JP2009300713A - Rotary drive device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inform a user of exchange of a speed reducer at appropriate time by determining a service life of the speed reducer. <P>SOLUTION: A motor rotational speed detection part 16 detects rotational speed of a motor 71 and outputs a result of detection to a reduction ratio calculation part 111. Similarly, a photoreceptor drum rotational speed detection part 17 detects rotational speed of an output shaft of the speed reducer 72 (that is, rotational speed of a photoreceptor drum 43) and outputs a result of detection to the reduction ratio calculation part 111. The reduction ratio calculation part 111 calculates a reduction ratio from these rotational speeds and outputs it to a speed reducer service life determination part 112. The speed reducer service life determination part 112 calculates a difference between the calculated reduction ratio and an initial reduction ratio stored in an initial reduction ratio storage part 121, and allows a display part 473 to display a message for informing the user that the service life of the speed reducer 72 ends if the difference is equal to or above a prescribed value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a rotary drive device that determines the life of a speed reducer that is a power transmission means, and an image forming apparatus including the rotation drive device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, image forming apparatuses such as copiers and printers are often provided with a rotary drive device of a type that transmits the rotational drive force of a motor to a photosensitive drum via a traction reducer. As such a rotational drive device, for example, the one shown in Patent Document 1 has been proposed.
Japanese Patent No. 3677145

  When the traction speed reducer exceeds a certain driving time, the speed reduction ratio changes and the performance deteriorates. When the performance of the traction speed reducer deteriorates, it also affects image formation such as image quality degradation. Conventionally, the replacement time depending on the life of the traction reducer is often determined based on the deterioration of the performance of the image forming apparatus such as image quality deterioration, or the life of the traction reducer is determined after a predetermined period from the purchase time.

  If the traction reducer is exchanged based on an ambiguous situation determination as described above, there is a possibility that a traction reducer that can still be used can be exchanged unnecessarily. Unnecessary replacement of the traction decelerator has a problem that the parts cost and the replacement cost are wasted and the burden on the user increases. In addition, if the design is made with a margin larger than the life of the apparatus main body in order to extend the life of the traction reducer, the manufacturing cost of the traction reducer increases correspondingly, and the price of the apparatus main body also increases.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, and a rotary drive device capable of accurately determining the life of the reduction gear and notifying the user of replacement of the reduction gear at an appropriate time, and An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotary drive apparatus comprising a rotary drive means attached to an input shaft of the power transmission means so as to drive a rotary body attached to an output shaft of the power transmission means. The first rotation speed detection means for detecting the rotation speed of the rotation drive means, the second rotation speed detection means for detecting the rotation speed of the rotating body, the detected rotation speed of the rotation drive means, A reduction ratio calculation means for calculating a reduction ratio using both speed information of the detected rotational speed of the rotating body, and an initial reduction ratio of the rotation driving means and the rotating body at the initial operation of the rotary drive device are stored. An initial reduction ratio storage means; a determination means for calculating a difference between the calculated reduction ratio and the stored initial reduction ratio; and determining whether the difference is a predetermined value or more; and the difference Is predetermined When it is judged that the that the value or more, is characterized by comprising: a life determining unit determines that the life has come of the power transmission means.

  According to this configuration, the life of the power transmission means can be easily determined by comparing the speed reduction ratio calculated based on the rotational speeds of the rotation driving means and the rotating body with the speed reduction ratio at the initial operation of the apparatus main body. can do.

  Further, the invention according to claim 2 is the rotary drive device according to claim 1, wherein when the life determining means determines that the life of the power transmission means has come, an informing means for informing that effect. Is further provided.

  According to this configuration, the user can easily know that the power transmission means has reached the end of its life.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the rotational drive device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first rotational speed detecting means is a frequency generator, and the second rotational speed detecting means is an MR sensor. Or it is an encoder.

  According to this configuration, the first rotational speed detecting means is a frequency generator, and the second rotational speed detecting means is an MR sensor or encoder, so that the rotational speeds of the rotation driving means and the rotating body can be accurately detected. it can.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising the rotation driving device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the rotating body is a transfer body or a photosensitive drum. Yes.

  According to this structure, the effect similar to the effect of Claims 1-3 can be show | played. At the same time, the replacement time depending on the life of the speed reducer is often determined based on the deterioration of the performance of the image forming apparatus such as image quality deterioration, or the life of the speed reducer is often determined after a predetermined period from the purchase time. Although the conditions are ambiguous, it is possible to prompt the user to replace the speed reducer at an appropriate time by comparing the initial speed reduction ratio with the current speed reduction ratio.

