JPH0220554B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (a) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus equipped with a sheet sorting section capable of sorting and collecting sheets such as transfer paper.
For details, see sorting and collecting sheets with images formed on them.
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that can perform multiple functions such as forming images on both sides of a sheet and forming multiple images on one side of a sheet.

(b) Prior art In recent years, image forming devices such as copying machines (hereinafter referred to as copying machines) have a sheet sorting function for sorting and collecting copied sheets, a duplex function for forming images on both sides of sheets, and a duplex function for forming images on one side of sheets. There is a demand for multifunctionality such as multiple functions for multiple copying, as well as systemization. Conventionally, these multifunctions have been built into the main body of the copying machine in advance, or separate from the main body of the copying machine, such as a sorting device, duplex device, etc. It is attached to support multi-functionality.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a copying device 1 includes a document table 2 that can slide back and forth with a document M placed thereon, a lens system LE fixed to a support member S of the device body, and a large number of It has two cassettes C ₁ and C ₂ on which sheets can be placed and which can be attached to and removed from the main body of the apparatus, and further includes a cylindrical photoreceptor 3 having a central axis extending perpendicular to the sheet surface, and its surroundings. A developing device 5, a cleaner 6, and a charger 7 arranged nearby
are integrally arranged in a frame 9, and these photoreceptor 3, developer 5, cleaner 6, and charger 7
constitutes a unit 10 that can be inserted into and removed from the main body support member S. Further, a conveyance device 13 having a transfer charger 11, a separation roller 12, etc. is arranged below the unit 10, and a feeder for feeding the sheets on the cassettes _C1 and _C2 to the conveyance device 13. A paper roller 15 and a registration roller 16 are provided, and a fixing device 17 to which the transferred sheet is fed from the conveying device 13 is provided. A flapper 19 for changing the sheet feeding direction is provided at the exit portion of the fixing device 17, and the flapper 19 transfers the sheets to a sheet sorting device 20 separate from the copying apparatus main body 1 or into the apparatus main body 1. It is selected and fed to a conveyor belt 23 that leads to an intermediate tray 22 arranged therein. The sheet sorting device 20 has a large number of sheet storage bin trays 25 . . . These trays 25 can be transported up and down by a conveyor 26 , and sheets are ejected and delivered to a predetermined tray 25 by a paper feed roller 27 .
It is collected. On the other hand, the intermediate tray 22 is
The intermediate tray 22 is installed at an inclined position at the lower part of the intermediate tray 22 to ensure sheet stacking and refeeding performance, and a feeding roller 29 and a delivery roller 30 are installed to eject the sheets from the intermediate tray 22. It is arranged.

Based on the above configuration, when the document table 2 moves, the document M placed on the document table 2 is irradiated by the light source L, and the reflected light passes through the lens system LE and is uniformly charged by the charger 7 in advance. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 3, and then, based on the rotation of the photoreceptor 3 in the direction of the arrow, the electrostatic latent image forms a toner image at the position of the developing device 5. Meanwhile, cassette C ₁
Or, the sheets loaded on C ₂ are loaded on paper feed roller 1.
5, and is aligned with the toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor by a registration roller 16, and further transferred to the sheet surface by a transfer charger 11. Furthermore, the sheet carrying the toner image is separated from the photoreceptor 3 by a separation roller 12,
The image is sent to the fixing device 17 by the conveyance device 13, and is fixed therein. In the case of single-sided copying, the flapper 19 is switched to the sheet sorting device side, and the copied sheet is ejected to a predetermined tray 25 by the paper feed roller 27, and
are moved by a conveyor 26 according to a prespecified sorting method, and the sheets are sorted in a predetermined pattern. On the other hand, in the case of double-sided copying, the flapper 19
is switched to the intermediate tray side. Therefore, the sheets copied on one side are guided to the intermediate tray 22 by the conveyor belt 23, and a predetermined number of sheets are stacked and accumulated on the tray 22. When the one-sided copying is completed, the sheet on the intermediate tray 22 is transferred to the feed roller 29.
The sheet is switched back and fed from the rear end surface by the feed roller 30, and is copied onto both sides of the photoreceptor 3 and the transfer charger 11 with the uncopied side facing upward, and then transferred to the fixing device 17 as described above. The sheets are then sent by the flapper 19 to the sheet sorting device 20, where they are sorted in a predetermined pattern.

Further, as another example of the conventional copying apparatus 1', there is also one shown in FIG. The copying device 1'
Similarly to the copying apparatus 1, the unit 1 includes a document table 2, cassettes C ₁ and C ₂ , a lens system LE, a photoreceptor 3, a developer 5, a cleaner 6, and a charger 7.
0, and further includes a conveying device 13, a fixing device 17, and the like. Then, the reversing guide path 3 branches into a path 31 from the fixing device 17 and has a paper feed roller 34.
2 is provided, and is further switched by a flapper 33 into the reversing guide path 32 and a path 35 to the sheet sorting device 20'. Furthermore, the path 3 guided from the reversing guide path 32 via the flapper 36
7 is installed, and the path 37 is guided to the intermediate tray 22' according to the sheet size by a large number of discharge ports 37a. On the other hand, the sheet sorting device 20' is constructed separately from the main body of the copying apparatus 1', and is fixed to the main body of the apparatus with screws or the like. Also,
A large number of trays 25' are fixed to the sorting device 20', and each tray 25' is connected to a path 40 communicating with the discharge roller 39 of the device main body 1'.
Flappers 41... and paper feed rollers 42... are arranged at positions corresponding to.

Based on the above configuration, the sheet transferred by the photoreceptor 3 and fixed by the fixing device 17 is transferred to the path 31.
guided by. In the case of one-sided copying, the flapper 33 is switched to the path 35 side, and the ejection roller 39
from there to the sheet sorting device 20'. and,
Flapper 41 and paper feed roller 4 of sorting device 20'
2, sheets are stacked on a predetermined tray 25' according to a predetermined sorting method. On the other hand, in the case of double-sided copying, the flapper 33 is switched to the reversing guide path 32 side, the single-sided copied sheet sent from the path 31 is guided to the guide path 32, and then
Switch the sheet by flipping the . Then, the reversed sheet is discharged by the flapper 36 to the intermediate tray 22' through the path 37,
A predetermined number of single-sided copy sheets are stored in the tray 22'. Further, the sheet on the intermediate tray 22' is sent to the photoreceptor 3 portion with the non-copied side facing up by the feeding roller 29 and the sending roller 30, and is transferred to the upper surface of the sheet at this portion. The sheets that have been double-sided copied are then sent to the sheet sorting device 20' and sorted into each tray 25'.

(c) Problems to be solved by the invention Therefore, in the main body of the copying machine 1 (or a special double-sided copying machine), the special intermediate trays 22, 22'
Furthermore, it is necessary to install the intermediate tray 22 at an angle to ensure sheet loading performance, or to install a reversing mechanism such as a reversing guide path 32 outside the intermediate tray. A large dead space is created, and the double-sided copying device becomes quite large, so that the entire unit including the sheet sorting devices 20, 20' becomes a fairly large device. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, when a double-sided copying device part is incorporated into the main body of the copying device 1,
As the main body of the device becomes larger, it is necessary to have a fairly robust structure in terms of strength, which also causes an increase in weight.

