WO2008018417A1

WO2008018417A1 - Time recorder, stepping motor control device, and program

Info

Publication number: WO2008018417A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/065383
Authority: WO
Inventors: Koji Ebara
Original assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
Priority date: 2006-08-07
Filing date: 2007-08-06
Publication date: 2008-02-14
Also published as: TWI358891B; JP4884125B2; JP2008043068A; TW200822525A

Abstract

A driving pulse generating unit (22) generates a driving pulse at a first pulse interval in response to such detection that a card detecting sensor (12) detects that a card is inserted into a time recorder. A driver (23) supplies a motor (15) with a driving signal corresponding to the driving pulse. The driving pulse generating unit (22) generates another driving pulse at a second pulse interval that is shorter than the first interval in response to such detection that a control unit (21) detects that a card is carried to a prescribed pulling-in position. The driver (23) supplies the motor (15) with the driving pulse generated by the driving pulse generating unit (22).

Description

Specification

Time recorder, stepping motor control device, and program

The present invention relates to a time recorder having a transport mechanism for transporting a card, and a stepping motor control device for driving the transport mechanism.

Background art

[0002] A time recorder is used for managing the working hours of company employees and the like, and prints the current time on an inserted time card. Time recorder power The position of printing time on the time card changes from day to day. For this reason, a normal time recorder has a transport mechanism for transporting the time card to a desired position, and transports the time card to an appropriate position to print the time. If the time card deviates from the appropriate position, the time printing position will also be shifted. For this reason, it is necessary to accurately control the position where the time card is conveyed. Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a direct current motor has been used as a motor for driving a transport mechanism.

Patent Document 1: JP-A-6-75633

[0003] In recent years, a stepping motor is often used as a drive source of a transport mechanism in order to appropriately control the position of a time card.

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] Stepping motors are prone to step-out. For this reason, a time recorder using a stepping motor may not be able to transport the time card to an accurate position. For example, if the time card is tilted and inserted into the time recorder, the load on the stepping motor may increase, causing a step-out and preventing proper transport of the time card. This problem increases the power consumption that can be solved by increasing the driving torque of the stepping motor.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a time recorder that stably conveys a time force to an accurate position while suppressing power consumption. Means for solving the problem

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a time recorder according to the present invention is a time recorder having a function of printing characters on a card inserted from a card slot, and the card is inserted into the time recorder. A card detection sensor for detecting this, a transport mechanism for transporting the card so as to pull it in, a motor for driving the transport mechanism, and arrival at a predetermined position for detecting that the card has been transported to a predetermined position by the transport mechanism In response to the detection means and the card detection sensor detecting insertion of the card, the motor is driven at a predetermined speed, and the predetermined position arrival detection means confirms that the card has reached the predetermined position. Motor driving means for making the motor drive speed faster than the predetermined speed in response to the detection signal.

[0007] The motor is composed of, for example, a stepping motor that drives the transport mechanism in accordance with the supplied driving noise.

[0008] In response to the card detection sensor detecting insertion of a card, the motor drive means supplies drive noise to the stepping motor at a first interval, and the retracted position arrival detection means In response to the output of the detection signal, pulse supply means for supplying the driving noise to the stepping motor at a second interval shorter than the first interval may be provided.

[0009] The predetermined position arrival detection means counts the number of drive noises supplied to the stepping motor by the noise supply means, for example, based on when the card detection sensor detects insertion of a card. And a means for detecting that the card has reached the predetermined position when the number of driving pulses counted by the pulse counter reaches a predetermined value.

[0010] Further, the predetermined position arrival detection means includes, for example, a timer that counts an elapsed time since the timing when the card detection sensor detects card insertion, and a time measured by the timer is a predetermined time. When the value reaches, a means for detecting that the card has reached a predetermined position and a force may be configured.

