Image forming apparatus

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an entire configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a side view of a paper leading edge detection means and FIG. 2B is a plan view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for describing a process for determining the carrying recommencement timing of working example 1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for describing a process for determining the carrying recommencement timing of working example 2.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing a process for determining the carrying recommencement timing of working example 3.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for describing a process for determining the carrying recommencement timing of working example 4.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for describing a process for determining the carrying recommencement timing of working example 5.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for describing a process for determining the carrying recommencement timing of working example 6.

FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of the sheet carry path on a front side of the transfer portion, and FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram showing an enlargement of a registration roller area.

FIG. 11 is a chart showing an operation timing of registration rollers and pre-registration rollers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an entire configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

An image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a digital image forming apparatus for example having various modes such as copying, printing, scanning, and faxing, and is provided with an operation panel 10 on a front surface side.

A hard, transparent glass material platen 11 is arranged on an upper surface of the image forming apparatus 1 and an automatic document feeding device 12 is arranged above the platen 11 while an optical unit 13 is arranged below the platen 11.

A photosensitive drum 14 whose surface is constituted by a photoconductive material is rotatably supported below the optical unit 13. Provided around the photosensitive drum 14 are a charging device 15, a developing device 16, a transfer unit 17, and a cleaner 18, and these are arranged in a state facing a circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 14.

When instruction is given for commencement of an image formation process by operation of the operation panel 10 in the above-structured image forming apparatus 1, the optical unit 13 scans an image surface of the document placed on the platen 11 and reflected light from the document image surface of light from a copy lamp in the optical unit 13 is irradiated onto a surface of the photosensitive drum 14.

Prior to being irradiated by reflected light from the document, the surface of the photosensitive drum 14 is charged by the charging device 15 so as to have a uniform electric charge of a single polarity, and due to a photoconductive effect of the irradiation of reflected light from the document, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 14. Toner is supplied from the developing device 16 to the surface of the photosensitive drum 14 on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized into a developer image.

On the downstream side of the photosensitive drum 14 is arranged a fixing unit 20 constituted by a heating roller and a pressure roller. A transfer belt 50 of the transfer unit 17 and a paper guide 19 are arranged between the fixing unit 20 and the photosensitive drum 14, and a sheet carry path is formed from the photosensitive drum 14 to the fixing unit 20 by the transfer belt 50 and the paper guide 19.

A discharge tray 33 is provided on a lateral surface of the image forming apparatus 1 and a discharge carry path 22 is formed between the fixing unit 20 and the discharge tray 33. A portion of the discharge carry path 22 is diverted via a diverting gate 25 to a re-carry path 24 that is linked to an automatic double-side paper supply device 23 arranged below the photosensitive drum 14.

Four paper supply cassettes 26 that are detachably loaded from the front surface side of the image forming apparatus 1 are provided in a lower portion of the image forming apparatus 1. Each of the paper supply cassettes 26 contains paper of a different size and prior to rotation of the photosensitive drum 14, paper from one paper supply cassette 26 of the four paper supply cassettes 26 is supplied via a paper supply roller 27. Paper that has been supplied is carried toward the photosensitive drum 14 by the carry rollers R31 and R32 via a shared carry path 28, then its trailing edge is sandwiched by the pre-registration rollers R41 and R42 and its front edge makes contacts and stops at the registration rollers R51 and R52. The configuration of this portion is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 10. Furthermore, the operation timing of the registration rollers R51 and R52 and the pre-registration rollers R41 and R42 is also the same operation timing as shown in FIG. 11.

Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a large capacity paper supply unit (LCC) 60. Details of the structure of the large capacity paper supply unit 60 are omitted here, but paper supplied from the large capacity paper supply unit 60 is carried toward the photosensitive drum 14 by the carry rollers R31 and R32 via a unit-side carry path 61 that merges with the shared carry path 28 before the carry rollers R31 and R32, then its trailing edge is sandwiched by the pre-registration rollers R41 and R42 and its front edge makes contacts and stops at the registration rollers R51 and R52.

The registration rollers R51 and R52 rotate in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 14 and introduce the paper to a nip portion (image formation region) N1 between the photosensitive drum 14 and the transfer unit 17. The paper that has been introduced to the image formation region receives a corona discharge of the transfer unit 17 and the developer image held on the surface of the photosensitive drum 14 is transferred to a surface of the paper.

