JP2002019994A - Sheet conveying method and sheet conveying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] By checking the operation state of each driving means provided in a sheet transport path, it is possible to check for the presence of a sheet and / or a jammed sheet on the sheet transport path, and to process smoothly. Provided are a sheet conveying method and a sheet conveying apparatus for conveying a sheet to be conveyed. In a method of checking a sheet conveying path including a conveying unit for sequentially conveying a sheet to a predetermined place and a driving unit for driving the conveying unit, the detecting unit includes: Detecting the operating state of the driving means, and monitoring the detecting means by the determining means, and determining the operating state of each transport means based on the detection result. Specifically,
The determination of the state of the driving unit includes stabilization of the operation of the driving unit within a predetermined time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet conveying method and a sheet conveying apparatus, and more particularly, to checking a normal operation of each driving means provided with a sheet conveying path, and a method for checking a sheet on the sheet conveying path. An object of the present invention is to check the presence or absence of a jammed sheet and to convey a sheet to be processed smoothly.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The needs of operators or users are diversifying. To give some specific examples, one is to reduce the size of the entire apparatus and make the apparatus compact. One is to increase the speed of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer in order to increase the amount of sheet processing. As a result of meeting these needs, in the former, the density inside the apparatus tends to increase, and in the latter, it is necessary to sequentially transport a set number of sheets to the apparatus within a certain time.

[0003]

In addition to the above needs, there is a need for an image forming apparatus for copying or recording an image on both sides of a sheet. Such an apparatus conveys several hundreds or more sheets at a high speed of 500 mm / sec or more within a certain time so as to sequentially pass through one or more image forming units. In addition, the sheet conveying device used in this image forming apparatus has a complicated structure, the conveying path is divided into several paths, and the length of the conveying path is relatively long. When a sheet is jammed in the above-described apparatus, the sheet remains in the conveyance path, and it is difficult to specify the location.In addition, after processing the jammed sheet, the sheet remaining in the conveyance path is removed. It is difficult to reliably check for presence.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and checks the operating state of each driving means provided on a sheet conveying path to check whether a sheet on the sheet conveying path and / or jammed. An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet conveying method and a sheet conveying apparatus for checking the presence or absence of a sheet and conveying a sheet to be processed smoothly.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a conveying means for sequentially conveying a sheet to a predetermined place, and a driving means having at least one and driving the conveying means are provided. A step of detecting the operating state of the driving means by the detecting means and a step of monitoring the detecting means by the judging means and judging the operating state of each conveying means based on the detection result And characterized in that: Specifically, the determination of the state of the driving unit includes stabilizing the operation of the driving unit within a predetermined time.

[0006] Conveying means having one or more paths for sequentially conveying sheets to a predetermined location,
In a sheet conveying method having at least one or more driving means for driving the conveying means and detecting means provided at an appropriate position of the conveying means, (a) stopping the driving means, and conveying by the detecting means Detecting the sheet remaining on the means, (b) operating the driving means, and detecting the operating state of each driving means by the detecting means;
(C) a step of monitoring the detection of the detecting means by the determining means, and determining the operation state of each transport means based on the result; and (d) further remaining on each of the transport means by the detecting means. The method includes the steps of: detecting a sheet; and (e) activating the driving unit again, and detecting the operating state of each driving unit by the detecting unit.

Further, the conveying means includes a sheet feeding unit having one or more sheet feeding devices for supplying sheets, a main body having one or more image forming units, and a sheet processed by the image forming unit. A discharge unit having at least one discharge unit for discharging
The discharging is performed in the order of the main body and the paper feeding unit.

[0008] Specifically, the transporting means includes a sheet feeding unit having one or more sheet feeding devices for supplying sheets, a main unit having one or more image forming units, and a processing unit. (A) stopping the driving unit and detecting the sheet remaining on the conveying unit by the detecting unit; and Step e) is performed in the order of the discharge unit, the main unit, and the paper supply unit.

