JP2002101695A - Motor drive circuit and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a motor drive circuit and an image forming device capable of reducing the number of the motor drive circuit by efficiently generating the pulse for motor drive in the image forming device using a plurality of motors. SOLUTION: The motor drive circuit used for the image forming device using the plurality of the motors is provided with a driver circuit 102 for generating the pulse for the motor drive and a switching means 104 for switching and supplying the pulse for the motor drive from the driver circuit to the plurality of the motors. The switching means selectively supplies and switches the same kind of the pulse for the motors 19, 29 which do not operate simultaneously.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a motor driving circuit and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a motor driving circuit and an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently generating motor driving signals in an image forming apparatus using a plurality of motors. Equipment related.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus, many motors are used in each part of the apparatus. Examples of this motor include a DC motor for simply obtaining a rotational force in a fan or the like, and a stepping motor for controlling a transfer position and a transfer amount. As for the stepping motor, the amount of rotation (rotation angle) is determined by the pulses supplied, so the same number of motor drive circuits (bridge driver circuits) as the motors
Is required.

[0003]

In particular, a large number of stepping motors are used in an image forming apparatus, and a large number of motor drive circuits are provided accordingly. For this reason, there is a problem that the space for the motor drive circuit on the circuit board also becomes large.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a motor driving circuit and an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently generating motor driving signals in an image forming apparatus using a plurality of motors and reducing the number of motor driving circuits. It is intended to be realized.

[0005]

That is, the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is as described below. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a motor drive circuit used in an image forming apparatus using a plurality of motors, a driver circuit for generating a motor drive signal, and a motor drive signal from the driver circuit. Switching means for supplying the same signal to a plurality of motors, and the switching means performs switching for selectively supplying the same type of signal to motors that do not operate at the same time. Circuit.

According to the present invention, there is provided switching means for switching and supplying a motor driving signal from a driver circuit to a plurality of motors, and the switching means selectively selects the same type of signal for motors which do not operate simultaneously. The supply is switched. As a result, it becomes possible to supply driving signals from a single motor driving circuit to a plurality of motors to drive the motors, thereby reducing the number of motor driving circuits. Further, the space for the motor drive circuit on the circuit board does not increase. Further, with the reduction in the number of motor drive circuits, the cost of the motor drive circuit and the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

(2) A motor driving circuit used in an image forming apparatus using a plurality of stepping motors, wherein the driver circuit generates a pulse for driving the stepping motor; Switching means for supplying a pulse for driving the stepping motor from the driver circuit to the plurality of stepping motors, the switching means selectively outputting the same kind of pulse to the stepping motors not operating at the same time. This is a motor drive circuit that performs switching of supply.

According to the present invention, a pulse for driving a stepping motor from a driver circuit is supplied to a plurality of stepping motors.
Switching means for switching to and supplying to the motor is provided.
Switching to selectively supply the same type of pulse to the motor is performed. As a result, it becomes possible to supply a pulse from a single motor drive circuit to a plurality of stepping motors for driving, thereby reducing the number of motor drive circuits. Further, the space for the motor drive circuit on the circuit board does not increase. Further, with the reduction in the number of motor drive circuits, the cost of the motor drive circuit and the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

(3) The invention according to claim 3, wherein the stepping motor that switches and supplies the pulse by the switching means is an optical drive motor of an image reading unit and a document transport motor of an automatic document transport unit. 3. The motor drive circuit according to claim 2, wherein

According to the present invention, a driving pulse is selectively supplied from a single motor drive circuit to an optical system drive motor and an automatic document feeder motor which are not operated simultaneously in the image reading section. Therefore, the number of motor drive circuits can be reduced, which can contribute to a reduction in circuit space and cost.

(4) The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the stepping motor which switches and supplies the pulse by the switching means is a transfer paper feeding motor for each of a plurality of paper feed trays. 3. A motor drive circuit according to item 2.

According to the present invention, a single motor drive circuit selectively supplies a drive pulse to each transfer paper feed motor that does not operate simultaneously in the transfer paper feed section. The number can be reduced, contributing to a reduction in circuit space and cost.

(5) The invention according to claim 5 is an image forming apparatus using a plurality of motors as various driving sources,
A driver circuit for generating a signal for driving the motor, and switching means for switching and supplying the signal for driving the motor from the driver circuit to a plurality of motors, the switching means for a motor that does not operate simultaneously An image forming apparatus characterized in that switching for selectively supplying the same type of signal is performed.