Furthermore, when troubleshooting problems such as paper jams, paper jams can occur over a wide range of locations because the main body of the copying machine, the double-sided copying section, the sheet sorting device, and the sheet conveyance path are long and complicated.
It takes time to find the location where paper jams occur, and because the intermediate tray and conveyance section of the duplex copying device are built inside the device, the location of the paper jam cannot be seen from the outside, making it difficult to open the cover, etc. This requires a lot of work, and troubleshooting has become extremely troublesome. Furthermore, as shown in the above-mentioned conventional example, the intermediate trays 22, 22' are generally installed in the lower part of the apparatus, that is, near the floor, and the user must bend down to clear paper jams, making it extremely inconvenient to use. It's getting worse.

In addition, single-sided copied sheets are stacked on the intermediate trays 22 and 22', but these sheets often curl due to the pressure and heat received during the fixing process, so the curled sheets are When refeeding from the tray, feeding errors such as double feeding are likely to occur, which, together with the increasing size and complexity of the copying apparatus, is a factor that reduces the reliability of the entire apparatus.

Furthermore, in addition to multi-functionality and systemization of copying devices as mentioned above, there has recently been a trend toward personalization, but copying devices that meet this trend are limited by limitations such as size, weight, price, etc. They are not equipped with many functions; for example, even paper feeding devices are generally equipped with a single paper feeding device or devices that only have a manual feed function. Therefore, although mini-sorters, optional cassettes, document feeders, etc. can be added to such personal copying machines according to the user's requests, these mini-sorters and other devices only have individual functions. If these devices are installed one after another in the main unit of the device, the unit device as a whole becomes quite large and expensive, even though the main unit is small and low-priced. The benefits of this are not being taken advantage of.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, and includes an image forming section and a large number of sheet storage bin trays, and includes an image forming section and a large number of sheet storage bin trays. In the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus includes a sheet sorting section for sorting and collecting sheets, a sheet conveying section for conveying sheets from the sheet sorting section to the image forming section, and at least one bin tray of the bin tray for sorting and collecting sheets. In order to function as a refeeding section,
a sheet refeeding means for refeeding the sheet guided to the bin tray to the sheet conveying section; and at least one bin tray of the bin trays other than the bin tray functioning as the sheet refeeding section functions as a sheet reversing section. A sheet reversing means capable of reversing and conveying the sheet guided to the bin tray from the bin tray, and a conveyance path guiding the sheet to the sheet refeeding means and the sheet reversing means, and The present invention is characterized by comprising a sheet conveyance switching means capable of conveying the sheet directly toward the sheet conveyance section without guiding the sheet to these conveyance paths.

(e) Operation Based on the above-mentioned configuration, in addition to sorting and collecting sheets on which an image is formed in the image forming section into each bin tray in the sheet sorting section, sheets on which an image is formed on one side in the image forming section are The sheets are guided to a bin tray serving as a reversing section and then subjected to a process of being reversed by a sheet reversing means, or directly collected on a predetermined bin tray, and then the sheets are re-fed from the bin tray by a sheet re-feeding means. The paper is again fed from the conveying section to the image forming section to perform multi-functional processing such as double-sided image formation on multiple sheets or single-sided multiple image formation. Further, a sheet with an image formed on one side is directly re-feeded to the image forming section by the sheet conveying section, and multi-functional processing is performed on one sheet.

(f) Examples Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(F-1) First Example First, the first example will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 4.

As shown in FIG. 1, the copying apparatus U has a copying apparatus main body 50 that constitutes a copying section (image forming section), and the apparatus main body 50 includes a document table 2, a light source L,
The apparatus includes a lens system LE and two cassettes C ₁ and C ₂ , and a cylindrical photoreceptor 3 is disposed within the apparatus main body 50 . Further, near the periphery of the photoreceptor 3, two developing devices 5 and 5' each containing toner of a different color, a cleaner 6 and a primary charger 7 are installed at the tip of the conveying device 13. A transfer charger 11 and a separation roller 12 are provided. In addition, paper feed rollers 15, 15 are arranged in the cassettes _C1 , _C2 , and paths 51, 52, respectively.
The registration roller pair 16 is guided to the registration roller pair 16 through a path 55 from a guide port 53 opened on the lower surface of the apparatus main body 50.
are guided by. Further, a fixing device 17 is disposed at the rear end portion of the conveying device 13, and a pair of discharge rollers 56 are disposed in the fixing device 17 to discharge the sheet to the outside of the machine. A sensor S ₀ is installed to detect.

On the other hand, the sheet sorting section 57 and the sheet conveying section 59
A sheet stacking device 60 consisting of
It is placed facing the. In the sorting section 57 of the sheet stacking device 60, n-1 movable sheet storage bin trays 61 ₁ , 61 ₂ . . . 61 _o-1 are vertically movably supported, and one fixed bin tray 61 _o is supported. It is located at the bottom. Further, the sorting section 57 includes a pair of discharge rollers 56 of the copying apparatus main body 50.
A path 62 is formed at a position that can be aligned with the
A first flapper 63 and a pair of discharge rollers 64, which will be described later.
Sheets can be fed to the movable trays 61 ₁ to 61 _o-1 via the movable trays 61 1 to 61 o-1. The movable trays 61 ₁ to 61 _o-1 are moved up and down by a known drive mechanism (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 78769/1983) comprising a forward/reverse motor and a grooved cam. Also, the first flapper 63 branches and
A selected path 65 is formed, and the path 65 is further branched by a second flapper 66 into a path 67 to the fixed tray 61 _o or a path 68 to the transport section 59 . Further, a second ejection roller pair 69 for ejecting to the fixed tray _61o is disposed on the path 67, and a refeed roller 70 is further disposed between the ejection roller pair 69 and the fixed tray _61o . It is set up. Further, in the sheet conveying section 59, three pairs of conveying rollers 71 ₁ , 71 ₂ , and 71 ₃ are pivotally supported on both side plates (not shown) constituting a lower frame body, and second and third conveying rollers An adjusting roller pair 72 consisting of upper and lower biting rollers, which will be described later, is arranged between the roller pairs 71 ₂ and 71 ₃ . Furthermore, guide plates 73 ₁ , 73 ₂ , 73 ₃ , and 73 ₄ are installed between each roller, and the third pair of transport rollers 71 ₃ is aligned with the guide port 53 of the copying apparatus main body 50. It is located. Guide rails are fixed to both side plates constituting the lower frame of the sheet conveyance section 59, and serve as guides when moving and detaching the sheet stacking device 60 in the direction of arrow A. 71 ₃ aligns with guide port 53 and route 6
2 is aligned with the discharge roller pair 56.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, an upper guide plate 62a and a lower guide plate 62b constituting the path 62 are fixedly installed between both side plates 75 of the sheet stacking device 60, and between these upper and lower guide plates 62a and 62b. A shaft 63a to which the first flapper 63 is fixed is disposed, and the shaft 63a is pivotally supported by a side plate 75. Furthermore, an arm 76 is fixed to one end of the arm 76, and a spring 77 is tensioned at one end of the arm 76, urging the flapper 63 to the solid line position, that is, the position where the path 62 is communicated with the pair of discharge rollers 64. and a solenoid 79 is communicated with the other end to move the flapper 63 to the chain line position, that is, the path 65.
It can be switched to a position communicating with. Further, a large number of auxiliary guide members 81 are disposed in the upper part of the upper guide plate 62a in the shape of a comb so as to be rotatable around a shaft 80 extending between the side plates 75. The upper guide plate 62
protrudes into the path 62 through the notch hole a,
A path 65 allows the sheet to flow toward the pair of discharge rollers 64 and transports the sheet returned from the discharge roller 64.
lead to. Further, a micro switch SW ₁ is disposed facing one of the auxiliary guide members 81, and the switch SW ₁ is turned on by the upward rotation of the auxiliary guide member 81 based on the passage of the sheet along the path 62. , to detect the passage of the sheet. Further, the first discharge roller pair 64 includes an upper roller 64a and a lower roller 64.
b, which fixes the lower roller 64b and has a side plate 7.
A forward/reverse DC motor 82 is attached to the shaft supported by 5.
are connected to each other, and the shaft fixing the upper roller 64a is interlocked with the lower roller shaft via a gear.