In a sheet conveying apparatus provided with conveying means for sequentially conveying a sheet to a predetermined place, a driving means having one or more driving means for driving the conveying means, and an operating state of each driving means And detection means for monitoring each detection means and determining the operation state of each transport means based on the detection result. Further, a detecting means for detecting a sheet remaining on the conveying means is provided at an appropriate position of the conveying means.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams of an image forming apparatus to which the sheet conveying device of the present invention is applied. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a paper feed unit 200, a main body 300, and a discharge unit 400.

A paper feeding unit 200 includes a stacker 210 on which sheets are stacked, and a conveyor belt including a suction unit for picking up one of the uppermost sheets from the stackers 210.
(Not shown). One or more stackers 210 are provided. The sheet is sequentially conveyed to the main body 300 by rotating the conveyance belt once in the direction of the arrow by a pickup clutch (not shown). The stacker 210
Each stacker 210 has one or more sheets, and sheets stacked in a desired size are stacked in each stacker 210. In addition,
Each stacker 210 may stack sheets of the same size. In this embodiment, the sheet is separated by the suction means, but may be separated by a friction method such as a scraper method.

The main body 300 includes an image forming section 310 and a fixing section 3.
20 are a set, and these are configured to have two or more. In this embodiment, in order to copy or record an image on both sides of the sheet, the image forming section 310 (31)
1 and 312) and the fixing unit 320 (321 and 322) as a set. The image forming unit 310 (311,
312) outputs an electrostatic latent image read by a reading device such as a scanner and processed by an appropriate image processing by an LED or the like, and outputs the image carrier 330 (33) according to the image data.
1, 332), and an image carrier 3 on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by the exposure unit.
30 (331, 332), a developing unit 340 (341, 342) for developing the electrostatic latent image, and a developing unit 340 (341, 341).
342), a toner image is developed on the surface of the image carrier 330 (331, 332), and a transfer unit 350 (351, 352) for transferring the toner image to a sheet, and a cleaning device such as a blade for removing toner remaining after the transfer. (Not shown), and an eraser lamp (not shown) for removing electricity from the surface of the image carrier.

In this embodiment, the developing method of the image forming unit 310 (311, 312) of the image forming apparatus is disclosed as being applied to a one-component or two-component developing method. The present invention can also be applied to a magnetic one-component developing method. Further, the image forming unit 310 (311,
312) discloses an electrophotographic system, but may be applied to a configuration of an ink jet system and a thermal system. Furthermore, the transfer unit 350 (351, 352) is of a belt type, but may be of a roller type or a corona type.

The fixing section 320 (321, 322) fixes the toner image to the sheet after the toner image is transferred to the sheet in the image forming section 310 (311, 312). The sheet on which the toner image has been fixed is conveyed to the discharge unit 400. The discharging unit 400 includes a fixing unit 320
(321, 322) have a plurality of discharge trays 410 (411, 412) for stacking the sheets.

Further, a conveying means 500 is provided for sequentially conveying the sheet to the sheet feeding section 200, the main body section 300, and the discharge section 400. The conveying means 500 includes a paper feed system path 510, a main body system path 520, and a discharge system path 530.
It is composed of A driving unit 600 is provided in each of the paper feed system path 510, the main body system path 520, and the discharge system path 530. In this embodiment, the driving unit 600 is a motor, specifically, a DC motor, and the driving unit 600 in the path 510 of the paper feeding system is replaced with the driving unit 6 in the path 520 of the main body system.
00 is the main body motor unit 620, and the driving means 600 in the discharge system path 530 is the discharge motor unit 630. in addition,
The main body motor section 620 requires two driving means 600 to copy or record an image on both sides of a sheet, and requires a first main body motor section 621 and a second main body motor section 622.
Divided into

The driving means 600 is provided with a detecting means 700. The detecting means 700 uses an encoder
This is to detect the number of rotations of the motor. Examples of sensors used for the encoder include a micro switch, a photo interrupter, and a reflection type sensor.