The paper onto which the developer image has been transferred is carried to the fixing unit 20 along the transfer belt 50 and the paper guide 19 and subjected to heat and pressure by the fixing unit 20 such that the developer image is fused and fixed onto the surface of the paper.

In single sided printing mode in which an image is printed on a single side of the paper, the paper that has passed through the fixing unit 20 is discharged from a discharge outlet 32 by a discharge roller 31 via the discharge carry path 22 onto the discharge tray 33. At this time, the discharge roller 31 is driven backward and forward along the paper carrying direction by a discharge roller drive portion 21, which is a characteristic of the present invention.

In double sided printing mode in which images are printed on both sides of the paper, the diverting gate 25 becomes exposed to a portion of the discharge carry path 22 and the paper that has passed through the fixing unit 20 is carried to the automatic double-side paper supply device 23 via the re-carry path 24, which is provided with a carry roller 34. The paper that has been carried to the automatic double-side paper supply device 23 is supplied in a state in which it has been inverted back to front by a re-supplying roller 35, and is again carried via the shared carry path 28 by a re-carrying roller 36 toward the photosensitive drum 14 in a state in which its front and reverse surfaces are inverted, then its trailing edge is sandwiched by the pre-registration rollers R41 and R42 and its front edge makes contacts and stops at the registration rollers R51 and R52.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B show a structural example of a paper leading edge detection means 70 that detects a leading edge stopping position of paper that has made contact and stopped at the registration rollers R51 and R52. As shown in FIG. 2B, the registration rollers R51 and R52 involve four pairs of registration rollers R51 and R52 arranged widthwise with predetermined spacings, and a light emitting-side line sensor 70a and a light receiving-side line sensor 70b face each other above and below the sheet carry path in a substantially central area widthwise thereof, and are arranged along the paper carrying direction S that is orthogonal to the registration rollers R51 and R52. As shown in FIG. 2A, the line sensors 70a and 70b are arranged so as to be provided extending before and after (in the paper carrying direction S) a nip portion N5 of the registration rollers R51 and R52, and in particular are arranged slightly longer on the photosensitive drum 14 side from the nip portion N5. It should be noted that the paper is being guided on the paper carry route by pre-registration paper guides 81 and a post-registration paper guide 82.

Next, a configuration of a control system in the image forming apparatus 1 of the above-described structure is described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. 3.

A central processing unit (control portion) 101 performs sequence control-based management of the various drive mechanism portions that constitute the image forming apparatus 1 such as the automatic document feeding device 12, the optical unit 13, an image forming portion 102, and a paper carrying system 103, and outputs control signals to the various portions based on detection values of various sensor portions 106 including the above-mentioned paper leading edge detection means 70 (the light emitting-side line sensor 70a and the light receiving-side line sensor 70b).

The operation panel 10 is connected to the control portion 101 in a mutually communicable state, and the image forming apparatus 1 is able to be caused to function in accordance with print processing conditions involving input of settings by the user based on operation of the operation panel 10.

Furthermore, a memory 104 and an image data communication unit 105 are connected to the control portion 101. The memory 104 stores various control information necessary in controlling the various drive mechanism portions that constitute the image forming apparatus 1. Furthermore, detection values of paper leading edge stopping positions detected by the paper leading edge detection means 70 are successively stored as a history in the memory 104. The image data communication unit 105 is a communication unit provided for enabling information communication of image information and image control signals and the like with other digital image devices.

The control portion 101 carries out print processing control according to print processing conditions that have been inputted and set by the user via operation of the operation panel 10, but when there is successive print processing of multiple sheets at this time, processing is executed by controlling the paper carrying system 103 based on detection values of the paper leading edge detection means 70, wherein the carrying recommencement timing of the paper being temporarily stopped by the registration rollers R51 and R52 is determined using information of the carrying recommencement timing of the immediately preceding carried paper.

Next, specific working examples are given to facilitate description of the processing by which the carrying recommencement timing of the paper being temporarily stopped by the registration rollers R51 and R52 is determined using information of the carrying recommencement timing of the immediately preceding carried paper.

