Copying apparatus for sheet originals and thicker originals

Abstract

There is disclosed an electrophotographic method and device for forming copies utilizing a reciprocating member movable for scanning an original document positioned thereon to form a latent image on a rotatable photosensitive medium. Transfer material is fed in response to a feed signal produced by the reciprocating member in accordance with movement thereof. In one mode of operation, the photosensitive medium completes at least two rotations for each reciprocation of the reciprocating member.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a copying apparatus for copying both sheet originals and thicker originals, and more particularly to an epoch-making copying apparatus which is capable of high-speed copy production and which incorporates various novel process means.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The conventional copying machines are generally classified into two types, one of which is only able to copy sheet originals and the other is meant to copy three-dimensional originals such as books and the like.

The copiers exclusively for use with sheet originals cannot copy books or other thicker originals but are meritorious in that sheet originals can be rapidly copied simply by feeding them into an inlet for insertion and that there is no return stroke for the original carriage or the optical system during the same process, thus enhancing the copying speed correspondingly or approximately twice. These copiers have further merits in the simplicity and low cost of the entire construction, and also in the readiness with which an automatic original supply means may be added if required.

The other type of copiers, i.e. those for copying books or thicker originals have a great characteristic that they can copy both sheet originals and thicker originals. However, their construction is such that any original to be copied must be flatly spread over the original carriage, and such constructions unavoidably leads to cumbersome procedures of raising the original keep cover to place each sheet original on the original carriage, closing the keep cover and depressing the copy button, as is required to copy thicker originals. Moreover, the original carriage or the optical system operatively involves its return stroke, which means a corresponding loss of time and accordingly a corresponding reduction in copying speed for the same process. Additionally, mechanisms are not only complicated and expensive but also great difficulties will be encountered in incorporating an automatic original supply means.

For these reasons, the foregoing two conventional types of copying machines have been enjoying their unique markets, respectively.

In most offices, however, demand for copies of sheet originals is greater than that for copies of thicker originals. For this reason, those offices had to resort to copying machines for thick originals which are more expensive and less convenient to copy sheet originals.

To overcome such irrationality, there have heretofore been proposed copying apparatuses which are capable of copying thicker originals while maintaining their merits as sheet original copying apparatus. Such apparatuses are grouped into the following two types:

I. The apparatus portion overlying the path of sheet originals is detachably constructed so that when copying thicker originals, such portion may be detached from the apparatus body so as to expose the sheet original transport rolls of the apparatus body. A thicker original may be manually urged against such exposed transport rolls and transported with the aid of the rubber rolls so as to be subjected to a through-slit exposure.

II. This type is substantially identical in construction with the type I except in that there is additionally provided a carrier comprising a transparent plate of glass or plastics, on which a thicker original may be placed and transported for exposure with the edges of the carrier held by two or more pairs of transport rolls.

These two types of apparatuses are substantially similar to the sheet original copying machines in construction and accordingly in cost, but suffer from some demerits as follows:

(1) From the user's point of view, removal of an apparatus portion means a considerably cumbersome procedure, and also would encounter a difficulty in providing a storage space therefor if the entire office space is limited. In case of type II, storage of the carrier would also be troublesome.

(2) In case of type I, the variable manual pressure imparted to the original may cause a great variation in the load to the drive of the apparatus body. In case of type II, the thickness of the carrier may cause a corresponding variation in the length of the optical path, which in turn would result in erroneous focusing and accordingly erroneous synchronization, thus seriously affecting the quality of the resultant copies.

(3) A gear sprocket wheel located at the end of original transport rolls for driving such rolls, and further in case of type II, carrier transport rolls, would project outwardly of the path for originals, thus preventing such path from being flat and accordingly preventing a portion of a bulky original from being copied.

(4) Where the original to be copied has a substantial thickness like books and the leading edge of the original (as viewed in the direction of movement thereof) has a complicated configuration (due to the book cover or the opened position of the book with the page margins thereof forming a slope), the position for the leading edge of the resultant copy image may be greatly variable because the leading edge of the book or like original is detected by a detector switch designed for detecting the leading edges of sheet originals.

Thus, the copying apparatuses of the types as mentioned under items I and II above are practically unsatisfactory and even their merits are merely nominal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention eliminates all the disadvantages mentioned above, and includes improvements in the various components of a copying apparatus.

An object of the present invention is to provide a copying apparatus which can fully function both as sheet original copier and thick original copier and also can increase the copying speed in accordance with the variable size of copies.

The copying apparatus of the present invention is of the type using the liquid development and image transfer system and is of such construction that sheet originals and thicker originals such as books and the like may equally be copied with ease.

Where sheet originals are to be copied by the copying apparatus of the present invention, a sheet original is inserted into the nip between sheet original transport rolls rotating in synchronism with a photosensitive drum normally rotated after a predetermined time of start preparation has passed, as will further be described. The leading edge of the sheet original is detected by detector means including a lamp and light receiving element, whereupon the transport rolls are temporarily stopped, thus stopping the original sheet. When the rotating photosensitive drum comes to a predetermined position, an original start signal is produced from the photosensitive drum to rotate the transport rolls again, so that the original is transported in synchronism with the photosensitive drum and finally discharged out of the apparatus by transport means such as rolls. During such travel, the original passes through an illuminating station. The photosensitive drum is normally rotating in one direction. The photosensitive drum passes through suitable copying processes to form a latent image thereon and reaches a developing means, which comprises a developing liquid tank, means such as pump or the like for stirring and raising developing liquid, and a developing electrode. This electrode is adapted to be urged toward the photosensitive drum by spring means with a very slight clearance maintained therebetween. The latent image formed on the photosensitive drum is developed into a visual image by toner contained in the developing liquid raised onto the developing electrode by said pump or like means. The excess developing liquid left on the photosensitive drum is removed by a post charger without disturbing the formed image. Subsequently, a transfer medium fed from paper feed means is brought into intimate contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum so that the image on the drum is transferred to the transfer medium as the latter is electrically charged. Thereafter, the transfer medium is separated from the photosensitive drum by a separator belt and directed to a drying-fixing station. Any residual developing liquid with toner remaining on the photosensitive drum is wiped off by the edge portion of a blade cleaner urged into contact with the photosensitive drum, thus making the drum ready for reuse in the next cycle. The developing liquid thus wiped off by the blade cleaner flows along grooves formed around the opposite end portions of the photosensitive drum and down into the developing means for reuse.

Where book or thicker originals (hereinafter referred to as "book originals") are to be copied, the copying apparatus is changed over from the above-described sheet original copying mode to a book original copying mode. Such mode change-over may be accomplished by depressing a change-over button to cause means such as lever and projection to release a cam on the underside of the original carriage from its sheet original copying position, thus displacing the original carriage into its book original copying position. With such movement of the original carriage from its sheet original copying position into its book original copying position, the drive and electric supply to the sheet original transport means is cut off to thereby change over the circuit into a mode for book originals. In the book original copying mode, the leading edge of a book original assumes the position which was previously occupied by the detector means in the sheet original copying mode. A book original to be copied is placed on the original carriage with the leading edges of the original and carriage registered with each other, whereafter the original is covered with an original keep cover and the copy button is depressed. As described with respect to the sheet original copying mode, a start signal is produced from the photosensitive drum to energize means such as electromagnetic plunger, thus starting to drive the original carriage reciprocally. A through-slit exposure takes place in synchronism with the peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum. After the exposure, the original carriage reverts to its return stroke in response to a signal produced from itself in accordance with the size of the original. The speed for the return stroke is higher than the speed for the forward stroke to enhance the copying speed. If multiple copies of the same book original are to be obtained continuously, the copy button is maintained depressed until a preset number of copies has been counted up by counter means for counting such number, thus providing any desired number of copies. In the other points, the operation in the book original copying mode is identical with that in the sheet original copying mode.

