is depressed, it is determined whether the single-side original mode is selected (main).
2) is determined. When the mode is the double-sided mode, it is determined whether or not different width mixed loading will be described later (main8).

<Single-sided mode> In the single-sided mode, the CPU
800 is a separating operation (main) from the document tray 20.
3) The document supply operation (main4) is performed, and the document size is determined before the start of reading (main5). And
Reading operation (main6), document ejection operation (main7)
Then, the documents are sequentially discharged to the discharged document stacking tray 21.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the size of the original is determined by the guide plate 2 on the original tray 20.
The width information based on the width detection sensor 24 for detecting the position of No. 3 and the O of the post-separation sensor 10 at the completion of the document supply operation
It is determined whether it is N or OFF. The regulation guide plate 23 and the width detection sensor 24 form a width regulation portion 25.

Here, the operation of discriminating the document size will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The regulation guide plate 23 discriminates whether the document width is A4, B5, A5, B6, A6 or any other size (S1001 to S1006). If the document width is A4 size (S1001, S1007), A4 size document is placed on the document tray with its longitudinal direction oriented in the direction intersecting the document transport direction, and A3 size is set. One of the cases is that a document of a size is placed on the document tray 20 in the longitudinal direction along the transportation of the document.

Whether the document is A4 size or A3 size can be determined by detecting the length of the document in the conveying direction. That is, when the post-separation sensor 10 is ON at the completion of the document feeding operation, it can be determined that an A3 size document is placed on the document tray 20 in the longitudinal direction along the document transport (S1008). ). Further, when the post-separation sensor 10 is OFF at the completion of the document feeding operation, an A4 size document is placed on the document tray 20 with its longitudinal direction oriented in a direction intersecting the document transport direction. Can be determined (S1009).

Similarly, the size of the original document on the original tray 20 is determined by the regulation guide plate 23 on the original tray 20.
It is possible to determine whether the post-separation sensor 10 is ON or OFF when the document feeding operation is completed (S1010 to S1021).

<Duplex Mode> Returning to FIG. 4, in determining whether the single-sided original mode is selected (main2), in the double-sided mode, the CPU 800 determines whether different-width mixed loading is performed (main8). To do. Whether the mixed width is mixed or not is determined by the user selecting the application mode key 22a of the display unit 22 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 11 (a), and the screen of the display unit 22 is shown in FIG. 11 (b). The original mixed key 22b is selected when the screen shown in FIG. 12 is displayed, and a different width key 22c is selected when the screen of the display unit 22 is further changed to the screen shown in FIG. Finally, by pressing the OK key 22d, the information of mixed width mixed is input to the control unit 803. Therefore, the CPU 800 can determine whether or not mixed width is mixed (main8) based on whether or not mixed width mixed information is input.

<Dual-sided mode with different width mixed loading> (mai
In n8), the information that the different widths are mixed is displayed from the display unit 22 to the control unit 8
03 is not input, that is, the original tray 2
If the width of all originals placed at 0 is the same, C
The PU 800 separates from the document tray 20 (main).
9) The document supply operation (main10) is performed, and the document size is determined as in the single-sided mode (main11). Then, the image of the original is read first (main1
2), reversing operation (main13), document feeding operation (main)
After in14), the reading operation of the image on the back side of the document is performed (main15), the reversing operation (main16), the document feeding operation (main17), and the blank feeding operation (main1).
8) The document discharge operation (main19) is performed, and the document is discharged to the discharged document stacking tray 21.

<Mixed width mixed loading in double-sided mode> (main8)
In the case where the information of different width mixed loading is input from the display unit 22 to the control unit 803, that is, when the originals of different main scanning lengths are set on the original tray 20 as one original bundle, the different width mixed loading is performed. Is determined to be mixed-width printing. However, the regulation guide plate 2 on the document tray 20
Since the width information of 3 is matched with the document size of the maximum main scanning length in the document stack, it is not possible to detect a document size smaller than the maximum main scanning length, and the supplied document It does not always match the width.