WORKING EXAMPLE 1

Working example 1 is a working example in which the carrying recommencement timing of the paper being temporarily stopped by the registration rollers R51 and R52 is determined based on leading edge detection values of the immediately preceding carried paper. Next, description is given of a process for determining the carrying recommencement timing in working example 1 with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4.

When a print request is received (step S1) for successive printing of multiple sheets by operation of the operation panel 10, the control portion 101 commences (step S2) an initialization process of the apparatus. For example, initialization processing is commenced on the photosensitive drum 14 such as adjustment of the charging electric potential by the charging device 15 and removal of toner smearing on the surface of the photosensitive drum 14 by the cleaner 18.

At this time, the control portion 101 supplies (step S3) a first sheet from one of the paper supply cassettes 26, which is carried toward the photosensitive drum 14 by the carry rollers R31 and R32 via the shared carry path 28, then its trailing edge is sandwiched by the pre-registration rollers R41 and R42 and its front edge makes contacts and stops at the registration rollers R51 and R52. When the paper leading edge reaches the registration rollers R51 and R52 (when determined Yes at step S4), the paper leading edge stopping position of the first sheet is detected (step S5) by the paper leading edge detection means 70, and a detection value α1 is stored in the memory 104.

Based on the detection value α1, the control portion 101 determines (step S6) a carrying recommencement timing T1 for the first sheet of paper so that the leading edge of the image information visualized on the photosensitive drum 14 and the leading edge of the first sheet of paper being stopped by the registration rollers R51 and R52 correspond.

After this, when completion of initialization processing of the apparatus is confirmed (when determined Yes at step S7), the control portion 101 commences print processing (step S8). Namely, driving of the registration rollers R51 and R52 and the pre-registration rollers R41 and R42 recommences at the carrying recommencement timing T1 decided above, and carrying (print processing) of the first sheet of paper commences.

Simultaneous to this, the control portion 101 confirms (step S9) whether or not there is subsequent printing and when there is subsequent printing, a next sheet (the second sheet in this case) is supplied (step S10) from the paper supply cassettes 26, carried toward the photosensitive drum 14 by the carry rollers R31 and R32 via the shared carry path 28, then its trailing edge is sandwiched by the pre-registration rollers R41 and R42 and its front edge makes contacts and stops at the registration rollers R51 and R52. When the paper leading edge reaches the registration rollers R51 and R52 (when determined Yes at step S11), the paper leading edge stopping position of the second sheet is detected (step S12) by the paper leading edge detection means 70, and a detection value αn (n=2) is stored in the memory 104.

Meanwhile, based on the preceding detection value α1, the control portion 101 determines (step S13) a carrying recommencement timing Tn (n=2) for the second sheet of paper so that the leading edge of the image information visualized on the photosensitive drum 14 and the leading edge of the second sheet of paper being stopped by the registration rollers R51 and R52 correspond. Then, driving of the registration rollers R51 and R52 and the pre-registration rollers R41 and R42 recommences at the carrying recommencement timing Tn (n=2) decided at step S13, and carrying (print processing) of the second sheet of paper commences.

Simultaneous to this, the control portion 101 confirms (step S9) whether or not there is subsequent printing and when there is subsequent printing, the next sheet (the third sheet in this case) is supplied (step S10) from the paper supply cassettes 26, carried toward the photosensitive drum 14 by the carry rollers R31 and R32 via the shared carry path 28, then its trailing edge is sandwiched by the pre-registration rollers R41 and R42 and its front edge makes contacts and stops at the registration rollers R51 and R52. When the paper leading edge reaches the registration rollers R51 and R52 (when determined Yes at step S11), the paper leading edge stopping position of the third sheet is detected (step S12) by the paper leading edge detection means 70, and a detection value αn (n=3) is stored in the memory 104.

Meanwhile, based on the preceding detection value αn (n=2), the control portion 101 determines (step S13) a carrying recommencement timing Tn (n=3) for the third sheet of paper so that the leading edge of the image information visualized on the photosensitive drum 14 and the leading edge of the third sheet of paper being stopped by the registration rollers R51 and R52 correspond. Then, driving of the registration rollers R51 and R52 and the pre-registration rollers R41 and R42 recommences at the carrying recommencement timing Tn (n=3) decided at step S13, and carrying (print processing) of the third sheet of paper commences.

