Patent Application
20240067473
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-136423 filed on Aug. 30, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present disclosure relates to a suction type belt conveyor device and an image forming apparatus comprising the same.
The image forming apparatus includes a sheet conveying device and a printing device. The sheet conveying device conveys a sheet, and the printing device forms an image on the conveyed sheet.
The sheet conveying device may include a suction type belt conveyor device. The belt conveyor device includes a ventilatable conveyor belt and a suction fan. The suction fan generates a suction pressure for sucking the sheet to an outer surface of the conveyor belt.
The conveyor belt is rotatably supported by a plurality of support rollers. The belt conveyor device includes a motor configured to rotate a drive roller which is one of the plurality of support rollers.
The motor rotates the drive roller at a constant speed to rotate the conveyor belt at a constant speed.
A belt conveyor device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an endless conveyor belt, a plurality of support rollers, a first motor, a second motor, a belt support, a suction fan, a first control portion, and a second control portion. The belt member is ventilatable, disposed such that a part of the conveyor belt is along a specific area, and configured to convey one or more objects along the specific area by rotating. The plurality of support rollers rotatably support the conveyor belt. The first motor rotates one of the plurality of support rollers. The second motor rotates one of the plurality of support rollers. The belt support is ventilatable and disposed along an inner surface of the part of the conveyor belt which is along the specific area. The suction fan generates a suction pressure for sucking the objects to an outer surface of the part of the conveyor belt which is along the specific area. The first control portion acquires a speed detection value, which is a detection value of a rotational speed of one of the plurality of support rollers, and controls a first supply power supplied to the first motor in accordance with a difference between the speed detection value and a target speed. The second control portion acquires information on a load torque of the plurality of support rollers and controls a second supply power supplied to the second motor in accordance with the acquired information. The second transmission mechanism transmits the rotational force at a greater reduction ratio than the first transmission mechanism.
An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes the belt conveyor device and a printing device. The printing device forms an image on a sheet conveyed by the belt conveyor device.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description with reference where appropriate to the accompanying drawings. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.
Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. It is noted that the following embodiments are examples of embodying the present disclosure and do not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure.
An image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment includes a sheet storing portion 1, a sheet conveying device 2, and a printing device 5 (see
Further, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control device 8 that controls the sheet conveying device 2 and the printing device 5 (see
The sheet conveying device 2 conveys sheets 9 stored in the sheet storing portion 1 one by one. The sheet conveying device 2 includes a preceding conveying device 21, a belt conveyor device 3, and a subsequent conveying device 22.
The preceding conveying device 21 includes a sheet feeding mechanism 211, one or more primary conveying roller pairs 212, and a sheet detection portion 213.
The sheet feeding mechanism 211 feeds the sheet 9 from the sheet storing portion 1 to a primary conveying path 201. The primary conveying path 201 is a conveying path of the sheet 9 formed between the sheet storing portion 1 and the belt conveyor device 3.
The primary conveying roller pairs 212 convey the sheet 9 along the primary conveying path 201, and further feeds the sheet 9 from the primary conveying path 201 to the belt conveyor device 3.
The sheet detection portion 213 detects the sheet 9 at a specific position of the primary conveying path 201. The detection result of the sheet detection portion 213 is used for controlling the timing of feeding the sheet 9 to the belt conveyor device 3.
The belt conveyor device 3 takes over the conveyance of the sheet 9 from the preceding conveying device 21. The belt conveyor device 3 conveys the sheet 9 along a flat conveying area A1, and further feeds the sheet 9 from the flat conveying area A1 to a secondary conveying path 202.
The flat conveying area A1 is an example of the specific area. The secondary conveying path 202 is a conveying path for the sheet 9 formed in the subsequent stage of the belt conveyor device 3.
The subsequent conveying device 22 takes over the conveyance of the sheet 9 from the belt conveyor device 3. The subsequent conveying device 22 conveys the sheet 9 along the secondary conveying path 202, and further feeds the sheet 9 from the secondary conveying path 202 to a post-stage portion (not shown). For example, the post-stage portion is a discharge tray, a post-processing device, a relay conveying device, or the like.
The printing device 5 performs a printing process. The print processing is processing for forming an image on the sheet 9 conveyed along the flat conveying area A1. In the example shown in
In the example shown in
The plurality of ink supply portions 52 supply ink to the plurality of inkjet units 51, respectively. The plurality of inkjet units 51 form an image on the sheet 9 by ejecting ink onto the sheet 9.