According to the present invention, there is provided switching means for switching and supplying a motor driving signal from a driver circuit to a plurality of motors, and the switching means selectively selects the same type of signal for motors which do not operate simultaneously. The supply is switched. As a result, it becomes possible to supply driving signals from a single motor driving circuit to a plurality of motors to drive the motors, thereby reducing the number of motor driving circuits. Further, the space for the motor drive circuit on the circuit board does not increase. Further, with the reduction in the number of motor drive circuits, the cost of the motor drive circuit and the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

(6) The invention according to claim 6 is an image forming apparatus using a plurality of stepping motors as various driving sources, wherein the driver circuit generates a pulse for driving the stepping motor, and the driver circuit Switching means for supplying a pulse for driving the stepping motor from the plurality of stepping motors to the plurality of stepping motors, wherein the switching means selectively supplies the same kind of pulse to the stepping motors not operating at the same time. The image forming apparatus performs switching.

According to the present invention, the stepping motor driving pulse from the driver circuit is transmitted to a plurality of stepping motors.
Switching means for switching to and supplying to the motor is provided.
Switching to selectively supply the same type of pulse to the motor is performed. As a result, it becomes possible to supply a pulse from a single motor drive circuit to a plurality of stepping motors for driving, thereby reducing the number of motor drive circuits. Further, the space for the motor drive circuit on the circuit board does not increase. Further, with the reduction in the number of motor drive circuits, the cost of the motor drive circuit and the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

(7) The invention according to claim 7 is a function of reading while moving the optical system by the optical system driving motor with the original stationary, and reading while moving the original by the original conveying motor while the optical system is stopped. And an image reading unit having a function, wherein the switching unit selectively switches between an optical system driving motor of the image reading unit and a document conveying motor of the automatic document conveying unit to supply a pulse. Item 7. An image forming apparatus according to Item 6.

According to the present invention, a driving pulse is selectively supplied from a single motor drive circuit to the optical system drive motor and the document feed motor of the automatic document feeder which are not operated simultaneously in the image reading section. Therefore, the number of motor drive circuits can be reduced, which can contribute to a reduction in circuit space and cost.

(8) The invention according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of trays on which transfer papers before image formation are placed are provided, and a stepping motor as a drive source for sending out the transfer papers from each of the plurality of trays is provided. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a switching unit that selectively supplies a pulse by switching a stepping motor for sending out a transfer sheet from a different tray.

According to the present invention, a single motor drive circuit selectively supplies drive pulses to the transfer paper feed motors that do not operate simultaneously in the transfer paper feed section. The number can be reduced, contributing to a reduction in circuit space and cost.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical configuration of a main part of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the following description of the embodiment, a case where a stepping motor is driven is used as a specific example, but the present invention is not limited to this. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a CPU as control means for controlling the entire image forming apparatus; 102, a motor driver circuit for supplying a driving pulse to a stepping motor; 103, a single motor driver circuit; A switching control circuit 104 that performs switching control when the motor is selectively driven. Reference numeral 104 denotes switching means such as a relay, a photo MOS relay, and a switching element that are switched under the control of the switching control circuit 103. Reference numeral 19 denotes a stepping motor for driving the automatic document feeder, and reference numeral 29 denotes a stepping motor for driving the optical system of the image reading unit.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of the copying machine used in the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2,
Reference numeral 10 denotes an automatic document feeder (hereinafter, referred to as an ADF) which feeds a document to read both sides of the document. Reference numeral 20 denotes an image reading unit that optically scans and reads a document to generate image data. An image writing unit 40 generates an exposure light beam according to image data. Reference numeral 50 denotes an image forming unit that records image data on a recording medium (hereinafter, referred to as transfer paper) p by an electrostatic method. Reference numeral 60 denotes a reverse transport unit that transports an image.

Here, the ADF 1 capable of double-sided feeding of a document
A plurality of originals d with the front side of the first page of the original facing upward are placed on the original placing section 11 of zero. Roller 12a,
The first document fed out via the roller 12 b is rotated via the roller 13.

At this time, the original surface of the original d is illuminated by the light source 23, and the reflected light thereof is transmitted through mirrors 24, 25 and 26 via the imaging optical system 27 to the CCD 2 serving as photoelectric conversion means.
An image is formed on the light receiving surface 8. Here, the light source 23, the mirror 2
The image reading unit 20 is composed of 4, 25, 26, an optical system having an imaging optical system 27 and a CCD 28, and an optical system driving unit (not shown).

In this figure, when the document d is placed on the platen glass 21 with the reading surface facing down, the optical system scans along the platen glass 21 to perform reading.

