Patent Grant
11567441
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a brushless motor, for example, a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile device.
A brushless motor is used as a driving source of a rotating member of an image forming apparatus. Among brushless motors, a construction configured to detect an operating current of the motor and limit the operating current has been proposed (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-209276). In recent years, a space given to the brushless motor has become smaller than before due to a miniaturization of a product of the image forming apparatus, and it is required to miniaturize the motor while securing a necessary output. Therefore, it has been proposed to realize the miniaturization of the motor by designing the motor so as not to have a large margin for a required output. When an unexpected overload occurs, it is proposed to stop the motor by setting a limit on the current value to prevent motor failure due to overheating, etc.
However, a state of a plurality of rollers changes. Even if the state of the plurality of rollers changes, it is required to drive the plurality of rollers by one motor.
According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises:
at least one or more rotary members;
a motor configured to drive the at least one or more rotary members;
a detection unit configured to detect a current value flowing in the motor; and
a display unit configured to display information about a state of the at least one or more rotary members, wherein the current value is detected by the detection unit in a state in which the at least one or more rotary members are driven by the motor, and in a case in which the current value is a first value, information indicating that the at least one or more rotary members are in an abnormal state is not displayed on the display unit, and in a case in which the current value is a second value larger than the first value, information indicating that the at least one or more rotary members are in the abnormal state is displayed on the display unit.
Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[Image Forming Apparatus]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment 1 will now be described with reference to
The cartridge 12 includes a photosensitive drum 13 rotating in a direction indicated by an arrow (clockwise direction) in
The image forming apparatus includes an A-motor 101 (motor), which will be described later with reference to
A feed roller 25, separation rollers 26a and 26b, and a registration roller 27 are provided on a downstream side in a conveyance direction of a cassette 22 configured to store a sheet 21. A conveyance sensor 28 is provided near the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the registration roller 27. Further, on a downstream side of a conveyance path, a secondary transfer roller 29 is disposed in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 19, and a fixing device 30 is disposed on the downstream side of the secondary transfer roller 29. A printer controller 31 is a controller of the image forming apparatus and comprises a CPU (central processing unit) 32 including a ROM 32a, a RAM 32b, and a timer 32c, and various input/output control circuits (not shown). A display panel 33 as a display unit displays a screen according to a signal from the CPU 32.
Next, the electrophotographic process will be briefly described. In a dark place in the cartridge 12, the charging roller 15 uniformly charges a surface of the photosensitive drum 13. The photosensitive drums 13Y, 13M, and 13C are configured to be rotated by a driving force of the B-motor being transmitted by a gear. Similarly, the photosensitive drum 13K and the intermediate transfer belt 19 are configured to be rotated by a driving force of the C-motor being transmitted by a gear.
Next, the surface of the photosensitive drum 13 is irradiated with a laser light modulated according to an image data by the laser scanner 11, and the charged charge in a portion irradiated with the laser light is eliminated, whereby an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 13. In the developing device, toner from the developing roller 16 holding a fixed amount of toner layer is adhered to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 13 by a developing voltage, so that a toner image of each color is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 13.
The toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 13 is attracted to the intermediate transfer belt 19 by a primary transfer voltage applied to the primary transfer roller 18 at a nip between the photosensitive drum 13 and the intermediate transfer belt 19. Further, the CPU 32 controls an image forming timing in each cartridge 12 by a timing corresponding to a conveyance speed of the intermediate transfer belt 19, and sequentially transfers the respective toner images onto the intermediate transfer belt 19. Thus, a full color image is finally formed on the intermediate transfer belt 19.