The start preparation preceding to the ordinary copying operation and the rest position and re-start succeeding to the completion of the copying operation will now be described briefly.

In the copying apparatus of the present invention which utilizes the liquid development system, a very small amount of toner usually tends to build up in the neighborhood of the edge portion of the blade cleaner used to clean the photosensitive drum so as to remove the residual developing liquid with toner after the image transfer. If the apparatus is stopped and left under such condition for many hours, the carrier collected at the edge portion would evaporate to solidify the toner. If the apparatus is re-started to rotate the drum under such condition, the solidified toner would injure the edge of the cleaner and/or the surface of the photosensitive drum or might adversely affect the formed image on the drum surface. For these reasons, the copying apparatus of the present invention is arranged so that closing of the main switch does not result in rotation of the drum but only allows rotation of the pump in the developing means to stir and introduce the developing liquid upwardly into a liquid supply pipe so as to pour onto the blade cleaner. After the solidified toner at and near the cleaner's edge portion is fluidized in a predetermined time, the photosensitive drum begins to rotate and the fluidized toner is wiped off.

On the other hand, if the power source should be left connected even after completion of the copying cycles, the photosensitive drum will continue its rotation and this is undesirable in respect of the service life of the drum and/or the blade cleaner. To avoid this, the copying apparatus of the present invention is also arranged so that when no further copying cycle is wanted after a previous one, the drum may be automatically stopped into a rest position irrespective of the closed position of the main switch. In such rest position, depression of the re-start switch in the operating portion will return all the apparatus parts to the position which was taken before the rest position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will become fully apparent from the following detailed description of various embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the copying apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section thereof;

FIG. 3 is a rear side view of the FIG. 2 apparatus with the rear side cover removed therefrom;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the mechanism for fixing the original carriage;

FIG. 5 is a transverse section of the same apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view for illustrating the drive system;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section of the original carriage;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of the original carriage;

FIG. 9 is a left end view of the FIG. 1 apparatus;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged detail of FIG. 9;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are fragmentary views, partly in cross section, of the apparatus as loaded with cassettes of different sizes;

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a size A4 cassette used with the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a size A3 cassette used with the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view for illustrating the relationship between the cams of said cassettes and the microswitches provided on the copying apparatus body;

FIG. 16 is a diagram of the electric circuit for controlling the operation of the copying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a time chart for the various switches in the same circuit;

FIG. 18 illustrates the paper feed means of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a front view showing an embodiment of the paper feed means;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional side view taken along lines A--A of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a front view of the paper feed control mechanism taken along lines X--X of FIGS. 20 and 25;

FIGS. 22 to 24 are front views of the register roll control mechanism taken along lines Y--Y of FIGS. 20 and 25;

FIG. 25 is a side view taken along lines B--B of FIG. 19.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The copying apparatus of the present invention is of the liquid development and transfer type which can selectively copy sheet originals such as documents and the like or thicker originals such as books and the like, as desired.

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the copying apparatus according to the present invention includes a housing 1, a sheet original transport means 2, and an original carriage 3 for supporting thereon a thick original (hereinafter referred to as "book original") and covered with an original keep cover 4. The apparatus further includes a pair of guide rails 5.sub.1 and 5.sub.2 for the original carriage, a cassette 6 containing therein a stock of transfer paper sheets P, and a lid 7 for the cassette which may also serve as a tray for receiving transfer paper sheets discharged out of the apparatus after image transfer. There are further seen an auxiliary tray 8, an operating portion 9 including a main switch 10, a group of alarm lamps 11.sub.1 -11.sub.4, a re-start lamp switch 12 which is to be further described, a button 13 for changing over the mode of operation between a mode for copying sheet originals and a mode for copying book originals, a knob and copy button 14 for selecting a mode for continuously producing multiple copies of a book original, a botton 15 for urgently stopping the continuous copy mode for a book original, and a dial 16 for adjusting the density of desired copies.

With reference to FIG. 2, the operation of such copying apparatus will first be described as to the case where sheet originals are to be copied. A sheet original is inserted from the right of the apparatus into the nip between the rolls 18.sub.1 and 18.sub.2 of the sheet original transport means 2 which are rotated in synchronism with a photosensitive drum 17 which is normally rotated after a certain time for start preparation as will be described later, and then the inserted sheet original is transported leftwardly. As soon as the leading edge of the sheet original is detected by a lamp 19 and a light receiving element 20, the rolls 18.sub.1 and 18.sub.2 are temporarily stopped from rotaing, and thus the original is also stopped. Subsequently, when the photosensitive drum 17 comes to a predetermined position, a start signal for the original is produced to rotate the rolls 18.sub.1 and 18.sub.2 again so that the original is further transported leftwardly in synchronism with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 17, whereafter it is discharged upwardly by rolls 21.sub.1 and 21.sub.2. During that while, the original is illuminated from therebelow at an illuminating station 22 by four lamps 24 as it is moved on a glass plate. The image of the original is optically directed by a mirror 25 and a mirror lens 26 through an exposure station 27 to the surface of the photosensitive drum 17, thus forming an image thereon.

The photosensitive drum 17 comprises a photosensitive layer covered with a transparent dielectric layer and is normally rotated in clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2. The photosensitive drum 17 is first charged with positive polarity by a primary charger 29 supplied with a high voltage of positive polarity from a high voltage source 28. When the charged surface portion of the photosensitive drum 17 comes to the exposure station 27, the image from the illuminating station is projected on such portion of the drum 17 through a slit while it is discharged by an AC discharger 30 supplied with a high AC voltage from the high voltage source 28. Then that surface portion of the photosensitive drum 17 is subjected to an overall exposure by a lamp 31, thus forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface portion thereof, whereafter the image carrying surface portion of the photosensitive drum 17 enters a developing means 32. The developing means 32 comprises a container 34 for containing a body of developing liquid 33, a pump 35 (FIG. 5) for stirring and raising the developing liquid, and an electrode 36 normally biased toward the photosensitive drum by a spring 37 so as to maintain a slight clearance with respect to the drum surface. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 17 is developed into a visible image with the aid of toner particles contained in the developing liquid and raised onto the electrode 36 by the pump 35.

Subsequently, at a post charger 38, the image carrying surface portion of the photosensitive drum 17 is charged with a negative high voltage from the high voltage source to remove the excess liquid from the surface of the photosensitive drum 17 without disturbing the developed image thereon. Thereafter, a sheet of transfer paper P is fed from a paper feed station and brought into intimate contact with the image carrying surface of the photosensitive drum 17 so that the image on the photosensitive drum 17 is transferred onto the sheet of transfer paper P with the aid of a positive high voltage applied thereto at a transfer charger 39 from the voltage source 28. After the image transfer, the transfer paper P is separated from the photosensitive drum 17 by a separator belt 40, and then directed to a drying-fixing station 41. The photosensitive drum 17 is cleaned by the edge portion 42.sub.1 of a blade cleaner 42 urged into contact with the drum 17 to remove any residual amount of liquid with toner, thus becoming ready for a subsequent cycle of copying operation. The developing liquid as removed from the photosensitive drum 17 by the blade cleaner 42 flows along grooves 17.sub.1 formed around the opposite ends of the drum 17, and thence into the developing means 32 for reuse.