The original d is automatically fed and the rollers 13
Is read, the reading is performed with the light source 23 and the mirror 24 fixed below the second platen glass 22. The read image data of the document d is C
The data is sent from the CD 28 to a read image processing unit (not shown).

When the document d is automatically fed by the ADF 10, when the first page of the document d is read, a winding operation using the roller 13 is performed again via the reversing roller 14. Then, the image on the back side of the document is read by the image reading unit 20 and sent to the read image processing unit.

The original d from which the front and back images have been read in this way is again inverted by the reversing roller 14 and stacked on the paper output tray 16 with the front side facing down. The image data read by the image reading unit 20 in this way is subjected to predetermined image processing by the read image processing unit, then compressed by the compression / decompression circuit, and stored in the image memory.

On the other hand, from any of the paper feed cassettes (tray) 30a to 30c on which the transfer paper (recording medium) is loaded, the transfer paper p is fed by the first paper feed rollers 181a to 181c.
Is fed out and fed to the image forming unit 50.

The transfer paper p fed to the image forming unit 50 is
Second paper feed roller (registration roller) 18 near the entrance
After the synchronization at 2, the photosensitive drum 5 serving as an image carrier
Close to 1.

Image data is input from the recording image processing unit to the image writing unit 40, and a laser beam corresponding to the image data is irradiated from a laser diode in the image writing unit 40 onto the photosensitive drum 51 to form an electrostatic latent image. Form. By developing the electrostatic latent image in the developing unit 53, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 51.

This toner image is transferred to the transfer paper p by the transfer section 54 below the photosensitive drum 51. Then, the transfer paper p pressed to the photosensitive drum 51 is separated by the separation unit 55. The transfer paper p separated from the photosensitive drum 51 enters the fixing unit 59 via the transport mechanism 58, and the toner image is fixed by heat and pressure. Thus, an image is formed on the transfer paper p.

The transfer paper p on which the toner image has been fixed is conveyed downward through a guide 61 as required, and enters a reversing unit 63. Next, the transfer paper p contained in the reversing unit 63 is fed out again by the reversing roller 62, and is again sent to the image forming unit 50 via the reversing conveyance path 64. In the image forming section 50 where the image formation on one side of the document d has been completed, the toner adhered to the photosensitive drum 51 is removed by the cleaning section 56 and charged by the subsequent charging section 52 to prepare for the next image formation. .

In this state, the other surface of the transfer paper p (the surface on which no image has been formed) is carried into the image forming section 50 and an image is formed. In the separation unit 55, the photosensitive drum 51
The transfer paper p separated from the fixing unit 59 again enters the fixing unit 59 via the transport mechanism 58 and is fixed. In this way, the transfer paper p on which the image formation on the back surface and the front surface is completed, or the transfer paper p on which the image formation on one surface is completed, is discharged.

In such an image forming apparatus, the original is placed on the original placing section 11 and automatically conveyed while the light source 2
Either the document 3 is read in a fixed state, or the document is placed on the platen glass 21 and the light source 23 is read while moving. That is, ADF1
0 stepping motor 19 and original reading unit 20
Does not operate simultaneously with the stepping motor 29 of FIG.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the drive pulse from the motor driver circuit 102 is selectively supplied to the stepping motor 19 and the stepping motor 29 by using the switching control circuit 103 and the switching means 104. It is configured as follows.

Then, the CPU 101 gives an instruction to the switching control circuit 103 and switches the switching means 104 according to whether the original reading is performed by transporting the original by the ADF 10 or by moving the optical system of the image reading unit 20. The driving pulse from the motor driver circuit 102 is selectively supplied to the stepping motor 19 or the stepping motor 29.
To give to.

By doing so, the motor driver circuit 102 can be shared. As a result, it becomes possible to supply a pulse from a single motor drive circuit to a plurality of stepping motors for driving, thereby reducing the number of motor drive circuits. This allows
The space for the motor drive circuit on the circuit board does not increase. Also, with the reduction in the number of motor drive circuits,
The cost of the motor drive circuit and the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

Since both the stepping motor 19 and the stepping motor 29 drive for reading a document, they require almost the same driving pulse and do not operate at the same timing. And the motor driver circuit 102.

In FIG. 1, the switching means 104
The stepping motors that switch and supply the pulses are the optical system drive motor 29 of the image reading unit 20 and the document transport motor 19 of the automatic document transport unit 10, but can be applied to a motor that performs the same operation.

