JP2002325495A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce energy loss that occurs when driving and controlling a pulse motor, and to properly control the operation of each device driven by the pulse motor. SOLUTION: Only when during its usage with a comparatively large load being applied to the pulse motor that drives this image recorder, a controller impresses a comparatively large driving current or an exciting current that causes the pulse motor to generate maximum static torque to perform a holding control. At standby when a comparatively large load is not applied to the pulse motor, the controller makes a comparatively weak excitation current to flow. At the standby of the pulse motor, energy loss due to heat generation and the like of the pulse motor is reduced. Also at the standby of the pulse motor, by keeping the state that the comparatively weak excitation current impressed to the pulse motor, the motor is prevented from rotating improperly, errors in connection with controls including the dislocation of a position set by the pulse motor when shifting to the next control operation are prevented, and immediate shift to the next control operation is effected, so that it is properly controllable.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an energy saving device by changing an exciting current applied to a pulse motor in accordance with an operation state of each device which is mounted on the device body and driven by the pulse motor. And an image recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional image recording apparatuses include printers and copiers for recording images on various recording materials such as silver halide photographic recording materials, heat-development recording materials, and photosensitive and heat-sensitive recording materials, and photo printers (photo printing development). Machine).

In such an image recording apparatus, a recording material is stored in a magazine and prepared in a light-shielded state. Then, in this image recording apparatus, the recording material is pulled out from the magazine loaded in the apparatus main body onto the conveyance path by the auto-loading mechanism, and the recording material conveyance position is adjusted by the recording material width guide driven by the pulse motor. In order to adjust the transport speed of the recording material between units having different transport speeds, through a loop forming unit provided with a loop guide device driven by a pulse motor, further transport to a punch portion on the transport path and stop, Frame information (punch holes) corresponding to each frame portion for forming an image of the recording material is formed by the punch section.

Next, a recording material on which frame information is formed is:
In order to adjust the conveyance speed of the recording material between the units of the processing units having different processing speeds, the recording material is conveyed to the exposure unit on the conveyance path through a loop forming unit provided with a loop guide device driven by a pulse motor and exposed. It stops at the position. In this state, the exposure unit reads the frame information, centers the image to be exposed on the recording material with reference to the position of the frame information, and performs exposure processing by an exposure device to form a latent image on the recording material.

Next, the recording material on which a latent image has been formed by printing exposure is conveyed on a conveyance path to adjust the conveyance speed of the recording material between units of processing units having different processing speeds.
After a back print corresponding to the exposed portion is recorded through a loop forming portion provided with a loop guide device driven by a pulse motor, the back print is conveyed to a cutter, and an exposed portion of a long recording material and an unexposed portion are recorded. The boundary with the exposed portion is cut by a cutter.

In this image recording apparatus, the unexposed portion of the long recording material is fed back through the processing section and the loop forming section on the transport path by the automatic rewind mechanism, and is rewound into the magazine. Is stored.

The exposed portion of the cut long recording material is temporarily stored in a reservoir, waits until the turn of the developing process comes, is again conveyed by the conveying device, and is sent to the developing section.

In this developing section, while the printing-exposed portion of the recording material is conveyed at a predetermined speed by a conveying device, the recording material is immersed in a developing solution in a color developing tank, and then immersed in a bleach-fixing solution in a bleach-fixing tank. After washing with washing water in a washing tank, a color developing process, a bleach-fixing process and a washing process are sequentially performed to develop.

Next, during the operation of passing the developed portion of the recording material through the drying section by the transport device, the recording material is dried and then transported to the discharge section. The discharge unit detects the frame information previously formed by the punch unit, cuts each print in accordance with the contents of the frame information, and sets each sheet as a (finished) print on which a visible image is formed.

The finished print thus formed is stored in a sorter according to the sort information.

[0011]

In the above-described conventional image recording apparatus, while the image recording apparatus is operating,
Even in a standby state in which each device driven by the pulse motor does not function, an excitation current for generating a maximum stationary torque is always applied to each pulse motor.

Therefore, the pulse motor has a problem in that a relatively large exciting current for generating the maximum stationary torque flows through the pulse motor, thereby causing unnecessary energy loss such as heat generation.

Therefore, when the pulse motor is in the standby state, it is conceivable to reduce the energy loss by cutting off the exciting current.

However, the pulse motor rotates while cutting off the exciting current in the standby state,
Or, when the excitation current is applied to the pulse motor again, the pulse motor moves by one pulse, so that the control device 23 confuses the drive control of the pulse motor, and the positioning of each device driven by the pulse motor in the operation is performed. There is a problem that the control and the control of the operation amount may not be properly performed.

In view of the above, the present invention reduces energy loss caused by applying an exciting current for generating a maximum stationary torque to a pulse motor in a standby state in which each device driven by the pulse motor does not function. It is another object of the present invention to provide a new image recording apparatus capable of appropriately executing operation control of each apparatus driven by a pulse motor.

[0016]

According to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, a pulse motor for driving the apparatus is driven by a relatively large driving current or a stationary motor when the pulse motor is used only when a relatively large load is applied. It is characterized by having a control device for applying an exciting current for generating a maximum torque and for controlling a relatively weak exciting current to flow during standby when a relatively large load is not applied to the pulse motor.