Further, a detection unit 800 is provided at an appropriate position of the paper feed system path 510, the main body system path 520, and the discharge system path 530. This detection means 800
This is for detecting whether or not a sheet remains in the paper feed system path 510, the main body system path 520, and the discharge system path 530, and is a micro switch, a photo interrupter, a reflection type sensor, or the like. The detecting means 700 is connected to the determining means 900 described later.

As shown in FIG. 2, specifically, the detecting means 8
The location where 00 is provided is as follows. The path 510 of the paper feeding system is located just before the transport path of each stacker 210 joins the common transport path (810a, 810b, 810).
c) and immediately after 810d. The path 520 of this system is 820 between the starting point of the conveyance path of the main body 300 and the image forming unit 310 (311) that processes one side of the sheet.
a and immediately before the curved transport path (820b, 820c, 8
20d) or immediately after (820e, 820f, 820g)
820h between the image forming unit 312 and the fixing unit 322, and a linear conveyance path 820i after processing the other surface of the sheet.
And 320 j immediately before the image forming unit 312.
The discharge path 530 includes a portion 830a between the start point of the transport path of the discharge section 400 and before the transport path branches, and each of the branched transport paths 8.
30b, 830c, and 830d immediately before each transport path merges
And the discharge unit 400 and the discharge tray 410 (411, 41
2) and 830e, 830f, 830g, and 830h. The detecting means 800 also includes the detecting means 700.
Similarly to the above, it is connected to the determination means 900 described later.

FIG. 3 shows a processing unit 910 for controlling the sheet conveying apparatus serving as the determination unit 900. The processing unit 910 includes a CPU 920 (central processing unit) serving as a determination unit 900, a storage unit 930, and a timer 940. The CPU 920 is connected to each unit of the storage unit 930, the timer 940, and the sheet conveying device via a bus such as a data bus. The storage unit 930 includes a ROM storing a program for checking a sheet conveyance path described later.
(Read Only Memory) 931 and RAM (Random Access Memory) 932 for temporarily storing data required when checking the sheet conveyance path. The timer 940 measures time, and particularly measures the operation time of the driving unit 600.
The detecting unit 700 and the detecting unit 800 are connected to the processing unit 910 via the input interface unit 960. The result of the check of the sheet conveying path is output by the output unit 950.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a method for checking a sheet conveying path according to the present invention. First, as an initial stage, a state is set in which a check operation of the transport path can be performed. In this initial stage, the safety of the user is further secured than before, and the check of the sheet conveyance path is completed, and
This is to prevent a problem from occurring when the device is operated.

The initial stage has three steps. First, it is confirmed whether to check the transport path. For this, the processing unit 910 determines whether the reset switch is on (step 1).

Next, when it is determined that the reset switch is on, it is determined whether all the doors of the apparatus are closed (step 2). Further, when it is determined that all the doors of the apparatus are closed, the fixing unit 320 (32
It is determined whether the temperature of (1, 322) is equal to or higher than the temperature at which the toner does not offset (step 3). This is because, for example, when the fixing unit 320 (321, 322) is configured by the fixing roller (323, 324) and the pressure roller (325, 326), when the power supply of the apparatus is turned off, the fixing roller (323, 322) The heater of 324) is also turned off. As a result, the surface temperature of the fixing rollers (323, 324) becomes lower than the temperature at which the toner can be fixed on the sheet. Thereafter, the power of the apparatus is turned on, and the surface temperature of the fixing rollers (323, 324) is lower than the temperature at which the toner can be fixed on the sheet.
The process proceeds to a transport check routine to be described later, and the fixing unit 320
(321, 322) are driven. In this state, the fixing unit 3
When the sheet immediately before the sheet 20 (321, 322) or the sheet sandwiched between the fixing units 320 (321, 322) is conveyed, the toner is not fixed to the sheet surface, and the fixing unit 32
0 (321, 322).

