KR100590871B1 - apparatus and method for controlling option cassette in image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

The option cassette controller of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the option cassette is selected for image formation, drives the motor and the pickup device of the option cassette to pick up and transfer the recording paper loaded in the option cassette, When the recording paper for the last image formation is picked up from the option cassette and is separated from the option cassette, the driving of the motor and the pickup device in the option cassette is stopped. When the image forming apparatus is in the duplex printing mode, one recording paper is an option. The image is formed on both sides by being transferred from the cassette, and the driving of the motor is stopped until the recording sheet is picked up through the pickup device for forming the next recording sheet. In addition, in the paper jam clearing mode of the option cassette of the image forming apparatus, after driving the motor of the option cassette to discharge the jammed recording paper, the driving motor is stopped so that unnecessary power consumption, damage due to mechanical wear, and It is to prevent operability and the user's damage by driving noise.

Description

Apparatus and method for controlling option cassette in image forming device             

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a view schematically showing the mechanism of a recording paper feeding apparatus of a general image forming apparatus.

2A to 2B are diagrams schematically showing the configuration of the recording paper feeding apparatus of the general image forming apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the option cassette control method in the paper jam mode in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the option cassette control method in the paper feed mode from the option cassette in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for major parts of drawing>

100: main feeder 101: main control unit

102, 111, 122: pickup section 103, 112, 122: motor

110, 120: optional (secondary) feeder 121: auxiliary control unit

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for controlling an optional cassette of an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a recording paper in an option cassette only when an optional cassette operation of an image forming apparatus is performed (e.g., feeding paper from an option cassette). The present invention relates to an optional cassette controller of an image forming apparatus and a method thereof, by controlling the optional cassette driver to drive an optional cassette driver to prevent unnecessary power consumption and mechanical wear.

In general, an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile, or the like forms an image of a laser beam emitted from a laser diode on a photosensitive drum (OPC) by a video signal, and then a photosensitive drum. A device for reproducing a predetermined image image by transferring an electrostatic latent image formed on a printing paper.

A general printing process of an image forming chapter of a commonly used electrophotographic processor will be described.

When the surface of the photosensitive drum is electrically uniformly charged by the corona discharge of the charging roller, and the portion charged by the rotation of the photosensitive drum receives an electrical signal for forming an image through an exposure unit, the surface of the photosensitive drum is exposed. In the charged state, the electrostatic latent image is formed, and then the toner image is developed into a visible image while passing through a developer adjacent to the surface of the photosensitive drum to make the electrostatic latent image a toner image. The recording paper loaded in the cassette is fed by the pickup roller.

Thereafter, the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum is transferred on the fed recording paper by the high pressure action of the transfer roller. At this time, the recording paper is in close contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum by the electrostatic force, the separator serves to separate the close contact with the recording paper.

In addition, the separated recording paper is transported to pass an image between the heating roller and the compression roller of the fixing unit, and an image is mounted by heat and pressure, and the printed recording paper is transferred to the pedestal side, thereby printing desired by the user.

On the other hand, residual toner and a latent image exist on the surface of the photosensitive drum passing through the transfer roller, where the toner is removed by a cleaner, and the residual charge is removed by a charge removing lamp.

In the image forming apparatus of the electrophotographic processor which performs the above printing operation, the amount of recording paper loaded in the paper feed cassette is usually about 150 to 250 sheets (or more), so it is an option to use more capacity. ) Has been used as an auxiliary paper feeder having a separate drive mechanism.

1 is a diagram schematically showing a mechanism of an image forming apparatus having a general main and optional cassette.

As shown in Fig. 1, a cassette-mounting groove formed in the main paper feeding portion 40 of the electrophotographic processor is mounted with a main-cassette 44 on which recording paper 46a to be printed is loaded.