Note that, like the first flapper 63, the second flapper 66 is also connected to the second ejection roller pair 69 by a spring.
and is configured to be switched to path 68 by a solenoid.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the second discharge roller 69 consists of an upper roller 69a and a lower roller 69b, a shaft 83 fixing the lower roller 69b is supported by a side plate, and a conveyance roller 71 ₁ ~71 ₃
At the same time, the lower roller 69b is driven counterclockwise in FIG. 1, and the lower transport roller is driven clockwise by a timing belt 85 and a gear 84 so that the rotation directions are reversed. Also, a shaft 86 fixing the upper roller 69a
is interlocked with a lower roller shaft 83 via a spring clutch 87 and a gear train 87a, and a spring clutch 88 and a gear train 88a. is driven in the forward and reverse directions based on the Furthermore, an arm 89 is attached to the upper roller shaft 86.
A bell crank 89 having arms 89a and 89b is rotatably supported, and the arms 89 of the bell crank 89 are rotatably supported.
A refeed roller 70 is rotatably supported at the tip of 9a via a shaft 90. Further, the shaft 90 is interlocked with the upper roller shaft 86 via a timing belt 91, and the refeed roller 70 is connected to the upper roller 69a.
rotated in sync with and in the same direction. On the other hand, a spring 92 is tensioned at the tip of the other arm 89b of the bell crank 89, and a solenoid 95 is connected via a link arm 93 in a direction opposite to the spring biasing direction. Further, a back up link 97 is rotatably supported on a shaft 96 passed between the side plates, and an arm 97a formed at one end of the link 97 is connected to the solenoid link arm 93 together with the arm 89b through a long hole or the like.
is connected to. Further, the back up link arm 97 extends in the direction of the fixed tray 61 _o below the refeed roller 70 and comes into contact with the lower part of the auxiliary plate 100 which is pivotally supported by a pin 99 at the base of the fixed tray 61 _o . Therefore, the auxiliary plate 100 is moved synchronously with the refeeding roller 70, that is, with the lowering of the refeeding roller 70, based on the back up link arm 97.
is rotated in the upward direction to feed the sheet on the auxiliary plate 100 again.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a pair of adjustment rollers 72
consists of a lower driving roller 72a and an upper driven roller 72b, and a biasing spring applies a gripping force to clamp the sheet between the two rollers. Furthermore, the lower roller 72 is splined to a shaft 101 provided across both side plates, and the shaft 101 is interlocked with a drive chain 103 via an electromagnetic clutch 102. Further, two circular guide plates 105 are supported on the lower roller shaft 101 so as to be able to slide together with the lower roller 72a.
A pin 107 fixed on the circumference of the disk 106 is located between
is engaged. Further, a servo motor 109 is fixed to the frame side plate, and the motor 1
The disc 106 is fixed to the output shaft of the motor 109, and the lower roller 72a is driven by the motor 109.
01 can be slid on. On the other hand, the driven upper roller 72b
is slidably supported by the upper roller shaft 110, and a disk 111 is fixed to one end of the upper roller 72b. The disc 111 is engaged with the guide plate 105, and therefore the upper roller 72b
can slide in the axial direction together with the lower roller 72a.
Further, a micro switch SW ₂ is disposed above the guide plate 73 ₃ on the slightly upstream side of the pair of adjustment rollers 72 , and the switch SW ₂ is connected to the guide plate 73 ₃ .
The actuator is pushed up by the sheet passing through the actuator, and the passage of the sheet is detected. Further, a guide plate 73 ₄ on the slightly downstream side of the adjustment roller pair 72
A photo interrupter PI is disposed on the side surface of the notch, and the photo interrupter PI detects the side end surface of the sheet by blocking the transmitted light.

The lower rollers of the conveyance rollers 71 ₁ , 71 ₂ , 71 ₃ are driven by the main drive source of the sheet conveyance unit 59 by a drive chain 103 or the like, and the upper rollers are interlocked with the lower rollers by gears. ing.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

First, using the sheet stacking device 60 of this embodiment, a plurality of sheets n are sorted into a predetermined pattern by single-sided copying. The so-called sheet classification (sorter) function will be explained.

The sheet, one side of which has been copied in the copying apparatus main body 50, is discharged from a pair of discharge rollers 56 to a path 62 in a sheet stacking device 60. At this time, the first flapper ₆₃ is set to the solid line _position in FIG _. It is initially set to . In this state, the first sheet from the path 62 is discharged and collected on the first movable tray 611 by the pair of discharge rollers ₆₄ , and n copies and sorting of documents in a predetermined pattern, for example, pages a to z, are performed. In this case, after the first sheet of page a is stacked on the first movable tray 61 ₁ , the movable tray is immediately raised and placed on the second movable tray 61.
₂ is aligned with the discharge roller pair 64. This results in
The second copy sheet is stacked on the second movable tray ₆₁₂ , and similarly the n-1th copy sheet is stacked on the movable tray 61o _-1 . For the n-th seat, the solenoid 79 is energized to activate the first flapper 63.
is switched so that the second flapper 66 is guided to the path 65 and the second flapper 66 is switched to the fixed tray 61 _o .
The n-th sheet of the page is stacked on the fixed tray 61 _o by a pair of discharge rollers 69 . At this time, the refeed roller 70 is in the raised position as shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, and does not interfere with the discharge of the sheet to the fixed tray _61o . Then, similarly, n copies of the b-th page are stacked on each tray 61 ₁ to 61 _o , and similarly, copy sheets up to the z-th page are stacked one after another on each tray.

Next, a case will be described in which double-sided copying is performed in which copies are made on both sides of a sheet.