The width information of the regulation guide plate 23 is not always
Since the original size does not match the original size, the original size is determined only from the original length. For that, the separation operation (main2
0), the original feeding operation (main21) is performed, and then the idle feeding operation (main22), the reversing operation (main23),
The document supply operation (main24) is performed, and the number of rotations of the motor while the lead sensor 12 detects the document during this period,
Alternatively, the document length is detected from the transport distance based on the number of pulses, and the document size is determined only from the document length (main2
5).

It should be noted that three or more sensors are provided on the upstream side transport path (transport path, upstream side transport path) 16 and the sensors simultaneously detect the original, and the sensor that detects the original determines the length of the original. The size of the document may be detected to determine the size of the document. In this case, the idle feed operation (main2
2), reversing operation (main23), document feeding operation (main23)
in24) is not required.

In the present embodiment, the detection of the document size is necessary for control of document transportation, stop, transport speed change, etc. in the reading operation, the separating operation, the document supplying operation, the reading operation and the like.

Then, first, the reading operation of the back side of the document is performed (main26), the reversing operation (main27), the document feeding operation (main28), and the reading operation of the front side (m).
ain29) and the document discharge operation (main30) are performed to discharge the document onto the discharged document stacking tray 21.

(Separation Operation) The separation operation will be described with reference to the separation operation flowchart of FIG.

When the document detecting sensor 14 determines that there is a document on the document tray 20, the CPU 800 drives the separation motor M1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in the normal direction and, at the same time, turns on the document supply clutch CL. Then, the pickup arm 1a that moves the pickup roller 1 up and down tilts and descends to a position where the pickup roller 1 comes into contact with the uppermost document in the document stack D on the document tray 20.
At the same time, the pickup roller 1 and the separation roller 2a of the separation unit 2 rotate in the document supply direction (S301), and only the uppermost document among the upper layer documents moves from the separation unit 2 to the upstream side transport path 16. Separate and convey.

When the post-separation sensor 10 detects the leading edge of the document (S302), the document stack D on the document tray 20 is detected.
Recognize that the original has been separated from. After that, the pickup roller 1 and the separation roller 2a continue to convey the document. Then, the leading edge of the document is detected by the registration sensor 11 (S303).

After the registration sensor 11 detects the leading edge of the document, the pickup roller 1 and the separation roller 2a convey the document by a predetermined amount (S305, S306, S30).
7), the COU 800 stops the separation motor M1 (S308) and picks up the pickup roller 1 and the separation roller 2a.
Stop feeding the original by. The first registration roller pair 3 stops rotating while the separation motor M1 stops after the leading edge of the document is detected by the registration sensor 11.

Therefore, the leading edge of the separated original is brought into contact with the first registration roller pair 3 which has stopped rotating,
Although the transportation is stopped, the middle portion and the rear end portion are continuously transported until the separation motor M1 is stopped, and are formed into a loop shape. As a result, the skew of the original is corrected, and the original is straightened.

The conveyance distance from the detection of the leading edge of the document by the registration sensor 11 to the stop of the separation motor M1 differs depending on whether or not the different widths are mixed (S304). In cases other than different width mixed loading, (distance from registration sensor 11 to first registration roller pair 3) + L ₁ ) mm is conveyed, and in different series mixed loading (from registration sensor 11 to first registration roller pair 3) Distance) + L ₂ ) mm. In this case, L ₁ <L ₂ is set. By setting L ₁ <L ₂ in this way, the document tray 2
Even if the originals of different widths mixed on the 0 are not fixed in width by the restriction guide plate 23 and the orientation thereof is not fixed, the skew feeding can be surely corrected.

Note that L ₁ and L ₂ are transport distances after the document is transported to the first registration roller pair 3. L ₁ ,
L ₂ may be set regardless of the document size, or may be set based on the width information from the regulation guide plate 23 or the document size detected by the sensor.

Thereafter, the document supply clutch C shown in FIG.
By turning off L and driving the separation motor M1 in the reverse direction (S309), the document supply roller 1 and the separation roller 2
The drive of a is turned off, the first registration roller pair 3 is driven, and the skew-corrected original is conveyed further downstream. The SPU 800 conveys the document from the first registration roller pair 3 by a predetermined distance (S310, S311), and then stops the separation motor M1 (S312). At this time, the leading edge of the document is stopped upstream of the second registration roller 4.

