JP2011031999A - Paper carrying device and jam detecting method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper carrying device and a jam detecting method thereof capable of preventing damage of paper sheets by stopping the device immediately when a jam is caused, by early and accurately detecting the jam of the paper sheets. <P>SOLUTION: This paper carrying device has an ultrasonic wave generating member 17 arranged in a carrying passage 16 of the paper sheets, an ultrasonic wave detecting member 18 for detecting an ultrasonic wave, a motor driving circuit 19 for driving carrier rollers 12 and 13 for carrying the paper sheets, and a control part 20 for controlling the motor driving circuit 19, the ultrasonic wave generating member 17 and the ultrasonic wave detecting member 18. The control part 20 sets a normal range of a phase difference and/or an amplitude difference from a variation in a phase difference and/or an amplitude difference of an ultrasonic wave signal waveform output by detecting by the ultrasonic wave detecting member 18 when the paper sheets are normally carried. When the ultrasonic wave signal waveform output from the ultrasonic wave detecting member 18 becomes outside of the normal range, the carrier rollers 12 and 13 are stopped by controlling the motor driving circuit 19 by determining that the jam is caused in the paper sheets. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is a paper transport device that transports paper sheets, and is capable of early detection of a situation in which a paper sheet is not transported due to a trouble and can be prevented from being damaged. The present invention relates to a device and a jam detection method thereof.

  In a paper conveyance device such as a copying machine, a printer, or a scanner, a so-called jam may occur in which a paper sheet as a recording medium is not conveyed by being conveyed in a conveyance path. For example, jamming may occur in a plurality of paper sheets bound by a stapler, thin paper sheets, and paper sheets that are wrinkled, twisted, or torn. If a jam occurs, the paper sheet may be broken or twisted while traveling on the transport path for a while, or the paper transport device may be damaged. For this reason, the paper transport device is marked with a cautionary statement not to transport paper sheets that have been bound by a stapler or the like, and the transport speed for thin paper is automatically reduced. ing.

Nevertheless, when paper sheets that have been bound by a stapler are inadvertently conveyed, or jams may occur in thin paper depending on the state of the paper sheets, in which case the paper sheets will not be damaged. Thus, it is considered to immediately detect a jam and stop the apparatus.
As one of them, a microphone is installed facing the conveyance path for conveying paper sheets, the passing sound of the paper sheets is detected, the sound frequency component is analyzed, and the sound during normal paper sheet conveyance An apparatus for detecting a jam by detecting a difference in sound generated when a paper sheet is creaked by a jam has been devised (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-302021 A

  However, in the jam detection method of the paper transport device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the microphone detects not only the passing sound of the paper sheet but also the sound generated by the paper transport device itself. If the detection malfunctions and the jam occurs, the apparatus may not stop immediately, or the apparatus may stop even if the jam does not occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and detects a jam of a paper sheet in a paper transport device quickly and accurately, and when the jam occurs, the apparatus is immediately stopped to stop the paper sheet. It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper conveyance device capable of preventing breakage and a jam detection method thereof.

The above problem can be solved by the following inventions.
That is, the paper conveyance device of the present invention detects an ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic wave generation member disposed in the conveyance path and the ultrasonic wave generation member disposed in the conveyance path. An ultrasonic detection member, a motor drive circuit that drives a conveyance roller that conveys paper sheets in the conveyance path, and a control that connects and controls the motor drive circuit, the ultrasonic wave generation member, and the ultrasonic detection member A paper conveyance device comprising a section,
The control unit is configured to generate an ultrasonic signal waveform that the ultrasonic detection member detects and outputs an ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic wave generation member through the paper sheet when the paper sheet is normally conveyed. Means for setting a normal range of the phase difference and / or amplitude difference from the variation of the phase difference and / or amplitude difference, and when the ultrasonic signal waveform output from the ultrasonic detection member is outside the normal range It is determined that a jam has occurred in the paper sheet, and the motor driving circuit is controlled to stop the conveying roller.

  Further, in the paper conveyance device of the present invention, the ultrasonic wave generation member and the ultrasonic wave detection member are arranged to face each other across a conveyance path, and the ultrasonic wave detection member generates ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic wave generation member. It is characterized by detecting through a paper sheet transported through the transport path.

