JPH0725497A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an image recording device, which can discharge the paper easily even in the case where the malfunction of the feeding of the recording paper is generated. CONSTITUTION:This image recording device is provided with a cassette 27 as a housing means, in which the recording papers S as a recording medium are laminated and which can be fitted and ejected freely, a paper size detecting sensor as a detecting means for detecting the existence of the cassette 27, a paper feeding roller 22 as a feeding means for feeding the recording papers S, a carrying means for carrying the recording papers S, which are fed by the paper feeding roller 22, and a paper feeding motor as a drive and control means for driving and controlling the feeding and the carrying. A paper feeding roller position detecting sensor 12 as a position detecting means for detecting the position of the paper feeding roller 22 is provided, and in the case where the paper feeding roller 22 is not positioned at a predetermined position and the cassette 27 is ejected, the paper feeding roller 22 is returned to a predetermined position.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper feed control of an image recording apparatus having a paper feed roller that feeds and conveys stacked recording papers from the topmost paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional image recording apparatus as shown in FIG. 7 is known. FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a conventional image recording apparatus, FIG. 8 is a structural diagram of a paper feeding drive unit for feeding and conveying recording paper and a drawing showing a paper feeding operation, and FIG. 9 is a circuit block diagram of the image recording apparatus. FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the automatic paper discharge control sequence.

First, FIG. 7 will be described.

In the figure, A'is an image recording apparatus, S'is a recording sheet as a recording medium, 120 is a stacking plate on which the recording sheet S'is stacked, 121 is a stack of the recording sheets S'pressed against a paper feed roller. A spring 108, a paper presence / absence sensor for detecting the presence / absence of the recording paper S ′, 122 a paper feed roller for feeding the uppermost paper of the loaded recording paper S ′, and 123 a fed paper S A transport roller for transporting ‘′, a recording sheet S
′ ′ Is a recording paper conveyance path that is a conveyance path, 125 is a conveyance roller, 109 is a paper edge detection sensor that detects the edge of the recording paper S ′, and 103 is the electrophotographic process (not shown) that records a desired image. An image recording unit formed on the paper S ′, a fixing unit 104 for fixing the image formed on the recording paper S ′, and a recording paper S on which the image is recorded 126.
A sheet discharge sensor for detecting that the sheet ′ is discharged, 12
Reference numeral 7 denotes a recording paper stacking cassette.

Next, the operation will be described.

The cassette 127 for loading the recording paper S'is
The structure is such that the recording paper S ′ can be replenished by being drawn out as indicated by a broken line in the figure.

Control CPU (not shown) in the image recording apparatus
Recording paper S loaded when a recording operation instruction is received from the outside
After the presence / absence of paper is recognized by the paper presence / absence sensor 108,
The paper feed roller 122 and the transport rollers 123 and 125 are driven.

When the paper feed roller 122 rotates in the direction of the arrow, the uppermost paper of the stacked recording paper S'is guided to the transport roller 123. The recording paper S ′ that has reached the transport roller 123 is transported and sent to the transport roller 125. The sheet leading edge detection sensor 109 confirms the conveyance of the recording sheet and controls the image recording unit 103 at a timing to form a desired image from a predetermined position on the recording sheet S ′.
The recording sheet S'on which the image is formed is a drive motor (not shown)
Is sent to the fixing unit 104 and fixed. The discharge sensor 126 confirms the end of the image recording operation of the recording paper S ′, and the start timing of the next recording operation is set.

Next, FIG. 8 showing the paper feeding operation will be described. Reference numeral 122a in FIG. 8A denotes a paper feed roller 122.
Shows a state in which it stands still at a predetermined position, and rotates one rotation in the direction of the arrow in response to a drive instruction, that is, a normal rotation of the paper feed motor. Reference numeral 122b in FIG. 8B is the paper feed roller 1.
22 shows a state when 22 is rotated 90 degrees. At this time, the paper feed roller 122b comes into contact with the recording paper. 12 in FIG. 8 (c)
2c shows a state when the paper feed roller 122 is rotated by 270 degrees. At this time, the recording sheet S ′ is conveyed by the conveying roller 123.