As a result, the unfixed toner is transferred to the fixing unit 320
(321, 322) attached to the surface (offset phenomenon)
The device is turned on, the device operates normally, and
When the sheet is conveyed and passes through the fixing units 320 (321 and 322), the sheet is output from the apparatus in a dirty state. Therefore, setting the temperature of the fixing unit 320 (321, 322) to be equal to or higher than the temperature at which the toner does not offset is performed.
The above problem is solved by setting the condition for the check operation of the transport path. If the conditions of Steps 1 to 3 are not satisfied, it is determined that the sheet conveyance path cannot be checked, and this is output to the output unit 950, and the check of the sheet conveyance path ends.

After the initial stage is satisfied, the routine proceeds to a transport check routine (step 4). FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the transport check routine. The transport check routine is
It is mainly divided into four blocks: a check of the presence or absence of a sheet on the transport path, a check of a discharge path 530, a check of a main path 520, and a check of a paper feed path 510.

As shown in FIG. 6, first, the CPU 920
The detection means 80 provided at appropriate positions in the paper feed system path 510, the main body system path 520, and the discharge system path 530.
0 is monitored, and based on the detection result, it is determined whether or not a sheet remains on the path of each system (step 4-1). At this time, if any sheets remain, this is output by the output unit 950, and the conveyance check routine ends.

When the CPU 920 determines that no sheet remains on the path of each system, it operates the discharge motor unit 630 (step 4-2), and the state of the discharge motor unit 630 is detected by the detecting unit 700. (Step 4-
3). The CPU 920 determines the state of the driving unit 600 of the ejection unit 400 by monitoring the detection result of the detecting unit 700.

Specifically, the detecting operation of the detecting means 700 is as follows.
It is to check whether it is operating normally, or in other words, to actually detect whether or not the discharge motor unit 630 is stopped, that is, to detect a synchronization shift of the discharge motor unit 630. This is because when the sheet is conveyed, the sheet is jammed on the path 530 of the discharge system, or when the sheet is conveyed in a stacked state (abnormality in the path 530 of the discharge system). 630 is overloaded, and as a result, the discharge motor unit 630 stops,
Alternatively, since the state is out of synchronization, the detection of the out-of-synchronization is utilized. s

The detection method is a time sufficient for the rotation of the discharge motor unit 630 to stabilize, and the timer 940 measures this time. If the discharge motor unit 630 does not operate during this measurement time, the detection unit 700 sends a signal to that effect to the processing unit 910 as a detection result. CP
U920 detects the result of this detection as the path 530 of the discharge system.
It is determined whether there is an abnormality in the discharge path 530, whether the sheet is jammed on the upper side or the sheet is stacked on the discharge path 530. In this embodiment, the measurement of this time is specifically 2.5 seconds. The CPU 920 monitors the detection operation of the detection unit 700, and if it determines that the state of the discharge motor unit 630 is abnormal based on the detection result, outputs the above-described state to the output unit 9
50, and the transport check routine ends.

Further, the CPU 920 controls the discharge motor unit 6.
If it is determined that the status of the device 30 is normal, the detecting means 8
00, the presence or absence of a sheet on the path 530 of the discharge system is determined (step 4-4). That is, when the discharge motor unit 630 is driven for a predetermined time in step 4-4, the sheet not detected in step 4-1 moves to a predetermined position. As a result, a state in which a part of the sheet is detected by any of the detection units (830a to 830d) of the discharge system path 530, and the detection unit detects the sheet again,
It is possible to reliably detect the sheet remaining on the path 530 of the discharge system. At this time, if a sheet remains, the CPU 920 issues a command to output this to the output unit 950, and the conveyance check routine ends. After the determination, the discharge motor unit 630 has stopped.

If there is no sheet on the path 530 of the discharge system, the discharge motor unit 630 is operated again for a predetermined time (step 4-5). If the rotation of the discharge motor unit 630 is not stable, the CPU 920 determines whether the sheet is jammed on the discharge system path 530 or the discharge system path 53.
It is determined that 0 is abnormal, and the process returns to step 4-3. This means that sheets stacked in several layers are being conveyed,
Alternatively, in Step 4-4, the detecting means (830a to 830)
The sheet not detected in d) can be detected.