  In the paper conveyance device of the present invention, the ultrasonic wave generation member and the ultrasonic wave detection member are disposed on either side of the conveyance path, and the ultrasonic wave detection member is an ultrasonic wave generated by the ultrasonic wave generation member. Is detected by being reflected by a paper sheet conveyed on the conveyance path.

  In the paper conveyance device of the present invention, the control unit may be configured such that the ultrasonic signal waveform output from the ultrasonic detection member includes a normal range of a phase difference of the ultrasonic signal waveform and an amplitude of the ultrasonic signal waveform. It is characterized by comprising means for judging a jam when the difference is outside one of the normal ranges.

  In the paper conveyance device of the present invention, the control unit may be configured such that the ultrasonic signal waveform output from the ultrasonic detection member includes a normal range of a phase difference of the ultrasonic signal waveform and an amplitude of the ultrasonic signal waveform. It is characterized by comprising means for judging that a jam has occurred when both of the normal ranges of the difference have deviated simultaneously.

  In the paper conveyance device according to the present invention, the control unit may determine whether the ultrasonic signal waveform output from the ultrasonic detection member is out of the normal range continuously after a predetermined number of times. Means for judging that a jam has occurred.

The jam detection method of the paper transport device of the present invention includes an ultrasonic wave generating member disposed in a transport path through which a paper sheet is transported, and an ultrasonic wave disposed in the transport path from the ultrasonic wave generation member. An ultrasonic detection member that detects sound waves, a motor drive circuit that drives a conveyance roller that conveys paper sheets in the conveyance path, and the motor drive circuit, the ultrasonic wave generation member, and the ultrasonic detection member that are connected to each other. A jam detection method for a paper transport device comprising a control unit for controlling
The control unit is configured to generate an ultrasonic signal waveform that the ultrasonic detection member detects and outputs an ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic wave generation member through the paper sheet when the paper sheet is normally conveyed. Paper sheets when the normal range of the phase difference and / or amplitude difference is set from the variation of the phase difference and / or amplitude difference and the ultrasonic signal waveform output from the ultrasonic detection member is outside the normal range It is determined that a jam has occurred, and the motor driving circuit is controlled to stop the conveying roller.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to quickly and accurately detect a jam of a paper sheet in the paper transport device, and to stop the apparatus immediately when the jam occurs to prevent the paper sheet from being damaged. It is possible to provide a paper transport device that can perform the same and a jam detection method thereof.

It is the schematic of the paper conveyance apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the jam detection method of the paper conveyance apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the jam detection method of the paper conveyance apparatus of this invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out a paper conveyance device and a jam detection method thereof according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 are diagrams illustrating embodiments of the present invention. In these drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same components, and the basic configuration and operation are the same. To do.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a paper conveyance device provided with a jam detection method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The paper transport apparatus according to the jam detection method of the present invention includes a paper feed unit 11 that stacks paper sheets 15 and feeds the paper 15 one by one, a pair of transport rollers 12 and 13, a discharge unit 14, and a paper feed unit 11. A conveyance path 16 that conveys a paper sheet 15 that connects the discharge section 14, an ultrasonic wave generation member 17 and an ultrasonic detection member 18 that are disposed near the pair of conveyance rollers 12 and 13 with the conveyance path 16 interposed therebetween, A motor drive circuit 19 that drives the pair of transport rollers 12 and 13 and a control unit 20 that connects and controls the motor drive circuit 19, the ultrasonic wave generation member 17, and the ultrasonic wave detection member 18 are configured.

  The control unit 20 includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory member, and incorporates a jam detection program. The control unit 20 drives the ultrasonic generation member 17 to generate ultrasonic waves and detects the ultrasonic waves. A signal output from the ultrasonic detection member 18 is input, and the signal is analyzed to determine whether to drive the motor drive circuit 19 as it is or to stop it.

  A jam detection method in the paper conveying apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention having such a configuration will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper conveyance device and a jam detection method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention. This explanatory diagram detects a jam by paying attention to the fact that the phase of an ultrasonic wave fluctuates due to the occurrence of a jam. Explains the method.
The ultrasonic wave used in the jam detection method of the paper conveyance device according to the present embodiment is a sound wave having a frequency band equal to or higher than an audible sound band of 20 Hz to 20 KHz, and is not particularly limited as a specific frequency band. It is set appropriately.
2A shows a signal waveform of an ultrasonic wave generated by the ultrasonic wave generation member 17, and FIG. 2B shows a detection signal output by the ultrasonic wave detection member 18 in a state where the paper sheet 15 does not exist in the conveyance path 16. It is an ultrasonic signal waveform. When the peak value of the waveform of the ultrasonic signal is compared with the original waveform of FIG. 2A, the amplitude indicated on the vertical axis is propagated by the diffusion of the ultrasonic wave until it reaches the ultrasonic detection member 18. In addition to being attenuated and reduced, the time difference until the ultrasonic signal reaches the ultrasonic detection member 18 appears as a time delay (phase difference) on the horizontal axis.

