JP2005350152A - Sheet-form material feeding method, sheet-form material feeding device, and image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet-form material feeding method, a sheet-form material feeding device and an image recording device, sensing a transporting failure such as a jam with the sheet-form material and decreasing the number of sensors to be mounted on the transport path for achieving cost reduction. <P>SOLUTION: The sheet-form material feeding method is configured so that the sheet-form material is transported to a part to be supplied by a transport roller arranged upstream of the part supplied, in which a sensing roller for the transporting amount installed in the neighborhood of the transport roller rotates in compliance with the transport of the sheet-form material, and judgement is passed whether the transport of the sheet-form material is abnormal on the basis of the rotating amount of the sensing roller. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet-like material feeding method, a sheet-like material feeding device, and an image recording apparatus that carry a sheet-like material by a conveyance roller.

  Conventionally, when a sheet-like recording sheet is transported and fed to a recording unit by an image recording apparatus or the like, a plurality of sensors are arranged on the transport path and transported in order to detect a transport abnormality such as a jam. The presence or absence of recording paper is detected by a plurality of sensors, the time to be detected is calculated from the length and speed of the recording paper, and an abnormality (jam) is detected (see Patent Documents 1 and 2 below). . In such an image recording apparatus, when an abnormality is detected, the conveyance is stopped, or the conveyance speed is reduced to prevent jamming.

However, according to the above-described prior art, it is necessary to provide a plurality of detection sensors on the conveyance path in order to detect the conveyance jam of the recording paper, which causes an increase in cost of the image recording apparatus and the like.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-186096 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-286564

  In view of the above-described problems of the prior art, the present invention is capable of detecting a conveyance abnormality such as a jam of a sheet-like material, reducing the number of detection sensors provided on the conveyance path, and realizing a reduction in cost. It is an object of the present invention to provide a feeding method, a sheet-like material feeding device, and an image recording device.

  In order to achieve the above object, a sheet-like material feeding method according to the present invention is a sheet-like material feeding method for transporting and feeding a sheet-like material to a supplied part, which is upstream of the supplied part. The sheet-shaped material is conveyed toward the supplied portion by a conveyance roller disposed in the sheet, and a detection roller for detecting a conveyance amount disposed in the vicinity of the conveyance roller rotates according to the conveyance of the sheet-shaped material, It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not the conveyance of the sheet-like material is abnormal based on the rotation amount of the detection roller.

  According to this sheet-like material feeding method, it is possible to determine whether or not an abnormality such as a jam has occurred in the conveyance of the sheet-like material based on the rotation amount of the detection roller when conveying the sheet-like material. The number of detection sensors provided above can be reduced, and furthermore, the detection roller for detecting the conveyance amount of the sheet-like material can also be used for detection of conveyance abnormality. As a result, the cost of the apparatus can be reduced. For example, it is possible to determine whether or not there is an abnormality by comparing the conveyance speed of the sheet-like material obtained from the rotation amount of the detection roller with a predetermined speed during normal conveyance.

  In the sheet-like material feeding method, a difference in rotation amount between the conveying roller and the detection roller is detected, and when the difference in rotation amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred. It is possible to reliably detect a conveyance abnormality such as

  Further, it is preferable to stop or reverse the rotation of the transport roller when it is determined that the abnormality has occurred.

  A sheet-like material feeding device according to the present invention is a sheet-like material feeding device for transporting and feeding a sheet-like material to a supplied part, and is arranged on the upstream side of the supplied part. A conveying roller for conveying toward the supplied part, a detection roller for detecting the conveying amount of the sheet-like material arranged in the vicinity of the conveying roller so as to rotate in accordance with the conveyance of the sheet-like material, A conveyance amount detection unit that detects the conveyance amount of the sheet-like material based on the rotation amount of the detection roller; and a control unit that determines whether conveyance of the sheet-like material is abnormal based on the rotation amount of the detection roller; It is characterized by comprising.

  According to this sheet-like material feeding device, it is possible to determine whether or not an abnormality such as a jam has occurred in the conveyance of the sheet-like material based on the rotation amount of the detection roller when conveying the sheet-like material. The number of detection sensors provided above can be reduced, and the detection roller for detecting the conveyance amount of the sheet-like material in the conveyance amount detection unit can also be used for the detection of conveyance abnormality. As a result, the cost of the apparatus can be reduced. realizable. For example, it is possible to determine whether or not there is an abnormality by comparing the conveyance speed of the sheet-like material obtained from the rotation amount of the detection roller with a predetermined speed during normal conveyance.