With the above-described configuration, in the standby state where a relatively large load is not applied to the pulse motor, compared with the case where a relatively large excitation current for generating the maximum stationary torque is applied to the pulse motor, Energy loss due to heat generation of the pulse motor and the like can be reduced, and energy can be saved. In addition, by maintaining a state in which a relatively weak excitation current is applied to the pulse motor, the pulse motor is prevented from rotating carelessly, and the position set by the pulse motor is shifted to the next control operation. For example, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a control error such as a shift of one pitch, and to immediately shift to the next control operation, thereby enabling appropriate control.

In the image recording apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention, the operation state in which the recording material passes through the width guide member disposed on the conveyance path of the conveyance section is detected by a sensor, and the recording material passes through the width guide member. In this case, a relatively large drive current or an exciting current for generating a maximum static torque is applied to the pulse motor for driving the width guide member, and after the recording material has passed through the width guide member, a predetermined time is set by a timer. When detecting the passage of time, a control for executing a control for shifting from a state in which an excitation current for generating a relatively large driving current or a stationary maximum torque is applied to a pulse motor to a state in which a relatively weak excitation current is applied to the pulse motor. It has a device.

With the above arrangement, the pulse motor for driving the width guide member is not subjected to a relatively large load. In the state where the recording material has passed through the width guide member, the pulse motor has a maximum stationary torque. Compared to the case where a relatively large excitation current that generates
Energy loss due to heat generation of the pulse motor and the like can be reduced, and energy can be saved. Moreover, by maintaining a state where a relatively weak excitation current is applied to the pulse motor,
In order to prevent the pulse motor from inadvertently rotating, and to shift to a control operation in which the recording material is guided again by the width guide member and passed, the position set by the pulse motor is shifted by, for example, one pitch. An error is prevented, and the process immediately shifts to the next control operation to enable appropriate control.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus, comprising: a position in a loading state for guiding and loading a recording material on a conveyance path; and a loop formation moved to form a loop in the recording material. A pulse motor mounted so that the movable guide plate can be moved to and from the position of the state, and the leading end of the recording material is guided by the movable guide plate and passed therethrough while holding the movable guide plate at the loading position. At this time, an exciting current for generating a stationary maximum torque is applied to the pulse motor that drives and operates the movable guide plate, and when the leading end of the recording material passes through the movable guide plate, and when the movable guide plate is in a standby state. A control device for controlling a pulse motor that drives and drives the movable guide plate to apply a relatively weak excitation current.

With the above arrangement, the pulse motor is driven when the leading end of the recording material passes through the movable guide plate to which a relatively large load is not applied to the pulse motor and when the movable guide plate is in a standby state. As compared with a case where a relatively large exciting current for generating a maximum stationary torque is applied, energy loss due to heat generation of the pulse motor and the like can be reduced and energy can be saved. In addition, by maintaining a state in which a relatively weak excitation current is applied to the pulse motor when the leading end of the recording material has passed through the movable guide plate and when the movable guide plate is in a standby state, the pulse motor becomes improper. Prevents easy rotation and prevents the position set by the pulse motor from shifting for one pitch, for example, when moving to the next control operation. Transition and control appropriately.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the entire image recording apparatus. The image recording apparatus 10 is configured as an image recording apparatus of a digital photo printer.

That is, the image recording apparatus 10 reads the image information by scanning the film with a scanner in response to a user's input of an operation command to order a print, and based on the image information, exposure conditions (images) determined by a setup apparatus. The latent image is formed on the recording material by scanning and exposing the light beam output processed in accordance with the recording condition) on the recording material, and the recording material on which the latent image is formed is processed to record the image of the film. It is configured to output a printed image.

For this purpose, the image recording apparatus 10 is provided with a printer unit 12 and a processor unit 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printer unit 12 includes:
A magazine mounting section 17 for supplying a recording material 15 as a sheet member is provided. In this magazine mounting part 17,
The recording material 15 which is a long strip-shaped sheet member is transferred to
1, a magazine 16 for accommodating a recording material roll 19 wound in a roll shape is detachably mounted.

The printer section 12 of the image recording apparatus 10 pulls out the recording material 15 from the magazine 16 mounted on the magazine mounting section 17 and conveys the image position information while conveying the recording material 15 from an upstream side to a downstream side of a predetermined conveying path. A transport unit 18 is provided as a transport unit that performs recording, image exposure (printing process), back print, and the like, and transports the developer to the developing unit 78 of the processor unit 14 which is the next process.

As shown in FIG. 1, a printer unit 12 of an image recording apparatus 10 photoelectrically reads projection light of an image photographed on a film by an image sensor such as a CCD sensor, and reads an analog image of the read film. The image processing unit 20 converts data into digital image data, performs predetermined image processing such as gradation correction on the converted digital image data, and derives output image data (exposure conditions) for image recording. Provide.

The printer unit 12 of the image recording apparatus 10
The control device 23 includes various operation keys and a display (not shown) arranged in the image processing unit 20 which constitutes an input unit as an interface which can be used by a user to input an operation command for ordering a print. Connecting.

