US3636807A

US3636807A - Copy machine paper control circuit

Info

Publication number: US3636807A
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard E Unangst
Original assignee: GAF Corp
Current assignee: R Q O HOLDING CO Inc
Priority date: 1969-07-02
Filing date: 1969-07-02
Publication date: 1972-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 1989-01-25

Abstract

A length of copy paper is automatically drawn by a feed roll from a supply roll precisely measured and cut therefrom for merger with an original to be copied, by an integrated high-speed electronic control system in which movement of the original past an edge-sensor by a constant-speed motor starts the paper feed by closure of a feedroll clutch to the motor and the release of a feedroll brake, which feed continues at constant speed until the sensor initiates stoppage thereof by the application of the brake, opening of the clutch, and the paper cutting action of a knife, so that the so-cut length of copy paper corresponds substantially precisely to that of the original prior to subsequent copying of the original. A solid-state control circuit employing three storage capacitors and two commutating capacitors, is used to operate the three main elements of the system with such precise timing accuracy that a maximum variation of + OR - 1/64 inch in length is obtained with a paper feed speed of 5 to 60 feet per minute.

Description

United States Patent Unangst [.4 1 Jan. 25, 1972 [54] COPY MACHINE PAPER CONTROL Primary ExaminerWilliam S. Lawson CIRCUIT Attorney-George L. Tone, Walter G. Hensel and Martin Smolowitz [72] Inventor: Richard E. Unangst, Binghamton, NY. [73] Assignee: GAF Corporation, New York, NY. [57] ABSTRACT A length of copy a er is automaticall drawn b a feed roll [22] Flled July 1969 from a supply roll pfecisely measured and cut tlierefrom for [21] A l N 838,416 merger with an original to be copied, by an integrated highspeed electronic control system in which movement of the original past an edge-sensor by a constant-speed motor starts [52] US. Cl ..83/203, 355/13 the paper feed by closure on feedro" clutch to he mmol. and [51] IIIL Cl. ..G03g 15/00 the release f a feedro brake which feed continues a com [58] Field of surch 204; 355/13 stant speed until the sensor initiates stoppage thereof by the 355/29 application of the brake, opening of the clutch, and the paper cuttin action of a knife, so that the so-cut len th of co [56] References Cited paper corresponds substantially precisely to t hat of the UNITED STATES PATENTS original prior to subsequent copying of the original. A solidstate control clrcuit employing three storage capacitors and 2,873,657 2/ 1959 Bartlett et al. ..83/203 UX two commutating capacitors, is used to operate the three main 3,182,539 5/ l 965 Williams, Jr. ..83/203 UX elements of the system with such precise timing accuracy that 3,292,471 12/1966 Sames et a1... ..83/203 21 maximum variation of: H64 inch in length is obtained with 3,398,619 8/1968 Nichols et al. ...83/203 UX a paper feed speed of 5 to 60 feet per minute. 3,452,627 7/1969 Goodman et al.. ..83/205 X 3,467,469 9/1969 Hastings et al .355/13 x 8 Chin, 3 Figures PATENIEU Jmzsmz 3,636,307

sum 1 OF 3 INVENTOR. RICHFIAD E, ur/m/ssf BY Mflnfiu I smote win COPY MACHINE PAPER CONTROL CIRCUIT This invention relates to copy machines of the Diazo and electrostatic types, and more particularly to the automatic copy paper handling subsystems thereof.

BACKGROUND It has been proposed in a companion application of Edwin D. Foulks, to have the forward movement of an original in a copy machine result in the automatic withdrawal of a length of copy paper from a supply roll, which is cut to correspond to that of the original prior to the copying action in which the original and the so-cut length of copy paper are merged. Thus, originals of varying length are provided with corresponding lengths of copy paper.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention provides a simple, yet efficient, fast and accurate electronic control circuit for operating the clutch, brake and knife in precisely timed sequence to perfect the operation of the proposed system, as outlined below.