[Configuration (1) of Belt Conveyor Device 3]
The belt conveyor device 3 is a suction type conveyor device. The belt conveyor device 3 includes a conveyor belt 31, a plurality of support rollers 32, a conveyor plate 33, one or more suction fans 34, a rotational speed detection portion 35, and a roller drive mechanism 4.
The conveyor belt 31 is an endless belt member in which a plurality of ventilation holes are formed. The conveyor belt 31 can be ventilated by having the plurality of ventilation holes. The conveyor belt 31 is disposed such that a part thereof is along the flat conveying area A1.
The conveyor belt 31 is rotatably supported by the plurality of support rollers 32. The conveyor belt 31 can convey one or more sheets 9 along the flat conveying area A1 by rotating. The sheet 9 is an example of the object to be conveyed.
The belt conveying direction D1 shown in
The plurality of support rollers 32 rotatably support the conveyor belt 31. The plurality of support rollers 32 include one or more drive rollers 321 and one or more driven rollers 322.
In the example shown in
The roller drive mechanism 4 rotates the drive roller 321 in a predetermined direction. As the drive roller 321 rotates, the conveyor belt 31 rotates in a belt rotation direction R1.
The roller drive mechanism 4 rotates the drive roller 321 at a constant speed. Thus, the conveyor belt 31 rotates at a constant speed.
The conveyor plate 33 is a plate-like member in which a plurality of openings are formed. The conveyor plate 33 can be ventilated by having the plurality of openings. The conveyor plate 33 is disposed along the inner surface of the part of the conveyor belt 31 which is along the flat conveying area A1. The conveyor plate 33 is an example of the belt support.
The suction fan 34 is disposed to face the conveyor plate 33 inside the conveyor belt 31. The suction fan 34 sucks air from an air supply port facing the conveyor plate 33. Thus, the suction fan 34 generates an air flow from the outside of the conveyor belt 31 toward the inside of the conveyor belt 31 through the conveyor plate 33.
The suction fan 34 generates a suction pressure on the outer surface of the part of the conveyor belt 31 which is along the flat conveying area A1. The suction pressure is a wind pressure for sucking the sheet 9 onto the surface of the conveyor belt 31.
One or more sheets 9 present in the flat conveying area A1 are attracted to the outer surface of the conveyor belt 31 by the suction pressure. As a result, one or more sheets 9 move in the belt conveying direction D1 together with the conveyor belt 31.
The rotational speed detection portion 35 detects the rotational speed of one of the plurality of support rollers 32. In the example shown in
[Configuration of Control Device 8]
The control device 8 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 81, a random access memory (RAM) 82, a secondary storage device 83, a signal interface 84, a communication device 85, a motor drive circuit 86, a fan drive circuit 87, and the like.
The secondary storage device 83 is a computer-readable nonvolatile storage device. The secondary storage device 83 can store and update computer programs and various types of data. For example, one or both of a flash memory and a hard disk drive are employed as the secondary storage device 83.
The signal interface 84 converts signals output from various sensors into digital data, and transmits the converted digital data to the CPU 81. Further, the signal interface 84 converts control commands output from the CPU 81 into control signals, and transmits the control signals to devices to be controlled.
The communication device 85 executes communication with other devices such as a host device (not shown). The CPU 81 communicates with the other devices through the communication device 85.
The motor drive circuit 86 supplies power to one or more motors included in the roller drive mechanism 4 in accordance with an input motor control signal. The motor control signal is an example of the control signals.
The fan drive circuit 87 supplies power to the suction fan 34 in accordance with a fan control signal which is one of the control signals.
The CPU 81 is a processor that executes various types of data processing and control by executing the computer programs. The control device 8 including the CPU 81 controls the sheet conveying device 2, the printing device 5, and the like.
The RAM 82 is a computer-readable volatile storage device. The RAM 82 temporarily stores the computer programs executed by the CPU 81 and data output and referred to while the CPU 81 is executing various types of processing.
The CPU 81 includes a plurality of processing modules implemented by executing the computer programs. The processing modules include a main processing portion 8a, a conveyance control portion 8b, a print control portion 8c, and the like.
