JP2009045913A - Printer, and method of transporting paper - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer capable of improving in throughput in printing, and a method of transporting paper. <P>SOLUTION: The printer 10 made to carry out print on a printing paper sheet P comprises: a motor 31 made to carry out paper discharge and paper feeding of the printing paper sheet; a paper transporting means 30 transmitted with a driving force of the motor 31, and discharging or transporting the printing paper sheet P; paper feeding means 32, 37 disposed at a more upstream side of feeding of the printing paper sheet P than the paper transporting means 30, and sequentially feeding the printing paper sheet P by the driving force of the motor 31; a clutch mechanism 60 intervening between the motor 31 and the paper feeding means 32, 37, and shifting transmission and non-transmission of the driving force to the paper feeding means 32, 37; and a control means 100 formulating driving information for continuously driving without stoppage between discharge and heading out of the printing paper sheet P, and controlling the motor 31 on the basis of the driving information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer and a paper transport method.

  In the ink jet printer, except for operations during printing, a paper discharge operation, a trigger operation, a paper feed operation, a hopper up operation, and a cueing operation are executed. A speed table corresponding to each of these operations exists. Conventionally, the PF motor is stopped between the speed tables of these operations.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses the technical contents of one operation (one table) without stopping during the paper feeding operation, the hopper up operation, and the cueing operation.

JP 2007-119154 A (see FIG. 9 etc.)

  By the way, in the above-mentioned patent document 1, one operation (one table) including a paper discharge operation is not performed. This is because in the trigger operation that exists between the paper discharge operation and the paper feed operation, the PF motor is reversely rotated, so that the PF motor needs to be temporarily stopped. However, printers are required to further improve throughput in printing, and it is necessary to meet the needs.

  The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printer and a paper conveying method capable of improving throughput in printing.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a printer for performing printing on a printing paper, a motor for conveying the printing paper and discharging and feeding the printing paper, and a driving force of the motor. The paper conveying means for discharging or conveying the printing paper, and the paper feeding means arranged upstream of the paper conveying means on the upstream side of the printing paper supply, to which the driving force of the motor is transmitted to sequentially feed the printing paper And a clutch mechanism for switching between transmission and non-transmission of driving force to the paper feeding means, and a stop state between the paper discharge and the head-out. Drive information for continuously driving the motor, and control means for controlling the motor based on the drive information.

  When configured in this way, drive information for continuously driving the motor is established between the printing paper discharge and the cueing, without stopping, and the motor is controlled and driven based on the drive information. Therefore, the motor is not stopped between the time when the printing paper is discharged and the time when the next printing paper is fed. Therefore, the throughput from the discharge of the printing paper to the feeding of the next printing paper becomes high, and it is possible to shorten the printing time when continuously printing on a plurality of sheets.

  In another invention, in addition to the above-described invention, the drive information is present from the printing paper discharge to the paper feeding, and includes a predetermined acceleration unit, a constant speed unit, and a deceleration unit. A section speed table, a constant speed region lower than the first section speed table, a sheet feed constant speed section for driving the sheet feeding means, and a distance from the end of the sheet feed constant speed section to the target stop position And a second section speed table having a predetermined acceleration part, a constant speed part and a deceleration part.

  In the case of such a configuration, in the paper feed constant speed unit, the speed of the paper feed unit is smaller than the constant speed part of the first zone speed table and the constant speed portion of the second zone speed table in order to drive the paper feed means. ing. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of noise due to, for example, the hopper rising during paper feeding. Further, when paper is fed, a load is applied due to the hopper rising, the rotation of the paper feed roller, and the like, but the driving speed can be suppressed in the region where the load is applied. Further, it is possible to increase the speed of the parts other than the paper feed constant speed part, and it is possible to improve the throughput from paper discharge to paper feed.

  Furthermore, in addition to the above-described invention, in another aspect of the invention, the driving information includes two or more first section speed tables having different constant speed portions and two or more first speed tables having different constant speed portions. When there is a two-section speed table, the control means sets the actual driving distance from the beginning of paper discharge to the beginning of the paper feed constant speed section and the driving speed of the constant speed section in the first section speed table as zero. If the condition that the first minimum driving distance is smaller than the actual driving distance is satisfied, the first constant driving part having the largest speed among the conditions is selected. The section speed table is set, and the control means sets the second driving speed when the actual driving distance from the end of the paper feed constant speed section to the target stop position and the driving speed of the constant speed section in the second section speed table are zero. Compared with the minimum driving distance, the second minimum driving distance There If the actual condition that less than the driving distance is for setting the second traveling speed table in higher constant-speed portion of most rate that satisfies the condition in.

  In such a configuration, the control means compares the actual driving distance and the first minimum driving distance, or the actual driving distance and the second minimum driving distance, and compares the first driving speed table and the second driving speed table. In each of the above, a constant speed portion having the largest speed among the conditions is set. Accordingly, it is possible to optimally improve the throughput while preventing a problem that the feed constant speed section starts or passes through the target stop position at an overspeed.

  According to another invention, in addition to the above-described invention, the control means adjusts the distance of the constant speed portion of the first section speed table in accordance with the driving distance to the paper feed constant speed portion, and also sets the target stop position. The distance of the constant speed portion of the second section speed table is adjusted according to the driving distance up to.

  In the case of such a configuration, by adjusting the distance between the constant speed portions of the first section speed table and the second section speed table, the problem is that the start of the paper feed constant speed section or the target stop position passes at an overspeed. It is possible to optimally improve the throughput while preventing the problem.