On the other hand, the paper feed roller 122 and the transport roller 123 are driven by a paper feed motor (not shown). The paper feed motor is configured with gears (not shown) so as to realize the drive control of the paper feed roller 122 and the carry roller 123 and the drive control of only the carry roller 123 by controlling the forward rotation (CW) and the reverse rotation (CCW). There is.

Further, since the paper feed roller 122 has a gear configured to be driven only one rotation by the normal rotation drive, the paper feed motor is normally rotated for a time sufficient for the paper feed roller 122 to make one rotation. After that, the transport roller 123 is driven for a predetermined period of time by reverse rotation to realize a desired sheet feeding operation.

Next, a circuit block diagram of the image recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

In the figure, 101 is a CPU for controlling the image recording apparatus A ', 102 is a fan, 103 is an image recording unit, 104 is a fixing unit, 105 is a motor for driving the rollers of the image recording unit 103 and the fixing unit 104. , 106 is a paper discharge sensor, 107 is a paper feed roller 1.
22 is a paper feed motor for driving the conveying rollers 123 and 125, 108 is a paper presence sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the recording paper S ′, 109 is a paper leading edge detection sensor, 110 is the size of the recording paper S ′ and the recording paper S ′. A paper size detection sensor for detecting the presence / absence of a cassette 127 to be loaded, a reference numeral 111 for a cover open detection sensor for detecting a cover open / close during jam processing, and a reference numeral 112 for a display device for displaying the presence / absence of paper, the device ready state, and the like.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flowchart of automatic paper discharge control executed after the recording paper is jammed and after the power is turned on.

When the image recording apparatus A'recognizes a jam, the recording operation is stopped, the jam is displayed, and the user is prompted to perform the jam processing. The jam processing is performed by opening the cover, removing the jammed paper, and then closing the cover. At this time, automatic paper ejection control is carried out for the purpose of automatically ejecting accumulated paper other than jammed paper in the machine.

In FIG. 10, 131 is used to set the time for monitoring the paper edge detection sensor 109 and the paper discharge sensor 106.

A motor 10 drives the drive rollers of the image recording unit 103 and the fixing unit 104 at 132.
5 and CCW the paper feed motor 107 to drive the conveyance roller.
Drive it.

At 133, the paper edge detection sensor 109 is set to 1
At 34, the paper discharge sensor 106 is monitored.

Reference numeral 135 monitors the timer for the time set in 131. In this way, the motor 105 and the paper feeding motor 107 are driven for a predetermined time, and it is confirmed that there is the recording paper S ′ retained in the machine.

When there is accumulated paper in the machine, the control from 136 and 141 is executed.

The recording paper S'confirmed by the paper leading edge detection sensor 109 is set at 136 with a time sufficient to reach the trailing edge sensor. The discharge sensor 106 is monitored at 137, and if it does not reach the predetermined time, the motor 1 is detected at 139.
05 and the paper feed motor 107 are stopped, and a jam is displayed on the display unit. When the arrival of the discharge sensor 106 can be confirmed, the discharge sensor 106 is turned off to monitor the passage of the trailing edge of the recording sheet S ′.

At 141, a time sufficient for the trailing edge of the recording sheet S'to pass is set, and at 142, the trailing edge is monitored and 1
If the trailing end does not come off even after a predetermined time at 43, the motor 105 and the paper feed motor 107 are stopped 144, 145.
The jam is displayed at.

On the other hand, when there is no accumulated paper in the machine, 146,
After monitoring for a predetermined time at 147, the motor 105 and the paper feed motor 107 are stopped at 148, and a series of automatic paper discharge control sequences is completed.

[0024]

As described above,
According to the paper feed roller drive control of the conventional image recording apparatus A ′, before the paper feed roller 122 catches the recording paper S ′ and reaches the conveyance roller 123, the previous recording paper S ′ is jammed and stopped. In this case, even if the automatic paper ejection control is executed after the previous jammed paper is removed, the paper feeding roller 122 is not driven by the automatic paper ejection control (when the paper feeding roller 122 is driven by the automatic paper ejection control, new recording is performed). There is a risk of feeding the paper S ′ and causing a jam again.) The recording paper S ′ stopped during the feeding remains.

Therefore, at the time of the next recording operation, there is a problem that the paper feed roller 122 cannot be sufficiently driven and a jam occurs. This state cannot be recovered without relying on human hands.