The main processing portion 8a executes processing for starting various types of processing in response to occurrence of various processing events, control of a display portion (not shown), and the like. The processing events include an operation event, a reception event, and the like.
The operation event is an event in which an operation on an operation portion (not shown) is detected. The reception event is an event in which various processing requests are received through the communication device 85. The processing request includes a print request for requesting execution of the print processing.
The conveyance control portion 8b controls the preceding conveying device 21, the belt conveyor device 3, and the subsequent conveying device 22.
The conveyance control portion 8b controls the sheet conveying device 2 to control the conveyance of the sheet 9 in the primary conveying path 201, the flat conveying area A1, and the secondary conveying path 202. The conveyance control portion 8b controls the timing of feeding the sheet 9 to the belt conveyor device 3 in accordance with the detection state of the sheet 9 by the sheet detection portion 213.
The print control portion 8c controls the printing device 5. The print control portion 8c causes the printing device 5 to execute the print processing in synchronization with the conveyance of the sheet 9 by the sheet conveying device 2.
For example, when the print request is received by the communication device 85, the conveyance control portion 8b causes the sheet conveying device 2 to convey the sheet 9, and the print control portion 8c causes the printing device 5 to execute the print processing.
By the way, the load torque of the plurality of support rollers 32 changes. For example, the load torque changes in accordance with changes in the total area of one or more sheets 9 present on the conveyor belt 31, changes in the suction force of the suction fan 34, and the like.
Accordingly, the power supplied to the motor is regulated by speed feedback control by the control device 8. The speed feedback control is power control according to the difference between the detection value of the rotational speed detection portion 35 and a target speed. Thus, the conveyor belt 31 rotates at a constant speed.
Meantime, when the load torque is large in the belt conveyor device 3, a motor having a large output is required. However, it may be less costly to employ a plurality of small output motors than to employ a single large power motor.
In the present embodiment, the roller drive mechanism 4 of the belt conveyor device 3 includes two motors 41 and 42 as drive sources (see
When two motors 41 and 42 are employed in the belt conveyor device 3, it is conceivable that the power supplied to each of the two motors 41 and 42 is regulated by the speed feedback control. In this case, the change in the power supplied to one of the two motors 41 and 42 acts as a disturbance for the other to change the load torque.
Therefore, when the power supplied to each of the two motors 41 and 42 is regulated by the speed feedback control, the rotational speed of the conveyor belt 31 may become unstable.
In contrast, the belt conveyor device 3 has a configuration for stably controlling the rotational speed of the conveyor belt 31 driven by the two motors 41 and 42. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described.
[Configuration (2) of Belt Conveyor Device 3]
As described above, the belt conveyor device 3 includes the roller drive mechanism 4 (see
The roller drive mechanism 4 of the belt conveyor device 3 includes a first motor 41, a second motor 42, a relay rotary body 43, an output rotary body 44, a first input mechanism 45, a second input mechanism 46, and an output mechanism 47 (see
The relay rotary body 43 and the output rotary body 44 are disposed in parallel and are each rotatably supported.
The first input mechanism 45 is a mechanism for transmitting the rotational force of the first motor 41 to the relay rotary body 43. The first input mechanism 45 includes a first motor gear 451, a first relay gear 452, and a first gear belt 453.
The first motor gear 451 is connected to a drive shaft of the first motor 41. The first relay gear 452 is connected to the relay rotary body 43. The first gear belt 453 is a timing belt with a gear formed to mesh with the first motor gear 451 and the first relay gear 452.
The first gear belt 453 transmits the rotation of the first motor gear 451 to the first relay gear 452.
The second input mechanism 46 is a mechanism for transmitting the rotational force of the second motor 42 to the relay rotary body 43. The second input mechanism 46 includes a second motor gear 461, a second relay gear 462, and a second gear belt 463.
The second motor gear 461 is connected to a drive shaft of the second motor 42. The second relay gear 462 is connected to the relay rotary body 43. The second gear belt 463 is a timing belt with a gear formed to mesh with the second motor gear 461 and the second relay gear 462.
The second gear belt 463 transmits the rotation of the second motor gear 461 to the second relay gear 462.
The output mechanism 47 is a mechanism for transmitting the rotational force of the relay rotary body 43 to the output rotary body 44. The output mechanism 47 includes a third relay gear 471, an output gear 472, and a third gear belt 473.