  According to another invention, in addition to the above-described inventions, a paper detection means for detecting printing paper is provided between the paper feeding means and the paper transport means, and the paper detection means detects the printing paper. In this case, the control means resets the second section speed table so as to satisfy the condition again, and adjusts the driving distance of the constant speed portion of the second section speed table again according to the driving distance to the target stop position. Is.

  In such a configuration, the second section speed table is reset based on the detection of the printing paper by the paper detection means, and the driving distance of the constant speed portion is readjusted. Here, since the size of the printing paper is stipulated, the target stop position is determined according to the detection of the leading edge of the printing paper, and the second section speed table is most suitable for stopping at the target stop position. It becomes possible.

  Further, according to another invention, in addition to each of the above-described inventions, the clutch mechanism further includes a solenoid, and the driving force of the motor is driven from the non-transmitting state to the sheet feeding means by the ON operation or OFF operation of the solenoid. It can be switched to a state where force is transmitted.

  In such a configuration, the clutch mechanism can be switched from the state in which the driving force of the motor is transmitted to the sheet feeding unit to the non-transmission state by using the driving force of the solenoid. In order to switch between transmission and non-transmission of the driving force, an operation of stopping the motor and then reversely rotating becomes unnecessary. Thereby, the throughput in printing can be improved.

  Further, in addition to the above-described invention, the invention further includes a gear member having a ratchet gear portion, and a gear member in contact with and apart from the ratchet gear portion and in contact with the ratchet gear portion. And a clutch pawl that idles with respect to the gear member in a state separated from the ratchet gear portion, an annular member that includes an engagement protrusion, and a locking pawl that engages with the engagement protrusion And a trigger lever that is rotated by an on or off operation of the solenoid and that can release the engagement between the engaging protrusion and the locking claw, and the engaging protrusion and the locking claw are engaged with each other. In the engaged state, the clutch pawl is separated from the ratchet gear portion, the driving force is not transmitted from the gear member to the annular member, and the driving force is not transmitted, and the engagement protrusion and the locking pawl are engaged. Canceled state In the clutch pawl is in contact with the ratchet gear portion, in which a state in which the driving force is transmitted from the gear member to the annular member.

  In such a configuration, the engagement between the engaging protrusion and the locking claw can be released by the on / off operation of the solenoid, and the transmission and non-transmission of the driving force to the sheet feeding means can be switched. .

  Furthermore, another invention relates to a paper transport method for discharging a printing paper that has been printed and feeding a next printing paper, wherein the stop state is set between the discharge of the printing paper and the beginning of the printing paper. The drive information for continuously driving the motor without being sandwiched is established, and this drive information exists from the discharge of the print paper to the paper feed, and the predetermined acceleration unit, constant speed unit, and deceleration A first section speed table having a section, a constant speed region lower than the first section speed table, a sheet feed constant speed section for driving the sheet feed means, and a target stop from the end of the sheet feed constant speed section And a second section speed table that has a predetermined acceleration part, a constant speed part, and a deceleration part, and controls and drives the motor based on the formulated drive information to discharge printing paper. The paper and the next printing paper are fed.

  In the case of such a configuration, in the paper feed constant speed unit, the speed of the paper feed unit is smaller than the constant speed part of the first zone speed table and the constant speed portion of the second zone speed table in order to drive the paper feed means. ing. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of noise due to, for example, the hopper rising during paper feeding. Further, when paper is fed, a load is applied due to the hopper rising, the rotation of the paper feed roller, and the like, but the driving speed can be suppressed in the region where the load is applied. Further, it is possible to increase the speed of the parts other than the paper feed constant speed part, and it is possible to improve the throughput from paper discharge to paper feed.

  Hereinafter, a printer 10 and a paper supply method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the printer 10 of the present embodiment is an ink jet printer, but the ink jet printer may be an apparatus that employs any ejection method as long as the apparatus is capable of printing by ejecting ink.

  In the following description, the lower side refers to the side where the printer 10 is installed, and the upper side refers to the side away from the installed side. Further, the side on which the printing paper P is supplied is described as a feeding side (rear end side), and the side on which the printing paper P is discharged is described as a paper discharge side (front side).

<Schematic Configuration of Printer 10>
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes a housing unit (not shown), a carriage mechanism 20, a paper transport mechanism 30, a clutch mechanism 60, various sensors, and a control unit 100 as main components. Yes.

  Among these, the carriage mechanism 20 includes a carriage 21, a carriage motor (CR motor 22), a belt 23, a gear pulley 24, a driven pulley 25, and a carriage shaft 26. Among these, the carriage 21 can mount ink cartridges 27 of the respective colors. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a print head 28 capable of ejecting ink droplets is provided on the lower surface of the carriage 21. The belt 23 is an endless belt, and a part of the belt 23 is fixed to the back surface of the carriage 21. The belt 23 is stretched by a gear pulley 24 and a driven pulley 25.

