JP6427918B2 - Feeding device and image recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a feeding device and an image recording device.

  Conventionally, a feeding device that feeds a sheet supported by a feeding tray is known. This feeding device feeds a sheet by rotating a feeding roller in a state of being in contact with the sheet. In addition, there is known a recording apparatus that can select two modes of a paper feeding mode and a cleaning mode (for example, Patent Document 1). The paper feed mode is a mode for feeding the recording sheet during normal use, and the cleaning mode is a mode for cleaning the feed roller. In this recording apparatus, if the sheet is erroneously fed when the cleaning mode is executed, the CPU immediately stops the operation of the feeding roller when the presence of the recording sheet is detected based on the recording sheet sensor. Then, the CPU executes error processing for displaying an error to the user.

JP 2001-63185 A

  In the recording apparatus described above, there is a possibility that a problem occurs in the following cases. Specifically, this is a case where the paper on the feed tray cannot be fed normally, such as when the paper feed roller is contaminated with dirt that makes it difficult to feed the paper. In this case, when the cleaning mode is executed, the sheet may not reach the recording sheet detection sensor. For this reason, although the operation of the feeding roller is continued, an appropriate cleaning process cannot be performed on the feeding roller.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a feeding apparatus and an image recording apparatus capable of executing an appropriate cleaning process for the feeding roller. Is to provide.

  To achieve this object, the feeding device of the present invention is equipped with a feeding roller that can be equipped with a feeding roller that is rotated by an electric motor and a cleaning member that cleans the feeding roller by contacting the rotating feeding roller. A tray, and a control unit that controls rotation of the electric motor or feeding roller that is a control target, and the control unit rotates cleaning of the control target for cleaning the feeding roller, and rotation of the control target When the detection process for detecting the amount, the continuation process for continuing the cleaning rotation process, the cancellation process for stopping the cleaning rotation process, and the control amount based on the detected rotation amount satisfy a specific condition, the continuation process is executed. When the control amount does not satisfy the specific condition, a control switching process for switching the control of the control target so as to execute the stop process is executed.

  In the feeding device of the present invention, the specific condition is that the cleaning rotation process is performed with respect to the control amount in the first period from the end of the acceleration period to be controlled in the cleaning rotation process until the feed roller makes one rotation in the cleaning rotation process. In this case, it is preferable that the control amount increases at least after the feed roller makes one rotation.

  Furthermore, in the feeding device of the present invention, it is preferable that the specific condition is that the control amount in the sample period after the feed roller makes one rotation in the cleaning rotation process is increased with respect to the control amount in the first period. .

  Furthermore, in the feeding device of the present invention, the specific condition is that the controlled variable is preferably less than the upper limit value.

  In the feeding device of the present invention, when the detected rotation amount reaches the threshold value, the control unit executes a cleaning end process that ends the cleaning rotation process.

  In the feeding device according to the present invention, the control unit performs the cleaning end process when the control amount is maintained substantially constant over a predetermined period longer than the period in which the feeding roller rotates once.

  In the present invention, the feeding device further includes a display unit that displays various information, and the control unit further executes a guide information display process for outputting guide information indicating a cleaning end process to the display unit.

  In the present invention, the feeding device further includes a display unit that displays various types of information, and the control unit further executes a guide information display process for outputting guide information indicating a stop process to the display unit.

  According to the feeding device of the present invention, it is possible to perform an appropriate cleaning process on the feeding roller.

1 is an external perspective view showing an external configuration of a multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a main configuration of a printer unit 2. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing an external configuration of a cleaning member 80. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a main control unit 90. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a motor control unit 200. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an arrangement relationship between a feeding tray 12 and a feeding unit 20. FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram showing a change over time of an estimated current value I flowing through the transport motor 204. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a cleaning process for feeding rollers 21 and 26;

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment is merely an example of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the embodiment of the present invention can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. In the following description, the vertical direction 7 is defined on the basis of a state where the multifunction device 1 is installed so as to be usable (state in FIG. 1), and the side where the opening 11 is formed is the front side (front side). 8 is defined, and the left-right direction 9 is defined when the multifunction device 1 is viewed from the front side (front side).

<Overall configuration of MFP 1>
First, the overall configuration of the multifunction machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, a printer unit 2 (an example of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention) that records an image on a sheet P (see FIG. 2) by an inkjet recording method is disposed at the lower part of the multifunction machine 1. The multifunction device 1 has various functions such as a facsimile function and a print function. Feed trays 12 and 13 and a discharge tray 15 are disposed in an opening 11 formed in the front surface of the multifunction machine 1. An operation panel 4 is disposed at the upper front portion of the multifunction machine 1. The operation panel 4 includes various operation keys 5 and a liquid crystal display 6 (an example of a display unit of the present invention). The multifunction device 1 is controlled to operate in accordance with an instruction input by the user from the operation panel 4. The multifunction device 1 is connected to an external terminal such as a personal computer. The multi-function device 1 can execute various functions by a user operating an external terminal.

<Printer unit 2>
Next, an outline of the printer unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a main configuration when the printer unit 2 is viewed from the left-right direction 9.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer unit 2 includes feeding units 20 and 25, a conveyance roller unit 30, a recording unit 40, a platen 50, and a discharge roller unit 60. The paper P moves in the printer unit 2 along the conveyance directions 18 and 19 indicated by the one-dot chain line.