  In the sheet-like material feeding device, the control unit detects a difference in rotation amount between the conveyance roller and the detection roller, and determines that the difference is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, Conveyance abnormalities such as jams in sheet-like materials can be reliably detected.

  Further, it is preferable that when the abnormality is determined, the control unit performs control so as to stop or reverse the rotation of the transport roller.

  An image recording apparatus according to the present invention is an image recording apparatus that records an image by winding a sheet-shaped recording material on a rotating drum, and includes the above-described sheet-shaped material feeding device, and the recording material is fed by the conveying roller. Transport to the rotating drum.

  According to this image recording apparatus, the difference between the rotation amount of the detection roller and the rotation amount of the conveyance roller is detected when the sheet-shaped recording material is conveyed toward the rotating drum, and the difference in the rotation amount is not less than a certain value. Since it is determined that an abnormality such as a jam has occurred in the conveyance of the recording material, it is possible to detect an abnormality in the conveyance of the recording material, such as a jam, and to reduce the number of detection sensors provided on the conveyance path. The cost of the recording apparatus can be reduced.

  In the image recording apparatus, it is preferable that the control unit is configured to generate a warning when the abnormality is determined.

  According to the sheet-like material feeding method, the sheet-like material feeding device, and the image recording apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to detect a conveyance abnormality such as a jam of the sheet-like material, and to reduce the number of detection sensors provided on the conveyance path. And cost reduction.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the entire image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view of the inside of the image recording apparatus of FIG. 1 as viewed from the front side. FIG. 3 is a plan view of an essential part of a feeding unit including a pair of conveying rollers and a cutting unit of the image recording apparatus of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image recording apparatus 1 includes an exposure unit 11 that forms an image by exposing a sheet-like recording material (hereinafter also referred to as “recording paper”) based on image data, and an exposed recording. A developing unit 21 for developing the material.

  The exposure unit 11 displays various types of information, and a buzzer for warning the display unit 2 including a touch panel for operation of the entire apparatus and a conveyance abnormality such as a jam of a recording material in the vicinity of the display unit 2. A warning sound generating section 48 for generating an alarm sound such as a sound, a warning light emitting section 49 including a light emitting diode (LED) in which red light, yellow light or the like blinks for warning similarly in the vicinity of the display section 2; A first and second loading sections 12 and 12 'capable of loading a cartridge 13 containing recording paper, which is a sheet-shaped recording material wound in a roll, after the paper feed covers 3 and 4 are opened; And an opening / closing door 5a provided so as to be opened and closed by grasping the handle 5b.

  The development unit 21 includes an upper panel 6 that can be opened and closed for maintenance, and a replenishment panel 7 that is provided on the front surface so as to be opened and closed for replenishment of a developing solution or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the exposure unit 11 of the image recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is loaded with and accommodates a dedicated cartridge 13 containing recording paper, which is a sheet-like recording material wound in a roll. Loading sections 12 and 12 ', and a first conveyance roller pair 40 and 41 and a second conveyance roller pair 42 for feeding recording paper from the cartridge 13 loaded in the loading sections 12 and 12' to the rotary drum 10. And a feeding unit 14 including the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the feeding unit 14 is further disposed between the first conveyance roller pair 40 and the second conveyance roller pair 42 and guides the recording paper being conveyed. A guide member 45, a second guide member 46 disposed between another pair of first transport rollers 41 and a second transport roller pair 42 for guiding recording paper being transported, and a first transport roller A cutter unit 43 disposed between the pair 40 and the inlet side of the first guide member 45; a cutter unit 44 disposed between the first transport roller pair 41 and the second guide member 46; Is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an outlet sensor 51 and an outlet sensor 52 are arranged in the vicinity of the outlet of the recording paper from each cartridge 13 of the loading sections 12 and 12 ′, and the outlet sensors 51 and 52 are reflective or transmissive optical sensors. It detects the presence or absence of recording paper. The second transport roller pair 42 is disposed at the junction of the first guide member 45 and the second guide member 46 and transports the recording paper from the guide member 45 or 46 toward the rotary drum 10.

  Further, a detection roller 47 made of a relatively narrow rubber roller is disposed in the vicinity of the downstream side of the second conveying roller pair 42 and is rotated following the movement of the recording paper to detect the amount of movement of the recording paper. Further, the driven roller 53 is arranged so as to be rotated by the rotation of the rotating drum 10, and the recording paper conveyed from the second conveying roller pair 42 and the detection roller 47 is interposed between the driven roller 53 and the rotating drum 10. It is sandwiched and wound around the outer periphery of the rotating drum 10.