  The above-described print head 28 is provided with a nozzle row (not shown) associated with each ink, and a piezo element (not shown) is arranged in the nozzle constituting the nozzle row. By operating the piezo element, it is possible to eject ink droplets from the nozzles at the end of the ink passage. The print head 28 is not limited to a piezo drive system using a piezo element. For example, a heater system that heats ink with a heater and uses the force of generated bubbles, a magnetostriction system that uses a magnetostrictive element, and a mist that is controlled by an electric field. A mist method or the like may be employed. The ink filled in the cartridge 27 may be mounted with any kind of ink such as dye-based ink / pigment-based ink.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the paper transport mechanism 30 (corresponding to the paper transport means) is a motor for transporting printing paper P or the like as a transported object and a PF motor 31 (corresponding to the motor) as a transport motor. , And a paper supply roller 32 corresponding to paper supply such as plain paper. Further, a PF roller pair 33 for conveying / clamping the printing paper P is provided on the paper discharge side with respect to the paper feeding roller 32. The PF roller pair 33 includes a PF driving roller 33a that is rotated by driving the PF motor 31, and a PF driven roller 33b that is biased by the PF driving roller 33a by receiving a biasing force by a spring (not shown). Both the paper feed roller 32 and the PF drive roller 33a are driven by the PF motor 31, and switching of the drive is performed by the operation of a clutch mechanism 60 described later.

  On the paper discharge side of the PF roller pair 33, the platen 34 and the above-described print head 28 are arranged so as to face each other vertically. The platen 34 corresponds to the placement unit, and supports the printing paper P conveyed below the print head 28 by the PF roller pair 33 from below. Further, on the paper discharge side with respect to the platen 34, a paper discharge roller pair 35 similar to the PF roller pair 33 described above is provided. Of this pair of paper discharge rollers 35, the drive power from the PF motor 31 is transmitted to the paper discharge drive roller 35a together with the PF drive roller 33a. The CR motor 22 and the PF motor 31 are DC motors.

  The printer 10 also includes a paper edge detection sensor 36. The paper edge detection sensor 36 corresponds to the paper detection means and includes a detection lever 36a and a sensor main body 36b. Among these, the detection lever 36a is provided to be rotatable around a rotation shaft 36c near the center thereof. The sensor main body 36b is located above the detection lever 36a and includes a light emitting unit (not shown) and a light receiving unit (not shown) that receives light from the light emitting unit. The upper side of the rotation shaft 36c of the detection lever 36a is configured to block and pass light from the light emitting unit to the light receiving unit by the rotation operation.

  Accordingly, when the detection lever 36a is rotated so as to be pushed upward as the printing paper P passes, the upper side of the detection lever 36a is detached from the sensor main body 36b. As a result, the light receiving unit enters a light receiving state and detects the passage of the leading edge of the printing paper P. Further, when the trailing edge of the printing paper P passes the detection lever 36a, the detection lever 36a rotates in a direction to return downward. Thereby, the light receiving unit is switched to the non-light receiving state, and the passage of the rear end of the printing paper P is detected. The paper edge detection sensor 36 may adopt a method in which the printing paper P passes directly between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit and switches between the light receiving state and the non-light receiving state.

  Further, the lower side of the printing paper P is placed on the hopper 37. The hopper 37 receives a biasing force of the hopper spring 38 and is swingable about a pivot point (not shown) on the upper end side as a fulcrum. With this swing, the printing paper P is pressed against the paper feed roller 32. The separating operation is realized. The hopper 37, the paper feed roller 32, etc. constitute a paper feed means. Further, the paper feed roller 32 rotates while contacting the printing paper P pushed up by the hopper 37, thereby feeding the uppermost printing paper P in contact to the downstream side.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the rotary encoder 40 includes a disk-like scale 41 and a rotary sensor 42 corresponding to the position detecting means. Among these, the disk-shaped scale 41 has a light-transmitting part that transmits light and a light-blocking part that blocks light transmission at regular intervals along the circumferential direction. The disc scale 41 is rotated by the PF motor 31.

  The rotary sensor 42 is an optical sensor having a light emitting element (not shown) and a light receiving element (not shown) as main components. Among these, the A-phase and B-phase pulse signals whose phases are shifted from each other by 90 degrees are output from the light receiving element to the ASIC 104 described later. The printer 10 also includes a linear encoder 50 that includes a linear scale 51 and a linear sensor 52. However, the configuration thereof is the same as that of the rotary sensor 42, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The printer 10 includes other sensors such as a paper width detection sensor that detects the width of the printing paper P.

<Clutch mechanism>
Next, the configuration of the clutch mechanism 60 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, the driving force of the PF motor 31 is transmitted to the PF driving roller 33 a via the gear member 51 and the gear member 52. The gear member 51 supplies driving force to the clutch mechanism 60, and the clutch mechanism 60 is configured to switch between transmission and non-transmission of the driving force to the paper feed roller 32.

  The clutch mechanism 60 includes a friction lever portion 61, a rotation restricting clutch portion 62, a solenoid 63, and a gear member 64 existing therebetween. Among these, the friction lever portion 61 includes a gear member 610 and a trigger lever 615. The gear member 610 includes a gear portion 611 that meshes with the gear portion 51 b of the gear member 51, and a cylindrical portion 612 that protrudes from one side of the gear portion 611 and has a smaller diameter than the gear portion 611. The cylindrical portion 612 is provided with a sliding wall portion 612a and a gear portion 612b. The sliding wall portion 612a is located on the base side of the cylindrical portion 612, and is a portion into which the ring portion 615a of the trigger lever 615 is slidably fitted. The gear portion 612 b is a portion that meshes with the gear portion 64 a of the gear member 64.

  The trigger lever 615 includes a ring portion 615a, a locking claw 615b, and a spring holding portion 615c. Among these, the ring portion 615a is a portion that is fitted so that the sliding wall portion 612a is located on the inner peripheral side. The latching claw 615b is a portion that engages with an engagement protrusion 621d described later (see FIGS. 4 and 5), and is a portion for switching transmission / non-transmission of the driving force to the paper feed roller 32 side. is there. The spring holding portion 615c is a portion in which the spring 616 is housed.