A light-sensitive circuit energized by a voltage-regulated power supply, transmits a signal when the leading edge of an original. is moved past a sensor by a conveyor driven by a running drive motor, as indicated by a READY light that is connected to an AC source by a relay switch. Such signal operates a solid-state switch (SCM) which thereupon connects a clutch-solenoid to a first DC power supply and a storage capacitor in parallel therewith, to discharge the capacitor through the solenoid which closes a clutch to connect the so-running motor to a copy paper feed roll.

At substantially the same instant a brake on the feed roll is released by a brake-solenoid as deenergization of the latter is speeded by a commutator-capacitor connected across common signal input terminals of such solenoids. The copy paper and original are driven at a preselected speed by the motor until such signal is terminated by the light-sensitive circuit in response to movement of the original past the sensor.

In the meantime, upon closure of the clutch by the discharge of its capacitor, the latter also causes energization of the coil of the relay switch which then disconnects the READY light from the AC source, and connects such AC source to a second DC power source which thereupon charges a knife-solenoid capacitor in parallel therewith.

When the sensor signal terminates, individual solidstate switches controlling the brake and knife-solenoid trigger the discharge of their capacitors therethrough, applying the brake and operating the knife, as a commutation-capacitor connecting the signal-input circuits of the clutchand knife-solenoid speeds up deenergization of the clutch-solenoid. As a result the knife cuts a length from such copy paper that corresponds to that of the original.

The invention has proved to be capable of providing lengths of copy paper that correspond to lengths of the originals with a maximum variation of :1 l l 6 inch at a constant paper-speed of between to 60 feet/minute.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram of a paper control system embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the control circuit therefor.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the invention.

GENERAL SYSTEM (FIG. 1)

A constant speed motor the speed of which is adjustable, drives a conveyor 12 which carries an original (master) 14 to be copied through the machine past an edge sensor 16. The leading edge of the original 14 causes the sensor to transmit a signal which activates solenoid circuits l8 and 20 to release a brake 22 from feed roll. 24 and close a clutch 26 connecting the already running motor 10 to feed roll 24. The feed roll thereupon draws a strip of copy paper 28 from a supply roll 30 thereof and feeds such strip toward a cutting station 32 through a guide 34. The running of motor 10 is indicated by a READY light 36 being ON" before each original is fed to the machine.

The motor 10 drives the original 14. and the copy paper 28 forwardly at the selected speed until the trailing edge of the original 14 activates the sensor 18, whereupon the paper feed is stopped by the energization of brake-solenoid circuit 18 and the opening of clutch 26 and the operation of knife 38 by the energization of its solenoid circuit 40 to sever a length 42 of copy paper from the supply strip 28 that corresponds substantially exactly to that of the original 14. The merged copy and original are subsequently carried forwardly in merged relationship by a conveyor 44 which also is driven by the common drive motor 10, to a copying station (not shown). The main elements of the machine are reset after each cutting operation, for handling a subsequent original and a corresponding length 42 of copy paper therefor.

CONTROL CIRCUIT (FIG. 2)

Isolation transformer 50 is connected to an AC supply line 52 and provides power to the input of

rectifiers

54, 56 and 58. While the input of the rectifier 56 is connected directly to the secondary of transformer 50, the input of the rectifier 52 is connected thereto through relay (switch) contactors 60 when therclay coil (not shown) thereof in circuit 62 is energized which also disconnects the circuit of READY light 36 from the transformer 50. The

rectifiers

54 and 56 constitute first and second DC power sources for storage capacitors 64 and 66, respectively, associated with the clutch-solenoid circuit 62 and knife-solenoid circuit 70. The rectifier 58 constitutes the third DC power supply. The voltage of the latter is closely regulated for use in the sensor and solid-state device circuits.

The DC power supply 58 furnishes power to photocell lamp 72 as well as to sensing network 74 of the photocell l6. Signal 76 of the leading edge of an original is transmitted to SCR gate amplifier circuit 78 which in turn goes to SCR No.2 circuit 80 which operates clutch 80 which operates clutch-solenoid circuit 62. The latter operatesbrake-solenoid circuit 82 through a commutation (switching) capacitor 78.