  Further, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 3, the rotary encoder 54 is coaxially connected to the detection roller 47, detects the rotation amount of the detection roller 47 that rotates by the movement of the recording paper, and based on the detected rotation amount. The length of the recording paper that has passed through the second conveying roller pair 42 and passed through the detection roller 47 can be measured.

  When the leading edge of the recording paper conveyed by the second conveying roller pair 42 hits the driven roller 53, a small amount of recording paper is subsequently conveyed by the second conveying roller pair 42, so that the detection roller 47 and the driven roller 53. A loop (sag) is formed between the two. The detection roller 47 and the rotary encoder 54 detect and control the length of the recording paper wound around the rotary drum in order to control the amount of sag.

  The first and second transport roller pairs 40, 41, and 42 are rotationally driven by a pulse motor that operates based on the input operation pulse signal, and the second transport roller pair 42 is driven by a pulse motor 56 (FIG. 4). Driven by rotation.

  The cutter units 43 and 44 in FIG. 3 are located in the vicinity of the downstream side of the first conveying roller pair 40 and 41 and in the vicinity of the inlet sides of the first guide member 45 and the second guide member 46, respectively. The paper is cut into a predetermined length at a predetermined timing.

  The exposure unit 11 further rotates for main scanning while vacuum-sucking and holding the recording paper conveyed from the conveying roller pair 42, passing through the detection roller 47, and fed to the driven roller 53 to the outer peripheral surface. A rotating drum 10 that rotates in a direction R; an optical unit 16 that exposes a recording paper on the rotating drum 10 with a light beam such as LED light or laser light; and a sub-scanning direction (see FIG. 2, a sub scanning unit 17 that transports the recording paper on the drum after image recording, a guide unit 15 that guides the separated recording paper to the transport roller pair 55, Is provided. The exposed recording paper is conveyed to the developing unit 21 through the outlet 19 and the connecting portion 19a.

  The developing unit 21 of the image recording apparatus 1 in FIG. 2 performs wet development on the recording paper after exposure sent from the exposure unit 11, and includes a developing unit 23 that performs development processing of the recording paper and a fixing that performs fixing processing. Unit 24, stabilizing unit 25 that performs stabilization processing, drying unit 26 that performs drying processing, discharging unit 27 that discharges the dried recording paper to the outside by a pair of conveyance rollers 27 a, and the discharged recording paper is integrated And an accumulating unit 28.

  FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a control system of the image recording apparatus 1 of FIG. The control unit 50 of the image recording apparatus 1 in FIG. 4 includes a central processing unit (CPU) and the like, measures the rotation amount of the detection roller 47 by the rotary encoder 54, calculates the length of the conveyed recording paper, The operation pulse signal for the pulse motor 56 for driving the second transport roller pair 42 is controlled and counted to calculate the rotation amount of the second transport roller pair 42.

  When the difference between the rotation amount of the detection roller 47 detected as described above and the rotation amount of the second conveyance roller pair 42 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control unit 50 has an abnormality such as a jam in the conveyance of the recording paper. And the rotation of the conveying roller pair 42 is stopped. Further, the conveyance roller pair 42 may be reversed. Note that the criterion for determining the difference between the rotation amounts can be set in the control unit 50, but can be set to ± 5%, for example.

  When the control unit 50 determines that an abnormality such as a jam has occurred in the conveyance of the recording paper as described above, the control unit 50 controls the display unit 2, the warning sound generating unit 48, and the warning light emitting unit 49, and the warning sound generating unit 48. Then, an alarm sound is generated, the warning light emitting unit 49 is flashed and light is displayed on the display unit 2, and a warning is issued about the occurrence of a conveyance abnormality such as a jam of the recording paper.

  Next, the operation of the image recording apparatus 1 of FIGS. 1 to 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in the exposure unit 11 of FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus power is turned on, and the recording paper is conveyed from the cartridge 13 of the loading unit 12 or 12 'through the feeding unit 14 by the conveying roller pair 40 or 41 (S01).

  Next, the recording paper is conveyed toward the rotary drum 10 by the conveyance roller pair 42 (S02). At this time, the drive pulse signal for driving the conveyance roller pair 42 is counted and the rotation amount of the conveyance roller pair 42 is calculated. (S03). The recording paper is further conveyed, the detection roller 47 on the downstream side of the conveying roller pair 42 is rotated by the conveyance of the recording paper, and the rotation amount is detected by the rotary encoder 54 coaxially connected to the detection roller 47 (S04).