  The feeding units 20 and 25 pick up the paper P from the feeding trays 12 and 13 and feed the paper P toward the conveyance roller unit 30. The conveyance roller unit 30 conveys the paper P fed by the feeding units 20 and 25 toward the recording unit 40. The recording unit 40 records an image on the paper P conveyed by the conveyance roller unit 30. The platen 50 supports the paper P that is transported by the transport roller unit 30. The discharge roller unit 60 discharges the paper P on which the image is recorded by the recording unit 40 toward the discharge tray 15.

<Feeding trays 12, 13>
As shown in FIG. 2, two cork pieces 16 are arranged at the bottoms of the feed trays 12 and 13, respectively. Each cork piece 16 is disposed at a position facing feed rollers 21 and 26 described later. Each cork piece 16 has a feeding roller when empty feeding trays 12 and 13 are mounted on the multifunction machine 1 or when the paper P supported by the feeding trays 12 and 13 runs out. 21 and 26 are in contact with the surface. The cork piece 16 generates a frictional force between the roller surface of the feeding rollers 21 and 26 and the paper P that is larger than the frictional force generated between the roller surfaces of the feeding rollers 21 and 26 and the paper P. is there. Instead of the cork piece 16, an anti-slip member such as rubber or felt that performs the same function as the cork piece 16 may be used.

<Feeding unit 20, 25>
As shown in FIG. 2, feeding units 20 and 25 are arranged above the feeding trays 12 and 13. The feeding units 20 and 25 include feeding rollers 21 and 26, feeding arms 22 and 27, shafts 23 and 28, and drive transmission mechanisms 24 and 29. The feed rollers 21 and 26 are rotatably supported on the front end sides of the feed arms 22 and 27. The feeding arms 22 and 27 are rotatably supported by shafts 23 and 28 supported by the frame of the printer unit 2. The feeding arms 22 and 27 are urged to rotate toward the feeding trays 12 and 13 by their own weight or elastic force of a spring or the like. The feed rollers 21 and 26 are connected to drive transmission mechanisms 24 and 29 in which a plurality of gears mounted in the feed arms 22 and 27 are engaged. When the feed rollers 21 and 26 are rotated in contact with the paper P supported by the feed trays 12 and 13, the feed rollers 21 and 26 move the paper P in the transport directions 18 and 19, and the transport rollers Feed toward the section 30.

  An encoder disk 33 for detecting a rotation amount and a rotation speed of the roller is attached to a rotation shaft of a conveyance roller 31 described later. The encoder sensor 205 is attached at a position where the light beam can be emitted substantially perpendicular to the encoder disk 33. The encoder sensor 205 emits a continuous light beam such as a laser or infrared light and receives a light beam incident on an encoder disk having slits formed at predetermined intervals. The encoder sensor 205 outputs a pulsed voltage signal or current signal (hereinafter referred to as “pulse signal”) at the timing when the light beam is received. The pulse signal output from the encoder sensor 205 is input to the motor control unit 200 described later. Instead of the encoder disk 33 and the encoder sensor 205, an FG sensor (frequency generator) using a direct current tacho generator and a multipolar pattern coil may be applied.

<Conveyance roller unit 30>
As shown in FIG. 2, a transport roller unit 30 is disposed downstream of the feeding units 20 and 25 in the transport directions 18 and 19. The conveyance roller unit 30 includes a conveyance roller 31 and a pinch roller 32. The conveyance roller 31 is driven by a conveyance motor 204 described later. When the transport roller 31 rotates, the pinch roller 32 is rotated along with the rotation of the transport roller 31. The transport roller 31 and the pinch roller 32 sandwich the paper P and transport the paper P downstream in the transport directions 18 and 19.

<Recording unit 40>
As shown in FIG. 2, a recording unit 40 is disposed on the downstream side in the transport directions 18 and 19 from the transport roller unit 30. The recording unit 40 includes a carriage 41 and a recording head 42. The carriage 41 moves in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the transport directions 18 and 19, that is, in the left-right direction 9 (corresponding to the vertical direction in FIG. 2). The movement of the carriage 41 is realized by rotating a carriage motor (not shown). A recording head 42 is mounted on the carriage 41. Ink is supplied to the recording head 42 from the ink cartridge. The recording head 42 ejects ink as fine ink droplets.

  A switching unit (not shown) that switches a transmission destination of a driving force of a conveyance motor 204 described later is disposed on one end side in the movement range of the carriage 41 in the main scanning direction. The rotation operation of the feeding rollers 21 and 26 is realized by the switching unit switching the transmission destination of the driving force of the conveyance motor 204 to the driving transmission mechanism 24 or the driving transmission mechanism 29 as the carriage 41 moves in the main scanning direction. The As a result, the feed roller 21 or the feed roller 26 rotates together with the transport roller 31. That is, the first control unit 100 described later can acquire the rotation speeds of the feed rollers 21 and 26 and the rotation amounts of the feed rollers 21 and 26 from the pulse signal output from the encoder sensor 205.

<Platen 50>
As shown in FIG. 2, a platen 50 is disposed on the downstream side in the transport directions 18 and 19 with respect to the transport roller unit 30. The platen 50 is disposed to face the recording unit 40 in the vertical direction 7.

  In the process in which the carriage 41 moves in the left-right direction 9, the recording head 42 ejects ink toward the platen 50. The ink ejected by the recording head 42 lands on the paper P supported by the platen 50. With this ink, the recording unit 40 records an image on the paper P supported by the platen 50.