The inner bottom surface of the main cassette 44 is provided with a spring 52a which smoothly transfers the first pickup roller 48 according to the amount of the recording paper 46a, and the main cassette 44 The first pickup roller 48 for supplying the recording paper 46a loaded on the main cassette 44 to the feed roller 50 side is installed at one end of the upper end portion.

On one side of the upper end of the first pick-up roller 48, a feed roller 50 for supplying the recording paper 46a supplied by the first pick-up roller 48 to the transfer roller side is engaged.

In addition, an auxiliary paper feeder 42 for increasing a paper feed amount is provided at the lower end of the main paper feeder 40, and a recording paper 46b to be printed is provided in the cassette mounting groove formed in the auxiliary paper feeder 42. The loaded sub-cassette 54 is mounted.

The inner bottom surface of the auxiliary cassette 54 is provided with a spring 52b which smoothly transfers the second pickup roller 54 according to the amount of the recording paper 46b, and the auxiliary cassette 54 At the upper end of one side, a second pickup roller 54 for supplying the recording paper 46b loaded in the sub-cassette 54 to the relay roller 56 is installed.

On one side of the upper end of the second pickup roller 54, a relay roller 56 having a different size for transferring the recording paper 46b transferred by the second pickup roller 54 to the feed roller 50 is connected and installed. On one side of the relay roller 56, an exit frame 58 is provided for removing the recording paper 46b when a jam occurs in the recording paper 46b.

At this time, the outlet frame 58, although not shown in the figure, by connecting the tension spring to the main frame to perform the opening operation (Open) and the closing operation (Close) around the hinge. In addition, a small size relay roller 56 is provided on one side of the outlet frame 58.

The operation state (process) of the recording paper feeder configured as described above is divided into a process of supplying the recording paper 46a from the main paper feeding unit 40 and a process of supplying a recording paper 46b from the auxiliary paper feeding unit 42. .

First, the process of transferring the recording paper 46a from the main paper feeder 40 will be described.

By the driving force of the main motor, the first pick-up roller 48 rotates in the counterclockwise direction and transfers the recording paper 46a loaded at the upper end of the main cassette 44 to the feed roller 50 side.

Then, when the front end of the recording paper 46a is engaged with the feed roller 50, the first pickup roller 48 will be turned to the action of the clutch, and the recording paper 46a will continue to move to the upper end. .

Thereafter, the recording paper 46a is transferred to the transfer roller side by the rotational force of the transfer roller 50, and printed as shown in FIG. That is, the conveying direction in which the recording paper 46a is conveyed is conveyed as shown by reference numeral 60 as shown in FIG.

Secondly, the process of transferring the recording paper 46b from the auxiliary paper feeding unit 42 will be described below.

The second pick-up roller 52 rotates in the counterclockwise direction by a separate drive motor instead of the driving force of the main motor, and relays the recording paper 46b loaded on the top end of the sub-cassette 54. To the side.

When the tip of the recording paper 46b is engaged with the relay roller 56, the second pick-up roller 54 is turned around by the action of the clutch, and the recording paper 46b continues to move to the upper end. .

In addition, the relay roller 56 transfers the recording paper 46b to the feed roller 50 side by the driving force of the drive motor. At this time, a jam phenomenon of the recording paper 46b frequently occurs between the relay roller 56 and the feed roller 50.

Then, the recording paper 46b is transferred to the transfer roller side by the rotational force of the feed roller 50 so that an image is formed on the recording paper. That is, the conveying direction in which the recording paper 46b is conveyed is conveyed as shown by reference numeral 62 as shown in FIG.

When using the above method, the recording paper 46b is fed by the driving force of a separate driving motor, not the main motor, until it is fed by the second pickup roller 54 and transferred to the relay roller 56. Since the recording paper 46b is engaged with the feed roller 50, the recording paper 46b is inevitably generated between the respective motors by being transported by each motor (i.e., the main motor and the driving motor). Due to the difference between the recording paper 46b and the jamming of the recording paper 46b.