  According to the present invention, the life of the speed reducer is easily determined by comparing the speed reduction ratio calculated based on the rotational speeds of the rotation driving means and the rotating body with the speed reduction ratio at the initial operation of the apparatus main body. be able to. Furthermore, conventionally, the replacement time depending on the life of the speed reducer is often determined based on the deterioration of the performance of the image forming apparatus such as image quality deterioration, or the life of the speed reducer is determined after a predetermined period from the purchase time. Although the conditions are ambiguous, it is possible to prompt the user to replace the speed reducer at an appropriate time by comparing the initial speed reduction ratio with the current speed reduction ratio.

  Hereinafter, a rotary drive device and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The image forming apparatus including the rotation drive device according to the present invention will be described by taking a multifunction peripheral as an example. FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing an internal configuration of a multifunction machine 1 which is an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The multifunction device 1 has functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The multi-function device 1 includes a main body 2, a stack tray 3 disposed on the left side of the main body 2, a document reading unit 5 disposed on the top of the main body 2, and an upper side of the document reading unit 5. And a document feeding unit 6 disposed.

  In addition, an input operation unit 47 is provided at the front part of the multifunction machine 1. The input operation unit 47 displays a start key 471 for a user to input a print execution instruction, a numeric keypad 472 for inputting the number of copies to be printed, operation guide information for various copying operations, and the like. A display unit 473 formed of a liquid crystal display or the like having a touch panel function for input, a reset key 474 for resetting setting contents set on the display unit 473, and a stop for stopping a printing (image forming) operation being executed. A key 475 and a function switching key 477 for switching between a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function are provided.

  The document reading unit 5 includes a scanner unit 51 including a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor and an exposure lamp, and a document table 52 and a document reading slit 53 made of a transparent member such as glass. The scanner unit 51 is configured to be movable by a drive unit (not shown). When reading a document placed on the document table 52, the scanner unit 51 is moved along the document surface at a position facing the document table 52, and the document image is scanned. Image data acquired while scanning is output. Further, when reading a document fed by the document feeding unit 6, the document is moved to a position facing the document reading slit 53 and synchronized with the document feeding operation by the document feeding unit 6 via the document reading slit 53. The image of the original is acquired and the image data is output.

  The document feeding unit 6 includes a document placing unit 61 for placing a document, a document discharge unit 62 for discharging a document whose image has been read, and a document placed on the document placing unit 61. A document transport mechanism 63 including a paper feed roller (not shown), a transport roller (not shown) and the like for feeding the paper one by one to a position facing the document reading slit 53 and discharging it to the document discharge section 62 is provided. The document conveyance mechanism 63 further includes a sheet reversing mechanism (not shown) that reverses the document and reversely conveys the document to a position facing the document reading slit 53, and scans both sides of the document through the document reading slit 53. 51 can be read.

  The document feeding unit 6 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the main body unit 2 so that the front side thereof can move upward. By moving the front side of the document feeder 6 upward to open the upper surface of the document table 52, the operator can place a read document, for example, a book in a spread state, on the upper surface of the document table 52. It has become.

  The main body 2 includes a plurality of paper feeding cassettes 461, a paper feeding roller 462 that feeds recording paper from the paper feeding cassette 461 one by one and transports it to the image forming unit 40, and a recording paper transported from the paper feeding cassette 461. And an image forming unit 40 for forming an image.

  The image forming unit 40 outputs an optical unit 42 based on the image data acquired by the scanner unit 51 to expose the photosensitive drum 43, and a developing unit 44 that forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 43. A transfer roller 41 for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 43 to the recording paper, a fixing unit 45 for fixing the toner image to the recording paper by heating the recording paper to which the toner image has been transferred, and an image forming unit 40. It is provided in the inner sheet conveyance path, and includes conveyance rollers 463 and 464 that convey the recording sheet to the stack tray 3 or the discharge tray 48.

  A rotation driving device according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided in the multifunction machine 1 in order to control the driving of a motor that is a driving source for rotating the photosensitive drum 43 and the transfer roller 41.

