JPH053700A - Electrophotographic system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an electrophotographic system which can set, modify and manage slow-up curve data easily by constituting a step motor control section so that a step motor can be rotary driven based on an input slow-up curve data. CONSTITUTION:Upon receiving slow-up curve data, read out through a counter 9, from data read-in input control means 11, 12, a step motor control section 20 feeds back a signal BUSY and delivers an exciting signal for a step motor 40 to a driver. Upon count up of time, the step motor control section 20 pulls the signal BUSY Low. The data read-out input control means 11, 12 read out next time count from the counter 9 and upon receiving a final time count, deliver phase switching signals A-D to a driver 30 at a predetermined time cycle thus rotating the step motor 40 at a constant speed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic apparatus having a counter for managing the life of an image carrier.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 shows a schematic structure of an electrophotographic apparatus widely used as a laser printer, a laser fax, or the like. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 designates an image carrier 2, which is an image carrier unit and is composed of a drum-shaped photosensitive member forming a process means, a waste toner box 3, a developing device 4 and the like, which are integrally assembled in a case 5. The image carrier unit 1 includes a cover 7
By opening the, it can be attached to and detached from the main body 6 in the direction of the arrow Y. Therefore, when the sheet is conveyed from the right side to the left side in the mounted state shown by the solid line in FIG. You can take an electronic photo on it.

This sheet conveying means is formed to include a conveying roller 41, a stepping motor, a stepping motor control section, a slow-up curve data storage means and the like.
Further, the stepping motor is often formed as a main motor that also serves as a rotation driving means for the image carrier 2 and the fixing device 8. On the other hand, the slow-up curve data storage means is generally constituted by the ROM of the control device for the entire device including the CPU, ROM, RAM and the like. Therefore, by performing the slow-up rotation drive, the capacity of the stepping motor or the like can be reduced and the paper can be conveyed quickly and quantitatively.

From the viewpoint of ensuring clear photographs, the life of the image carrier 2 is generally regulated by the number of times it is used, for example, the number of sheets of photographic paper. In this connection
The capacity of the waste toner box 3 is selected so that it becomes full when the life of the image carrier 2 is reached. For this reason, the image carrier 2, the waste toner box 3 and the like are integrated in the case 5.

Therefore, in order to control the replacement time of the image carrier unit 1, a counter 9 for counting the number of photographic (printing) sheets is arranged on the main body 6 side or in the image carrier unit 1. Here, the counter 9 is formed of a non-volatile memory and surely stores the cumulative number of times of use regardless of power loss or the like.

By the way, in such an electrophotographic apparatus, even if the basic structure is the same, it is different for each model due to the sheet conveying speed, the size of the sheet to be applied, the outer diameter of the image carrier, the material of the image carrier, the purpose of use, etc. In many cases, mechanical characteristics such as the peripheral speed, starting torque, and inertia of the transport roller and the image bearing member are delicate and sometimes largely different independently or in combination. However, it is not possible to change the electrical components such as the stepping motor and the stepping motor controller to the corresponding ones each time. This is because the financial and adjustment work burden is too large.

Thus, conventionally, the slow-up curve data of the stepping motor is correspondingly changed by software to change the mechanical characteristics. That is,
A ROM storing different slow-up curve data is selected for each model and incorporated in the control device.

[0008]

However, at the present time when further diversification and cost reduction are strongly demanded, the following problems have been pointed out. In terms of production, as the number of models has increased rapidly due to diversification, slow-up curve data management for each device is not only a hassle, but also high cost for small lot production, that is, high device production cost. ing. Further, if there is a request to change the mechanical characteristics after the completion of the work, the work of removing and replacing the ROM is required, which is troublesome and a connection mistake or the like is likely to occur.

On the other hand, from the viewpoint of use, since the change of the slow-up curve data is related to technical and professional matters, it is necessary for the user to change the slow-up curve data in accordance with, for example, replacement of the transport roller 41. Is practically impossible. Therefore, not only the desired operation of the device cannot be performed, but also the device may be suspended.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic apparatus which is easy to set / change / manage slow-up curve data, is low in cost, and is easy to handle.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a life management counter for an image carrier is composed of a non-volatile memory and is replaced for each life, and the replacement work of the image carrier including the counter is relatively easy. Focusing on the facility, technical and handling characteristics of the electrophotographic device, such as the simplicity, the high cost due to the increase in the number of models can be covered by the cost reduction due to mass production, etc. The above object is achieved by writing data and reading the slow-up curve data while rotating the stepping motor.