  Here, a portion of the ring portion 615a where the spring holding portion 615c is connected is provided with a tongue piece portion 615d by inserting a pair of slits having a predetermined length into the ring portion 615a. The tongue piece portion 615d is a portion that is pressed against the sliding wall portion 612a under the biasing force of the spring 616. The trigger lever 615 rotates integrally with the gear member 610 by the frictional force between the sliding wall 612a and the tongue piece 615d. However, when the locking claw 615b engages with the engaging protrusion 621d, the ring portion 615a slides around the sliding wall portion 612a, and only the gear member 610 rotates.

  In addition, the solenoid 63 includes a plunger 63a, and a tip portion of the plunger 63a is connected to a predetermined position (a spring holding portion 615c in FIGS. 3 and 4) of the trigger lever 615 that is separated from the rotation center. The solenoid 63 is configured such that the plunger 63a strokes according to current conduction / non-conduction (on / off). In the present embodiment, the solenoid 63 employs a pull method that pulls the trigger lever 615 when the solenoid is turned on, and the trigger lever 615 is rotated by the pulling operation so that the latching claw 615b and the engaging protrusion 621d. Is provided so as to release the engagement. The solenoid 63 is driven by receiving power from a solenoid driver 107 described later.

  The rotation restricting clutch unit 62 includes a gear member 620, an annular member 621, a support disk 622, and a spring 623. Among these, the gear member 620 includes a gear portion 620a that meshes with the gear portion 64b of the gear member 64, and a ratchet gear portion 620b. The ratchet gear portion 620b is a portion with which a clutch pawl 621c, which will be described later, is engaged. The ratchet gear portion 620b allows rotation only in a specific direction but does not allow rotation in the opposite direction.

  The annular member 621 includes a ring portion 621a whose outer appearance is a ring shape, a shaft support portion 621b, a clutch pawl 621c, an engagement protrusion 621d, and a spring locking portion 621e. Of the above, the ring portion 621a is a portion located around the ratchet gear portion 620b described above, but there is sufficient play between the ring portion 621a and the ratchet gear portion 620b. Further, the shaft support portion 621b is provided with an insertion hole (not shown), and this insertion hole is inserted into a pin 622c described later. The annular member 621 is pivotally provided with the pin 622c as a fulcrum.

  The clutch pawl 621c is a claw-like portion protruding from the inner peripheral side of the ring portion 621a, and is provided in the same shape as the gear teeth of the ratchet gear portion 620b. It is arranged so that it rotates 180 degrees, and engages with gear teeth to allow rotation of only a specific inorganic material, but does not allow rotation in the opposite direction. Further, the engagement protrusion 621d is a portion that engages with the above-described locking claw 615b, and is provided in a direction and an arrangement in which the engagement state is maintained when the both are engaged. The spring locking portion 621e is a portion where one end of the spring 623 is hooked.

  The support disc 622 includes a disc portion 622a, a shaft portion 622b, a pin 622c, and a spring locking portion 622d. Among these, the shaft portion 622b is a cylindrical portion that protrudes along the rotation center axis of the disc portion 622a, and is a portion that supports the above-described gear member 610 and the like. Further, the pin 622c is a portion that enters the insertion hole of the shaft support portion 621b and supports the rotation of the annular member 620. The spring locking portion 622d is a portion that latches the other end of the spring 623. Further, the spring 623 gives a biasing force in a direction in which the clutch pawl 621c of the annular member 621 is engaged with the ratchet gear portion 620b.

<Configuration of control unit>
Next, the control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 100 is a part that performs various controls, and corresponds to a control unit. The control unit 100 receives output signals such as the paper edge detection sensor 36, the rotary sensor 42, a linear sensor (not shown), and a power switch for turning on / off the printer 10. As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 100 includes a CPU 101, a memory 102, an interface 103, an ASIC 104, a timer 105, a motor driver 106, a solenoid driver 107, and the like. Connected. The configuration shown in the block diagram of FIG. 6 is functionally achieved by the cooperation of these hardware, data and software stored in the memory 102, or the addition of circuits and components for performing specific processing. It has been realized.

  As shown in FIG. 6, by reading a predetermined table (data) and program from the memory 102, the CPU 101 implements a table formulation unit 111, a duty output unit 112, and a trigger signal generation unit 113. The table formulation unit 111 is a part for determining a drive table (corresponding to drive information) as shown in FIG. Further, the duty output unit 112 outputs information (signal) related to the duty ratio for driving the PF motor 31 to the ASIC 104 based on the determined drive table. The trigger signal generation unit 113 is a part that generates a trigger signal for driving the solenoid 63 in anticipation of the end of printing based on the print data.

  A computer 120 is connected via the interface 103 or the like. Print data is sent from the computer 120 to the control unit 100 via the interface 103. Note that the printer 10 may be configured to perform printing alone without sending print data from the computer 120. Further, the ASIC 104 includes a position calculation unit 114 that counts the conveyance distance of the printing paper P based on the detection signal input from the rotary sensor 42. In addition, the position calculation unit 114 gives a signal for instructing a print start position to a head control unit (not shown) or the like based on the detection signal of the paper edge detection sensor 36. Further, the ASIC 104 has a motor control unit 115 that controls the PF motor 31 based on the information based on the drive table formulated by the table formulation unit 111 in the CPU 101 from the duty output unit 112. To do. Further, the ASIC 104 includes a solenoid control unit 116 that controls the driving of the solenoid 63 based on the trigger signal generated by the trigger signal generation unit 113.