A brief summary of the recording paper feeder of the image forming apparatus having such a mechanism will be described with reference to Figs. 2A and 2B, which are briefly attached to their operation.

2A to 2B are diagrams schematically showing the configuration of the recording paper feeder of the general image forming apparatus.

As shown in Fig. 2, the recording paper feeding apparatus of the general image forming apparatus can be classified into two types.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2A, all the control of the main feeder 100 and the optional (secondary) feeder 110 is configured by the main controller 101 of the main feeder 100. That is, when the image is formed through the main feeder 100 or when the option feeder 110 is selected and the image forming operation is performed, the main controller 101 of the main feeder 100 is controlled by the main controller 101. In the pickup unit 102 of the main feeder 100, the motor 103 and the drive of the pickup 111 and motor 112 of the optional feeder 110 to transfer the recording paper loaded in the feeder The image is formed on the recording sheet.

In this case, when the option paper feeding unit 110 is selected according to the user's selection, the pickup unit 102 and the motor 103 of the main paper feeding unit 100 are driven under the control of the main control unit 101 of the main paper feeding unit 100. At the same time, the pickup unit 111 and the motor 112 of the selected option feed unit 110 are driven to transfer the recording paper loaded in the option cassette 110 (not shown) in the option feed unit 110 to the upper end through the main feed unit 100. To be transported.

In addition, in the case of another image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 2B, a separate auxiliary control unit 121 is installed in the option paper feeding unit 120 so that the main control unit 101 of the main paper feeding unit 100 interfaced with the auxiliary control unit 121. The pickup unit 122, the motor 123, and other devices 124 in the option paper feeding unit 120 is controlled according to the control signal provided by). In this case, the main controller 101 controls the devices 122, 123, and 124 in the optional paper feeder 120, and drives the pickup 102 and the motor 103 in the main paper feeder 100.

As a result, the recording paper feeder of the image forming apparatus according to the prior art feeds and controls the recording paper of the optional cassette having a drive unit (motor and pickup unit, etc.) different from the driving of the motor and the pickup unit of the main feed unit. When the option cassette is selected according to the user's selection for image formation, the driving unit of the option feeding unit is driven together at the same time as the driving control point of the driving unit of the main feeding unit, that is, the driving unit of the main feeding unit and the driving unit of the option feeding unit are simultaneously In addition, unnecessary power consumption, as well as the loss due to mechanical wear or damage to the user due to the driving noise has a problem.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems according to the prior art, and an object of the present invention is only in the case of the option cassette operation of the image forming apparatus (for example, when feeding paper from the option cassette, An optional cassette controller of an image forming apparatus and a method thereof are provided in which an optional cassette driving unit is controlled to drive an optional cassette driver to prevent unnecessary power consumption and mechanical wear.

According to an aspect of the optional cassette control method including a motor and a pickup device separately in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object, when the option cassette is selected for image formation, the motor of the option cassette and Driving a pickup device to pick up and transfer the recording paper loaded in the option cassette; And stopping the driving of the motor and the pickup device of the option cassette when the recording sheet for the last image formation is picked up from the option cassette and detached from the option cassette.

When the image forming apparatus is in the duplex printing mode, one recording sheet is transferred from the option cassette to form both sides, and the motor until the recording sheet is picked up through the pick-up apparatus for image formation of the next recording sheet. The method may further include stopping driving of the.

In the paper jam removing mode of the option cassette of the image forming apparatus, the method may further include driving the motor of the option cassette to discharge the jammed recording sheet, and then stopping the driving motor.

In the step of stopping the driving of the motor, the time is calculated by the length L in the conveying direction of the recording paper loaded in the option cassette and the conveying speed V of the paper (T = L / V), and the motor After a predetermined time has elapsed from the driving time point (T + a), the driving of the motor is stopped.