<Discharge roller section 60>
As shown in FIG. 2, a discharge roller unit 60 is disposed downstream of the recording unit 40 in the transport directions 18 and 19. The discharge roller unit 60 includes a discharge roller 61 and a spur 62. The discharge roller 61 is driven by a conveyance motor 204 described later. When the discharge roller 61 rotates, the spur 62 rotates with the rotation of the discharge roller 61. The discharge roller 61 and the spur 62 sandwich the paper P and transport the paper P downstream in the transport directions 18 and 19.

<Cleaning member 80>
The feeding capability of the feeding rollers 21 and 26 gradually decreases as the feeding of the paper P in the transport directions 18 and 19 is repeated. The main factor of the decrease in the feeding capability of the feeding rollers 21 and 26 is contamination that adheres to the surfaces of the feeding rollers 21 and 26 as the paper P is supplied. Examples of the dirt adhering to the surfaces of the feeding rollers 21 and 26 include silica-based and alumina-based ink receiving layer fine particles applied to the paper surface, paper dust, and the like. In order to remove dirt adhering to the surfaces of the feed rollers 21 and 26, a cleaning member 80 described later is used.

  A cleaning member 80 for cleaning the feeding rollers 21 and 26 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cleaning member 80 as viewed from the upper surface side. The cleaning member 80 is used by being attached to the bottom surfaces of the feed trays 12 and 13 in a state where the paper P is not accommodated. The cleaning member 80 is configured to be detachably attached to the feeding trays 12 and 13. Grooves 17 that are recessed downward are formed on the bottom surfaces of the feed trays 12 and 13. The cleaning member 80 is attached to the feed trays 12 and 13 through the groove 17. The cleaning member 80 is attached to a position where the groove portion 17 is formed on the bottom surface of the feed trays 12 and 13, but the attachment position can be arbitrarily determined as long as the feed rollers 21 and 26 can be cleaned. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning member 80 includes a frame 81 and a cleaning surface 82 supported by the frame 81. On the cleaning surface 82, the frictional force generated between the feeding rollers 21 and 26 is higher than the frictional force generated between the feeding rollers 21 and 26 and the paper P, and the feeding rollers 21 and 26 A material that is lower than the frictional force generated between the cork pieces 16 is attached. For example, a material having a hardness higher than that of the feed rollers 21 and 26 and a rough surface is attached to the cleaning surface 82. As a result, when the feed rollers 21 and 26 are brought into contact with the cleaning surface 82 and rotated, dirt attached to the feed rollers 21 and 26 can be removed by the cleaning surface 82. Further, instead of the above material, for example, an adhesive sheet may be attached to the cleaning surface 82 or an adhesive may be applied to the upper surface of the cleaning surface 82.

  On each side surface of the frame 81, a positioning portion 83 protruding downward is formed. The positioning portion 83 is formed in a shape that can be engaged with the groove portion 17 of the feeding trays 12 and 13. That is, the cleaning member 80 is attached to the feeding trays 12 and 13 by the positioning portions 83 engaging with the groove portions 17 of the feeding trays 12 and 13.

<Main control unit 90>
Next, the main controller 90 that controls the operation of the multifunction machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The main control unit 90 includes a first control unit 100 and a second control unit 105. The first control unit 100 is configured as a control board on which a microcomputer including a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, and an EEPROM 104 as main components is mounted.

  The CPU 101 controls the main components of the first control unit 100 and the second control unit 105 in an integrated manner. The ROM 102 stores a program for controlling various operations of the multifunction machine 1. On the other hand, the RAM 103 is used as a storage area or a work area for temporarily storing various data used when the CPU 101 executes the program. The EEPROM 104 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory.

  The second control unit 105 includes control devices such as a liquid crystal controller 106, a panel GA (gate array) 107, a timer 108, a conversion unit 109, and a motor control unit 200. And each control device of the 2nd control part 105 controls the object connected to the said each control device by the control command from the 1st control part 100. FIG.

  The liquid crystal controller 106 is connected to the liquid crystal display 6. The liquid crystal controller 106 controls the screen display of the liquid crystal display 6. The liquid crystal controller 106 causes the liquid crystal display 6 to display operation information or error information of the multi-function device 1 based on a command from the first control unit 100.

  The panel GA 107 functions as an interface for receiving inputs from various operation keys 5 such as a start button and a stop button provided on the operation panel 4 of the multifunction machine 1. Panel GA 107 detects the pressing of operation key 5 and outputs a predetermined code signal. A key code is assigned to each operation key 5. When the first control unit 100 receives a code signal indicating a predetermined key code output from the panel GA 107, the first control unit 100 performs control processing to be executed according to a predetermined key processing table. In accordance with the control process of the first control unit 100, each control device of the second control unit 105 executes each process. The key processing table is a table in which key codes and control processes are associated with each other, and is stored in the ROM 102, for example.

  The timer 108 counts the elapsed time from when the motor drive signal for driving the transport motor 204 is output from the first control unit 100 to the motor control unit 200 until the stop signal of the transport motor 204 is output. When the stop signal of the transport motor 204 is output from the first control unit 100 to the motor control unit 200, the timer 108 resets the count value of the elapsed time. Instead of the timer 108, the elapsed time may be counted by software using a timer program.

  The motor control unit 200 is connected to the motor drive circuit 203. The motor drive circuit 203 is connected to the transport motor 204. Further, the motor control unit 200 is connected to an encoder sensor 205. The motor control unit 200 generates a control signal for driving the transport motor 204 based on the command received from the first control unit 100 and the output signal from the encoder sensor 205, and outputs the control signal to the motor drive circuit 203. . Then, the motor drive circuit 203 generates a current from this control signal and outputs a current value according to the control signal to the transport motor 204.

<Motor control unit 200>
Hereinafter, the motor control unit 200 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the motor control unit 200 includes a comparison circuit 201, a PWM generation circuit 202, and a signal processing circuit 206. The motor control unit 200 is configured as a feedback control circuit that controls driving of the transport motor 204 based on an output signal from the encoder sensor 205. The comparison circuit 201 compares two input signals and outputs a deviation. The comparison circuit 201 is connected to the first control unit 100 and the signal processing circuit 206. The PWM generation circuit 202 is connected to the comparison circuit 201, the conversion unit 109, and the motor drive circuit 203.

  The signal processing circuit 206 is connected to the encoder sensor 205, the comparison circuit 201, and the first control unit 100. The signal processing circuit 206 executes the following processing from the pulse signal output from the encoder sensor 205 and outputs the following values. First, the signal processing circuit 206 counts the pulse edges of the pulse signal and outputs a signal indicating the count value. Based on the count value output from the signal processing circuit 206, the first control unit 100 detects the rotation amounts of the transport roller 31 and the feed rollers 21 and 26. Second, the signal processing circuit 206 measures the time between two pulse edges and outputs a signal indicating a velocity value. The first controller 100 detects the rotational speeds of the transport roller 31 and the feed rollers 21 and 26 based on the speed value output from the signal processing circuit 206. The signal processing circuit 206 outputs a signal indicating each output value to the comparison circuit 201 and the first control unit 100.

  Hereinafter, control of the conveyance motor 204 by the motor control unit 200 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the first control unit 100 outputs a motor drive signal indicating the set speed V <b> 0 to the comparison circuit 201. Further, the signal processing circuit 206 outputs a speed signal indicating a speed value to the comparison circuit 201. The comparison circuit 201 calculates a speed deviation ΔV between the motor drive signal and the speed signal. Further, the comparison circuit 201 outputs a deviation signal indicating the calculated speed deviation to the PWM generation circuit. In addition, although the structure which the 1st control part 100 outputs the signal which shows the setting speed V0 demonstrated, the motor control part 200 may have a means to produce | generate a setting speed. This means outputs a signal indicating the set speed V0 to the comparison circuit 201, and the first control unit 100 notifies the means to output the set speed.

  The PWM generation circuit 202 generates a PWM signal having a pulse width corresponding to a speed obtained by adding a speed deviation ΔV to the set speed V0. The PWM generation circuit 202 outputs the generated PWM signal to the motor drive circuit 203. The motor drive circuit 203 generates a current signal based on the PWM signal acquired from the PWM generation circuit 202. The motor drive circuit 203 outputs the generated current signal to the transport motor 204. As a result, the conveyance motor 204 is driven, and the feeding rollers 21 and 26 are rotated at a predetermined rotational speed. The PWM generation circuit 202 outputs the generated PWM signal to the conversion unit 109. The converter 109 converts the input PWM signal into a current signal corresponding to the pulse width of the PWM signal, and outputs the current signal to the first controller 100. The current signal represents an estimated current value I flowing through the transport motor 204.

  A conveyance motor 204 (see FIG. 6, an example of the electric motor of the present invention) which is a direct current motor is connected to the drive transmission mechanisms 24 and 29 via a switching unit. When the conveyance motor 204 is rotationally driven, the driving force is transmitted to the feed rollers 21 and 26 via the drive transmission mechanisms 24 and 29. As a result, the feed rollers 21 and 26 rotate. The feeding rollers 21 and 26 or the conveyance motor 204 is an example of a control target of the present invention.

  Next, the rotation behavior of the feed roller 21 when dirt is attached to the surface of the feed roller 21 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the empty feeding tray 12 and the feeding unit 20 when viewed from the left-right direction 9. FIG. 6B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an arrangement relationship between the feeding tray 12 in which the paper P is accommodated and the feeding unit 20 when viewed from the left-right direction 9. FIG. 6C is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the feeding tray 12 on which the cleaning member 80 is mounted and the feeding unit 20 when viewed from the left-right direction 9. Note that the feeding roller 26, the feeding tray 13, and the feeding unit 25 are the same as the feeding roller 21, the feeding tray 12, and the feeding unit 20, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, when the feeding tray 12 is empty, the roller surface of the feeding roller 21 is pressed against the cork piece 16. In this state, even if the rotation of the feeding roller 21 is executed by the transport motor 204, the feeding roller 21 remains stationary. This is due to a large frictional force generated between the surface of the feeding roller 21 and the cork piece 16. Furthermore, if the conveyance motor 204 is continuously driven in this state, the rotational load of the conveyance motor 204 increases, and the load current of the conveyance motor 204 increases due to feedback control described later.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the roller surface of the feed roller 21 is pressed against the paper P when the paper P is stored in the feed tray 12. In this state, when the feed roller 21 is rotated by the transport motor 204, the feed roller 21 idles on the paper P. This is because the frictional force generated between the surface of the feed roller 21 and the paper P is significantly reduced due to dirt adhering to the surface of the feed roller 21. As a result, the paper P is not supplied and remains stationary on the feeding tray 12.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, in a state where the cleaning member 80 is mounted on the feeding tray 12, the roller surface of the feeding roller 21 is pressed against the cleaning surface 82 of the cleaning member 80. In this state, when the conveyance motor 204 is rotationally controlled, the surface of the feeding roller 21 is wiped off by the cleaning surface 82 of the cleaning member 80. As a result, the feeding capability of the feeding roller 21 is recovered according to the rotation amount (number of rotations) of the feeding roller 21.

  Next, a change with time of the estimated current value I flowing in the carry motor 204 when the paper P on the feed tray 12 is supplied by rotating the feed roller 21 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a waveform diagram showing a change over time of the estimated current value I flowing through the carry motor 204, that is, I (t) when the rotation control of the feeding roller 21 is executed by the main control unit 90. In FIG. 7, the description will be given focusing on the feeding roller 21, but the same applies to the feeding roller 26.

  A current change (a) shown in FIG. 7 indicates a change with time of the estimated current value I flowing through the transport motor 204 when the feeding tray 12 is in an empty state. The vertical axis represents the estimated current value I, and the horizontal axis represents time t (the same applies hereinafter). When the paper P is not stored in the feed tray 12, the transport motor 204 is driven in a state where the roller surface of the feed roller 21 is in pressure contact with the cork piece 16. At this time, the feeding roller 21 cannot be rotated by the frictional force between the cork piece 16 and the roller surface. On the other hand, the estimated current value I of the conveyance motor 204 continues to increase by the feedback control by the motor control unit 200 and reaches the upper limit value Imax. The upper limit value Imax is a value that does not reach when the conveyance motor 204 is driven in a state in which the paper P is stored in a later-described feeding tray 12 and in a state in which the cleaning member 80 is mounted on the feeding tray 12. Indicates.

  A current change (b) shown in FIG. 7 indicates a change with time of the estimated current value I flowing through the carry motor 204 when the paper P is stored in the feeding tray 12. As is apparent from the waveform shown in the current change (b), the estimated current value I flowing through the conveyance motor 204 increases rapidly immediately after the start of rotation because a torque that overcomes the stationary torque of the motor is required. The estimated current value I decreases after a rapid increase, and converges to a constant current value I1 until a predetermined time ta elapses after the rotation control of the feeding roller 21 is executed (period Ta). The period Ta is an example of the acceleration period of the present invention. Since the feeding roller 21 continues to idle on the paper P, the estimated current value I flowing through the transport motor 204 during the period after time ta maintains the current value I1.

  The current change (c) shown in FIG. 7 indicates the change over time of the estimated current value I flowing through the carry motor 204 when the cleaning member 80 is mounted on the feeding tray 12. The estimated current value I flowing through the transport motor 204 maintains the value I1 in the period Tb from time ta to time t1. Time t1 is the time when the feeding roller 21 makes one rotation from the time t0 when the driving of the transport motor 204 is started. At this time, the rotational load of the feeding roller 21 increases in the period after time t1. This is because the dirt adhering to the surface of the feeding roller 21 is removed by the cleaning member 80 over the entire circumference of the feeding roller 21. That is, the estimated current value I flowing through the transport motor 204 in the period after time t1 increases rapidly. Thereafter, the estimated current value I flowing through the transport motor 204 converges to a constant current value I2 before a predetermined time t2 elapses (period Tc). The estimated current value I flowing through the transport motor 204 maintains the value I2 in a period Td from time t2 to time t3. Time t3 is a time when the feeding roller 21 further rotates once from time t1. At this time, the rotational load of the feeding roller 21 further increases in the period after time t3. This is because the dirt adhering to the surface of the feeding roller 21 is further removed by the cleaning member 80 over the entire circumference of the feeding roller 21. That is, the estimated current value I flowing through the transport motor 204 in the period after time t3 increases rapidly. Thereafter, the estimated current value I flowing through the transport motor 204 converges to a constant value I3 (period Te) until a predetermined time t4 elapses. Thereafter, the estimated current value I flowing through the conveyance motor 204 shows a similar waveform with the rotation period of the feeding roller 21.

  The times ta, t1, t2, t3, and t4 are parameters that are appropriately determined depending on the specifications of the components of the multifunction machine 1 and the cleaning member 80.

  Next, an example of the cleaning process of the feeding roller 21 executed by the multifunction machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, S1, S2,..., S12 indicate processing procedures, that is, step numbers. This cleaning process is performed when the operation panel is operated by the user and a cleaning command for the feed roller 21 is input to the main control unit 90. Thereafter, the main control unit 90 executes a process of outputting each command from the first control unit 100 to each control device included in the second control unit 105. And each control device with which the 2nd control part 105 is provided implement | achieves the cleaning process shown by the flowchart of FIG. 8 according to each instruction | command from the 1st control part 100. FIG. In FIG. 8, the description will be given focusing on the feeding roller 21, but the same applies to the feeding roller 26.

  When a cleaning command to the feed roller 21 is input to the main control unit 90 via the operation panel 4, the first control unit 100 executes a motor driving process that causes the motor control unit 200 to drive the transport motor 204 ( S1). At this time, the first control unit 100 starts the count of the timer 108 of the second control unit 105 and simultaneously outputs a motor drive signal indicating the set speed V0 to the motor control unit 200. When a motor drive signal is input, the motor control unit 200 outputs a current signal generated through the comparison circuit 201, the PWM generation circuit 202, and the motor drive circuit 203 to the transport motor 204. As a result, the driving force of the transport motor 204 is transmitted to the feed roller 21 via the drive transmission mechanism 24, and the feed roller 21 is rotated at a predetermined rotational speed.

  When the feeding roller 21 is rotated, the pulse signal output from the encoder sensor 205 is input to the signal processing circuit 206 of the motor control unit 200. The first control unit 100 detects the rotation amount of the feeding roller 21 based on the count value output from the signal processing circuit 206 (S2). The first control unit 100 can recognize the time corresponding to the rotation period of the feeding roller 21, for example, the time t1 and the time t3, based on the rotation amount. The motor control unit 200 outputs the PWM signal generated through the comparison circuit 201 and the PWM generation circuit 202 to the conversion unit 109. The conversion unit 109 executes processing for converting the PWM signal output from the signal processing circuit 206 into a current signal, and outputs the current signal to the first control unit 100. As a result, the first control unit 100 obtains the current signal converted from the PWM signal, that is, the estimated current value I flowing through the carry motor 204.

  The first control unit 100 varies the subsequent processing according to the magnitude of the estimated current value I in the period Ta (S3). When the estimated current value I is equal to or greater than the value Imax (S3: Yes), the first control unit 100 advances the process to S7 described later. The above case (S3: Yes) means that the feeding roller 21 is in pressure contact with the cork piece 16 arranged on the feeding tray 12 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the estimated current value I is less than the value Imax (S3: No), the first control unit 100 advances the process to S4.

  When the time t counted by the timer 108 after the transport motor 204 is driven exceeds the time ta, the first control unit 100 changes the subsequent processing (S4). When the time t indicated by the timer 108 has passed the time ta (S4: Yes), the first control unit 100 advances the process to S5. On the other hand, when the time t has not passed the time ta (S4: No), the first control unit 100 repeats the processes of S3 and S4 until the time ta passes.

  The first control unit 100 changes the subsequent processing when the time t after the transport motor 204 is driven exceeds the time ts (S5). As shown in FIG. 7, the time ts is a time elapsed by a period Ts from the time t2. The estimated current value I flowing through the transport motor 204 may vary around the ideal value depending on the specifications of the components of the multifunction machine 1 and the cleaning member 80. The period Ts is the fluctuation period of the estimated current value I so that the average value of the estimated current value I in the period Ts acquired by the first control unit 100 approximates the average value of the estimated current value I in the period Td, that is, the value I2. Is the shortest sample period set based on. The time ts and the period Ts are appropriately determined based on the specifications of the components of the multifunction machine 1 and the cleaning member 80, experimental data of the estimated current value I obtained when the cleaning process is executed in advance as an experiment, and the like. When the time t has passed the time ts (S5: Yes), the first control unit 100 advances the process to S6. On the other hand, when the time t has not passed the time ts (S5: No), the first control unit 100 waits until the time t has passed the time ts.

  The first control unit 100 changes the subsequent processing according to the result of comparing the estimated current value I (Ts) and the estimated current value I (Tb) (S6). The estimated current value I (Ts) is an estimated current value flowing through the transport motor 204 acquired by the first control unit 100 during the period Ts. The estimated current value I (Tb) is an estimated current value that flows through the transport motor 204 acquired by the first control unit 100 during the period Tb. When the estimated current value I (Ts) increases with respect to the estimated current value I (Tb) (S6: Yes), the first control unit 100 causes the motor control unit 200 to continue driving the transport motor 204 and performs processing. It progresses to below-mentioned S9. In the above case (S6: Yes), it is confirmed that the roller surface of the feeding roller 21 is in pressure contact with the cleaning surface 82 of the cleaning member 80 mounted on the feeding tray 12, as shown in FIG. means. On the other hand, when the estimated current value I (Ts) does not increase with respect to the estimated current value I (Tb) (S6: No), the first control unit 100 advances the process to S7. The above case (S6: No) means that the roller surface of the feed roller 21 is pressed against the paper P accommodated in the feed tray as shown in FIG. 6B. Note that the estimated current value used for the determination (S6) may be a value at a certain time in each period. However, the estimated current value I may vary around the ideal value depending on the specifications of the components of the multifunction machine 1 and the cleaning member 80 as described above. Therefore, it is more preferable to use an average value during each period as the estimated current value used in the determination (S6).

  In S7, the first control unit 100 causes the motor control unit 200 to execute a motor stop process for stopping the transport motor 204 (S7). As described above, the first control unit 100 executes the process of S7 when the estimated current value I is greater than or equal to the value Imax (S3: Yes) and when the estimated current value I (Ts) is the estimated current value I. This is a case where there is no increase with respect to (Tb). Then, the first control unit 100 causes the liquid crystal controller 106 to execute a display process of outputting “cleaning member not mounted” guidance information to the liquid crystal display 6 (S8), and ends the series of processes.

  In S9, the first controller 100 changes the subsequent processing when the estimated current value I is constant over a predetermined period longer than the period in which the feeding roller 21 rotates once (S9). At this time, the first control unit 100 outputs the reference count value stored in advance in the ROM 102 output from the signal processing circuit 206 while the feeding roller 21 makes one rotation, and the signal processing circuit 206 actually outputs the reference count value. The measured count value is compared. That is, the first control unit 100 determines that the measured count value is longer than the period in which the feeding roller 21 rotates once when the measured count value is larger than the reference count value. When the estimated current value I is constant over a predetermined period longer than the period in which the feed roller 21 rotates once (S9: Yes), the first control unit 100 advances the process to S11 described later. The above case (S9: Yes) means that the dirt adhering to the roller surface of the feeding roller 21 has been sufficiently removed by the cleaning member 80. On the other hand, when the estimated current value I is not constant over a predetermined period longer than the period in which the feed roller 21 rotates once (S9: Yes), the first control unit 100 advances the process to S10.

  In S10, the first control unit 100 changes the subsequent processing when the rotation amount of the feeding roller 21 detected via the signal processing circuit 206 reaches a predetermined threshold (S10). The threshold value is a rotation amount of the feed roller 21 sufficient to restore the feeding capability of the feed roller 21 and is appropriately determined based on the specifications of the components of the multifunction machine 1 and the cleaning member 80. When the rotation amount of the feed roller 21 reaches the threshold (S10: Yes), the first control unit 100 advances the process to S11. On the other hand, when the rotation amount of the feeding roller 21 has not reached the threshold value (S10: No), the first control unit 100 repeats the process of S9.

  In S11, the first control unit 100 causes the motor control unit 200 to execute a motor stop process for stopping the transport motor 204 (S11). Thereafter, the first control unit 100 causes the liquid crystal controller 106 to execute a display process of outputting “cleaning complete” guidance information to the liquid crystal display 6 (S12), and ends the series of processes.

  The liquid crystal display 6, the feeding trays 12 and 13, the feeding rollers 21 and 26, the main controller 90, and the main elements constituting the feeding device of the multifunction machine 1, and the constituent elements of the feeding device of the present invention. Corresponds to a part of.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the main control unit 90 can execute an appropriate cleaning process on the feeding rollers 21 and 26.

  In the present embodiment, the main controller 90 determines that the estimated current value I (Ts) in the sample period Ts after one rotation of the feeding rollers 21 and 26 is a period Tb before the feeding rollers 21 and 26 rotate once. Is increased with respect to the estimated current value I (Tb), the drive of the carry motor 204 is continued. On the other hand, the main controller 90 determines that the estimated current value I (Ts) in the sample period Ts after one rotation of the feeding rollers 21 and 26 is the estimated current in the period Tb before the feeding rollers 21 and 26 rotate once. When it does not increase with respect to the value I (Tb), the driving of the transport motor 204 is stopped. That is, the first control unit 100 determines whether to continue or stop the driving of the transport motor 204 when the rotation amount of the feeding rollers 21 and 26 is smaller after the cleaning process is started. Processing can be different. Thereby, damage of the paper P accompanying feeding of the paper P can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the main control unit 90 stops the carry motor 204 when the estimated current value I reaches a predetermined upper limit value Imax. As a result, the main control unit 90 causes a failure of the feeding device due to the input of a larger control signal (current signal) than expected to the conveyance motor 204, for example, the gears related to the rotation of the feeding rollers 21 and 26. Damage or the like can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the main control unit 90 stops the carry motor 204 when the detected rotation amounts of the feed rollers 21 and 26 reach a predetermined threshold value. That is, the main control unit 90 ends the cleaning process when the rotation amount of the feed rollers 21 and 26 exceeds the rotation amount sufficient to restore the feed capability of the feed rollers 21 and 26. As a result, the main control unit 90 can reliably recover the feeding capability of the feeding rollers 21 and 26 and can prevent unnecessary rotation of the feeding rollers 21 and 26.

  In the present embodiment, the main controller 90 stops the carry motor 204 when the estimated current value I is maintained substantially constant over a predetermined period longer than the period in which the feed rollers 21 and 26 rotate once. That is, the main control unit 90 ends the cleaning process of the feeding rollers 21 and 26 at a time when the dirt on the feeding rollers 21 and 26 can be sufficiently removed. Thereby, an appropriate cleaning process can be executed according to the degree of contamination of the main controller 90 and the feeding rollers 21 and 26.

  In the present embodiment, the main controller 90 outputs guidance information such as “cleaning member not mounted”, “cleaning completed”, and the like to the liquid crystal display 6. This improves the convenience for the user.

  The printer unit 2 includes two feeding rollers 21 and 26. When there are a plurality of feed rollers to be cleaned as described above, when the user attaches the cleaning member 80 to the designated feed tray according to the notification from the printer unit 2, for example, the guide information displayed on the liquid crystal display 6. In addition, there is a possibility that the cleaning member 80 is mounted on a feed tray corresponding to a feed roller that is not a cleaning target.

  In the present embodiment, the main control unit 90 displays guidance information such as “no cleaning member mounted” on the liquid crystal display 6 when the cleaning member 80 is not mounted on the feed tray corresponding to the feed roller to be cleaned. Output. Thereby, even if the cleaning member 80 is mounted on the wrong tray due to an erroneous operation by the user, the first control unit 100 can notify the user of the erroneous mounting of the cleaning member 80.

<Modification>
In the present embodiment, the main control unit 90 changes the subsequent processing depending on whether or not the estimated current value I (Ts) in the period Ts has increased with respect to the estimated current value I (Tb) in the period Tb in S6. Let However, the main control unit 90 may change the subsequent processing depending on whether or not the estimated current value I in the period after the period Tb has increased with respect to the estimated current value I (Tb) in the period Tb.

  In the present embodiment, the first control unit 100 acquires the estimated current value I flowing through the carry motor 204 based on the PWM signal input from the PWM generation circuit 202. Instead of the estimated current value I, the first control unit 100 may acquire, for example, the PWM signal itself generated by the PWM generation circuit 202. In this case, the conversion unit 109 for converting the PWM signal into a current signal can be omitted. Further, the first control unit 100 may acquire a current signal given from the motor drive circuit 203 in order to drive the transport motor 204.