On the other hand, sheets of transfer paper P are contained in the cassette 6 which is removably mounted with a cassette rail 6.sub.1 fitted into a cassette receiving rail 154. Various types of cassette may be available in accordance with various sizes of transfer sheet and may be readily interchangeable as desired. The sheets of transfer paper P are supported on an inner plate 43 within the cassette 6 and the inner plate 43 is biased upwardly by a spring 44 so as to normally urge the pile of transfer paper P against separator pawls 45 formed on the forward end of the cassette at the opposite sides thereof. By suitably selecting the spring constant of the spring 44, the pressure force with which the sheets of transfer paper P are urged against the separator pawl 45 may be maintained substantially constant irrespective of the number of the transfer paper sheets P in the cassette 6.

When the photosensitive drum reaches its predetermined position, a signal is produced to lower a normally rotating paper feed roll 46 into contact with the uppermost sheet of transfer paper P so that the paper feed roll 46 cooperates with the separator pawl 45 to separate the uppermost transfer paper sheet P from the others and feed it leftwardly as viewed in FIG. 2. However, since register rolls 47.sub.1 and 47.sub.2 located ajacent to the cassette are stopped immediately after the feed roll 46 has been lowered, the transfer paper P fed out of the cassette 6 tends to be slack between guides 48.sub.1 and 48.sub.2 with the leading edge thereof bearing against the area of contact between the register rolls 47.sub.1 and 47.sub.2. Immediately thereafter, the photosensitive drum 17 produces a paper feed signal, in response to which the register rolls 47.sub.1 and 47.sub.2 start to rotate, thus feeding the transfer paper P at a speed equal to the peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 17. On the other hand, the paper feed roll 46 is again raised away from the stock of transfer paper P after a predetermined time, and thereafter the separated transfer paper is continuously fed only by the register rolls 47.sub.1, 47.sub.2 and subsequent feed means.

The transfer paper separator belt 40 may be in the form of a narrow endless belt which passes from a separator roll 49 disposed in very closely spaced relationship with the photosensitive drum 17, and over a deflecting pulley 50, pulleys 52.sub.1, 52.sub.2, deflecting pulley 51, pulley 52.sub.3 back to the separator roll 41. The portion of the separator belt 40 extending between the pulley 52.sub.3 and the separator roll 49 bears against the drum 17 at a portion thereof corresponding to one end of the transfer paper sheet, and the portion of the separator belt 40 extending between the pulleys 52.sub.1 and 52.sub.2 is caused by the deflecting pulleys 50, 51 to follow a path deviated from the path of the transfer paper. The separator belt 40 is driven by the separator roll 49 at a speed substantially equal to the speed of the photosensitive drum 17. A portion of the separator belt 40 is sandwiched between one side edge of a transfer paper sheet P and the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 17 when the transfer paper P is brought into intimate contact with the photosensitive drum 17 during the image transfer process. Thus, the separation of the separator belt 40 from the photosensitive drum 17 as accomplished at the separator roll 49 will force one side edge of the transfer paper sheet P to be also separated from the photosensitive drum 17. Once its side edge is so separated, the transfer paper P may be entirely separated from the photosensitive drum 17 owing to its own self-supporting strength and to the action of the air blown from a blower 53 (FIG. 3) via a duct 54 and through an air outlet 55.sub.1, whereafter the transfer paper may be passed toward the drying-fixing station 41.

At the drying-fixing station 41, the unfixed transfer paper P is conveyed on a conveyor belt 57 driven by a roll 56, in the leftward direction as viewed in FIG. 2, so that the paper P is dried and fixed by the air blown from the duct 54 and intensely heated just below a heater 58. Most of the air thus heated by the heater 58 and consumed for the drying is sucked into the blower 53 (FIG. 3) through an intake port 59 disposed below the belt 57 so that such air may be circulated for reuse in the drying and fixing process. The transfer paper P thus dried and fixed may be electrically discharged by a discharger 60 so as to remove any residual charge from the surface of the paper P, whereafter it is passed via a discharge roll 61 to a discharge port 62 and discharged therethrough onto the lid 7 of the cassette 6 which also serves as a reception tray.

With reference to FIG. 4, description will now be made of the operation of the above-described apparatus when used to copy book originals. The change-over of the operation mode from the foregoing mode for copying sheet originals to a mode for copying book originals may be accomplished in the manner described hereunder. The change-over button 13 is first depressed to cause counter-clockwise pivotal movement of a lever 63.sub.2 about a pin 63.sub.3 through the cooperation between a lever 13.sub.1 and a projection 63.sub.1 integral with the lever 63.sub.2, thus lowering a roll 63 to disengage this roll 63 downwardly from a sheet original positioning groove 65 formed at one end of a cam 64 mounted to the lower portion of the original carriage 3, which is thus allowed to move leftwardly as viewed in FIG. 2 until the roll 63 is received into a book original positioning groove 66. Such movement of the original carriage 3 from its position for sheet originals to its position for book originals cuts off the supply of electrical drive to the sheet original transport means 2, thereby changing over the entire circuit to the book original copying position. In this operative position, the forward end of a book original to be copied, i.e. the forward end 67.sub.1 of the original carriage's glass plate 67 (FIG. 2) assumes the position which was occupied by the lamp 19 and light receiving element 20 in the sheet original copying mode.

A book original to be copied is placed on the carriage's glass plate 67 with the forward end thereof registered with the forward end 67.sub.1 of the glass plate, and then the book original is held by the keep cover 4 (FIG. 2). Thereafter, the copy button 14' (FIg. 1) is depressed to produce an original start signal from the photosensitive drum 17 in the same way as described above with respect to the case of sheet original. This signal energizes an electromagnetic plunger SL3 so that upon disengagement of the roll 63 from the groove 66 the original carriage 3 is moved leftwardly as viewed in FIG. 2 and at the same speed as the peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 17 to accomplish a through-slit exposure. Upon completion of such exposure, the original carriage 3 stops its leftward movement in response to its own signal corresponding to the size of the book original, whereupon the carriage 3 assumes its backward or rightward movement. The speed of this return movement is higher than the speed of the forward movement to increase the copying efficiency. Upon return of the original carriage to its initial position for the book original copying, the drive to the original carriage 3 is cut off to stop it with the roll 63 received in the groove 66.

Where multiple copies of the same book original are to be obtained continuously, this may readily be accomplished by means of counter means 14 operatively associated with the copy button 14'. The counter means 14 converts the movement of the original carriage 3 into a count through the cam 64 and crank 69 shown in FIG. 4, so as to hold the copy button 14' in depressed position until a present number of copies has been counted up, thus enabling multiple copies to be provided.

In the other points, the operation of the apparatus for book originals is identical with that for sheet originals.

In the present embodiment of the copying apparatus, the photosensitive drum 17 can copy originals of variable width up to that of JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) A3 format and has a circumferential length somewhat greater than the length of the A3 format. Therefore, where the originals to be copied are sheet originals, one of sheet originals of A3 format may be fed for copying per full rotation of the photosensitive drum or two of sheet originals of A4 format may be fed at a time in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof. If book originals are to be copied, the forward stroke (exposure stroke) of the original carriage 3 is followed by the return stroke which requires substantially as much time as the forward stroke, and thus the length of time required for providing one copy of a book original will be approximately twice the time required for one copy of a sheet original. More specifically, for originals of A3 format, one copy may be provided every two full rotations of the photosensitive drum, and for originals of A4 format, one copy may be provided per full rotation of the photosensitive drum.