Further, the printer section 12 is provided with a control section having a control device 23 having a counter for controlling each section, and an electric section 22 containing a power supply section and the like. Further, the printer section 12 is provided with a reservoir 24 for temporarily storing the exposed recording material 15.

In the image recording apparatus 10, the printer unit 1
The recording material 15 is supplied from the magazine 16 mounted on the second magazine mounting portion 17. The magazine 16 is configured as a box having a light shielding function.

The magazine 16 supports the shaft member 21 of the recording material roll 19 stored therein. At the same time, a rewinding device (not shown) is mounted on the magazine 16, and the revolving device rotates the shaft core member 21 to rewind the recording material 15 drawn from the recording material roll 19 around the recording material roll 19. Configure as possible.

Further, the magazine 16 is provided with an outlet 100 for projecting the recording material 15 from the recording material roll 19 accommodated in the magazine 16 to the outside and supplying the recording material 15 to the transport section 18 on the magazine mounting section 17 side. The outlet 100 has a rectangular beak-shaped protrusion provided with a slit through which the recording material 15 passes, and is formed in a substantially U-shaped notch in plan view.

A transport roller device 26 is installed in the magazine mounting portion 17 of the transport portion 18 at a position corresponding to an outlet 100 projecting into the magazine mounting portion 17 when the magazine 16 is mounted. .

The transport roller device 26 is configured such that a pair of rollers which can be freely contacted and separated from each other by a driving device such as a solenoid nips a portion of the recording material 15 exposed from the cutout portion of the outlet of the magazine 16. Is driven by a pulse motor to transport the recording material 15 on the transport path.

A width guide member 28 for regulating the width direction of the recording material 15 is provided downstream of the transport roller device 26. The guide width of the width guide member 28 is adjusted according to the width of the recording material 15 by a guide width adjustment mechanism driven and controlled by a pulse motor (not shown).

Downstream of the width guide member 28, a first loop 30 for loosening the recording material 15 into a substantially U-shape by a dancer arm mechanism 110 driven and controlled by a pulse motor is formed. On the side, a punch 3 for punching a punch hole 31 (shown in FIG. 3) in the recording material 15
2 are provided. The first loop 30 is for absorbing intermittent conveyance / stop of the recording material 15 during operation of the punch 32 disposed on the downstream side.

The punch holes 31 are provided in a discharge section 82 described later.
The recording is performed for cutting of the recording material 15 performed in the above, or for positioning at the time of exposure scanning or back print processing, and for positional information for each print or for a unit number of sheets appropriately set for one film. It is pierced in the material 15.

On the downstream side of the punch 32, a transport roller 34 driven by a pulse motor to rotate the recording material 15 in a direction substantially 90 degrees along a curve having a relatively small radius of curvature, and the transport direction of the recording material 15 is changed. An endless belt 38 wound around three guide rollers 36 is disposed so as to face the roller 34, and forms a bent portion on the transport path.

Further, the guide roller 36 in the conveyance path
A second loop (slack) 40 for slackening the recording material 15 in a substantially U-shape by a dancer arm mechanism 110 driven and controlled by a pulse motor is formed on the downstream side. An exposure unit 42 is provided downstream of the second loop 40. Downstream of the exposure unit 42, a third loop 50 for loosening the recording material 15 into a substantially U-shape by a dancer arm mechanism 110 driven and controlled by a pulse motor is formed.

The exposure section 42 detects the punch holes 31 provided by the punch 32, controls the feeding operation of the recording material 15 by a predetermined feed amount, determines the image exposure start position,
The recording material 15 conveyed in the sub-scanning direction (from right to left in FIG. 2) is two-dimensionally deflected by a light beam deflected in a main scanning direction (a direction perpendicular to the sheet of FIG. 2) orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction. It is designed to perform scanning exposure, and includes a sub-scanning conveyance device 44 and a light beam scanning device 46 using a pulse motor as a driving source.

The sub-scanning and conveying device 44 includes two pairs of registration rollers 52 and a width guide member 54 that are driven to rotate by a pulse motor that guides the recording material 15 to an exposure position.
Further, on the downstream side thereof, there is provided a pair of conveying rollers 56 driven to rotate by two sets of pulse motors, so that the recording material 15 can be accurately conveyed to the exposure position of the light beam scanning device 46.

The light beam scanning device 46 includes the image processing unit 20
Using a light beam that is modulated according to the output image data (exposure conditions) derived and is deflected in the main scanning direction, the recording material 15 conveyed with high accuracy by the sub-scanning conveyance device 44 is subjected to two-dimensional Scanning exposure,
A latent image is formed on the recording material 15.

The second loop 40 and the third loop 50
The problem caused by conveyance means (eg, a conveyance roller rotated by a pulse motor) disposed upstream and downstream with respect to the conveyance of the recording material 15 in the sub-scanning conveyance device 44, that is, so-called back tension, pulling, etc. The recording material 15 is provided for absorption, so that the recording material 15 can be transported with high accuracy.