  The timer 105 outputs a timer signal when a predetermined time has elapsed. Then, based on the time measurement with the timer signal, the duty output unit 112 outputs information according to the drive table to the ASIC 104. Further, the motor driver 106 outputs a pulse voltage corresponding to a predetermined duty ratio to the PF motor 31 side based on a control signal from the motor control unit 115. Further, the solenoid driver 107 outputs predetermined power to the solenoid 63 side based on a control signal from the solenoid control unit 116.

<About operation>
The paper discharge operation, paper feed operation, and the like in the printer 10 having the above-described configuration will be described below based on the processing flow in FIG. 7 and the multistage drive table in FIG.

<Operation from paper discharge to head-out>
When printing has already been performed on the printing paper P and printing on the printing paper P is finished a little later, the CPU 101 issues a control command based on the multistage driving table. Based on the control command, the table formulation unit 111 starts formulating a drive table as shown in FIG. 8 (S10). In formulating this drive table, the section speed tables A and B (related to the maximum value of speed) in which the drive time is the shortest based on the drive distance after the paper discharge operation is started and the drive distance after paper return Are selected for each of the section A and the section B in FIG. Here, when the driving distance is very short, the section speed tables A and B are not selected at all. Details of the selection of the section speed tables A and B will be described later.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether there is an emergency drive mode flag or a flag indicating that the section cannot be moved with respect to the established section speed tables A and B (S11). In this determination, when it is determined that the above-described flag exists (in the case of Yes), the driving distance in the sections A and B is very short. In this case, the acceleration is performed only up to the constant speed C similar to the section C. No, the emergency drive mode is selected, or an error state that does not move is entered (S12).

  If it is determined in S11 that there is a peak higher than the constant speed C (Yes), then driving based on the multistage drive table is started (S13). Thereby, the discharge operation of the printing paper P is started. At this time, first, the PF motor 31 is accelerated until the maximum speed (constant speed A) of the established section speed table A (corresponding to the first section speed table) is reached. When the constant speed A is reached, the PF motor 31 is driven at the constant speed A for a while. At the constant speed A, when printing based on the print data is completed, a trigger signal is output from the trigger signal generation unit 113, and the solenoid control unit 116 turns on the solenoid 63 based on the trigger signal.

  Here, until just before the solenoid 63 is turned on, as shown in FIG. 4, the locking claw 615b is engaged with the engagement protrusion 621d, and the clutch claw 621c is disengaged from the ratchet gear portion 620b. It was. Thereby, the transmission of the driving force is cut off to the paper feed roller 32 side. However, when the solenoid 63 is turned on, as shown in FIG. 5A, the plunger 63a pulls the trigger lever 615, and the engagement claw 615b and the engagement protrusion 621d are disengaged. Then, an urging force in a direction in which the clutch pawl 621c meshes with the ratchet gear portion 620b is applied to the annular member 620 by the urging force of the spring 623, and these mesh with each other (see FIG. 5B). Then, after the clutch pawl 621c is engaged with the ratchet gear portion 620b, the driving force is transmitted to the support disk 622 side (feed roller 32 side) via the annular member 620 (feeding starts). .

  However, the solenoid 63 is turned off immediately after the clutch pawl 621c is removed from the ratchet gear portion 620b. As a result, the trigger lever 615 receives the driving force from the PF motor 31 and the locking claw 615b comes into sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the annular member 620. Then, when the annular member 620 makes one rotation, the engagement protrusion 621d is engaged with the locking claw 615b again. However, even in the engaged state, the ratchet gear portion 620b tries to rotate, while the annular member 620 rotates around the pin 622c. As a result, the clutch pawl 621c is disengaged from the ratchet gear portion 620b, and the ratchet gear portion 620b is idled thereafter, and the transmission of the driving force is cut off to the paper feed roller 32 side. In this way, only one rotation of the paper feed roller 32 is allowed by the output of the trigger signal.

  Here, when a predetermined time elapses after the trigger signal is output in the section A described above, the trailing edge of the printing paper P for which printing has ended is also sent to the downstream side of the paper feed roller 32, and the process proceeds to deceleration A. Then, the driving speed of the PF motor 31 is reduced to the hopper driving speed. At the same time, the hopper 37 is lifted upward by the hopper spring 38 by the rotation of the hopper cam (not shown) and comes into contact with the paper feed roller 32. At this timing, the uppermost printing paper P is conveyed downstream as the retard roller rotates. In this way, the supply of the next printing paper P is started.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether the paper edge detection sensor 36 has detected the leading edge of the printing paper P (S14). That is, when the next printing paper P is sent to the downstream side, the leading edge of the printing paper P reaches the paper edge detection sensor 36, and the conveyance of the printing paper P can be detected. When the paper edge detection sensor 36 determines that there is a sheet, the next printing sheet P is correctly fed.

  Here, when it is determined that there is no paper in the determination of S14 described above (No), it is subsequently determined whether or not the deceleration B in the section B has been reached (S15). In this determination, since the target stop position D is determined in advance, if the section speed table B (second section speed table) is selected, the position from the constant speed B to the deceleration B is also changed from the target stop position D. Determined by subtraction. In this determination, when it is determined that the speed has shifted to the deceleration B (in the case of Yes), even though there is no printing paper P due to some trouble (for example, the printing paper P is not set in the hopper 37). In other words, the vehicle has reached the vicinity of the target stop position D. In this case, the print paper P is left without any printing paper P (S16), and the process is terminated. If it is determined in S15 that the vehicle has not shifted to the deceleration B (No), the process returns to S14.