  Then, the difference between the rotation amount of the conveying roller pair 42 and the rotation amount by the detection roller 47 is calculated, and it is determined whether or not the difference between the rotation amounts is within a predetermined value, for example, within ± 5% (S05). In this case, it is determined that the conveyance is normal.

  Next, the recording paper is transported between the rotary drum 10 and the driven roller 53, wound around the rotary drum 10 (S06), and a suction blower (not shown) is operated to cause negative pressure inside the rotary drum 10. The recording paper is vacuum-sucked and held on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum 10 (S07), and the optical beam is exposed from the optical unit 16 to the recording paper on the rotating drum 10 (S08). During this exposure, the rotary drum 10 is rotated in the rotation direction R to perform main scanning, and the optical unit 16 is sub-scanned by the sub-scanning unit 17 to perform image recording on the recording paper.

  After the above-described image recording, the peeling member 18 a approaches the rotating drum 10 and peels the recording paper from the rotating drum 10, and then guides the recording paper to the guide unit 15. When the recording paper is conveyed while being guided by the guide unit 15 and reaches the conveying roller pair 55, the recording paper is sent to the outlet 19 by the conveying roller pair 55 and further sent to the connecting portion 19 a between the developing unit 21.

  Next, in the developing unit 21, the developing unit 23, the fixing unit 24, the stabilizing unit 25, and the drying unit 26 perform each developing process on the recording paper after exposure sent from the outlet 19 through the connection unit 19a (S09). The recording sheet S on which the image is recorded is discharged from the discharge unit 27 by the conveying roller pair 27a and the like and is stacked on the stacking unit 28 outside the apparatus (S10).

  If the difference between the rotation amount of the conveying roller pair 42 and the rotation amount by the detection roller 47 exceeds a predetermined value in step S05 described above and exceeds ± 5%, for example, a jam has occurred in the recording paper. In step S11, the pulse motor 56 is controlled to stop the rotation of the pair of conveyance rollers 42 (S12). In this way, when it is determined that the conveyance abnormality such as a jam of the recording paper is detected, the rotation / deterioration of the jam can be prevented by stopping the rotation of the conveyance roller pair 42. Further, the conveyance roller pair 42 may be reversed as necessary in order to prevent the progress / deterioration of the jam.

  The recording paper is cut by the cutter unit 43 or 44 to a predetermined length based on the conveyance amount (length) of the recording paper detected by the rotary encoder 54. A loop (sag) is formed on the recording paper between the detection roller 47 and the driven roller 53. This loop amount is temporarily stopped when the leading edge of the recording paper hits the roller 53 when the recording paper is conveyed. Then, the recording paper is fed by the conveying roller pair 42 to form a loop, and thereafter, the conveyance is resumed so that the loop is eliminated in a short time.

  When a recording sheet is conveyed from the cartridge 13 of the loading unit 12 or 12 ′ and the recording sheet passes through the conveying roller pair 42 before and after the cut, if a conveyance abnormality such as a jam occurs, the conveying roller pair 42 is moved to the pulse motor 56. However, the detection roller 47 does not follow and rotates or stops or the rotation amount (circumferential speed) decreases. For this reason, the rotation amounts are compared, and if the difference between the rotation amounts is equal to or greater than a certain value, it can be determined that the conveyance is abnormal due to jam or the like.

  Then, an alarm sound is generated from the warning sound generating section 48, the warning light emitting section 49 is flashed and light is emitted, and a message such as “Jam is generated on recording paper” or the like is displayed on the display section 2. A warning is issued about stopping (S13).

  Next, based on this warning, after the apparatus power is turned off, the user opens the door 5a by grasping the handle 5b from the front of the apparatus in FIG. 1 and performs jamming by removing the recording paper (S14). Then, the device is returned by closing the open / close door 5a and turning on the device power (S15). Then, the process returns to step S01, and the recording paper is conveyed again.