The control portion 101 executes print processing on the papers from the second sheet onward by repeating the processing of the above-described steps S9 to S13.

That is, in working example 1, the carrying recommencement timing for the next sheet is always determined using the detection value of the one preceding sheet. That is, since the detection value of the one preceding sheet is used without using the detection value of the leading edge stopping position of the actual sheet that has been carried to and stopped at the registration rollers R51 and R52, it is possible to determine the carrying recommencement timing for that sheet even before the sheet is carried to the registration rollers R51 and R52. Thus, with time to spare it is possible to determine easily and reliably the carrying recommencement timing of a sheet being temporarily stopped by the registration rollers R51 and R52, even during high speed carrying such as carrying approximately two A4 sheets sideways per second.

WORKING EXAMPLE 2

The positions of the paper leading edge when temporarily stopped by the registration rollers R51 and R52 are not always the same position for successive sheets and there is a possibility that displacement will occur to a greater or lesser extent. Working example 2 gives consideration to this point and is a working example in which the slight displacement between each sheet of paper is absorbed by obtaining an average value of the detection values of leading edge stopping positions of successively carried sheets, thereby determining the carrying recommencement timings with even higher accuracy.

Next, description is given of a process for determining the carrying recommencement timing in working example 2 with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5. It should be noted that in FIG. 5 the same step numbers are applied to processes that are the same in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4.

Meanwhile, based on an average value αav (in this case, α1), which is a calculation result of calculating (step S21) αav=α1/1 using the preceding detection value α1, the control portion 101 determines (step S22) a carrying recommencement timing Tn (n=2) for the second sheet of paper so that the leading edge of the image information visualized on the photosensitive drum 14 and the leading edge of the second sheet of paper being stopped by the registration rollers R51 and R52 correspond. Then, driving of the registration rollers R51 and R52 and the pre-registration rollers R41 and R42 recommences at the carrying recommencement timing Tn (n=2) decided at step S22, and carrying (print processing) of the second sheet of paper commences.

Meanwhile, based on the average value αav, which is a calculation result of calculating (step S21) of αav=(α1+α2)/2 using all of the preceding detection values α1 and α2 up until then, the control portion 101 determines (step S22) a carrying recommencement timing Tn (n=3) for the third sheet of paper so that the leading edge of the image information visualized on the photosensitive drum 14 and the leading edge of the third sheet of paper being stopped by the registration rollers R51 and R52 correspond. Then, driving of the registration rollers R51 and R52 and the pre-registration rollers R41 and R42 recommences at the carrying recommencement timing Tn (n=3) decided at step S22, and carrying (print processing) of the third sheet of paper commences.

Simultaneous to this, the control portion 101 confirms (step S9) whether or not there is subsequent printing and when there is subsequent printing, the next sheet (the fourth sheet in this case) is supplied (step S10) from the paper supply cassettes 26, carried toward the photosensitive drum 14 by the carry rollers R31 and R32 via the shared carry path 28, then its trailing edge is sandwiched by the pre-registration rollers R41 and R42 and its front edge makes contacts and stops at the registration rollers R51 and R52. When the paper leading edge reaches the registration rollers R51 and R52 (when determined Yes at step S11), the paper leading edge stopping position of the fourth sheet is detected (step S12) by the paper leading edge detection means 70, and a detection value αn (n=4) is stored in the memory 104.

Meanwhile, based on the average value αav, which is a calculation result of calculating (step S21) of αav=(α1+α2+α3)/3 using all of the preceding detection values α1, α2, and α3 up until then, the control portion 101 determines (step S22) a carrying recommencement timing Tn (n=4) for the fourth sheet of paper so that the leading edge of the image information visualized on the photosensitive drum 14 and the leading edge of the fourth sheet of paper being stopped by the registration rollers R51 and R52 correspond. Then, driving of the registration rollers R51 and R52 and the pre-registration rollers R41 and R42 recommences at the carrying recommencement timing Tn (n=4) decided at step S22, and carrying (print processing) of the fourth sheet of paper commences.

The control portion 101 repeats the processing of the above steps S9 to S22, and executes print processing on the second sheet onward by using all the preceding detection values α1, α2, . . . , αn−1 up until then to calculate each time at step S21 the average value αav=(α1+α2 . . . +αn−1)/(n−1) thereof.