(Document Supply Operation) The document supply operation will be described with reference to the document supply operation flowchart of FIG. The document feeding operation includes a document feeding operation from the upstream conveying path 16 from the separating unit 2 and a document feeding operation from the reversing path 9.

In the case of the document feeding operation from the upstream conveying path 16 (S401), the CPU 800 reversely drives the separation motor M1 (S402) to drive the first registration roller pair 3 and the document feeding motor M2. Start (S4
03). Then, the second registration roller 4, the first transport roller 5, and the second transport roller 6 are started. Also, the reverse path 9
In the case of the document supply operation from the above, the separation motor M1 is not activated, and the CPU 800 activates only the document supply motor M2 (S402).

The document located upstream of the second registration roller 4 is conveyed to the second registration roller 4 driven by the document supply motor M2. When the leading edge of the document is detected by the read sensor 12 (S404), the CPU 800
After the document is conveyed by a predetermined amount (S405, S406), the document supply motor M2 is stopped (S407), and the leading edge of the document is stopped upstream of the reading position R. At this time, if there is a document supply operation from the separation path 9, the separation motor M1 is also stopped.

(Reading Operation) The reading operation will be described with reference to the reading operation flowchart of FIG.

The CPU 800 starts the document supply motor M2 to rotate the second registration roller 4, the first transport roller 5, and the second transport roller 6 (S501), and scans the document located upstream of the reading position R. After carrying a predetermined amount (S50
2, S503), it is determined that the leading edge of the document has reached the reading position R, and the document reading device 200 is caused to read the image of the document (S504).

When the image is read by the CPU 800, the AD
The image reading unit 220 starts reading the image data by notifying the control unit 210 of the image reading unit 220 of the reading start from F100. After that, when the CPU 800 detects that there is a document to be read next on the document tray 20 (S507) after the document is conveyed by a predetermined amount (S505, S506), the separation of the next document is started. Is permitted (S508). The timing at which separation actually starts differs depending on the document size and the document transport speed (reading speed).

Further, when the document image is read and it is detected that the trailing edge of the document has reached the lead sensor 12 (S509), the document is conveyed by a predetermined amount (S510, S51).
1) If it is determined that the trailing edge of the document has reached the reading position R, the document reading is ended (S512). As with reading, A
The document reading unit 210 notifies the document reading unit 210 of the completion of reading, so that the document reading unit 210 finishes reading the image data. Then, the document supply motor M2 is stopped (S513).

(Original Document Ejecting Operation) The original document ejecting operation will be described with reference to the original document ejecting operation flowchart of FIG.

For a document whose reading is completed and the trailing edge of the document is positioned downstream of the reading position R and stopped, the CPU 800 starts the document feeding motor M2 and, at the same time, the document discharging motor. When M3 is driven to rotate in the normal direction, the second transport roller 6 and the document discharge roller pair 8 are driven to drive the downstream transport path (transport path, downstream transport path) 17
Is transported to the downstream side (S601).

When the document discharge sensor 13 detects the rear end of the document (S602), it is determined that the read document is out of the drive system of the document supply motor M2, and the CPU 8
00 stops the document supply motor M2 (S60
4). However, when the operation of supplying the next original or the operation of reading the next original is simultaneously performed (S603), the original supply motor M2 is not stopped. After that, the CPU 800 conveys the document by the document conveyance roller pair 8 by a predetermined amount (S60).
5, S606), when it is considered that the trailing edge of the document has passed through the document discharge roller pair 8 and is discharged onto the discharged document stacking tray 21, the document discharge motor M3 is stopped (S607), and the document discharge roller pair 8 is stopped. Stop driving. Whether or not the document has been discharged onto the discharged document stacking tray 21 is determined by the document discharge motor M after the document discharge sensor 13 detects the rear end of the document.
Judgment is made by the number of rotations of 3 or the number of pulses.

(Reversing Operation) The reversing operation will be described with reference to the reversing operation flowchart of FIG.

When the document image has been read and the trailing edge of the document is positioned downstream of the reading position R and stopped,
When the CPU 800 starts the original supply motor M2 and at the same time drives the original discharge motor M3 to rotate in the normal direction, the second
By driving the conveyance roller 6 and the document discharge roller pair 8, the conveyance roller 6 is conveyed to the downstream side of the downstream side conveyance path 17 (S70).
1).