Such cycle difference arising from the different sizes of paper may be detected by a signal from the cassette 6, and the cycle difference arising from the different types of original may be detected by a signal resulting from the change in position of the original carriage.

Description will now be made of the start preparation preceding to an ordinary copying cycle and of the rest position and restart succeeding to the completion of one copying cycle. As has been described above, the copying apparatus of the present embodiment is of the liquid development type whereby toner particles in the developing liquid are fixed by evaporation and desiccation of carrier liquid. Also, the blade cleaner 42, which may be formed of elastomer such as urethane rubber, nitride rubber, fluorine rubber, polysulfide rubber, acrylic rubber or the like and which is used to clean the photosensitive drum 17 to remove the toner or developing liquid remaining thereon after the image transfer, usually tends to permit a very small amount of toner to build up in the neighborhood of the cleaner's edge portion 42.sub.1. If the apparatus is stopped and left under such condition for many hours, the carrier collected at the edge portion 42.sub.1 would evaporate to solidify the toner. If the apparatus is re-started to rotate the drum 17 under such condition, the solidified toner would injure the edge 42.sub.1 of the cleaner 42 and/or the surface of the photosensitive drum 17 or might adversely affect the formed image on the drum surface. For these reasons, the copying apparatus of the present embodiment is arranged so that closing of the main switch 10 does not result in rotation of the drum 17 but only allows rotation of the pump in the developing means 32 (FIG. 5) to stir and introduce the developing liquid 33 upwardly into a liquid supply pipe 70 (FIG. 2) so as to pour onto the blade cleaner 42. After the solidified toner at and near the cleaner's edge portion 42.sub.1 is fluidized in a predetermined time, the photosensitive drum 17 begins to rotate and the fluidized toner is wiped off. After the photosensitive drum 17 has made at least one-half rotation, the rolls 18.sub.1 and 18.sub.2 of the sheet original transport means 2 begin to rotate and enable a copying cycle to take place.

On the other hand, if the power source should be left connected even after completion of the copying cycles, the photosensitive drum 17 will continue its rotation and this is not desirable in respect of the service life of the drum 17 and/or the blade cleaner 42. To avoid this, the copying apparatus of the present embodiment is also arranged so that when no further copying cycle is wanted after a previous one, the drum 17 may be automatically stopped into a rest position irrespective of "ON" position of the main switch 10. The time allowed for such rest position is selected to a value longer than the time required for a sheet of transfer paper P with a copy image thereon to be discharged out of the apparatus and for the entire surface of the photosensitive drum 17 to be cleaned up. In such rest position, depression of the re-start switch 12 in the operating portion 9 will return all the apparatus parts to the position which was taken before the rest position.

As shown in FIG. 6, the drum gear 77 is provided with a cam 157 adapted to actuate switches MS1 and MS4 to produce an original start signal, a cam 158 adapted to actuate switches MS2 and MS5 to produce a paper feed and register signal, a cam 159 adapted to actuate switches MS81 and MS82 to produce a jam detecting signal, and a cam 160 adapted to actuate a switch MS7 to produce a drum stop signal. The cam 160 is meant to predetermine the rest position for the drum and the portion of the drum which is to be stained with the cleaning blade during its rest position. The present embodiment is so designed that such stained portion of the drum may not be used as an image forming area.

Front and rear rails 5.sub.1 and 5.sub.2 are fixed to the upper ends of the frames 71 and 72 so as to slidably support the original carriage 3 by means of rollers to be described.

The original carriage 3 comprises a portion for copying book originals and a sheet original transport portion 2. The sheet original transport portion 2 has a gear 89 at one end thereof as seen in FIG. 3, and this gear is driven from a drive source in the apparatus body.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the drive received by the gear 89 may be transmitted through a synchro-pulley 90 coaxial with the gear 89, a synchro-belt 91 and a synchro-pulley 92 to a roll 21.sub.1, and at the same time transmitted through a synchro-pulley 93 to a synchro-pulley 94, from which the drive is transmitted to a roll 18.sub.1 under the control of clutch CL1.

The operative connection will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6. The drive from main motor M1 is transmitted via sprocket 96, chain 95, sprocket wheel 98 to drive a relay shaft 97. The chain 95 also drives sprocket wheels 99 and 100 rotatably mounted on the shafts of electromagnetic clutches CL2 and CL3. Behind the clutches CL2 and CL3, sprocket wheels 101 and 102 different in number of teeth are secured to the shafts of these clutches, and these two sprockets wheels are connected together by a chain 103. Attached to the other end of the clutch CL2 is a drum 104 on which is wound a wire 105 in several turns. The wire 105 is guided therefrom in a cross fashion to pass around a pulley 106, and has the opposite ends thereof secured to the opposite ends of an angle 107.sub.2 (FIG. 1) forming a part of the original carriage 3. The original carriage may be reciprocated by changing over the two clutches CL2 and CL3 to rotate the drum 104 in normal and reverse directions.

One end of the relay shaft 97 carries a gear 108 which is in meshing engagement with the aforesaid drum gear 77, so as to transmit the drive from the motor to the drum gear. Between the drum gear 77 and the gear 89 of the original carriage is a relay gear train 109-111 for transmission of the drive. Where a sheet original is to be copied, the gears 89 and 111 are in engagement as shown, but where a book original is to be copied, the original carriage is shifted to break such engagement. Another gear 116 is in meshing engagement with the drum gear 77 to drive the separator roll 49, which in turn drives conveyor belt 57 via sprocket wheel 117, chain 118, sprocket wheel 119 and drive roll 56.

The other end of the relay shaft 97 carries thereon a sprocket wheel 112 for transmitting the drive via chain 113 and sprocket wheel 114 to paper feed control means 115.

By the paper feed control means designated at 115 in FIG. 6, the paper feed roll 46 (FIG. 2) will be lowered to begin feeding paper in response to a paper feed signal. After a preceding sheet of transfer paper has passed the register roll 47.sub.1, this roll will be temporally stopped. Subsequently, the leading edge of a subsequent sheet of transfer paper now being fed will strike the roll 47.sub.1 to form a loop. When the paper feed signal disappears, the register roll 47.sub.1 will resume its rotation to start the transfer paper and the paper feed roll 46 will rise to its initial position. These operations are all controlled electrically and mechanically.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, a connector 149 is provided on the underside of the original carriage and connected to a connector 150 in the apparatus body. This connection is broken when a book original is to be copied, because the original carriage is slightly displaced in that case as described previously. Also provided are cams 151, 152 and 153 (FIGS. 5 and 7) on the underside of the angle 107.sub.2. The cam 151 is engageable with a microswitch MS14 to detect whether the original carriage is in the position for copying sheet originals or in the position for copying book originals, thereby changing over the electric circuit. The cam 152 is engageable with a microswitch MS12 to stop the original carriage when it has moved backwardly during a book original copying cycle. The cam 153 is engageable with microswitches MS10 and MS11 to produce a reversing signal for formats A4 and A3.

In the illustrated embodiment, a cassette 6 loaded with a stock of transfer paper is inserted in the apparatus body 1 by means of rails 6.sub.1 and 154 (see FIGS. 9-12). A cam 6.sub.2 will strike a microswitch MS19 in the apparatus body and produce a signal indicating the proper positioning of the cassette. Where the cassette inserted contains paper of format A4 or smaller size, a cam 6.sub.3 will actuate switches MS13 and MS16 to change over the circuit into a position for copies of format A4. Cassette 6 has a semi-fixed lid 7.sub.1 and an openable lid 7.sub.2, which may be opened upon insertion of the cassette and also may serve as copy receiving tray. Separator pawls 45 are provided at the opposite sides of the paper feed end of the cassette 6.