  If the printing paper P is not detected even after shifting to the deceleration B (when the leading edge of the printing paper P is not detected before the point C is passed), it is determined Yes in the processing of S15 described above, and the processing of S16 In order to proceed to the processing, in the determination in S14, it is determined Yes only when the leading edge of the printing paper P is detected before the deceleration B is reached.

  If the leading edge of the printing paper P is detected in S14 (Yes), the target stop position D is changed (S17). That is, the size of the printing paper P is specified by designation by a driver or the like and is already known. When the leading edge of the printing paper P is detected, the target stop position D is obtained by adding the size of the prescribed printing paper P and a predetermined feed amount to the leading edge. Thus, the target stop position D is determined based on the detection of the leading edge of the printing paper P. At this time, the end of the section C is the end point of the paper return operation for lifting the print paper P after the paper feed lever (not shown) that performs paper return currently feeds, and is defined. Therefore, when the constant speed B of the section speed table B is expanded and contracted, the target stop position D is changed.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the paper edge detection sensor 36 has detected the leading edge of the printing paper P before reaching the acceleration B in the section B (S18). That is, if the acceleration B has already been reached, the formulated section speed table B cannot be re-developed, but if the acceleration B has not been reached, the section speed table B can be re-developed. . Therefore, if it is determined in S18 that the paper end detection sensor 36 has detected the leading edge of the printing paper P before reaching the acceleration B (Yes), then only the section B is the next section speed. Table B is re-developed (S19). Details of S19 will be described later. If it is determined in S18 that the paper edge detection sensor 36 has not detected the leading edge of the printing paper P before reaching the acceleration B (No), the process proceeds to the next S20.

  Next, when the vehicle is driven by the established section speed table B, it is determined whether or not it is possible to stop at the target stop position D (S20). In other words, when the process reaches S20 after the determination of S18 described above, at that stage, the section speed table B has already been re-developed, or the one prepared in S10 is used as it is. Then, when the constant speed B of the section speed table B is set to 0, it is determined in S20 whether or not the target stop position D can be stopped. In this determination, when it is determined that the target stop position D can be stopped (in the case of Yes), the target stop position D is stopped (S21), and the process is terminated. If it is determined in S20 that it is not possible to stop at the target stop position D (in the case of No), the operation is stopped by the minimum drive with the constant speed B set to 0 (S22), and the process is terminated.

<Details of driving table formulation>
Next, details of a processing flow in which the table formulation unit 111 formulates a drive table in S10 of FIG. 7 will be described based on FIG.

  In this process, first, the section A and the section B select the section speed tables A and B indicated by the broken line portion in FIG. 8, and the time of the maximum speed (= constant speeds A and B) in the sections A and B is shown. Is less than or equal to the entire minimum driving distance, i.e., 0 (S30). When it is determined that the distance is equal to or less than the minimum driving distance (in the case of Yes), in any of the sections A and B, the section speed tables A and B having a peak portion higher than the constant speed C of the section C cannot be selected. Then, the flag of the emergency drive mode (speed table indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 8) is set or a flag indicating that it cannot move is set, and the process ends (S31).

  If it is determined in S30 that the distance is larger than the entire minimum driving distance (in the case of No), the section speed tables A and B having the largest speed are indicated by the section A and the section B (shown by solid lines in FIG. 8). Speed table) (S32).

  Next, when moving at the minimum driving distance (corresponding to the first minimum driving distance) of the section speed table A set in S32 described above, it is determined whether or not the transition point to the section C (point A) is exceeded. (S33). Here, the minimum drive distance is a drive distance when the time of the maximum speed (= constant speed A) in the section speed table A set in S32 is 0 (the same applies to section B described later). . In this determination of S33, when it is determined that the transition point (point A) to the section C is exceeded (in the case of Yes), the section C is entered in a state of overspeed. Then, the section speed table A having a smaller speed (the section speed table indicated by the broken line in FIG. 8) is changed (S34).

  Next, when moving with the minimum driving distance of the section speed table A after the change in S34 described above, it is determined whether or not the transition point (point A) to the section C is exceeded (S35). In this case, when it is determined that the transition point (point A) to the section C is exceeded (in the case of Yes), the speed over state is not canceled even if the change is made. , The process proceeds to S31.

  In addition, in the determination of S33 described above, when it is determined that the transition point (point A) to the section C is not exceeded when moved by the minimum driving distance of the section speed table A described above (in the case of No), Or, when it is determined that it does not exceed the transition point (point A) to the section C when it is moved at the minimum driving distance of the section speed table A after the change, The same determination as in S33 described above is performed. That is, it is determined whether or not the target stop position D is exceeded when moved by the minimum driving distance (corresponding to the second minimum driving distance) of the section speed table B set in S32 (S36). If it is determined in S36 that the target stop position D is exceeded (Yes), the speed is over and the target stop position D is passed. In this case, a smaller speed is set. It changes to the section speed table B which it has (section speed table shown with the broken line in FIG. 8) (S37).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the target stop position D is exceeded when moved by the minimum driving distance of the section speed table B after the change in S37 (S38). If it is determined by this determination that the target stop position D is exceeded (in the case of Yes), the target stop position D will still be passed even if the section speed table B is changed. In this case, S31 Shift to the process. If it is determined in S36 and S38 that the target stop position D is not exceeded (in the case of No), the process proceeds to S11 described above. As described above, the table formulation unit 111 formulates a drive table.