That is, in working example 2, the carrying recommencement timing for the sheet being carried is determined using all the detection values of all the sheets being carried to the registration rollers R51 and R52 up until the immediately preceding sheet. That is, since all the detection values of all the sheets up until the one preceding sheet are used without using the detection value of the leading edge stopping position of the actual sheet that has been carried to and stopped at the registration rollers R51 and R52, it is possible to determine the carrying recommencement timing for that sheet even before the sheet is carried to the registration rollers R51 and R52. Thus, with time to spare it is possible to determine easily and reliably the carrying recommencement timing of a sheet being temporarily stopped by the registration rollers R51 and R52, even during high speed carrying such as carrying approximately two A4 sheets sideways per second.

WORKING EXAMPLE 3

There is a high probability that the paper leading edge stopping positions when temporarily stopped by the registration rollers R51 and R52 will gradually shift over time. However, although this shifting does not vary extremely between a preceding sheet and a subsequent sheet, it is possible for considerable shifting to occur between the first sheet and the thirty-first sheet for example. For example, in successive printing of multiple sheets (for example, large volume printing of around 500 sheets), it is conceivable that thermal expansion will occur due to the heat produced by rubbing between the registration rollers R51 and R52 and the paper, and since the paper leading edge stopping positions may gradually change due to this thermal expansion or the like, there is a possibility that accuracy will be worsened when using the earlier values in the average value calculations indefinitely. Working example 3 gives consideration to this point and is a working example in which the average value calculation process is initialized for every certain number of sheets.

Next, description is given of a process for determining the carrying recommencement timing in working example 3 with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6. It should be noted that in FIG. 6 the same step numbers are applied to processes that are the same in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5.

Here, in working example 3, the fixed number of sheets is set at 30 sheets. That is, the number of sheets for which there is a print request is divided for every 30 sheets, and the calculation process for the average value αav is initialized for each of these divisions, that is, for each set of 30 sheets. Next, description is given of a process for determining the carrying recommencement timing in working example 3 with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6.

At this time, after setting (step S2-1) n, which indicates the number of sheets that have been carried, to 1, the control portion 101 supplies (step S3) a first sheet from one of the paper supply cassettes 26, which is carried toward the photosensitive drum 14 by the carry rollers R31 and R32 via the shared carry path 28, then its trailing edge is sandwiched by the pre-registration rollers R41 and R42 and its front edge makes contacts and stops at the registration rollers R51 and R52. When the paper leading edge reaches the registration rollers R51 and R52 (when determined Yes at step S4), the paper leading edge stopping position of the first sheet is detected (step S5) by the paper leading edge detection means 70, and a detection value α1 is stored in the memory 104.

Simultaneous to this, the control portion 101 confirms (step S9) whether or not there is subsequent printing and when there is subsequent printing, after incrementing (step S9-1) n, which indicates the number of sheets that have been carried, a next sheet (the second sheet in this case) is supplied (step S10) from the paper supply cassettes 26, which is carried toward the photosensitive drum 14 by the carry rollers R31 and R32 via the shared carry path 28, then its trailing edge is sandwiched by the pre-registration rollers R41 and R42 and its front edge makes contacts and stops at the registration rollers R51 and R52. When the paper leading edge reaches the registration rollers R51 and R52 (when determined Yes at step S11), the paper leading edge stopping position of the second sheet is detected (step S12) by the paper leading edge detection means 70, and a detection value αn (n=2) is stored in the memory 104.

Next, the control portion 101 confirms (step S31) whether or not the number of sheets that have been carried successively has exceeded 30 sheets, which is a single division, and if this is not exceeded (when determined No at step S31), then based on the average value αav (in this case, α1), which is a calculation result of calculating (step S21) αav=α1/1 using the preceding detection value α1, the control portion 101 determines (step S22) a carrying recommencement timing Tn (n=2) for the second sheet of paper so that the leading edge of the image information visualized on the photosensitive drum 14 and the leading edge of the second sheet of paper being stopped by the registration rollers R51 and R52 correspond. Then, driving of the registration rollers R51 and R52 and the pre-registration rollers R41 and R42 recommences at the carrying recommencement timing Tn (n=2) decided at step S22, and carrying (print processing) of the second sheet of paper commences.