[0011] The predetermined position arrival detecting means may be constituted by, for example, a card sensor force arranged at the predetermined position. [0012] A stepping motor control device according to the present invention detects that a card detection sensor that detects insertion of a card into a time recorder and a transport mechanism that transports the card transport the card to a predetermined position. In response to the detection of the insertion position arrival detection means and the card detection sensor detecting the insertion of the card, a driving noise is supplied to the stepping motor that drives the transport mechanism at a first interval, In response to the detection by the predetermined position arrival detection means that the card has been transported to the predetermined position, the driving noise is supplied to the stepping motor at a second interval shorter than the first interval. And a pulse supply means.

[0013] Further, the computer program of the present invention causes a computer to execute the main functions of the present invention.

The invention's effect

[0014] The time recorder of the present invention transports the card at a relatively low transport speed until the inserted card reaches the predetermined position, and when the card reaches the predetermined position, the transport speed is increased. Get faster. As a result, the torque margin at the start of conveyance increases and the card can be conveyed stably.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a time recorder according to an embodiment of the present invention and a time card inserted in the time recorder.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a time recorder according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a stepping motor control device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a pull-in control processing procedure by the stepping motor control device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a modification of the configuration of the stepping motor control device.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a modification of the internal structure of the time recorder.

Explanation of symbols

[0016] 1 Time recorder

2 Time card

3 Display pane 11 Enclosure

11a Card entrance

12, 17a, 17b Card detection sensor

13 Roller shaft

14a, 14b Feed roller

15 Motor

16 Timing range

19 Print section

20 Stepping motor controller

21 Control unit

22 Drive pulse generator

23 Drivers

24 Nores counter

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a time recorder 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the time recorder 1 is a stationary type equipped with a printing function for the time card 2. The time recorder 1 includes a housing 11, a display panel 3, and the like.

[0018] The casing 11 accommodates other components. On the upper surface of the housing 11, a card slot 11a for inserting the time card 2 into the time recorder 1 is provided. The display panel 3 is composed of an LCD (liquid crystal display) panel or the like, and displays the current time and the like.

Next, the internal configuration of the time recorder 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the time recorder 1 includes a card detection sensor 12, a roller shaft 13, feed rollers 14a and 14b, a motor 15, a timing belt 16, card detection sensors 17a and 17b, and a printing unit 19.

[0020] The card detection sensor 12 is composed of a transmissive optical sensor composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, for example. The card detection sensor 12 is configured so that the inserted time card 2 passes between the light emitting element and the light receiving element, and detects the time card 2 inserted from the card slot 11a. Note that the card detection sensor 12 is not limited to a transmissive optical sensor, and may be a reflective optical sensor, for example. [0021] The roller shaft 13 rotates so as to pull in the inserted time card 2 or to discharge the inserted time card 2. The roller shaft 13 is provided with a pair of left and right feed rollers 14a and 14b. The feed rollers 14a and 14b contact the inserted time card 2 and rotate with the rotation of the roller shaft 13, thereby carrying the inserted time card 2 and drawing it into the time recorder 11. Alternatively, the inserted time card 2 is discharged from the time recorder 11.

The motor 15 is a drive source (rotation source) of the roller shaft 13, and is configured by a stepping motor that rotates in a predetermined step unit when a pulse signal (drive pulse) is given. Then, the driving torque of the motor 15 is transmitted to the roller shaft 13. The card detection sensors 17a and 17b are composed of a pair of left and right sensors, and detect the time card 2 when the lower end of the drawn time card 2 reaches the maximum drawing position.

The printing unit 19 prints predetermined information (attendance / working time) or the like in the printing field of the time card 2.

Next, the configuration of the stepping motor control device 20 that controls the driving of the motor 15 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the stepping motor control device 20 includes a control unit 21, a drive pulse generation unit 22, a driver 23, a pulse counter 24, and a card detection sensor 12.