<Details of driving table re-development>
Next, details of a processing flow in which the table formulation unit 111 re-forms the drive table in S19 of FIG. 7 will be described based on FIG.

  In this redevelopment, processing similar to S36 and S38 is performed. That is, when the section B is moved by the minimum driving distance of the section speed table B, it is determined whether or not the target stop position D is exceeded (S40). If it is determined in S40 that the target stop position D is exceeded (Yes), the speed is over and the target stop position D is passed. In this case, a smaller speed is set. It changes to the section speed table B which it has (section speed table shown with the broken line in FIG. 8) (S41).

  At the stage where the processes of S40 and S41 are performed, the driving based on the multi-stage driving table is started and the section A has already passed (S13, S14). The emergency drive mode in which the speed is set cannot be selected. As described above, when it is determined in S40 that the target stop position D is not exceeded (in the case of No), or when the process of S41 is performed, the redevelopment in the section B is completed and the process proceeds to the above-described process of S20. To do.

<Effects of the present invention>
According to the printer 10 having the above-described configuration, a multi-stage drive table for continuously driving the PF motor 31 without stopping the stop state between the discharge of the printing paper P and the beginning of the printing paper P is formulated. The PF motor 31 is controlled and driven based on the multistage drive table. Therefore, the PF motor 31 is not stopped or reversed between the time when the printed printing paper P is discharged and the time when the next printing paper P is fed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, compared with the conventional drive table in which all the stops are interposed between the five operations, and the reverse rotation trigger operation and the drive table in which the stop is interposed as in Patent Document 1. Thus, the throughput can be increased. That is, the throughput from the discharge of the printing paper P to the feeding of the next printing paper P becomes high, and the printing time can be shortened when continuously printing on a plurality of sheets.

  In the constant speed section of section C, the paper feed roller 32 and the hopper 37 are driven. In order to reduce the noise at that time, the speed is higher than the constant speed A of section A and the constant speed B of section B. Is also getting smaller. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of noise due to the hopper 37 rising during paper feeding. Further, when paper is fed, a load is applied due to the hopper 37 rising, the paper feed roller 32 rotating, and the like, but the drive speed can be suppressed in the region where the load is applied. Furthermore, it is possible to increase the speed other than the constant speed C, and it is possible to improve the throughput from paper discharge to paper feed.

  Further, the control unit 100 compares the actual driving distance in the section A and the minimum driving distance in the section A, or the actual driving distance in the section B and the minimum driving distance in the section B. The section speed tables A and B having the constant speed portion with the largest speed are set. Thereby, it is possible to optimally improve the throughput while preventing the problem of passing through the transition point (point A) to the section C or the target stop position D at an overspeed.

  Moreover, since the control part 100 adjusts the driving distance of the constant speed A of the area A and the constant speed B of the area B, it will pass the transition point (point A) to the area C, or a target stop position at overspeed. It is possible to optimally improve throughput while preventing problems.

  Further, based on the detection of the printing paper P by the paper edge detection sensor 36, the section speed table B in the section B is reset, and the driving distance of the constant speed B is readjusted. Here, since the size of the printing paper P is specified, the target stop position D is determined according to the detection of the leading edge of the printing paper P, and the most appropriate section speed table for stopping at the target stop position D is determined. B can be set.

  Further, in the clutch mechanism 60, the driving force of the solenoid 63 is used to switch the clutch mechanism 60 from the state in which the driving force of the PF motor 31 is transmitted to the paper feed roller 32 and the hopper 37 to the non-transmission state. Thus, in order to switch between transmission and non-transmission of the driving force to the paper feed roller 32 and the like, the operation of stopping the PF motor 31 and then reversely rotating becomes unnecessary. Thereby, the throughput in printing can be improved.

  According to the clutch mechanism 60 described above, the engagement between the engagement protrusion 621d and the locking claw 615b can be released by the on / off operation of the solenoid 63, and the drive to the paper feed roller 32 and the hopper 37 is enabled. Force transmission and non-transmission can be switched satisfactorily.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be variously modified. This will be described below.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 100 includes the CPU 101 and the ASIC 104. However, the control unit 100 may be configured to control the PF motor 31 only by the ASIC 104, and in addition to these, the control unit 100 may be combined with a one-chip microcomputer in which various peripheral devices are incorporated. You may make it comprise.

  In the above-described embodiment, there are two types of section speed tables A and B, one with a solid line and one with a broken line in FIG. 8, but the section speed tables A and B are not limited to two types. Three or more types may exist.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the multi-stage drive table is applied for the operations from the discharge of the printing paper P to the feeding of the next printing paper P. However, the multi-stage driving table is not limited to the operation from the discharge of the printing paper P to the feeding of the next printing paper P. For example, with respect to the pump that sucks the print head 28, the suction amount is variable. It is applicable in an aspect. For example, if the suction amount is insufficient, the rotation speed of the pump motor is increased, and if the suction amount is large, the rotation speed of the pump motor is decreased.