Simultaneous to this, the control portion 101 confirms (step S9) whether or not there is subsequent printing and when there is subsequent printing, after incrementing (step S9-1) n, which indicates the number of sheets that have been carried, the next sheet (the third sheet in this case) is supplied (step S10) from the paper supply cassettes 26, carried toward the photosensitive drum 14 by the carry rollers R31 and R32 via the shared carry path 28, then its trailing edge is sandwiched by the pre-registration rollers R41 and R42 and its front edge makes contacts and stops at the registration rollers R51 and R52. When the paper leading edge reaches the registration rollers R51 and R52 (when determined Yes at step S11), the paper leading edge stopping position of the third sheet is detected (step S12) by the paper leading edge detection means 70, and a detection value αn (n=3) is stored in the memory 104.

Next, the control portion 101 confirms (step S31) whether or not the number of sheets that have been carried successively has exceeded 30 sheets, which is a single division, and if this is not exceeded (when determined No at step S31), then based on the average value αav, which is a calculation result of calculating (step S21) αav=(α1+α2)/2 using all the preceding detection values α1 and α2 up until then, the control portion 101 determines (step S22) a carrying recommencement timing Tn (n=3) for the third sheet of paper so that the leading edge of the image information visualized on the photosensitive drum 14 and the leading edge of the third sheet of paper being stopped by the registration rollers R51 and R52 correspond. Then, driving of the registration rollers R51 and R52 and the pre-registration rollers R41 and R42 recommences at the carrying recommencement timing Tn (n=3) decided at step S22, and carrying (print processing) of the third sheet of paper commences.

In this manner the control portion 101 repeats the processing of the above steps S9 to S22, and executes print processing on the second sheet onward by using all the preceding detection values α1, α2, . . . , αn−1 up until then to calculate each time at step S21 the average value αav=(α1+α2+ . . . +αn−1)/(n−1) thereof. In repeating the processes of the steps S9 to S22 in this manner, when the control portion 101 has confirmed that the number of successively carried sheets has exceeded 30 sheets, which is a single division, (when determined Yes at step S31), next a confirmation is made (step S32) as to whether or not the paper carried in this time is the thirty-first successively carried sheet (that is, the first sheet of the next division).

When a result is that the number of successively carried sheets is up to the thirty-first sheet, a carrying recommencement timing Tn is determined (step S33) based on α30, which is the detection value of the immediately preceding thirtieth sheet, so that the leading edge of the image information visualized on the photosensitive drum 14 and the leading edge of the paper being stopped by the registration rollers R51 and R52 correspond. That is, in the process of step S33, it is deemed that the thirtieth sheet is essentially a first sheet of a new division, and in this sense is the same process as step S6.

After this, α1 to α30, which constitute the past history stored in the memory 104, are deleted and after the detection value α31 stored in the memory 104 at this time undergoes a symbol update to α1 (that is, after the detection value is left as it is and only the symbol is updated), n, which indicates the number of carried sheets is initialized (step S35) to 1 and the procedure returns to step S9. In this way, the carrying recommencement timings for the next division of 30 sheets are successively determined in a same manner as the preceding division of 30 sheets.

That is, in working example 3, the calculation processing of the above-described working example 2 is implemented while being initialized for each division of a preset number of sheets (30 sheets in the example here). That is, since all the detection values of all the sheets up until the one preceding sheet within the same division are used without using the detection value of the leading edge stopping position of the actual sheet that has been carried to and stopped at the registration rollers R51 and R52, it is possible to determine the carrying recommencement timing for that sheet even before the sheet is carried to the registration rollers R51 and R52. Thus, with time to spare it is possible to determine easily and reliably the carrying recommencement timing of a sheet being temporarily stopped by the registration rollers R51 and R52, even during high speed carrying such as carrying approximately two A4 sheets sideways per second.

WORKING EXAMPLE 4

The above-described working examples 1 to 3 involved a single print request, that is, processing within a single job, but working example 4 involves successive print requests, that is, successively executing multiple jobs. That is, ordinarily, when print requests are different, it is probable that the paper size and the paper supply cassette to be used will vary. Thus, consideration was given to this in working examples 1 to 3 and processing was concluded for each print request individually.

