JPH0643811Y2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention forms an original image of an original or the like on an image carrier such as a photoconductor at a preset copy magnification,
The present invention relates to an improvement of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine with a variable magnification function, which is capable of forming a preset number of copies.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various types of copying machines capable of reducing or enlarging copying have been put to practical use.

The basic operation principle of the copying machine will be described with reference to FIG. 1. A document A placed on a document table a is scanned by a scanning section consisting of an exposure lamp b and a mirror c, and the reflected light is reflected. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum h by being guided to the rotating photosensitive drum h that has been uniformly charged in advance via the mirrors d and e, the lens f and the mirror g. Then, the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum h is developed, and this visible image (developer image) is transferred to the paper P to complete one copy.

At this time, the size of the copy to be copied is
The scanning direction is determined by the relative ratio between the scanning speed and the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum h (hereinafter referred to as the speed ratio), and the size in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction is the optical path length from the document A to the lens f. It is determined by the ratio of the optical path length from the lens f to the photosensitive drum h (hereinafter referred to as the optical path length ratio). Therefore, by changing the speed ratio and the optical path length ratio, the original A can be copied at an arbitrary reduction ratio or enlargement ratio.

However, conventionally, the means for inputting the data for setting the number of copies to be formed and the means for inputting the data for setting the copying magnification are independent of each other, and moreover, depending on the copying magnification. It also has a copy magnification setting key.

[0006]

Therefore, there is a problem that not only the number of input keys becomes large and the arrangement structure thereof becomes complicated, but also the operation keys become confusing.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to make it possible to input data for setting the number of copies and data for setting the copy magnification with a small number of input keys. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of achieving simplification and improvement of operability.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a cylinder that moves relative to an object to be copied via an optical system including a lens according to a preset copy magnification. Numerical data for setting the number of copies to be formed in an image forming apparatus in which an image of an object to be copied is formed on a sheet-shaped image carrier to form a preset number of copies, and copying. Is it a number key that displays one number each for entering the numerical data showing the magnification itself ?
Consisting of a numeric keypad and multiple numeric keys of this numeric keypad.
Is displayed on each number key when is operated.
A first mode in which a numerical value composed of numbers is received as the number-of-copies data and the number of copies is set, and when a plurality of numeric keys of the numeric keypad are operated respectively.
Switching means for selectively switching between a second mode for receiving a numerical value displayed on the numeric keys as copying magnification data and setting the copying magnification, and the first and second modes by this switching means. First display means for displaying which of the two modes is set,
When the first mode is designated by said switching means, based on input by the ten keys, and displays at numerically the number of set copies, said second mode is designated by said switching means The second display means consisting of a single display for numerically displaying the set copy magnification based on the input from the ten keys.
While the fact that the second mode has been selected by the switching means is being displayed on the first display means, an input is made from the numeric keypad , and at this time, it is displayed on the second display means. Image forming means for forming an image on the image bearing member by changing the magnification of the image of the copy object by a magnification consisting of certain numerical values.

[0009]

According to the image forming apparatus above Symbol means [action], the original image focused on an image carrier at a preset copy magnification and image forming apparatus adapted to form a predetermined number of copies In the above, is there a plurality of numeric keys for displaying the numerical data for setting the number of copies to be formed and the numerical data for indicating the copying magnification itself , each displaying a single numeral?
Consisting of a numeric keypad and multiple numeric keys of this numeric keypad.
Is displayed on each number key when is operated.
A first mode in which a numerical value composed of numbers is received as the number-of-copies data and the number of copies is set, and when a plurality of numeric keys of the numeric keypad are operated respectively.
Switching means is provided for selectively switching between a second mode in which a numerical value composed of the numbers displayed on the numerical keys is accepted as copy magnification data and the copy magnification is set. Therefore, it is possible to input the number-of-sheets data for setting the number of copies and the copy magnification data for setting the copy magnification with a smaller number of input keys than before, and it is possible to simplify the configuration and improve the operability. In addition, the numerical value of the final magnification is entered directly with the numeric keypad,
Any magnification can be set. Further, the number of sheets and the magnification can be displayed on a single display device which is the second display means, and
Since the first display means displays which of the first and second modes is set, whether the numerical value currently input from the ten-key pad is the number of sheets or the magnification. Can be notified to the operator, and input error can be prevented.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows the general structure of the entire copying machine. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes the copying machine main body.
A document table 2 is fixed on the upper surface of the. The original A set on the original table 2 is exposed and scanned during the forward movement by the exposure lamp 3 and the mirrors 4, 5, 6 reciprocating along the lower surface of the original table 2 in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Is configured to be.