When it is detected that the trailing edge of the document has reached the document discharge sensor 13 (S702), it is determined that the read document is out of the drive system of the document supply motor M2, and C
The PU 800 stops the document supply motor M2 (S7).
03). After that, the SPU 800 sets the document transport roller pair 8
After the document is conveyed by a predetermined amount by (S704, S70
5) By stopping the document discharge motor M3 (S70
6) At the position where the front end of the document is discharged onto the discharged document stacking tray 21 and the rear end of the document is nipped by the document discharge roller pair 8, the document discharge motor M3 is stopped (S706). The driving of the document discharge roller pair 8 is stopped.
This also stops the document.

Thereafter, the CPU 800 reversely drives the document discharge motor M3 (S707), and the document discharge roller pair 8
Reverse the transport direction of. The original has the portion which has been the rear end until now as the front end and the reverse path 9 through the second registration roller 4
It is transported back to the switch. CPU 800 is
When the document discharge sensor 13 detects the edge of the document (S70
8) After conveying the document by a predetermined amount (S709, S71
0), the document discharge motor M3 is stopped (S711).
At this time, the second registration roller 4 is stopped. For this reason, the document conveyed by switchback has the second end at the second end.
The sheet is abutted against the registration roller 4 to form a loop, and the skewed sheet which is in the skewed state during the transportation of the downstream side transport path 17 and the reversing path 9 is straightened.

After that, the CPU 800 activates the motor M2, and the second registration roller 4, the first conveyance roller 5, and the second
The transport roller 6 is driven (S712). The document that has abutted against the second registration roller 4 has the upstream side transport path 1
6 is conveyed to the downstream side, and the rear end is detected by the lead sensor 12 (S713). When the document is conveyed by a predetermined amount (S714, S715), the document supply motor M2 is stopped (S716). The document is stopped with its front end upstream from the reading position R.

(Idling operation) The idling operation is started in the reading operation flowchart of FIG. 8 (S504).
Then, the reading end (S512) step is not performed, and the document feeding motor M2 performs the same operation as the flowchart of FIG.

(Other Embodiments) The above document feeder is
Even if the originals are mixed in different widths, it is possible to correct the orientation of the originals by changing the feed amount of the intermediate and upstream ends of the originals when the downstream end of the original is stopped during registration. However, the same document may be registered multiple times to straighten the document.

The operation of registering the same original a plurality of times to straighten the orientation of the original will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The ADF 100 enters a standby state while repeatedly determining whether or not a document is set on the document tray 20 and further whether or not a start key (not shown) on the display unit 22 of the copying machine 400 has been pressed. Have (mai
n801). Whether or not the document is set is determined based on the detection result of the document detection sensor 14. The determination is performed by the CPU 800.

If the result of the determination is that the original is set on the original tray 20 and the start key is depressed, whether the single-sided original mode is selected (main).
The determination of 802) is performed.

<Single Sided Mode and Different Width Mixed> In the single sided mode, the CPU 800 determines whether or not the bundle of originals set on the original tray 20 is different widths with different main scanning lengths (main 803). CPU if not mixed width
800 is a separating operation from the document tray 20 (main80
4) The document supply operation (main 805) is performed, and the document size is determined before the start of reading (main 806).
Then, the CPU 800 causes the reading operation (main80
7) The document discharge operation (main 808) is performed, and the document is sequentially discharged to the document discharge tray 21.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the size of the original is determined by the guide plate 2 on the original tray 20.
3 and the post-separation sensor 10 is turned on or off at the time of completion of the document feeding operation.

<Mixed-width mixed loading in single-sided mode> In single-sided mode,
In addition, in the case of different width mixed loading in which originals having different main scanning lengths are set on the original tray 20 as one original bundle, the original tray 2
Since the width information of the regulation guide plate 23 on 0 is matched with the document size of the maximum main scanning length in the document stack, the width of the regulation guide plate 23 and the width of the supplied document may not match. is there.