  When forming images on both sides of the recording paper, the image forming unit 40 forms an image on one side of the recording paper, and then the recording paper is nipped by the conveyance roller 463 on the discharge tray 48 side. In this state, the conveyance roller 463 is reversed to switch back the recording paper, and the recording paper is sent to the paper conveyance path L and conveyed again to the upstream area of the image forming unit 40, and an image is formed on the other surface by the image forming unit 40. After the formation, the recording paper is discharged to the stack tray 3 or the discharge tray 48.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine 1 according to the present embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same component as FIG. The multifunction device 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a document reading unit 5, an image memory 13, an image processing unit 14, a paper feeding unit 15, an image forming unit 40, a motor rotation speed detection unit 16, and a photosensitive drum rotation speed detection. Unit 17, input operation unit 47, and network I / F unit 18.

  The storage unit 12 stores programs, data, and the like for realizing various functions provided in the multifunction machine 1. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 12 functions as the initial reduction ratio storage unit 121. The initial reduction ratio storage unit 121 stores the reduction ratio of the reduction gear (reference numeral 72 in FIG. 3) measured at the time of assembling the multifunction machine 1 as the initial reduction ratio. The speed reducer is interposed between the photosensitive drum 43 and a motor (reference numeral 71 in FIG. 3) that is a rotational drive source of the photosensitive drum 43, and details will be described later.

  The image memory 13 temporarily stores image data read by the document reading unit 5 and image data transmitted from an external device via the network I / F unit 18. The image processing unit 14 performs image processing such as image correction and enlargement / reduction on the image data stored in the image memory 13. The paper feeding unit 15 feeds paper one by one from the paper feeding cassette and conveys the paper to the image forming unit 40.

  The motor rotation speed detection unit 16 includes, for example, an FG (flux gate sensor) sensor that is a frequency generator, and detects rotation speed information of a motor (reference numeral 71 in FIG. 2) that is a rotation drive source of the photosensitive drum 43. . In the present embodiment, the motor rotation speed detection unit 16 is described as comprising an FG sensor. However, when the motor is a stepping motor, the motor rotation speed detection unit 16 outputs from a motor driver (not shown). Rotational speed information corresponding to the driving step signal for driving the stepping motor may be output.

  The photosensitive drum rotation detection unit 17 includes, for example, an MR (magnetic) sensor or a rotary encoder, and is attached to the drive shaft of the photosensitive drum 43 to detect rotational speed information of the photosensitive drum 43.

  The network I / F unit 18 includes a communication module such as a LAN board, and transmits / receives various data to / from an external device via a network (not shown) connected to the network I / F unit 18.

  The control unit 11 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and the like, reads a program stored in the storage unit 12 in accordance with an input instruction signal and the like, and executes processing. The multi-function device 1 is comprehensively controlled by outputting an instruction signal to the unit, transferring data, and the like.

  Further, the control unit 11 includes a reduction ratio calculation unit 111 and a reduction gear life determination unit 112. The reduction ratio calculation unit 111 calculates the rotation speed of the motor and the photosensitive drum 43 based on the rotation speed information output from the motor rotation speed detection unit 16 and the photosensitive drum rotation speed detection unit 17, and decelerates from the rotation speed. Calculate the reduction ratio of the machine. The reduction ratio is obtained, for example, by dividing the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum 43 by the rotational speed of the motor. The reduction gear life determination unit 112 compares the calculated reduction gear ratio with the initial reduction gear ratio stored in the storage unit 12 and determines whether the life of the reduction gear has come.

  The reduction gear life determination will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, a reduction gear 72 is attached to the output shaft of a motor 71 that is a rotational drive source of the photosensitive drum 43, and the photosensitive drum 43 is attached to the output shaft of the reduction gear 72. The rotational driving force of the motor 71 is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 43 via the speed reducer 72.

  The speed reducer 72 is a traction speed reducer, for example, and is a power transmission mechanism that is interposed in a power transmission path between the motor 71 and the photosensitive drum 43. The output is decelerated, and the decelerated output of the motor 71 is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 43. In addition to the traction reducer, the reducer 72 may be a reducer having a property that the reduction ratio changes as the operation time increases.

  A photosensitive drum rotation detector 17 that detects the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum 43 is attached to the drive shaft 43 a of the photosensitive drum 43. The motor rotation speed detection unit 16 and the photosensitive drum rotation speed detection unit 17 output the rotation speed information of the motor 71 and the photosensitive drum 43 to the reduction ratio calculation unit 111 of the control unit 11. The reduction ratio calculation unit 111 calculates the rotation speed of the motor 71 and the photosensitive drum 43 from the input rotation speed information, and calculates the reduction ratio of the speed reducer 72 using the calculated rotation speed.