When the rotation of the discharge motor unit 630 is stable (there is no abnormality in the discharge system path 530), the check of the discharge system path 530 ends. Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the driving unit 600 of the main body 300 is operated (step 4-6), and the state of the driving unit 600 is detected by the detection unit 700, similarly to step 4-3 (step 4-6). 4-7). At this time, the driving unit 600 of the main body 300 sequentially operates the second main body motor 620 and the first main body motor 610. The operation of the driving means 600 is performed by the first main body motor section 610 and the second main body motor section 620.
It may be. The CPU 920 monitors the detection by the detection unit 800. This detection result indicates that the sheet is jammed in the main body path 520 or the main body path 52.
If it is determined that there is an abnormality in 0, this is output to the output means 950, and the transport check routine ends.

Next, similarly to the detection in step 4-4, the presence / absence of a sheet on the path 530 of the main body system is determined by the detection means 800 (step 4-8). At this time, if a sheet remains on the path 530 of the main body, the CPU
920 issues a command to output this to the output means 950, and the transport check routine ends.

When the CPU 920 determines that the state of the driving unit 600 of the main unit 300 is normal, the CPU 920 determines whether a sheet remains on the main system path 520 via the detecting unit 800 (step 4-8). . If it is determined that a sheet remains on the path 520 of this system, the fact that an unprocessed sheet remains is output to the output unit 950, and the conveyance check routine ends. When it is determined that there is no unprocessed sheet, the driving unit 600 of the main body 300 is operated for a predetermined time (step 4-9). Here, if the rotation of the driving means 600 of the main body 300 is not stable, the CPU 920
Determines that a sheet is jammed in the main body path 520 or that there is an abnormality in the discharge path 530, and returns to step 4-7.

When the CPU 920 determines that the rotation of the driving means 600 of the main body 300 is stable, the check of the main system path 520 is completed. Next, the paper feed path 51
Check for 0. At this time, the discharge motor unit 630,
First body motor section 620 and second body motor section 620
Has stopped.

First, as shown in FIG. 8, the driving means 600 of the paper feeding section 200 is operated (step 4-10), and the state of the driving means 600 is detected by the detecting means 700 (step 4-11). . The CPU 920 proceeds to step 4
Similarly to step -3 and step 4-7, the detection by the detection means 800 is monitored, and the result of this detection determines that the sheet is jammed on the main system path 520 or that there is an abnormality in the paper supply path 510. If so, the output means 950
, And the transport check routine ends. Paper feed unit 2
If the CPU 920 determines that the state of the driving unit 600 is normal, the CPU 920 uses the detecting unit 800 to determine whether or not a sheet remains on the paper feeding path 510 (step 4-12).

Further, when it is determined that no sheet remains on the conveying path, the driving means 600 of the main body 300 is operated for a predetermined time (step 4-13), and the sheet feeding section 200 is operated.
The CPU 920 determines that the rotation of the driving unit 600 is stable, and if the rotation is not stable, the CPU 920 determines whether the sheets stacked in several layers are conveyed, or
At -8, it is determined or detected that the sheet not detected by the detecting means (820a to 820j) has been detected, and the process returns to step 4-11. If it is stable, the check of the paper feed path 510 ends and the transport check routine ends.

Thereafter, returning to FIG. 4 again, the discharge system path 530, the main body system path 520, and the paper supply system path 51
Then, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the transport path by operating all of the driving means 600 of step 0 (step 5). At this time, the presence / absence of a sheet on a new conveyance path is detected by each detection means 800, and the path of each conveyance system in step 4 is checked at the same time. If the CPU 920 does not detect a new sheet and / or determines that the driving unit 600 of the path of each transport system is operating normally, the check of the sheet transport path ends. Further, C
The PU 920 determines whether a new sheet is not detected and / or the path (510, 520, 53) of each transport system.
If it is determined or detected that the driving means (610, 620, 630) of (0) is operating abnormally, the sheets not detected in the above steps remain on the transport path or are stacked in several layers. It is assumed that the inserted sheet is being conveyed or the sheet is jammed. After removing this cause (step 6), the check of the sheet conveying path is completed.