On the downstream side of the third loop 50, the recording material 1
A transport roller 48, which is rotationally driven by a pulse motor for changing the transport direction of the transport roller 5 by approximately 90 degrees, is disposed downstream of the transport roller 48. In the back print section 58, the printing device 62 records various data such as the photographing date of the original film and the recording date on the recording material 15 on the back surface of the print (recording material).

Downstream of the back print section 58, a transport roller 64 driven by a pulse motor for changing the transport direction of the recording material 15 by approximately 90 degrees is disposed, and downstream thereof. , A first cutter 66 are arranged. The first cutter 66 cuts the recording material 15 at a required position.

Downstream of the first cutter 66, the recording material 15 is slackened in a substantially U-shape by a dancer arm mechanism or the like driven and controlled by a pulse motor.
The fourth loop 60 to be accommodated in the fourth loop 4 is formed. The fourth loop 60 housed in the reservoir 24 is provided to absorb the difference in processing speed between the printer unit 12 and the processor unit 14 and perform efficient print creation.

On the downstream side of the fourth loop 60, a transport roller 68 driven by a pulse motor is disposed, and further downstream, a second cutter 72 is disposed.
The second cutter 72 is a cutter for cutting the recording material 15 when a trouble or the like occurs.

For example, the second cutter 72 is used when the amount of the recording material 15 stored in the reservoir 24 becomes less than a predetermined amount or when a trouble occurs in the processor unit 14 or the like. By cutting the recording material 15, the recording material 15 stored in the reservoir 24 is cut.
This prevents the recording material 15 from being unnecessarily pulled into the processor unit 14 and damaging each transport unit in the transport unit 18.

On the downstream side of the second cutter 72, a fifth loop 70 for loosening the recording material 15 in a substantially U-shape by a dancer arm mechanism or the like driven and controlled by a pulse motor is formed. The fifth loop 70 includes a difference between the processing speed in the transport unit 18 and the processing speed in the processor unit 14, and the recording material 15 by each transport unit in the transport unit 18.
This is intended to prevent the recording material 15 from being unnecessarily pulled and damaged by the transport means in the processor unit 14 by absorbing the transport / stop of the recording medium 15 finally.

On the downstream side of the fifth loop 70, a final transport roller 74 that is rotationally driven by a pulse motor for supply to the processor unit 14, and two nip rollers 76 opposed thereto, which are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The recording material 15 that has been exposed is sent to the developing unit 78 of the processor unit 14.

At a position adjacent to the downstream side of the transport roller 74 and the nip roller 76, a transport state detecting means 75 for the recording material 15 is disposed. This transport state detecting means 7
Numeral 5 is configured to detect the conveyance state of the recording material 15 carried into the processor unit 14 based on position information or the like read from the punch holes 31.

As shown in FIG. 1, the processor unit 14
The exposed recording material 15 on which the latent image is formed is developed, fixed and
A developing unit 78 for performing a water washing process, a drying unit 80 for performing a subsequent drying process, and a discharge unit 82 having a third cutter 84 for cutting and separating the long recording material 15 into a predetermined length for each image frame; A sorter unit 86 for storing the finished prints is provided, and the exposed recording material 15 sent from the printer unit 12 is transported by a conveying unit (pulse motor) provided in the processor unit 14. It is conveyed while passing through each part by a conveying roller which is driven to rotate.

The developing section 78 includes a developing tank 88, a fixing tank 90, and a washing tank 92. The exposed recording material 15 is transported in a substantially U-shaped loop in each tank. Are subjected to a developing process, a fixing process, and a washing process.
Also in the drying unit 80, the recording material 15 after the water washing process is conveyed and dried in a substantially U-shaped loop, and conveyed to the discharge unit 82 in the next step.

The discharge unit 82 automatically sorts out the finished prints that have been discharged and stores them in a predetermined location of the sorter unit 86.

The image recording apparatus configured as described above has a first loop 30, a second loop 40, a third loop 50,
(Fourth loop 60) The loop forming portion of the fifth loop 70 is configured as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 as necessary.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the loop forming portion includes a first transport roller 10 disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction.
2 and a second transport roller 146 disposed downstream in the transport direction.
In between, a fixed guide plate 106 and a movable guide plate 108 driven and controlled by a pulse motor are mounted, and a dancer arm mechanism 110 is mounted.

The fixed guide plate 106 is formed in a long plate shape, and is opposite to the direction in which the recording material 15 in the loop forming portion extends the loop in a U-shape (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 4). (Above) and fixed to the fixing member of the apparatus main body so as to be along the plane of the recording material 15.

On the fixed guide plate 106, both ends of one shaft 116 are axially mounted on the upstream side in the transport direction, and a plurality of guide wheels 114 are arranged on the shaft 116 at predetermined intervals. A rolling guide mechanism configured to partially project the guide wheels 114 from openings formed in the fixed guide plate 106 is arranged.

The rolling contact guide mechanism guides the recording material 15 so as to pass on a predetermined path by rolling the plurality of guide wheels 114 on one plane of the recording material 15.

Further, the fixed guide plate 106 is provided with an entrance guide plate portion 144 which is inclined at the end on the upstream side in the transport direction so as to diverge toward the upstream side in the transport direction.

