JP2013091545A - Paper feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the incorrect insertion of a harness, while keeping common characteristics of component parts to reduce the cost for producing component parts.SOLUTION: A paper feeder includes: a plurality of paper feeding steps to which a paper feeding tray for storing recording paper can be inserted; a resist sensor 8, disposed on a common conveyance passage for conveying the recording paper fed from each feeding tray of the plurality of feeding steps, for detecting the recording paper; feeding clutches 6A, 6B, disposed corresponding to each the plurality of feeding steps, for transmitting a driving force from a main motor 2 to a feeding roller when the recording paper is conveyed to be fed by rotating the feeding roller; a timer part 130 for measuring the measurement time 1 from the start of the paper feeding clutches 6A, 6B until the detection of the recording paper by the resist sensor 8; and a determination part 112 for determining to which feeding step the feeding clutches 6A, 6B connected to control ports E, F of a control substrate 1 through a harness 153 are disposed based on the measurement time 1.

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper feeding device that conveys recording paper from a paper feeding tray.

  In a paper feed device having two or more paper feed trays, in each paper feed stage, a size sensor that detects the size of the recording paper set in the paper feed tray, and detects whether or not the paper is in the paper feed tray. An end sensor and a paper feed clutch that transmits the drive of the motor to the paper feed roller when the paper feed roller is rotated by the motor to convey the recording paper are provided. In such a sheet feeding device, the size sensor, the end sensor, and the sheet feeding clutch in each sheet feeding stage are often the same in order to have commonality.

  However, when the harness is connected to the size sensor, end sensor, and paper feed clutch of each paper feed stage during the manufacturing process of the paper feed device, the harness is placed in a paper feed stage different from the predetermined paper feed stage. It may be inserted incorrectly. Then, the size sensor, end sensor, and paper feed clutch of each paper feed stage connected to the control port electrically connected to the control board via the harness are connected to the size sensor, end sensor, and It becomes impossible to determine whether the clutch is a paper feed clutch. In such a case, for example, a paper feed stage that is different from the paper feed stage that should be controlled is controlled.

  As countermeasures, various techniques have been known, such as visual identification by color-coding harness connectors or providing number tags. For example, in Patent Document 1, a connector portion and a housing portion having the same shape are provided with a mark corresponding to 1: 1 at a position where it can be visually recognized, and further color-coded on the connector portion and the housing portion. There is disclosed a connector unit for gaming machines that prevents this.

  However, even when the connectors of the harness are color-coded or visually identified by providing a number tag, the harness may be erroneously inserted, for example, if the manufacturer is in poor health or has changed. There has been a problem that it is not always possible to prevent erroneous insertion of the harness during the manufacturing process. Further, even if engraving or color coding is applied as in the connector unit for gaming machines of Patent Document 1 described above, it is not always possible to prevent erroneous insertion of the harness during the manufacturing process, and commonality is lost. At the same time, there is a problem that the cost of parts is increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and regardless of which paper feed stage size sensor, end sensor, and paper feed clutch the harness is connected to, which paper feed stage the harness is connected to It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet feeding device that can easily determine whether or not a harness is erroneously inserted, and that maintains the commonality of components and reduces the manufacturing cost of components.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a plurality of holding portions into which a paper feeding tray for storing recording paper can be inserted and removed, and a paper feeding tray from each of the plurality of holding portions. Provided on a common conveyance path through which the recording paper to be conveyed is conveyed and provided corresponding to each of the plurality of holding units and recording paper detection means for detecting the recording paper, and recording by rotating the paper feed roller A plurality of transmission means for transmitting a driving force from a driving unit to the paper supply roller when the paper is transported and fed, and from when the transmission means is activated until the recording paper detection means detects the recording paper Any of the holding units includes a measuring unit that measures a first measuring time and a plurality of transmitting units that are connected to a control port of a control board via a connecting member based on the measured first measuring time. Determining means for determining whether or not Characterized in that it comprises.

  According to the present invention, regardless of the paper feed stage size sensor, end sensor, and paper feed clutch connected to the harness, it can be easily determined whether the harness is connected to any paper feed stage. In addition to preventing erroneous insertion, there is an effect of reducing the manufacturing cost of the parts while maintaining the commonality of the parts.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a sheet feeding device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control board according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of paper feed stage determination information. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of determination processing in the sheet feeding device according to the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a paper feeding device will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a sheet feeding device according to an embodiment.