As applicable, a plurality of paper feed trays 3
The transfer paper feed motors (not shown) of Oa, 30b, and 30c may be used. If the present invention is applied to such a stepping motor that drives the feed rollers 181a, 181b, 181c of the sheet tray, three stepping motors can be realized by a single motor driver circuit.
Since pulses are supplied to the motor, the motor drive circuit can be further reduced.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, the present invention is applied to a stepping motor that requires substantially equal drive pulses without simultaneous operation by post-processing means (staplers, sorting processing units, etc.). It is possible.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the stepping motor is driven has been described as a specific example. However, the present invention can be applied to switching of various motors other than the stepping motor. .

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

An image forming apparatus or a motor driving circuit using a plurality of motors, comprising switching means for switching and supplying a motor driving signal from a driver circuit to the plurality of motors, wherein the switching means comprises motors which do not operate simultaneously. Is switched to selectively supply the same type of pulse.

As a result, it becomes possible to supply a signal from a single motor drive circuit to a plurality of motors to drive the motors.
The number of motor drive circuits can be reduced. Therefore, the space for the motor drive circuit on the circuit board does not increase. Further, with the reduction in the number of motor drive circuits, the cost of the motor drive circuit and the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a mechanical configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 ADF (Automatic Document Feeding Means) 20 Image Reading Unit 30 Feeding Unit 40 Image Writing Unit 50 Image Forming Unit 60 Reverse Transport Unit 101 CPU 102 Motor Driver Circuit 103 Switching Control Circuit 104 Switching Unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03G 21/14 H04N 1/04 105 5H572 H02P 7/67 H02P 8/00 306 5H580 H04N 1/04 105 G03G 21 / 00 372 H04N 1/12 A (72) Inventor Kazumichi Yamauchi 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation (72) Inventor Tokuo Shiroichi 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation (72 ) Inventor Norifumi Sasamoto 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation (72) Inventor Yoshiki Katayama 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation F-term (reference) 2H027 EC20 ED04 ED12 ED17 EE02 EE04 EE07 EF09 2H071 BA27 CA01 DA02 DA18 DA22 DA27 DA31 2H076 AA21 BA20 BA62 EA15 EA16 3F343 FA02 FA03 FB0 1 GA02 GB01 GC01 GD01 JA01 KB04 LC19 LD10 MB04 MB09 MC09 MC21 5C072 AA01 BA02 MB01 NA04 NA06 UA20 XA01 5H572 AA13 DD08 HA05 HA07 JJ03 5H580 AA04 AA07 EE01 FA14 FB05 FB07

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A motor drive circuit used in an image forming apparatus using a plurality of motors, comprising: a driver circuit for generating a motor drive signal; and a motor drive signal from the driver circuit for a plurality of motors. And a switching unit for switching and supplying the same type of signal to motors that do not operate simultaneously. 2. A motor driving circuit used in an image forming apparatus using a plurality of stepping motors, wherein the driver circuit generates a pulse for driving the stepping motor, and the driver circuit drives the stepping motor from the driver circuit. Switching means for switching and supplying the pulses to a plurality of stepping motors, wherein the switching means does not operate simultaneously.
A motor drive circuit for selectively switching to supply the same type of pulse to a motor. 3. The stepping motor according to claim 2, wherein the switching means switches and supplies a pulse to an optical drive motor of an image reading unit and a document transport motor of an automatic document transport unit. Motor drive circuit. 4. The motor drive circuit according to claim 2, wherein the stepping motor that switches and supplies the pulse by the switching means is a transfer paper feeding motor for each of a plurality of paper feed trays. 5. An image forming apparatus using a plurality of motors as various driving sources, comprising: a driver circuit for generating a motor driving signal; and switching a motor driving signal from the driver circuit to the plurality of motors. And a switching unit for supplying the same type of signal to motors that do not operate at the same time. 6. An image forming apparatus using a plurality of stepping motors as various driving sources, a driver circuit for generating a pulse for driving the stepping motor, and a pulse for driving the stepping motor from the driver circuit Switching means for switching to and supplying a plurality of stepping motors, wherein the switching means is a stepping motor that does not operate at the same time.
An image forming apparatus, which performs switching for selectively supplying the same type of pulse to a motor. 7. An image reading unit having a function of reading an original while being stationary while moving an optical system by an optical system driving motor and a function of stopping the optical system and reading an original while moving the original by a motor. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the switching unit selectively switches between an optical drive motor of the image reading unit and a document transport motor of the automatic document transport unit to supply a pulse. 8. A stepping motor, comprising: a plurality of trays on which transfer papers before image formation are placed; and a stepping motor serving as a driving source for sending out the transfer papers from each of the plurality of trays. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a pulse is selectively supplied by switching each stepping motor for feeding out transfer papers of different trays.