When the operator instructs double-sided copying of the number n of sheets and operates the start switch of the copying device 50, the sheet sorting section 57 is set to the initial state as necessary, and the first flapper 63 is activated to excite the solenoid 79. , and the second flapper is set to the solid line condition so as to lead to the dashed line condition or path 65.
Then, when a sheet copied on one side by the copying device 50 is introduced from the discharge roller pair 56 into the path 62 of the sheet stacking device 60, the sheet is guided by the first flapper 63 and led to the path 65, and then further It is guided by the second flapper 66 and led to a path 67. At this time, the spring clutch 87 is not connected, and the spring clutch 88 is connected, and the lower roller 69b and the upper roller 6 are connected via the gear train 88a.
Both rollers 9a are rotated in the forward rotation direction, that is, in the direction in which both rollers work together to discharge the sheet to the fixed tray 61 _o , and the solenoid 95 is not energized, and the refeed roller 70 is rotated by the spring 92. in a raised position. Therefore, the sheet guided to the path 67 is transferred to the fixed tray 6 by the second discharge roller pair 69.
Emitted and collected at 1 _o . Such an operation is repeated n times, and n sheets, which have been single-sidedly copied, are stacked and retained on the fixed tray 61 _o with the copy side facing up.
When the last n-th sheet passes through the detection sensor _S0 of the copying machine main body 50 and its trailing edge is detected, a sufficient time has elapsed for the sheet to be stacked on the fixed tray _61o . , one-sided copying is automatically completed and preparations are made to copy the other side of the sheet, and the rotation of the discharge roller pair 69 of the sheet stacking device 60 is also stopped. Next, the copying device main body 5
0, a signal to start copying on the other side of the sheet (double-sided copy signal) is energized, the solenoid 95 is energized, the bell crank 69 is rotated clockwise, and the refeed roller 70 is moved downward. Rotate the back up link 97 counterclockwise to lift up the auxiliary plate 100. Furthermore, the timing belt 85
etc., the upper roller shaft 83 is rotated in the forward rotation direction, and the spring clutch 87 is connected and the spring clutch 8
8 is cut, and the upper roller shaft 8 is connected via the gear train 87a.
6 is given rotation in the reverse direction. As a result, the upper roller 69a rotates in the reverse direction, that is, in the direction of feeding the sheet from the fixed tray _61o to the path 67, and the lower roller 69b also rotates with it, and furthermore, via the timing belt 91, the re-feeding roller 70 in the same direction. Therefore, the single-sided copied sheets stacked on the fixed tray 61 _o , specifically, the auxiliary plate 100, are transferred to the discharge roller pair 6 by the refeed roller 70.
9, and is further sent to the path 67 by the upper roller 69a.
The sheet is then guided by the second flapper 66 to the path 68, and further sent to the conveying roller ₇₁₁ of the sheet conveying section 59. At this time, even if multiple sheets are fed, they are separated based on the normal rotation of the lower roller 69b, and only the sheet in contact with the upper roller 69a is fed to the conveying roller pair ₇₁₁ . Then, after a sufficient time has elapsed for the sheet to reach the position where it is bitten by the pair of transport rollers 71 ₁ , refeeding of the second sheet is stopped. On the other hand, the re-fed first sheet reaches the detection switch SW ₂ by the pair of transport rollers 71 ₁ and 71 ₂ and turns on the switch. Then, the electromagnetic clutch 102 is disengaged, the adjusting roller pair 72 is temporarily stopped just before biting the sheet, and the sheet is looped on the guide plate 73 ₃ between the conveying roller pair 71 ₂ and the adjusting roller pair 72. is formed. After a predetermined time, the drive clutch 102
By restarting the adjustment roller pair 72 and rotating the adjustment roller pair 72, the inclination of the sheet relative to the guide plate caused by refeeding from the tray _61o is corrected.
Then, with the adjusting roller pair 72 biting the sheet, the servo motor 109 is driven to move the adjusting roller pair 72 in its axial direction until the side edge of the sheet is detected by the photo interrupter PI.
Horizontal position in the direction of sheet movement (horizontal registration)
Adjust. At this time, even after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the adjustment roller pair 72 is restarted, the photo interrupter will not be activated.
If the PI does not detect the sheet, it determines that the sheet is closer to the back (right side in Figure 4), moves the adjustment roller pair 72 to the front side (left side in Figure 4), and the interrupter PI detects the sheet. If the interrupter PI detects the sheet before a predetermined period of time has elapsed after restarting the adjustment roller pair 72, it determines that the sheet is moving toward the front side, and temporarily moves the adjustment roller pair 72 to the back side. After the sheet is removed from the interrupter PI, the adjustment roller pair 72 is moved to the front side in the same manner as described above. In this way, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the adjustment roller pair 72 was restarted with the skew and lateral registration of the re-fed sheet adjusted, the drive to the sheet conveying section 59 is cut off, sheet conveyance is stopped, and copying is performed. Waits for a paper feed signal from the apparatus main body 50. Then, after the operator performs an operation such as replacing the original on the document table 2, when the start switch of the copying apparatus main body 50 is operated again, the drive motor of the sheet conveying section 59 is activated in time with the apparatus main body 50. The adjustment roller pair 72 and the conveyance roller pair ₇₁₃ rotate again to move the sheet to the guide port 53.
from there into the path 55 of the device main body 50. Then, the toner image is transferred to the back side (the side that is not copied) of the sheet by the photoconductor 3, the transfer charger 11, etc., and further fixed by the fixing device 70, and then the sheet copied on both sides is transferred to the discharge roller. The sheets are discharged to the sheet stacking device 60 by the pair 56. Then, based on the sheet sorting function of the sheet sorting section 57 described above, the double-sided copy sheets are sorted into each of the bin trays 61 ₄ to 61 _o according to a predetermined pattern as necessary.

Next, a case will be described in which multiple copying is performed in which two types of images are overlapped and copied on one side of a sheet.

When the operator instructs the main body 50 of the copying machine to perform multiple copying of the number n of sheets and activates the start switch, the first ejection roller pair 64 is rotated in the normal direction, and the first flapper 63 and the second flapper 66 are set to the solid line state. The force is maintained and the movable trays 61 ₁ to 61 _o-1 are all lowered to set the sheet sorting section 57 to its initial state. Then, when the sheet on which the first image has been copied is introduced from the discharge roller pair 56 into the path 62 of the sheet stacking device 60 in the copying apparatus main body 50,
The sheet is guided by the first flapper 63 and led to the first pair of discharge rollers 64, and is sent onto the movable tray ₆₁₁ by normal rotation of the pair of rollers 64. Further, when the sheet passes through the path 62, the leading edge of the sheet pushes up the auxiliary guide member 81, and further, based on the rotation of the guide member 81, the detection switch _SW1 is turned on to detect the passage of the leading edge of the sheet, When the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the auxiliary guide member 81, the guide member 81 returns due to its own weight, and the detection switch _SW1 is turned off at the position where the trailing edge of the sheet is held between the discharge roller pair 64. . Then, forward and reverse
The DC motor 82 is reversed, and the first discharge roller pair 6
4 is then fed from the tray side toward the flapper 63, but at this time, the leading edge of the sheet (the trailing edge until the sheet is fed backwards) comes into contact with and is guided by the vertical portion 81a at the leading edge of the auxiliary guide member 81. The user is guided to route 65. At this time, the time during which the detection switch _SW1 is on is measured by a clock counter, and the size (length) of the sheet is detected. At the same time, from the start of reversal of the first discharge roller pair 64, the value (T+a) obtained by adding the margin a to the counter measurement value T is subtracted by the same clock counter.
Detects separation of the sheet from the discharge roller pair 64 during reversal and reverse feeding, and after detecting the separation, forward and reverse DC
The motor 82 is rotated normally again to prepare for the next sheet.
On the other hand, the first sheet led to the path 65 is
The second discharge roller pair 69 is guided by the flapper 66.
At this time, the second discharge roller pair 69 is connected to the upper and lower rollers 69a and 69 by the spring clutch 88.
9b are both in the normal rotation state, and the refeed roller 7
0 is in the raised position, the sheet is discharged onto the fixed tray _61o by the discharge roller pair 69.
Therefore, in the multiple copying state, the sheets are reversed (switchbacked) once by the first pair of ejection rollers 64, so that the sheets are stacked on the fixed tray _61o with their copying surfaces facing down. The above operation is repeated n times, and the fixed tray 61
After the two sheets are stacked and accumulated on the sheet _o , the sheet conveying section 59 is driven in the same way as in double-sided copying, and the copying device main body 50 transfers the second image to the side that has been copied once. Copied multiple times. and,
Based on the sheet classification function of the sheet classification section 57 described above, multiple copy sheets are sorted into each of the bin trays 61 ₁ to 61 _o according to a predetermined pattern as necessary.