An embodiment of the paper feed means according to the present invention will now be described in detail. In FIG. 18, an uppermost sheet P' of copy paper stock P is fed by paper feed roll 46 and the leading edge thereof strikes against the nip between register rolls 47.sub.1 and 47.sub.2 which are then stationary, so that the fed sheet will form a loop as indicated by P'. Subsequently, the register rolls 47.sub.1 and 47.sub.2 are driven by a signal from the apparatus, thus timing the paper feed. The operation of the paper feed roll and the register rolls has conventionally been controlled in the following manner: As soon as the drive to the paper feed roll 46 is connected, the drive to the register rolls 47.sub.1 and 47.sub.2 is disconnected to stop the register rolls; subsequently, the loop of the copy paper P' is formed, whereupon the drive to the register rolls is connected and at the same time the drive to the paper feed roll is disconnected. According to this method, there are provided only two positions, i.e. a position in which the paper feed roll is stationary while the register rolls are rotating and a position in which the paper feed roll is rotating while the register rolls are stationary. Therefore, control of these positions may be simply accomplished by a single switch having a normally open contact and a normally closed contact corresponding to the said two positions, respectively.

Such a system has a demerit that no subsequent feed cycle is allowed before the leading edge of preceding copy sheet has passed through the register rolls, but such a demerit would lead to no essential inconvenience in the copying apparatus of the type using a reciprocable optical system, because this provides the time allowance for the return stroke.

However, if the aforesaid conventional system is used with a copying apparatus for sheet originals wherein no return stroke is involved and originals can be inserted in succession, paper feed means would encounter a barrier in accelerating the copying speed.

The present invention also intends to provide paper feed means which can reduce the time interval between a preceding copy sheet and a subsequent copy sheet by the use of a control circuit identical with the conventional system.

FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of such paper feed means. In this embodiment, paper feed roll 46 is normally driven to rotate from a drive source in the apparatus body. The paper feed roll 46 may also be vertically moved by reciprocal movement of paper feed control shaft 131 via paper feed lever and arm 133 and 134, so that the paper feed roll 46 may ride on the stock of copy paper P with the aid of its own weight or spring action so as to assume a paper drive position for feeding an uppermost paper sheet P', and may be raised away from the stock of paper P so as to assume a paper feed stop position. The register rolls 47.sub.1 and 47.sub.2 can repeat rotation and stoppage alternately.

As shown in FIG. 19, solenoids SL1 and SL2 are provided to effect the aforesaid control of the paper feed roll 46 and register 47.sub.1, 47.sub.2. These solenoids may be energized by a single microswitch having a normally open contact and a normally closed contact, i.e. by a single paper feed signal. When a paper feed signal enters in synchronism with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 17, the normally open contact is closed to energize the solenoid SL1 so that the roll 46 is lowered to start paper feed. At the same time, the normally closed contact is opened to deenergize the solenoid SL2, but the register rolls 47.sub.1 and 47.sub.2 should not be allowed to stop their rotation before the leading edge of a preceding copy sheet P has passed through these rolls. Therefore, the rolls 47.sub.1 and 47.sub.2 continue to rotate until the preceding copy paper has completely passed therethrough. After the rolls 47.sub.1 and 47.sub.2 have stopped rotating, the leading edge of a succeeding copy sheet P' strikes the nip between the rolls 47.sub.1 and 47.sub. 2 so that the copy sheet P' forms a loop. Thereafter, the paper signal is cut off to deenergize the solenoid SL1 and energize the solenoid SL2, so that the register rolls 47.sub.1 and 47.sub.2 resume their rotation to start the copy sheet P', whereupon the paper feed roll 46 is raised to stop its paper drive. Thus, timed paper feed cycles may be mechanically accomplished according to the present invention.

In FIGS. 19 and 20, shaft 120 is normally rotated as a paper feed control drive source via chain 113 and sprocket 114. A gear 121 secured to the shaft 120 has a cam 123 connected thereto by means of spring clutch 125. The cam 123 is adapted to pivotally move a cam follower 132 to thereby rotate the paper feed control shaft 131. The drive of the gear 121 is also transmitted to a gear 122 which is free relative to the shaft of the register roll 47.sub.1, and the gear 122 in turn drives the roll 47.sub.1 via a spring clutch 140. The aforesaid timed paper feed cycles may be provided by controlling the operation of the spring clutch 140 through a time delay mechanism.

When no paper feed takes place, the solenoids SL1 and SL2 are in inoperative and operative conditions, respectively. In such a case, the cam 123 pivotally moves the cam follower in clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 19, and accordingly the shaft 131 and lever 133 (FIG. 18) are also pivotally moved in the same direction, thus raising the paper feed roll 46 away from the stock of copy paper P. Thus, with the solenoids being inoperative, the paper feed control lever 128 connected to link 129 by pin 129.sub.1 is pulled by spring 130 to rotate clockwise about the shaft 128.sub.1 until the lever strikes against a stop 128.sub.2, whereby the end pawl of this lever is engaged in a notch 127 formed in the flange of the cam 123 adjacent to the clutch 125, thereby stopping the cam 123 in that position, and at the same time, actuating a minute pawl on the circumferential surface of the outer wheel 126 of the spring clutch 125 to loosen the spring and disengage the clutch 125, thus cutting off the drive to the cam 123. A spring 124 for preventing reverse rotation is provided between an inner clutch wheel 121.sub.1 integral with the gear 121 and an inner clutch wheel 123.sub.1 integral with the cam 123.

Solenoid SL2 attracts link 135 rightwardly as viewed in FIG. 19 or 22, thus rotating pin 135' and lever 135.sub.1 in counter-clockwise direction. This causes pin 135.sub.2 or lever 135.sub.3 formed on the lever 135.sub.1 to be actuated in counter-clockwise direction, thereby disengaging the upper end pawl of the lever 135.sub.3 from the surface of delay drum 137.sub.1 which is free relative to the shaft of the register roll 47.sub.1. A lever 135.sub.4 connected to the lever 135.sub.4 by a spring 138 is also rotated counter-clockwise to engage its upper end pawl in the notch 137.sub.1 of the delay drum 137.sub.1. Thereupon, the register roll 47.sub.1 is driven by gears 121, 122 through spring 140.sub.1 and driven shaft 140.sub.2 of the spring clutch 140. The delay drum 137.sub.1, which is urged against the driven shaft 140.sub.2 by spring receiver 137.sub.7 and spring 136 secured to the register roll shaft 47.sub.1 and frictional keep ring 137.sub.6 slidably mounted on that shaft through the cooperation between pin 137.sub.4 and slot 137.sub.5, is prevented from rotating by the engagement between the said pawl 135.sub.4 and the notch 137.sub.2.

When a paper feed signal enters, solenoids SL1 and SL2 are energized and deenergized, respectively, by a common switch, as described previously. In FIG. 21, link 129 and lever 128 are actuated to release cam 123 and outer clutch wheel 126, so that the drive from the gear 121 is transmitted to spring 125 and cam 123, which is thus rotated clockwise to cause cam follower 132 to drop into the recessed step 123.sub.2 of the cam 123 and pivotally move in counter-clockwise direction, whereupon the paper feed roll 46 rides on the stock of copy paper P to start paper feed.