As described above, in the conventional configuration, if the recording sheet S ′ left in the machine is not able to be automatically ejected when stopped in the middle of feeding, the recording sheet S ′ is not ejected again in the next feeding. There was a problem that it caused a jam.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of easily discharging a sheet even if there is a defective feeding of the recording medium. To provide.

[0028]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in the present invention, a storage means on which a recording medium is loaded and is detachable, a detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the storage means, and the storage means. A feeding means for feeding the recording medium loaded in the
In an image recording apparatus having a conveyance unit that conveys the recording medium fed by the feeding unit, and a drive control unit that drives and controls the feeding and conveyance, the position of the feeding unit is detected or predicted. A position detecting means is provided, and the feeding means is returned to the predetermined position when the position of the feeding means is not at the predetermined position and the storing means is removed.

The drive control means may be a stepping motor.

[0030]

In the image recording apparatus constructed as described above, when the storage means is removed, the feeding means is returned to the predetermined position so that the storage means is installed at the predetermined position again and then the recording medium is supplied. The positional relationship with the sending means is in the standby state.

[0031]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to illustrated embodiments. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an image recording apparatus of the present invention.

In the figure, A is an image recording device, S is a recording medium as a recording medium, 20 is a stacking plate on which the recording paper S is stacked, 21 is a spring for pressing the stacked recording paper S against a paper feed roller, Reference numeral 8 denotes a paper presence sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the recording paper S, 22
Is a feed roller (feeding means) for feeding the uppermost sheet of the stacked recording sheets S, 23 is a conveying roller (conveying means) for conveying the fed recording sheet S, and 24 is the recording sheet S. A recording paper conveyance path, which is a conveyance path, 25 is a conveyance roller,
Reference numeral 9 is a paper edge detection sensor for detecting the edge of the recording paper S, 3 is an image recording unit for forming a desired image on the recording paper S by an electrophotographic process (not shown), and 4 is formed on the recording paper S. A fixing unit for fixing an image, a paper discharge sensor 6 for detecting that the recording paper S on which an image has been discharged is discharged, and a recording paper stacking cassette (storage means) 27.
Indicates.

Next, the operation will be described.

The cassette 27 on which the recording sheets S are stacked has a structure in which the recording sheets S can be replenished by being drawn out as shown by a broken line in the figure.

When a control CPU (not shown) in the image recording apparatus A receives a recording operation instruction from the outside, the presence / absence of recording sheets S is detected by the sheet presence / absence sensor 8, and then the paper feed roller 22 and The transport rollers 23 and 25 are driven.

When the paper feed roller 22 rotates in the direction of the arrow, the uppermost paper of the stacked recording papers S is guided to the transport roller 23. The recording paper S that has reached the transport roller 23 is transported and sent to the transport roller 25. The paper leading edge detection sensor 9 confirms the conveyance of the recording paper S and controls the image recording unit 3 at a timing so as to form a desired image from a predetermined position on the recording paper S. The recording sheet S on which the image is formed is sent to the fixing unit 4 and fixed by a drive motor (not shown). The discharge sensor 6 confirms the end of the image recording operation of the recording paper S, and the start timing of the next recording operation is set.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is a CP that controls the image recording apparatus.
U, 2 is a fan, 3 is an image recording unit, 4 is a fixing unit, 5 is a motor for driving the rollers of the image recording unit 3 and the fixing unit 4, 6 is a paper discharge sensor, 7 is a paper feed roller 22 and a conveyance roller 23. , 25 is a paper feed motor (drive control means), 8 is a paper presence sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the recording paper S, 9 is a paper leading edge detection sensor, 10 is the size of the recording paper S, and a cassette on which the recording paper S is stacked. Paper size detection sensor (detection means) for detecting the presence or absence of 27, 1
Reference numeral 1 denotes a cover open detection sensor that detects a cover open that opens and closes during jam processing.

In this embodiment, a paper feed roller position detection sensor (position detection means) 12 is provided in comparison with the conventional structure.

The CPU 1 is a paper feed roller position detection sensor 1
Based on the detection result of 2, the paper feed motor 7 that drives the paper feed roller 22 is controlled to rotate normally (CW) or reversely (CCW).

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the paper feed roller position detection sensor 12.

Reference numeral 22 is a paper feed roller, 14 is a rubber which is in contact with the recording paper S, and is provided for increasing the friction coefficient with the recording paper S to perform accurate paper feeding, 15 is a rotating shaft of the paper feeding roller 22, and 16 is a photo. An interrupter 17 is a flapper for blocking and transmitting the photo interrupter 16, and a paper feed roller 22.
Is provided on the rotary shaft 15.

That is, when the paper feed roller 22 is at the predetermined position, the photo interrupter 16 is shielded by the flapper 17, and when not at the predetermined position, the photo interrupter 16 is in the light transmitting state.

In the photo interrupter 16, the phototransistor is turned on in the light-transmitting state and the phototransistor is turned off in the light-shielded state, so that it can be electrically and easily determined by applying a bias current.

FIG. 4 is a control flowchart of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, a time 31 for monitoring the paper front end detection sensor 9 and the paper discharge sensor 6 is set.

At 32, the paper feed motor 7 is driven by CCW to drive the motor 5 and the transport roller 23 to drive the drive rollers of the image recording unit 3 and the fixing unit 4.

At 33, the paper front end detection sensor 9 is monitored, and at 34, the paper discharge sensor 6 is monitored.

Reference numeral 35 monitors the timer for the time set in 31. In this way, the motor 5 and the paper feed motor 7 are driven for a predetermined time, and it is confirmed that there is the recording paper S remaining in the machine.

If there is stagnant paper in the machine, control from 36 and 41 is executed.

The recording paper confirmed by the paper leading edge detection sensor 9 is set at 36 with a time sufficient to reach the trailing edge sensor. The paper discharge sensor 6 is monitored at 37, and if it does not reach within a predetermined time, at 39 the motor 5 and the paper feed motor 7 are detected.
Stop and display the jam on the display. When the arrival of the paper discharge sensor 6 is confirmed, the passage of the trailing edge of the recording paper S is monitored by turning off the paper discharge sensor 6.

At 41, a time sufficient for the trailing edge of the recording sheet S to pass is set, at 42, the trailing edge is monitored, and at 43, if the trailing edge does not come off even after a predetermined time, the motor is stopped. The jam display is performed by stopping 44 and 45 of the sheet feeding motor 7 and the sheet feeding motor 7.

On the other hand, if there is no accumulated paper in the machine, 46-4
After monitoring for a predetermined time at 7, the paper feeding motor 5 and the paper feeding motor 7 are stopped at 48.

The control up to this point (31 to 48) is the same control as the conventional example.

In this embodiment, controls 49 to 55 are added to the conventional automatic paper discharge control.

49 is a routine for judging whether or not the paper feed roller 22 is at a predetermined position based on the output result of the paper feed roller position detection sensor 12, 50 is a jam display routine, and 51 is that the cassette 27 is removed. Presence / absence detection routine for recognizing the paper feed, 52 is a timer set routine that defines the drive time of the paper feed roller 22, 53 is the paper feed roller 22
Is a paper feed motor drive start routine for setting a predetermined drive position, 54 is a timer monitoring routine for monitoring a predetermined drive time, and 55 is a paper feed motor stop routine for stopping the paper feed motor 7 after driving for a predetermined time. .

As described above, in this embodiment, the photo interrupter 16 detects whether or not the paper feed roller 22 is at the predetermined position and prompts the user to remove the cassette 27 when the paper feed roller 22 is not at the predetermined position. While displaying the jam,
The control is performed so that the paper feed roller 22 is set at a predetermined position while the cassette 27 is removed. (Second Embodiment) FIG. 5 is a control flowchart showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is used in a drive system using a stepping motor as the paper feeding motor 7.

That is, in the first embodiment, the position of the paper feed roller 22 is detected by the sensor 12, but in the present embodiment, the number of steps required to drive the paper feed roller 22 in a normal state is set in advance. In addition, the number of steps when driving the paper feed roller 22 is counted, and when the motor is forced to stop due to a jam or the like during driving, the counted number of steps is stored, and the automatic paper discharge control routine after the jam processing is performed. The normal step number and the stored step number are compared, and if (set value)> (stored value), it is determined that the paper feed roller 22 is not at the predetermined position, and then the first step is performed.
Similar to the embodiment, the paper feed roller 22 is returned to a predetermined position.

In the figure, initial excitation is performed so that the sheet feeding motor 7 is surely magnetized by 61 to 63, and the step number counter of the stepping motor is initialized at 64 to grasp the position of the sheet feeding roller 22.