  The reduction ratio life determination unit 112 calculates the difference between the calculated reduction ratio and the initial reduction ratio stored in the initial reduction ratio storage unit 121. If the difference is greater than a predetermined value, the reduction gear 72 is in service life. It is determined that it is present (it is time for replacement), and a display signal is output to the display unit 473 in order to display a message prompting the user to replace the reduction gear 72 (or prompting the manufacturer to perform maintenance).

  In addition, as a method for notifying that the life of the speed reducer 72 has been reached, in addition to displaying a message on the display unit 473, it may be notified by voice or an alarm. Alternatively, a message indicating that the reduction gear 72 is at the end of its life may be transmitted to a maintenance company or the like via the network I / F unit 18.

  Further, the notification content may be changed according to the difference between the calculated reduction gear ratio and the initial reduction gear ratio. For example, when the difference between the calculated reduction gear ratio and the initial reduction gear ratio is a predetermined value or more and less than the dangerous value (the dangerous value is larger than the predetermined value), the reduction gear life determination unit 112 displays a message prompting replacement. When the difference is equal to or greater than the dangerous value, the reduction gear life determination unit 112 may display a message for prompting replacement on the display unit 473 and also notify by alarm or voice.

  As described above, the life of the speed reducer 72 can be simplified by comparing the speed reduction ratio calculated based on the rotational speeds of the motor 71 and the photosensitive drum 43 with the speed reduction ratio at the initial operation of the apparatus main body. Can be determined. Conventionally, the replacement time due to the life of the speed reducer 72 is often determined based on the deterioration of the performance of the multifunction device 1 such as image quality deterioration, or after a predetermined period from the purchase time or the like as the life of the speed reducer 72. Although the determination conditions are ambiguous, it is possible to prompt the user to replace the speed reducer 72 at an appropriate time by comparing the initial speed reduction ratio with the current speed reduction ratio.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the present embodiment, the encoder 17 has been described as being attached to the drive shaft 43a of the photosensitive drum 43. However, the encoder 17 is attached to the output shaft 72a of the speed reducer 72 as shown in FIG. It is good.

  In the present embodiment, the photosensitive drum 43 or the transfer roller 41 is used as the rotating body, but the rotating body may be other. For example, when a toner image generated on a photosensitive drum is transferred to a recording sheet via an intermediate transfer belt, a driving roller of the intermediate transfer belt can be applied as a rotating body.

FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing the internal configuration of the multifunction machine. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a multifunction machine. The figure for demonstrating the lifetime determination of a reduction gear. The modification of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP (image forming device)
11 Control Unit 111 Reduction Ratio Calculation Unit (Reduction Ratio Calculation Unit)
112 Reducer life determining unit (discriminating means, life determining means)
12 storage unit 121 initial reduction ratio storage unit (initial reduction ratio storage means)
13 Image memory 14 Image processing unit 15 Paper feed unit 16 Motor rotation speed detection unit (first rotation speed detection unit)
17 Photosensitive drum rotational speed detector (second rotational speed detector)
18 Network I / F unit 5 Document reading unit 40 Image forming unit 47 Input operation unit 473 Display unit (informing means)

Claims (4)

In a rotary drive device comprising rotary drive means attached to the input shaft of the power transmission means to perform rotational drive of a rotating body attached to the output shaft of the power transmission means,
First rotation speed detection means for detecting the rotation speed of the rotation drive means;
Second rotational speed detection means for detecting the rotational speed of the rotating body;
A reduction ratio calculating means for calculating a reduction ratio using both speed information of the detected rotational speed of the rotational driving means and the detected rotational speed of the rotating body;
An initial reduction ratio storage means for storing an initial reduction ratio of the rotary drive means and the rotating body at the initial operation of the rotary drive device;
A means for calculating a difference between the calculated reduction ratio and the stored initial reduction ratio, and determining whether the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value;
When it is determined that the difference is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the life determination means for determining that the life of the power transmission means has come;
Rotation drive device provided with.   The rotation drive device according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for notifying that when the life determination means determines that the life of the power transmission means has come.   The rotary drive device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first rotation speed detection means is a frequency generator, and the second rotation speed detection means is an MR sensor or an encoder.   An image forming apparatus comprising the rotation driving device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body is a transfer body or a photosensitive drum.

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