[0024] The control unit 21 includes a microprocessor unit, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a program that defines a processing procedure by the microprocessor unit, and a RAM (Randam Access Memory) that the microprocessor uses in a work area or the like. ). The control unit 21 controls the entire stepping motor control device 20 so as to maintain the rotation speed of the motor 15 within a suitable range. Further, when the card detection sensor 12 detects the time card 2 inserted into the time recorder 1, the detection signal force indicating the detection is input to the control unit 21. The control unit 21 may be a single functional unit of a main control device (for example, constituted by a microprocessor unit, ROM, RAM, etc.) that controls the entire time recorder 1.

The drive pulse generator 22 generates a drive nose for rotating the rotor of the motor 15 at a predetermined rotational speed. The drive noise generator 22 is constituted by, for example, a separately-excited oscillation circuit or the like. Based on the oscillation control signal from the controller 21, the drive noise is generated by a desired pulse. To adjust the speed (frequency at which pulses are generated).

The driver 23 supplies a drive signal (phase switching signal) to the motor 23 based on the drive noise and the control signal from the control unit 21, and drives the motor 15 to rotate the drive shaft. To control.

In response to the count start signal from the control unit 21, the noiseless counter 24 counts the driving noise generated by the driving pulse generating unit 22. The noise counter 24 notifies the control unit 21 of the count value. The counter 24 and the card detection sensor 12 are connected by a signal line, and when a detection signal is input from the card detection sensor 12, the counter 24 starts counting the number of pulses. You can do it! /

Next, the operation of the stepping motor control device 20 having the above configuration will be described. The stepping motor control device 20 performs general control (that is, pull-in and discharge control, etc.) of the time card 2 in the same manner as the conventional stepping motor control device. However, the stepping motor control device 20 of the present invention has an excellent feature in the pull-in control when the time card 2 is transported from the card slot inlet 11a into the time recorder 1. Therefore, in the following, the pull-in control of the time card 2 will be described.

[0029] When the time card 2 is inserted into the time recorder 1 from the card slot 11a and the lower end of the time force 2 reaches the detection area of the card detection sensor 12, the card detection sensor 12 The insertion of 2 is detected and a detection signal is sent to the control unit 21.

The control unit 21 that has received the detection signal from the card detection sensor 12 starts the pull-in control process shown in FIG.

First, the control unit 21 sends an oscillation start signal instructing the drive noise generation unit 22 to generate the first drive noise. In response to the oscillation start signal, the drive pulse generator 22 generates a first drive pulse (for example, 500 pps (pulse per second)) and supplies it to the driver 23.

In addition, the control unit 21 sends a drive control signal to the driver 23. In response to this drive control signal, the driver 23 supplies the motor 15 with a drive signal corresponding to the first drive noise received from the drive noise generator 22 (step S1). As a result, the rotor of the motor 15 rotates at the first rotation speed. The rotation of the rotor of the motor 15 drives the card feeding mechanism (in this embodiment, the roller shaft 13 and the feeding rollers 14a and 14b), and the time card 2 starts to be drawn. Specifically, the drive shaft of the motor 15 rotates, and the drive torque force due to this rotation is transmitted to the roller shaft 13 via the timing belt 16. As a result, the roller shaft 13 starts to rotate, and the time card 2 is drawn into the time recorder 1 by the feed rollers 14a and 14b.

In addition, the control unit 21 sends a count start signal to the noise counter 24 at the same timing as the timing at which the oscillation start signal is sent to the drive noise generation unit 22. In response to the counting start signal, the noise counter 24 starts counting the first driving noise generated by the driving noise generating unit 22 (that is, counting the number of pulses) (step S2). The noise counter 24 notifies the control unit 21 of the counted number of noises.