Further, the fixed guide plate 106 is provided with a plurality of small projecting guide projections 118 at a plurality of predetermined locations on the downstream end in the transport direction.

The two pairs of guide rollers 104A and 104B arranged opposite to each other in this loop forming portion are formed integrally with each other by penetrating the respective central portions through the respective shaft rods 130. Each of the shaft rods 130 has a portion near each of both ends thereof fixed to the corresponding fixed frame 13 of the image recording apparatus 10.
2 and are arranged.

The two pairs of guide rollers 104A and 104B arranged opposite to each other form a recording material 15 on the conveyance path.
Are arranged so as to sandwich them.

Further, the fixed guide plate 106 with respect to the transport path
(The position on the lower side as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4)
In order to form the dancer arm mechanism 110, the base end of the dancer arm 134 is axially attached to both ends of the shaft rod 130 of one of the guide rollers 104A.
The dancer arm mechanism 110 includes two dancer arms 134.
The loop guide member 140 is provided between the free ends of the above. The loop guide member 140 of the dancer arm mechanism 110 is configured such that the guide rollers 136, which are a plurality of small columnar roller members, are moved along one axis thereof along one axis thereof.
38. Further, in the loop guide member 140, one guide roller 136 is arranged at the center in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 138, and two guide rollers 136 are formed as one set from the guide roller 136 to both ends.
A pair of guide rollers 136 are arranged at predetermined intervals from each other.

The loop guide member 140 has both ends of the shaft 138 pivotally attached to the free ends of the dancer arms 134, respectively, and is integrated therewith.

The dancer arm mechanism 1 configured as described above
Reference numeral 10 is attached so as to be rotatable between a position in a loop forming state shown in FIG. 3 and a position in a loading state shown in FIG.

When the loop guide member 140 of the dancer arm mechanism 110 enters the loading state shown in FIG.
6 and between the guide roller 136 and the dancer arms 134 at both ends, the corresponding guide projections 118 enter into the respective spaces, and the loop guide member 14 is formed.
The recording material 15 is set so as to close the gap so that the recording material 15 does not protrude from the space between the recording material 15 and the fixed guide plate 106.

Further, the fixed guide plate 106 with respect to the transport path
(The position on the lower side as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4)
, The shaft 130 of one of the guide rollers 104A has
The base end of the movable guide plate 108 is mounted.

The movable guide plate 108 is
Is mounted so as to be movable between a position in the loop forming state shown in FIG. 3 and a position in the loading state shown in FIG.

The movable guide plate 108 has an entrance guide 142 formed on a flat surface facing the recording material 15 on its free end side, and formed on an inclined surface so as to widen toward the upstream side in the transport direction.

In order to link the operation of the dancer arm mechanism 110 with the movement of the movable guide plate 108 between the position in the loop forming state shown in FIG. 3 and the position in the loading state shown in FIG. Dancer arm 13
At the intermediate predetermined position of No. 4, small pillar-shaped interlocking operation members 135 are respectively protruded toward the side portions of the corresponding movable guide plates 108.

With this configuration, the control device 23 controls a pulse motor (not shown) to rotate the movable guide plate 108 counterclockwise from the position where the loop is formed in FIG. 3 toward FIG. 4, the interlocking operation member 135 abutting on the side of the movable guide plate 108 is pushed, and the dancer arm mechanism 110 also rotates integrally with the movable guide plate 108. It rotates to the position of the loading state shown in FIG.

The controller 23 controls a pulse motor (not shown) to rotate the movable guide plate 108 clockwise from the loading position shown in FIG. 4 toward FIG. 4 to form the loop shown in FIG. When turning to the position of the state,
The dancer arm mechanism 110 follows and moves by the operation reverse to the above.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, when the dancer arm mechanism 110 is moved to the loading position, the dancer arm mechanism 110 causes the loop guide roller 136 to loop the recording material 15 in the transport path in a U-shape. Is moved to the opposite side (above the recording material 15 in FIGS. 3 and 4) with respect to the direction in which it is extended, and is retracted.

When the controller 23 controls a pulse motor (not shown) to rotate the movable guide plate 108 from the loading state shown in FIG. 4 to the loop forming state shown in FIG. The dancer arm mechanism 110 follows the recording material 15 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 and swings the loop guide roller 136 below the recording material 15 to push the recording material 15 on the transport path to extend the loop in a U-shape. Becomes

Guide roller 1 in this loop forming section
The recording material 1 is located on the downstream side in the transport direction from the recording materials 04A and 104B.
5. A pair of second transport rollers 14 for bending the transport direction
6 and a guide plate member 148 for setting a curved conveyance path, and setting a conveyance path that continues downward from the left side in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Next, the operation and operation of the loop forming section configured as described above will be described.

First, the long recording material 1 stored in the magazine 16 by the auto loading mechanism of the image recording apparatus 10
When the transfer of No. 5 is started, the loop forming unit is set to the position of the loading state shown in FIG.