The third relay gear 471 is connected to the relay rotary body 43. The output gear 472 is connected to the output rotary body 44. The third gear belt 473 is a timing belt with a gear formed to mesh with the third relay gear 471 and the output gear 472.
The third gear belt 473 transmits the rotation of the third relay gear 471 to the output gear 472.
The output rotary body 44 is connected to a rotary shaft 320 of the drive roller 321. Therefore, the rotational forces of the first motor 41 and the second motor 42 are transmitted to the drive roller 321 via the relay rotary body 43 and the output rotary body 44.
As described above, the first motor 41 and the second motor 42 rotate the drive roller 321, which is one of the plurality of support rollers 32.
In the present embodiment, the first input mechanism 45, the relay rotary body 43, the output mechanism 47, and the output rotary body 44 are an example of a first transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotational force of the first motor 41 to the drive roller 321.
In addition, the second input mechanism 46, the relay rotary body 43, the output mechanism 47, and the output rotary body 44 are an example of a second transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotational force of the second motor 42 to the drive roller 321. In the present embodiment, the relay rotary body 43, the output mechanism 47, and the output rotary body 44 are shared by the first transmission mechanism and the second transmission mechanism.
In the present embodiment, the speed reduction ratio of the second input mechanism 46 is greater than that of the first input mechanism 45. That is, the second transmission mechanism transmits the rotational force at a greater reduction ratio than the first transmission mechanism.
The conveyance control portion 8b includes a first control portion 8d and a second control portion 8e (see
The first control portion 8d controls first supply power by the speed feedback control. The first supply power is power supplied to the first motor 41.
In the speed feedback control, the first control portion 8d acquires a speed detection value SP1 from the rotational speed detection portion 35 (see
Further, the first control portion 8d controls the first supply power in accordance with a difference between the speed detection value SP1 and a preset target speed.
In the present embodiment, the first control portion 8d sets a first duty ratio RM1 in accordance with the difference between the speed detection value SP1 and the target speed. The first control portion 8d outputs a first motor control signal representing the first duty ratio RM1 to the first motor drive circuit 861 through the signal interface 84.
The first motor drive circuit 861 supplies a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal of the first duty ratio RM1 to the first motor 41 as a drive signal. Thus, power proportional to the first duty ratio RM1 is supplied to the first motor 41. The first duty ratio RM1 is a control value representing the first supply power.
The second control portion 8e acquires sheet detection information which is a result of detection of the sheet 9 by the sheet detection portion 213. Further, the second control portion 8e identifies the number of conveyed sheets, which is the number of sheets 9 present in the flat conveying area A1, based on the sheet detection information.
Further, the second control portion 8e controls fan power, which is power supplied to the suction fan 34 in accordance with the number of conveyed sheets. In the present embodiment, the second control portion 8e sets a fan duty ratio RF1 in accordance with the number of conveyed sheets (see
The second control portion 8e outputs a fan control signal representing the fan duty ratio RF1 to the fan drive circuit 87 through the signal interface 84.
The fan drive circuit 87 supplies a PWM signal of the fan duty ratio RF1 to the suction fan 34 as a drive signal. Thus, power proportional to the fan duty ratio RF1 is supplied to the suction fan 34.
For example, the second control portion 8e selects the fan duty ratio RF1 from a plurality of duty ratio candidates in accordance with which of a plurality of predetermined sheet number brackets the number of conveyed sheets corresponds to.
It is noted that the fan duty ratio RF1 is an example of suction force information on the suction force of the suction fan 34. The fan duty ratio RF1 is also a control value representing the power supplied to the suction fan 34.
Further, the second control portion 8e acquires preset sheet size information from the secondary storage device 83. The sheet size information is information on the size of the sheet 9 stored in the sheet storing portion 1. For example, the sheet size information is set in response to an information input operation to an operation portion (not shown) or in response to reception of size information by the communication device 85.
Further, the second control portion 8e derives a conveyed sheet area S1 based on the number of conveyed sheets and the sheet size information (see
It is noted that the sheet detection information and the sheet size information are examples of conveyance information on the conveyance state of the sheet 9 in the flat conveying area A1.
Further, the second control portion 8e acquires the fan duty ratio RF1, and controls second supply power in accordance with the fan duty ratio RF1 and the conveyed sheet area S1. The second supply power is power supplied to the second motor 42.