That is, the present invention is a sheet conveying means including a stepping motor and a stepping motor controller,
In an electrophotographic apparatus provided with a counter composed of a non-volatile memory for counting the number of times the image carrier is used and managing its life, data storage for writing slow-up curve data of the stepping motor in the non-volatile memory. An area is provided, and data reading input control means for reading slow-up curve data from the data storage area and inputting the data to the stepping motor control unit when the stepping motor is activated is provided on the apparatus main body side, and the stepping motor control unit is provided. The stepping motor can be rotationally driven based on the input slow-up curve data.

[0013]

According to the present invention, the slow-up curve data most suitable for the apparatus is written and placed in the data storage area of the counter composed of the non-volatile memory, for example, incorporated into the image carrier unit side and simultaneously mounted in the apparatus main body. To do.

Then, the data read input control means inputs the slow-up curve data read from the data storage area of the counter to the stepping motor control section at the time of starting. Here, the stepping motor control unit drives the stepping motor in slow-up rotation based on the slow-up curve data input in this way.

Therefore, it is not necessary to select a ROM or the like storing the slow-up curve data for each device while incorporating it in the control device in the main body, and if the counter is incorporated in the main body of the device, the slow-up curve data most suitable for the relevant model can be obtained. Can be set automatically, so you can set slow-up curve data
Easy to change and manage and reduce production cost.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this electrophotographic apparatus, the apparatus main body is the same as the conventional example shown in FIG. 6, the data storage area is provided in the counter 9 as shown in FIG. 1, and the data reading input control means (11, 11, 12) is provided and the stepping motor 40 is rotationally driven based on the slow-up curve data written in advance in the data storage area.

In FIG. 1, 10 is a control device, which is a CPU
11, ROM 12, RAM 13, interface 1
4 and 15 are formed to drive and control the entire apparatus. Two
Reference numeral 0 denotes a stepping motor control unit that drives the stepping motor 40 to rotate via the driver 30. Further, 9 is a counter composed of a non-volatile memory. Control device 10
Is incorporated in the device body.

The counter 9 may be mounted in the main body of the apparatus or may be incorporated in the main body of the apparatus together with the image carrier unit 1 forming a part of the engine so as to be detachable. In this embodiment, it is incorporated in the image carrier unit 1.

First, the counter 9 has the EEP- shown in FIG.
It is formed from a ROM and stores and holds the number of times the image carrier 2 is used and has a data storage area. This data storage area is formed with a specific address. That is, the six terminals of the counter 9 are the interface 15
In addition to the power supply terminal P5, the ground terminal, the terminal DRCS1, the terminal DRSCK1, the terminal DRDI1, and the terminal DRDO1 are joined and connected to the control device 10 in the device body.

On the other hand, the data read input control means is a means for reading the slow-up curve data from the data storage area in the counter 9 when the stepping motor 40 is started and inputting it to the stepping motor control section 20. It is incorporated in the main body side, and in this embodiment, it comprises a CPU 11 and a ROM 12 of the control device 10.

This data read input control means (11, 1
2) and the data storage area of the counter 9, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 1, the data read input control means (11,
The read address designation signal Di from 12) is input to the counter 9 to read the slow-up curve data signal Do.
Both signals Di and Do are serial signals.

Of the slow-up curve data stored in the data storage area of the counter 9, the final slow-up curve data written to the final read address has a bit to that effect. It is decided that the slow-up ends with and the speed will be constant after that.

On the other hand, the data read input control means (11, 1
2) and the stepping motor control section 20, the data reading input control means (1
1, 12) read the slow-up curve data (specifically, the time count value) read from the counter 9 as a parallel data signal TMDT.
To enter.

Then, the stepping motor controller 20
Outputs the signal BUSY as a feedback output (H level) and outputs a signal to the driver to excite the excitation phase (for example, A or B) of the stepping motor 40. This excitation time is a time count value.