  In the above-described embodiment, the clutch mechanism 60 includes the solenoid 63, and the trigger lever 615 is rotated by the solenoid 63. However, the other mechanism (the cam mechanism that rotates the rack gear with a motor) The trigger lever 615 may be rotated using the above. Further, the solenoid 63 is not limited to the pull method, and a push method may be adopted.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating the configuration of the printer of FIG. 1. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the clutch mechanism of the printer of FIG. It is a side view which shows the engagement state of the latching claw and engagement protrusion of a clutch mechanism. It is a side view which shows the engagement cancellation | release state of the latching claw and engagement protrusion of a clutch mechanism. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a control part. It is a processing flow which shows the operation | movement from paper discharge to a head. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the drive table formulated. It is a processing flow which shows the detail of formulation of a drive table. It is a processing flow which shows the detail of the re-development of the section speed table B. It is a figure which compares and shows the throughput in a speed table.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer, 20 ... Carriage mechanism, 30 ... Paper transport mechanism (corresponding to paper transport means), 31 ... PF motor (corresponding to motor), 32 ... Paper feed roller (corresponding to a part of paper feed means), 36 ... Paper edge detection sensor (corresponding to paper detection means), 37 ... Hopper (corresponding to a part of paper feeding means), 40 ... Rotary encoder, 60 ... Clutch mechanism, 63 ... Solenoid, 100 ... Control unit (corresponding to control means) , 111 ... Drive table formulation part, 113 ... Trigger signal generation part, 615 ... Trigger lever, 620b ... Ratchet gear part, 621 ... Ring member,

Claims (8)

In a printer that prints on printing paper,
A motor for transporting the printing paper and discharging and feeding the printing paper;
A paper conveying means for transmitting a driving force of the motor and discharging or conveying the printing paper;
A paper feeding means that is disposed upstream of the paper feeding means from the supply of the printing paper, receives the driving force of the motor, and feeds the printing paper sequentially;
A clutch mechanism that is interposed between the motor and the paper feeding means, and switches between transmission and non-transmission of driving force to the paper feeding means;
Control information for formulating drive information for continuously driving the motor without stopping between the discharge of the printing paper and the heading and controlling the motor based on the drive information When,
A printer comprising: The drive information is
A first section speed table that exists between the paper discharge and the paper feed, and has a predetermined acceleration unit, a constant speed unit, and a deceleration unit;
A constant speed region having a lower speed than the first section speed table, and a paper feed constant speed unit for driving the paper feed means;
A second zone speed table that exists between the end of the paper feed constant speed part and the target stop position, and has a predetermined acceleration part, a constant speed part, and a deceleration part;
The printer according to claim 1, further comprising: In the drive information, there are two or more first section speed tables having different speeds of a constant speed part, and two or more second section speed tables having different speeds of a constant speed part, and
The control means includes a first minimum driving distance when the actual driving distance from the start of paper discharge to the start of the paper feed constant speed part and the driving speed of the constant speed part in the first section speed table are zero. When the condition that the first minimum driving distance is smaller than the actual driving distance is satisfied, the first section speed table is added to the constant speed portion having the largest speed among the conditions. Set,
The control means includes a second minimum driving distance when an actual driving distance from the end of the paper feed constant speed portion to the target stop position and a driving speed of the constant speed portion in the second section speed table are set to zero. When the condition that the second minimum driving distance is smaller than the actual driving distance is satisfied, the second section speed table is added to the constant speed portion having the largest speed among the conditions. Set,
The printer according to claim 2.   The control means adjusts the distance of the constant speed portion of the first section speed table according to the driving distance to the paper feed constant speed portion, and also adjusts the second distance according to the driving distance to the target stop position. 4. The printer according to claim 3, wherein a distance of the constant speed portion of the section speed table is adjusted. Between the paper feeding means and the paper transport means, a paper detection means for detecting the printing paper is provided,
When the printing paper is detected by the paper detection means, the control means resets the second section speed table again so as to satisfy the condition, and the second section speed table is set according to the driving distance to the target stop position. Adjust the driving distance of the constant speed part of the two-section speed table again.
The printer according to claim 4.   The clutch mechanism includes a solenoid, and the driving force of the motor is switched from a non-transmission state to a feeding state to the paper feeding unit by the on operation or the off operation of the solenoid. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The clutch mechanism is
A gear member having a ratchet gear portion;
It is in contact with and away from the ratchet gear portion and rotates integrally with the gear member when it is in contact with the ratchet gear portion, and idles with respect to the gear member when it is away from the ratchet gear portion An annular member having an engaging projection,
A trigger lever that includes a locking claw that engages with the engagement protrusion and that can be rotated by turning on or off the solenoid to release the engagement between the engagement protrusion and the locking claw. When,
With
In a state where the engaging protrusion and the locking claw are engaged, the clutch claw is separated from the ratchet gear portion, and the driving force is not transmitted from the gear member to the annular member, and the driving force is not transmitted. In a state where the engagement protrusion and the locking claw are disengaged, the clutch claw is in contact with the ratchet gear portion, and the driving force is transmitted from the gear member to the annular member. Become
The printer according to claim 6. A paper transport method for discharging printed paper after printing and feeding the next printing paper,
Formulate drive information to continuously drive the motor without stopping between the printing paper discharge and cueing,
This drive information exists from the time when the printing paper is discharged to the time when it is fed. From the first section speed table having a predetermined acceleration section, constant speed section and deceleration section, and the first section speed table. A constant feed speed region for driving the paper feed means, and a predetermined acceleration part, a constant speed part, which is located between the end of the feed constant speed part and the target stop position. A second section speed table having a speed part and a speed reduction part,
Based on the formulated drive information, the motor is controlled and driven to discharge the printing paper and feed the next printing paper.
A paper conveying method characterized by the above.

Images