In this case, the mirrors 5 and 6 move at half the speed of the mirror 4 so as to keep the optical path length constant. The light reflected from the original A by the irradiation of the exposure lamp 3 is reflected by the mirrors 4, 5 and 6, then passes through the lens 7, and is further reflected by the mirror 8 to be guided to the photosensitive drum 9 as an image carrier. Then, the image of the document is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 9. An optical system 10 is configured by the exposure lamp 3, the mirrors 4, 5, 6, the lens 7, and the mirror 8.

The photosensitive drum 9 rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure. First, the surface charge is removed by the charge removing lamp 11, and then the surface is charged by the charging charger 12. Then, the image of the document A is slit. When exposed, an electrostatic latent image is formed, and the electrostatic latent image is formed into a visible image when toner is attached by the developing device 13.

In front of the developing device 13, a paper feeding device 14 for feeding the paper P below the photosensitive drum 9 is provided. The sheet feeding device 14 is detachably attached to a side portion of the main body 1 and has two upper and lower sheet feeding cassettes 15 and 16 that store a plurality of sheets P ... And these sheet feeding cassettes 15 and 1.
Paper feed rollers 17 and 18 that take out the paper P from the sheet 6 one by one
And a sheet feeding cassette 1
Aligning rollers 19 and 20 for positioning and conveying the leading edge of the paper P sent out from the papers 5 and 16 are provided.

The sheet P conveyed by the aligning rollers 19 and 20 is sent to the transfer section. The sheet P sent to the transfer unit is brought into close contact with the surface of the photoconductor drum 9 at the transfer charger 21, so that the charger 21 is charged.
By the action of, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 9 is transferred. After the transfer, the photosensitive drum 9 is destaticized by the decharging charger 22, and the cleaning device 23 removes the residual toner to restore the initial state.

On the other hand, the sheet of paper P after transfer has the peeling charger 2
After being peeled off from the photosensitive drum 9 by the action of 4, the transport device 25 transports it to the fixing device 26. The transfer device 25 is composed of a negative pressure chamber 27 wound between rollers and a belt with holes 28.
The paper P conveyed to the fixing device 26 is heated by the heat roller 2
9. The visible image transferred by the pressing roller 30 is fixed. Then, the paper P after the fixing is ejected by the paper ejection rollers 31, 32.
With this, it can be taken out to the external discharge tray 33.

If a reduced or enlarged copy is desired, the copy magnification is designated through the fourth means 35 for designating the copy magnification provided on the control panel 34, which will be described later. Means 36 for scanning the beam, and second means 37 as a lens moving means for changing the optical path length as a selecting means,
And third means 38 for driving the photosensitive drum 9.
To control.

Then, the relative ratio (speed ratio) between the moving speed (scanning speed) of the exposure lamp 3 and the mirror 4 and the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum 9 is changed to change the size in the scanning direction, and the mirrors 5 and 6 are mounted. The second carriage 41 and the lens 7 thus moved are moved to change the ratio of the optical path length from the document A to the lens 7 and the optical path length from the lens 7 to the photosensitive drum 9 (optical path length ratio) to a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction. By changing the size of, you will get a copy of the specified size. Next, referring to FIG. 3, the mechanism relating to the change of the speed ratio and the change of the optical path length ratio, which are the main parts of the present invention, will be described.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the copying machine shown in FIG. 2 with the original table 2 removed. In the figure, reference numeral 40 denotes a first carriage, and the first carriage 40 has an exposure lamp 3 which constitutes a first means 36 for scanning an original A.
And the mirror 4 is mounted. Further, 41 is a second carriage, and the mirror 5 and the mirror 6 are mounted on the second carriage 41. The second carriage 41 is both driven by the scanning motor 42 through a mechanism that moves at a speed half that of the first carriage 40.