  As described above, according to the image recording apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 5, when the sheet-like recording paper is conveyed toward the rotary drum 10, the rotation amount of the detection roller 47 and the rotation amount of the conveyance roller pair 42 are determined. When the difference in rotation amount is equal to or greater than a certain value, it is determined that an abnormality such as a jam has occurred in the conveyance of the recording paper. Therefore, a conveyance abnormality such as a jam in the recording paper can be detected, and the conveyance roller pair 42 The number of detection sensors provided on the conveyance path between the roller and the driven roller 53 can be omitted, and the detection roller 47 and the rotary encoder 54 for detecting the conveyance amount of the recording paper can also be used for the detection of conveyance abnormality. As a result, it is possible to reduce the cost of the image recording apparatus.

  Further, since the rotary speed of the recording paper can be detected by the rotary encoder 54 based on the rotation amount of the detection roller 47, when the transport speed of the recording paper is deviated from the original speed due to a jam, a pair of transport rollers 42 nearby. The conveyance abnormality may be detected by comparing the difference with the peripheral speed (conveyance speed).

  As described above, the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. For example, in FIG. 5, the recording paper conveyance abnormality is determined by comparing the rotation amount (or conveyance speed) of the detection roller 47 with the rotation amount (or conveyance speed) of the conveyance roller pair 42. Since the paper conveyance speed is known in advance, it may be determined whether or not there is a conveyance abnormality by comparing the conveyance speed obtained from the rotation amount of the detection roller 47 with the predetermined normal conveyance speed.

  Further, the sheet-like material feeding method and the sheet-like material feeding device according to the present invention are applied to the image recording apparatus as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, but the present invention is not limited to this and is applied to other image recording apparatuses. Of course, the present invention may be applied to various apparatuses in which a sheet-like material other than the recording material is transported and supplied to the supply target portion.

  Needless to say, any one or two of the display unit 2, the warning sound generating unit 48, and the warning light emitting unit 49 may be used as a means for warning a conveyance abnormality such as the occurrence of a jam in the recording paper.

1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an entire image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is the figure which looked at the inside of the image recording device of FIG. 1 from the front side. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a main part of a feeding unit including a pair of conveyance rollers, a cutting unit, and the like of the image recording apparatus of FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main part of a control system of the image recording apparatus 1 in FIG. 1. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of the image recording apparatus 1 of FIGS. 1 to 4.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image recording device 2 Display part 10 Rotating drum (supply part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Exposure unit 12, 12 'Loading part 13 Cartridge 14 Feeding part 21 Developing unit 42 Conveying roller pair (conveying roller)
47 Detection Roller 48 Warning Sound Generation Unit 49 Warning Light Emitting Unit 50 Control Unit 53 Followed Roller 54 Rotary Encoder (Conveyance Amount Detection Unit)
56 Pulse motor S Recording paper (sheet-like material)

Claims (8)

A sheet-like material feeding method for conveying and feeding a sheet-like material to a supply part,
Conveying the sheet-like material toward the supplied part by a conveying roller arranged on the upstream side of the supplied part,
A detection roller for detecting a conveyance amount arranged in the vicinity of the conveyance roller rotates in accordance with the conveyance of the sheet material,
A sheet-like material feeding method characterized by determining whether or not the conveyance of the sheet-like material is abnormal based on the rotation amount of the detection roller.   2. The sheet-like material feeding method according to claim 1, wherein a difference in rotation amount between the conveying roller and the detection roller is detected, and an abnormality is determined when the difference in rotation amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. .   3. The sheet material feeding method according to claim 1, wherein when the abnormality is determined, the rotation of the conveying roller is stopped or reversed. A sheet-shaped material feeding device for conveying and supplying a sheet-shaped material to a supply part,
A conveying roller disposed on the upstream side of the supplied part for conveying the sheet-like material toward the supplied part;
A detection roller disposed in the vicinity of the conveyance roller so as to rotate in accordance with conveyance of the sheet-like material, and for detecting a conveyance amount of the sheet-like material;
A conveyance amount detection unit that detects a conveyance amount of the sheet-like material based on a rotation amount of the detection roller;
And a control unit that determines whether or not the conveyance of the sheet material is abnormal based on the rotation amount of the detection roller.   5. The sheet according to claim 4, wherein the control unit detects a difference in rotation amount between the conveyance roller and the detection roller, and determines that the sheet is abnormal when the difference in rotation amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Material feeder.   6. The sheet material feeding apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the abnormality is determined, the control unit stops or reverses the rotation of the transport roller. An image recording apparatus for recording an image by winding a sheet-like recording material on a rotating drum,
The sheet-like material feeding device according to claim 4, 5 or 6,
An image recording apparatus for conveying the recording material to the rotating drum by the conveying roller. The image recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit is configured to generate a warning when the abnormality is determined.

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