In addition, when the operator instructs only one copy of multiple copies, that is, when one copy of multiple copies without a sort mode is required, the solenoid 79 is energized and the first
While switching the flapper 63 to the chain line position,
The flapper 66 is also switched and held at the chain line position. In this state, when the sheet on which the first image has been copied is guided to the path 62 by the discharge roller pair 56,
The sheet is guided by a flapper 63 to a path 65, and further guided by a flapper 66 to a path 68.
guided by. The sheet is then transported by the sheet transport section 59, skew correction and lateral registration adjustment are performed by the adjustment roller 72, and then a second image is superimposed and copied. And solenoid 79
is turned off, the first flapper 63 is returned to the solid line position, and the multiple copied sheets are transferred to the uppermost movable tray 61.
It is discharged and collected on ₁ .

(F-2) Second Embodiment Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. Note that the copying apparatus main body 50 is the same as in the previous embodiment, so the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof will be omitted.

The sheet stacking device 60, as shown in FIG.
It consists of a sheet sorting section 57 and a sheet conveying section 59. A large number of sheet storage bin trays 61 ₁ to 61 _o are installed in the sheet sorting section 57, and upper and lower pulleys 115 and 116 are provided which are rotatably supported by both side plates forming a frame. ,
A belt 117 is wound around these pulleys 115 and 116. Furthermore, as shown in detail in FIG.
19, 120 and 121 ₁ to 121 _o are arranged at predetermined intervals so as to be in elastic pressure contact with the belt and follow the rotation, and a guide plate 122 is arranged between these rollers to convey the sheet. Route 1
It constitutes 23. Furthermore, a path 125 for receiving sheets from the pair of ejection rollers 56 of the copying apparatus main body 50 extends so as to communicate with the transport path 123, and facing the transport path 123, a path 125 extends in the direction of each of the trays 61 ₁ to 61 _o . A large number of flappers 126 ₁ to 126 _o that can select and branch sheets are provided. As shown in FIG. 7, each flapper 126 is fixed to a shaft 127 that is rotatably indicated on both side plates 75, and is further fixed to both ends of an arm 129 that is fixed to the end of the shaft 127. A spring 139 and a solenoid 131 are connected, and normally the urging force of the spring 130 restricts the entry of sheets into the path 132 to the tray, and the belt 117
along the path 123, and the solenoid 1
31 leads to the tray path 132. Further, each path 132 ₁ to 1 guides the sheet to each tray.
A sheet detection sensor 133 consisting of a light emitting element 133a and a light receiving element 133b is installed at each of the paths 132 o, and a _pair of ejection rollers 135 at the end of each path 132 ₁ to 132 _o can carry out the sheet toward each tray. ₁ to 135 _o are arranged. Note that, as shown in FIG. 8, these discharge roller pairs 135 include an upper roller 135a and a lower roller 135b.
The lower roller 135b is fixed to a shaft 136 supported by both side plates, and the upper roller 135b is fixed to a shaft 136 supported by both side plates.
35a is in pressure contact with the lower roller 135b and rotates accordingly. Furthermore, each lower roller shaft 136 is connected to a forward/reverse geared motor 140 via a gear 139, so that it can rotate in forward and reverse directions, and each lower roller shaft 136 is connected to a forward/reverse geared motor 140 through a gear ₁₃₉ , so that it can rotate in forward and reverse directions.
It constitutes a sheet refeeding means for refeeding the sheets accumulated in the 61 _o , and also constitutes a sheet reversing means. Further, a drive source such as a motor is directly connected to the shaft to which the lower pulley 116 is fixed, and the drive source also serves as a drive source for the sheet conveying section 59 at the same time. The sheet conveying section 59 is on the conveying path 1
It has a conveyance path 141 aligned with a discharge path 144 extending from 23, and the path 141 includes a large number of conveyance roller pairs 142 ₁ to 142 ₅ and Guide plates 143 ₁ to 143 ₄ are arranged between them. Note that among these pairs of conveying rollers, the intermediate pair of conveying rollers 142 ₃ and 143 ₄ are so-called oblique rollers, and are configured to correct the position of the sheet in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet with respect to a reference. The final transport roller pair 142
₅ is aligned with the guide port 53 of the main body 50 of the copying apparatus. Further, a third cassette _C3 can be attached to the other end of the sheet conveying section 59,
From the cassette _C3 to the path 1 by the feed roller 15'
45 to a final conveyance roller pair ₁₄₂₅ .

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained. Note that the so-called sheet sorting (sorter) function for sorting the copied sheets according to a predetermined pattern is similar to a known function, so a description thereof will be omitted.

First, copy the m-page document onto both sides of the sheet,
The case of producing n copies of double-sided copy sheets will be explained.