The second control portion 8e outputs a second motor control signal representing the second duty ratio RM2 to the second motor drive circuit 862 through the signal interface 84.
The second motor drive circuit 862 supplies a PWM signal of the second duty ratio RM2 to the second motor 42 as a drive signal. Thus, power proportional to the second duty ratio RM2 is supplied to the second motor 42. The second duty ratio RM2 is a control value representing the second supply power.
In the present embodiment, a plurality of candidates of power control data DT1 are stored in advance in the secondary storage device 83. The plurality of candidates of the power control data DT1 each represent the correspondence between the conveyed sheet area S1 and the second duty ratio RM2 (see
The plurality of candidates of the power control data DT1 are associated with a plurality of candidates of the second duty ratio RM2. In
The second control portion 8e selects target control data corresponding to the fan duty ratio RF1 from the plurality of candidates of the power control data DT1. Further, the second control portion 8e sets the second duty ratio RM2 based on the conveyed sheet area S1 and the target control data.
In the belt conveyor device 3, the conveyed sheet area S1 and the load torque of the plurality of support rollers 32 have a positive correlation. Similarly, the fan duty ratio RF1 and the load torque have a positive correlation.
Therefore, the sheet detection information and the sheet size information used for deriving the conveyed sheet area S1 are examples of information on the load torque. Similarly, the fan duty ratio RF1 is also an example of the information on the load torque. In addition, the conveyed sheet area S1 is an example of a load index value corresponding to the load torque.
In the present embodiment, the first supply power supplied to the first motor 41 is controlled by the speed feedback control. On the other hand, the second supply power supplied to the second motor 42 is controlled in accordance with the load index value corresponding to the load torque.
According to the present embodiment, the second motor 42 is controlled in response to a large change in the load torque, and the first motor 41 is controlled in response to a change in the rotational speed of the conveyor belt 31. As a result, the rotational speed of the conveyor belt 31 can be stably controlled.
In addition, the rotation of the second motor 42 is transmitted to the drive roller 321 at a larger reduction ratio than the rotation of the first motor 41.
Accordingly, the driving force of the second motor 42 is gently adjusted in response to a large change in the load torque. On the other hand, the driving force of the first motor 41 is quickly adjusted in response to a change in the rotational speed of the conveyor belt 31. As a result, the control of the two motors 41 and 42 is stabilized.
Next, an image forming apparatus 10A according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to
The image forming apparatus 10A has a configuration in which the belt conveyor device 3 in the image forming apparatus 10 is replaced with a belt conveyor device 3A.
The belt conveyor device 3A includes a first drive mechanism 4a and a second drive mechanism 4b instead of the roller drive mechanism 4.
In the belt conveyor device 3A, the plurality of support rollers 32 include a first drive roller 32a driven by the first drive mechanism 4a and a second drive roller 32b driven by the second drive mechanism 4b.
The first drive roller 32a is disposed downstream of the flat conveying area A1 in the belt conveying direction D1. The second drive roller 32b is disposed downstream of the first drive roller 32a in the belt rotation direction R1 and upstream of the flat conveying area A1 in the belt rotation direction R1.
The first drive mechanism 4a includes the first motor 41 and a first transmission mechanism 48a. The first transmission mechanism 48a transmits the rotational force of the first motor 41 to the first drive roller 32a. That is, the first motor 41 rotates the first drive roller 32a.
The second drive mechanism 4b includes the second motor 42 and a second transmission mechanism 48b. The second transmission mechanism 48b transmits the rotational force of the second motor 42 to the second drive roller 32b. That is, the second motor 42 rotates the second drive roller 32b.
The second transmission mechanism 48b transmits the rotational force at a greater reduction ratio than the first transmission mechanism 48a. When the present embodiment is employed, the same effect as that when the first embodiment is employed can be obtained.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the second drive roller 32b lessens changes in the tension applied to the conveyor belt 31 in the flat conveying area A1. This avoids instability in the conveyance of the sheet 9 due to the expansion and contraction of the conveyor belt 31.
Next, a first application example of the belt conveyor devices 3 and 3A will be described. In the present application example, the power supplied to the suction fan 34 when the sheet 9 is conveyed is controlled to be constant.