  The sheet feeding device of the present embodiment has two sheet feeding trays, and a harness is connected to a control port electrically connected to the control board to which size sensor, end sensor, and sheet feeding clutch of the sheet feeding stage. Even if connected, the size sensor, end sensor, and paper feed clutch of each paper feed stage connected via the harness are the size sensor, end sensor, and paper feed clutch of the paper feed stage. It can be discriminated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet feeding device of the present embodiment includes a control board 1, a main motor 2, a sheet feeding tray 3 (3A, 3B), an end sensor 4 (4A, 4B), and a size sensor. 5 (5A, 5B), paper feed clutch 6 (6A, 6B), paper feed roller 7 (7A, 7B), registration sensor 8, registration roller 9, transfer roller 10, and fixing roller 11. Mainly prepared. Here, the sheet feeding apparatus of the present embodiment includes a two-stage sheet feeding tray, but may be configured to include three or more stages of sheet feeding trays.

  The control board 1 is a board that controls the entire sheet feeding device. In FIG. 1, the control board 1 is only shown in an easy-to-understand manner. In reality, the registration sensor 8, the registration roller 9, and the transfer roller 10 are arranged on the back side of the control board 1.

  The main motor 2 is a drive source that rotates various rollers and rollers in accordance with instructions from the control board 1.

  The paper feed tray 3 is a unit that stacks and stores the recording paper P, and is provided in a state in which it can be inserted into and removed from each paper feed stage (upper and lower stages) of the paper feed device. And two stages of the lower sheet feed tray 3B are stacked. In FIG. 1, A4 size recording paper P1 is loaded on the upper paper feed tray 3A, and A3 size recording paper P2 is loaded on the lower paper feed tray 3B. The holding unit corresponds to the paper feed stage.

  The end sensor 4 is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of the recording paper P in the paper feed tray 3. The end sensor 4 according to the present embodiment is a transmissive optical sensor, and detects the presence or absence of the recording paper P based on whether or not a filler that moves in conjunction with the recording paper P blocks the optical sensor. . The end sensor 4 is provided corresponding to each paper feed stage (each of a plurality of paper feed stages). The end sensor 4A is provided in the upper stage, and the end sensor 4B is provided in the lower stage, which are the same. The end sensor 4 corresponds to the recording sheet presence / absence detecting means.

  The size sensor 5 is a sensor that detects the size of the recording paper P stored in the paper feed tray 3. The size sensor 5 of the present embodiment is a transmissive optical sensor, and detects the size of the recording paper P based on whether or not the filler moving in conjunction with the recording paper P blocks the optical sensor. . The size sensor 5 is provided corresponding to each paper feed stage (each of a plurality of paper feed stages). The size sensor 5A is provided in the upper stage, and the size sensor 5B is provided in the lower stage, which are the same. The size sensor 5 corresponds to the size detection means.

  The sheet feeding clutch 6 is a clutch that transmits the driving force of the main motor 2 to the sheet feeding roller 7 when the sheet feeding roller 7 is rotated by the main motor 2 to convey the recording sheet P. The gear between the rollers 7 rotates in conjunction with the clutch. The paper feed clutch 6 is provided corresponding to each paper feed stage (each of a plurality of paper feed stages). The paper feed clutch 6A is provided in the upper stage, and the paper feed clutch 6B is provided in the lower stage, which are the same. The paper feed clutch 6 corresponds to the transmission means.

  The paper feed roller 7 is a roller for transporting the recording paper P, and is connected to the main motor 2 by a gear or the like. The sheet feeding roller 7 includes a sheet feeding roller 7A in the upper stage and a sheet feeding roller 7B in the lower stage.

  The registration sensor 8 is a sensor that synchronizes the transfer from a predetermined position of the recording paper P when the transfer roller 10 transfers the toner image to the recording paper P conveyed by the paper supply roller 7. The registration sensor 8 is provided on a common transport path through which the recording paper P fed from the paper feed tray 3 (3A, 3B) of each paper feed stage is transported. The registration sensor 8 of the present embodiment is a transmissive optical sensor, and detects the recording paper P depending on whether or not a filler that moves in conjunction with the recording P blocks the optical sensor. The registration sensor 8 corresponds to the recording paper detection means.

  The registration roller 9 is a roller for delivering the recording paper P conveyed from the paper supply roller 7 to the transfer roller 10 and is connected to the main motor 2 by a gear or the like.

  The transfer roller 10 is a roller for transferring the toner image visualized on the photosensitive drum to the recording paper P, and is connected to the main motor 2 by a gear or the like.

  The fixing roller 11 is a roller for fixing the toner image transferred by the transfer roller 10 by heat and pressure, and is connected to the main motor 2 by a gear or the like.

  The recording paper P is conveyed from the paper feed tray 3 in the order of the paper feed roller 7, the registration roller 9, the transfer roller 10, and the fixing roller 11, and is discharged onto a paper discharge tray (not shown).

  Here, the recording paper conveyance time will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the recording paper P2 conveyed from the lower paper feed tray 3B is fed by the conveyance distance from the paper feeding roller 7A to the registration sensor 8 of the recording paper P1 conveyed from the upper paper feeding tray 3A. The transport distance from the paper roller 7B to the registration sensor 8 is longer. Further, the conveyance speeds of the recording papers P1 and P2 are the same. Accordingly, when the recording paper P1 is conveyed from the upper paper feeding tray 3A, the recording paper from the lower paper feeding tray 3B is measured from the time until the registration sensor 8 detects the recording paper P1 after the paper feeding clutch 6A is activated. The time from when the paper feed clutch 6B is activated in the case of the P2 conveyance until the registration sensor 8 detects the recording paper P2 becomes longer.

  Furthermore, since the conveyance speeds of the recording papers P1 and P2 are the same, the time from the start of detection of the recording papers P1 and P2 by the registration sensor 8 to the end of detection differs depending on the paper size. For example, since the length of the A4 size recording paper in the horizontal direction is half of the length of the A3 size recording paper, the above time (the time from the start of detection of the recording paper P to the end of detection) is also halved.

  Next, the control board 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control board according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the control board 1 mainly includes a control unit 110, a memory 120, a timer unit 130, and an I / O (Input / Output) unit 140.

  The control unit 110 controls the entire sheet feeding device according to a control program stored in the memory 120, and further includes a monitoring unit 111 and a determination unit 112. Details of the monitoring unit 111 and the determination unit 112 will be described later.

  The memory 120 includes a control program for controlling the entire sheet feeding device, various necessary parameters, a work area area for overall control of the sheet feeding device, and the like. The memory 120 stores the measurement time 1 (first measurement time) from when the paper feed clutch 6 is activated (on timing) until the registration sensor 8 detects the recording paper P, and the recording paper P by the registration sensor 8. Measurement time 2 (second measurement time) that is the time from the start of detection to the end of detection is stored.

  In addition, the memory 120 is connected to the control ports A, B, C, D, E, and F provided in the control board 1 via harnesses 151, 152, and 153, which are determined by the determination unit 112 described later. Assignment (assignment to each control port) indicating which paper feed stage end sensor 4, paper feed clutch 6, and size sensor 5 the end sensor 4, paper feed clutch 6, and size sensor 5 correspond to. Remember.

  Furthermore, the memory 120 stores paper feed stage determination information 121. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of paper feed stage determination information. As shown in FIG. 3, the paper feed stage determination information 121 is classified according to measurement time 1 vertically and classified according to measurement time 2 horizontally. The end sensor 4, the paper feed clutch 6, and the size sensor 5 connected via the harnesses 151, 152, and 153 according to the measurement time 1 and the measurement time 2 are provided in any of the paper feed stages. It is determined which size of recording paper is stored in the paper feed tray 3 of the stage.

  Specifically, the measurement time 1 is classified into T1 and T2, and T1> T2. The conveyance speeds of the recording papers P1 and P2 are the same. As shown in FIG. 1, the distance from when the paper feeding clutch 6B is activated until the registration sensor 8 detects the recording paper P is longer than the paper feeding clutch 6A. Is longer than the distance from when the registration sensor 8 detects the recording paper P to the time when the registration sensor 8 detects the recording paper P until the registration sensor 8 detects the recording paper P. The time from when the image sensor is activated until the registration sensor 8 detects the recording paper P is T2. Accordingly, the paper feed stage determination information 121 associates T1 of the measurement time 1 with the lower stage including the paper feed tray 3B, the size sensor 5B, the end sensor 4B, and the paper feed clutch 6B. On the other hand, the paper feed stage determination information 121 associates T2 of the measurement time 1 with the upper stage including the paper feed tray 3A, the size sensor 5A, the end sensor 4A, and the paper feed clutch 6A.

  The measurement time 2 is classified into T3 and T4, and T3> T4. Here, it is assumed that recording paper of A4 size and A3 size is stored in the paper feeder. Since the time from the start of detection of the A3 size recording paper P by the registration sensor 8 to the end of detection is longer than the time from the start of detection of the A4 size recording paper P by the registration sensor 8 to the end of detection. T3 is detected when the recording paper P is detected, and T4 is detected when the recording paper P of A4 size is detected. Therefore, T3 of measurement time 2 and A3 size recording paper P are associated with each other, and T4 of measurement time 2 and A4 size recording paper P are associated with each other. Note that the memory 120 corresponds to a storage unit.

  The timer unit 130 includes a measurement time 1 (first measurement time) that is a time from when the paper feed clutch 6 is activated (on timing) until the registration sensor 8 detects the recording paper P, and the recording paper P by the registration sensor 8. Measurement time 2 (second measurement time), which is the time from the start of detection to the end of detection, is measured. The timer unit 130 corresponds to the measurement unit.

  In the I / O unit 140, the registration sensor 8 and the main motor 2 are connected via a harness.

  In the I / O unit 140, the end sensor 4A of the upper paper feed tray 3A is connected to either the control port A or the control port B, and the end sensor 4B of the lower paper feed tray 3B is connected to the control port. A or control port B is connected to the other (control port A or control port B to which end sensor 4A is not connected). And the harness 151 which connects the end sensor 4A and the end sensor 4B to the control port has substantially the same length.

  In the I / O unit 140, the size sensor 5A of the upper paper feed tray 3A is connected to either the control port C or the control port D, and the size sensor 5B of the lower paper feed tray 3B is connected to the control port. C or the other of the control ports D (the control port C or the control port D to which the size sensor 5A is not connected) is connected. The harness 152 that connects the size sensor 5A and the size sensor 5B to the control port has substantially the same length.

  In the I / O unit 140, the paper feed clutch 6A of the upper paper feed tray 3A is connected to either the control port E or the control port F, and the paper feed clutch 6B of the lower paper feed tray 3B is connected to the I / O unit 140. It is connected to the other of the control port E and the control port F (one of the control port E or the control port F to which the paper feed clutch 6A is not connected). The harnesses 153 that connect the sheet feeding clutch 6A and the sheet feeding clutch 6B to the control port have substantially the same length.

  Next, details of the monitoring unit 111 and the determination unit 112 will be described.

  The monitoring unit 111 monitors whether the detection state of the presence or absence of the recording paper P by the end sensor 4A and the end sensor 4B has changed. That is, the monitoring unit 111 monitors whether the detection state of the recording paper P has changed from the presence to absence or the detection state has changed from absence to presence by the end sensor 4A and the end sensor 4B.

  Based on the measurement time 1 measured by the timer unit 130, the determination unit 112 determines which of the paper feed clutch 6A and the paper feed clutch 6B connected to the control port E or the control port F of the control board 1 via the harness 153. It is discriminate | determined whether it is equipped with this paper feed stage.

  Specifically, when the sheet feeding clutch 6 </ b> A or the sheet feeding clutch 6 </ b> B is activated and the measurement time 1 is measured by the timer unit 130, the determination unit 112 uses the sheet feeding stage determination information 121 stored in the memory 120. It is determined that the activated sheet feeding clutch 6 (sheet feeding clutch 6A or sheet feeding clutch 6B) is provided in the sheet feeding stage corresponding to the measured measurement time 1. When the number of paper feed stages is two, when it is determined that one of the paper feed clutches 6 is provided in either the upper stage or the lower stage, the other paper feed clutch 6 has the one paper feed stage. It can be determined that a paper feed stage not provided with the paper clutch 6 is provided.

  Further, the determination unit 112 determines which of the size sensor 5A and the size sensor 5B connected to the control port C or the control port D of the control board 1 via the harness 152 based on the measurement time 2 measured by the timer unit 130. It is determined whether the paper feed tray is provided.

  Specifically, first, the size sensor 5A and the size sensor 5B detect the paper sizes of the recording papers P1 and P2 stored in the respective paper feed trays 3A and 3B. When the sheet feeding clutch 6A or the sheet feeding clutch 6B is activated and the recording sheet P is conveyed and detected by the registration sensor 8, the determination unit 112 uses the sheet feeding stage determination information 121 stored in the memory 120. Referring to FIG. 4, it is determined that the size sensor 5 that has detected the recording paper P having a size corresponding to the measured measurement time 2 is provided in the paper feed stage provided with the activated paper feed clutch 6.

  Further, the determination unit 112 feeds either the end sensor 4A or the end sensor 4B connected to the control port A or the control port B of the control board 1 via the harness 151 based on the monitoring result of the monitoring unit 111. Determine if the stage is equipped.

  Specifically, when the paper feeding clutch 6A or the paper feeding clutch 6B is activated and the recording paper P is conveyed, the monitoring unit 111 detects whether the recording paper P is detected by the end sensor 4A or the end sensor 4B. When a monitoring result indicating that there is a change from presence to absence is obtained, the determination unit 112 is provided with the paper feed clutch 6 in which the end sensor 4 in which the detection state of the recording paper P has changed from presence to absence is activated. It is determined that the paper feed stage is provided.

  Further, the determination unit 112 determines at least the paper feed clutch 6 and the size sensor 5 by one-time control, that is, control for conveying the recording paper P from one of the paper feed trays 3 and discharging it to the paper discharge tray. Alternatively, the paper feed clutch 6 and the end sensor 4 are discriminated. The determination unit 112 executes at least determination of the paper feed clutch 6 and the size sensor 5 or determination of the paper supply clutch 6 and the end sensor 4 when executing a specific inspection.

  Next, a flow of processing for determining which paper feed stage is provided with the size sensor 5, the end sensor 4 and the paper feed clutch 6 of each paper feed stage in the paper feeding device will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of determination processing in the sheet feeding device according to the embodiment. In FIG. 4, in a paper feeding apparatus having two paper feed trays, A4 size recording paper P is placed in the paper feed tray 3 of one paper feed stage, and A3 size is placed in the paper feed tray 3 of the other paper feed stage. Assuming that the recording paper P is set, the flow of determination processing when a print request is received in this state will be described.

  In such a state, in the sheet feeding device, the end sensors 4 (4A and 4B) of each sheet feeding stage store all the recording sheets stored in the sheet feeding tray 3 via the control port A and the control port B. “Yes” is detected. It cannot be distinguished whether the end sensor 4A and the end sensor 4B are provided in the upper stage or the lower stage.

  In the paper feeding device, the size sensor 5 (5A and 5B) of each paper feed stage is connected to the paper feed tray 3 via the control port C and the control port D, and the recording paper P of either A4 size or A3 size. Is detected to be stored. It cannot be distinguished whether the size sensor 5A and the size sensor 5B are provided in the upper stage or the lower stage.

  First, the control unit 110 activates (ON) the main motor 2 that is a drive source for rotating the paper feed rollers 7 of each paper feed stage (step S1).

  Next, the control unit 110 activates (ON) one of the sheet feeding clutches 6 via the control port E or the control port F at a fixed timing, and the driving force of the main motor 2 is set to one of the sheet feeding stages. At the same time as the recording paper P is conveyed to the paper feed roller 7 and conveyed, the timer unit 130 starts measuring the measurement time 1 (step S2).

  The monitoring unit 111 has any one of the detection states of the end sensors 4 of each paper feed stage via the control port A or the control port B after the recording paper P is conveyed in step S2. It is monitored whether or not there has been a change from No to (Step S3).

  When it is determined that the detection state of any end sensor 4 has changed from presence to absence (step S3: Yes), the control unit 110 is connected to the end sensor 4 whose detection state has changed from presence to absence. The control port (control port A or control port B) is stored in the memory 120 (step S4). On the other hand, if it is determined that the detection state of any end sensor 4 does not change from presence to absence (step S3: No), the process proceeds to step S5.

  The determination unit 112 determines whether or not the recording paper P conveyed in step S2 reaches the registration sensor 8 and the registration sensor 8 is activated (ON) (step S5). When it is determined that the registration sensor 8 is not activated (step S5: No), the determination unit 112 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (step S6). If the predetermined time has elapsed (step S6: Yes), it is determined that a jam error has occurred, and the process ends. On the other hand, when the fixed time has not elapsed (step S6: No), the process returns to step S5.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S5 that the registration sensor 8 is activated (step S5: Yes), that is, when detection of the recording paper P by the registration sensor 8 is started, the control unit 110 causes the timer 130 to In addition, the timer unit 130 stores the measurement time 1 in which the time from when the sheet feeding clutch 6 is activated in step S2 (on timing) to the detection start of the registration sensor 8 in step S5 is stored in the memory 120. Is started (step S7).

  Then, the control unit 110 determines whether or not the recording paper P has passed through the registration sensor 8 and the detection by the registration sensor 8 has been completed (OFF) (step S8). When it is determined that the detection by the registration sensor 8 has not ended (step S8: No), the determination unit 112 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (step S9). If the predetermined time has elapsed (step S9: Yes), it is determined that a jam error has occurred, and the process ends. On the other hand, when the fixed time has not elapsed (step S9: No), the process returns to step S8.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that the detection by the registration sensor 8 has been completed (step S8: Yes), the control unit 110 performs a step from the start of detection of the recording paper P of the registration sensor 8 in step S7 by the timer 130. The measurement time 2 obtained by measuring the time until the detection of the recording paper P of the registration sensor 8 in S8 is stored in the memory 120 (step S10).

  Next, the determination unit 112 analyzes the measurement time 1 and the measurement time 2 (step S11). That is, the determination unit 112 refers to the paper feed stage determination information 121 stored in the memory 120, and whether the measured measurement time 1 is the measurement time 1 (T 1 or T 2) of the paper feed stage determination information 121. In step S2, it is determined whether the sheet feeding clutch 6 that has been activated in a fixed manner is the upper sheet feeding clutch 6A or the lower sheet feeding clutch 6B.

  Then, the determination unit 112 refers to the paper feed stage determination information 121 stored in the memory 120 and determines whether the measured measurement time 2 is the measurement time 2 (T3 or T4) of the paper feed stage determination information 121. And whether the size sensor 5 of each paper feed stage detecting the A3-size or A4-size recording paper P is the upper size sensor 5A or the lower size sensor 5B.

  Further, the determination unit 112 determines whether the end sensor 4 connected to the control port A or the control port B stored in step S4 is the upper end sensor 4A or the lower end sensor 4B.

  That is, it is determined which paper feed stage is provided with the paper feed clutch 6, the size sensor 5, and the end sensor 4 based on the combination of the measured measurement time 1 and the measured time 2 and the control port stored in step S4.

  Here, an example is given and it demonstrates concretely. For example, it is assumed that the measurement time 1 measured by the timer unit 130 is “T1” and the measurement time 2 is “T3”. In this case, the determination unit 112 first refers to the paper feed stage determination information 121 to determine that the paper feed stage corresponding to T1 is the lower stage, and the sheet feeding clutch 6 that was activated in step S2 is the lower stage. It is determined that the sheet feeding clutch 6B. Then, it is determined that the sheet feeding clutch 6 that has not been activated is the upper sheet feeding clutch 6A.

  Next, the determination unit 112 refers to the paper feed stage determination information 121, determines that the size of the recording paper corresponding to T3 is A3 size, and the paper size sensor 5 that detects the A3 size is activated. It is determined that the paper size is the paper feed stage provided with the paper clutch 6, that is, the lower size sensor 5B. Then, it is determined that the size sensor 5 that detects the A4 size is the upper size sensor 5A.

  Then, the determination unit 112 determines that the end sensor 4 connected to the control port stored in step S4 is the paper feed stage provided with the activated paper feed clutch 6, that is, the lower end sensor 4B. Then, it is determined that the end sensor 4 connected to the unstored control port is the upper end sensor 4A.

  Then, according to the determination result in step S11, the control unit 110 includes the end sensor 4A, end connected to each control port (control ports A, B, C, D, E, F) via harnesses 151, 152, 153. Allocation (each control port) indicating which paper feed stage end sensor, size sensor, paper feed clutch 6B, size sensor 5A, size sensor 5B, paper feed clutch 6A, paper feed clutch 6B corresponds to. Allocation) is stored (step S12).

  As described above, in the paper feeding device according to the present embodiment, the measurement time 1 from when the paper feeding clutch 6 is activated until the registration sensor 8 detects the recording paper P and the detection of the recording paper P by the registration sensor 8 are started. Measurement time 2 until the end of detection is measured, and based on the measured measurement time 1 and measurement time 2, which paper feed stage is equipped with the size sensor 5, end sensor 4, and paper feed clutch 6 is determined. Determine. Therefore, even if the harness is connected to any paper feed stage size sensor, end sensor, and paper feed clutch, it is possible to easily determine which paper feed stage the harness is connected to, and prevent erroneous insertion of the harness. At the same time, the commonality of the parts can be maintained and the manufacturing cost of the parts can be reduced.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control board 2 Main motor 3 (3A, 3B) Paper feed tray 4 (4A, 4B) End sensor 5 (5A, 5B) Size sensor 6 (6A, 6B) Paper feed clutch 7 (7A, 7B) Paper feed roller 8 Registration sensor 9 Registration roller 10 Transfer roller 11 Fixing roller 110 Control unit 111 Monitoring unit 112 Determination unit 120 Memory 121 Paper feed stage determination information 130 Timer unit 140 I / O unit 151, 152, 153 Harness P (P1, P2) Recording paper

JP 2004-167151 A

Claims (9)

A plurality of holders capable of inserting and removing a paper feed tray for storing recording paper;
A recording paper detecting means provided on a common transport path for transporting recording paper fed from the paper feed tray of each of the plurality of holding units;
A plurality of transmission means provided corresponding to each of the plurality of holding units, and transmitting a driving force from the driving unit to the paper feed roller when feeding the recording paper by rotating the paper feed roller and feeding the recording paper;
Measuring means for measuring a first measurement time from when the transmitting means is activated until the recording paper detecting means detects the recording paper;
Based on the measured first measurement time, a determination unit that determines which holding unit includes the plurality of transmission units connected to the control port of the control board via a connection member;
A sheet feeding device comprising: A storage unit that stores determination information in which a time from when the transmission unit is activated until the recording sheet detection unit detects the recording sheet is associated with the holding unit;
2. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit refers to the determination information and determines that the activated transmission unit is provided in the holding unit corresponding to the measured first measurement time. The paper feeder described. A plurality of size detection means provided corresponding to each of the plurality of holding units and detecting the size of the recording paper stored in the paper feed tray;
The measuring means measures a second measurement time from the start of detection of the recording paper by the recording paper detection means to the end of detection;
The discriminating unit discriminates which holding unit includes the plurality of size detecting units connected to the control port via the connecting member based on the measured second measurement time. The sheet feeding device according to claim 2. The determination information further associates the time from the start of detection of the recording paper by the recording paper detection means to the end of detection with the size of the recording paper,
The determination unit refers to the determination information, and the size detection unit that detects the size of the recording paper corresponding to the measured second measurement time includes the holding unit including the activated transmission unit. The sheet feeding device according to claim 3, wherein the sheet feeding device is determined to have been. A plurality of recording paper presence / absence detecting means provided corresponding to each of the plurality of holding units and detecting the presence or absence of recording paper in the paper feed tray;
Monitoring means for monitoring whether or not the detection state of the presence or absence of recording paper by the plurality of recording paper presence or absence detection means has changed,
The discriminating unit discriminates which holding unit is provided with the plurality of recording paper presence / absence detecting units connected to the control port via the connection member based on a monitoring result of the monitoring unit. The sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein   When the monitoring unit obtains the monitoring result indicating that the detection state of the recording sheet has changed from the presence to absence by the monitoring unit, the detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of the recording sheet in which the detection state of the recording sheet has changed. 6. The sheet feeding device according to claim 5, wherein the sheet feeding device is determined to be included in the holding unit including the activated transmission unit.   7. The determination unit according to claim 6, wherein the determination unit performs at least determination of the transmission unit and the size detection unit or determination of the transmission unit and the recording paper presence detection unit by one control. Paper feeder.   The determination means executes at least determination of the transmission means and the size detection means or determination of the transmission means and the recording paper presence detection means when executing a specific inspection. The sheet feeding device according to 6 or 7.   The paper feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the recording paper detection unit is a registration sensor.

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