Reference numeral 65 is a routine for outputting an excitation pattern to perform a desired rotation, 66 is a routine for incrementing the step number counter, 67 is a timer setting routine for defining the rotation speed of the paper feeding motor 7, and 68 is a paper feeding motor. A routine for generating an excitation pattern to rotate 7 in a predetermined direction, 69 is a routine for monitoring whether or not a motor stop request event has occurred due to a jam or the like, 70 is a timer monitoring routine set in 67, and 71 is a paper feed. A routine for monitoring that the roller 22 has rotated a predetermined number, 72 is a motor stop routine, and 73 is a routine for storing the counter value in the storage means. In this way, the sheet feeding motor 7 rotates CW by 65 to 71 and the sheet feeding roller 22 makes one rotation to feed the recording sheet S.

Next, CCW rotation is applied to the motor 5 so as to drive only the transport rollers 23 and 25.

A CCW rotation excitation pattern is generated at 74, and is output to the motor 5 at 75.

Similar to 69, 77 is a motor stop request event monitoring routine, and 78 is a timer monitoring routine to keep the motor 5 at a predetermined rotation speed.

As described above, in this embodiment, the number of driving steps of the stepping motor at the time of sheet feeding as the position detecting means of the sheet feeding motor 7 is counted and compared with the value at the normal time so that the sheet feeding roller 22 is at the predetermined position. It is characterized by recognizing whether or not

If the counted number of steps is stored in the non-volatile memory, it is not lost even when the power is turned off, and the paper feed roller drive control according to the present invention can be realized even after the jam processing and the power is turned on. (Third Embodiment) FIG. 6 is a view showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 81 to 83 show a conventional control routine.

The conventional control is characterized in that the paper feed roller predetermined position setting control is performed each time the recording paper cassette 27 is detected at 82.

In the figure, 85 to 89 are the paper feed roller predetermined position setting control routine described in the first embodiment.

In the first and second embodiments, the paper feed roller 22 is driven by the automatic paper ejection control routine after the jam processing and after the power is turned on, whereas in the present embodiment, the cassette 2 is driven.
This control is performed every time 7 is removed.

Thus, the paper feed roller 22 can be returned to the predetermined position even when the paper feed roller 22 is not in the predetermined position due to an impact or the like except when the paper is jammed.

[0072]

The present invention has the above-described structure and operation. When the storage means is removed, the feeding means is returned to a predetermined position so that the storage means is installed at the predetermined position again, and then recording is performed. Since the positional relationship between the medium and the feeding unit is in the standby state and the feeding unit and the recording medium are in the non-contact state, the paper discharge process is easy. Further, unlike the conventional case, the feeding means does not stop in a contact state where the recording medium is being fed and is not fed again in that state, so that feeding failure can be prevented and the recording medium can be fed stably. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of an image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram showing an embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a paper feed roller position detection sensor 12 applied to a first embodiment of an image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a control flowchart showing a first embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a control flowchart showing a second embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a third embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a conventional image recording apparatus.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are schematic diagrams showing a paper feed drive unit that feeds and conveys a recording paper S ′.

FIG. 9 is a circuit block diagram of a conventional image recording apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an automatic paper discharge control sequence of a conventional image recording apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A, A'Image recording device S, S'Recording paper (recording medium) 3,103 Image recording unit 5,105 Motor 7,107 Paper feeding motor (drive control means) 10,110 Paper size detection sensor (detection means) 12 Paper feed roller position detection sensor (position detecting means) 22,122 Paper feed roller (feeding means) 23,25,123,125 Conveying roller (conveying means) 27,127 Recording paper stacking cassette (storing means)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location B65H 7/04 9037-3F G03G 15/00 21/00 386 2107-2H

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A storage means on which a recording medium is loaded and removable, a detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the storage means, a feeding means for feeding the recording medium loaded on the storage means, and the feeding means. Conveying means for conveying the recording medium fed by the means, drive control means for driving and controlling the feeding and conveying,
An image recording apparatus having: a position detecting unit that detects or predicts the position of the feeding unit, and when the position of the feeding unit is not at a predetermined position and the storing unit is removed, the feeding unit is An image recording device characterized by returning to a predetermined position. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive control means is a stepping motor.