However, in a case where even though there are multiple print requests, the multiple print requests are to be processed continuously without stopping operation of the apparatus and where the same paper supply cassette is to be used, the processing of the above-described working examples 1 to 3 can be executed continuously for the continuous print requests without causing any problem. Working example 4 is a working example that gives consideration to this point. Next, description is given of a process for determining the carrying recommencement timing in working example 4 with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7.

When multiple print requests are being made, the control portion 101 always monitors (step S41) whether or not the current print processing is the same single print request, that is, whether or not it is print processing of the same job. Then, when print processing for the single job is finished and print processing for the next job is to be executed, confirmation is made (step S42) as to whether or not the processing for the next job involves successive printing, which is executed continuously from the completion of processing of the previous job without stopping the apparatus, and when this is successive printing (when determined Yes at step S42), next a confirmation is made (step S43) as to whether or not the paper tray to supply paper is the same tray as the paper tray that was used for the one preceding job.

When a result thereof is that it is the same paper tray (when determined Yes at step S43), the control portion 101 continues to execute (step S44) the processing of one of the working examples 1 to 3 (the processing in one of FIGS. 4 to 6) that had been executed for the one preceding job also on the next job.

On the other hand, when this is not successive printing (No at step S42) and not the same paper tray (No at step S43), processing of one of the above-described working examples 1 to 3 is executed from the beginning on the next print request.

WORKING EXAMPLE 5

When successive printing is being carried out at high speed, it is possible that the registration rollers R51 and R52 will expand due to the heat produced by abrasion between the nip portion N5 of the registration rollers R51 and R52 and the sheets that pass therebetween. And due to the registration rollers R51 and R52 being subjected to expansion or the like, it is probable that the leading edge stopping positions of the sheets sandwiched there will vary greatly from a certain point in time. Thus, working example 5 gives consideration to this point by obtaining the extent of a difference value between detection values of leading edge stopping positions of every two sheets that are carried successively and initializes the calculation processing of the average value in the process for determining the carrying recommencement timing of either the above-described working example 2 or working example 3 when that difference value has exceeded a preset allowable value. Here, the allowable value is obtained in advance through testing or the like and set giving consideration to such properties as the thermal expansion characteristics of the rollers due to the heat produced by rotational friction of the registration rollers R51 and R52 and internal temperature rises within the apparatus.

Next, description is given of a process for determining the carrying recommencement timing in working example 5 with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8. That is, in working example 5, the following processing is executed in parallel to the process for determining the carrying recommencement timing of either the above-described working example 2 or working example 3.

Namely, when the paper leading edge stopping position of the paper being sandwiched in the registration rollers R51 and R52 is detected by the paper leading edge detection means 70 in step S12, which is the process for determining the carrying recommencement timing of either the above-described working example 2 or working example 3, the control portion 101 obtains (step S51) a difference value ΔX of the detection value αn and one preceding detection value αn−1, then compares (step S52) that difference value ΔX and an allowable value X1 that has been set in advance. Then, when ΔX is below the allowable value X1, that is, when it is within the range of the allowable value X1 (when determined No at step S52), processing of step S12 onward is executed with change.

On the other hand, when ΔX is not less than the allowable value X1 (when determined Yes at step S52), processing from step S6 is executed. That is, all the past detection values α1, α2, . . . , αn−1 being stored in the memory 104 up until then are all deleted and initialized, and the process for determining the carrying recommencement timing continues from step S6 setting the next detection value αn of this time as the first detection value.

Thus, even if the paper leading edge stopping position suddenly varies greatly due to a cause such as the heat produced in the registration rollers, it becomes possible to handle this immediately and to determine the carrying recommencement timings with excellent accuracy.

WORKING EXAMPLE 6

In the above-described working examples 2 and 3, the carrying recommencement timing of the sheet to be carried next was determined using a past detection value αn, but a condition of this determination technique is that the sheets to be carried are sheets of the same size. That is, when the paper supply cassette is switched during print processing, it is possible that the size of the paper being supplied will change at that point in time, and therefore the past detection values αn will no longer hold any meaning at all in such cases. Thus, working example 6 gives consideration to this point by initializing the calculation processing of the average value in the process for determining the carrying recommencement timing of either the above-described working example 2 or working example 3 when the paper supply cassette has been switched during print processing of a single job.

Next, description is given of a process for determining the carrying recommencement timing in working example 6 with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9. That is, in working example 6, the following processing is executed in parallel to the process for determining the carrying recommencement timing of either the above-described working example 2 or working example 3.

That is, the control portion 101 monitors (step S61) whether or not the paper supply cassette has been switched during the process for determining the carrying recommencement timing of either the above-described working example 2 or working example 3. Switching of the paper supply cassettes may involve a case for example of switching to any of the four paper supply cassettes 26 that are detachably loaded from a front surface side of the image forming apparatus, or may involve a case of switching from these paper supply cassettes to the large capacity paper supply unit (LCC) 60 side, and further still may involve a case of switching from a paper supply cassette to any other paper supply cassette in the large capacity paper supply unit (LCC) 60, which are not shown in the drawings. When the control portion 101 detects switching of the paper supply cassette (when determined Yes at step S61), all the past detection values α1, α2, . . . , αn−1 being stored in the memory 104 up until then are all deleted and initialized, and the process for determining the carrying recommencement timing continues from step S6 setting the next detection value αn of this time as the first detection value.

Thus, even if the paper supply cassette is switched during print processing, it becomes possible to handle this immediately and to determine the carrying recommencement timings with excellent accuracy.

WORKING EXAMPLE 7

In the above-described working examples 2 and 3, the carrying recommencement timing of the sheet to be carried next was determined using a past detection value αn, but a condition of this determination technique is that printing operations are continuous. That is, when print processing operations are interrupted during a single job, processing is executed from the initialization process when printing recommences, and therefore in such cases, all the past detection values α1, α2, . . . , αn−1 being stored in the memory 104 up until then are all deleted and initialized in a same manner as for cassette switching in the above-described working example 6, and processing is executed from the initialization processing of step S2.

WORKING EXAMPLE 8

Although there is no particular limitation to this, the above-described working examples 1 to 3 were working examples involving a case in which the print mode was single sided printing. However, in addition to single sided printing mode there is also a double sided printing mode. Working example 8 is a working example involving a case of double sided printing mode. Even for the same paper, the contact condition may vary when sandwiched by the registration rollers R51 and R52 for paper in the initial state on which there is no printing on either side and paper that has been printed on one side, and therefore it is possible that the paper leading edge stopping positions may vary when the papers contact and are stopped by the registration rollers R51 and R52. Thus, working example 8 gives consideration to this point, and when the print mode is double sided printing, any one of the above-described working examples 1 to 3 is executed for each printing surface (front side and rear side) of the sheet to determine the carrying recommencement timing for each printing surface.

That is, during print processing of a single job, the control portion 101 determines whether the paper that is carried to the registration rollers R51 and R52 is paper freshly supplied from the paper supply cassettes with no printing on either surface (front surface side printing) or paper that has already had its front surface side printed and has been supplied in a state having its front and rear inverted by the re-supplying roller 35 of the automatic double-side paper supply device 23 and carried in a state in which its front and reverse sides are inverted by the re-carrying roller 36 via the shared carry path 28 (rear surface side printing). Then, based on a determination result thereof, executes any one of the above-described working examples 1 to 3 respectively distinguishing between front surface side printing and rear surface side printing. That is, in the case of front surface side printing, detection is performed by the paper leading edge detection means 70 at the time of printing the front surface side and the carrying recommencement timing is determined using only detection values stored in the memory 104 of a time of front surface side printing, and in the case of rear surface side printing, detection is performed by the paper leading edge detection means 70 at the time of printing the rear surface side and the carrying recommencement timing is determined using only detection values stored in the memory 104 of a time of rear surface side printing. Thus, even for double sided printing, it becomes possible to respond to the condition for printing to the paper (cases of front surface side printing and cases of reverse surface side printing) and to determine the carrying recommencement timings with excellent accuracy.

An embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention has modes for copying, printing, scanning, and faxing, and is suitably used in high-speed digital multifunction machines in which large volumes of printed materials undergo print processing at high speeds.

The present invention can be embodied and practiced in other different forms without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the above-described working examples are considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All variations and modifications falling within the equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Image forming apparatus

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