On the other hand, according to one aspect of the optional cassette control device having an option motor and an optional pickup device separately in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, a) when the option cassette is selected for image formation, the motor and pickup of the option cassette Driving the device to pick up and transport the recording paper loaded in the option cassette, and stop the driving of the motor and the pickup device when the recording paper for the last image formation is picked up from the option cassette and is separated from the option cassette, b ) When the image forming apparatus is in the duplex printing mode, one recording sheet is transferred from the option cassette so that both sides of the image forming are performed, and the recording sheet is picked up through the pickup apparatus for image formation of the next recording sheet. C) stopping the drive of the motor, c) stopping the paper in the optional cassette of the image forming apparatus. In the rim removing mode, the controller may include a control unit which drives the motor of the option cassette to discharge the jammed recording sheet and then stops the driving motor.

Hereinafter, an optional cassette control apparatus and method thereof of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the purpose of driving each drive unit (motor, pickup unit, etc.) in the option paper feeding unit shown in FIG. 2 can be divided into two types. First, a paper jam occurs in the option cassette. When (Jam) occurs, when the jam is removed, the second is to transfer the paper for image formation or other purposes, that is, to feed the recording paper loaded in the option cassette by selecting the option cassette by the user. The driving section of the optional paper feed unit is for the purpose of forming an image on the recorded recording paper.

First, when the recording paper jam occurs in the option cassette of the image forming apparatus, and a paper jam is to be removed, a method of driving the drive unit of the optional paper feeder will be described step by step with reference to FIG.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a method for controlling an optional cassette in a jam mode in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 3, in the paper jam mode of the option cassette of the image forming apparatus (S101), it is determined whether paper is jammed in the option cassette (S102).

As a result of the determination, when the paper is jammed in the option cassette, in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 2A, the main control unit drives the motor in the optional paper feeding unit, or in the case of the image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the auxiliary control unit drives the motor in the option paper feeding unit to discharge the jammed recording sheet (S103).

Then, it is determined whether the paper jammed in the option cassette is discharged according to the driving of the motor in the option paper feeding unit (S104).

If it is determined that paper jammed in the optional cassette has been discharged, the driving of the motor in the driving option feeder is stopped (S105). On the contrary, when the paper jammed in the optional cassette is not completely discharged, the jammed paper is completely discharged. Will continue to drive the motor.

Here, the method of stopping the driving of the motor by detecting the discharge of the paper jammed from the option cassette in step S104 will be described in more detail.

A method of detecting the discharge of the jammed paper from the optional cassette may be classified into a sensor detection method and a timer method using a feed rate of the recording paper. First, the sensor detection method will be described.

As a sensor used in the sensor detection method, an optical sensor, a photo coupler, or the like may be used. The detection method using the optical sensor detects the discharge of paper according to whether light is generated and the reflection time, and the photo coupler method uses a photo coupler method. The discharge of the jammed paper can be detected depending on whether light generated in the diode is received at the photo transistor.

Therefore, when the paper is completely discharged from the option cassette according to the method using the sensor described above, the motor currently being driven is stopped.

On the other hand, with reference to the timer method using the feed rate (V) of the recording paper, first, in the case of the optional cassette having a paper recognition sensor, the time by the length (L) in the direction of the feed advance direction of the paper recognized by the paper recognition sensor (T) can be calculated.

That is, as shown in Equation 1 below, the time T until the paper is completely disengaged from the option cassette is calculated, and a predetermined time (from the time T calculated in Equation 1 below from the time of driving the motor when the paper jam is removed) is calculated. If a) has elapsed, it is determined that the jammed recording sheet has left the option cassette and the driving motor is stopped. Here, the paper recognition sensor is a sensor capable of detecting the size (A4, A3, B5, etc.) of the recording paper loaded in the optional cassette.

Time T = L / V

On the other hand, if the optional cassette is not equipped with a paper recognition sensor, the paper may be changed by the maximum length (M) of the feed advance direction of the maximum paper size that the optional cassette can contain and the feed rate (V) of the paper loaded in the optional cassette. The complete discharge time t of can be calculated as in Equation 2 below.