[0038]

According to the present invention, it is possible to check the normal operation of each driving means provided with the sheet conveying path and check for the presence of a sheet and / or a jammed sheet on the sheet conveying path to smoothly process the sheet. it can. In addition, mainly by detecting means provided in each driving means to check for the presence of a jammed sheet, a detecting means for detecting a sheet on the conveying path is made to correspond to the size of the sheet, and the length of the conveying path is determined. There is no need to provide the device, and the cost of the device itself can be kept low. Further, since the number of detection means can be reduced, the control can be simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus to which a sheet conveying device of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus to which the sheet conveying device of the present invention is applied, illustrating an example of an arrangement of a detection unit.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a schematic block diagram of a determination means.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a method of checking a sheet conveying path according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a flowchart of a transport check routine.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating details of a flowchart of a transport check routine.

7 is a diagram illustrating details of a flowchart of a transport check routine, and is a continuation of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating details of a flowchart of a transport check routine, which is a continuation of FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 image forming apparatus 200 paper feeding unit 300 main body 400 discharging unit 500 transporting unit 600 driving unit 700 detecting unit 800 detecting unit 900 determining unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3F048 AA01 AB01 BA14 BB02 CC01 DA01 DA04 DA06 DA08 DA09 DB01 DC14 EA02 EB11 EB22 EB24 EB37 EB40

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A sheet is placed at a predetermined place.
In a sheet conveying path method including a conveying unit for sequentially conveying and a driving unit having one or more and driving the conveying unit, a detecting unit detects an operation state of the driving unit; Monitoring the detection of the detecting means, and determining the operation state of each of the conveying means based on the detection result. 2. A transport unit having one or more paths, and sequentially transporting a sheet to a predetermined location, a driving unit having at least one or more and driving the transport unit, (A) stopping the driving unit, and detecting the sheet remaining on the conveying unit by the detecting unit; and (B) actuating the driving means, and detecting the operating state of each of the driving means by the detecting means; (c) monitoring the detection of the detecting means by the determining means;
(D) further detecting the sheet remaining on each of the conveying means by the detecting means; and (e) re-driving the driving means based on the result. Operating the means and detecting the operating state of each of the driving means by the detecting means. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveying unit includes a sheet feeding unit having one or more sheet feeding devices and supplying a sheet, a main unit including one or more image forming units, 2. A sheet conveying method according to claim 1, further comprising a discharging unit having at least one discharging unit for discharging the sheet, wherein the steps are performed in the order of the discharging unit, the main unit, and the sheet feeding unit. . 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveying unit includes a sheet feeding unit having one or more sheet feeding devices and supplying a sheet, a main unit including one or more image forming units, and a processing unit configured to process the image forming units. (A) stopping the driving unit, and detecting the sheet remaining on the transport unit by the detection unit; and (b) stopping the driving unit. 3. The sheet conveying method according to claim 2, wherein steps (e) to (e) are performed in the order of the discharge section, the main body section, and the sheet feeding section. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining the operation state of the transport unit based on a result of the detection by the determination unit includes stabilizing the operation of the driving unit within a predetermined time. The sheet conveying method according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein 6. A sheet at a predetermined place,
A sheet conveying apparatus provided with conveying means for sequentially conveying, a driving means having one or more driving means for driving the conveying means, a detecting means for detecting an operation state of each of the driving means,
A sheet conveying device comprising: a monitoring unit that monitors each of the detecting units and determines an operation state of each of the conveying units based on a result of the detection. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveying unit includes a sheet feeding unit having one or more sheet feeding devices and supplying a sheet, a main unit including one or more image forming units, 7. The sheet conveying device according to claim 6, further comprising a discharge unit having one or more of the discharged sheets. 8. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a detecting unit for detecting a sheet remaining on the conveying unit is provided at an appropriate position of the conveying unit.