That is, as shown in detail in FIG. 4, the first and second carriages 40, 41 are reciprocally guided by the guide shaft 43 and the guide rail 44. Further, a drive pulley 45 driven by the scanning motor 42 is arranged on one end side of the guide shaft 43, and a driven pulley 46 is arranged on the other end side, and the toothed belt 47 is arranged via these pulleys 45, 46. Is stretched. And one point of this toothed belt 47 is the above-mentioned first
It is in a state of being fixed to a fixing portion 40 a provided so as to project from the carriage 40.

On the other hand, pulleys 48 and 49 are set on the guide support portion 41a of the guide shaft 43 of the second carriage 41, and the wire 50 is wound around them. One end of the wire 50 is connected to the fixing member 51 and the other end is connected to the fixing member 51 via a spring 52, and one point of the wire 50 is connected to the first carriage 40.
The fixed portion 40a is clamped. As a result, the pulleys 48 and 49 act as a moving pulley, so that the second carriage 41 is not moved with respect to the first carriage 40.
Can move at a speed of / 2.

A rack (not shown) that meshes with a pinion 54 driven by a mirror moving motor 53 is formed on the lower end surface of the fixing member 51. Only the two carriages 41 can be moved.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the lens 7 is held by a lens block 55, and the lens block 55 is driven by a lens moving motor 57 via a cam follower portion 56 fixed to the lens block 55. It is coupled to a driven cam shaft 58, and the lens block 55 is moved forward and backward in accordance with the rotation direction of the lens moving motor 57.

The second carriage 41 moves in synchronism with the movement of the lens block 55, and both of them constitute second means 37 for changing the optical path length. FIG. 5 is a view showing how the cam follower portion 56 and the cam shaft 58 are connected. The cam follower 59 fitted in the cam follower portion 56 moves along the groove of the cam shaft 58, so that the entire lens block 55 can move. Is.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Is a scanning motor 42, a mirror moving motor 53,
Separately from the lens moving motor 57, a dedicated drum driving motor 60 as the third means 38 for driving the photosensitive drum 9
Driven by these four motors 42, 53, 5
7, 60 are controlled independently.

FIG. 6 shows a control panel 34 operated by the user, which includes a print button 61 for instructing the start of copying, a magnification setting button 62 for setting the magnification of the copy, a magnification and the number of copies. It comprises a ten-key pad 63 as an input means for designating, a display section 64 for displaying the input number of them, a power switch 65, a copy density adjusting section 66 and the like.
Then, the fourth means 35 for designating an arbitrary copy magnification with the magnification setting button 62 and the ten key 63.
Are configured.

Further, the magnification setting button 62 as the mode switching means has a built-in lamp 70 as the first display means for displaying the mode switching state , and the input of the magnification from the ten key 63 as the input means is possible. At this time, that is, when the magnification setting button 62 is pressed before the print button 61 is pressed, the light is turned on, and the light is turned off by pressing the print button 61 again.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a magnification setting button 62 as a mode switching means, a ten key 63 as an input means, and a lamp 70 as a mode switching state display means are connected to a control section 71. A signal is sent from the control unit 71 to the copy magnification setting unit 72 and the number-of-sheets setting unit 73.

Then, in the control unit 71, the magnification setting button 6
2. A drive signal is selectively sent to the copy magnification setting means 72 or the number of sheets setting means 73 in response to an input from the ten key 63.