Time t = M / V

When the predetermined time (a) has elapsed from the time (t) calculated through Equation 2, that is, the minimum time (t) at which the jammed paper is discharged, the driving of the motor currently being driven is stopped. Here, the reason for stopping the driving motor at the time when the predetermined time (a) has elapsed from the calculated time (t) is that the jammed paper may not be completely discharged within the calculated time depending on the environment or condition of the system. Therefore, the motor is stopped when a certain time elapses.

On the other hand, as another embodiment of the present invention, when the user selects the option cassette for image formation (in the option cassette paper feed mode), a method of controlling the drive of the motor and the pickup unit of the optional paper feeder will be described step by step with reference to FIG. Let's look at it.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the option cassette control method in the paper feed mode from the option cassette in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 4, in the option cassette paper supply mode (S201), it is determined whether the option cassette is selected by the user (S202).

As a result of the determination, when the option cassette is selected, it is determined whether it is time to feed the paper from the option cassette (S203).

If the option cassette is selected by the user and the supply time of the recording paper loaded in the option cassette is supplied, the motor and the pickup unit in the option feed unit as shown in FIG. 2 are driven (S204).

At this time, it is determined whether the recording sheet is separated (transferred) for image formation from the option cassette (S205). If the recording sheet is detached from the option cassette and conveyed for image formation, it is determined whether image formation for image formation is last in the option cassette (S206), that is, whether the last sheet is transferred.

If the recording sheet for the last image formation is separated from the option cassette, the driving of the motor and the pickup device of the optional paper feeder being driven after a predetermined time is stopped (S207).

Here, the method of detecting whether the recording paper is separated from the optional cassette may be a method using a sensor as described above and a timer method using a paper feed speed. The method using the sensor has been described above. Only the timer method will be described.

In the case of the optional cassette having the sheet recognition sensor, the time T can be calculated by the length L in the conveyance progress direction of the sheet recognized by the sheet recognition sensor. That is, the time T until the last recording sheet of printing is completely disengaged from the option cassette by using Equation 1 is calculated, and from the calculated time T from the time of driving the motor and the pickup unit in the paper feed mode. When a predetermined time (a) has elapsed, the recording sheet for the last image formation is determined to have left the option cassette, and the driving motor and pickup section are stopped.

On the other hand, when the option cassette does not include the paper recognition sensor, the description thereof will be omitted because it has been described above.

In step S206, if the recording paper which is separated from the current option cassette is not the last recording paper for image formation, it is determined whether the current image forming mode is a duplex printing mode (S208).

If the recording paper for the last image formation is separated from the option cassette in the case of non-duplex printing, the driving motor and the pickup unit are stopped. In contrast, in the duplex printing mode, the operation is performed in the same manner from step S203. will be.

The above-described option cassette control method of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be briefly summarized for each embodiment.

First, when a paper jam occurs in the option cassette, the option motor in the option feeder is driven, and then the driving of the driving option motor is controlled according to the above-described paper deviation detection method. That is, when the jammed paper is completely discharged from the option cassette, the driving of the option motor is stopped.

In addition, in the paper feed mode from the optional cassette, i.e., when paper feeding is required from the optional cassette during the image forming process, the optional pickup device in the optional paper feeder is driven, but immediately before or immediately after driving of the pickup device. To drive.

Thereafter, the option motor drive is maintained by the above-described deviation detection method of the recording paper, and the driving of the driving option motor and the pick-up apparatus is stopped when the last recording paper for image formation is separated from the option cassette at the time of departure information recognition.

If the recording paper is not the last recording paper for image formation, it is determined whether the first page image is formed after the paper supply in the duplex printing mode, and in this case, the driving of the option motor is stopped. Then, when the necessity of the paper feed is recognized at the next time point, the optional motor is driven together with the drive of the pickup device. That is, in the duplex printing mode, when the paper feed is made to form the first page image, the option motor is stopped until the next sheet of recording paper is picked up through the pickup unit.

In addition, it is advantageous to stop the option motor because it is advantageous to minimize the distance between the sheets when the recording paper that is currently separated is not the last recording paper for image formation and the current printing mode is not the duplex printing mode. In this case, the operation is performed in the same manner as the option motor driving operation in the first page image formation in the zero screen printing mode only when the space between sheets is large enough.

On the other hand, when the recording paper is not loaded in the optional cassette, when the above paper jam occurs, the same method as that of the option motor driving method for the paper jam is performed. If paper is not loaded, the supply of recording paper cannot be made, and the driving of the option pickup device and the option motor is stopped until the paper is fed to the option cassette. Here, the sensing of the recording sheet in the optional cassette can be sensed through an internal sensor (not shown). Since this is the same function as the general function, the detailed operation and configuration thereof will be omitted.

In addition, in the remaining cases except for the above case, the driving of the option motor is stopped in the case where the main motor of the main feeder is driven, that is, in the warmup mode of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, since the driving of the pickup device and the motor of the optional paper feeder is controlled only when necessary, the power consumption and the wear of the mechanism due to unnecessary driving can be prevented.

The optional cassette control apparatus and method of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention as described above are driven only when necessary to drive the drive in the option feeder in which the drive unit (motor and pickup device, etc.) are separated from the main feeder, and in the other cases. By stopping the drive, unnecessary power consumption, damage due to mechanical wear and damage and operability, and damage to the user due to driving noise can be prevented.

Claims (5)

In the optional cassette control method provided with the motor and the pick-up apparatus separately in the image forming apparatus, When the option cassette is selected for image formation, driving a motor and a pickup device of the option cassette to pick up and transfer the recording paper loaded in the option cassette; Stopping the driving of the motor and the pickup device of the option cassette when the last recording sheet for image formation is picked up from the option cassette and disengaged from the option cassette. Stopping the driving of the motor and the pickup device, The time T is calculated (T = L / V) by the length L of the conveyance progress direction of the recording paper loaded in the option cassette and the conveying speed V of the paper (T = L / V), and the calculated time from the motor driving time point. An optional cassette control method for an image forming apparatus which stops driving of a motor and a pick-up apparatus after a predetermined time set in time T has elapsed (T + a). The method of claim 1, When the image forming apparatus is in the duplex printing mode, one recording sheet is transferred from the option cassette to form both sides, and the motor until the recording sheet is picked up through the pick-up apparatus for image formation of the next recording sheet. And stopping the driving of the optional cassette control method of the image forming apparatus. The method of claim 1, And in the paper jam removing mode of the option cassette of the image forming apparatus, driving the motor of the option cassette to discharge the jammed recording paper, and then stopping the driving motor. delete In the optional cassette controller provided with a motor and a pickup device in the image forming apparatus, a) When the option cassette is selected for image formation, the motor and the pickup device of the option cassette are driven to pick up and transport the recording paper loaded in the option cassette, and the recording sheet for the last image formation is moved from the option cassette. Stops the drive of the motor and the pick-up device when it is detached from the optional cassette, b) When the image forming apparatus is in the duplex printing mode, one recording sheet is conveyed from the option cassette until both sides of the image are formed, and the recording sheet is picked up through the pickup apparatus for image formation of the next recording sheet. To stop driving of the motor, c) a control unit for driving the motor of the option cassette to discharge the jammed recording sheet in the paper jam removing mode of the option cassette of the image forming apparatus, and then stopping the driving motor; The control unit calculates a time T based on the length L in the conveyance advance direction of the recording paper loaded in the option cassette and the conveying speed V of the paper (T = L / V), and the motor driving time point. The optional cassette controller of the image forming apparatus which stops the driving of the motor and the pick-up apparatus after a predetermined time set at the calculated time T from (T + a).

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