Therefore, the stepping motor controller 2
When the time counts up, 0 sets the signal BUSY to L
The level is set according to the data read input control means (1
1, 12) from the counter (data storage area) 9
Read the next time count value (slow-up curve data).

Here, the signal END designates a slow-up rotation region at H level and a constant speed rotation region at L level. Therefore, after the final time count value is input, the stepping motor control unit 20 outputs the phase switching signals A to D to the driver 30 for each final time count value, that is, for each constant time cycle, and the stepping motor 40 is operated. Is driven to rotate at a constant speed.

Therefore, during the constant speed rotation drive, the signal BUSY is output (H level) to the data read input control means (11, 12) and the slow up curve data signal TMDT is not accepted. That is, the data read input control means (11,
The reading operation from the counter 9 in 12) is completed.

The signal STRT is output as a signal for defining the timing at which the control device 10 rotationally drives the stepping motor 40.

Here, the data read input control means (11, 12) and the stepping motor control section 20 are executed in ST11 to 13 of FIG. 2, and the stepping of FIG. 2 stored in the ROM 12 of the control device 10 as a whole. It is executed in a timely manner under the control of the CPU 11 based on the motor rotation drive program.

Incidentally, in order to write the slow-up curve data into the data storage area of the counter 9, the counter inspection device 110 shown in FIG. 4 is used. In FIG. 4, 1
Reference numeral 15 is a connector for mounting the counter 9, 116 is a start switch, 114 is a plurality (three in this embodiment) of slow-up curve data, and the mode changeover switches 111, 1 are stored in the data storage area of the counter 9.
This is a one-chip microcomputer that writes one slow-up curve data selected by 12,113. An inspection program for the counter 9 is also stored in this one-chip microcomputer. That is, ST20 to ST24 of FIG. 5 are executed. Reference numeral 117 is an inspection pass indicator light, and 118 is an inspection fail indicator light.

That is, the counter 9 is attached to the connector 115 and the start switch 116 is turned on. The slow-up curve data to be written is selected by the mode changeover switch (111 to 113) in advance. Then, the one-chip microcomputer 114 confirms ST20 in FIG. 5, checks all the addresses of the counter (EEPROM) 9 and automatically checks the quality (ST21). If it passes (YES in ST22), the indicator light 117 is turned on,
In case of failure (NO in ST22), the indicator lamp 118 is turned on.

Subsequently, the slow-up curve data (time count value) selected by the mode changeover switch is written in the data storage area of the counter 9 (ST2).
3). If there is no writing error, the process ends. If there is an error, the indicator lamp 118 is turned on (ST24).

That is, when the counter 9 essential to the apparatus is automatically inspected, the optimum slow-up curve data may be written in the apparatus, and the ROM 12 in which one specific slow-up curve data is written is stored in the ROM 12. It is possible to eliminate the troublesomeness of the conventional example in which the identification is selected and incorporated into the control device 10 each time. Moreover, the mode changeover switches 111 to 113
Since the slow-up curve data to be written can be visually confirmed, the error-free, quick and accurate writing can be performed, and the management of the slow-up curve data can be dramatically simplified.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, when the device body is specified, the slow-up curve data most suitable for the device body is confirmed. Next, the counter 9 is attached to the counter inspection device 110 of FIG. 4, and any one of the mode changeover switches 111 to 113 corresponding to the slow-up curve data is selected and operated. Then, inspection and data writing are performed in ST20 to ST24 of FIG.

After that, the counter 9 is incorporated into the image carrier unit 1 and mounted together with the unit 1 in the apparatus main body. Here, it is possible to quickly and surely store the optimum slow-up curve data for the device.

Thus, when the operation starts, the CPU 11 of the control device 10 confirms ST10 in FIG. 2 and causes the data read input control means (11, 12) and the stepping motor control section 20 to be executed.

That is, the data read input control means (1
1, 12) outputs the read address designation signal Di to the counter 9, reads the slow-up curve data (time count value) from the data storage area as the serial signal Do, and outputs the parallel data TMDT.
That is, the phase switching time count value of the stepping motor 40 is input to the stepping motor control unit 20 (ST1
1). In this case, the signal STRT and the signal END are both at the H level.

