JP2009298549A - Automatic document feeder and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an automatic document feeder capable of feeding a document bundle fed from a second document tray to a document set position on a first document tray and an image forming apparatus equipped with the automatic document feeder. <P>SOLUTION: The automatic document feeder 82 displaces a second document stopper (a document stopper) 4 between an abutment position M at which the tip of the document bundle is received and a retreat position N to which the document stopper retreats from the abutment position M wherein, when the document bundle set at the first document tray 1 is fed, the second document stopper 4 is displaced from the abutment position to the retreat position N and a first feed section 5 and a second feed section 6 feed the document bundle from a second document set position R to a first document set position Q. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic document conveyance device that discharges a document set on a document tray after the document is conveyed to an image reading position, and an image forming apparatus including the automatic document conveyance device.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic document feeder that conveys a document set on a document tray to the image reading position and then ejects the document. In this automatic document feeder, the document tray is composed of a first document tray unit and a second document tray unit on which documents to be supplied to the first document tray unit are set. When the conveyance of the document set at the document setting position of the first document tray unit is completed, the document is conveyed from the second document tray unit to the first document tray unit by the conveyance unit provided in the second document tray unit. It has become so.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-43914

  However, the transport unit is configured such that the fence that contacts the rear end of the document bundle moves from the rear end to the front end of the second document tray unit to push out the document bundle. For this reason, when a document bundle having a dimension in the document conveyance direction shorter than the dimension in the document conveyance direction of the first document tray section is conveyed from the second document tray section, this document bundle is transferred to the first document tray section. There was a problem that it could not be transported to the original set position.

  Therefore, the present invention includes an automatic document feeder that can transport a bundle of documents conveyed from the second document tray section to the document setting position of the first document tray section, regardless of the document size, and the automatic document feeder. An object is to obtain an image forming apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention described in claim 1 is an automatic document feeder that discharges a document set on a document tray after transporting the document to an image reading position, and the document tray is a first document. The first document tray unit includes a first document tray unit having a set position and a second document tray unit having a second document set position and on which a bundle of documents to be supplied to the first document tray unit is set. The unit includes a first transport unit that transports the document bundle conveyed from the second document tray unit to the first document setting position, and the second document tray unit is a leading end of the document bundle to be set at the second document setting position. A document stopper that receives the document bundle, and a second transport section that transports the document bundle set at the second document setting position to the first document tray section. Retreated position When the document bundle set on the first document tray unit is conveyed, the document stopper is displaced from the contact position to the retracted position, and the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit. The document bundle is conveyed from the second document setting position to the first document setting position.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the first document sensor that detects the presence or absence of a document on the first document tray portion and the presence or absence of a document on the second document tray portion are detected. A first document sensor, and the first document sensor after the document stopper is displaced from the retracted position to the contact position when the first document sensor is in the detection state and the second document sensor is in the non-detection state. Is moved to a non-detection state and the second document sensor is in a detection state, the document stopper is displaced from the contact position to the retracted position, and is set at the second document setting position by the first transport unit and the second transport unit. The original bundle is conveyed to the first original setting position.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the second document tray unit includes an auxiliary tray unit, and the auxiliary tray unit is accommodated in the second document tray unit main body. It is characterized in that it is displaced between a storage position or a folding position where it is folded and stacked on the second document tray section main body and an area increasing position for increasing the document placement area of the second document tray section.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect of the present invention, a pair of first side fences for aligning side edges of documents set on the first document tray unit and a second document tray unit A pair of second side fences that align the side edges of the document set on the document, a moving unit that moves the first side fence in the document width direction, and a first side that detects the position of the first side fence in the document width direction. A fence sensor and a second side fence sensor for detecting a position of the second side fence in the document width direction are provided, the first document sensor is changed from the detection state to the non-detection state, and the second document sensor is detected from the non-detection state. Move the first side fence to the same position as the second side fence when the first side fence and the second side fence are in different positions And features.