On the other hand, the sheet 21 in the cassette 22 is conveyed by the feed roller 25 onto the conveyance path, and one sheet 21 separated by the separation rollers 26a and 26b passes through the registration roller 27 and is conveyed to the secondary transfer roller 29. Thereafter, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 19 is transferred to the sheet 21 at a nip portion between the secondary transfer roller 29 and the intermediate transfer belt 19 on the downstream side of the registration roller 27 so that an unfixed toner image is formed on the sheet 21. Finally, the unfixed toner image on the sheet 21 is heat-fixed by the fixing device 30 and the sheet 21 to which the toner image is fixed is discharged to an outside of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes, for example, an environmental temperature sensor 40 configured to measure an environmental temperature of outside air, and can perform an image formation setting according to a measured environmental temperature. [Drive Structure]
Next, a drive structure configured to rotate the developing roller 16 will be described with reference to
The A-motor 101 is a brushless motor, and a rotational force generated in the A-motor 101 is transmitted to the mechanical clutches 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K by the drive transmissions YA, MA, CA, and KA by the gear train, respectively. The D-motor 104 is a motor (for example, a stepping motor) configured to control a rotational position. When the D-motor 104 is rotated by a predetermined rotation amount, the driving forces transmitted from the A-motor 101 to the mechanical clutches 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K are successively transmitted to the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K through the drive transmissions YB, MB, CB, and KB. Thus, the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C and 16K are rotated. The D-motor 104 functions as a switching unit configured to switch between a transmission state in which the mechanical clutches 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K transmit the driving force of the A-motor 101 to the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K, and a non-transmission state in which the driving force is not transmitted. [A-motor]
Next, a motor structure configured to rotate the A-motor 101 will be described.
The counter 123 performs a counting operation on the basis of a reference clock generated by the reference clock generator 125 on a basis of a frequency signal of a quartz oscillator 126, and measures a cycle of an input pulse signal base on the count value, and generates a PWM signal. The PWM port 127 as an output unit is provided with six terminals, and outputs PWM signals of three high-side signals (U-H, V-H, W-H) and three low-side signals (U-L, V-L, W-L). The motor controller 120 includes a 3-phase inverter 131 composed of 3 high side switching elements and 3 low side switching elements. As the switching element, for example, a transistor or a field effect transistor (hereinafter referred to as FET) can be used. Each switching element is connected to the PWM port 127 via a gate driver 132, and can be controlled to be ON or OFF (ON/OFF) by the PWM signal outputted from the PWM port 127. Each switching element has the PWM signal turning on at a high level (hereinafter referred to as H) and the PWM signal turning off at a low level (hereinafter referred to as L), but the turning on/off of the PWM signal may be reversed.
The U, V, and W phase outputs 133 of the inverter 131 are connected to coils 135, 136, and 137 of the A-motor 101, respectively, and can control the currents (hereinafter referred to as coil current) flowing through the coils 135, 136, and 137, respectively. The coil currents flowing through the coils 135, 136, and 137 are detected by a current detection portion serving as a detection unit. The current detection portion includes a current sensor 130, an amplifier 134, the A-D converter 129, and the current value calculation portion 128. First, the current flowing through the coils 135, 136, and 137 is converted into a voltage by the current sensor 130. The voltage converted by the current sensor 130 is amplified by the amplifier 134, and an offset voltage is applied to the voltage by the amplifier 134, and the voltage is input to the A-D converter 129 of the microcomputer 121. For example, if the current sensor 130 outputs a voltage of 0.01 V per 1 A, an amplification factor of the amplifier 134 is 10 times, and the applied offset voltage is 1.6 V, the output voltage of the amplifier 134 when a current of −(minus)10 A to +(plus) 10 A flows becomes 0.6 to 2.6 V.
The A-D converter 129 converts, for example, a voltage of 0 to 3 V, which is an analog value, into a digital value of 0 to 4095, and outputs a converted voltage. Therefore, in a case in which a current of— (minus) 10 A to +(plus) 10 A flows, the digital value is approximately 819 to 3549. Regarding to the positive or negative value of the current, a case in which the current flows from the 3-phase inverter 131 to the A-motor 101 is referred to as +(plus). The current value calculation portion 128 calculates a current value by applying a predetermined calculation to analog-to-digital (hereinafter referred to as AD) converted data (hereinafter referred to as an AD value). That is, the current value calculation portion 128 subtracts the offset value from the AD value and multiplies it by a predetermined coefficient to obtain a current value. Since the offset value will be the AD value of the offset voltage 1.6 V, it is approximately 2184, and the predetermined coefficient is approximately 0.00733. For the offset value, the AD value in a case in which the coil current is not flowing is read and stored in a temporary storage unit (not shown) for use. The coefficient is previously stored in a nonvolatile memory 124 as a standard coefficient.