Therefore, after performing the separating operation (main 809) and the document feeding operation (main 810), the idle feeding operation (main 811), the reversing operation (main 812) and the document feeding operation (main 813) are performed, during which the read sensor 12 operates. The original length is detected from the transport distance while the original is being detected, and the original size is later determined only from the original length (main 817). At this point, if the image of the original document waiting in front of the reading position is read, the back surface of the original document set on the original tray 20 will be read. Therefore, in order to read the surface image, the idle feeding operation (main 814), the reversing operation (main 815),
After the document supply operation (main 816) is performed and the above-mentioned document size is determined (main 817), the front side reading operation (main 818) and the document ejection operation (main8) are performed.
19) and the document is discharged onto the document discharge tray 21.

When different widths are mixed, the separating operation (main80
In 9), the first skew correction is performed, and the reverse operation (main8
In step 12), the second skew correction is performed, and further, in the subsequent reversal operation (main 815), the third skew correction is performed, and then the image reading operation is performed. Since the skew feeding correction is performed three times in this manner, the operation of setting the document conveyance amount (L ₁ <L ₂ ) in the separation operation (main 809) is performed as follows.
It does not necessarily have to be done.

<Double-sided mode and not mixed widths> CPU8
00 determines whether or not information has been input from the display unit 22 to the control unit 803 in the mixed width mixed mode when the duplex mode is determined in (main 802) (main 820). More separation operation (mai
n821), the document supply operation (main 822) is performed,
The document size is determined in the same manner as the single-sided mode in which different widths are not mixed (main 823). Then, first, the operation of reading the image on the surface of the original is performed (main 824), and the reversal operation (main
in825), after the document supply operation (main826),
The back side reading operation is performed (main827). When a document is discharged to the document discharge tray 21 by the document discharge operation as it is, it is discharged onto the document discharge tray with the front side of the document facing upward, and therefore the plane order set on the document tray 20 is different. Therefore, the reversing operation (main 828), the document feeding operation (main 829), and the idle feeding operation (main83).
0), the document discharge operation (main 831) is performed, and the document is discharged to the document discharge tray 21.

<Mixed-width mixed loading in double-sided mode> In double-sided mode,
Moreover, in the case of mixed loading of different widths, the separating operation (main 832),
After performing the document supply operation (main 833), a blank feeding operation (main 834), a reversing operation (main 835),
The document feeding operation (main 836) is performed, and the document length is detected from the transport distance while the lead sensor 12 detects the document during this period, and the document size is determined only from the document length, as in the single-sided mode with different widths. (Main837). Then, first, the back side reading operation is performed (main 838),
Reversing operation (main839), document feeding operation (main
840), the front side reading operation (main 841) and the document discharging operation (main 842) are performed.
The original is discharged to 1.

As described above, in the double-sided mode and when different widths are mixed, the first skew feeding correction is performed in the separating operation (main 838), and the second skew feeding correction is performed in the reversing operation (main 835). After that, an image reading operation is performed. Since the skew feeding correction is performed twice as described above,
In the separating operation (main 832), the operation of setting the document conveyance amount (L1 <L2) does not necessarily have to be performed.

In FIG. 13, the separating operation is shown in FIG. 6, the document supplying operation is shown in FIG. 7, the reading operation is shown in FIG. 8, and the document discharging operation is shown in FIG.
The reversing operation is the same as each flowchart in FIG.

In the reversing operation flowchart shown in FIG. 10, depending on whether different widths are mixed or not (S709).
Therefore, the counter values from the time when the document discharge sensor 13 detects the leading edge of the document to the time when the document discharge motor M3 is stopped are different, and the counter value is set to be larger when mixed widths are mixed, otherwise. It has become.

In any of the above-described embodiments, the mixed width mixed information is obtained from the input information from the display unit 22 to determine whether the mixed width mixed is used. A width detection sensor for detecting the width of the original may be provided on the upstream side to detect that the width of the original has changed and obtain mixed width mixed information.

[0104]

According to the recording medium feeding device of the present invention, when the control means receives the mixed width mixed information from the mixed width mixed information means,
The recording medium is sent to the resist means in the stopped state more than when the mixed-width information is not received. Even if there is, the skew feeding can be surely performed, and the recording medium is not damaged. Further, the cause of the jam of the recording medium can be eliminated.