In the copying machine configured as described above, the user depresses the magnification setting button 62 before pressing the print button 61, inputs the desired magnification of the copy from the ten key 63, and again enters the magnification setting button 62. Press, enter the number of copies from the numeric keypad 63, and then
The print button 61 is pressed. Numerical values input from the numeric keypad 63 are sequentially displayed on the display unit 64 as the second display means, so that the user can determine whether or not he / she has correctly input.

Further, in this copying machine, it is possible to suddenly press the print button 61 without designating the magnification or the number of copies. In this case, the copying machine makes one copy of equal magnification. make a copy.

Now, when the data for setting the number of copies to be formed and the data for setting the copy magnification are input from the ten key 63 as the input means, the copy to be formed based on these data. The setting of the number and the setting of the copy magnification are selectively performed through the second and third means 37, 38.

That is, when the copy magnification is set, the lens moving motor 57 and the mirror moving motor 53 respectively operate to change the magnification in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction,
The ratio between the optical path length from the document A to the lens 7 and the optical path length from the lens 7 to the photoconductor drum 9, that is, the optical path length ratio, becomes equal to the designated magnification.
The carriage 41 is moved.

In this case, the longest or shortest optical path length is determined from the physical size of the copying machine, and since the same lens 7 is always used, the position of the lens 7 can be uniquely determined. A microcomputer as a control means is used for control, and a lens moving motor 57,
If a pulse motor is used as the mirror movement motor 53, the movement amount can be calculated very easily, and the position can be accurately determined by counting the number of pulses.

On the other hand, the document A placed on the document table 2 by pressing the print button 61 is scanned with the movement of the first carriage 40, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 9. This process is as described above.

In this case, the magnification in the scanning direction is determined by the speed ratio between the first carriage 40 and the photosensitive drum 9, but the first
With respect to the movement of the carriage 40 and the driving of the photosensitive drum 9, each motor has an independent motor, that is, since the scanning motor 42 and the drum driving motor 60 are provided, the number of rotations of each motor is controlled. This makes it possible to match the speed ratio to the set magnification. The scanning motor 42 and the drum driving motor 60 are pulse motors. The number of pulses given to the scanning motor 42 and the drum driving motor 60
The speed ratio is matched with the magnification by changing the number of pulses given to.

In the embodiment described above, the speed ratio of the first carriage 40 and the second carriage 41 is obtained by the principle of a moving pulley through a pulley. Instead, a scanning motor for driving the first carriage 40 is used. Second apart from 42
This can also be realized by having a dedicated motor for driving the carriage 41 and controlling the speed thereof.

If an electromagnetic clutch is used, the operation timings of the lens block 55 and the first and second carriages 40 and 41 are deviated, so that the lens moving motor 57 and the scanning motor 42 can be used in common. Also, the motors 42, 53, 57, 60 are not limited to pulse motors, and any motor capable of speed control within an allowable range may be used. Further, the document table 2 may be moved instead of driving the first and second carriages 40 and 41 on which the exposure lamp 3, the mirror 4 and the mirrors 5 and 6 are mounted.

The optical path length was changed by moving the second carriage 41 on which the mirrors 5 and 6 are mounted and the lens 7. However, a plurality of lenses are prepared, and the lenses are selectively used depending on the range of magnification, or the lens 7 is used. By changing the focal length of the lens by covering it with a correction lens, and then moving the lens block 55 and the second carriage 41, the copying machine can be downsized or the range of allowable magnification change can be expanded. Further, the mirror 8 may be moved instead of the second carriage 41.

Further, the invention of the present application is capable of setting both the number of sheets and the magnification.
The setting is made with the numeric keypad 63, but the magnification can be set independently.
In the case of a model to be set, a slide switch or a rotary switch may be used in addition to the numeric keypad 63 , and the movement amount thereof may be associated with the copy magnification.