Upon deenergization of the solenoid SL2, the lever 135.sub.1 is pulled back by the spring 139 and the lever 135.sub.4 is rotated clockwise, so that the delay drum 137.sub.1 is frictionally driven to rotate counter-clockwise by the driven shaft 140.sub.2. The lever 135.sub.3 is urged against the surface of the drum by the spring 138 (FIG. 23).

During the while the delay drum 137.sub.1 rotates about 300.degree. as shown in FIG. 24, the preceding copy sheet has passed through the register rolls 47.sub.1, 47.sub.2 and the leading edge of the subsequent copy sheet has not yet reached the register rolls. At this point of time, the end pawl of the lever 135.sub.3 is engaged with another notch 137.sub.3 formed in the delay drum 137.sub.1 to prevent the rotation of the drum 137.sub.1 and at the same time to hold the coarse surface (or minute pawls) of the outer clutch wheel 140. As a result, the clutch spring 140.sub.1 is loosened to cut off the drive to the register roll 47.sub.1.

Thus, the leading edge of the copy sheet fed by the paper feed roll 46 strikes the nip between the register rolls 47.sub.1 and 47.sub.2 which are now stationary, so that the copy sheet forms a loop to provide timing for the copying.

When the paper feed signal disappears, the solenoid SL2 attracts the link 135 to disengage the lever 135.sub.3 from the notch 137.sub.3 and thereby release the outer clutch wheel 140, so that the register roll 47.sub.1 is rotated to start the copy sheet.

Thereupon, the solenoid SL1 is deenergized, but because the lever 128 is then riding on the circumferential surface of the cam 123 (which is greater in diameter than the outer clutch wheel 126), the cam 123 is rotated to actuate the cam follower 132 to raise the paper feed roll 46, whereupon the notch 127 is engaged by the lever 128 to bring about the position of FIG. 21 in which the cam 123 is stopped.

The delay drum 137.sub.1 is stopped at the position of FIG. 22 where the notch 137.sub.2 thereof is engaged by the lever 135.sub.4, and thus it is ready for a subsequent cycle.

In the above-described embodiment, the paper feed roll 46 is vertically moved to control the paper feed, but alternatively the control may be accomplished by intermittently rotating the paper feed roll while making it always bear against the stock of copy paper. In this latter case, the cam 123 may be replaced by a gear to rotate and stop the shaft of the paper feed roll 46.

Further, in the apparatus of the type in which an original carriage or an optical system for the through-slit exposure is reciprocated, the paper feed signal may also be produced by such reciprocating member.

The present invention is characterized in that a single signal source or a single drive source is used to accomplish a cycle of operation which comprises the steps of starting the paper feed by means of the paper feed roll 46, completing the feeding of a preceding copy sheet through the register rolls 47.sub.1, 47.sub.2 and stopping these rolls, feeding a subsequent copy sheet until the leading edge thereof reaches the register rolls to form a loop, starting the paper feed action of the register rolls, and stopping the rotation of the paper feed rolls.

To accomplish this, there is provided a transmission system leading from drive source 114, 120 via clutch 125 to rotatable paper feed control member 123, and a transmission system leading from the drive source via clutch 140 to register rolls 47.sub.1, 47.sub.2. Thus, a paper feed signal enters to release the rotatable control member 123 from its blocked position (resulting as from members 126-130) and thereby start the paper feed while starting to rotate timing members (such as delay drum 137.sub.1, link 135, levers 135.sub.1, 135.sub.3, 135.sub.4) which control the clutch in the transmission system leading to the register rolls; after a pedetermined time (i.e. the time required for a preceding copy sheet to completely pass through the register rolls 47.sub.1, 47.sub.2), the timing members are operated to stop the register rolls 47.sub.1, 47.sub.2, whereupon the leading edge of a subsequent copy sheet strikes these rolls to form a loop; thereafter the paper feed signal is cut off to stop the paper feed, whereupon the register rolls 47.sub.1 and 47.sub.2 reverse their directions of rotation to start the copy sheet nipped therebetween. In this way, paper feed can be effected with accurate timing.

Moreover, the construction for this purpose can be provided by a relatively simple mechanical construction.

Furthermore, when applied to the copying apparatus of the type which permits successive insertion of originals, as described previously, the paper feed system of the present invention enables successive originals to be received in synchronism with the paper feed speed provided by the present invention, thus enhancing the copying speed.

An embodiment of the means for repeating the copying cycle in the copying apparatus of the present invention will be described hereunder. Such means is effectively applicable to repeat the copying cycle as frequently as desired. For example, where each ten copies of five different originals are to be obtained by the copying apparatus of the present invention, the number of copies desired may be set to the value "10", whereafter a first original may be set in position and then a copy button depressed, whereby the apparatus will continue its operation until ten copies of the first original are produced, whereupon the apparatus is stopped. Simply by depressing the copy button again, the same process may be repeated for each of the other four originals, thus providing ten copies of them each.

With the conventional system for such repeated operation, resetting to a set value has taken place during the depression of the button and this could cause an error in the desired number of copies because the resetting could not be completed if the button was released after a short-time depression. According to the present invention, however, no such error can occur because once the copying cycles up to a set value have been completed, the resetting to the set value is automatically effected as will be described below. Description will finally be made of the electric control in an embodiment of the copying apparatus according to the present invention.

In the copying apparatus according to the previous embodiment, the original carriage 3 is provided with a book original carriage means 67 (glass plate) and a sheet original transport means 2 supported on the angles slidable along rails 5.sub.1, 5.sub.2 by means or rollers. The sheet original transport means has a gear 89 at the forward end thereof, and this gear is driven from drum gear 77 integral or coaxial with photosensitive drum 17 via relay gears 109-111, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The drive imparted to the gear 89 is transmitted via synchro-pulleys 90, 92 and synchro-belt 91 to roll 21.sub.1, and further via synchro-belt 93 to pulley 94, and thence to roll 18.sub.1 under the control of clutch CL1. The drive from main motor M1 of FIG. 2 is transmitted via sprocket wheel 96, chain 95, sprocket wheel 98, relay shaft 97 and gear 108 to drive drum gear 77 and photosensitive drum 17. When sheet originals are to be copied, gears 89 and 11 are in engagement, but when book originals are to be copied, gear 89 is displaced out of engagement with gear 11 as described below.

Chain 95 also drive sprocket wheels 99 and 100 rotatably mounted on the shafts of electromagnetic clutches CL2 and CL3. Behind the clutches CL2 and CL3, sprocket wheels 101 and 102 different in number of teeth are secured to the shafts of these clutches, and these two sprocket wheels are connected by a chain 103. Attached to the shaft of the clutch CL2 is a drum 104 on which is wound a wire 105 in several turns. The wire 105 is guided therefrom in a cross fashion to pass around a pulley 106, and has the opposite ends thereof secured to the front and rear ends of the original carriage 3. The original carriage may be reciprocated by selectively using the two clutches CL2 and CL3 to rotate the drum 104 in normal and reverse directions. The gear ratio of gears 101 and 102 is selected such that the return stroke of the carriage may be faster than the forward stroke.

When copying operation is started and preparatory operations for developing and other various means are completed, the photosensitive drum 17 begins rotating while the original carriage 3 is stopped in its normal position for copying sheet originals with gears 89 and 111 in engagement and with rolls 21.sub.1, 21.sub.2, 18.sub.1, 18.sub.2 being in rotation. When a sheet original is inserted from the right of the apparatus into the nip between rolls 18.sub.1 and 18.sub.2, it is transported leftwardly. As soon as the leading edge of the sheet original is detected by lamp 19 and light receiving element 20, the rolls 81.sub.1 and 18.sub.2 are temporally stopped from rotating, and thus the original is also stopped.