FIG. 2C is a waveform of an ultrasonic signal that is detected and output by the ultrasonic detection member 18 in a state where the paper sheet 15 is present in the conveyance path 16, and is a diagram described above with reference to the peak value of the amplitude of the waveform. Compared with the waveform of 2 (b), the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic wave generating member 17 is reflected by being transmitted through the paper sheet 15 and is absorbed, whereby the amplitude is further reduced and the phase difference is also large (detected). Time is slow).
Even if the paper sheet 15 is normally conveyed, the ultrasonic signal waveform detected and output by the ultrasonic detection member 18 depends on the state of the paper sheet 15 itself through which the ultrasonic wave is transmitted and the conveyance state. Some variation in the phase difference occurs.
Therefore, the control unit 20 monitors the waveform of the ultrasonic signal output from the ultrasonic detection member 18 at any time while the paper sheet 15 is being conveyed normally, and calculates the distribution of the peak value, for example, The average value μ ± 3σ (standard deviation) or ± 6σ range is set as the normal range. The setting of the normal range can be updated at any time by the control unit 20 at regular intervals, or can be updated every time a plurality of sheets 15 are conveyed.

FIG. 2D shows a state in which the paper sheet 15 is jammed in the conveyance path 16, and the ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic wave generation member 17 are reflected and absorbed by the bent or overlapped paper sheets 15. This is a waveform of an ultrasonic signal that is transmitted and detected and output by the ultrasonic detection member 18, and shows a state in which the phase fluctuation is small (detection time is early) and is outside the normal range described above. . The state that the time for detecting the ultrasonic wave becomes early exists because the paper sheet 15 that should have been transported between the ultrasonic wave generating member 17 and the ultrasonic wave detecting member 18 is bent or missing. This means that there is no such thing.
When the peak value of the ultrasonic signal waveform output from the ultrasonic detection member 18 is outside the normal range of phase fluctuation, the control unit 20 detects a jam and stops the pair of transport rollers 12 and 13. The motor drive circuit 19 is controlled so that
However, if the waveform from the ultrasonic detection member 18 is out of the normal range only once and it is excessive quality that the control unit 20 determines that it is jammed, a plurality of times within a certain time. When there is a jam determination, the control unit 20 may determine that a jam has occurred and stop the transport rollers 12 and 13.

FIG. 2E shows an ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic wave generation member 17 through the paper sheet 15 in a state where the paper sheet 15 has jammed in the conveyance path 16 as in FIG. The waveform of the ultrasonic signal detected and output by the ultrasonic detection member 18 shows a state in which the phase fluctuation is large (detection time is slow) and is outside the normal range described above. In the state where the time for detecting the ultrasonic wave is delayed, the paper sheet 15 being conveyed flat at the normal time is bent or overlapped, so that the diffusion and absorption of the ultrasonic wave are larger than those at the normal conveyance time. Represents the state.
When the peak value of the amplitude of the ultrasonic signal waveform output from the ultrasonic detection member 18 is outside the normal range of phase fluctuation, the control unit 20 determines whether a jam has occurred as described above. Thus, the motor driving circuit 19 is controlled to stop the conveying rollers 12 and 13.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper conveyance device and a jam detection method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention. This explanatory diagram detects a jam by paying attention to the fact that the amplitude of an ultrasonic wave fluctuates due to the occurrence of a jam. Explains the method.
The ultrasonic wave used in the jam detection method of the paper conveyance device according to this embodiment is also a sound wave having a frequency band higher than the audible sound band of 20 Hz to 20 KHz as described above, and the specific frequency band is particularly limited. Not, but set appropriately.

  3A shows a signal waveform of an ultrasonic wave generated by the ultrasonic wave generation member 17, and FIG. 3B shows a detection signal output by the ultrasonic wave detection member 18 in a state where the paper sheet 15 is not present in the conveyance path 16. When comparing the peak value of the waveform with the original waveform of FIG. 3A, the amplitude shown on the vertical axis is attenuated by the propagation distance and becomes smaller.