The microcomputer 121 controls the 3-phase inverter 131 through the gate driver 132 to supply current to coils 135, 136 and 137 of the A-motor 101. The microcomputer 121 detects the current flowing through the coils 135, 136 and 137 by the current sensor 130, the amplifier 134 and the A-D converter 129, and calculates a rotor position and speed of the A-motor 101 from the detected current flowing through the coils 135, 136 and 137. Thus, the microcomputer 121 can control the rotation of the A-motor 101. The communication port 122 transmits and receives information to and from the printer controller 31 via, for example, a serial communication line. [Structure of the A-Motor]
Next, a structure of the A-motor 101 will be described with reference to
Next, the operations of the A-motor 101 and the developing roller 16, which is a load of the A-motor 101, according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to
First, at the timing A, the motor controller 120 activates the A-motor 101 in a non-connected state in which all developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K are disconnected from the A-motor 101. Subsequently, the motor controller 120 starts rotating the D-motor 104 with the A-motor 101 rotating at a predetermined speed to connect the mechanical clutch 105Y at the timing B so as to start rotating the developing roller 16Y. Similarly, the motor controller 120 connects the mechanical clutches 105M, 105C and 105K at the timings C, D and E, respectively, so as to start rotating the developing rollers 16M, 16C and 16K. As shown in the item (i), the torque applied to the A-motor 101 gradually increases at the timings B, C, D, and E. The motor controller 120 switches the mechanical clutches 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K to the transmission state at different timings so that the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K start to rotate at different timings respectively by the D-motor 104.
After a print job is completed, the motor controller 120 rotates the D-motor 104 so that the mechanical clutches 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K are disconnected into non-connected states, respectively, in order of the timings F, G, H, and I. Thus, the rotations of the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K are sequentially stopped. As shown in the item (i), the torque applied to the A-motor 101 gradually decreases at the timings F, G, H, and I. Finally, the motor controller 120 controls to stop the rotation of the A-motor 101 at the timing J. With such a configuration, even one motor can sequentially start the rotations of the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K immediately before the image formations of respective stations, and can sequentially stop the rotations immediately after the image formation. The motor controller 120 switches the mechanical clutches 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K to non-transmission states at different timings by the D-motor 104 so that the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K respectively stop rotating at different timings. A predetermined number of print operations are performed from the timing E to the timing F.
The amounts of change (hereinafter referred to as torque variation) in the torque applied to the A-motor 101 at the timings B, C, D, and E in this sequence are the torques corresponding to the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K, respectively. The amounts of change in the torque applied to the A-motor 101 at the timings F, G, H, and I are also torques corresponding to the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K, respectively. Therefore, the torques of the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K can be detected by detecting the amounts of change in the torque applied to the A-motor 101. [Method of Calculating Torque of Developing Roller]
A method of calculating each torque of the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K in the first embodiment will be described with reference to
The motor controller 120 calculates the current value flowing in the A-motor 101 by the current value calculation portion 128. The CPU 32 of the printer controller 31 obtains the current value calculated by the current value calculation portion 128 from the motor controller 120. Here, an average value (hereinafter referred to as a current average value) of the current value between the timing A and the timing B is assumed to be AVE_AB, and the average value of the current between the timing B and the timing C is assumed to be AVE_BC. The current average value between the timing C and the timing D is assumed to be AVE_CD, and the current average value between the timing D and the timing E is assumed to be AVE_DE. Further, the current average value for a predetermined time, for example, a few seconds from the timing E is assumed to be AVE_AFE. Values (hereinafter referred to as torque equivalent values) Ty1, Tm1, Tc1, and Tk1 corresponding to respective torques of the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K on the axis of the A-motor 101 can be expressed by the following expressions (1) to (4). The CPU 32 obtains the current average values from the obtained current values, and obtains the torque equivalent values from the current average values.
Ty1=Kt×(AVE_BC−AVE_AB) Expression (1)
Tm1=Kt×(AVE_CD−AVE_BC) Expression (2)
Tc1=Kt×(AVE_DE−AVE_CD) Expression (3)
Tk1=Kt×(AVE_AFE−AVE_DE) Expression (4)
Kt: torque constant
As described above, a difference between the current values (specifically, the current average values) before and after the transition from the non-transmission state to the transmission state of each of the mechanical clutches 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K is proportional to each of the torque equivalent values Ty1, Tm1, Tc1, and Tk1.
In the above description, the torque equivalent values Ty1, Tm1, Tc1, and Tk1 are calculated by multiplying the current average values by the torque constant Kt, and the respective torques of the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K are calculated. However, it is also effective in the present embodiment to use, in the subsequent determination, the result of obtaining the current values corresponding to the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K, such as absolute current values of AVE_AB, AVE_BC, AVE_CD, AVE_DE, AVE_AFE, that is, the sum current values of the plurality of developing rollers, the difference between AVE_BC and AVE_AB, the difference between AVE_CD and AVE_BC, the difference between AVE_DE and AVE_CD, and the difference between AVE_AFE and AVE_DE.