Further, although the copying machine has been described as an example,
By optically scanning the object to be copied and exposing this image to the image carrier driving pulley 45 which moves through the optical system,
Of course, any image forming apparatus may be used as long as it can obtain a copy of the copy object. In addition, the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In an image forming apparatus configured to form an original image on an image carrier at a preset copy magnification to form a preset number of copies, the original image is carried at a preset copy magnification. focused on the body, in an image forming apparatus so as to form a preset number of copies, the numerical data for setting the copying the number of forming, and copying magnification for entering numerical data indicating itself One each
A numeric keypad consisting of multiple numeric keys for displaying numbers and when multiple numeric keys of this numeric keypad are operated
A first mode for setting the receiving copying the number as the number data of the copy of the number <br/> value comprised number displayed on the respective numeric keys, a plurality of digits of said ten-key
Is displayed on each number key when the key is operated
And a switching means for selectively switching between a second mode for receiving a numerical value composed of a numeral as copying magnification data and setting a copying magnification. Therefore, it is possible to input the number-of-sheets data for setting the number of copies and the copy magnification data for setting the copy magnification with a smaller number of input keys than before, and it is possible to simplify the configuration and improve the operability. Further, the final numerical value of the magnification is directly input with the ten-key pad, and the desired magnification can be set. Further, the number of sheets and the magnification can be displayed on a single display device which is a second display means, and the first mode indicating which one of the first and second modes is set is displayed.
Since it is displayed by the display means, it is possible to inform the operator whether the numerical value currently input from the ten-key pad is the number of sheets or the magnification, and it is possible to prevent an input error.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a main part of a copying machine.

FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical sectional front view of a copying machine showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the platen is also removed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a moving mechanism portion of the optical system of the same.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a moving mechanism portion of the lens block of the same.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the control panel of the same.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control system of the same.

[Explanation of Codes] A ... Object to be copied (original), 3 ... Exposure lamp (exposure light source), 4, 5, 6, 8 ... Mirror, 7 ... Lens,
9 ... Image bearing member (photosensitive drum), 10 ... Optical system, 34 ...
Control panel, 35 ... Fourth means, 36 ... First means (carriage moving means), 37 ... Second means (lens moving means), 38 ... Third means (image carrier driving means), 40 ... 1st carriage, 41 ... 2nd carriage,
61 ... Print button, 62 ... Magnification setting button (mode switching means), 63 ... Numeric keypad (number setting means, input means), 64 ... Display unit (second display means) , 70 ... Lamp ( first display means) , 71 ... Control unit.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-56-72449 (JP, A) JP-A-56-151948 (JP, A) JP-A-56-77852 (JP, A) JP-A-58- 70250 (JP, A) JP 59-33442 (JP, A) JP 59-33463 (JP, A) JP 57-68851 (JP, A) JP 54-28632 (JP, A) Japanese Patent Publication 2-41027 (JP, B2)

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An image of an object to be copied is formed on a cylindrical image carrier that moves relative to the object to be copied via an optical system including a lens according to a preset copying magnification. However, in an image forming apparatus configured to form a preset number of copies , one each for inputting numerical data for setting the number of copies to be formed and numerical data indicating the copy magnification itself. Multiple numeric keys to display
And a numeric keypad, which consists of over, several of the numbers out of the numeric keypad
Displayed on each number key when the key is operated
The first mode in which a numerical value consisting of the numbers is received as the number-of-copies data and the number of copies is set, and when a plurality of numeric keys of the ten keys are operated, respectively.
Switching means for selectively switching between a second mode for receiving a numerical value composed of the numbers displayed on the numerical keys as copying magnification data and setting a copying magnification, and the first and second switching means by this switching means. First display means for displaying which one of the two modes is set, and when the first mode is designated by the switching means, the copy set based on the input from the ten-key pad and displays the number of objects in numbers, when the second mode is designated by said switching means, a single display for displaying based on an input by the ten keys, the set copy magnification in numerical While the second display means consisting of: and the first display means indicating that the second mode is selected by the switching means,
Is input from the numeric keypad, and an image forming means for forming on an image bearing member by scaling the image of the object copies in magnification of numbers displayed on the this time, the second display means, An image forming apparatus comprising: