JPH05165272A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the time from supplying a recording paper till ejecting it from being wastefully prolonged and to improve working efficiency. CONSTITUTION:This recorder is provided with a voltage detecting means which detects voltage equivalent to the resistance value of a transfer member (transfer roller) 9 by impressing potential on the member 9 under constant-current control when the recording paper does not exist in a transfer part, and a constant voltage output means (high voltage driving circuit) 5 which outputs constant voltage at voltage obtained by adding constant voltage on voltage equivalent to the resistance value of the member 9 detected by the voltage detecting means when the recording paper exists at the transfer part, and it is constituted by providing a control means 1 which executes the constant-current control in timing other than the image forming action.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording device, and more particularly to a recording device utilizing an electrostatographic process.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in a printer which is a recording device, Japanese Patent Application No. 1-296289 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2-296289.
As shown in Japanese Patent No. 296726, after the printer which received the print command from the controller enters the recording operation, the constant current control is performed at the time of feeding the paper and the constant voltage control is performed at the time of image formation.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, it takes a considerable time to detect the voltage corresponding to the resistance value of the transfer member by the constant current control due to the variation in the size and material of the transfer member. There was a problem. Therefore, there is a problem in that it takes a long time from when the controller sends a print command to the printer to when the controller starts to send an image signal, and as a result, the time required until the recording paper is discharged becomes long. ..

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent wasteful extension of the time from paper feeding to ejection of recording paper, and to improve work efficiency. To do.

[0005]

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image carrier, the transfer means contacting the image carrier, and the contact portion where the image carrier contacts the transfer means. A transfer portion through which the recording paper passes, and a voltage for detecting a voltage corresponding to the resistance value of the transfer member by applying a voltage to the transfer member by constant current control when the recording paper does not exist in the transfer portion. A detection means, and a constant voltage output means for outputting a constant voltage at a voltage obtained by adding a constant voltage to a voltage corresponding to the resistance value of the transfer member detected by the voltage detection means when a recording sheet exists at the transfer portion, In the recording apparatus including the above, the constant current control is intended to solve the above problems and achieve the above object by a recording apparatus including a control unit that performs the constant current control at a timing other than the image forming operation.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the problem other than the above is solved by the recording apparatus according to the first aspect, in which the timing other than the image forming operation is the warm-up at the time of start-up of the apparatus. Is to achieve.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the timing other than the image forming operation is the recording apparatus according to the first aspect in which the apparatus is in the standby state, and the problem is solved and the object is achieved. Is what you are trying to do.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the timing other than the image forming operation is a period for turning off a process condition such as a high pressure after the image formation of the apparatus is turned off. Therefore, the above problems are solved and the above-mentioned object is achieved.

[0009]

In the recording apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the recording sheet does not exist at the transfer portion, a voltage is applied to the transfer member by constant current control, and the voltage detecting means applies a voltage corresponding to the resistance value of the transfer member. When a recording sheet is present at the transfer portion, the constant voltage output unit outputs a voltage obtained by adding a constant voltage to the voltage corresponding to the resistance value of the transfer member detected by the voltage detection unit. Further, the constant current control is performed by the control means at a timing other than the image forming operation.

A recording apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention,
In claim 1, the constant current control is performed at the timing during warming up at the start-up of the apparatus.

The recording apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention is
In claim 1, the constant current control is performed at the timing when the device is in the standby mode.

The recording apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention is
In claim 1, the process is performed during a period in which the process conditions such as high pressure after the image formation of the apparatus is turned off.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The first embodiment is characterized in that it is provided with a control means for performing constant current control (described later) at a timing other than the image forming operation. 1 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a timing diagram showing operation timing of the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a flow chart for controlling the operation of the first embodiment. (1), FIG. 4 is a flow chart (2) for controlling the operation of the first embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a flow chart (3) for controlling the continuous operation of FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a one-chip microcomputer (hereinafter CPU 1) having a ROM, a RAM for controlling a printer engine, an analog-digital converter (hereinafter referred to as an AD converter), and a digital-analog converter (hereinafter referred to as a DA converter). That is). 2 is the main motor drive signal MO output by the CPU 1
A motor drive circuit controlled by N (hereinafter referred to as MON signal), and the motor drives the photosensitive drum 6, a sheet conveying system (not shown), and the like.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a heater drive circuit controlled by a heater drive signal (hereinafter referred to as FON signal) output from the CPU 1, which controls the gate of the triac in the heater on / off circuit 12 to blink the heater. Reference numeral 4 denotes a thermistor sensor circuit for detecting the surface temperature of the fixing roller heated by the heater, which is input as a voltage to the AD converter terminal of the CPU 1. Reference numeral 5 is a high voltage drive circuit that outputs a high voltage necessary for the electrostatographic process. C
From the PU 1 to the high voltage drive circuit 5, a transfer high voltage drive signal TON (hereinafter referred to as TON signal) and other signals for driving high voltage are output.

The current during constant current control and the voltage during constant voltage control are input from the DA converter terminal of the CPU 1.
Whether the constant current control or the constant voltage control is performed when the transfer high voltage is output is determined by a transfer output control signal ATVC (hereinafter referred to as ATVC signal) input from the CPU 1. Further, the high voltage drive circuit 5 has a transfer high voltage detection circuit, which outputs a signal TOUT of the high transfer voltage monitor voltage (hereinafter referred to as TOUT signal) to the CPU 1. Reference numeral 7 is a primary high-pressure roller that supplies a primary high voltage that keeps the potential of the surface of the photosensitive drum 6 constant, and 8 is a high-pressure developing roller for depositing toner, which is a developer, on the photosensitive drum 6 latently imaged by the laser. The developing sleeve 9 is a transfer roller for transferring the developed toner on the photosensitive drum 6 to a sheet, and the transfer high voltage is supplied to the transfer roller.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a video controller of the printer, which develops the text sent from the host computer 11 into an image signal and sends the image signal to the CPU 1, and at the same time sends various commands to the CPU 1 via the communication device and the CPU 1
Controls the printer engine by receiving the status from.
If the printer engine is operable, the CPU 1 turns on a printer ready signal RDY (hereinafter referred to as RDY signal), and the controller 10 monitors this, and when the image data is prepared, a print signal PRNT (hereinafter referred to as PRNT) which is a print instruction to the CPU 1 is issued. Signal)).
Then, image data is sent to a laser drive circuit (not shown) on an image signal VDO (hereinafter referred to as VDO signal) line at a predetermined timing.

Next, the operation timing of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a timing chart in the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, immediately after the power is turned on,
The initial rotation of the main motor M is performed during a time T1 in order to improve the meshing between the gear installed coaxially with the photosensitive drum 6 and the transport system gear that supplies a rotational force to the gear. At this time, the transfer roller contacting the photosensitive drum 6 also rotates at the same time. During this period, constant current control of the transfer high voltage is performed to detect the voltage corresponding to the resistance value of the transfer roller. First, after a time T2 from the start of rotation of the main motor M, a TON signal is turned on for a time T3 to output a constant current of a transfer high voltage, and a digital value (CPU1 is set to RO
A signal TC (hereinafter referred to as a TC signal) obtained by analog-converting a constant stored in M by a DA converter is output.

At this time, the TOUT signal fed back from the transfer high voltage circuit 5 is output. The CPU 1 inputs this TOUT signal to the AD converter and digitally converts it, then calculates the resistance value of the transfer roller from this value and stores it. Also, at time T4, during time T5, C
The PU1 calculates the voltage of the transfer high voltage to be output based on the stored resistance value, and converts the digital value of the output voltage during constant voltage control into analog data by a DA converter.
V (hereinafter referred to as TV signal) is output.

Next, the constant current control of the transfer high voltage of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows C in the first embodiment.
6 is a flowchart (1) showing the control of the timing of performing constant current control of the transfer high voltage of PU1. In FIG. 3, when the power is turned on and the CPU 1 starts up, first, S001
The CPU 1 and the control program are initialized. S
In 002, the open / closed state of the printer door is checked, and if it is closed, it is determined in S003 whether it is in a failure state. If it is in a failure state, the failure process in S008 is performed. If it is not in the failure state, the S004 timer is started. In S005, the timer value is determined to determine whether it is the initial rotation timing of the motor M, and the process waits. In S006, the flag ATVCF is turned off in order to perform constant current control, and S0 is set.
At 07, the constant current control subroutine described in FIG. 4 is called.

Next, the constant current subroutine of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5
4 is a flowchart (2) showing the constant current control of the transfer high voltage of the CPU 1 of the first embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart (3) showing the continuation of FIG. 4 and 5, in S101, it is first determined whether the MON signal is on, that is, whether the main motor M is driven, and if not driven, nothing is processed and the process returns. If the main motor M is being driven, S1
At 02, it is judged by the ATVCF flag whether or not the constant current control has already been completed. This ATVCF flag is reset to zero when the MON signal is turned on by another control. If the ATVCF flag is on, the process returns, assuming that it is already completed. In S103, the value of the built-in timer of the CPU 1 is judged, and the time T2 elapses.
When time T2 elapses, the TON signal, ATV is sent in S104.
The C signal is turned on, and a constant current value TC signal is output in S105. In S106, the buffer TOUTD on the RAM for processing the voltage value of the TOUT signal fed back from the transfer high voltage circuit 5 (FIG. 1) is cleared to zero. In S108, wait for the time T2 + T2 'to elapse, and then TOUT digitally converted in S109 and S110
Value is added to the buffer TOUTD and the counter is incremented. In S111, it is determined whether the time T2 + T3 has elapsed, and if it has not elapsed, the processes of S109 and S110 are repeated. If time has passed, S112, S1
At 13, the TON signal and the ATVC signal are turned off.

In S114 (FIG. 5), the buffer TOUTD
The digital value of the TOUT signal added to is divided by TOUTC indicating the number of times of reading, the average value of the TOUT signal is obtained, and this is stored in TBASEV on the RAM. S
At 115, the elapsed time T2 + T3 + T4 is observed. S116
Then, the value of TBASEV is multiplied by a constant stored in the ROM to create a voltage value for constant voltage control. The TON signal is turned on in S117, and the value calculated in S116 is output from the DA converter in S118.

In step S119, the elapse of the time T2 + T3 + T4 + T4 'is waited for in order to complete the rise of the transfer high voltage. In S120, time T2 + T3 + T4 + T5
Is judged, and if it is, the processes of S125 and thereafter are executed. In S121, the TO when constant voltage control is being performed
The UT signal is read, and it is determined whether the voltage value output in S122 is the value as set or within the allowable range, and if it is set, the processes in and after S125 are performed.

If it is different from the set value, T is set in S123.
Correct the value of BASEV so that it is close to the set value.
The processing from S112 is repeated until the time has elapsed at 0.
The TON signal and the TV signal are turned off in S125 and S126, respectively, the ATVCF flag is turned on in S127, and it is stored that the constant current control is completed.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the operation timing of the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a flow chart for controlling the operation of the second embodiment. The second embodiment is characterized in that, in the first embodiment, the timing other than the image forming operation is the warming-up at the time of startup of the apparatus.

In the heat-fixing type printer which is the recording apparatus of the second embodiment, the fixing roller is rotated for a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as "pre-multi-rotation") during warm-up so that the heat of the heater is evenly transmitted to the fixing roller. Is. In FIG. 6, the CPU 1 (FIG. 1) reads the surface temperature signal TMPS (hereinafter referred to as TMPS signal) of the fixing roller, and when the fixing roller surface temperature reaches the pre-multi-rotation start temperature lower than the warm-up end temperature, the MON signal (FIG. 6) is turned on to start pre-rotation. At this timing, the constant current control of the transfer high voltage similar to the first embodiment,
Also, a constant voltage output for confirmation is performed, and TBASEV (FIG. 5) is stored.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the CPU 1 which controls this operation. In FIG. 6, the TMPS signal, which is the surface temperature data of the fixing roller, is determined in S201 and waits until the pre-multi-rotation start temperature is reached. In S202, the MON signal is turned on to rotate the motor. S2
In 03, the ATVCF flag is turned on, and in S204, a subroutine for performing constant current control is called. T in S205
Judge the MPS signal and wait until the ready temperature is reached. In S206, since the ready temperature is reached, the heater is turned off. In the pre-multi-rotation, the rotation time varies depending on the capacity of the heater, so the ATVCF flag is judged in S207 and the completion of the constant current control is waited for. S if completed
At 208, the MON signal is turned off. As described above,
Also in the second embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the operation timing of the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a flow chart for controlling the operation of the third embodiment. The third embodiment is characterized in that, in the first embodiment, the timing other than the image forming operation is that the apparatus is in the standby mode.

In FIG. 8, normally, the printer stops the rotation of the fixing roller when in the standby mode. However, if the standby state continues for a long time, the fixing roller may be deformed by heat.To prevent this, the fixing roller is rotated for a predetermined time after the lapse of a certain period of time in the standby state, and the fixing roller is added. Control is performed to change the portion that contacts the pressure roller. At this time as well, the main motor M is driven and the transfer roller rotates, so that at this timing, the constant current control of the transfer high voltage and the constant voltage output for confirmation are performed at the same time as in the first embodiment, and TBASEV
(FIG. 5) is stored. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the CPU 1 that performs this control. Since the print operation is completed, S
At 301, the MON signal is turned off to stop the motor. In S302, a timer is started to measure the standby time. In S303, it is determined whether the printer is ready and the controller 10 has not sent a print command. If the conditions are satisfied, the print operation starts. Otherwise, S304
In step S305, it is determined whether or not the standby time is longer than T7. If the time is longer than T7, the motor is rotated in step S305, and constant current control is performed in steps S306 and S307. Since the constant current control is completed in S308, the motor is stopped and the process returns to S302 to monitor the standby time again.

As described above, also in the third embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. Moreover, it is possible to obtain an effect that it is possible to cope with a change in the electrostatic photography process condition such as a change in the resistance value of the transfer roller after the power is turned on and a change in the output voltage of the high voltage circuit due to heat.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
And it demonstrates using FIG. FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the operation timing of the fourth embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 11 is a flow chart for controlling the operation of the fourth embodiment. The fourth embodiment is characterized in that, in the first embodiment, the timing other than the image forming operation is a period in which a process condition such as a high pressure after the image formation of this apparatus is turned off.

In FIG. 10, the printer engine must drive the main motor M for a predetermined time to eject the paper even after the transfer of the image data from the controller is completed. During this period, the primary high voltage is output to clean the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 6, but at the same time, constant current control of the transfer high voltage and constant voltage output for confirmation are performed to store TBASEV (FIG. 5).

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the CPU 1 which performs this control. In FIG. 11, during the printing operation in S401, the paper feed is completed and the synchronization signal VSYNC (hereinafter referred to as VSYNC) of the image data from the controller 10 in the sub-scanning direction.
Waiting for C signal). In S402, a print operation control timer is started, and after the print operation, the image formation completion time is waited in S403. In each of S404, the print ready state and the print command from the controller are determined, and if the conditions are satisfied, the print operation is repeated again. If not, the post-processing operation of the printing operation is performed in S405, and the time T8 is awaited. The constant current control is performed in S406 and S407, and the printing operation ends.

As described above, also in the fourth embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. Moreover, there is an effect that it is possible to cope with a change in the electrostatic photography process condition such as a change in the resistance value of the transfer roller after the power is turned on and a change in the output voltage of the high voltage circuit due to heat. Needless to say, better effects can be obtained by combining the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The transfer high voltage constant current control is performed at a timing other than the image forming operation, and the data at this time is used as the constant voltage control data during image formation.Therefore, it is not necessary to unnecessarily lengthen the time from paper feeding to paper ejection. It is possible to obtain the effect of preventing it and improving work efficiency.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electric circuit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing operation timing in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart (1) showing operation control in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart (2) showing the operation control in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart (3) for controlling the continuous operation of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing operation timing in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for controlling the operation in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing operation timing in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for controlling the operation in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the operation timing in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for controlling the operation in the fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 Motor Drive Circuit 3 Heater Drive Circuit 4 Thermistor Sensor Circuit 5 High Voltage Drive Circuit 6 Photosensitive Drum 7 Primary High Pressure Roller 8 Developing Sleeve 9 Transfer Roller 10 Video Controller 11 Host Computer In addition, the same reference numerals in the drawings indicate the same or corresponding parts. .

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Tatsuhito Tachibana 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Yuzo Kiyono 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Kya Non-corporation

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A transfer unit, comprising: an image carrier, a transfer unit that abuts on the image carrier, and a transfer site where a recording paper passes through a contact portion where the image carrier and the transfer unit contact. When there is no recording paper in the area, voltage detection means for applying a voltage to the transfer member by constant current control to detect a voltage corresponding to the resistance value of the transfer member; and when the recording paper exists in the transfer area, the voltage is detected. In a recording apparatus provided with a constant voltage output unit that outputs a constant voltage with a voltage obtained by adding a constant voltage to a voltage corresponding to the resistance value of the transfer member detected by the detection unit, the constant current control is other than the image forming operation. A recording apparatus comprising a control means for performing at the timing. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the timing other than the image forming operation is warming up at the start-up of the apparatus. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the timing other than the image forming operation means that the apparatus is in standby. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the timing other than the image forming operation is a period in which a process condition such as a high pressure after the image forming of the apparatus is turned off.