FIG. 3C is a waveform of an ultrasonic signal that is detected and output by the ultrasonic detection member 18 in a state in which the paper sheet 15 is present in the conveyance path 16, and is a diagram described above with reference to the peak value of the amplitude of the waveform. Compared with the waveform of 3 (b), the amplitude is further reduced by the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic wave generating member 17 being transmitted through the paper sheet 15.
Even if the paper sheet 15 is normally conveyed, the amplitude of the ultrasonic signal waveform detected and output by the ultrasonic detection member 18 depends on the state of the paper sheet 15 itself through which the ultrasonic wave is transmitted and the state of conveyance. Some variation will occur.
Therefore, the control unit 20 monitors the waveform of the ultrasonic signal output from the ultrasonic detection member 18 at any time while the paper sheet 15 is being conveyed normally, and calculates the distribution of the peak value of the amplitude. For example, the range of the average value μ ± 3σ (standard deviation) or ± 6σ is set as the normal range. The setting of the normal range can be updated at any time by the control unit 20 at regular intervals, or can be updated every time a plurality of sheets 15 are conveyed.

FIG. 3D shows a state in which the paper sheet 15 is jammed in the transport path 16, and the ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic wave generation member 17 are reflected and absorbed by the bent or overlapped paper sheets 15. This is a waveform of an ultrasonic signal that is transmitted and detected and output by the ultrasonic detection member 18, and its amplitude is reduced, indicating a state outside the normal range described above. The state in which the amplitude of the ultrasonic wave is reduced is that the paper sheet 15 that is being transported flat at normal time is bent or overlapped, so that the diffusion and absorption of the ultrasonic wave is greater than that during normal transport. Represents a state.
When the peak value of the amplitude of the ultrasonic signal waveform output from the ultrasonic detection member 18 is outside the normal range of amplitude fluctuation, the control unit 20 detects a jam and detects a pair of transport rollers 12 and 13. The motor drive circuit 19 is controlled to stop the operation.
However, if the waveform from the ultrasonic detection member 18 is out of the normal range only once and it is excessive quality that the control unit 20 determines that it is jammed, a plurality of times within a certain time. When there is a jam determination, the control unit 20 may determine that a jam has occurred and stop the transport rollers 12 and 13.

In FIG. 3 (e), the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic wave generating member 17 is bent or overlapped in a state in which the paper sheet 15 is jammed in the conveyance path 16, as in FIG. 3 (d). This is a waveform of an ultrasonic signal that is reflected by the paper sheet 15 and is transmitted while being absorbed, and is detected and output by the ultrasonic detection member 18, and its amplitude increases and is outside the normal range described above. Indicates the state. The state in which the amplitude of the ultrasonic wave becomes large does not exist because the paper sheet 15 that should be originally conveyed between the ultrasonic wave generating member 17 and the ultrasonic wave detecting member 18 is bent or missing. Represents the state.
When the peak value of the amplitude of the ultrasonic signal waveform output from the ultrasonic detection member 18 is outside the normal range of the amplitude fluctuation, the control unit 20 determines that a jam has occurred as described above. Thus, the motor driving circuit 19 is controlled to stop the conveying rollers 12 and 13.

In the two embodiments described above, it is determined whether or not the jamming judgment performed by the control unit 20 is such that the amplitude peak of the ultrasonic signal waveform output from the ultrasonic detection member 18 is outside the normal range of phase fluctuations. It can be performed by any one of the methods of whether the amplitude fluctuation is outside the normal range.
In that case, it is selected whether the control unit 20 includes a jam detection method for detecting phase fluctuations or the control unit 20 includes a jam detection method for detecting amplitude fluctuations in the paper conveyance device.

  Further, the paper conveyance device in the jam detection method of the present invention includes both a jam detection method in which the control unit 20 detects phase fluctuations and a jam detection method in which the control unit 20 detects amplitude fluctuations. If the jam is detected, the control unit 20 may determine that the jam has occurred and control the motor drive circuit 19 to stop the transport rollers 12 and 13.

  Further, the paper conveyance device in the jam detection method of the present invention includes both a jam detection method in which the control unit 20 detects phase fluctuations and a jam detection method in which the control unit 20 detects amplitude fluctuations, both of which are jammed. When the control unit 20 detects the jam, the control unit 20 may determine that the jam has occurred and control the motor drive circuit 19 to stop the transport rollers 12 and 13.

  In the two embodiments described above, when detecting the phase difference and the amplitude, the peak of the amplitude of the ultrasonic waveform is used as a reference, but the present invention is not limited to this. The minimum value may be used as a reference.

  In the two embodiments described above, the ultrasonic wave generating member and the ultrasonic wave detection member are arranged to face each other across the conveyance path, and the ultrasonic wave detection member emits ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic wave generation member. In addition, the description has been made by taking the detection of the paper sheet transported through the transport path as an example, but in addition to this, the ultrasonic wave generation member and the ultrasonic detection member are placed on either side of the transport path. The ultrasonic detection member may be arranged so as to detect the ultrasonic wave emitted from the ultrasonic wave generation member by reflecting it with a paper sheet conveyed through the conveyance path.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a jam detection method for detecting a jam of a paper sheet in a conveyance path in a paper conveyance device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Paper feed part 12 Conveyance roller 13 Conveyance roller 14 Discharge part 15 Paper sheet 16 Conveyance path 17 Ultrasonic generation member 18 Ultrasonic detection member 19 Motor drive circuit 20 Control part

Claims (7)

An ultrasonic wave generation member disposed in a conveyance path through which the paper sheet is conveyed; an ultrasonic wave detection member disposed in the conveyance path to detect ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic wave generation member; and paper in the conveyance path A paper conveyance device comprising: a motor drive circuit that drives a conveyance roller that conveys leaves; and a control unit that connects and controls the motor drive circuit, the ultrasonic wave generation member, and the ultrasonic wave detection member. ,
The control unit is configured to generate an ultrasonic signal waveform that the ultrasonic detection member detects and outputs an ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic wave generation member through the paper sheet when the paper sheet is normally conveyed. Means for setting a normal range of the phase difference and / or amplitude difference from the variation of the phase difference and / or amplitude difference, and when the ultrasonic signal waveform output from the ultrasonic detection member is outside the normal range A paper conveying apparatus that judges that a jam has occurred in a paper sheet and controls the motor driving circuit to stop the conveying roller.   The ultrasonic wave generation member and the ultrasonic wave detection member are arranged to face each other across a conveyance path, and the ultrasonic wave detection member transmits ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic wave generation member through paper sheets that are conveyed through the conveyance path. The paper conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper conveying device is detected.   The ultrasonic wave generating member and the ultrasonic wave detecting member are arranged on either side of the conveyance path, and the ultrasonic wave detection member is a paper sheet that conveys the ultrasonic wave generated by the ultrasonic wave generation member through the conveyance path. 2. The paper conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper conveying device is detected by reflection.   In the control unit, the ultrasonic signal waveform output by the ultrasonic detection member deviates from one of a normal range of a phase difference of the ultrasonic signal waveform and a normal range of an amplitude difference of the ultrasonic signal waveform. The paper conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising means for determining a jam at the time.   When the ultrasonic signal waveform output from the ultrasonic detection member deviates from both the normal range of the phase difference of the ultrasonic signal waveform and the normal range of the amplitude difference of the ultrasonic signal waveform at the same time, 4. The paper conveying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for determining a jam.   The control unit includes means for determining that a jam has occurred in a paper sheet when an ultrasonic signal waveform output from the ultrasonic detection member is continuously generated a predetermined number of times outside the normal range. The paper conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. An ultrasonic wave generation member disposed in a conveyance path through which the paper sheet is conveyed; an ultrasonic wave detection member disposed in the conveyance path to detect ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic wave generation member; and paper in the conveyance path Jam detection of a paper transport device comprising: a motor drive circuit that drives a transport roller that transports leaves; and a control unit that connects and controls the motor drive circuit, the ultrasonic wave generating member, and the ultrasonic wave detection member A method,
The control unit is configured to generate an ultrasonic signal waveform that the ultrasonic detection member detects and outputs an ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic wave generation member through the paper sheet when the paper sheet is normally conveyed. Paper sheets when the normal range of the phase difference and / or amplitude difference is set from the variation of the phase difference and / or amplitude difference and the ultrasonic signal waveform output from the ultrasonic detection member is outside the normal range A jam detection method for a paper transport device, wherein the paper transport roller is stopped by determining that a paper jam has occurred and controlling the motor drive circuit.

Images