Then, the stepping motor controller 20
Sets the signal BUSY to the H level and the driver 3
The phase switching signal is output to 0 and the time is counted (ST1
2). When time is counted up, signal BUSY goes to L
Level. As a result, the data read input control means (11, 12) reads the next time count value from the counter (data storage area) 9 and inputs it to the stepping motor control section 20. By repeating this, the stepping motor 40 can be rotationally started up with a predetermined slow-up curve.

Thus, when the input time count value reaches the final value (ST13), the signal END is set to L level, and the stepping motor control section 20 drives the stepping motor 40 to rotate at a constant speed. In this case, the signal BUSY
Remains at the H level. That is, the data read input control means (11, 12) ends the operation.

According to this embodiment, however, the slow-up curve data of the stepping motor 40 is written in the data storage area of the counter 9, and the data read input control means (11, 12) uses the slow-up curve data. (Time count value) is read and input to the stepping motor control unit 20, and the control unit 20 drives the stepping motor 40 to rotate. Therefore, the slow-up curve data for each device (model) is set and changed. ， The management becomes very easy.

Further, since the ROM 12 incorporated in the main body of the apparatus, that is, the control apparatus 10 can have the same structure regardless of what the optimum slow-up curve data of the model is, that is, can be common to each model, the number of assembling steps and the production cost can be reduced. It has been drastically lowered, and it is possible to eliminate assembly mistakes.

Since the counter 9 is replaced together with the image carrier 2 when the life of the image carrier 2 is exhausted, the desired slow-up curve data can be obtained without changing the inside of the apparatus main body. It can be changed easily.

Further, the slow-up curve data most suitable for the apparatus can be automatically set only by writing it in the counter 9 composed of a non-volatile memory, so that it is easy to handle and the setting error can be eliminated.

Further, writing to the counter 9 is performed by the mode changeover switches 111 to 113 of the counter inspection device 110.
Since it can be done automatically while visually checking,
From this point as well, the slow-up curve data can be set quickly and accurately.

In this embodiment, the slow-down curve data is also stored in the data storage area of the counter 9 and the data read / input control means (11, 12),
The stepping motor control unit 20 is also configured to operate similarly to the case of the slow-up curve data,
Since it can be easily inferred from the above description of the slow-up curve data, the description of the slow-down curve data will be omitted.

[0046]

According to the present invention, the data storage area for writing the slow-up curve data of the stepping motor is provided in the counter composed of the nonvolatile memory for managing the life of the image carrier, and the data reading input control is provided on the apparatus main body side. Since the means is provided and the stepping motor is rotationally driven based on the slow-up curve data read and input by the stepping motor controller, the ROM or the like storing a specific slow-up curve is selectively replaced for each device. Compared with the conventional example, setting, management, and change of the slow-up curve data is very easy, the production cost can be greatly reduced, and the handling is easy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is likewise a flowchart for explaining the operation.

FIG. 3 is likewise a timing chart for explaining the operation.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an apparatus for writing slow-up curve data to a counter.

5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the writing device of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a conventional electrophotographic apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Image Carrier Unit 2 Image Carrier 9 Counter (Data Storage Area) 10 Controller 11 CPU (Data Read Input Control Unit) 12 ROM (Data Read Input Control Unit) 13 RAM 20 Stepping Motor Control Unit (Paper Conveying Unit) 30 Driver 40 Stepping motor (paper conveying means) 41 Conveying rollers (paper conveying means) 110 Counter inspection device 111-113 Mode changeover switch

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location // G05B 19/407 K 9064-3H

Claims (1)

Claim: What is claimed is: 1. A sheet conveying unit including a stepping motor and a stepping motor control unit, and a counter including a non-volatile memory for counting the number of times the image carrier is used and managing its life. In the provided electrophotographic apparatus, a data storage area for writing the slow-up curve data of the stepping motor is provided in the non-volatile memory, and the slow-up curve data is written from the data storage area when the stepping motor is activated on the apparatus main body side. Data reading input control means for reading and inputting to the stepping motor control unit is provided, and the stepping motor control unit is configured to be capable of rotationally driving the stepping motor based on the input slow-up curve data. Photographic equipment.