After a predetermined number of prints are completed, the motor controller 120 starts the rotation of the D-motor 104 again, thereby disconnecting the mechanical clutch 105Y at the timing F and stopping the rotation of the developing roller 16Y. Similarly, the motor controller 120 stops the rotation of the developing rollers 16M, 16C and 16K by disconnecting the mechanical clutches 105M, 105C and 105K at the timings G, H and I, respectively. As shown in the item (i) of
Ty2=Kt×(AVE_BFF−AVE_FG) Expression (5)
Tm2=Kt×(AVE_FG−AVE_GH) Expression (6)
Tc2=Kt×(AVE_GH−AVE_HI) Expression (7)
Tk2=Kt×(AVE_HI−AVE_IJ) Expression (8)
Kt: torque constant
As described above, the difference between the current values (specifically, the current average values) before and after the transition from the transmission state to the non-transmission state of each of the mechanical clutches 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K is proportional to each of the torque equivalent values Ty2, Tm2, Tc2, and Tk2.
In the above description, the torque equivalent values Ty2, Tm2, Tc2, and Tk2 are calculated by multiplying the current average values by the torque constant Kt, and the torques of the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K are calculated. However, a method of using, in the subsequent determination, the result of obtaining the current values corresponding to the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, 16K, such as the absolute current values of the AVE_BFF, AVE_FG, AVE_GH, AVE_HI, and AVE_IJ, that is, the sum current value of the plurality of developing rollers, the difference between AVE_BFF and AVE_FG, the difference between AVE_FG and AVE_GH, the difference between AVE_GH and AVE_HI, and the difference between AVE_HI and AVE_IJ are also effective in the embodiment.
As described above, the CPU 32 can calculate the torque equivalent values Ty1, Tm1, Tc1, and Tk1 of the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K immediately before the start of printing, and the torque equivalent values Ty2, Tm2, Tc2, and Tk2 of the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K immediately after the end of printing. The CPU 32 functions as a calculation unit configured to calculate the respective torque values of the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K based on the current value when the D-motor 104 is in the non-transmission state and the current value when the D-motor is in the transmission state. In the first embodiment, the configuration in which the one motor (A-motor 101) drives the four developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K is described. However, a configuration in which one motor drives one photosensitive drum 13 and two developing rollers 16 is also possible, and the invention is not limited to the configuration in the first embodiment. That is, the present invention is applicable to a configuration in which at least one or more rotary members are driven by one motor. [Example of use of Torque Equivalent Value]
Next, in
As described with reference to
A developing roller 16 of a station of which a torque equivalent value among the torque equivalent values Ty1, Tm1, Tc1, and Tk1 of the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K calculated immediately before the stop of the A-motor 101 has exceeded the predetermined threshold value Tth is hereinafter referred to as the overload developing roller. In
Although the method of determining the overload by obtaining the torque equivalent values has been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in the case in which the result of obtaining the current values corresponding to the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, 16K, such as the absolute current values of the AVE_AB, AVE_BC, AVE_CD, AVE_DE, and AVE_AFE, that is, the sum current value of the plurality of developing rollers, the difference between AVE_BC and AVE_AB, the difference between AVE_CD and AVE_BC, the difference between AVE_DE and AVE_CD, the difference between AVE_AFE and AVE_DE is larger than the predetermined threshold value, the CPU 32 determines that the developing roller is the overload developing roller, and informs the user and the service man of the information on the overload developing roller (developing roller 16M in
As described above, by notifying the user and the service person of the overload developing roller 16 causing the failure, it is possible to replace only the overload developing roller causing the failure without unnecessary replacement of a developing roller 16. In the first embodiment, in the case in which the torque equivalent values Ty1, Tm1, Tc1, and Tk1 of the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K, respectively, exceed the predetermined threshold value Tth, it is considered to be the overload developing roller, but the method of determining the overload developing roller is not limited to the first embodiment, and may be a method of determining a developing roller 16 with the highest torque as the overload developing roller.