  In the present embodiment, the main control unit 90 changes the subsequent processing according to the magnitude of the estimated current value I in the period Ta in S3. However, the main control unit 90 may change the subsequent processing when the estimated current value I in the period Ta is equal to or greater than the value Imax over a predetermined period, for example, the same period as the sample period Ts. .

  In the present embodiment, the main control unit 90 changes the subsequent processing when the estimated current value I is constant over a predetermined period longer than the period in which the feeding roller 21 rotates once in S9. However, from the viewpoint of user convenience, the predetermined period is preferably a shorter period. The predetermined period may be, for example, a period in which the feeding rollers 21 and 26 rotate twice, or a period obtained by adding a period comparable to the sample period Ts to a period in which the feeding rollers 21 and 26 rotate once. It may be.

  In the present embodiment, the inkjet type multifunction peripheral 1 that performs recording by discharging a liquid has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the inkjet type multifunction peripheral 1, and feeding that feeds a feeding medium such as paper P or the like. Any device provided with a device is applicable. For example, laser-type and thermal transfer-type printers, scanners, and the like can be given. Further, the above-described medium to be fed is not limited to the paper P, and may be any medium that can be fed.

  In the present embodiment, the encoder disk 33 is attached to the transport roller 31. However, the encoder disk 33 only needs to be attached at a position where the first control unit 100 can detect the rotation amount and the rotation speed of the feed rollers 21 and 26. For example, the encoder disk 33 may be attached to a gear included in the drive transmission mechanisms 24 and 29 or the feeding rollers 21 and 26.

  In the present embodiment, rotation of the feeding rollers 21 and 26 is realized by transmitting the driving force of the conveyance motor 204 to the feeding rollers 21 and 26. However, the feeding rollers 21 and 26 may be rotated by a known motor. For example, the feeding rollers 21 and 26 may be rotated by a feeding motor that is a dedicated motor for rotating the feeding rollers 21 and 26.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multifunction machine 2 Printer part 6 Liquid crystal display 12, 13 Feed tray 16 Cork piece 20, 25 Feed part 21, 26 Feed roller 80 Cleaning member 82 Cleaning surface 90 Main control part 100 1st control part 101 CPU
102 ROM
105 Second Control Unit 200 Motor Control Unit 201 Comparison Circuit 202 PWM Generation Circuit 203 Motor Drive Circuit 204 Conveyance Motor 205 Encoder Sensor P Paper

Claims (9)

A feeding roller rotated by an electric motor;
A feeding tray on which a cleaning member that cleans the feeding roller by contacting the rotating feeding roller can be attached;
A control unit that controls rotation of the electric motor or the feeding roller that is a control target,
The controller is
A cleaning rotation process for rotating the control object for cleaning the feeding roller;
A detection process for detecting the rotation amount of the control object;
A continuation process for continuing the cleaning rotation process;
Stop processing for stopping the cleaning rotation processing;
If the estimated current value that flows through the motor to control the motor and the estimated current value estimated based on the detected amount of rotation satisfies a specific condition, the continuation process is executed, and the estimation When the current value does not satisfy the specific condition, a control switching process for switching the control target control so as to execute the stop process, and
The specific condition is that the cleaning rotation process is performed with respect to the estimated current value in a first period from the end of the acceleration period of the control target in the cleaning rotation process to the rotation of the feeding roller in the cleaning rotation process. In the feeding device, the estimated current value increases at least in a period after the feeding roller makes one rotation.   The specific condition is that, with respect to the estimated current value in the first period, the estimated current value in a sample period after the feeding roller makes one rotation in the cleaning rotation process is increased. The feeding device according to claim 1.   The feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the specific condition is that the estimated current value is less than an upper limit value.   4. The supply according to claim 1, wherein when the detected rotation amount reaches a threshold value, the control unit executes a cleaning end process for ending the cleaning rotation process. 5. Feeding device.   The said control part performs the said cleaning completion process, when the said estimated electric current value is maintained substantially constant over the predetermined period longer than the period when the said feed roller rotates once. The feeding device described in 1. A feeding roller rotated by an electric motor;
A cleaning member that cleans the feed roller by contacting the rotating feed roller;
A feeding tray on which a medium to be fed can be placed;
A control unit that controls rotation of the electric motor or the feeding roller that is a control target,
The controller is
A cleaning rotation process for rotating the control object for cleaning the feeding roller;
Detecting the amount of rotation of the controlled object,
A estimated value of current flowing through the electric motor to control the motor, estimated current value that will be estimated based on the detected amount of rotation is longer than the period in which the feed roller rotates one predetermined The feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning rotation process is terminated when the cleaning rotation process is maintained substantially constant over a period of time. It further includes a display unit for displaying various information,
When the detected rotation amount reaches a threshold, the control unit performs a cleaning end process for ending the cleaning rotation process, and a guide information display process for outputting guide information indicating the cleaning end process to the display unit. The feeding device according to claim 5 or 6, further executing. It further includes a display unit for displaying various information,
The control unit further executes a cancellation process for canceling the cleaning rotation process and a guide information display process for outputting guidance information indicating the cancellation process to the display unit. The feeding device according to any one of the above. A feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An image recording apparatus comprising: a recording unit that records an image on a medium to be fed fed by the feeding apparatus.

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