Then, the recording material 15 pulled out of the magazine 16 is conveyed on a conveying path and sent to the loop forming section in the loading state shown in FIG. In the loop forming section in the loading state, a fixed guide plate 106 and a movable guide plate 108 are set so as to sandwich a transport path line in a transport path portion close to the first transport roller 102.

The fixed guide plate 106 and the movable guide plate 108 form an entrance diverging toward the upstream side in the transport direction by the entrance guide portion 142 and the entrance guide plate portion 144, respectively.

Therefore, when the leading end of the recording material 15 is carried in from the first transport roller 102, the entrance guide portion 14
2 and the entrance guide plate portion 144 leads to a widened entrance.

The leading end of the recording material 15 hits the slope of the entrance guide 142 and is guided to slide on the slope, and enters the transport path line between the fixed guide plate 106 and the movable guide plate 108. move on.

When the leading end of the recording material 15 collides with the entrance guide 142 of the movable guide plate 108, the impact applied to the movable guide plate 108 is relatively large. Therefore, when the leading end of the recording material 15 collides with the pulse motor, which is the driving source of the moving operation mechanism of the movable guide plate 108, the movable guide plate 108 does not move due to the shock received by the movable guide plate 108. In order to enable the pulse motor to be maintained as described above, an exciting current for generating a predetermined stationary maximum torque is applied to the pulse motor.

The leading end of the recording material 15 further advances on the transport path line between the fixed guide plate 106 and the movable guide plate 108, and the loop guide member 140 retracted above the fixed guide plate 106 side. It passes under the guide roller 104A, and is further transported between the guide rollers 104A and 104B.
And a pair of second transport rollers 146 are conveyed to a transport path.

Next, according to a control command from the control device 23,
The movable guide plate 108 and the dancer arm mechanism 110 are rotated downward from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG.

In the loop forming state shown in FIG. 3, the guide rollers 136 of the dancer arm mechanism 110
5 while pressing down on the recording material 15 so that
Maintain a slack loop.

In the image recording apparatus configured as described above,
The control device 23 controls the control device 23 to automatically execute the control operation of executing the processing of each image forming process while transporting the recording material 15 drawn from the magazine 16 by a transport roller or the like that is driven to rotate by a pulse motor. It is configured.

For this reason, although not shown, the image recording apparatus 10
Are controlled by the controller 23 based on a command signal input by a user using various operation keys arranged in the image processing unit 20. Constitute.

The control unit 23 of the image recording apparatus executes a process control of a process for performing various processes for recording an image on the ordinary recording material 15 and an operation control of each device driven and controlled by the pulse motor. I do.

Next, the processing control in the normal image forming process by the control device 23 of the image recording apparatus 10 will be described.

In the process control in the image forming process, the user waits until an order of the image forming process is input by using various operation keys arranged in the image processing section 20. Then, when the order of the image forming process is input, the image forming process is executed.

In this image forming process, the recording material 15 stored in the magazine 16 is
6, the pulse motor is driven and controlled so that the position of the width guide member 28 is set in accordance with the width of the recording material 15 and the conveyance state is guided.
And drive control of the pulse motor to control the movable guide plate 1
08 and the dancer arm mechanism 110 are moved and stored in the first loop 30 by an appropriate length, and then the predetermined recording is performed on the punch 32 arranged on the transport unit 18 on the downstream side of the first loop 30. The material 15 is transported by the feed amount.

Then, in the punch 32, the recording material 1
5, a punch hole 31 for detecting position information and the like is formed. The recording material 15 having the punched holes 31 is conveyed to the exposure unit 42 by the conveyance roller 34 changing the conveyance direction by a substantially 90 ° angle along a curve having a relatively small radius of curvature.

In the exposure section 42, the recording material 15 is conveyed by the sub-scanning conveyance device 44, and the light beam scanning device 46 performs two-dimensional scanning exposure with a light beam to form a latent image on the recording material 15.

After the printing exposure process in the exposure unit 42, the recording material 15 is temporarily stopped by a third loop 50, and then the recording material 15 is transported to the back print unit 58 by a predetermined amount of the recording material 15. Various data such as the date of photographing the original film and the date of recording on the recording material 15 are recorded.

Further, the recording material 15 carried out from the back print unit 58 is passed through the first cutter 66 and stored in the reservoir 24, and waits until the order of the development processing in the processor unit 14 comes.

The recording material 15 waiting in the reservoir 24 is conveyed from the reservoir 24 by the conveying roller 68 and passed through the second cutter 72 when the turn of the developing process is started. After a proper length is stored in the processor unit 14, the final transfer roller 74 and the nip roller 76 for supply to the processor unit 14 pass through the transfer state detecting unit 75, and
To the developing unit 78.

At this time, the conveyance state detecting means 75 transmits the position information and the like read from the punch holes 31 punched in the recording material 15 to the control device 23 when the recording material 15 passes, and the control device 23 The timing to start the next control can be set.

Next, in the processor section 14, the developing section 78
The exposed recording material 15 on which the latent image has been formed is developed, fixed and washed. Subsequently, the drying section 80 performs a drying process, and the third cutter 84 cuts and separates the long recording material 15 into a predetermined length for each image frame while feeding the recording material 15 by a predetermined feed amount. The cut prints are sorted and stored in a sorter unit 86.