[0034] When the pull-in of the time card 2 is started, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the time card 2 has been pulled into a predetermined pull-in position (step S3). This retracting position is set, for example, at a position of 20 mm from the card cage inlet 11a toward the retracting direction. The control unit 21 makes this determination based on whether or not the number of pulses notified from the panelless counter 24 has reached a predetermined number (for example, 50 pulses). Specifically, the pull-in distance (for example, 0.4 mm) of the time card 2 per pulse is calculated in advance from the performance of the motor 15 and the actual measurement values. The control unit 21 multiplies the pull-in distance per pulse by the counted number of nores to obtain the distance at which the time card 2 is pulled. For example, if the predetermined pull-in position is set at a position 16 mm from the card detection sensor 12 and the pull-in distance per pulse is 0.4 mm, the number of pulses counted is 40 (= 16/0. When 4) is reached, it can be detected that the time card 2 has reached this retracted position.

[0035] When time card 2 reaches a predetermined pull-in position (step S3; Yes), control unit 21 issues an oscillation start signal to instruct drive noise generation unit 22 to generate a second drive noise. Send. In response to this oscillation start signal, the drive noise generator 22 has a pulse speed faster than the first drive pulse! /, (Short pulse interval! /), And the second drive pulse (for example, 600 pps) Is supplied to the driver 23. Further, the control unit 21 sends a drive control signal to the driver 23. Upon receiving this drive control signal, the driver 23 supplies a drive signal corresponding to the second drive pulse received from the drive pulse generator 22 to the motor 15 (step S4). [0036] When the supply of the second drive noise is started, the rotational speed of the drive shaft of the motor 15 increases and the pull-in speed (conveyance speed) of the time card 2 increases. Thereafter, when the end of the time card 2 reaches the maximum retracted position (that is, the lowest point) (step S5; Yes), the card detection sensors 17a and 17b send a detection signal indicating the arrival to the signal line (see FIG. (Not shown) and sent to the control unit 21. Upon receiving this detection signal, the controller 21 sends an oscillation stop signal to the drive pulse generator 22. Receiving this oscillation stop signal, the drive noise generator 22 stops the supply of the second drive pulse (step S6). This is the end of the time card 2 pull-in control process.

[0037] Following the above pull-in control process, the control unit 21 conveys the time card 2 to a printing position (a position suitable for printing time and the like), and the printing unit 19 performs predetermined information such as the current time. On the time card 2 print field. After the printing is completed, the control unit 21 carries out the time card 2.

[0038] As described above, until time card 1 detects that time card 2 has been transported to a predetermined pull-in position, it is slower than the detected pulse speed! /, And pulse speed (long! Supply drive noise to motor 15 at /, pulse interval). For this reason, the speed of conveyance when the card feeding mechanism conveys the time card to a predetermined drawing position is slow. As a result, the torque margin when the card feeding mechanism pulls the card 2 into the time recorder 1 is increased, the stepping motor 15 is less likely to step out, and the time card 2 can be stably conveyed to an accurate position. .

[0039] According to the present embodiment, when the time card pull-in is started, the pulse speed of the driving noise supplied to the stepping motor is slowed (the pulse interval is lengthened). As a result, the torque margin of the stepping motor can be increased while suppressing power consumption. On the other hand, after the time card reaches the predetermined position, the time card is transported at a higher speed. Therefore, compared with the case where the time card is uniformly conveyed at a low speed, the conveyance time can be shortened.

Note that the stepping motor control device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0041] For example, a method for determining whether or not the time card 2 has been pulled to a predetermined pull-in position is not limited to determination based on the number of pulses counted by the noise counter 24, but is arbitrary. For example, whether or not the time card 2 has been pulled to a predetermined position is indicated to the motor 15 as the first. Based on the time when the driving noise is supplied!