The trailing edge of the original results in a signal 84 being transmitted to the inputs of SCR gate amplifiers 86 and 88, which in turn operate SCR No. 4 and No. 6

circuits

90 and 92, respectively. The latter operate the brakeand knife-

solenoids

82 and 70; the latter speeding up the release of clutch by virtue of commutation capacitor 94 connected between

circuits

62 and 70. The clutch-solenoid 62, the brake-solenoid 82 and the knife-solenoid 70 are provided with current storage capacitors 64, 96 and 66, respectively; the discharge of which speeds up the energization of the corresponding solenoids when triggered by the corresponding SCR transistors.

As shown in FIG. 2, the photocell 74 and the lamp 72 are arranged so that the leading edge of the master paper (original) provides signal 76 for the clutch gate amplifier 78, energizing the clutch and relay RY] coil, and also turning oh the brakesolenoid82 through C1 capacitor 78. The trailing edge of the master paper provides signal 84 for the brake gate amplifier 86, thus energizing the brake-solenoid. This same gate signal also turns on the knifewsolenoid gate amplifier 88, energizing the knife-solenoid 70 and turning off the clutch-solenoid and relay RYI coil circuit 62 through C2 capacitor 94.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM (FIG. 3)

The electronic control circuit includes the solar cell 16 on which the rays of the light source 72 are directed. The edgesensing circuit network 74 is connected to the regulated DC power supply 58, and is provided with an adjustable resistor respectively. The SCR relays in turn, control the magnetic clutch-solenoid 62, the magnetic brake-solenoid 82 and the knife-solenoid 70. The latter are provided with parallel resistance-rectifier (diode)

circuits

110, 114 and 116, to assure unidirectional reverse-current flow in each.

Power supply 54 consists of a bridge-type rectifier, the DC output negative terminal of which is grounded by lead 18. The positive side of such output is connected by lead 120, to the center of resistor R3, the outer terminals of which are connected to the ungrounded terminals of the

clutchand brakesolenoids

62 and 82, respectively. The latter are provided with the current storage capacitors 64 and 96, as well as the commutating capacitor 78.

Similarly, the knife-solenoid is provided with the current storage capacitor 66, and is connected to the clutch relay 80 by the commutation capacitor 94. The positive side of rectifier bridge 56 is connected to the knife-solenoid 70 by lead 122 containing rectifier diode 124 and resistor 126, the negative side of the rectifier 56 being grounded at 128. Ready light 36 is normally connected to

stationary contacts

128, 128 are connected to the secondary 130 of the isolation transformer 50, the primary 132 of which is connected to the AC power line 52. Thus, when relay coil 134 is energized,

movable switch contacts

136, 136

leave contacts

128, 128, deenergizing ready light 36; and engage

stationary contacts

138, 138, energizing the AC input of the bridge 56.

The electronic control circuit operates the three solenoid elements (clutch, brake and knife) in precisely timed sequence whereby one (the first) that is normally off is closed when the corresponding solenoid is energized, a second that is normally on is released by deenergization of the corresponding solenoid upon such energization of the first solenoid and a third that is normally off, is subsequently energized to close and thereby simultaneously deenergizes the first solenoid thus, restoring the corresponding first element to such normally off position.

The resistor R1 provides means for adjusting the response time of the solenoids.

CONCLUSION The invention provides an electronic control circuit for controlling the feeding and cutting of copy paper drawn from a supply roll in response to movement of an original by a constant-speed motor past an edge-sensor prior to merger of the original and the length of so-cut copy paper for the copying operation, in which the copy paper drive is connected to such motor by a normally open clutch, a normally applied brake stops such drive, and a knife is normally poised out of the way of the copy paper to be cut thereby, and individual solenoids are provided for closing said clutch, releasing said brake, and operating said knife when energized.

The control circuit involves:

l. An individual current storage capacitor for discharging an energizing current through the corresponding solenoid when triggered to do so.