As shown in FIG. 2, this image recording apparatus 10
Then, the long recording material 15 pulled out from the magazine 16
The first cutter 66 is a cutter that can be cut at the most upstream side on the transport unit 18 that transports the above for the above-described process processing.

For this reason, in the image recording apparatus 10, the recording material 15 corresponding to the input contents of the process processing is recorded.
After the image forming process is completed by the punch 32, the light beam scanning device 46, the printing device 62, and the like on the required portion of the long recording material 15 while the When the boundary between the processed portion and the unprocessed portion in 15 comes to the position of the first cutter 66 by feeding the recording material 15 by a predetermined feed amount,
The boundary between the processed portion and the unprocessed portion of the long recording material 15 is cut by the first cutter 66.

The processed portion of the recording material 15 is conveyed from the reservoir 24 to the processor section 14 at a predetermined timing, and the subsequent processing is continued.

The unprocessed leading end portion of the recording material 15 cut by the first cutter 66 is driven by a rewinding device (not shown) mounted on the magazine 16 to drive the shaft core member 21.
The recording material 15 pulled out from the recording material roll 19 is transported in the reverse direction by rotating the transport roller on the transport path in the reverse direction, and the recording material roll 1 is rotated.
After being rewound to the 9 side and stored, the process waits until the user next inputs a process processing order to the image recording apparatus 10.

Next, the control by the controller 23 of the image recording apparatus that can save energy on the pulse motor that drives the movable guide plate 108 as a device driven and controlled by the pulse motor will be described.

First, the long recording material 1 stored in the magazine 16 by the auto-loading mechanism of the image recording apparatus 10 is used.
In the case where the recording material 15 is conveyed, when the conveyance of the recording material 15 is started, the sensor (not shown) arranged at a plurality of predetermined positions of the conveyance unit 18 is used when the leading end of the recording material 15 moves on the conveyance path. The transport position is detected, and the movable guide plate 108 is driven by a control command from the control device 23 a predetermined time before the carry-in, a few seconds before the leading end of the recording material 15 enters the entrance guide portion 142 of the movable guide plate 108. The pulse motor is driven by a relatively strong current (1 amp), and the movable guide plate 108 at the position lowered by its own weight shown in FIG. 3 is rotated so as to rise to the loading state shown in FIG. ).

Although not shown as means for positioning the movable guide plate 108 at a predetermined position (origin position),
A photo interrupter is disposed at a predetermined position of the fixed frame of the printer unit 12, and when the light shielding plate installed on the movable guide plate 108 blocks the sensor optical axis of the photo interrupter, the movable guide plate 108 is moved to a predetermined origin position. It is possible to use a means or the like for detecting that the time has been reached and stopping the movable guide plate 108 at this position.

Next, after the sensor detects that the leading end of the recording material 15 is nipped and conveyed by the second conveying roller 146, the control device 23 compares the pulse motor for driving the movable guide plate 108 with the sensor. The dancer arm mechanism 110 drives the recording material 15 to form a U-shaped loop by its own weight by driving the recording material 15 by its own weight by driving it by a constant pulse from the origin in the retreat direction with a relatively weak current. The retracted movable guide plate 108 is excited by a relatively weak current at the retracted position.

Next, the control device 23 controls the movable guide plate 10
8 and the dancer arm mechanism 110 are driven to control the movable guide plate 108 after the timer detects that a predetermined time has elapsed after the operation for forming the U-shaped loop in the recording material 15 is completed. A control operation of switching a relatively large drive current applied to the motor and the pulse motor for driving the dancer arm mechanism 110 to a relatively weak excitation current to convey the recording material 15 for processing for each image formation. And a control operation for rewinding the recording material 15.

The control device 23 keeps a state in which a relatively weak exciting current is applied to a predetermined pulse motor until the next loading starts. By controlling the predetermined pulse motors by the control device 23 in this manner, the energy loss due to heat generation of the pulse motors is reduced as compared with the case where the excitation current for generating the stationary maximum torque is applied to these predetermined pulse motors. And energy saving can be achieved.

For example, when the exciting current for generating the maximum stationary torque in the pulse motor is 1 amp, the relatively weak exciting current applied in the standby state of the pulse motor is set to 0.5 amp to make it 50 amps. Energy saving of about percent can be achieved.

By maintaining a state in which a relatively weak exciting current is applied to the predetermined pulse motor, it is possible to prevent the predetermined pulse motor from inadvertently rotating, and furthermore, when moving to the next control operation. Thus, it is possible to prevent a control error such that the position set by the pulse motor is shifted by, for example, one pitch, and to shift to the next control operation promptly to perform appropriate control.

Next, a case will be described in which the control device 23 of the image recording apparatus controls the pulse motor that drives the guide width adjusting mechanism of the width guide member 28 so that energy can be saved.

In this case, since the recording material 15 is conveyed by the auto-loading mechanism of the image recording apparatus 10, when the width of the width guide member 28 is changed and adjusted, the control device 23 is used.
Is applied to a pulse motor for driving the guide width adjusting mechanism of the width guide member 28, which is a relatively large drive current of 1 amp, so as to convey the recording material 1 to be conveyed.
The width guide member 28 is moved via the guide width adjustment mechanism to a position suitable for the width of No. 5.