In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, in place of the pulse counter 24 of FIG. 3, for example, a timer 24a for measuring the supply time of the first driving noise to the motor 15 is provided. In response to the detection signal from the card detection sensor 12, the control unit 21 sends a timing start signal to the timer 24a. In response to the timing start signal, the timer 24a starts timing and notifies the control unit 21 of the measured time. The control unit 21 compares the measured time of the timer 24a with a predetermined time in step S3 of FIG. The control unit 21 determines that the time card has been pulled to a predetermined position when the time measured by the timer 24a reaches a predetermined time. This predetermined time is set, for example, to a value obtained by dividing the distance from the card slot 11a to the predetermined pull-in position by the pull-in distance per second (determined from the performance of the feed motor, measured values, etc.). In addition, during the predetermined time, the driver 23 operates while the time card 2 is conveyed from the position at which the card detection sensor 12 detects the time card 2 to the predetermined pull-in position. The value may be set by multiplying the number of times of supplying the driving noise to the motor 15.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a card detection sensor 24b is arranged in the vicinity of a predetermined pull-in position, and the control unit 21 detects the time card based on the detection signal received from the card detection sensor 24b. You can determine whether or not it has been pulled to the retracted position.

[0044] Further, a program for executing the control operation shown in FIG. 4 is recorded on a recording medium or the like and distributed to a computer, for example, a processor constituting the control unit 21, and this is used for controlling the computer. Also good.

[0045] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-214710 filed with the Japan Patent Office on August 7, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Industrial applicability

[0046] When inserting a card inserted into the time recorder, the time card can be stably conveyed while suppressing power consumption.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] With a card insertion loca, a time recorder that has the function of printing characters on the inserted card,

A card detection sensor for detecting that the card has been inserted into the time recorder, a transport mechanism for transporting the card so as to be pulled in, and

A motor for driving the transport mechanism;

A predetermined position arrival detecting means for detecting that the card has been transported to a predetermined position by the transport mechanism;

In response to the card detection sensor detecting the insertion of the card, the motor is driven at a predetermined speed, and the predetermined position arrival detection means is in response to detecting that the card has reached the predetermined position. Motor drive means for making the drive speed of the motor faster than the predetermined speed;

A time recorder comprising:

2. The time recorder according to claim 1, wherein the motor is configured by a stepping motor that drives the transport mechanism in accordance with the supplied drive noise.

[3] The motor driving means includes:

In response to the card detection sensor detecting the insertion of the card, the driving noise is supplied to the stepping motor at a first interval, and the pull-in position arrival detection means outputs a detection signal. 3. The time recorder according to claim 2, further comprising pulse supply means for supplying a driving noise to the stepping motor at a second interval shorter than the first interval in response.

[4] The predetermined position arrival detecting means includes

A pulse counter that counts the number of drive pulses supplied by the pulse supply means to the stepping motor, based on when the card detection sensor detects card insertion;

Means for detecting that the card has reached the predetermined position when the number of drive noises counted by the noise counter reaches a predetermined value;

The time recorder according to claim 2, wherein:

[5] The predetermined position arrival detecting means includes

A timer that counts an elapsed time from the timing when the card detection sensor detects card insertion;

Means for detecting that the card has reached the predetermined position when the time measured by the timer reaches a predetermined time;

The time recorder according to claim 1, wherein:

[6] The predetermined position arrival detection means includes a card sensor.

The time recorder according to claim 1, wherein:

[7] a card detection sensor for detecting that a card has been inserted into the time recorder;

Retraction position arrival detection means for detecting that the conveyance mechanism for conveying the card has conveyed the card to a predetermined position;

In response to detecting the insertion of the card by the card detection sensor, the driving noise is supplied to the stepping motor that drives the transport mechanism at the first interval, and the card is transported to the predetermined position. In response to the detection by the predetermined position arrival detection means, a pulse supply means for supplying drive noise to the stepping motor at a second interval shorter than the first interval;

A stepping motor control device comprising:

[8] On the computer,

Processing to receive a detection signal from a card detection sensor that detects that a card has been inserted into the time recorder,

In response to receiving a detection signal from the card detection sensor, a process of supplying driving noise at a first interval to a stepping motor that drives a transport mechanism that transports the card; In response to detecting that the card has been conveyed to the predetermined position, in response to detecting that the card has been conveyed to the predetermined position, the second interval is shorter than the first interval. A process of supplying drive noise to the stepping motor;

A program for running