2. Individual DC supply circuits for charging said capacitors when the corresponding solenoids are deenergized, there being afirst DC supply circuit for said clutchand brake-solenoid current storage capacitors, and a second DC supply circuit for said brake-solenoid current-storage capacitor.

3. A relay having a coil connected in parallel with said clutch-solenoid, and normally open contactors for connecting said second DC supply circuit to a common AC source when said coil is energized.

4. A READY light normally connected to such AC source by said relay contactors.

5. Individual solid-state devices acting when fired to trigger the discharge of said capacitors through their corresponding solenoids.

6. Commutatmg capacitors connected between said clutchand brake-solenoids, and between said knifeand brake-solenoids for speeding up the restoration of the corresponding elements by facilitating the deenergization of said brakeand clutch-solenoids when the clutchand knife-solenoids respectively, are energized first to start the copy paper feed and then subsequently to stop and cut the copy paper, respectively.

7. A circuit for applying a leading-edge signal from such original-edge sensor to said clutch solid-state device when the leading edges of an original is moved by the motor past the sensor, as well as a trailing-edge signal to said knife solid-state device when the trailing edge of such original subsequently moves past the sensor.

I claim:

1. In a copy machine in which a lengthof copy material (paper) is drawn from a supply roll and cut in response to movement of a master (original) past an edge sensor by a common drive motor so that'such length corresponds to that of the master;

an electronic control circuit for operating a clutch connecting said motor to a copy paper feed roll, a brake for said roll, and a knife for cutting the copy paper in precisely timed sequence, comprising:

individual capacitor discharge-energized solenoids associated with said clutch, brake and knife, respectively;

one DC power supply source connected to charge said clutch and brake capacitors while the clutch and brake are idle;

another DC power source for energizing said knife capacitor only while said clutch is closed;

individual solid-state devices for switching the corresponding capacitors in discharge connection with their corresponding solenoids in response to a signal from the edge sensor;

a signal circuit for first transmitting a master leading edge signal to said clutch solid-state device, and then a trailing edge signal simultaneously to said brake and knife solidstate devices. I g

2. The invention as defined by claim 1, in which the sensor comprises a transistorized photocell circuit provided with a resistor that is adjustable.

3. The invention as defined by claim 2, in which the photocell circuit is connected to a closely regulated voltage DC source of supply other than that of the other two DC power supply sources.

4. The invention as defined by claim 1, in which the clutch and brake solenoids are connected by one commutating capacitor, and the knife and clutch solenoids are connected by another commutating capacitor.

5. The invention as defined by claim 1, in which the second DC power supply is a bridge-type rectifier, the input of which is connected to an AC source only when the clutch-solenoid is energized by a relay having a coil connected in parallel with said solenoid and contactors which close to make such connection when the coil is energized.

6. The invention as defined by claim 1, in which said relay contactors normally connect a READY light to such AC source, but disconnect the latter when the relay coil is energized.

7. The invention as defined by claim 6, in which said solidstate devices are SCR transistors.

8. The invention as defined by claim 7, in which SCR transistors are controlled by SCR gate amplifiers.

Claims

1. In a copy machine in which a length of copy material (paper) is drawn from a supply roll and cut in response to movement of a master (original) past an edge sensor by a common drive motor so that such length corresponds to that of the master; an electronic control circuit for operating a clutch connecting said motor to a copy paper feed roll, a brake for said roll, and a knife for cutting the copy paper in precisely timed sequence, comprising: individual capacitor discharge-energized solenoids associated with said clutch, brake and knife, respectively; one DC power supply source connected to charge said clutch and brake capacitors while the clutch and brake are idle; another DC power source for energizing said knife capacitor only while said clutch is closed; individual solid-state devices for switching the corresponding capacitors in discharge connection with their corresponding solenoids in response to a signal from the edge sensor; a signal circuit for first transmitting a master leading edge signal to said clutch solid-state device, and then a trailing edge signal simultaneously to said brake and knife solid-state devices.

7. The invention as defined by claim 6, in which said solid-state devices are SCR transistors.