In the present application example, the second control portion 8e sets the second duty ratio RM2 based on the conveyed sheet area S1 and one preset power control data DT1. When the present application example is employed, the same effect as that when the first embodiment is employed can be obtained.
Next, a second application example of the belt conveyor devices 3 and 3A will be described.
In the belt conveyor devices 3 and 3A, the second motor 42 may become a load for the first motor 41.
For example, when the first duty ratio RM1 set by the speed feedback control is large and the second duty ratio RM2 set based on the conveyed sheet area S1 is small, the second motor 42 becomes a load for the first motor 41.
When the second motor 42 is a load for the first motor 41, several problems arise. One of the problems is that the first motor 41 wastes power. Another problem is that the control of the rotational speed of the conveyor belt 31 becomes unstable.
In the present application example, the second control portion 8e stops the supply of power to the second motor 42 when the first duty ratio RM1 and the conveyed sheet area S1 satisfy a predetermined motor load condition.
The motor load condition is a condition representing a state in which the second motor 42 is a load for the first motor 41. For example, the motor load condition is any one of a first condition, a second condition, and a third condition.
The first condition is a condition that a difference between the first duty ratio RM1 and the second duty ratio RM2 set based on the conveyed sheet area S1 exceeds a preset tolerance.
The second condition is a condition that the first duty ratio RM1 exceeds a preset duty ratio upper limit value and that the second duty ratio RM2 set based on the conveyed sheet area S1 is below a preset duty ratio lower limit value.
The third condition is a condition that the first duty ratio RM1 exceeds a preset duty ratio upper limit value and that the conveyed sheet area S1 is below a preset area lower limit value.
In the present application example, when the motor load condition is satisfied, the supply of power to the second motor 42 is stopped. This eliminates the above-mentioned problems caused by the second motor 42 being a load for the first motor 41.
The belt conveyor device 3 may be applied to convey an object other than the sheet 9, such as a plate material.
The second control portion 8e may use information other than the conveyance information and the fan duty ratio RF1 to control the second duty ratio RM2.
In the present application example, the second control portion 8e acquires a motor power actual value and a speed actual value as information on the load torque. The motor power actual value is an actual value of the power consumption of the first motor 41 and the second motor 42. The speed actual value is an actual value of the speed detection value SP1.
For example, it is conceivable that the belt conveyor device 3 includes a current measurement circuit that measures the currents flowing through the first motor 41 and the second motor 42. In this case, the measured value of the current measurement circuit represents the motor power actual value.
When the rotational speed of the conveyor belt 31 is controlled to be constant, the larger the load torque, the larger the total power consumption of the first motor 41 and the second motor 42. In addition, when the total power consumption of the first motor 41 and the second motor 42 is constant, the larger the load torque, the slower the rotational speed of the conveyor belt 31.
In the present application example, the second control portion 8e derives a load torque index value by applying the motor power actual value and the speed actual value to a predetermined calculation formula. Further, the second control portion 8e sets the second duty ratio RM2 based on the derived load torque index value.
When the present application example is employed, the same effect as that of the belt conveyor devices 3 and 3A can be obtained.
[Appendixes to Disclosure]
The following are appendixes to the overview of the disclosure extracted from the above embodiments. It is noted that the structures and processing functions to be described in the following appendixes can be selected and combined arbitrarily.
[Appendix 1]
A belt conveyor device comprising:
[Appendix 2]
The belt conveyor device according to Appendix 1, wherein the second control portion acquires, as the information on the load torque, one or both of conveyance information on a conveyance status of the objects in the specific area and suction force information on a suction force of the suction fan.
[Appendix 3]
The belt conveyor device according to Appendix 2, wherein when the information on the load torque includes the conveyance information and the suction force information, the second control portion derives a total area occupied by the objects in the specific area based on the conveyance information, and the second control portion selects target control data corresponding to the suction force information from a plurality of candidates of power control data each representing a correspondence between the total area and the second supply power, and controls the second supply power based on the total area and the target control data.
[Appendix 4]
The belt conveyor device according to any one of Appendix 1 to Appendix 3, wherein
[Appendix 5]
The belt conveyor device according to any one of Appendix 1 to Appendix 3, wherein
[Appendix 6]
An image forming apparatus comprising:
It is to be understood that the embodiments herein are illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-136423 | Aug 2022 | JP | national |