When the operation of changing and adjusting the width guide member 28 to the position suitable for the width of the recording material 15 conveyed is completed, the excitation current switched to a relatively small current is applied to the pulse motor to apply the width guide to the width guide. The member 28 is held at the predetermined position after the change and adjustment.

The operation of controlling the drive of the pulse motor in accordance with the control command from the control device 23 and driving the guide width adjusting mechanism of the width guide member 28 to change and adjust the width of the width guide member 28 is performed by changing the width of the width guide member 28. When moving in the direction in which the width guide member 28 is moved slowly, the origin that determines the width of the width guide member 28 can be detected with high accuracy. The operation of moving the width guide member 28 to a predetermined width to be set is controlled so as to be performed quickly.

That is, the control device 23 applies a relatively large drive current only when the pulse motor is used when a relatively large load is applied, or applies and holds an excitation current for generating a maximum stationary torque to the pulse motor. In addition, control is performed such that a relatively weak exciting current is applied during standby when a relatively large load is not applied to the pulse motor.

The control capable of saving energy for the pulse motor by the control device 23 described above can be applied to the pulse motor for driving various devices in the image recording apparatus 10.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the image recording apparatus 10 according to the above-described embodiment, and may be applied to a printer using ordinary direct exposure in addition to the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. Available. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to such a photo printer but also to various image recording apparatuses such as an image recording apparatus using a heat development recording material and a recording apparatus using a light and heat sensitive recording material.

Furthermore, the image recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment
In the above, a recording material roll 19 in which a long recording material 15 is wound is stored in a magazine 16, but instead of the magazine 16, a plurality of recording material rolls 19 previously cut to a predetermined size are used instead of the magazine 16. The present invention can also be applied to the image recording apparatus 10 which is used by mounting a sheet cassette in which sheets of recording material 15 are stored.

[0121]

According to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, only when a relatively large load is applied to the pulse motor for driving each device inside the apparatus main body, the control device stops the relatively large drive current or the pulse motor. In addition to performing control to apply and maintain an exciting current for generating the maximum torque, the control device controls so that a relatively weak exciting current flows in a standby state where a relatively large load is not applied to the pulse motor. Thereby, in a standby state in which a relatively large load is not applied to the pulse motor, compared to a case where a relatively large excitation current for generating a stationary maximum torque is applied to the pulse motor,
There is an effect that energy loss due to heat generation of the pulse motor can be reduced and energy saving can be achieved. Further, in a standby state in which a relatively large load is not applied to the pulse motor, by maintaining a state in which a relatively weak excitation current is applied to the pulse motor, it is possible to prevent the pulse motor from rotating carelessly. An effect of preventing a control error such that the position set by the pulse motor is shifted by, for example, one pitch when shifting to the next control operation, and promptly shifting to the next control operation to enable appropriate control. There is.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an entire image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a printer section of the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged side view showing a loop forming portion in a loop forming state in the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic enlarged side view showing the loop forming unit in a loading state in the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged plan view showing a loop forming portion in a loop forming state in the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image recording apparatus 12 Printer part 14 Processor part 15 Recording material 16 Magazine 18 Conveying part 20 Image processing part 23 Control device 26 Conveying roller device 28 Width guide member 30 1st loop 30 40 2nd loop 50 3rd loop 54 Width guide member 60 fourth loop 70 fifth loop 104 guide roller 108 movable guide plate 110 dancer arm mechanism 134 dancer arm 140 loop guide member

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A relatively large driving current or an exciting current for generating a maximum stationary torque is applied to a pulse motor for driving an apparatus only when a relatively large load is applied to the pulse motor, and a relatively large current is applied to the pulse motor. An image recording apparatus, comprising: a control device that controls a relatively weak excitation current to flow during standby when no load is applied. 2. An operation state in which a recording material passes through a width guide member disposed on a conveyance path of a conveyance unit is detected by a sensor. When the recording material passes through the width guide member,
Applying a relatively large driving current or an exciting current for generating a stationary maximum torque to a pulse motor that drives and operates the width guide member, and that a predetermined time has elapsed by a timer after the recording material has passed through the width guide member. A control device for executing a control for shifting from a state in which an excitation current for generating a relatively large drive current or a maximum stationary torque is applied to a state in which a relatively weak excitation current is applied to the pulse motor when An image recording apparatus, comprising: 3. A movable guide plate between a position in a loading state for guiding and loading a recording material on a conveyance path and a position in a loop forming state moved to form a loop in the recording material. A pulse motor mounted so that it can be moved, and when the movable guide plate is held at a position in a loading state and the leading end of the recording material is guided by the movable guide plate and passed therethrough, the movable guide plate is moved. Applying an excitation current for generating a stationary maximum torque to the pulse motor to be driven, when the leading end of the recording material has passed the movable guide plate, and when the movable guide plate is in a standby state, A control device that controls the pulse motor that drives and drives the movable guide plate to apply a relatively weak exciting current. Location.