In the recording medium feeding device of the present invention, when the control means receives the mixed width mixed information from the mixed width mixed information means,
Since the recording medium is allowed to pass through the registration means again by controlling the operation of the conveying means, the recording medium is mixed and mixed in different widths.
Even if there is a recording medium having an oblique direction, skew feeding can be surely performed, and the recording medium is not damaged during transportation. Further, the cause of the jam of the recording medium can be eliminated.

In the recording medium feeding device of the present invention, when the control means receives the mixed width mixed information from the mixed width mixed information means,
Since the recording medium is passed through the registration means again by controlling the operation of the conveying means and the amount of the recording medium fed to the registration means in the stopped state is increased, the recording medium is mixed in different widths and the orientation is changed. Even if there is a recording medium that is skewed, skew feeding can be surely performed, and the recording medium is not damaged during transportation. Further, the cause of the jam of the recording medium can be eliminated.

Since the image reading apparatus of the present invention is provided with the recording medium feeding device for surely performing the skew feeding correction of the recording medium,
The image on the recording medium can be read reliably and accurately.

Since the image forming apparatus of the present invention is provided with the recording medium feeding device for surely correcting the skew feeding of the recording medium and the image reading device capable of surely reading the image on the recording medium, the recording target An image can be reliably and accurately formed on the medium.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a document reading apparatus which is an image reading apparatus including a document feeding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a copying machine which is an image forming apparatus, taken along a feeding direction of a document and a recording sheet.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the image reading apparatus in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the document feeder of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a main flowchart of the document feeder of FIG.

5 is a flowchart of a document size determination of the document feeder of FIG.

6 is a flowchart of the separating operation in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a document feeding operation in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a reading operation in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a document discharge operation in FIG.

10 is a flowchart of a reversing operation in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a display unit of the document feeder of FIG. (A) It is a normal display state. (B) It is a screen when the application mode key is selected in (a).

FIG. 12 is a screen when the original mixed loading key is selected in FIG. 11B.

FIG. 13 is a main flowchart of a document feeder according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

P Recording paper (recording medium) D Original (recording medium) R Reading position 2 Separation section 2a Separation roller (conveying means) 2b Separation pad 3 First registration roller pair (registration means, first registration rotation body pair) 4th 2 Registration Roller (Registration Means, Second Registration Rotating Body Pair) 5 First Conveying Roller (Conveying Means) 6 Second Conveying Roller (Conveying Means) 7 Large Roller (Registration Means, First Registration Rotating Body Pair) 8 Original discharge roller pair (discharge means) 9 Reverse path (conveyance path, switchback conveyance path) 10 Post-separation sensor 11 Registration sensor 12 Read sensor 13 Original discharge sensor 14 Original detection sensor 15 Original length detection sensor 16 Upstream conveyance path (conveyance) Route, upstream transport path) 17 Downstream transport path (transport route, downstream transport path) 20 Original tray (stacking means) 21 Ejected original stack tray 22 display section (mixed width information means) 22a application mode key 22b mixed document key 22c different width key 22d OK key 25 width regulation section 100 document feeding device (recording medium feeding device) 200 document reading device (image reading device) 220 image Reading unit (image reading unit) 300 Copier main body 303 Photoreceptor drum (image forming unit) 400 Copier (image forming apparatus) 803 ADF control unit (control unit)

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2H027 DB03 DB09 DB10 ED12 EE02                       FA04 FA20 GA20 GA23 GA45                       GA56 GB16                 2H076 BA15 BA17 BA24 BA31 BA36                       BA39 BA41 BA42 BA56 BA58                       BA64 BA82 BB04 BB05                 3F102 AA01 AB01 BA02 EA03