[Determination Process of Overload Developing Roller]
Next, a determination process of the overload developing roller of the first embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart of
In S103, the CPU 32 starts rotation of the D-motor 104 by the motor controller 120. In S104, the CPU 32 obtains a current value in order to obtain the current average value AVE_AB of the A-motor 101 from the timing A. In S105, the CPU 32 monitors the current value of the A-motor 101 to determine whether the timing B has been detected from the change in the current value. Here, the change in the current value is a change in the current value associated with the connection of the developing roller 16Y, as shown in
In S107, the CPU 32 starts to obtain the current value in order to obtain the current average value AVE_BC of the A-motor 101 from the timing B. In S108, the CPU 32 monitors the current value of the A-motor 101 to determine whether the timing C has been detected from a change in the current value. In S108, if it is determined that the timing C has not been detected, the CPU 32 returns the process to S108, and if it is determined that the timing C has been detected, the process proceeds to S109. In S109, the CPU 32 obtains the current average value AVE_BC of the A-motor 101 from the timing B.
In S110, the CPU 32 starts to obtain the current value in order to obtain the current average value AVE_CD of the A-motor 101 from the timing C. In S111, the CPU 32 monitors the current value of the A-motor 101 to determine whether the timing D has been detected from a change in the current value. In S111, if it is determined that the timing D has not been detected, the CPU 32 returns the process to S111, and if it is determined that the timing D has been detected, the process proceeds to S112. In S112, the CPU 32 obtains the current average value AVE_CD of the A-motor 101 from the timing C.
In S113, the CPU 32 starts to obtain the current value in order to obtain the current average value AVE_DE of the A-motor 101 from the timing D. In S114, the CPU 32 monitors the current value of the A-motor 101 to determine whether the timing E has been detected from a change in the current value. In S114, if it is determined that the timing E is not detected, the CPU 32 returns the process to S114, and if it is determined that the timing E is detected, the process proceeds to S115. In S115, the CPU 32 obtains the current average value AVE_DE of the A-motor 101 from the timing D.
In S116, after the predetermined time has elapsed, the CPU 32 starts to acquire a current value in order to obtain the current average value AVE_AFE of the A-motor 101 from the timing E. The CPU 32 resets and starts the timer 32c. In S117, the CPU 32 refers to the timer 32c to determine whether the predetermined time has elapsed. In S117, if it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the CPU 32 returns the process to S117, and if it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S118. In S118, the CPU 32 obtains the current average value AVE_AFE of the A-motor 101 within the predetermined time from the timing E. In S119, the CPU 32 determines whether or not a print operation (print sequence) end process of a predetermined number of sheets has been started. If it is determined in S119 that the print sequence end process has been started, the CPU 32 determines that the operation is normally progressing, and advances the process to S125. If it is determined in S119 that the print sequence end process has not been started, the CPU 32 advances the process to S120.
In S120, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the A-motor 101 has been stopped because the state in which the current value of the A-motor 101 is equal to or greater than the temperature rise protection current threshold value continues for the predetermined time or longer. That is, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the A-motor 101 has been stopped because the state of “the current value of the A-motor 101 the temperature rise protection current threshold value” continues for the predetermined time or longer. In S120, if it is determined that the A-motor 101 is not stopped, the CPU 32 returns the process to S119, and if it is determined that the A-motor 101 is stopped, the process advances to S121. In S121, the CPU 32 calculates the torque equivalent values Ty1, Tm1, Tc1, and Tk1 of the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K, respectively, using the expressions (1), (2), (3), and (4) described in
In the first embodiment, the torque equivalent values Ty1, Tm1, Tc1, and Tk1 of the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K immediately before the start of printing are used to identify the overload developing roller as a cause of failure. However, the identifying method of identifying the overload developing roller which is the cause of failure by using the torque equivalent values Ty2, Tm2, Tc2, and Tk2 of the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K immediately after the printing is ended is not limited to the first embodiment. In a configuration in which a plurality of rollers are driven by one motor, the plurality of rollers are not limited to the developing rollers, but may be other rollers. As described above, by notifying the user and the service person of an overload roller that causes the failure, it is possible to prevent unnecessary replacement of a roller and replace only the overload roller that causes the failure.
As described above, according to the first embodiment, the plurality of rollers can be driven by one motor. Further, even in the configuration in which the plurality of rollers are driven by the one motor, the torque value of each roller can be obtained.