When the operator instructs double-sided copying of the number n of sheets and activates the start switch of the copying device 50, the first page of the document placed on the document table 2 is copied by the device main body 50 and is ejected from the ejection roller pair 56. It is introduced into the path 125 of the sheet stacking device 60 . At this time, when the passage of the leading edge of the sheet is detected by the sheet detection sensor _S0 located near the ejection roller pair 56 in the fixing device 17, the sensor signal is input to the microprocessor unit (hereinafter abbreviated as MPU). Applicable
A signal to excite the solenoid 131 of the first stage flapper 126 ₁ is output from the MPU, and the sixth stage flapper 126 ₁ is connected to the toilet side path 132 ₁ side.
At the same time, a normal rotation signal is sent to the forward/reverse rotation motor 140 of the first stage ejection roller pair 135 ₁ , and the roller pair 135 ₁ rotates in the normal rotation direction to eject the sheet toward the tray. do. Therefore, the first sheet is transported by the belt 117 and transport rollers 119, 120 and ₁₂₁₁ ,
Further, it is guided by the first stage flapper 126 ₁ and sent to a pair of discharge rollers 135 ₁ , where it is held between the pair of rollers and discharged toward the first stage tray 61 ₁ . When the sheet detection sensor 133 detects the leading edge of the sheet in the tray path 132 ₁ , the MPU issues a signal to stop the forward/reverse motor 140 after a time period corresponding to the length of the sheet has elapsed. The first-stage discharge roller pair ₁₃₅₁ stops with the rear end portion of the spring held between them. Next, when the second sheet is detected by the _detection sensor S ₀ , the first stage flapper 135 ₁ is returned to the solid line position in FIG. The stage flapper 135 ₂ is switched and held at a position communicating with the tray side path 132 ₂ , and the second stage discharge roller pair 135 ₂ is further rotated in the normal rotation direction. As a result, similarly to the first sheet, the second sheet is transferred to the second-stage ejection roller pair.
35 ₂ , the rear end is held in a state of being clamped. Thereafter, similarly, the third sheet is clamped and held by the third stage discharge roller pair ₁₃₅₃ , and the nth sheet is further clamped and held by the nth stage discharge roller pair _135o . Next, when the second page of the original is placed on the original platen 2 and a copying operation is started, the first stage flapper 126 ₁ is first switched to the position indicated by the chain line in FIG. 6, and the first stage discharge roller pair 135 ₁ The forward/reverse motor 140 is driven in the reverse direction. Then,
The first sheet held between the pair of ejection rollers 135 ₁ is guided to the sheet conveying section 59 through the conveying paths 123 and 140, and is further transferred to the copying machine by the pair of conveying rollers 142 ₁ to 145 ₅ of the conveying section 59. It is guided to the guide port 53 of the main body 50. Then, the second page of the original is copied onto the uncopied side by the copying apparatus main body 50, and the double-sided copied sheet is sent from the discharge roller pair 56 to the sheet stacking device 60. At this time, the detection sensor S ₀
By detecting the passage of the sheet, the first stage discharge roller pair 1351 is rotated in the forward rotation direction, and the first stage discharge roller pair ₁₃₅₁ is rotated in the normal rotation direction.
The stage flapper 126 ₁ is held so as to lead to the tray side path 132 ₁ . Therefore, the double-sided copied sheet is guided by the flapper 126 ₁ to the pair of discharge rollers 135 ₁ and discharged onto the first tray 61 ₁ by the pair of rollers 135 ₁ . In addition,
This time, the sheet detection sensor 133 detects that the sheet has completely passed through the pair of discharge rollers ₁₃₅₁ , and after the sheet has been completely discharged and stacked on the first tray ₆₁₁ , the pair of rollers ₁₃₅₁ Stop rotation. Similarly, the second stage discharge roller pair 135
₂ , the uncopied side of the second sheet held between the two sheets is copied, and the second sheet with double-sided copies is discharged to the second tray ₆₁₂ .
loaded. Similarly, the n-th double-sided sheet is discharged and stacked onto the n-th tray 61 _o in the same manner.
Below, regarding copying from page 3 to page m,
Double-sided copying of the first and second pages is repeated in sequence, and finally m pages of double-sided copy sheets are made into n
The copies are stacked on each of the trays 61 ₁ to 61 _o , and all copying operations are completed.

Next, a case of performing multiple copying in which multiple images are overlapped and copied on one side of a sheet will be described.

As with double-sided copying, first, a sheet with the first original copied on one side is passed through each ejection roller pair 135 ₁ to
135 Clamp and hold at _o-1 . Note that during multiple copying, the lowest tray 61 _o (not necessarily the lowest tray) is used as a reversal path, so it is necessary to leave the tray 61 _o open. Then, when the second document is placed on the document table 2 and the start switch is activated to make multiple copies, the first flapper 1
26 ₁ is switched to the dashed line position in Figure 6, and
The first stage discharge roller pair 135 ₁ reverses, and the sheet held between the roller pair 135 ₁ is transferred to the transport path 1.
23. Simultaneously with the actuation of the start switch, the n-th stage flapper 126 _o is switched to the position shown by the chain line in FIG. 6, and the n-th stage ejection roller pair 135 _o is maintained in the normal rotation state. Therefore, the sheet conveyed through the conveyance path 123 by the belt 117 is guided to the discharge roller pair _135o by the nth stage flapper _126o , and is further conveyed toward the tray _61o based on the forward rotation of the roller pair _135o . . and,
Similarly to the above, after the leading edge of the sheet is detected by the sheet detection sensor 133 and a time corresponding to the length of the sheet has elapsed, the forward/reverse motor 140 is stopped, and the discharge roller pair _135o is moved to the trailing edge of the sheet. Stop while holding it in place. Further, the forward/reverse rotation motor 140 is reversed, and the ejection roller pair 135
The sheet held _between
As a result, the sheet is reversed once and is sent from the path 144 to the conveying path 141 of the sheet conveying section 59 with the copy side facing down and the rear end facing forward (switchback). Then, each conveying roller 142 ₁ to 14 of the sheet conveying section 59
2 ₅ to the guide port 53 of the main body 50 of the copying apparatus, and the second original is superimposed on the surface being copied in the main body 50 of the apparatus and is copied. Furthermore, in the same way as double-sided copying, the multiple-copied sheets are discharged and stacked on the first stage tray ₆₁₁ , and the sheets held between the second-stage discharge roller pair ₁₃₅₂ are similarly multiple-copied. The sheets are then discharged and stacked onto the second tray ₆₁₂ , and this process is repeated one after another.

(F-3) Third Embodiment Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. Note that the copying apparatus main body 50 is the same as in the previous embodiment, so the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof will be omitted.