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A stacking unit for stacking a plurality of recording media on which images are formed, a transporting unit for transporting the recording medium to a reading position for reading an image on the recording medium, and a transporting unit for transporting the recording medium. Registering means for receiving the recording medium in a stopped state and straightening the skew of the recording medium, and then conveying the recording medium along a conveying path; and controlling operation of the conveying means and the registering means. And a control unit that informs the control unit that different sizes are mixed when the sizes of the plurality of recording media stacked on the stacking unit in the direction intersecting the recording medium conveyance direction are different. A mixed width information section, wherein the control means receives the mixed width information from the mixed width information means in a stopped state more than when the mixed width information is not received. Recording medium feeding apparatus characterized by increasing the amount of sending the recording medium relative. 2. A stacking unit for stacking a plurality of recording media on which images are formed and a stack, a transport unit for transporting the recording medium to a reading position for reading an image on the recording medium, and a transport unit for transporting the recording medium. A registration unit that receives the recording medium in a stopped state and straightens the skew of the recording medium, and then conveys the recording medium along a conveyance path; and an operation control of the conveyance unit and the registration unit. And a control unit that informs the control unit that different sizes are mixed when the sizes of the plurality of recording media stacked on the stacking unit in the direction intersecting the recording medium transport direction are different. Mixed width information means, the control means, when receiving different width mixed information from the different width mixed information means, controls the operation of the conveying means to cause the recording medium to move to the registration means. Recording medium feeding device, characterized in that to degrees pass. 3. A stacking unit for stacking a plurality of recording media on which images are formed, a transporting unit for transporting the recording medium to a reading position for reading an image on the recording medium, and a transporting unit for transporting the recording medium. Registering means for receiving the recording medium in a stopped state and straightening the skew of the recording medium, and then conveying the recording medium along a conveying path; and controlling operation of the conveying means and the registering means. And a control unit that informs the control unit that different sizes are mixed when the sizes of the plurality of recording media stacked on the stacking unit in the direction intersecting the recording medium conveyance direction are different. Mixed width information means, the control means, when receiving different width mixed information from the different width mixed information means, controls the operation of the conveying means to transfer the recording medium to the registration means. Degrees passed, and a recording medium feeding apparatus characterized by increasing the amount to send the recording medium to said register means in a stopped state. 4. The transport path is an upstream-side transport path between the stacking means and the reading position, a discharging position capable of discharging the recording position and the recording medium, and a discharge means capable of retracting the recording medium partially discharged. And a downstream side conveyance path between the registration means and the registration means, and the registration means has a pair of registration rotators that nip the recording medium located in the upstream side conveyance path and convey the recording medium rotatably. The recording medium feeding device according to claim 1. 5. The control means, when receiving the mixed width mixed information from the mixed width mixed information means, controls the operation of the conveying means to again convey the recording medium to the reading position, and the registration means. 4. The recording medium feeding device according to claim 2, wherein the recording medium feeding device increases the amount of feeding the recording medium to the resisting means in the stopped state. 6. The transport path includes an upstream transport path between the stacking means and the reading position, a discharging position capable of discharging the reading position and the recording medium, and a discharge means capable of retracting the recording medium partially discharged. And a switchback transport path that joins the discharge means in the middle of the upstream transport path, and the registration means has the upstream transport path and the switchback transport path. A first pair of resist rotators positioned upstream of a confluence point for nipping and rotating the recording medium, and a nipping and rotation of the recording medium located between the confluence point and the reading position. The recording medium feeding device according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a second pair of resist rotating bodies to be conveyed. 7. The stacking means has a width regulating portion for aligning a width of the recording medium in a direction intersecting a recording medium conveying direction, according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The recording medium feeding device according to the item. 8. The stacking unit has a width regulating unit that detects the size of the width of the recording medium by aligning the widths of the recording medium in a direction intersecting the recording medium conveying direction, and the control unit. Means, based on the width size information from the width regulation unit, sets the amount of feeding the recording medium to the registration means in the stopped state when the mixed width mixed information is not received from the mixed width mixed information means. Claim 1 characterized by the above.
4. The recording medium feeding device according to any one of items 1 to 3. 9. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the different-width mixed loading information means is input by external operation that the different-width mixed loading is input. Feeder. 10. A recording medium feeding device according to claim 1, and an image reading unit for reading an image of the recording medium fed by the recording medium feeding device. Characteristic image reading device. 11. The recording medium feeding device according to claim 1, an image reading unit that reads an image of the recording medium fed by the recording medium feeding device, and an image reading unit of the image reading unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on image reading information.