[Detection of Sign of Failure]
In the first embodiment, an example of identifying the overload developing roller which is a cause of failure after the A-motor 101 stops due to the temperature rise protection has been described. In a second embodiment, an example in which before a stop of the A-motor 101 occurs, a sign of that will be notified will be described. In the second embodiment, even if a state in which the current value of the A-motor 101 is equal to or greater than the temperature rise protection current threshold value continues for less than the predetermined time or the current value of the A-motor 101 is less than the temperature rise protection current threshold value, a presence or absence of an overload developing roller is determined, and if there is an overload developing roller, the overload developing roller 16 is identified. In the following, different points in the second embodiment from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same reference numerals will be assigned to the same components as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. With reference to
In
After the predetermined number of prints are completed, the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K stop rotating in the period from the timing F to the timing J as described in
For example, in
In the second embodiment, the CPU 32 compares the torque equivalent values Ty1, Tm1, Tc1, and Tk1 of the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K immediately before the start of printing and the torque equivalent values Ty2, Tm2, Tc2, and Tk2 of the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K immediately after the end of printing with the predetermined threshold value Tth prepared in advance. The example in which in the case in which any one of the torque equivalent values Ty1, Tm1, Tc1, Tk1, Ty2, Tm2, Tc2, and Tk2 of the developing rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K is larger than the predetermined threshold value Tth, the CPU 32 determines the developing roller 16 of the station as the overload developing roller. However, a ratio of the torque equivalent value of the developing roller to the predetermined threshold value may be displayed on the display panel 33 and/or the screen of the PC (not shown) for each station. That is, the CPU 32 may compare the torque value of the developing roller with the predetermined threshold value and determine whether the developing roller is the overload developing roller based on the ratio of the torque value to the predetermined threshold value. As described above, the calculation method and the display method on the display panel 33 and/or the screen of the PC are not limited to the second embodiment.
[Determination Process of Overload Developing Roller]
The control of the second embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart of
In S119, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the print sequence end process has started. In S119, if it is determined that the print sequence end process has not started, the CPU 32 advances the process to S120, and if it is determined that the print sequence end process has started, the CPU 32 advances the process to S125. In S120, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the A-motor 101 has stopped due to the temperature rise protection. In S120, if it is determined that the A-motor 101 is not stopped, the CPU 32 returns the process to S119, and if it is determined that the A-motor 101 is stopped, the process proceeds to S230. In S230, the CPU 32 displays the information about the overload developing roller on the display panel 33. Note that the information displayed in S123 is the information about the overload developing roller identified before the A-motor 101 stops, and the information displayed in S230 is the information about the overload developing roller identified after the A-motor 101 stops. If the information displayed in S230 is the same as the information displayed in S123, the process in S230 may be omitted.
In S125, the CPU 32 starts the rotation of the D-motor 104. In S202, the CPU 32 starts to obtain the current value in order to obtain the current average value AVE_BFF of the A-motor 101 before the timing F. In S203, the CPU 32 monitors the current value of the A-motor 101 to determine whether the timing F is detected from the change in the current value. In S203, if it is determined that the timing F is not detected, the CPU 32 returns the process to S203, and if it is determined that the timing F is detected, the process proceeds to S204. In S204, the CPU 32 obtains the current average value AVE_BFF of the A-motor 101 until the timing F is detected.
In S205, the CPU 32 starts to obtain the current value in order to obtain the current average value AVE_FG of the A-motor 101 from the timing F. In S206, the CPU 32 monitors the current value of the A-motor 101 to determine whether the timing G is detected from the change in the current value. In S206, if it is determined that the timing G has not been detected, the CPU 32 returns the process to S206, and if it is determined that the timing G has been detected, the process proceeds to S207. In S207, the CPU 32 obtains the current average value AVE_FG of the A-motor 101 from the timing F.
In S208, the CPU 32 starts to obtain the current value in order to obtain the current average value AVE_GH of the A-motor 101 from the timing G. In S209, the CPU 32 monitors the current value of the A-motor 101 to determine whether the timing H has been detected from the change in the current value. In S209, if it is determined that the timing H has not been detected, the CPU 32 returns the process to S209, and if it is determined that the timing H has been detected, the process proceeds to S210. In S210, the CPU 32 determines the current average value AVE_GH of the A-motor 101 from the timing G.
In S211, the CPU 32 starts to obtain the current value in order to obtain the current average value AVE_HI of the A-motor 101 from the timing H. In S212, the CPU 32 monitors the current value of the A-motor 101 to determine whether the timing I is detected from the change in the current value. In S212, if it is determined that the timing I is not detected, the CPU 32 returns the process to S212, and if it is determined that the timing I is detected, the process proceeds to S213. In S213, the CPU 32 determines the current average value AVE_HI of the A-motor 101 from the timing H.
In S214, the CPU 32 completes the obtainment of the current value in order to obtain the current average value AVE_IJ of the A-motor 101 from the timing I. The CPU 32 resets and starts the timer 32c. In S215, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed by referring to the timer 32c. In S215, if it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the CPU 32 returns the process to S215, and if it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S216. In S216, the CPU 32 obtains the current average value AVE_IJ of the A-motor 101 until the predetermined time elapses from the timing I. In S217, the CPU 32 calculates the torque equivalent values Ty2, Tm2, Tc2, and Tk2 of the developing rollers 16. In S218, the CPU 32 compares the predetermined threshold value Tth with each torque equivalent value calculated in S217, and identifies the developing roller 16 at the station that has exceeded the predetermined threshold value Tth as the overload developing roller. The developing roller 16 identified as the overload developing roller is the overload developing roller that may cause the A-motor 101 to stop in the next print sequence, and the CPU 32 regards this as the sign.
In S219, the CPU 32 determines whether or not there is the overload developing roller. If it is determined in S219 that there is no overload developing roller, the CPU 32 ends the overload developing roller notification sequence and the print sequence. If it is determined in S219 that there is the overload developing roller, the CPU 32 advances the process to S220. In S220, the CPU 32 displays the information about the overload developing roller on the display panel 33 and/or the screen of the PC (not shown), and ends the overload developing roller notification sequence and the print sequence.
As described above, the information on the overload developing roller is notified to the user and the service person on the display panel 33 and/or the screen of the PC (not shown). Thus, the user and the service person can order a new developing roller in advance before the motor stops due to the abnormality of the developing roller.
In the first and second embodiments, the CPU 32 (printer controller 31) obtains the current average values and the torque equivalent values from the current values, but the motor controller 120 may obtain these values and transmit the obtained information to the CPU 32. That is, the functions of the printer controller 31 and the motor controller 120 are not limited to the embodiments described above. As described above, according to the second embodiment, the plurality of rollers can be driven by one motor. Further, even in the configuration in which the plurality of rollers are driven by the one motor, the torque values of respective rollers can be obtained.
[About Other Variations]
In the embodiment described above, the processing relating to the total load of the plurality of developing rollers 16 and the processing relating to the load of one developing roller 16 in the case in which the notification process is performed have been described. However, in the configurations of the first and second embodiments, it is possible to carry out the processing using the current values instead of the torque values in both cases of the plurality of developing rollers 16 and one developing roller 16. In the case of the plurality of developing rollers 16 and the case of one developing roller 16, the processing can be performed using the torque values. Further, one of the case of the plurality of developing rollers 16 and the case of one developing roller 16 can be processed using the current values and the other can be processed using the torque values.
As described above, in the case in which the current value is detected by the current detection portion while at least one or more developing rollers 16 are driven by the A-motor 101 and the current value is a first value, the information indicating that at least one or more developing rollers 16 are in the abnormal state is not displayed on the display panel 33. In the case in which the detected current value is a second value larger than the first value, the information indicating that at least one or more developing rollers 16 are in the abnormal state is displayed on the display panel 33.
Further, the following control can be performed. A first current value is detected by the current detection portion in a state in which the developing roller 16 of a predetermined color which is a first rotary member among at least one or more developing rollers 16 is not driven by the A-motor 101. A second current value is detected by the current detection portion while the developing roller 16 of the predetermined color is driven by the A-motor 101. In a case in which a difference between the first current value and the second current value is a first value, the control may be performed so that the information indicating that the developing roller 16 of the predetermined color is in the abnormal state is not displayed on the display panel 33. In a case in which the difference between the first current value and the second current value is a second value larger than the first value, the display panel 33 may be controlled to display the information indicating that the developing roller 16 of the predetermined color is in the abnormal state. The first value is smaller than the threshold value Tth, and the second value is larger than the first value and larger than the threshold value Tth. In these modifications as well, a plurality of rollers can be driven by one motor.
[Other Embodiments]
Embodiments of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiments and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiments, and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiments and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiments. The computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.
While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-198380, filed Nov. 30, 2020, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-120719, filed Jul. 21, 2021 which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2020-198380 | Nov 2020 | JP | national |
| JP2021-120719 | Jul 2021 | JP | national |
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| 2001-209276 | Aug 2001 | JP |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220171317 A1 | Jun 2022 | US |