  The invention described in claim 5 includes the automatic document feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 4, reads an image of a document conveyed by the automatic document feeder, and records the read image as a recording medium. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the image forming apparatus is formed.

  According to the present invention, since the first document tray unit 1 is provided with the first conveyance unit, the document bundle conveyed from the second document tray unit can be conveyed to the first document setting position regardless of the document size. .

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the automatic document feeder according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing control of the automatic document feeder according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the automatic document feeder according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 81 according to the present embodiment is a copying machine, and as shown in FIG. 4, an automatic document feeder 82 and an image reading unit 83 that reads an image of a document conveyed by the automatic document feeder 82. An image is formed by an image forming unit 85 that forms an image of a document read by the image reading unit 83 on a recording medium, a paper feed cassette 86 that stores a recording medium supplied to the image forming unit 85, and an image forming unit 85. And a paper discharge unit 87 for discharging the recording medium.

  The automatic document feeder 82 is provided at the top of the image forming apparatus 81 so as to be opened and closed by a hinge. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic document feeder 82 is provided with a document tray 91 into which a bundle of documents in which a plurality of documents (paper sheets) are stacked is inserted and set. On the downstream side of the document tray 91 in the document transport direction, a calling roller 21 that feeds a bundle of documents set on the document tray 91 and a separation feed that separates and feeds only the top sheet from the document bundle sent by the calling roller 21. A paper section 40 is provided. On the downstream side of the separation sheet feeding unit 40, a first conveyance path A that guides the document fed by the separation sheet feeding unit 40 to the image reading position 26, and a document that has passed the image reading position 26 is guided downstream. And a second transport path B is provided. On the downstream side of the second conveyance path B, the switching claw 11 for switching the conveyance destination of the document guided by the second conveyance path B, the discharge unit 28 for stacking the document guided by the switching claw 11, and the switching claw 11 A reversing roller pair 12 for switching back the document guided by is provided. A third conveyance path C is provided between the vicinity of the front end of the switching claw 11 and the first conveyance path A to join the switched back document to the first conveyance path A. The first transport path A is provided with a pull-out roller pair 24 and a pre-reading roller pair 25 for transporting the document downstream. A paper discharge roller 27 is provided on the downstream side of the second transport path B.

  The document tray 91 is disposed so as to be gently inclined so as to be lowered toward the downstream side in the document conveyance direction. The document tray 91 includes a first document tray unit 1 having a first document setting position Q and a second document tray having a second document setting position R and a document bundle to be supplied to the first document tray unit 1 being set. Part 2.

  The second document tray unit 2 is arranged in series upstream of the first document tray unit 1 in the document transport direction. The first document tray unit 1 and the second document tray unit 2 are arranged so that the respective document placement surfaces are included in the same plane.

  The dimension of the first document tray unit 1 in the document conveyance direction is longer than the dimension of the A4 size sheet in the longitudinal direction and shorter than the dimension of the B4 size sheet in the longitudinal direction. The dimension of the second document tray section 2 in the document conveyance direction is longer than the dimension of the B5 size sheet in the longitudinal direction and shorter than the dimension of the A4 size sheet in the longitudinal direction.

  The first document tray 1 includes a first conveyance unit 5 that conveys the document bundle supplied from the second document tray unit 2 to the first document setting position Q, and a pair of first sides that align the side edges of the document bundle. Fences 7a and 7b are provided.

  The first conveying unit 5 includes a driving roller 5a, a driven roller 5b disposed upstream of the driving roller 5a in the document conveying direction, and a conveying belt 5c wound around these rollers.

  The shaft of the drive roller 5a is disposed inside the outer periphery of the first document tray unit 1, and a part (upper part) of the outer peripheral surface projects outward from the document placement surface of the first document tray unit 1. Yes. The shaft of the driven roller 5 b is disposed inside the outer periphery of the first document tray unit 1, and the uppermost part of the outer peripheral surface is flush with the document placement surface of the first document tray unit 1. As a result, the conveying belt 5c comes into contact with the lower surface of the original bundle on the first original tray portion 1.

  The side fences 7a and 7b are connected to each other by a link mechanism, and are movable in a direction toward each other or a direction away from each other. The link mechanism includes a pinion and a pair of racks that mesh with each other so as to be sandwiched between the pinion.

  Between the first document tray unit 1 and the separation feeding unit 40, a first document stopper 3 that receives the leading end of a bundle of documents set on the first document tray unit 1, and a document on the first document tray unit 1 A first document sensor 31 for detecting presence or absence is provided. The first document sensor 31 is connected to a CPU 35 described later. The first document setting position Q is the position of the document bundle when the leading edge of the document bundle is in contact with the first document stopper 3.

  The first document stopper 3 can be rotated between a contact position that contacts the leading end of the document bundle and a retracted position that retreats from the contact position, and is rotated (displaced) by a rotation mechanism. ing.

  The rotation mechanism is a motor and the first document stopper 3 that are connected via a gear, a torque limiter, or the like. The first document stopper 3 is controlled by a CPU 35 described later.

  The second document tray unit 2 includes a second document stopper 4 that receives a leading end of a bundle of documents set on the second document tray unit 2, and a second document sensor 32 that detects the presence or absence of a document on the second document tray unit 2. A second transport unit 6 that transports the document bundle set on the second document tray unit 2 to the first document tray unit 1, and a pair of second side fences 8a and 8b that align the side edges of the document bundle. Is provided. The second document sensor 32 is connected to a CPU 35 described later.

  The second document stopper 4 is provided at the front end portion (end portion on the downstream side in the document transport direction) of the second document tray portion 2 and receives a contact position M (document placement on the second document tray portion 2) that receives the leading edge of the document. It can be rotated to a retreat position N that retreats from the contact position M, and is turned (displaced) by a turning mechanism. The second document stopper 4 is in the retracted position N in the initial state and is controlled by a CPU 35 described later. The second document setting position R is the position of the document bundle when the leading edge of the document bundle is in contact with the second document stopper 4. The rotation mechanism of the second document stopper 4 has the same configuration as the rotation mechanism of the first document stopper 3.

  The second transport unit 6 includes two transport rollers 6a and 6b that are spaced apart from each other along the document transport direction. Each of the transport rollers 6a and 6b has an axis disposed inside the outer periphery of the second document tray unit 2, and a part of the outer peripheral surface (upper part) is outside the document placement surface of the second document tray unit 2. It protrudes toward. Thus, the transport rollers 6a and 6b come into contact with the lower surface of the original bundle on the second original tray portion 2.

  The configuration of the second side fences 8a, 8b is the same as the configuration of the first side fences 7a, 7b.

  The calling roller 21 is pivotally supported at one end of the support member 55. The other end of the support member 55 is pivotally supported, and the support member 55 is rotatable about this shaft. As a result, the calling roller 21 can move between a standby position above the document bundle and a contact position that contacts the upper surface of the document bundle. The calling roller 21 is located upstream of the first document stopper 3 in the document transport direction.

  The separation sheet feeding unit 40 includes a sheet feeding roller 22 and a separation pad 23 that contacts the sheet feeding roller 22 from below. The paper feed roller 22 is pivotally supported at the other end of the support member 55. One end of the separation pad 23 is pivotally supported, and the other end is always urged toward the paper feed roller 22 by the coil spring 14. That is, the separation sheet feeding unit 40 separates and feeds the uppermost sheet from the original bundle guided between the sheet feeding roller 22 and the separation pad 23.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 35 receives signals from the first document sensor 31, the second document sensor 32, and the operation unit 37 of the image forming apparatus main body, and transfers the processing contents to the first transport unit 5 and the second transport. The data is transmitted to the unit 6, the first document stopper 3, and the second document stopper 4.

  The operation of the automatic document feeder 82 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, an A4-size document bundle G1 is set on the first document tray section 1. The document bundle G1 is set by pushing one end (tip) of the document bundle G1 in the longitudinal direction against the first document stopper 3 at the contact position, and then manually moving the first side fences 7a and 7b. This is done by aligning the side edges. When document bundle G1 is set on first document tray section 1, first document sensor 31 is in the detection state (YES in S1), but second document sensor 32 remains in the non-detection state (NO in S2). ).

  In response to a paper feed start signal from the operation unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 81, the calling roller 2 descends from the standby position and comes into pressure contact with the document bundle G1, and then the first document stopper 3 moves to the retracted position and the document bundle. G1 is sent out toward the separation sheet feeding unit 40 along with the rotation of the calling roller 2. Only the uppermost sheet of the original bundle is separated by the separation paper feeding unit 40 and fed toward the image reading position 26.

  On the other hand, in response to a paper feed start signal from the operation unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 81 (YES in S3), the second document stopper 4 rotates from the retracted position N to the contact position M (S4). Here, the A4-size original bundle G2 is set on the second original tray portion 2 in the same manner as the original bundle G1. When document bundle G2 is set on second document tray portion 2, second document sensor 32 is in a detection state (YES in S5).

  In the case of reading only the first image surface (single-sided mode), the document is read at the image reading position 26 and then passes through the second conveyance path B, and the switching claw 11 at the document discharge position (see FIG. 1 is guided to the switching claw 11) at the position indicated by the solid line and discharged to the discharge portion 28.

  In the case of double-sided reading of a document (double-sided mode), the document is scanned at the image reading position 26 through the first conveyance path A so as to read the first image surface. After the image reading, it passes through the second conveyance path B and is guided to the nip of the reversing roller pair 12 by the switching claw 11 at the document reversing position (the switching claw 11 at the position of the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1), and rotates forward. The sheet is conveyed downstream by a pair of reversing rollers 12 that rotates (clockwise).

  When the document is discharged as it is after the second image surface is read, the document is switched back by the reverse rotation (counterclockwise rotation) of the reverse roller pair 12 and is guided to the switching claw 11 at the document discharge position. It is sent to the conveyance path C. The original passes through the third conveyance path C through the first conveyance path A by the rotation of the paper discharge roller 27, the second image surface is read at the image reading position 26, and the document is discharged through the second conveyance path B. It is discharged to 28.

  When the second image surface is read and then reversed again to adjust the page order, the document is reversed by the switching claw 11 at the document reversing position after the second image surface is read and through the second conveyance path B. Guided to the nip of the roller pair 12. Then, it is switched back again by the reverse roller pair 12 and is conveyed from the third conveyance path C toward the first conveyance path A. The document that has passed through the first transport path A and the second transport path B is guided to the switching claw 11 at the document discharge position and sent to the discharge unit 28, and the page order of the documents is adjusted.

  Then, at the timing when the trailing edge of the last document in the document bundle G1 set at the first document setting position Q passes the position facing the first document sensor 31, the first document sensor 31 is not detected from the detection state. A state is reached (NO in S6). After the second document stopper 4 is rotated from the contact position M to the retracted position N (S7), the first transport unit 5 and the second transport unit 6 are driven (S8), and the document bundle G2 is moved to the second document tray. It is conveyed from the section 2 toward the first document setting position Q. When the document bundle G2 is conveyed to the first document setting position Q, the second document sensor 32 changes from the detection state to the non-detection state (NO in S9), and then the first document sensor 31 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state. (YES in S10). Then, after the driving of the first transport unit 5 and the second transport unit 6 is stopped (S11), the second document stopper 4 is rotated from the retracted position N to the contact position M (S12). Similar to the document bundle G1, the document bundle G2 is conveyed to the image reading position 26 one by one, read the image, and then discharged to the discharge unit 28.

  After the second document stopper 4 is rotated from the retracted position N to the contact position M, when the A4 size document bundle is set on the second document tray unit 2, the second document sensor 32 is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state. (YES in S13). Thereafter, the flow returns to S6, and the original bundle can be continuously conveyed one by one to the image reading position 26 in the same manner as described above.

  In the above, an example in which the A4 size document bundle G1 is first set on the first document tray unit 1 and then the A4 size document bundle G2 is set on the second document tray unit 2 has been described. Similarly, when a document bundle having a smaller size is set on the first document tray unit 1 and then a document bundle of the same size is set on the second document tray unit 2, the document is continuously placed at the image reading position 26. Can be transported.

  Further, when a document bundle of B4 size or larger is first set at the first document setting position Q and straddling the first document tray unit 1 and the second document tray unit 2, the first document sensor 31 is used. Is in the detection state (YES in S1), the second document sensor 32 is in the detection state (NO in S2), and the second document stopper 4 is transported to the retreat position N from time to time. It will be.

  In the image forming apparatus 81, the recording medium is conveyed from the paper feed cassette 86 to the image forming unit 85. In the image forming unit 85, an image of the document read by the image reading unit 83 is formed on the recording medium. The recording medium on which the image is formed is discharged to the paper discharge unit 87.

  The effect of this Embodiment is demonstrated. According to the present embodiment, since the first transport unit 5 is provided in the first document tray unit 1, the document transported from the second document tray unit 2 is placed in the first document set position regardless of the document size. Can transport up to Q.

  When the document bundle set on the first document tray unit 1 is conveyed, the second document stopper 4 rotates from the contact position M to the retracted position N, and then the first conveyance unit 5 and the second conveyance unit 6. Is driven, the document bundle can be automatically conveyed from the second document setting position R to the first document setting position Q.

  The image forming apparatus 81 including the automatic document feeder 82 that exhibits the same effect as described above can be provided.

  Next, other embodiments will be described. In the following description, parts having the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description of the parts is given. In the following description, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the automatic document feeder according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the dimension of the first document tray section 1 in the document conveyance direction is longer than the dimension of the A3 size sheet in the longitudinal direction.

  The second document tray unit 2 is provided above the first document tray unit 1 from the center to the rear and on the first document tray unit 1 via a support member. The second document tray unit 2 is arranged to be steeply inclined toward the front lower side than the first document tray unit 1 (so as to be lowered toward the downstream side in the document transport direction).

  In the present embodiment, after the A3 size document bundle H1 set on the first document tray unit 1 is conveyed, the second document stopper 4 rotates from the contact position M to the retracted position N, and the second The A4-size document bundle H2 set on the document tray unit 2 is conveyed to the first document tray unit 1 along the path indicated by a two-dot chain line U in FIG.

  The second document stopper 4 rotates 90 degrees or more forward from the contact position (position standing on the second document tray unit 2) M to the retracted position N, and at the retracted position N, the second document tray unit 2 is rotated. A guide that guides the bundle of documents to the first document tray section 1 is maintained while maintaining a state of being slightly inclined forward and downward.

  According to the present embodiment, since the second document tray unit 2 is provided above the first document tray 1, the document transport direction of the first document tray unit 1 is not increased in size in the document transport direction. The dimension in can be lengthened. Accordingly, a bundle of large originals (B4 size originals or more) is first set on the first original tray unit 1, and then a small document bundle (A4 size originals or less) is set on the second original tray unit 2. Thus, the bundle of documents set on the first document tray unit 1 and the second document tray unit 2 can be continuously conveyed.

  When the bundle of documents is conveyed from the second document tray section 2 to the first document tray section 1, the second document stopper 4 located at the contact position M is rotated so as to fall forward, and the retracted position N In this case, the state in which the second original tray part 2 is inclined slightly forward and downward is maintained, so that the original bundle can be smoothly conveyed to the first tray part.

  A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the automatic document feeder according to the present embodiment.

  When the first document tray unit 1 and the second document tray unit 2 are arranged in series and the document bundle set on each document tray unit is continuously conveyed, the first document stopper 3 to the second document stopper 4 are used. A document bundle having a dimension in the document transport direction that is longer than the distance up to can not be transported continuously. For this reason, it is desirable that the first document tray unit 1 is large. However, in order to avoid an increase in the size of the apparatus, if the first document tray 1 is to be enlarged without changing the overall size of the document tray 91, the second document tray 2 is used. Becomes smaller, and the size of the document bundle that can be set on the second document tray unit 2 is limited.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, an auxiliary tray portion 9 is provided that is folded and stacked on the second document tray portion main body 2a. The auxiliary tray section 9 is supported at the base end by a shaft 43 provided at the rear end of the second document tray section main body 2a, and an area increasing position X for increasing the document placement area of the second document tray section 2. And a folding position Y that is folded and superimposed on the second document tray main body 2a. The auxiliary tray unit 9 can hold the position at the area increasing position X and at the folding position Y.

  The dimensions of the auxiliary tray section 9 are the same for L1 and L2 when the distance from the first document stopper 3 to the second document stopper 4 is L1, and the length from the second document stopper 4 to the tip of the auxiliary document tray 9 is L2. Alternatively, it is desirable to configure L1 to be slightly longer than L2.

  According to the present embodiment, by positioning the auxiliary tray portion 9 at the area increasing position X, a large size can be placed on the second document tray portion 2 or from the first document tray portion 1 to the second document tray portion 2. While the original can be set, the apparatus can be used in a small size by positioning the auxiliary tray portion 9 at the folding position Y.

  A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the moving part of the first side fences 7a, 7b according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 8 shows the control configuration of the automatic document feeder according to the present embodiment. It is a block diagram.

  In the first embodiment, when document bundles having different widths are set on the first document tray unit 1 and the second document tray unit 2 and continuous conveyance is attempted, the document bundle on the second document tray unit 2 is the first document bundle. If it is larger than the original bundle on the original tray unit 1 in the width direction, it will abut against the first side fence 7 and cannot be conveyed. On the other hand, when the original bundle on the second original tray section 2 is smaller in the width direction than the original bundle on the first original tray section 1, the first original tray section 1 is not aligned with the side edges of the original bundle. There is a possibility that the first document setting position Q is set in a tilted state.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a moving unit 45 that moves the first side fences 7a and 7b in the document width direction is provided, and the first side fences 7a and 7b are moved to the second side fences 8a and 8a. It is made to move according to the position of 8b.

  The moving unit 45 includes a stepping motor 51 that can rotate forward and backward, a pinion 49 that is fixed to the rotation shaft of the stepping motor 51, and a pair of racks 47a and 47b that engage with each other so as to be sandwiched between the pinions 49. . The rack 47a is fixed to the first side fence 7a, and the rack 47b is fixed to the first side fence 7b.

  That is, the side fences 7a and 7b can move in a direction toward each other or a direction away from each other (document width direction) by forward and reverse rotation of the stepping motor 51. The stepping motor 51 is connected to and controlled by the CPU 35 as shown in FIG.

  The first document tray unit 1 is provided with a first side fence sensor 33 that detects the positions of the first side fences 7a, 7b in the document width direction. The second document tray unit 2 is provided with a second side fence sensor 34 that detects the positions of the second side fences 8a, 8b in the document width direction. The 1st side fence sensor 33 and the 2nd side fence sensor 34 are ultrasonic sensors provided with the transmission part and the receiving part, and can detect the position of an object (side fence) by the time required for transmission and reception of an ultrasonic wave. It has become. The first side fence sensor 33 and the second side fence sensor 34 are connected to the CPU 35 as shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 35 detects the first side fences 7a and 7b and the second side fence when the second document sensor 32 is in the detection state and the first document sensor 31 is changed from the detection state to the non-detection state. When the positions in the document width direction are compared with those of 8a and 8b, and when these positions are different, the stepping motor 51 is driven to place the first side fences 7a and 7b in the same positions as the second side fences 8a and 8b. Move.

  When the distance between the side fences 7a and 7b is larger than the distance between the side fences 8a and 8b, that is, when the first side fences 7a and 7b are located outside the second side fences 8a and 8b, The stepping motor 51 is rotated forward to move the side fences 7a, 7b toward each other. When the first side fences 7a, 7b move to the same position as the second side fences 8a, 8b, the driving of the stepping motor 51 is stopped. On the other hand, when the distance between the side fences 7a and 7b is smaller than the distance between the side fences 8a and 8b, that is, when the first side fences 7a and 7b are located inside the second side fences 8a and 8b. Reversely rotates the stepping motor 51 to move the side fences 7a, 7b away from each other. When the first side fences 7a, 7b move to the same position as the second side fences 8a, 8b, the driving of the stepping motor 51 is stopped.

  Thereafter, the second document stopper 4 is rotated from the contact position M to the retracted position N, and the first transport unit 5 and the second transport unit 6 are driven so that the document bundle is moved from the second document set position R to the first. It is conveyed to the document setting position Q.

  According to the present embodiment, when the document is conveyed from the second document tray unit 2 to the first document tray unit 1, the first side fences 7a and 7b are moved to the same positions as the second side fences 8a and 8b. Therefore, even if a document bundle having a width different from that of the document bundle set in the first document tray section is set in the second document tray section, the document bundle set in the second document tray section is used as the second document tray section 2. To the first document tray unit 1 while the side edges of the document bundle are aligned.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

  The second document stopper 4 is automatically rotated between the retracted position N and the contact position M. Instead of this, the second document stopper 4 is rotated on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus main body. A switch to be moved may be provided, and the second document stopper 4 may be arbitrarily rotated between the retreat position N and the contact position M by operating this switch.

After the second document stopper 4 is rotated from the contact position M to the retracted position N, the first transport unit 5 and the second transport unit 6 are automatically driven. A drive switch for the first transport unit 5 and the second transport unit 6 is provided on the operation panel of the main body, and the first transport unit 5 and the second transport unit 6 can be arbitrarily driven and stopped by operating this switch. May be.

  The second document stopper 4 is automatically rotated between the retracted position N and the contact position M. In addition, the second document stopper 4 is rotated on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus main body. A switch to be moved may be provided, and the second document stopper 4 may be arbitrarily rotated between the retreat position N and the contact position M by operating this switch. In the first embodiment, the third embodiment, and the fourth embodiment, after setting and transporting a bundle of documents on the first document tray section 1 and the second document tray section 2, the switch is operated. By rotating the second document stopper 4 from the contact position M to the retracted position N, a document of B4 size or larger is set across the first document tray unit 1 and the second document tray unit 2. Can do.

  The second document stopper 4 is configured to rotate (displace) between the contact position M and the retracted position N. Instead, the second document stopper 4 is provided on the second document tray unit 2. It may be configured to slide in a direction orthogonal to the document placement surface and move (displace) between the contact position and the retracted position.

  The first transport unit 5 includes the driving roller 5a, the driven roller 5b, and the transport belt 5c. Alternatively, the first transport unit 5 may include transport rollers (one or more) that transport the original bundle.

  The first transport unit 5 includes a pair of drive roller 5a, driven roller 5b, and transport belt 5c, but is not limited thereto, and two or more sets of drive roller 5a, driven roller 5b, and transport belt 5c. You may comprise.

  The second transport unit 6 is composed of a transport roller 6a and a transport roller 6b, but may instead be composed of a driving roller, a driven roller, and a transport belt wound around these rollers.

  The second transport unit 6 is composed of the two transport rollers 6a and 6b, but is not limited thereto, and may be composed of one or three or more transport rollers.

  Although ultrasonic sensors are used as the first document sensor 31 and the second document sensor 32, optical sensors may be used instead.

  In the first embodiment, the dimension of the first document tray unit 1 in the document conveyance direction is longer than the dimension of the A4 size sheet in the longitudinal direction and shorter than the dimension of the B4 size sheet in the longitudinal direction. For example, the dimension may be longer than the dimension in the longitudinal direction of B5 size paper and shorter than the dimension in the longitudinal direction of A4 size paper.

  In the first embodiment, the dimension in the document transport direction of the second document tray unit 2 is longer than the dimension in the longitudinal direction of B5 size paper and shorter than the dimension in the longitudinal direction of A4 size paper. For example, it may be longer than the dimension in the longitudinal direction of A4 size paper and shorter than the dimension in the longitudinal direction of B4 size paper.

  In the second embodiment, the dimension in the document transport direction of the first document tray unit 1 is longer than the dimension in the longitudinal direction of A3 size paper, but is not limited to this, for example, the longitudinal direction of B4 size paper It may be longer than this dimension and shorter than the dimension in the longitudinal direction of A3 size paper.

  In the third embodiment, the auxiliary tray portion 9 is provided so as to rotate between the area increasing position X and the folding position Y. Instead, the auxiliary tray portion 9 is provided with the area increasing position and the second position. You may provide so that it may slide between the accommodation positions accommodated in a document tray part main body.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an automatic document feeder according to a first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating control of the automatic document feeder according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the automatic document feeder according to the first embodiment. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an automatic document feeder according to a second embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows schematic structure of the automatic document feeder based on 3rd Embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the moving part of the 1st side fence which concerns on 4th Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of an automatic document feeder according to a fourth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st document tray part 2 2nd document tray part 4 2nd document stopper (document stopper)
5 1st conveyance part 6 2nd conveyance part 7a, 7b 1st side fence 8a, 8b 2nd side fence 26 Image reading position 31 1st original sensor 32 2nd original sensor 33 1st side fence sensor 34 2nd side fence sensor 45 Moving unit G1 Document bundle set on the first document tray unit G2 Document bundle set on the second document tray unit H1 Document bundle set on the first document tray unit H2 Document set on the second document tray unit Bundle M Contact position N Retraction position Q First document setting position R Second document setting position X Area increasing position Y Folding position

Claims (5)

  An automatic document transport device that transports a document set on a document tray to an image reading position and then discharges the document. The document tray has a first document tray portion having a first document setting position and a second document setting position. And a second document tray unit on which a document bundle to be supplied to the first document tray unit is set. The first document tray unit receives the document bundle conveyed from the second document tray unit as the first document bundle. A first transport unit that transports the document to the document setting position, and the second document tray unit receives a document stopper that receives the leading end of the document bundle to be set at the second document setting position, and a document bundle set at the second document setting position. And a second transport section that transports the first document tray section. The document stopper is displaced between a contact position that receives the front end of the document bundle and a retracted position that is retracted from the contact position. Set in the department When the original bundle is conveyed, the original stopper is displaced from the contact position to the retracted position, and the original bundle and the second conveyance section convey the original bundle from the second original setting position to the first original setting position. An automatic document feeder characterized by:   A first document sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a document on the first document tray unit; and a second document sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a document on the second document tray unit, wherein the first document sensor is in a detection state; When the first document sensor is in the non-detection state and the second document sensor is in the detection state after the document stopper is displaced from the retracted position to the contact position when the second document sensor is in the non-detection state. The document stopper is displaced from the contact position to the retracted position, and the document bundle set at the second document setting position by the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit is conveyed to the first document setting position. Item 2. The automatic document feeder according to Item 1.   The second document tray unit includes an auxiliary tray unit, and the auxiliary tray unit is stored in the second document tray unit main body, or a folding position where the second document tray unit is folded and stacked on the second document tray unit main body. The automatic document feeder according to claim 1, wherein the automatic document feeder is displaced between an area where the original is placed and an area where the original is increased.   A pair of first side fences that align side edges of documents set on the first document tray section, a pair of second side fences that align side edges of documents set on the second document tray section, and a first A moving unit that moves the side fence in the document width direction, a first side fence sensor that detects the position of the first side fence in the document width direction, and a second side fence that detects the position of the second side fence in the document width direction The first side fence and the second side fence are different from each other when the first document sensor changes from the detection state to the non-detection state and the second document sensor changes from the non-detection state to the detection state. 4. The automatic document feeder according to claim 2, wherein the first side fence is moved to the same position as the second side fence.   An image forming apparatus comprising the automatic document feeder according to claim 1, wherein an image of a document conveyed by the automatic document feeder is read, and the read image is formed on a recording medium. apparatus.

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