Electrophotographic copying method and apparatus of reciprocal original

Abstract

The surface of a photoconductor is moved in a predetermined direction and the original is scanned reciprocally by the relative movement of an optical system relative to the original. The photoconductor is exposed not only at the forward original scanning, but also at the backward original scanning through an exposure optical path which is different from that at the forward original scanning. The relative shifting of the original and the optical system is performed regardless of the size of the original and can be always performed in the full area in the scanning direction for the maximum size original, and the shift distance can be changed depending upon the size of the original. The original is placed on an original stacking surface in conformity with the two references in the scanning direction and in the transverse direction by use of the two end edge portions. For making copies from originals other than the maximum size original and locating the copy image at the proper position in the recording sheet, there is provided a position adjustment device for adjusting the relative positions of the copy image and the recording sheet in the recording position with respect to the longitudinal direction. This position adjustment device is operated selectively in conjunction with the forward and backward scannings of the optical system. With respect to the transverse direction, the relative positions of the copy image and the recording sheet in the recording position are adjusted by the shifting of the image formation lens system or the recording sheet in the transverse direction.