The sheet stacking device 60, as shown in FIG.
It consists of a sheet sorting section 57 and a sheet conveying section 59. A large number of sheet storage bin trays 61 ₁ to 61 _o are installed in the sheet sorting section 57, and upper and lower pulleys 115 and 116 are rotatably disposed.
7 is wrapped around it. Furthermore, as shown in detail in FIG.
19, 120 and 121 ₁ to 121 _o are arranged at predetermined intervals so as to be in elastic pressure contact with the belt and follow the rotation, and a guide plate 122 is arranged between these rollers to convey the sheet. Route 1
It constitutes 23. Furthermore, a path 125 for receiving sheets from the pair of ejection rollers 56 of the copying apparatus main body 50 extends so as to communicate with the transport path 123, and facing the transport path 123, a path 125 extends in the direction of each of the trays 61 ₁ to 61 _o . A large number of flappers 126 ₁ to 126 _o capable of selecting and branching sheets are rotatably supported on the spindles of the respective transport rollers 121 ₁ to 121 _o . Note that, as in the second embodiment, each flapper 126 has a spring that prevents the sheet from entering the tray and guides it to the path 123 along the belt 117, and a solenoid 131 that is energized to move the sheet along the tray path. It is switched to the dashed line position leading to 132. Note that a sheet detection sensor 133 consisting of a light emitting element 133a and a light receiving element 133b is installed in each of the trays 61 ₁ to 61 _o . Arms 150 ₁ to 150 _o are rotatably supported on the spindles of the transport rollers 121 ₁ to 121 _o , and a refeed roller 1 is attached to the tip of the arm.
51 ₁ to 151 _o are provided, and a clockwise biasing force is applied by a torsion coil spring (not shown) to bias the refeed roller to a position away from the tray. Note that these refeed rollers 151 ₁ to 151 _o are interlocked with the conveyance rollers 121 ₁ to 121 _o , respectively, via a chain or gear train (not shown), and the conveyance rollers 121
In synchronization with the rotation of ₁ to 121 _degrees , the sheet on the tray can be rotated in a direction to send out the sheet to the conveyance path 123. On the other hand, each tray 61 ₁ to 61 _o has a pin 15 on its bottom.
Auxiliary plates 153... are rotatably supported by the support shafts _{15 and} 155.
6... is rotatably supported. and,
One end arm of the backup links 155 ₁ to 155 _o and the refeed roller support arm 150 ₁ to 1
50 _o are connected via links 157 ₁ to 157 _o , respectively, and when the arm 150 is rotated downward (counterclockwise), the back up link 155
rotates upward (clockwise). Furthermore,
A solenoid 159 ₁ to 15 is installed at one end arm of each backup link 155 ₁ to 155 _o .
9 _o are connected, and the refeed rollers 151 ₁ to 151 _o and the auxiliary plate 15 are connected to each other by excitation of the solenoid.
3 can be switched to the refeeding position (see the lowermost tray 61 _o part in FIG. 10). Furthermore, as in the second embodiment, a drive source such as a motor is directly connected to the shaft fixing the lower pulley 116, and this drive source also serves as a drive source for the sheet conveying section 59 at the same time. . The sheet conveyance unit 59 has a conveyance path 141 that is aligned with a discharge path 144 extending from a conveyance path 123, and the path 141 includes a large number of conveyance rollers driven by a gear train or chain from a drive source. Pairs 142 ₁ to 142 ₄ and the guide plate 14 between them
3 ₁ to 143 ₄ are arranged. Note that among these pairs of conveying rollers, the intermediate pair of conveying rollers 142 ₃ and 143 ₄ are so-called oblique rollers, and are configured to correct the position of the sheet in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet with respect to a reference. Further, the final transport roller pair 142 ₄ is aligned with the guide port 53 of the copying apparatus main body 50 . Furthermore, a third cassette is provided at the other end of the sheet conveying section 59.
C ₃ can be installed, and the cassette
From C ₃ , the sheet is guided from path 145 to final transport roller pair 142 ₄ by paper feed roller 15 ′.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

First, copy the m-page document onto both sides of the sheet,
The case of producing n copies of double-sided copy sheets will be explained.

When the operator instructs double-sided copying of the number n of sheets and activates the start switch of the copying device 50, the first page of the document placed on the document table 2 is copied by the device main body 50 and is ejected from the ejection roller pair 56. It is introduced into the path 125 of the sheet stacking device 60 . At this time, when the passage of the leading edge of the sheet is detected by the sheet detection sensor _S0 located near the ejection roller pair 56 in the fixing device 17, the sensor signal is input to the MPU,
A signal to excite the solenoid of the first stage flapper 126 ₁ is output from the MPU, and the flapper 126 1 is activated.
6 ₁ is switched and held at the position indicated by the chain line in FIG. 10, which communicates with the toilet side path 132 ₁ side. Therefore, the first sheet is transported by the belt 117 and the conveyor rollers 119, 1.
20, and is further conveyed by the first stage flapper 12.
6 ₁ through the tray path 132 ₁ .
It is discharged onto the stage tray ₆₁₁ . Next, when the second sheet is detected by the _detection sensor S ₀ , the first stage flapper 126 ₁ is returned to the solid line position in FIG. The stage flapper 126 ₂ is switched and held at a position communicating with the tray side path 132 ₂ . As a result, the second sheet is ejected to the second tray 61 ₂ in the same way as the first sheet. Similarly, the third sheet is ejected to the third tray ₆₁₃ , and the n-th sheet is ejected to the n-th tray _61o . Then, when you replace the original with the second page on the original platen 2 and start copying,
First, all the flappers 126 ₁ to 126 _o are returned to the solid line position in FIG.
The flapper 126 _o of the first stage is returned), and then the first
The stage solenoid 159 ₁ is energized and rotates the back up link 155 ₁ clockwise to release the auxiliary plate 1.
53 and rotates the arm 150 ₁ counterclockwise via the link 157 ₁ to bring the refeed roller 151 ₁ into contact with the sheet on the tray 61 ₁ . Therefore, the sheet is sent out to the conveyance path 123 by the rotation of the refeed roller 151 ₁ , and further guided to the sheet conveyance section 59 through the conveyance path 144 , and further conveyed by the conveyance roller pairs 142 ₁ to 145 ₄ of the conveyance section 59 . It is guided to the guide port 53 of the copying apparatus main body 50.
Then, the second page of the original is copied onto the uncopied side by the copying apparatus main body 50, and the double-sided copied sheet is sent from the discharge roller pair 56 to the sheet stacking device 60. At this time, when the sheet detection sensors 133a and 133b detect that the sheet has been ejected from the first tray ₆₁₁ ,
The excitation of the solenoid 159 ₁ is released and the refeed roller 151 ₁ is returned to the normal position in which it is located above and the auxiliary plate ₁₅₃ is located below. The eye flapper 126 ₁ is held so as to lead to the tray side path 132 ₁ . Therefore, the double-sided copied sheet is guided by the flapper 126 ₁ and discharged onto the first tray 61 ₁ . Similarly, the uncopied side of the second sheet stored on the second tray ₆₁₂ is copied, and the second sheet with both sides copied is transferred to the second tray 612. 61 ₂ to be discharged and loaded. Similarly, the n-th double-sided sheet is discharged and stacked onto the n-th tray _61o . Thereafter, the copying from the third page to the m-th page is performed repeatedly in the same way as the double-sided copying of the first and second pages, and finally n copies of the double-sided copy sheet of page m are placed in each tray 61. ₁ to 61 _o , and all copying operations are completed.

Next, a case of performing multiple copying in which multiple images are overlapped and copied on one side of a sheet will be described.

As in the case of double-sided copying, first, a sheet with the first original copied on one side is discharged and stacked on the first tray ₆₁₁ . Then, when the second original is placed on the original platen 2 and the start switch is activated to make multiple copies, the first flapper 126 ₁ is moved to the 10th
The first stage solenoid 159 ₁ is energized to lift the auxiliary plate 153 of the first stage tray 61 ₁ and the refeed roller 15 is switched to the position indicated by the chain line in the figure.
1 ₁ , and thus the sheets on the tray 61 ₁ are fed to the conveyance path 123 . Simultaneously with the actuation of the start switch, the nth stage flapper _126o is switched to the position where the sheet is guided to the tray path _132o , and therefore the sheet conveyed through the conveyance path 123 by the belt 117 is transferred to the nth stage flapper _126o. is discharged and collected on the tray _61o . and,
When the sheet detection sensor 133 detects that the sheet has been accumulated on the n-th tray 61 _o ,
The nth stage solenoid 159 _o (not shown) is energized, and the auxiliary plate 153 is lifted by the back up link 155 _o , and the arm 150
_o descends and transfers the refeed roller 151 _o to the tray 61 _o
More specifically, the sheet contacts the sheet on the auxiliary plate 153 and sends the sheet to the conveyance path 123, whereby the sheet is reversed once so that the copy side is facing down and the rear end is the leading edge (switchback). Route 14
4 to the conveying path 141 of the sheet conveying section 59. Then, the single-sided copy sheet is guided by each of the conveyance rollers 142 ₁ to 142 ₄ of the sheet conveyance section 59 to the guide port 53 of the copying apparatus main body 50, and the second original is placed on the side being copied in the apparatus main body 50. are overlapped and copied. Furthermore, as with double-sided copying,
The multiple copied sheets are stored in the first tray 61.
₁ is discharged and loaded.