When the photosensitive drum 17 comes to a predetermined position, the cam 157 of drum gear 77 actuates microswitches MS1 and MS4 (operable for format A4 or smaller sizes) in succession to produce an original start signal, whereupon the rolls 18.sub.1 and 18.sub.2 resumes their rotation so that the original is further transported leftwardly in synchronism with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 17 and discharged upwardly out of the apparatus by rolls 21.sub.1 and 21.sub.2.

Change-over of the operation mode to a book original copying mode may be accomplished by depressing change-over button 13 to cause counter-clockwise pivotal movement of lever 63.sub.2 about pin 63.sub.3, as viewed in FIG. 4, through the cooperation between lever 13.sub.1 and projection 63.sub.1, thus lowering roll 63 to disengage this roll downwardly from sheet original positioning groove 65 formed in cam 64 mounted to the lower portion of the original carriage 3. When the original carriage 3 is moved leftwardly, the roll 63 is received into book original positioning groove 66 by means of spring 63.sub.4, and the sheet original transport means 2 is also moved with the carriage 3 to break the engagement between gears 89 and 111. At this time, the forward end 67.sub.1 of the original carriage's glass plate 67 assumes the position which was occupied by the photoelectric means 19, 20 during the sheet original copying mode.

Thereupon, a book original to be copied is placed on the carriage's glass plate 67 with the forward end thereof registered with the forward end 67.sub.1 of the glass plate, and then the book original is held by the keep cover 4 (FIG. 2). Thereafter, the copy button 14' (FIG. 1) is depressed to produce an original start signal from the photosensitive drum 17 in the same way as described above with respect to cause of sheet original. This signal energizes an electromagnetic plunger SL3 so that upon disengagement of the roll 63 from the groove 66 the original carriage 3 is moved forwardly in synchronism with the photosensitive drum 17 to accomplish a through-slit exposure.

Upon completion of such exposure, the original carriage 3 stops its movement in response to its own signal corresponding to the size of the book original, whereupon the carriage 3 assumes its rapid backward movement and stops at its start position determined by roll 63 and groove 66.

Where multiple copies of the same book original are to be obtained continuously, this may readily be accomplished by means of the aforesaid counter means 14 operatively associated with the copy button 14'. At each reciprocal movement of the original carriage, cam 64 and crank 69 are rotated to actuate the ratchet mechanism of the counter means so that the original carriage 3 is reciprocated as frequently as the set number of copies, whereafter the copy button 14' is released to stop the original carriage 3.

In the present embodiment of the copying apparatus, the photosensitive drum 17 can copy originals of variable width up to that of JIS A3 and has a circumferential length somewhat greater than the length of A3 format. Therefore, where the originals to be copied are sheet originals, one of sheet originals of A3 format may be fed for copying per full rotation of the photosensitive drum or two of sheet originals of A4 format may be fed at a time in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof. If book originals are to be copied, the forward stroke (exposure stroke) of the original carriage 3 is followed by the return stroke which requires substantially as much time as the forward stroke, and thus the length of time required for providing one copy of a book original will be approximately twice the time required for one copy of a sheet original. More specifically, for originals of A3 format, one copy may be provided every two full rotations of the photosensitive drum, and for originals of A4 format, one copy may be provided per full rotation of the photosensitive drum.

Such cycle difference arising from the different sizes of paper may be detected by a signal from the cassette 6, and the cycle different arising from the different types of original may be detected by a signal resulting from the change in position of the original carriage.

Formats A3 and A4 are taken as examples in the illustrated embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 13-16, a cassette for format A4 or smaller size of paper (FIG. 13) or a cassette for format A3 (FIG. 14) is provided with a pawl 6.sub.2 for providing a signal representing the completion of the cassette loading through microswitch MS19. The cassette for format A4 or smaller size (FIG. 13) is provided with a cam 6.sub.3 for actuating microswitches MS13 and MS16. Photoelectric means 155 and 156 are provided to detect the presence of transfer paper through apertures 6.sub.4 and 43.sub.1 formed in the bottom and intermediate plates of the cassette, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 5, cams 151-153 are provided on the underside of the original carriage 3. The cam 151 actuates microswitch MS14 to detect a position of the original carriage corresponding to the original thereon. More specifically, when the original carriage is in the shown position for sheet originals, the cam 151 opens the change-over microswitch MS14-a in the book original control circuit of the circuitry shown in FIG. 16. The cam 152 actuates microswitch MS12 to stop the original carriage 3 at a predetermined position. The cam 153 actuates microswitch MS10 for originals of A4 or smaller size, and actuates microswitch MS11 for originals of A3 size, thereby providing a signal for moving the original carriage in reverse direction.

The electric control circuit arrangement for controlling various parts of the copying apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 16.

I. Sheet Originals

Before a sheet original is transported to the sheet original transport means 2 on the original carriage 3, the light receiving element 20 forming the original detecting photoelectric means 19, 20 will produce an electromotive force, and transistor Q1 and accordingly original detecting relay K4 will be in OFF state. Through the normally closed contact K4-2 of the relay K4, electromagnetic clutch CL1 will be energized to drive gear 89 which in turn will drive original transport roll 18.sub.1.

When a sheet original is transported by rolls 18.sub.1, 18.sub.2 and the leading edge thereof reaches the detector means 19, 20, transistor Q1 and relay K4 will assume ON state and the normally closed contact K4-2 of the relay K4 will be opened to deenergize clutch CL1, thus stopping the original temporally.

When the cam 157 of rotating drum gear 77 closes original start microswitch MS1 (FIG. 3), relay K5 will be energized through a circuit of K4-2 - K5 - D8 - K8-2 - MS1, and self-hold with the aid of contact K5-1, so that clutch CL1 will be energized through contact K5-2, thus starting transportation of the sheet original.

At the same time, a cassette when inserted will intercept the light to photoelectric means 155, 156 so that transistor Q3, cassette insertion signal microswitch MS19 and paper stock deficiency indicator lamp PL1 will all be in OFF state, and thus normally closed contact K8-2 remains closed.

Where the transfer paper P in the cassette 6 is of size A3, microswitch MS13 closes its contact A3 and microswitch MS16 is open. When the drum 17 is further rotated to actuate a subsequent original start microswitch MS4, no response will occur for an original of size A3 but, if the original is of A4 or smaller size, relay K5 will again energize clutch CL1 through a circuit of K4-2 - K5 - D8 - K8-2 - MS4 - D2 - MS13-A4, whereby a second sheet original of size A4 will begin to be transported during one rotation of the drum 17.

On the other hand, relay K6 is energized through a circuit of K8-2 - D7 - K6 - normally closed contacts of MS0:, 81, and self-holds with the aid of K6-1 and K4-1. Rotation of the photosensitive drum 17 causes cam 157 to actuate paper feed microswitches MS2 and MS5. Where the original is of size A3, microswitch MS2 will deenergize the normally energized solenoid SL2 and make a circuit of K6-2 - SL1, thereby controlling the paper feed rolls 46, 47.sub.1 of FIG. 1 to feed a sheet of transfer paper. Where the original is of A4 or smaller size, solenoids SL1 and SL2 will be changed over irrespective of the open or closed position of MS16-A4 - MS5, thus feeding two sheets of transfer paper for each one rotation of the drum 17.

In the illustrated circuitry, microswitches MS80, 81 are adapted to be actuated by the cam 159 of drum gear 77 so that their normally closed contacts may hold the relay K6 in ON state, and in addition, these switches serve to produce a jam detection signal.

When the interval between successive sheet originals is nearly equal to the spacing between rolls 18 and 21, it will be seen from the time chart of FIG. 16 that the contacts K4 and K5 are operative at a shorter interval than the microswitch MS2. Therefore, when the contact K4 (instead of K6) is used, the solenoid SL1 will not be energized even if a sheet original has properly passed the rolls 18 and 21, thus failing to effect paper feed. For this reason, use is made of relay K6 which may be operated for a perdetermined time irrespective of the length of originals, with the aid of microswitches MS80, 81 provided on the drum 17 so as to be actuated later than the microswitch MS2.

II. Book Originals

When the original carriage 3 is displaced until the leading edge thereof reaches the detecting station (corresponding to the position assumed by photoelectric means 19, 20 during the sheet original copying operation), as described above, connectors 149, 150 will be disconnected and the position detector cam 151 on the underside of the original carriage will actuate microswitch MS14 to close its book original contact MS14-a.

When copy start button 14' is depressed, microswitch MS9 will be closed to make a circuit of MS14-a - MS9 - K8-1 - K1 - MS11-a3 - Ms13-A3, through which the relay K1 will be energized and self-hold with the aid of its contact K1-1.

The cam 157 on the drum gear 77 will close the original start switch MS1 to make a circuit of K3-2NC - K1-2 - K2 - MS1, through which relay K2 for forwardly driving the orignal carriage will be energized and self-hold with the aid of its contact K2-1. Contact K2-3 will be closed to energize the solenoid SL3, so that the engagement between roll 63 and groove 66 will be released to unlock the carriage 3.

Closing of contact K2-2 will energize the clutch CL2 to move the carriage 3 forwardly. Cam 153 will actuate microswitch MS10 (for reversing the carriage movement in case of size A4) or microswitch MS11 (for reversing the carriage movement in case of size A3) which is located in the path of the carriage, whereby relay K1 and accordingly relay K2 will be deenergized to disengage clutch CL2, thus stopping the carriage 3.

The reversing contact of the microswitch MS10 or MS11 will energize relay K3 for reversely driving the original carriage, to thereby make a circuit of MS12 - K3 - MS10-A3 - D1 - MS13-A4 or MS12 - K3 - MS11-A4 - MS13-A3, and the relay K3 will self-hold with the aid of its contact K3-1. Through the contact K3-2 of this relay, the solenoid SL3 will be energized to drive the carriage 3 in the opposite direction. When the carriage 3 returns to a predetermined position (i.e. when the leading edge 67.sub.1 of the carriage reaches the detecting position), cam 152 will actuate microswitch MS12 to open this switch and accordingly deenergize relay K4 and clutch CL3, thus stopping the carriage 3 at this position.

Start button 14' may be again depressed to repeat the above-described operation, or alternatively the apparatus will be automatically operated in response to counter means 14.

Thus, according to the present invention, the electrophotographic copying apparatus using the drum type image transfer system can be simply and readily changed over between the sheet original copying mode and the book original copying mode without requiring the cumbersome detachment and reassemblage of the attachments. Moreover, the detection of the sheet original's position and the detection of the carriage's position during the book original copying mode take place at the same position and this enables the use of a common start signal from the photosensitive drum to simplify the control of the starting operation. During the sheet original copying mode, if the originals are of the size which permits two copies to be produced per full rotation of the photosensitive drum, the transportation of such originals and the feeding of copy or transfer sheets may take place in synchronism with each other to thereby enhance the efficiency of the copying operation.

Throughout the specification, the detection of the sheet original's position and the detection of the book original carriage's position have been described as taking place at the same position, but actually it is desirable that the stop position for the original carriage should be set to a position slightly more distant from the illuminating means 22 than the stop position for sheet originals, in view of the fact that the possible difference in inertia or the possible difference in the time required for stabilization of movement may occur between the sheet original and the original carriage when they are started to move by a common signal. Such an additional distance for the original carriage's stop position must be determined within a range which will in no way affect the start signal from the drum and the operation sequence of the various microswitches, and furthermore, the paper feed microswitches MS2 and MS5 must be used exclusively for the sheet original copying mode while additional two microswitches must be provided for use in the book original copying mode or alternatively, the copy paper feed signal must be produced in accordance with the movement of the original carriage.

Claims

1. An electrophotographic apparatus comprising:

a rotatable photosensitive medium;

reciprocable means for scanning an original and projecting an image light of the original onto said photosensitive medium;

means for forming an electrostatic latent image on said photosensitive medium;

means for forming a developed image on a transfer material corresponding to the electrostatic latent image;

means for feeding the transfer material, said feeding means being controlled by a feed signal produced by said reciprocable means in accordance with movement thereof; and

means for reciprocating said reciprocable means a preset number of times to obtain a preset number of copies, wherein said rotatable photosensitive medium completes at least two rotations for one reciprocation of said reciprocable means, said reciprocating means including advancing means for moving the reciprocable means in a first direction along a predetermined path for a scanning operation during the first rotation of the photosensitive medium, and returning means for moving the reciprocable means in the opposite direction after completing the scanning operation.

2. In a method for controlling the transfer material feeding operation in an electrophotographic apparatus including a rotatable photosensitive medium, reciprocable means for scaning an original and projecting an image light of the original onto said photosensitive medium, means for forming an electrostatic latent image on said photosensitive medium, means for forming a developed image on a transfer material corresponding to the electrostatic latent image and means for feeding the transfer material, the improvement comprising the steps of controlling the transfer material feeding operation of said transfer material feeding means by a feed signal produced by said reciprocable means in accordance with movement thereof and rotating said photosensitive medium at least two rotations for one reciprocation of said reciprocable means, wherein said reciprocable means is advanced in a first direction along a predetermined path for scanning during the first rotation and is returned in the opposite direction after completing the scanning operation.

3. An electrophotographic apparatus comprising:

a rotatable photosensitive medium;

reciprocable means for scanning an original and projecting an image light of the original onto said photosensitive medium;

means for forming an electrostatic latent image on said photosensitive medium;

means for forming a developed image on a transfer material corresponding to the electrostatic latent image;

means for feeding the transfer material, said feeding means being controlled by a feed signal produced by said reciprocable means in accordance with movement thereof; and

means for reciprocating said reciprocable means a plurality of times to obtain a preset number of copies, wherein said rotatable photosensitive medium completes at least two rotations for one copy, said reciprocating means including advancing means for moving said reciprocable means in a first direction along a predetermined path for a scanning operation and reversing means for moving said reciprocable means in the opposite direction after completing the scanning operation.

4. In a method for controlling the transfer material feeding operation in an electrophotographic apparatus including a rotatable photosensitive medium, reciprocable means for scanning an original and projecting an image light of the original onto said photosensitive medium, means for forming an electrostatic latent image on said photosensitive medium, means for forming a developed image on a transfer material corresponding to the electrostatic latent image and means for feeding the transfer material, the improvement comprising the steps of controlling the transfer material feeding operation of said transfer material feeding means by a feed signal produced by said reciprocal means in accordance with movement thereof and rotating said photosensitive medium at least two rotations for one copy, wherein said reciprocable means is advanced in a first direction along a predetermined path for scanning and is returned in the opposite direction after completing the scanning operation.