JP2001221871A - Apparatus and method for measurement of delay time, and recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To electrically measure delay time of the output signal of a sensor. SOLUTION: A control part 41 is started by a signal which turns off a switch 43, and a time measuring operation is started. When it is detected that the output signal of the sensor 30 (a light-receiving element 32) is changed to 'L' from 'H', a time measuring part 42 stops the time measuring operation, and it reads out the measured time so as to be stored in a memory. The control part 41 turns on the switch 43, a light-emitting element 31 emits light, the light- receiving element 32 is started by a signal which turns on the switch 43, and time-measuring operation is started. When the control part 41 detects that the output of the sensor 30 is changed to 'H' from 'L', the time measuring part 42 stops the time-measuring operation, and it reads out the measured time so as to be stored in the memory.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a delay time measuring device and method for electrically measuring a delay time of an output signal of a sensor, and a recording device provided with the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording apparatus (a recording apparatus having functions such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, a recording apparatus used as an output device of a multifunction machine including a computer, a word processor, etc., and a workstation) is based on image information. An image (including characters and symbols) is recorded on a recording medium (paper, cloth, plastic thin plate such as an OHP sheet). For example, in a recording apparatus that scans a recording head and records image information from a host computer,
A sensor (for example, a photo interrupter) is used to detect the position of the carriage on which the recording head is mounted (for example, a reference position such as a home position). The sensor is also used to detect the position of the recording medium (for example, a reference position such as the front end of the recording medium).

For example, when a photo-interrupter, in which a light-emitting diode that emits infrared light and a phototransistor that turns on by receiving infrared light, are used as a sensor in a printing apparatus, a detection target (for example, a carriage) in the printing apparatus is used. The photointerrupter is disposed at a position where it blocks infrared rays emitted by the light emitting diodes of the photointerrupter, or passes between the opposing portions. Alternatively, a predetermined part is attached to the detection target, and this part blocks infrared rays,
Alternatively, it is disposed at a position such that it passes between the opposed parts. Then, the recording apparatus detects the on / off state of the phototransistor when the detection target or a predetermined component attached thereto blocks infrared rays emitted from the light-emitting diode of the photointerrupter or passes therethrough, and detects the position of the carriage or The position of the recording medium is detected.

[0004]

Due to the characteristics of the photointerrupter, the on / off operation of the phototransistor that operates by blocking and passing infrared rays always has a delay time, and thus a delay time is also generated in the output signal. Therefore, when a photo interrupter is used in the recording apparatus, the reference position and the like are determined in advance by considering the delay time.

[0005] However, if the delay time varies, the reference position and the like deviate, deteriorating the print image quality and the like. Therefore, a photo interrupter with a small delay time or a photo interrupter with a small variation in delay time is selected, and a high cost photo interrupter is used. In addition, since different types of photointerrupters have different delay times of output signals, it is difficult to use a plurality of types of photointerrupters, and there is a problem that a low-cost photointerrupter cannot be selected.

Some photointerrupters have a gradual change in output signal. If the change of the output signal is gradual, the detection of the change point of the output signal is likely to vary. Therefore, a circuit for shaping the waveform so as to make the change of the output signal sharp may be added. Also in this case, there is a problem that the cost is increased by adding the waveform shaping circuit.

[0007] The above problem also occurs in sensors other than the photo interrupter.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to electrically measure a delay time of an output signal of a sensor.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a delay time measuring apparatus according to the present invention comprises a switching means for switching whether or not to supply power to a sensor, and a power supply to be switched by the switching means. Measuring means for measuring a delay time until a signal output from the sensor is switched.

Here, the sensor has a light emitting element and a light receiving element for outputting a first signal when receiving light emitted from the light emitting element and outputting a second signal when not receiving light. A photo-interrupter, wherein the switching means comprises:
Switching whether or not to supply power to the photo-interrupter, switching the light-emitting element from the light-emitting state to the non-light-emitting state, or from the non-light-emitting state to the light-emitting state, the measuring means, after switching the power supply by the switching means, Alternatively, the delay time until the signal output from the light receiving element is switched can be measured.

A recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a delay time measuring device, a sensor for detecting a position of an object, and correction of information detected by the sensor based on the delay time measured by the delay time measuring device. Means for performing the operation.

Here, the recording device is a device for recording an image on a recording medium by scanning a recording head, and detecting the position of a member for scanning the recording head using the sensor. can do.

[0013] The recording device may be a device for recording an image on a recording medium, and may detect a position of the recording medium using the sensor.

A delay time measuring method according to the present invention includes a switching step of switching whether or not to supply power to a sensor;
And a measuring step of measuring a delay time from when the power supply is switched in the switching step to when the signal output from the sensor is switched.

According to the above configuration, the delay time of the output signal of the sensor can be electrically measured. The measured delay time can be used for correcting the position detected by the sensor, and more accurate position detection can be performed. In addition, it is not necessary to use an expensive sensor with a small delay time or a small variation in the position detection sensor,
Cost reduction of a recording device or the like can be realized.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an external configuration of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the recording device takes the form of an ink jet recording device. The ink-jet head cartridge 1 integrally includes an ink-jet recording head in which ejection ports for ejecting ink to a recording medium are arranged, and an ink tank serving as an ink supply source for the recording head. Can be attached to and detached from. The carriage 3 includes pulleys 5 arranged on both sides of the main scanning range.
It is connected to the timing belt 4 stretched between A and 5B, and can reciprocate in the S direction (main scanning direction) in the figure along the guide shaft 2 with the driving of the carriage motor 6.

Paper set on paper pan 9, OHP
An appropriate recording medium (not shown) such as a film or cloth is supplied from here to the printing position. The recording surface is regulated by the platen roller 11, and is conveyed by the platen roller 11 in response to the driving of the line feed motor 7 during recording. In the middle of the recording medium supply path, the pinch roller 10 faces the platen roller 11.
Are arranged. The pinch roller 10 presses the recording medium toward the platen roller 11,
The recording medium can be pinched and transported in cooperation with.

The recovery device 20 is a recovery device that performs a so-called recovery operation for maintaining good ink discharge performance of the recording head, and is capable of covering a surface (discharge surface) of the recording head where discharge ports are formed. A cap 21, a pump capable of sucking ink from a discharge port by applying a negative pressure during capping, a blade 22 capable of wiping a discharge surface, and the like. The advance and retreat of the cap 21 and the blade 22 with respect to the ejection surface, and the driving of the pump can be performed by transmitting the driving force of the automatic sheet feeder motor 8 for automatically supplying the recording medium through an appropriate transmission mechanism in a timely manner. it can.

A sensor 30 is disposed at a position corresponding to a reference position (home position in the example of FIG. 1) of the recording head or the carriage 3. In the example of FIG.
0 has the form of a transmission type photo interrupter. The sensor 30 includes a light emitting element (a light emitting diode in the example of FIG. 1) and a light receiving element (a phototransistor in the example of FIG. 1).
The light receiving element outputs a high level (“H”) signal when receiving light emitted from the light emitting element, and outputs a low level (“L”) signal when not receiving light. The light-emitting element emits light when supplied with power, and if there is nothing blocking the optical axis between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element, the light-receiving element receives the light and outputs an "H" signal. If there is an obstacle between the light emitting element and the light receiving element, the light does not reach the light receiving element, and the light receiving element outputs an “L” signal.

That is, when the carriage 3 is at the home position, the light shielding member 3 attached to the carriage 3
A blocks the infrared light of the light emitting diode, the phototransistor turns off, and outputs an "L" signal. When the carriage 3 moves and deviates from the home position, the phototransistor receives infrared rays and turns on,
An "H" signal is output. When the carriage 3 returns to the home position again and the infrared light of the light emitting diode is blocked,
The phototransistor is turned off, and outputs an “L” signal.

As this sensor, an appropriate sensor such as a reflection type photo sensor can be used in addition to a transmission type photo interrupter.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a portion for measuring a delay time of an output signal of a sensor in a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sensor 30 is, as described above,
It takes the form of a photo interrupter, and includes a light emitting element (light emitting diode in the example of FIG. 2) 31 and a light receiving element (photo transistor in the example of FIG. 2) 32. The control unit 41 controls the recording device. The time measuring unit 42 measures the delay time of the output signal of the sensor 30. The switch 4 can be electrically turned on / off, and can switch whether to supply power to the sensor 30 or not. The resistor 44 is the sensor 3
The current flowing through the light emitting element 31 of 0 is limited. Resistor 45
Generates an output signal of the sensor 30.

When the carriage 3 moves to the home position, the light shielding member 3A blocks the infrared light of the light emitting element 31, the light receiving element 32 is turned off, and the output signal changes from "H" to "L". When the carriage 3 changes, the change is detected to recognize that the carriage 3 has entered the home position. Further, when the carriage 3 moves out of the home position and the light blocking member 3A deviates from the infrared light path of the light emitting element 31, the light receiving element 32 is turned on and the output signal changes from "L" to "H". By detecting this change, it is recognized that the carriage 3 has left the home position.

In this embodiment, the sensor (photo interrupter) 30 for detecting the reference position of the carriage 3 on which the recording head is mounted is controlled as described below.

First, when the power of the recording apparatus is turned on, the operation for measuring the delay time of the output signal of the sensor 30 is started. In the initial state when the power is turned on, the control unit 41 turns on the switch 42 inserted between the anode of the light emitting element (light emitting diode) 31 and the power supply. When the control unit 41 turns off the switch 42, the light emitting element 31 stops emitting infrared light, the light receiving element 32 is turned off, and the output signal changes from "H" to "L". The time measuring unit 43 that measures the delay time of the output signal of the sensor 30 is activated by a signal that the control unit 41 turns off the switch 42, and starts measuring time. When detecting that the output signal of the sensor 30 (light receiving element 32) has changed from “H” to “L”, the control unit 41 causes the time measuring unit 43 to stop measuring and read the measured time (delay time). , Stored in the memory.

Next, the control section 41 turns on the switch 42. When the switch 42 is turned on, the light emitting element 31 emits infrared light, the light receiving element 32 is turned on, and the output signal changes from “L” to “H”. The time measurement unit 43 controls the control unit 41 in the same manner as when the switch is turned off.
Is activated by a signal to turn on the switch 42, and starts measuring time. The control unit 41 controls the sensor 30 (the light receiving element 3
When detecting that the output signal of 2) changes from “L” to “H”, the time measuring unit 43 stops the measurement, reads the measured time (delay time), and stores it in the memory.

The output signal of the sensor 30 changes from "H" to "L".
And the delay time when changing from “L” to “H” is measured and stored in the memory.
The delay time measurement operation ends, and the operation shifts to a normal operation.

When the carriage 3 returns to the home position, the speed of the carriage at that time and the delay time when the output signal of the sensor 30 changes from "H" to "L" are calculated as follows.
The movement distance of the carriage 3 during the delay time is obtained, and the position of the carriage 3 is corrected. Similarly, when the carriage 3 moves out of the home position, the speed of the carriage at that time and the delay time when the output signal of the sensor 30 changes from “L” to “H” are determined based on the delay time of the carriage 3 at the delay time. The movement distance is obtained, and the position of the carriage is corrected.

The processing for measuring or storing the delay time as described above is performed in addition to the initial use of the apparatus.
It can be carried out at an appropriate timing in consideration of the aging of the sensor and the like.

In this embodiment, both the delay time when the output signal of the sensor changes from “H” to “L” and the delay time when the output signal changes from “L” to “H” are measured. The position is corrected using these,
Only one of the delay times may be measured, and the position may be corrected using the measured delay time.

In this embodiment, a sensor 3 for detecting a reference position of a carriage 3 on which a recording head is mounted is provided.
Although the delay time of zero is measured, the delay time can be measured by a similar circuit configuration for a sensor that detects another position (for example, the position of the recording medium). Further, by performing a similar correction operation using the measured delay time, the detection position can be corrected.

In this embodiment, the recording apparatus of the ink jet system has been exemplified. However, the present invention can be applied to a recording apparatus (dot matrix printer) of a wire dot system, a thermal transfer system or the like, a type printer, and the like. In the case of applying to a recording apparatus of an ink jet system, a means (for example, an electrothermal converter, a laser beam, or the like) for generating thermal energy as energy used for performing ink ejection is provided. The present invention brings about an excellent effect in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a type that causes a change in the state of ink. This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to an electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path in which This is effective because it generates heat energy in the electrothermal transducer, causing film boiling on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, and as a result, it is possible to form bubbles in the liquid (ink) one-to-one corresponding to this drive signal. It is. The liquid (ink) flows through the ejection opening due to the growth and contraction of this bubble.
To form at least one droplet. When this drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of bubbles are performed immediately and appropriately.
Discharge can be achieved, which is more preferable. US Pat. No. 4,463,359 discloses a pulse-shaped drive signal.
The one described in the specification of US Pat. No. 4,345,262 is suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 44,558 which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is disposed in a bending region.
A configuration using the specification of Japanese Patent No. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge section of an electrothermal transducer for a plurality of electrothermal transducers, or an aperture for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is discharged. The effect of the present invention is also effective when the configuration is based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to each section. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium that can be recorded by a recording apparatus. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head.

In addition, even in the case of the serial type as described above, a recording head fixed to the apparatus main body, or an electric connection with the apparatus main body or ink from the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be supplied or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself is used.

The type and number of recording heads to be mounted are not limited to those provided only for one color ink, and for a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. A plurality may be provided. That is, for example, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing mode of only a mainstream color such as black, but may be any of integrally forming a printing head or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is also very effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of full colors by color mixing.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or below and which softens or liquefies at room temperature, or an ink jet system In general, the temperature of the ink itself is controlled within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. Anything can be used. In addition, the temperature rise due to heat energy is positively prevented by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or ink that solidifies in a standing state for the purpose of preventing ink evaporation is used. In any case, the ink is liquefied by the application of the thermal energy according to the recording signal, and the ink is liquefied, and the liquid ink is discharged. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink that liquefies for the first time by energy is used. In such a case, the ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-56847.
As described in JP-A-71260, a configuration may be adopted in which the liquid sheet or the solid substance is held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet and faces the electrothermal converter. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, as a mode of a recording apparatus provided with a recording mechanism using the liquid jet recording head of the present invention, in addition to those used as image output terminals of information processing equipment such as a computer, a combination with a reader or the like is provided. Copier,
Further, a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function may be used.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention, the delay time of the output signal of the sensor can be electrically measured. The measured delay time can be used for correcting the position detected by the sensor, and more accurate position detection can be performed. Further, it is not necessary to use an expensive sensor having a small delay time or a small variation as a sensor for position detection, and it is possible to reduce the cost of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external configuration of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a portion that measures a delay time of an output signal of a sensor in a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 inkjet head cartridge 2 guide shaft 3 carriage 3A light shielding member 4 timing belt 5A, 5B pulley 6 carriage motor 7 line feed motor 8 auto sheet feed motor 9 paper pan 10 pinch roller 11 platen roller 20 recovery device 21 cap 22 blade 30 photo sensor REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 31 light emitting element 32 light receiving element 41 control unit 42 time measuring unit 43 switch 44, 45 resistor

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. Switching means for switching whether or not to supply power to a sensor, and measuring means for measuring a delay time from switching of power supply by the switching means to switching of a signal output by the sensor. A delay time measuring device, characterized in that: 2. A photo sensor comprising: a light emitting element; and a light receiving element that outputs a first signal when receiving light emitted from the light emitting element and outputs a second signal when not receiving light. An interrupter, wherein the switching unit switches whether or not to supply power to the photo-interrupter, and switches the light-emitting element from a light-emitting state to a non-light-emitting state, or from a non-light-emitting state to a light-emitting state. 2. The delay time measuring device according to claim 1, wherein a delay time from when the power supply is switched by the switching means to when the signal output from the light receiving element is switched is measured. 3. A delay time measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, a sensor for detecting a position of an object, and correction of detection information by the sensor based on the delay time measured by the delay time measuring device. Means for performing the recording. 4. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the recording device scans a recording head to record an image on a recording medium, and detects a position of a member for scanning the recording head using the sensor. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: 5. The recording device according to claim 3, wherein the recording device is a device that records an image on a recording medium, and detects a position of the recording medium using the sensor. . 6. A switching step for switching whether or not to supply power to a sensor, and a measuring step for measuring a delay time from switching of power supply in the switching step to switching of a signal output by the sensor. A delay time measuring method characterized by the following.