Note that in the above explanation, when multiple copies are made, the first
Tray 61 ₁ (top stage) and nth stage (bottom stage)
However, it goes without saying that other trays may be used.

(G) Effects of the Invention As explained above, according to the present invention, the sheet storage bin trays 61 ₁ to 61 _o of the sheet sorting section 57
a sheet refeeding means 7 that faces at least one of the bin trays and can refeed the sheets collected in the bin tray;
0,135 ₁ to 135 _o and 151 ₁ to 151 _o , and a sheet reversing means 64 such that at least one of the bin trays other than the bin tray serving as the sheet refeeding section functions as a sheet reversing section. , 135 ₁ to 135 _o , and 151 ₁ to 151 _o , and is further provided with a sheet conveying section 59 that guides the sheets re-fed by the sheet re-feeding means to the image forming section 50, so that the sheet sorting function is improved. Although it has multiple functions such as double-sided copying and multiple copying functions, it does not require the intermediate tray and reversing path that were conventionally required, and furthermore, it eliminates the dead space caused by these intermediate trays and reversing paths. In addition to being able to reduce the number of parts, it is possible to significantly reduce the size, simplify the structure, reduce weight, and manufacture at low cost. Further, a sheet conveyance switching means 63 is disposed on each of the conveyance paths that guide the sheet to the sheet refeeding means and the sheet reversing means, and is capable of conveying the sheet directly toward the sheet conveyance section 59 without guiding the sheet to these conveyance paths. , 66, 126 ₁ to 126 _o , multifunctional processing such as multiple copying of only one sheet can be performed quickly without going through a sheet refeeding means or the like. In addition, since the sheet sorting function, double-sided copying function, and multiple copying function can be used in common with the bin trays 61 ₁ to 61 _o , the flow of sheets can be easily checked from the outside, and sheet jams and other problems can be prevented. Trouble handling work can be made almost the same for each function, and the handling work itself can be simplified, improving usability. Furthermore, since the sheets are re-fed from the bin trays 61 ₁ to 61 _o of the sheet sorting unit 57 to the image forming unit 50 via the sheet transport unit 59, the areas where sheet jams are likely to occur, such as the sheet transport path, are relatively It can be placed in the upper position, and the refeeding means can reliably refeed the sheet, thereby improving the reliability of the image forming apparatus U itself and further improving the usability. . Furthermore, it can be easily added to the main body of a personal image forming (copying) apparatus, and multifunctionality can be achieved while taking advantage of the advantages of a personal machine.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 4 are views showing a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is an overall front view, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a sheet path switching section, and FIG. 3 is a sheet refeeding section. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the adjustment roller portion. 5 to 7 are diagrams showing a second embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 5 is an overall front view, FIG. 6 is a front view showing a sheet sorting section of a sheet stacking device, and FIG. 7 is a sheet FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a path switching section, and a side view showing a pair of discharge rollers of the sheet sorting section. Furthermore, Figures 9 and 1
0 is a diagram showing a third embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is an overall front view, and FIG. 10 is a front view showing a sheet sorting section of the sheet stacking device. FIGS. 11 and 12 are overall front views showing different conventional examples. U... Image forming device (copying device), 50... Image forming section (copying device main body), 57... Sheet sorting section, 59... Sheet transport section, 60... Sheet stacking device, 61 ₁ to 61 _o ... ...seat storage bin tray,
63, 66, 126 ₁ ~ 126 _o ... Sheet conveyance switching means (flutter), 69, 70, 135 ₁ ~ 1
35 _o , 151 ₁ to 151 _o ... Sheet refeeding means,
64,135 ₁ ~ 135 _o , 151 ₁ ~ 151 _o ......
Sheet reversing means.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising an image forming section and a large number of sheet storage bin trays, and a sheet sorting section for sorting and collecting sheets from the image forming section, comprising: a sheet conveyance section that conveys sheets from the sorting section to the image forming section; and a sheet conveyance section that conveys the sheets guided to the bin tray to the sheet conveyance section so that at least one of the bin trays functions as a sheet refeeding section. a sheet refeeding means for feeding, and at least one bin tray of the bin trays other than the bin tray functioning as the sheet refeeding section, in order to function as a sheet reversing section, the sheets guided to the bin tray are removed from the bin tray. a sheet reversing means capable of reversing and conveying the sheet, and a sheet refeeding means and a sheet reversing means disposed in each of a conveying path that guides the sheet, and directing the sheet directly to the sheet conveying section without guiding the sheet to these conveying paths. An image forming apparatus comprising: a sheet conveyance switching means capable of conveying a sheet according to the present invention. 2 Equipped with an image forming unit and a sheet sorting unit having a large number of movable bin trays that can move up and down, the sheet sorting unit sorts and collects sheets from a sheet discharge rotary body disposed at a predetermined position facing the bin trays into the movable bin trays. In the image forming apparatus, a sheet conveying section is provided for conveying sheets from the sheet sorting section to the image forming section, and a forward/reverse driving means is connected to the sheet discharge rotary body, so that the sheets are guided to the movable bin tray. A sheet reversing means capable of reversing and conveying the sheet is provided, and a fixed bin tray fixed at a predetermined position is provided alongside the movable bin tray, and the fixed bin tray is configured to function as a sheet refeeding section. A re-feeding means for re-feeding the sheets accumulated in the bin tray is disposed, and the sheet is further guided to each of the conveyance paths for guiding the sheets to the sheet reversing means and the sheet re-feeding means. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the image forming apparatus further comprises a sheet conveyance switching means that can convey a sheet directly toward the sheet conveyance section without any interference. 3. It is equipped with an image forming section and a sheet sorting section having a large number of sheet storage bin trays, and the sheets from the image forming section are sorted and stored in each of these bin trays by sheet discharge rotors respectively disposed facing each of the bin trays. In the image forming apparatus in which the sheets are stacked, a sheet transport section is provided for transporting sheets from the sheet sorting section to the image forming section, and the sheet transport section faces at least a plurality of the bin trays and recycles the sheets placed on the bin trays. A sheet refeeding means for feeding is provided, and one of the plurality of bin trays having the sheet refeeding means is configured to invert the sheets placed on the bin tray from the bin tray in order to function as a sheet reversing unit. and configured to re-feed the sheets placed on the bin tray so that the other bin tray having the sheet re-feeding means functions as a sheet re-feeding section, Furthermore, sheet conveyance switching means is provided on each of the conveyance paths that guide the sheets to the bin trays serving as the sheet reversing section and the sheet refeeding section, which can convey the sheets directly toward the sheet conveyance section without guiding the sheets to these conveyance paths. An image forming apparatus characterized by: